《Reborn with Infinity Money System, I was Worshipped by All Universes!》 Chapter1-The Great Tycoon in a Magical World Titan Galaxy, Solar System #999, Star Uranus. "No wonder he''s the renowned genius awakener of Uranus, detected with an S-rank mana core!" "With that talent, Oneal will surely become a member of the Watchers'' Legion after this planetary fortress is established!" "So envious! He''s already exceptionally talented, and once he joins the Watchers'' Legion, he''ll have access to abundant resources. His future is bound to skyrocket, becoming an unimaginable big shot!" Under the bright sunlight, a crowd of young men and women gathered in the plaza, chattering as they looked at the proud young man with admiration. The establishment of the fortress and the selection for the Watchers'' Legion¡ªbecoming a member of a prominent family''s ranks¡ªwas a paramount event for all awakeners, attracting countless young talents to this place. After all, becoming a member of the Watchers'' Legion was a ticket to the pinnacle of this planet''s hierarchy. Not only would they receive immense resource support, but their status would also rise to unprecedented heights. Amidst the envious gazes of the crowd, the black-robed elder responsible for testing talent nodded slightly and said to Oneal: "S-rank mana core. Among all the awakeners tested so far, your talent ranks first!" Hearing this, the already confident Oneal smiled even more proudly. It seemed that joining the Watchers'' Legion this time was a foregone conclusion! But at that moment¡ª The plaza trembled lightly, and everyone seemed to be enveloped in a layer of dazzling white light. Suddenly, a radiant white pillar of light descended in the center of the plaza! Following that, a white-haired maiden holding a sword emerged from the circle of light. Her skin was as white as snow, her figure tall and graceful, like a meticulously sculpted work of art, flawless in every aspect. When Oneal saw her, a flicker of amazement flashed in his eyes. He immediately stepped forward confidently, extending a hand, "Miss, you''re also here for the selection, aren''t you? My name is Oneal, S-rank mana core. How about we become friends?" The maiden glanced at him. "S-rank mana core?" Oneal''s lips curled into a smile. "An S-rank fire mana core. If we team up, I''ll even share a portion of the rewards with you." The maiden sighed. "Still not good enough." Oneal froze for a moment, stunned by the girl''s dismissive remark. His expression twisted in anger as he burst into laughter, fury evident in his voice: "Such an arrogant little beauty! I''ve never met one as feisty as you. I wonder if you''re just as fiery in bed!" The maiden''s face turned icy. Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, she appeared before Oneal in an instant! What incredible speed! Oneal''s heart skipped a beat. He was just about to channel his mana when he saw the maiden''s snow-white hand, carrying a gale-like force, rapidly magnifying in his vision. Smack! Her palm landed on his cheek, sending him flying with a spurt of blood! The sight of Oneal coughing up blood and being sent hurtling backward left the crowd below in an uproar. Oneal, the most talented awakener among them, with physical strength capable of withstanding tier-2 spellbeasts, was heavily injured with just one slap? This maiden was terrifying! At that moment, they saw the black-haired elder responsible for talent detection rush toward the maiden with astonishing speed! After all, this was the crucial selection period for the Watchers'' Legion. The House of von Michelstein would never allow anyone to cause trouble here! As this thought crossed their minds, the black-haired elder suddenly skidded to a halt before the maiden, bowing deeply and respectfully saying: "My Lady, you''ve finally returned!" My Lady?! Hearing these words, the crowd was utterly shocked. The envoy from the House of von Michelstein was already an untouchable figure in their eyes. And to their knowledge, the only one he would address as "My Lady" was the famed prodigy of the star system. Oneal, who had just spoken so brazenly to the maiden, felt his heart pounding wildly! The maiden, however, paid no attention to their reactions and said indifferently: "I''ve already surveyed this planet over the past few days. There''s not a single talent worth noticing. No point wasting time." The envoy rubbed his temples, looking somewhat troubled. "My Lady, the Duke has already given the order. You must establish a fortress on this planet, and the Watchers'' Legion to guard it is indispensable. Without recruiting anyone, it''ll be impossible to accomplish¡­" He knew his lady''s excellence. At just 17 years old, she had reached Hero Rank. Her talent was among the top in the entire star system. But his lady had no interest in family affairs, caring only about her own strength. To train this daughter, the Duke had assigned her to develop this new star, providing only the most basic resources. S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The aim was to have her gradually take responsibility and develop her abilities in managing family matters. The white-haired maiden glanced at the envoy her father had sent and shook her head. "The legion is the foundation of the fortress. The requirements must be strict. Mediocre and unremarkable individuals have no right to join the Watchers'' Legion. Bringing in the weak would only waste the family''s resources. If there''s an invasion of extraterrestrial creatures, I alone am enough." The envoy quickly replied, "My Lady, that may be true, but what will you say when the Duke arrives? A fortress without a Watchers'' Legion is no fortress. Do you plan to guard this place for the rest of your life?" The maiden froze for a moment. Indeed, with her strength, protecting this planet was no challenge. But this was not what her father wanted! She had to recruit some personnel. Only then could she leave quickly! With that thought, she strode to the center of the plaza, plunged her sword into the ground, and swept her sharp gaze over the crowd. "On behalf of Duke Michelstein, I am now recruiting members for the Watchers'' Legion. If you have what it takes, come challenge me. Last one move against me, and you''ll become a member of the Watchers'' Legion, with access to the family''s resources!" The crowd hesitated, tempted by the offer. But remembering how the talented Oneal was severely injured with just one slap, they quickly lost their courage. The maiden sighed in disappointment. "These people¡­ Not only are their talents pathetic, but they lack even a shred of spirit!" "No one dares to challenge me?" Her overwhelming aura made everyone avert their gazes, retreating in fear. In the crowd, a dazed young man named Velen, still processing his surroundings, suddenly stood out under the maiden''s scrutiny. The maiden glanced at the delicate-looking youth with interest and said, word by word: "You, do you want to challenge me?" Velen''s heart skipped a beat. Memories from his original host began to flood his mind. Interstellar exploration¡­ Extraterrestrial races¡­ Awakening¡­ Duke Michelstein¡­ Watchers'' Legion¡­ The young lady¡­ Family trial¡­ Lack of gold coins¡­ Scenes played like a movie in his mind. It didn''t take long for him to realize¡ª He had transmigrated! And he had been mistaken as a challenger by this terrifyingly powerful maiden! Recalling Oneal''s earlier humiliation, and realizing he hadn''t even awakened a mana core, Velen knew he wouldn''t even know how he died! Instinctively stepping back, a cold, mechanical female voice suddenly echoed in his mind. "Congratulations, Host, you have activated the Infinity Money System!" "Infinity Money System? This¡­ this doesn''t feel right." Velen''s eyes widened. This was an incredibly dangerous magical world! As if sensing his doubts, text appeared on the translucent system interface before him: "This Infinity Money System grants the host unlimited currency. The host may use it without restriction. Proper usage will generate luxury points; improper usage will result in deductions." "Luxury points can enhance skills and levels!" After reading this, a personal status panel appeared before Velen. [Name: Velen Talent: None Bloodline: None Level: Unawakened Luxury Points: 0 Special Item: Tier-1 Lv9 High-Explosion Scroll ¡Á 99,999] "Daily items refresh. Flaunt your wealth wisely to earn luxury points. Improper flaunting will deduct luxury points!" Seeing this, Velen was ecstatic. With money, anything was possible! Unlimited currency meant unlimited resources! For an awakener, the most crucial things were talent and resources! Who said he couldn''t be a tycoon in a magical world?! "Congratulations, Host, for triggering a mission: Join the Watchers'' Legion. Mission success rewards 100 luxury points. Mission failure deducts 100 luxury points." "Do you accept the mission?" Without hesitation, Velen accepted! He calmed himself, composed his thoughts, and began walking toward the maiden with steady steps and a calm gaze, showing no signs of fear. The maiden was surprised that this delicate-looking youth dared to step forward. Coldly, she asked: "You don''t look like an awakener. Where do you get the confidence to challenge me?" Velen smiled. "I can give you what you need." The maiden clearly didn''t believe him. "You? From this backwater place? Do you even know what I need the most?" "Money!" Velen declared confidently. "To build a fortress, what you need most is money. With money, you can buy all the resources this planet has to offer!" "And do you know how much money I need?" the maiden asked, raising an eyebrow. Velen nodded. "Naturally. On this planet, building a fortress would require at least 10,000 gold coins!" 10,000 gold coins! Gasps of shock echoed through the crowd. To them, one gold coin was enough to sustain a year''s livelihood. Even working tirelessly for an entire year, they could only earn two or three gold coins at best. 10,000 gold coins was an astronomical figure! Looking around the planet, there was hardly anyone who could produce such an amount all at once! The maiden stared at him and said, "Since you know how short I am on gold coins, if you can produce 10,000 gold coins to prove your value to the Watchers'' Legion, I''ll make an exception and let you join the fortress." "This is the only value you hold for me. Otherwise, leave and stop wasting my time." Her words were followed by a collective gasp from the crowd. 10,000 gold coins! It would take them a thousand years of hard work without eating or drinking to accumulate such a sum! And even those who could amass such wealth wouldn''t necessarily join the Watchers'' Legion! Wasn''t this an impossible demand? Velen''s expression didn''t change. Calmly, he said: "For a regular fortress, 10,000 gold coins would suffice. But I believe an ordinary fortress doesn''t match the stature of someone like you, My Lady. A super fortress worth 100,000 gold coins would be more fitting for your status!" Chapter2-Ill Give You Ten Times! 100,000 gold coins! The moment Velen''s words fell, everyone present gasped audibly. Such an astronomical amount of gold coins¡ªthey wouldn''t even dare to dream of it. Could this young man actually produce such a sum? The white-haired maiden stared at Velen skeptically, her tone mocking: "Heh, 100,000 gold coins? You think it''s that easy to just run your mouth? If you can truly produce it, what harm is there in letting you join the Watchers'' Legion?" As soon as she finished speaking, she saw Velen''s lips curl into a faint smile. He reached into his pocket, pulled out a storage pouch, and handed it over directly. "100,000 gold coins, please verify." His confident demeanor and calm action left the white-haired maiden momentarily stunned. Disbelieving, she took the pouch and immediately infused it with her mana to inspect. Gold coins! Inside the pouch, an enormous pile of gold coins was stacked like a small mountain! A quick probe revealed it to be no less than 100,000 gold coins¡ªall of excellent quality! "100,000 gold coins? You really have 100,000 gold coins?!" The white-haired maiden''s eyes widened in shock, unable to suppress her exclamation. She had seen such wealth before, but Velen¡ªaside from being handsome¡ªseemed utterly ordinary. How could he produce such an immense sum at once? Everyone else present, hearing her words, turned their gazes toward Velen in unison. Could this person really produce 100,000 gold coins? There had been no rumors of such a hidden tycoon in their midst! Had they encountered a secret magnate?! After a brief moment of astonishment, the white-haired maiden suddenly felt a jolt in her heart. This is bad! Just now, she had publicly promised that if Velen could produce 100,000 gold coins, she would let him join the Watchers'' Legion. Now that he had actually done it, was she really going to let him join? But the Legion only accepted elites. Adding someone as unremarkable as him would waste precious resources meant for the Legion. Worse still, she would become a laughingstock among the other family prodigies. She absolutely could not allow this person to join! Thinking this, the white-haired maiden glanced at Velen and shook her head slightly. "The fortress is still in its infancy. There''s nothing here yet. You should reconsider whether you really want to join¡­" Velen decisively interrupted, "If 100,000 gold coins isn''t enough to establish the fortress, I can provide additional funding to speed up its development!" Joining the Watchers'' Legion was tied to his system mission and his future; Velen had no intention of giving up so easily. "But you''re joining the Legion for access to resources, right? The fortress isn''t established yet, so there are no resources at the moment, and the future isn''t guaranteed either." "That''s fine. Resources can be bought with gold coins. If it''s a matter of money, then there''s no problem at all!" Velen replied earnestly. The white-haired maiden: "¡­" So, you''re rich? Does having money make you invincible? She had already been reluctant to recruit anyone, and now this random upstart was using his wealth to humiliate her! The white-haired maiden snorted coldly, her eyes narrowing as a sly smile appeared on her face. "Fine. From this moment on, you are a member of the Watchers'' Legion." Hearing this, Velen sensed something off about her smile, but the system''s notification promptly chimed in: "Congratulations, Host, for completing the mission. Reward: 100 luxury points!" "Congratulations, Host, for reasonably flaunting 100,000 gold coins. Reward: 100 luxury points!" "Current luxury points: 200. [Luxury points can be used to upgrade ranks and draw rewards, including potions, skills, bloodlines, artifacts, etc. Additionally, flaunting items from the system''s reward pool can yield more luxury points!] Reading the system prompt, Velen''s eyes sparkled with excitement. These luxury points were incredibly versatile! However, with only 200 points, he still had too few. At that moment, the white-haired maiden chuckled softly and said, "Since you''re so wealthy and now part of the Legion, come with me to the Stellar Auction." Stellar Auction? The name sounded familiar to Velen. A moment of recollection brought clarity. The Stellar Auction was a famous chain auction under the Stellar Commerce League, renowned across the Titan Galaxy. It was also the largest auction house on Uranus, offering an unparalleled variety and quality of items. The only downside? Everything was outrageously expensive. Curious about the Stellar Auction, Velen nodded in agreement. ... Stellar Auction. As a frequent destination for Uranus''s elite, the venue was resplendent, bustling with activity, and lively as ever. The grand auction hall was especially impressive, filled with prominent figures engaged in animated discussions as they awaited the upcoming event. "The Crystal Suite has been opened. Did some big shot arrive today? Why wasn''t there any prior notice?" "No idea. I heard the general manager personally arranged it!" "Tsk, tsk. It''s rare for the general manager to make an appearance." "Who cares who it is? At an auction, the highest bidder wins!" In the Crystal Suite on the second floor, under the watchful gazes of the crowd below, the white-haired maiden sat on a plush beast-skin sofa with Velen and the envoy. Through a one-way crystal screen, they observed the auction items on display. As the daughter of a Duke, Anastasia held a special status. Even though she had been dispatched to this remote, untamed planet, the auction house''s general manager dared not neglect her, promptly arranging for her group to occupy the most central Crystal Suite. After watching for a while, Anastasia pointed at a sharp-looking sword in the auction hall and said, "Velen, since you''re not an awakener, you wouldn''t know how expensive resources for awakeners are. See that first sword? The starting bid alone is 10,000 gold coins. The world of awakeners and ordinary people are entirely different worlds!" Velen gazed at the sword in surprise. Even though he wasn''t yet an awakener, the sword''s sharp aura stung his eyes. Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He couldn''t imagine how terrifying its unleashed power would be! However, a starting bid of 10,000 gold coins seemed¡­ too cheap. Recovering quickly, Velen calmly nodded and responded with a simple, "Oh." Anastasia, seeing his changing expressions, assumed he was overwhelmed by the auction''s grandeur and merely trying to feign composure. She chuckled lightly. "No need to put on a brave face. Since you''ve joined the Watchers'' Legion, I won''t treat you poorly." With that, she handed Velen a white scroll. "This is a Light Shield Scroll. It can only be used once, but in a critical moment, it could save your life." Hearing this, Velen felt a bit touched. Though Anastasia seemed difficult to get along with, her gesture of concern wasn''t bad at all. Just as he was about to accept, the system suddenly issued a warning. "As a tycoon, you should spend lavishly. How can you accept something for free? Accepting this will result in a deduction of 100 luxury points!" Seeing the blood-red system prompt, Velen''s eyelid twitched. Although the scroll seemed valuable, luxury points were undoubtedly more enticing. He immediately declined with firm conviction: "Miss, please keep the scroll. I already have too many of them to use." Anastasia: "¡­" Is this guy for real? The envoy laughed and said, "Velen, the Light Shield Scroll is no ordinary item. It''s one of the young lady''s prized possessions, a rare defensive tool. The starting bid alone would be 30,000 gold coins! In most fortresses, it would be treated as a trump card. If not for the fact that you haven''t awakened yet, the young lady wouldn''t have offered you such a precious item." Looking at Anastasia, Velen realized she was probably someone with a cold exterior but a kind heart. Noticing Velen''s complicated gaze, Anastasia said indifferently, "Don''t overthink it. I just don''t want the first person I recruited to die for no reason." Velen smiled and suddenly asked, "If I were to buy out everything at this auction, how much would it benefit the fortress?" The envoy pondered and replied, "With so many valuable items, it would likely accelerate the Watchers'' Legion''s development by 50 years!" "Do you have something in mind?" Anastasia asked, raising her gaze to Velen. "If you really can buy out everything, I''ll personally recommend you to the mother planet''s Legion when the time comes." Understanding that Anastasia, as the fortress''s leader and mentor, had the authority to recommend ordinary watchers for advanced training on the mother planet¡ªa dream opportunity for countless awakeners¡ªVelen made up his mind. He pressed the red button on the armrest without hesitation. "Honored guest, confirming once again: Pressing this button will reserve the entire auction, purchasing all items at five times their starting prices." Five times the starting prices! The Stellar Auction''s appraisal standards were extremely high. Most items sold for no more than three times their starting bids. But to buy out the entire auction would cost five times the starting prices! Scanning the text flashing on the crystal screen, Velen clicked Confirm without hesitation. Chapter3-The Auction? Ill Take Everything! At the front row of the auction hall sat over a dozen imposing young men. Clad in finely crafted azure battle armor forged from sturdy blue ironstone, their gear was engraved with flowing runic inscriptions, greatly enhancing its defensive capabilities. It could withstand the full-force attack of an Elite Rank awakener and was worth an astronomical sum. Each of them wore a winged emblem on their chest, faintly glowing with a soft light. The crowd in the auction hall cast awe-filled glances at them. "The House of Violet¡­ They''re a renowned alchemy family, famous for their scroll-making, and filthy rich. What are they doing here?" "I heard they''re planning to establish a fortress here. They''ve brought quite a few people." The murmurs from various corners of the auction hall reached the ears of the young man leading the group from the House of Violet. He snorted disdainfully, his tone filled with contempt: "A bunch of bumpkins!" Sweeping his gaze over the array of rare resources displayed in the auction hall, a satisfied smile finally appeared on his face. "This planet may be remote, but at least it has the Stellar Auction. If we can win these items, the fortress''s establishment will progress much faster." Noah spoke softly, already envisioning his glorious future. As long as the fortress was successfully established, he would become a key contributor to the House of Violet''s expansion and gain the family''s favor! With this in mind, he slowly rose from his seat, turning to survey the audience. A domineering aura radiated from him, sweeping through the hall like a tempest. "Ladies and gentlemen, the House of Violet is establishing a fortress here, which is a blessing for all of you. I ask for your cooperation¡ªwhen the auction begins, refrain from bidding. My House of Violet will be taking everything!" His words plunged the auction hall into a dead silence. What kind of statement was that? This auction featured numerous valuable items and resources, and many had spent considerable time preparing for it. For him to demand they step aside with a single sentence was outrageous and tyrannical! Almost everyone glared at Noah with anger. Yet most of them were too intimidated to speak out. Noah''s aura was terrifying, and the dozen young men standing beside him exuded a storm of oppressive pressure. It was clear that anyone who dared to oppose him would be immediately silenced. The crowd''s silence made the smile on Noah''s face even more pronounced. At this moment, the host of the auction, a woman in a red dress, gracefully stepped into the center of the hall. Her brows furrowed slightly as she said: "Lord Noah, if you wish to claim all the items, you can arrange for a private buyout at five times the starting price. There''s no need to intimidate others." Though the House of Violet was powerful, the Stellar Auction had its own formidable backing, and the woman in the red dress showed no fear. "Intimidate?" Noah turned to her, shrugging indifferently. "And what if I am intimidating? These people are giving me face willingly. What business is it of yours?" The red-dressed woman''s expression darkened. The auction''s participants didn''t have the Stellar Auction''s backing and were afraid to provoke the House of Violet. Was Noah really going to walk away with all the items at the lowest prices? This wouldn''t just damage the auction''s reputation but also make her, as the auctioneer, bear significant responsibility. At that moment¡ª The walls of the auction hall suddenly lit up with dazzling radiance, like a display of magnificent fireworks. The Crystal Suite on the second floor was enveloped in shimmering lights, becoming the focus of all attention. "What''s going on?" "No way¡­ Could it be that someone has arranged for a private buyout at this auction?" "I heard that when a buyout is confirmed, this phenomenon occurs. But I''ve never actually seen it before." "This auction''s items are worth at least 20,000 gold coins. If it''s a buyout, at five times the price, wouldn''t that cost around 100,000 gold coins?" The crowd erupted into a commotion. Many turned to the woman in the red dress, seeking confirmation. The woman froze momentarily before snapping to her senses, her stunning face filled with disbelief. Such light effects meant only one thing¡ªa buyout! A buyout! Even with her years of experience as an auctioneer at the Stellar Auction, this was her first time witnessing such an event. A radiant smile spread across her face as she announced excitedly, "Congratulations to the distinguished guest in the Crystal Suite for arranging a private buyout of this auction!" Her words sent shockwaves through the hall. Everyone turned their gaze to the Crystal Suite, which was bathed in dazzling light. A buyout? How outrageously wealthy! Who exactly was the guest in the Crystal Suite? Inside the Crystal Suite, Anastasia and the old envoy stared at Velen with wide eyes, utterly stunned. They had thought Velen was joking earlier, but he had actually gone through with the buyout! Anastasia pursed her lips, trying to suppress the turmoil in her heart. The amount required for a buyout was astronomical. Even as the Duke''s daughter, she couldn''t produce such a sum right now! On the entire planet of Uranus, perhaps only businesses with enormous cash flows could manage it. The aged envoy couldn''t help but scrutinize Velen from head to toe. Velen appeared so ordinary, yet his confidence was overwhelming¡ªas if making such a decision was the simplest thing in the world. "Velen, do you even understand what a buyout entails? We only have the 100,000 gold coins you gave earlier!" Anastasia''s tone was laced with urgency. She had brought Velen here to broaden his horizons, temper his arrogance, and mold his character¡ªnot to cause such a commotion. Seeing both Anastasia and the envoy visibly agitated, Velen looked puzzled and said, "Aren''t you the Duke''s daughter? Why are you so surprised by something like this¡­" Before he could finish, Anastasia interrupted, her emotions heightened: "If I could mobilize the family''s resources, the fortress would''ve been built long ago! Do you think we''d still be waiting?" To her, Velen must have assumed she could leverage her status as the Duke''s daughter to resolve the situation. That had to be why he made such a rash decision. A failed buyout¡ªunable to pay the corresponding gold coins¡ªwould have severe consequences. Even as the Duke''s daughter, the Stellar Auction wouldn''t let it slide! Hearing her words, Velen realized Anastasia had misunderstood. As a Duke''s daughter, hadn''t she seen enough gold coins to not be this shocked? At that moment, Noah, the young man in azure armor, bellowed aggressively from the auction hall below: "A buyout? Do you think you''re qualified? If you can''t pay up, don''t blame me for being ruthless!" As he spoke, he and the dozen youths by his side unleashed a terrifying aura that rippled through the air. His words caused the crowd to tense. Though many were eager to see Noah put in his place, the House of Violet was notoriously ruthless. What would the distinguished guest in the Crystal Suite do? As the crowd held their breath, a lazy voice drifted from the Crystal Suite: "Auctioneer, calculate it. How much does the buyout cost this time?" The woman in the red dress immediately responded respectfully, "Honored guest, this auction features eight items in total. Including the fees, the total comes to¡­ one million gold coins!" One million gold coins! S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The hall fell deathly silent. Even though some had anticipated the amount, hearing the figure spoken aloud still sent a shiver down their spines. Even the most prominent figures on Uranus couldn''t produce a million gold coins all at once! Inside the suite, Anastasia''s expression grew grim as she glanced at Velen. "You should leave. I''ll stay here and try to buy us some time¡­" "Why leave?" Velen asked, puzzled. Under Anastasia''s watchful gaze, he casually pulled out a storage pouch from his pocket and tossed it down to the woman in the red dress. "Count it carefully. Deliver the items promptly!" Hearing Velen''s confident tone, the woman infused her mana into the pouch with utmost seriousness. The moment her senses probed inside, her cheeks flushed red with excitement. Her mana perception revealed an ocean of gold coins¡ªcountless, gleaming, and of the highest quality! The others, noticing her reaction, couldn''t resist inspecting the pouch with their own mana. And then¡ªeveryone gasped in shock. It really was a million gold coins! And all of the finest quality! Even Noah, who had been poised to stir trouble, froze in disbelief after sensing the contents. As the young master of the House of Violet, he had only brought 90,000 gold coins for this fortress project! Who exactly was the person in that suite?! Chapter4-You Think You Can Steal From Me? "What now, Young Master?" The other members of the House of Violet surrounding Noah asked anxiously. None of them had expected the guest in the Crystal Suite to actually produce so many gold coins! Noah''s face was dark as a storm cloud as he asked coldly, "Mentor, who are those blind fools exactly?" The Crystal Suite was shielded by a special barrier, making it impossible for ordinary awakeners to see inside. The elderly man next to Noah, leaning on a dragon-headed staff, slowly opened his eyes, his tone filled with malice as he said, "The Lady of the House of von Michelstein, her mentor, and¡­ a waste who hasn''t even awakened his mana core!" Hearing this, Noah''s eyes glinted with even greater killing intent. "The House of von Michelstein? What a coincidence to run into them here!" The House of Violet and the House of von Michelstein were longstanding rivals, locked in bitter conflict for years. Knowing that the House of von Michelstein had set their sights on this unclaimed planet, the House of Violet had dispatched Noah to establish a fortress and vie for control. "If it''s just the three of them¡­ Mentor, we can''t act within the Stellar Auction. Keep an eye on them and make sure they don''t escape!" "Honored guests, here are the items you''ve purchased with the buyout. Please inspect them!" Inside the Crystal Suite, the monocle-wearing general manager entered respectfully, leading a group of elegant attendants who carefully presented the auction items before Velen and his two companions. The general manager''s gaze lingered on Anastasia, clearly assuming that the buyer was the Lady of the House of von Michelstein. Looking at the array of precious auction items before her, Anastasia''s heart burned with excitement. However, she quickly regained her composure and turned to Velen. "The items are here; they''re yours to inspect." Though Velen was now part of the fortress team, the items were, after all, purchased with his gold coins. Hearing her words, the general manager shifted his attention to Velen. His pupils shrank slightly in surprise. This young man was the buyer? He looked like he hadn''t even awakened his mana core! Yet, not only had this youth produced so many gold coins, but he was also seated alongside Anastasia, implying a close relationship. Could he be an important figure the general manager hadn''t heard of? As the general manager''s gaze grew more reverent, Velen was immersed in the system''s notifications. "Congratulations, Host, on spending 1 million gold coins! Reward: 200 luxury points!" 200 luxury points, just like that! Not bad at all! Delighted, Velen noticed the general manager waiting for his response. With a casual wave, he said, "Just pack everything up and send it to the fortress." Velen''s nonchalant attitude toward the expensive items made the general manager regard him as even more unfathomable. Without delay, the general manager had the items stored in a spatial pouch, respectfully handed it to Velen, and left quietly with his attendants. "Miss, we''re being followed." Not long after leaving the Stellar Auction, the elderly mentor suddenly glanced toward a patch of empty space and spoke softly. Anastasia remained calm. "House of Violet pests. Go deal with them." The mentor nodded. His frail frame blurred into a streak of light as he swiftly disappeared from sight. Velen watched the mentor''s ghostly movements with growing curiosity about awakeners. After all, in this age of interstellar exploration, awakeners were the leading figures. The names of powerful awakeners echoed across the stars, revered by countless people. Some legendary awakeners were said to have lived for over ten thousand years! Boom! Not long after the mentor left, a deafening explosion erupted in the distance. The violent mana fluctuations shook the very ground and sky. It was clear the mentor had engaged the pursuers in battle. Velen glanced at Anastasia, noting her composed expression, and exhaled in relief. But just as he was about to continue following Anastasia, a figure appeared behind him. It was a young man with a cold smile on his face. "Lady Anastasia, we meet again!" "Noah, are you trying to stop me?" Anastasia asked indifferently, her gaze steady. She had recognized him back at the auction hall but chose to ignore him. Though Noah was the young master of the House of Violet and, at 19, already an Apprentice Rank Level 9¡ªa prodigious talent¡ªhe was no match for her. She hadn''t expected him to make such a bold move. Seeing Anastasia''s haughty demeanor, Noah sneered, "Anastasia, hand over the items you bought at the auction. Considering you''re the Lady of the House of von Michelstein, I''ll make your death swift!" Anastasia replied coolly, "You think you can stop me? Or are you counting on those dozen Novice Rank awakeners behind you?" As her words fell, powerful mana waves surged from all directions, encircling Anastasia and Velen. It was the group of young men from the auction, all Novice Rank Level 9 awakeners. Their chaotic mana fluctuations caused the surrounding grass and trees to burst apart. Velen glanced around at the hostile awakeners. From what he knew, awakeners were ranked as follows: Novice Rank, Apprentice Rank, Adept Rank, Expert Rank, Elite Rank, Titan Rank, Heroic Rank, Supreme Rank, Ascended Rank, Divine Rank, Constellation Rank, Demigod Rank, God Rank¡­ Each rank had Levels 1 through 9. Reaching Novice Rank Level 9 was already quite an achievement, granting significant strength and status above ordinary people. Though Velen knew Anastasia was powerful, the House of Violet was an alchemy family, known for their expertise in potions and scrolls. Alchemy families typically focused on crafting items rather than personal combat prowess, yet their tools often allowed them to challenge foes 2 to 3 ranks above their own. But here were more than a dozen of them! Not to mention, they came from a renowned alchemy family. As Velen thought about the House of Violet''s reputation for scroll-making and glanced at his own inventory of scrolls, he couldn''t help but grin. S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He stepped forward and said coldly, "I heard you have a lot of scrolls?" Noah glanced at Velen and chuckled. "A waste who hasn''t even awakened his mana core, playing the hero? Know your place!" One of Noah''s companions whispered, "Young Master, I think he''s the one who brought out a million gold coins at the auction!" Hearing this, Noah''s expression darkened. "So, it was you who ruined my plans?" Velen shook his head. "Ruined your plans? The auction follows simple rules: the highest bidder wins. If you can''t afford the gold coins, don''t blame me. Maybe get your head checked." Noah''s eyes flared with anger, but a cruel smile soon replaced his fury. "If you''ve got a million gold coins, you must be quite the golden goose. Anastasia, you''ve picked yourself a fine piggy bank, but he''s mine now!" With a wave of his hand, Noah ordered, "Seize him first!" Immediately, the dozen Novice Rank awakeners surged toward Velen, their faces cold and determined. Anastasia was about to step in and resolve the situation when she noticed Velen pulling out a gleaming scroll crackling with lightning. He looked at the advancing group and asked, "Are you sure you want to do this?" Sensing the dangerous mana emanating from the scroll, the alchemist awakeners quickly recognized it. "A Tier-1 Level 9 High-Explosion Scroll?" Their faces showed brief hesitation. A Tier-1 Level 1 scroll was enough to fatally wound a Novice Rank awakener. A Level 9 High-Explosion Scroll, the pinnacle of Tier-1, was worth thousands of gold coins! Their hesitation lasted only a moment. With their durable armor, they believed they could survive the scroll''s explosion with minor injuries. Afterward, Velen would have no cards left to play. Anastasia raised an eyebrow at the High-Explosion Scroll. No wonder Velen had refused the Light Shield Scroll earlier¡ªhe had come prepared. But a single scroll wouldn''t change the tide of battle¡­ Just as this thought crossed her mind, Velen pulled out an entire stack of High-Explosion Scrolls and slammed them onto the ground in front of him. "If one scroll isn''t enough, how about a hundred?" As Velen''s voice rang out, a growing pile of High-Explosion Scrolls emanating chaotic mana waves began to stack before him. Anastasia''s shock deepened with every scroll he pulled out. A single High-Explosion Scroll might not have been a game-changer against the dozen Novice Rank awakeners, but dozens¡ªhundreds¡ªof them? The resulting explosion could rival an attack from an Elite Rank awakener! Velen, when did you prepare such an absurd arsenal of scrolls? The advancing awakeners froze in their tracks, staring in horror at the mountain of High-Explosion Scrolls. Their charge ground to an abrupt halt. Chapter5-Are 1,000 Scrolls Enough? So many High-Explosion Scrolls¡ªwas he dreaming? Even the youths from the House of Violet, an esteemed alchemy family, were utterly shocked, cold sweat dripping from their foreheads. They knew all too well the devastating power of these High-Explosion Scrolls. For a moment, the valley was filled with the sound of people swallowing hard. Many turned to the young man beside them, their faces filled with fear. "Young master, maybe we should call it a day¡­" "Young master, with so many High-Explosion Scrolls, I think we should show him some respect!" As these voices reached Noah''s ears, his fists clenched tightly. To ensure he could secure Anastasia, he had brought over a dozen of the most talented youths from his family, intending to win her over in one decisive move. But unexpectedly, everything was disrupted by this good-for-nothing who hadn''t even awakened his mana core! Even as an Apprentice Rank awakener, Noah found his lips twitching as he watched Velen pull out not just dozens but hundreds of scrolls¡ªand still more. If Velen had only taken out ten or so High-Explosion Scrolls, Noah might have risked it. But there were far too many. "Fine! You win!" Finally, Noah could only leave a harsh retort before signaling his group to retreat quickly. Yet, Velen''s icy voice rang out, stopping them in their tracks. "Trying to leave now? A little too late!" The cold and cutting voice pierced their ears like a freezing wind. A violent wave of mana surged toward Noah and his group. With a snap, Velen unfolded a single High-Explosion Scroll. The thunder rune inscribed on it streaked through the air like a meteor, exploding in front of them with a deafening roar. Lightning burst forth in a dazzling spectacle, arcs of silver electricity dancing wildly as a sharp, crackling noise filled the air. Those nearest to the explosion, youths from the House of Violet, were instantly engulfed by the searing arcs of lightning. Their once-sturdy ironstone armor bore charred black marks, and their bodies trembled uncontrollably, struggling to stay upright. The ground beneath them had turned into a scorched wasteland, grass reduced to ash. Without the protection of their armor, a single High-Explosion Scroll would have been enough to cripple them! "You wretch! What do you think you''re doing?!" Noah glared at Velen with seething anger, feeling humiliated. How dare this waste make a move against them! "Do you really think a few scrolls make you qualified to stand against us? Do you even know what the House of Violet is capable of?" Before he could finish his rant, Velen unfolded another series of High-Explosion Scrolls. Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Multiple thunder runes shot out like a dazzling meteor shower, blanketing Noah and his group. Their faces contorted with fear. Panicked, they unleashed their strongest techniques. The chaotic mana distorted the very air around them. Boom! Boom! The thunderous explosion of the High-Explosion Scrolls created shockwaves that rippled across dozens of meters. The destructive power far exceeded the earlier single scroll¡ªby more than tenfold! The furious mana clashed with the protective spells and abilities of the Violet youths, but their defenses dissolved like sand before a tidal wave, swallowed up by the relentless barrage of lightning. Those caught within the storm of raging thunder, even the awakeners from the House of Violet, suffered broken bones, charred skin, and smoldering black smoke rising from their bodies. Their agonized screams filled the air. "Ah! My hand! My hand is gone!" "Help! I can''t hear anything!" "My leg¡­ I want my mom¡­" Their ironstone armor was battered and pockmarked with craters. Without it, they would have been reduced to nothing but bone fragments. Even so, most of them were left maimed, missing limbs, or critically injured. Their terrified gazes locked onto Velen, now filled with both awe and fear. Some, glancing at the severed limbs scattered across the ground, broke down entirely. "Big brother, please spare us! We were wrong, and we swear it won''t happen again!" "Big brother, we''ll follow your lead from now on! If you tell us to steal chickens, we won''t dare touch dogs!" The once-arrogant youths now groveled, nearly crawling to Velen''s feet. But Velen shook his head calmly. "If you dare mess with me, you better be prepared to never go back!" Saying this, he pulled out another large stack of High-Explosion Scrolls, ready to unfold them. The strongest among them, Noah, wiped the soot from his face, a glint of madness flashing in his eyes. "Kid, you''re too arrogant! Do you really think the House of Violet is so easily bullied?" "This trump card was meant for an Adept Rank awakener, but since you insist on courting death, don''t blame me!" Noah''s voice dripped with murderous intent as he pulled out a blood-red scroll. He bit into his finger, letting drops of heart''s blood fall onto it. The scroll''s seal broke instantly, and Noah slowly unfurled it. "Dying at the hands of the Magma Giant is your destiny¡ªand your privilege!" As his crazed voice rang out, the air grew hotter, a fiery breeze sweeping through the valley. From the scroll emerged a giant blood-red hand, tearing through the parchment. A massive figure followed, stepping into the devastated valley. It was a three-meter-tall magma giant, molten lava coursing through its body. Its mere presence caused the air temperature to spike, igniting nearby dry grass and trees. Anastasia''s expression turned grim. The magma giant was Adept Rank¡ªa power leagues beyond Apprentice Rank! Even dozens of High-Explosion Scrolls might not be enough to harm it. This was a true monster. "Kid, do you really think your tier-1 level 9 scrolls give you free rein?" Noah sneered. "Against the Magma Giant, your scrolls are nothing but toys!" Noah''s voice was tinged with bitterness. That tier-3 scroll had been his ultimate trump card, an invaluable treasure from his family. Using it on this worthless nobody felt like a colossal waste. But before Noah could revel in his supposed victory, Velen unleashed a barrage of thunder runes from over a hundred scrolls. Boom! Boom! Boom! Explosions resounded, debris flying everywhere. The valley shook violently, sinking several meters. The Magma Giant, however, stood firm, an unyielding fortress of flames. S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Though its glow dimmed, it remained mostly unscathed. Noah''s sneer deepened. "Out of scrolls, are you? Now I''ll show you what true cruelty looks like!" Velen cracked his knuckles, turning to Anastasia and handing her a storage pouch. "I''m too slow unfolding these by myself. Help me out." Anastasia froze. He''d already used over a hundred scrolls¡ªhow could he still have more? Surely, there couldn''t be that many left, right? But when she peeked inside the storage pouch, her jaw nearly dropped. Inside were countless High-Explosion Scrolls, neatly stacked. A rough estimate put them at over a thousand. Over a thousand High-Explosion Scrolls! Even as the esteemed young lady of the House of von Michelstein, Anastasia was utterly floored by Velen''s extravagance. A single High-Explosion Scroll could fetch over a thousand gold coins at auction. Over a thousand scrolls meant a fortune worth millions of gold coins! This was pure, unbridled luxury. "Are you really going to use them all?" Anastasia asked, her mind struggling to keep up. Velen nodded. "Of course. Hurry up. If this isn''t enough, I''ve got another thousand!" These people wanted his life. He''d make sure they understood the meaning of terror. Biting her lip, Anastasia activated her mana and simultaneously unfurled hundreds of scrolls. In an instant, the air warped under the chaotic power of thunder. Hundreds of thunder runes merged into a dazzling storm of lightning. Noah''s smug expression froze. Chapter6- Come Help Me Burn Some Money To Noah, the sight of Velen pulling out over a hundred High-Explosion Scrolls was already beyond belief. After all, what kind of sane awakener would buy and carry so many High-Explosion Scrolls? Boom! In Noah''s moment of distraction, the thunder runes formed by the hundred High-Explosion Scrolls unleashed by Anastasia struck the Magma Giant like grinding millstones. Even with its incredibly durable body, the Magma Giant was battered to the point of cracking under the dazzling lightning. Its scorching, thick frame now bore several fissures. Meanwhile, the rocky ground surrounding the Magma Giant was riddled with deep craters and grooves, a chaotic mess resembling a plowed field. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Seeing the Magma Giant injured, Noah and the others gasped sharply. This was a mana beast formed by a tier-3 scroll, yet it was now riddled with cracks, as fragile as shattered porcelain. It seemed as though a single more powerful blow would utterly destroy it! "This monster''s pretty tough. Let''s keep going!" A glimmer of surprise flashed in Velen''s eyes, but it was quickly replaced by excitement. After all, he had been racking his brain on how to burn through all the scrolls provided by the system in a show of wealth. This monster was clearly the perfect target! Seeing Velen enthusiastically unfurling more scrolls, Anastasia quickened her pace as well. In no time, thousands of thunder runes gathered in front of them. The sheer oppressive force radiating from the scrolls alone caused some of the House of Violet youths to faint out of sheer terror. There''s just too many! They simply couldn''t endure it! "If all these scrolls go off, this entire valley will be leveled," Anastasia murmured to herself. She turned her head slightly to glance at Velen. This guy wasn''t just an unfathomably wealthy tycoon¡ªhe was downright ruthless. Throwing down so many scrolls would grind these people into dust! She had to admit, though, that she kind of liked his personality. Boom! The entire valley began to quake violently, as if an earth dragon had stirred beneath it. Everything within the valley was obliterated by the terrifying thunderstorm, reduced to black ash that surged into the sky. The overwhelming force could be felt clearly even dozens of miles away. Anastasia''s mentor, an elderly envoy wielding a dragon-headed staff, had just finished dealing with another matter when he turned his horrified gaze toward the valley. Such power was enough to obliterate an Adept Rank mage. What on earth was happening there? More importantly, his prot¨¦g¨¦, Anastasia, and Velen were still there! With worry etched on his face, the old man rushed toward the valley as quickly as possible. The closer he got, the more grave his expression became. From the chaotic mana fluctuations, he could sense a faint trace of dread. "High-Explosion Scroll waves¡­ and very chaotic ones at that. Who unleashed so many scrolls here? Judging by the power, there must have been at least a thousand of them!" His words trailed off as disbelief took over. Even the House of Violet, with all its wealth as an alchemy family, wouldn''t squander resources like this. When he arrived at the edge of the valley, what he saw left him utterly dumbfounded. In the valley, Velen was urging Anastasia to unfold scrolls faster. At a glance, the two of them had simultaneously unleashed at least a hundred High-Explosion Scrolls! "Miss Anastasia, how do you have so many High-Explosion Scrolls? And how can you waste them like this? A single High-Explosion Scroll is worth thousands of gold coins!" Although he didn''t know what had happened, the old man stepped forward with a pained expression, trying to stop them. "Perfect timing, senior. My mentor and I are a bit tired. Come help me unfold these scrolls," Velen said, handing the old man a storage pouch. The old man instinctively took the pouch and peeked inside. What he saw made his entire face flush with shock. Five thousand High-Explosion Scrolls! Was he dreaming? "Velen, using all these scrolls is too wasteful. There are five thousand of them! Even just unfolding them would exhaust anyone¡­" The old man tried to dissuade Velen from being so reckless. After all, gold coins didn''t just fall from the sky. Velen nodded thoughtfully. "True, it''s quite tiring to activate so many scrolls. Here''s 100,000 gold coins as compensation for your trouble. Please accept it, senior!" The old man''s eyes widened in disbelief, wondering if he had misheard. That wasn''t what he meant at all! "Is there a problem?" Velen asked, curious at the old man''s dazed expression. "Or do you think the gold coins aren''t enough?" Hearing the jingle of gold coins colliding within the pouch, the old man hurriedly waved his hands. "No, no, Velen, I have no problem at all. In fact, this task is quite challenging and suits me perfectly!" Without another word, he eagerly opened the storage pouch and began deftly unfolding the scrolls, his movements fluid and efficient. "How''s my speed, Velen?" he asked with a hint of pride. Before Velen could respond, the system''s notification sounded in his mind. "Congratulations, host, for successfully flaunting your wealth. You have earned 100 luxury points!" Velen was momentarily stunned. He had only wanted to burn through the scrolls quickly, but now there was an unexpected bonus! Anastasia, on the other hand, was utterly speechless. The old man was one of the protectors of the House of von Michelstein, yet his attitude shifted far too quickly. Soon, under the combined efforts of the three, all the High-Explosion Scrolls provided by the system were finally used up. The old man and Anastasia flexed their sore hands, their expressions complicated as they looked at Velen. "To think that one day I''d exhaust myself unfolding scrolls¡­" Velen chuckled, and the system''s voice rang in his ears once more. "Congratulations, host, for successfully flaunting all of today''s resources. You have earned 1,000 luxury points!" Hearing this, Velen''s eyes lit up with excitement. Glancing at his total luxury points¡ª1,500 in all¡ªhe nodded in satisfaction. According to the system: Advancing one sub-rank in Novice Rank required 10 luxury points.Advancing one sub-rank in Apprentice Rank required 100 luxury points.Advancing one sub-rank in Adept Rank required 1,000 luxury points! After some thought, Velen decided to first use the points to reach Novice Rank Level 9. In this strength-driven world, wealth without power would make him nothing more than a treasure trove for others. With 510 luxury points remaining, he planned to test his luck with the system''s lottery feature. Channeling 990 luxury points into the system, Velen suddenly felt a peculiar pull radiating from his body. Like an invisible black hole, his body rapidly absorbed mana from the surroundings, creating ripples in the air. Anastasia and the old man immediately noticed the sudden change. "Is he¡­ awakening his mana core?" The two exchanged bewildered glances. In this era, mana core awakening wasn''t unusual. But Velen''s awakening was¡­ different. Typically, mana surged outward during awakening, emanating from within. But for Velen, mana was converging inward, drawn from the world around him. It was like the stars themselves were aligning in his favor. As time passed, the phenomenon grew increasingly astonishing. Velen''s body began levitating as countless specks of mana coalesced into dazzling light, resembling a swarm of fireflies pouring into him. The surge of mana formed a towering storm that pierced the heavens. Even Anastasia and the old man felt their own mana being forcibly drawn toward him. The old man squinted, his expression filled with nostalgia and astonishment. "This grand and eerie phenomenon¡­ it''s a hundred times more magnificent than the young lady''s awakening!" Anastasia, meanwhile, stared fixedly at Velen''s heart. Her stunning face was filled with disbelief. She couldn''t sense a mana core within him. No mana core¡ªhow could he awaken? And yet, Velen''s body continued to draw in mana, undergoing an unimaginable transformation. This was awakening, but on a scale far beyond anything she had ever encountered. As she focused more intently, Anastasia was shocked to discover that while there was no mana core in Velen''s heart, a mysterious mana pattern was beginning to take shape, unleashing a terrifying tidal wave of mana! Chapter7-Awakening! Why Is Your Awakening Different? Awakening without a mana core? Anastasia''s mind went blank as her eyes widened in shock. As the heiress of the House of von Michelstein, she had witnessed countless awakenings, including those of top-tier prodigies. Without exception, all of them awakened their mana core. But now, someone was awakening without a mana core? This was the first time she had ever seen such a thing! What''s more, the phenomenon surrounding Velen''s awakening was nothing short of extraordinary. The mana around him surged wildly for hundreds¡ªno, thousands¡ªof meters, as if drawn by an invisible magnet, pouring into his body. The mana condensed and compressed continuously, forming thick, intricate mana patterns across his skin that ran through his limbs like bold lines. From these thick patterns, an intricate web of vein-like mana patterns extended outward, radiating a faint, leaf-like structure. Each delicate mana pattern emitted an overwhelming wave of mana. "What a complex mana pattern! What''s going on with this Velen?" The old man standing nearby, a seasoned protector of the House of von Michelstein, gazed at Velen with a face full of astonishment. It wasn''t uncommon for complex mana patterns to emerge on a mana core, but Velen didn''t even have a mana core. Yet, these complex patterns were emerging as if to mock conventional wisdom. As an experienced elder, he had never encountered anything like this in his lifetime. Even Anastasia, widely regarded as the House of von Michelstein''s most gifted prodigy, only managed to generate a phenomenon spanning several hundred meters during her mana core awakening. Her mana patterns were far simpler compared to the ones now forming on Velen. The old man rubbed his eyes vigorously and scanned Velen''s body again. Still, no sign of a mana core. Suddenly, a thought crossed his mind, and he held his breath, murmuring curiously: "I wonder¡­ just how far Velen''s awakening will go?" Awakening a mana core was a critical milestone for any awakener. The more levels they broke through in one go, the greater their innate talent and potential. For the vast majority of awakeners, reaching Novice Rank lv1 during awakening was already remarkable. The renowned S-rank mana core awakener Oneal, for instance, had broken through to Novice Rank lv5 during his awakening and became one of Uranus''s most celebrated prodigies. Anastasia pondered for a moment, her beautiful eyes narrowing. "Although I don''t know what''s going on with him, given the magnitude of this phenomenon, it''s possible he''ll break through to Novice Rank lv9 in one go!" "Novice Rank lv9?!" The old man was taken aback, astonished by her estimation. "How could he¡­ how could he possibly compare to you, my lady?!" Years ago, Anastasia had awakened her mana core, breaking through to Novice Rank lv9, a feat that shook the House of von Michelstein and drew the duke''s personal attention. Only the rarest prodigies across the Titan Galaxy could achieve such heights during awakening, their futures limitless. Although Velen''s awakening phenomenon was impressive, the old man still doubted that Velen''s talent could rival Anastasia''s. At that moment, the mana fluctuations radiating from Velen''s body became even more domineering. Novice Rank lv1! Novice Rank lv2! ¡­ Novice Rank lv8! Novice Rank lv9! A surge of pure mana pressure rippled outward, rolling like a tide. He had reached Novice Rank lv9 in one breath! The old man''s heart pounded. He had only ever witnessed such a feat in Anastasia and in historical records. Yet now, it was happening right in front of him¡ªwith Velen! Novice Rank lv9. Anastasia was so stunned that she couldn''t speak. While she had suspected Velen might surprise her, she never imagined he would truly break through to Novice Rank lv9. Her own awakening to Novice Rank lv9 had been possible because she was originally from an upper-plane universe and an undisputed prodigy there. However, during a trial in the upper-plane universe, she had been betrayed and ambushed, forcing her to reincarnate into this lower-plane universe, becoming the heiress of the House of von Michelstein. The betrayal left her deeply scarred, teaching her that strength was paramount and nothing else mattered. To secure resources and rise quickly, she revealed her overwhelming talent during her awakening, shocking her family by reaching Novice Rank lv9. But Velen¡ªthis local with no mana core¡ªsomehow rivaled her talent? The more she thought about it, the more uneasy Anastasia felt. Her gaze at Velen grew increasingly curious. As Velen absorbed mana on a massive scale, Anastasia furrowed her brow slightly. This completely unique awakening method felt vaguely familiar, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn''t recall why. "Congratulations, host, for breaking through to Novice Rank lv9!" The system''s voice echoed in Velen''s mind. Velen felt an incredible comfort, as though he had just soaked in a rejuvenating hot spring. His body felt immensely stronger¡ªhe was confident he could punch through a wall or take down a bull with ease. His perception of the world around him had sharpened drastically. Anastasia and the old man, meanwhile, were staring at him as if they had seen a ghost. The speed of his breakthrough was absurdly fast! S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As the mana storm subsided, Velen slowly opened his eyes and found the two of them staring at him intently. He coughed awkwardly. "Why are you looking at me like that? Do I have a bug on my face?" Anastasia snapped out of her daze. She still couldn''t fully comprehend Velen''s transformation but decided not to pry further. Instead, she scrutinized him and said slowly: "Breaking through to Novice Rank lv9 right after awakening¡­ we underestimated you. We''ve really found a treasure. But remember, advancing as an awakener requires consistent effort. Don''t slack off in the future." The old man, still astounded by Velen''s talent, nodded in agreement. "Advancing in rank is like rowing upstream. If you don''t move forward, you''ll be left behind. When we return to the fortress, don''t forget to focus on cultivating. Novice Rank is just the beginning. Only by reaching Apprentice Rank will you have the power to protect yourself." Velen smiled and nodded. Time would take care of the rest. Just then, Anastasia''s expression turned cold as she stared into the nearby forest. "Come out. Stop hiding¡ªwhat do you want?" Velen blinked and followed her gaze toward the bushes. From the underbrush emerged a young man clad in armor. He was strikingly handsome and carried an air of nobility. Most notably, the emblem on his chest matched those worn by Noah and his companions. He was from the House of Violet. "Are you here to avenge Noah and the others?" Anastasia asked, her tone wary. Though the man''s rank wasn''t high, he gave her a faint sense of danger. The young man paused briefly, surveying Anastasia and the others before stepping forward and shaking his head. "My name is Alan. I heard that Lady Anastasia is establishing a fortress and forming a Watchers'' Legion. Though I am from the House of Violet, I wish to join you." Anastasia froze. An enemy of the House of Violet wanted to join her? What was going on? Then, Alan''s name struck a familiar chord, and she blurted, "You''re the Alan who was stripped of his inheritance and ostracized by the other prodigies in your family?" Alan''s smile faltered, but he nodded. Hearing this, Velen''s pupils shrank as he noticed the plain ring on Alan''s finger. Oh, wow! Velen almost laughed aloud. Buffs maxed out! This guy was the archetypal male protagonist! "Lady Anastasia, you know my situation. Though I belong to the House of Violet, I''m at odds with them. You''ve killed Noah and his group, which pleases me greatly. I sincerely hope to join your ranks!" Anastasia shook her head decisively. "The Watchers'' Legion is fine with just Velen and me. You should find someone else." Chapter8-I Like This Kid! Anastasia''s decisive rejection left Alan somewhat stunned. After all, he was an Adept Rank awakener and a tier-3 alchemist. With such strength and a prestigious alchemy background, many factions on this planet would eagerly vie for his loyalty. Yet Anastasia wore an expression of utter disdain. "Lady Anastasia, won''t you reconsider?" Alan pressed, unwilling to give up. "My ultimate goal aligns with the House of von Michelstein¡ªto destroy the House of Violet¡­" The old man, seeing Alan''s potential and alchemical expertise, privately transmitted his thoughts to Anastasia: "Miss, this Alan has extraordinary talent and is absolutely qualified to join the Watchers'' Legion. His alchemist skills could be invaluable for the fortress''s development." Even so, Anastasia firmly shook her head. She had no intention of recruiting anyone else. Dealing with Velen alone was already enough of a headache. Her attention and energy were divided between monitoring and fostering his growth. Adding another person would only disrupt her own progress in rank advancement¡ªa priority in her quest to ascend to the upper-plane universe and exact her revenge. Being rejected twice by Anastasia left Alan, a man of high pride, feeling as though his dignity had been trampled. You ignore me today, but tomorrow, I''ll be out of your reach! As he prepared to leave in a huff, the ring on his index finger briefly emitted a faint and barely perceptible glow. "Stay calm," a voice resonated within the ring. "Anastasia is no ordinary person. Following her could greatly aid your future revenge." S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Hearing this transmission, Alan suppressed his indignation. His journey to becoming a tier-3 alchemist and reaching Adept Rank before the age of 17 was all thanks to the mentor within the ring¡ªa once-great figure who now guided him. He had never doubted her advice, and this time was no exception. Reluctantly, he turned back and asked earnestly, "Lady Anastasia, if I don''t currently meet the qualifications to join the Watchers'' Legion, what would I need to do to be accepted?" Anastasia frowned slightly. Why do I keep running into these stubborn types? With a cold smirk, she replied, "It''s not impossible for you to join. The fortress is in dire need of resources. See that guy over there? He paid 100,000 gold coins to get in. If you can offer the same, you''ll be welcome." She didn''t believe for a second she''d encounter two desperate fools in one day. "100,000 gold coins?" Alan''s eyes widened. Even as an alchemist, he didn''t have that kind of wealth on hand. And this was outright extortion! Building a fortress and forming the Watchers'' Legion should be about talent and qualifications for awakeners, not about paying gold coins¡ªespecially such an exorbitant amount! Anastasia seemed ridiculously money-hungry. Working for someone like her was insane! As these thoughts raced through his mind, the ring transmitted another mental wave. Alan sighed deeply, suppressing his emotions, and spoke again. "Lady Anastasia, I swear my sincerity in joining the fortress is as clear as the sun and moon! If 100,000 gold coins is truly required, could I perhaps write an IOU and pay it back slowly through my alchemy work?" Anastasia: "¡­" Could this kid not see she was intentionally trying to reject him? Still, Alan''s determination left her no choice but to add another condition, hoping to dissuade him entirely. "You might not fully understand the current state of the fortress. It''s still under construction and likely won''t be able to provide sufficient resources for rank advancement." Alan dismissed her concerns with unwavering resolve. "Lady Anastasia, as long as I can join the fortress and serve you, I don''t need any resources!" Another one who doesn''t need resources?! Anastasia felt a strange sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu and glanced at Velen. Velen, noticing Alan''s determination, coughed lightly and said, "Mentor, I think this kid has potential!" Come on now. Targeted within his family, stripped of his inheritance, and carrying an ancient ring with an immortal mentor inside? This was textbook protagonist material! The sheer potential luxury points he could gain just by flaunting wealth in front of this guy was too tempting to pass up. Anastasia was surprised by Velen''s sudden support for Alan. During the earlier battle against the House of Violet, Velen had shown no such sympathy. Alan, too, found himself intrigued by this stranger who seemed to hold a special relationship with Anastasia. "Well then, there''s no need for an IOU," Velen said, smiling. "I''ll cover the 100,000 gold coins for you!" With that, he handed a storage pouch to Anastasia. Alan was stunned. This was their first meeting, and Velen was willing to spend 100,000 gold coins on him? Had he encountered some absurdly wealthy benefactor? Anastasia was equally shocked. Why was Velen so eager to recommend Alan? Even if Alan had potential, wasn''t Velen worried that Alan''s addition might threaten his own position? But it was too late to protest now. Anastasia found herself holding a storage pouch brimming with gold coins. With no legitimate reason to refuse, she sighed and relented. "Since you''re so insistent on joining, fine. But remember this: if I catch even a hint of you conspiring with the House of Violet, don''t blame me for being ruthless!" Her words carried a chilling intent, shaking the valley. Alan nodded seriously but felt puzzled. He hadn''t done anything to provoke her, so why did she harbor such hostility toward him? At that moment, Velen''s system notification chimed in his mind. "Congratulations, host, for successfully flaunting wealth. You have earned 500 luxury points!" Velen froze for a moment. He had only intended to befriend Alan, the chosen one, but receiving such a hefty reward was an unexpected bonus. As expected of a chosen one! Velen couldn''t help but grin as he regarded Alan with the predatory gaze of someone eyeing a prized resource. This guy is going to be very useful. "You take them back to the fortress," Anastasia said curtly, clearly tired of the two of them. "I need some time alone. I''ll officially begin your training in a few days." Without sparing another glance at Velen and Alan, she turned and left. If not for the old protector''s insistence, she wouldn''t have accepted any recruits. Now, she had not one but two clingy newcomers she couldn''t shake off. The old man, however, was delighted, nodding approvingly at Velen and Alan. "With your addition, the Watchers'' Legion can now officially be considered established!" Velen''s talent and financial resources made him a standout prospect. Alan, despite his tarnished reputation in the House of Violet, was clearly no less exceptional in skill and potential¡ªlikely a victim of the family''s internal strife. As they followed the old man, Alan approached Velen and said gratefully, "Thank you for helping me just now. I''ll work hard to repay the 100,000 gold coins!" Velen waved it off with a smile. "We''re all members of the Watchers'' Legion now¡ªcomrades who will share life and death together. Let''s not let money get in the way of our friendship. It''s just 100,000 gold coins." From the system''s reward, Velen was more convinced than ever that Alan was special. Strengthening their bond would be crucial. Alan was moved by Velen''s generosity but couldn''t shake the feeling that this seemingly kind benefactor was far from simple. Despite being only Novice Rank lv9, two ranks below him, Velen''s effortless generosity was extraordinary. He must be some kind of rich young master with secrets of his own. Chapter9-Such Precious Materials… Youre Using Them as Incense? Alan, noticing that Velen seemed like a wealthy young master, naturally wanted to strike up a conversation. "I''m Alan, an Adept Rank awakener and a tier-3 alchemist!" As he spoke, pride flickered across his face. At his age, reaching such a level of both awakening and alchemy was nothing short of extraordinary. "I''m Velen," Velen replied calmly. Alan frowned slightly at Velen''s lack of reaction. With his rank and status, he was accustomed to being highly regarded on this planet. Being dismissed by Anastasia earlier was one thing¡ªafter all, she was a prodigy respected even by the mentor in his ring, with immeasurable strength and talent. But Velen? Though rich, this young man showed no sign of respect. Alan was a 16-year-old prodigy who had reached Adept Rank and tier-3 alchemy, an unparalleled talent even the House of Violet had gone to great lengths to suppress. And yet, within five minutes, he had been ignored twice! "By the way," Velen suddenly spoke, "since you''re an alchemist, do you know of any good items for enhancing rank advancement?" Alan, slightly taken aback, replied seriously, "You could use Starmetal Shards or the horn of an earth dragon to craft a special Starmetal Stone. Consuming one improves mana absorption efficiency and refines the body. But Starmetal Stones are incredibly rare and expensive. Even with vast wealth, they''re almost impossible to obtain." Although Alan knew how to craft Starmetal Stones, the materials required were so rare that he couldn''t gather them on his own. Velen nodded thoughtfully, then accessed the ethereal interface visible only to him. He customized the lottery pool, setting Starmetal Stones as the target item. After confirming the pool, the system displayed the required luxury points for each draw: 100 luxury points per draw, with a high probability of obtaining the selected item. With 1,200 luxury points remaining, Velen decided to start with two single draws. "Congratulations, host! You''ve obtained 2 Starmetal Stones!" The system notification sounded. Velen nodded in satisfaction¡ªthe odds seemed favorable. Both single draws hit the target. Encouraged, he tried a 10-draw next. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Thank you for participating. Better luck next time!" "Congratulations, host! You''ve obtained 1 Starmetal Stone!" "Congratulations, host! You''ve obtained 1 Starmetal Stone!" "Thank you for participating. Better luck next time!" ¡­ At the end of the 10-draw, three attempts yielded nothing, but he still secured seven more Starmetal Stones, bringing his total to nine¡ªincluding the two from earlier. Having used 1,200 luxury points, Velen considered nine Starmetal Stones a good haul. As Velen finished his lottery spree, Alan said gravely, "Big brother, there''s no need to think too far ahead. Your current rank is too low. Even if Starmetal Shards were right in front of you, you couldn''t safely consume them. The mana inside is too volatile and could harm your body." "Besides, Starmetal Stones are so rare and expensive that hardly anyone sells them. When they do, the price is astronomical!" Alan''s warning was cut short as the old man stopped walking and gestured to the desolate fortress in the distance. "We''ve arrived. For now, this place is ours alone. Find a room to settle in temporarily." Velen and Alan nodded, choosing adjacent courtyards. After settling into his courtyard, Alan decided to bring Velen some basic supplies. The courtyards were rudimentary at best, with many essential items missing. But as Alan pushed open Velen''s door, a rich, intoxicating aroma greeted him. This smell¡­ it seems familiar. Muttering to himself, Alan stepped inside and froze. In the courtyard, Velen was busily crushing several crystalline purple stones on a table. The enchanting aroma emanated from these stones. Starmetal Stones! The scent and appearance left no doubt in Alan''s mind. His nose twitched instinctively, confirming his judgment. Then his eyes fell on the pile of crushed stones¡ªat least five Starmetal Stones, ground into powder. Velen showed no sign of stopping, continuing to crush more stones. Alan''s heart nearly shattered. Even for an Adept Rank awakener, a single Starmetal Stone was a treasure of immeasurable value. Yet Velen was destroying them so casually! As Velen reached for another stone, Alan could no longer contain himself. He dashed forward, grabbing Velen''s wrist and pleading: "Big brother, stop! These Starmetal Stones are priceless treasures! Don''t waste them like this. Save them for when you reach Adept Rank¡ªthey''ll be far more useful then!" Unperturbed, Velen gently pulled his hand away and continued crushing the stones. "Don''t worry, little brother. I''ve got plenty more. Besides, I can''t absorb them at my current rank, so I thought we''d use them to celebrate joining the fortress." Alan: "¡­" He was on the verge of spitting blood. As an alchemist, nothing infuriated Alan more than waste¡ªespecially when it involved such precious materials! "Congratulations, host! You''ve successfully flaunted wealth in front of Alan and earned 1,500 luxury points!" The system notification brought a broad smile to Velen''s face. Not bad at all! Earning 1,500 luxury points so easily was a huge win. Smiling, he said, "Don''t feel too bad about it. Once they''re crushed, the potency dissipates, which makes it safer for someone at my level to absorb. See? It''s actually a good thing." Alan''s mind blanked. Velen''s logic made no sense, yet it was delivered with such conviction that Alan couldn''t refute it. Feeling his blood pressure spike, Alan clutched his chest and retreated from the courtyard, unwilling to witness any more of this madness. But as he walked away, a thought struck him. While Starmetal Stones were valuable, consuming too many could have side effects. Rushing back to Velen''s courtyard, Alan flung open the door¡ªand froze again. The courtyard was shrouded in thick, aromatic smoke. At its center, Velen sat cross-legged amidst a cluster of incense burners, all releasing streams of Starmetal Stone fumes. "Big brother¡­ what are you doing?" Alan''s voice trembled, his pupils contracting sharply. Velen inhaled deeply, savoring the aroma. "I tried eating a piece earlier, but it tasted awful. So I figured, if it doesn''t taste good, why not burn it? Turns out it smells much better this way, and the absorption efficiency is even higher!" Alan''s mouth twitched violently. Swallowing Starmetal Stones was the best way to maximize their benefits. But Velen? He deemed them too unpalatable and decided to burn them as incense. With ten incense burners, no less! This is madness! "Congratulations, host! You''ve earned 1,500 luxury points!" As Alan grew increasingly agitated, Velen''s system chimed again, adding to his delight. But before he could bask in his success, his skin suddenly darkened, as if he had just emerged from a coal mine. What just happened? Velen froze, utterly bewildered. Chapter10-What? You Thought Id Level Up Slowly? "Consumes 1,000 luxury points to eliminate the side effects caused by excessive absorption of starmetal stone!" The system notification sounded. Velen instantly understood. His level was too low; even with incense to mitigate the drug''s effects, his body couldn''t handle the overcompensation. Still, this incense had a fantastic aroma and atmosphere. After all, life should be enjoyed. He had a long future ahead of him, and luxury points would always be obtainable! He didn''t want to blindly chase after luxury points and forget about life''s pleasures! At that moment, Alan looked at Velen, whose skin had turned a bit black, feeling an immense sense of satisfaction. "Serves you right for wasting resources. Now you''ve got your comeuppance!" However, he quickly spoke up, "Big brother, while starmetal stone is excellent, absorbing too much at once will cause your skin to blacken, and it may even start to decay and stink!" Hearing this, Velen simply smiled confidently, then clicked confirm on the system interface. In an instant, his pitch-black skin rapidly turned smooth and fair, shining as though the previous blackness was nothing but an illusion. How was that possible? Alan''s eyes widened in astonishment upon witnessing this. Starmetal stone, a highly specialized alchemical product, came with stubborn side effects that were notoriously difficult to eradicate! Even he, as a Tier-3 Alchemist, would have to spend considerable time and effort to completely eliminate them. How had Velen recovered in an instant, as if nothing had happened? After recovering, Velen ignored Alan''s shocked expression, took a deep breath, and inhaled the smoke lingering around him. The incense from the burning starmetal stone was refreshing, like standing in a garden after a rainstorm, with a bouquet of soothing fragrances wafting through the air! The scent seemed to elevate his spirit, relaxing his entire body in an indescribable way! "Ah, so comfortable!" Velen was deeply satisfied. This feeling only made him more addicted to the experience. "By the way, system, can luxury points be used to dispel the side effects for others?" Glancing at the dumbfounded Alan, Velen asked the system. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Consuming luxury points can accomplish this," the system confirmed. Without hesitation, Velen waved at Alan. "Alan, come enjoy the starmetal stone incense with me. It''s really great!" Alan frantically shook his head in terror. If his whole body turned black and stinky, how would he face anyone afterward? He was someone who cared a lot about appearances, after all! "Big brother, you enjoy it by yourself!" Saying this, Alan hurriedly left Velen''s small courtyard. "Does Miss Anastasia know that Velen is this extravagant?" After leaving the courtyard, Alan glanced back at Velen''s location, hesitation flashing across his face. But soon, he shook his head. Although Velen''s actions were absurdly wasteful, practically throwing money around, it had nothing to do with him. He needed to focus on leveling up quickly. Maybe when he reached a higher level, he could be as extravagant as Velen! ¡­ "Consume 1,000 luxury points to eliminate the side effects!" Continuing to enjoy the comforting effects of the incense, Velen once again operated the system to turn his pitch-black skin back to a fair, radiant state. At the same time, the ongoing enhancement from the starmetal stone incense increased his physical strength further. His suppressed level began to emit strong mana fluctuations, which were constantly stabilized by the incense. At this moment, in the central hall of the fortress: "Have you found anything? What''s Velen''s background?" Anastasia asked the elderly man who had just arrived, her curiosity evident. The old man shook his head. "Nothing for now. But now that he''s part of the Watchers'' Legion, spending time with him will surely reveal more about him." Anastasia nodded thoughtfully. "True. There''s not much excitement on this planet, so his identity can be a source of entertainment." Seeing her response, the old man said nothing more. He was becoming increasingly satisfied with Velen! Not only was Velen exceptionally talented, but he also had access to vast resources and was incredibly enigmatic. Most importantly, the young lady had taken an interest in him! Back at the Duke''s mansion, the young lady had shown an obsessive fixation on leveling up, with no interest in anything else whatsoever. Her interest in Velen marked a significant breakthrough. Anastasia massaged her temples, slightly exasperated. "That guy has a unique talent and endless gold coins. He''s clearly not lacking resources for leveling up, so why join the Watchers'' Legion? Could it be that fate sent him to torment me?" Anastasia couldn''t figure it out, the thought frustrating her. "It would have been fine if it was just Velen. But now there''s Alan too! These two oddballs are definitely going to slow down my leveling speed! Why won''t they leave me alone?" Anastasia sighed. She had originally wanted to work alone, yet now she had two companions who insisted on tagging along! Boom! Suddenly, a surge of incredible mana tides erupted! Someone was breaking through! Anastasia and the old man''s expressions immediately turned curious. This energy was coming from the outer fortress, and it felt somewhat familiar to them. "Velen! He just advanced to Novice Rank Lv. 9, and now he''s breaking through again?" The old man was shocked. After awakening one''s mana core, it usually took a long time to build up reserves. Consecutive breakthroughs were rare. What''s more, Velen was advancing into the Apprentice Rank, a major rank. Every major rank was a milestone, and many awakeners were stuck at these bottlenecks, unable to advance further! Anastasia also turned her gaze toward Velen''s courtyard, her expression growing increasingly serious. When her mana core had awakened, she had rushed to Novice Rank Lv. 9, but it had taken her an entire month to gather enough foundation to break into Apprentice Rank Lv. 1. Yet Velen had broken through again in such a short time. His talent was astounding! Boom! Boom! Boom! Even more terrifying mana fluctuations surged outward, gathering into a massive cyclone connecting heaven and earth! This phenomenon lasted a full ten minutes before gradually subsiding. Anastasia and the old man exchanged looks, both seeing the disbelief in each other''s eyes. Apprentice Rank Lv. 9! Not only had Velen broken through a major rank, but he had also skyrocketed directly to Apprentice Rank Lv. 9! This rocket-like ascent left them utterly stunned, frozen like statues! "Velen! Who exactly is this guy?" The old man narrowed his eyes, his curiosity about Velen burning brighter than ever. "Before, I thought he was just boasting. But now, he truly seems to need no resources or guidance for leveling up¡­" Anastasia took a deep breath, her mind flashing back to Velen''s confident demeanor. She found him increasingly mysterious. Then, she looked at the old man. "If Velen continues at this pace, won''t it be long before he surpasses me?" The old man thought for a moment and shook his head earnestly. "Unlikely!" "At higher levels, regardless of talent or resources, breakthroughs are never easy. If the foundation isn''t solid, future advancements will require even more resources. Miss, your talent is extraordinary, and you''ve accumulated significant resources. Your level is miles ahead of Velen''s." While Velen was undeniably gifted, the old man, having observed Anastasia''s rigorous efforts, knew how much she had sacrificed to level up quickly. In the Novice Rank, Apprentice Rank, and even Adept Rank, rapid breakthroughs weren''t unheard of. But once one reached the Expert Rank, progress would inevitably slow down! Surely, Velen would be no exception! However, if Velen were here, he''d mock the old man for not understanding the system. Such rules only applied to ordinary awakeners. He had cheats! Meanwhile, outside Velen''s courtyard: Alan stared at the dissipating mana storm above Velen''s courtyard, his jaw nearly hitting the ground. When Velen awakened his mana core earlier, Alan had sensed it from a distance. Back then, he thought Velen had merely advanced from Novice Rank Lv. 8 to Lv. 9, with the breakthrough phenomenon being a bit excessive. But now, he could clearly sense that Velen''s aura had surged from Novice Rank Lv. 9 to Apprentice Rank Lv. 9 in one go! It was now evident that the earlier phenomenon had likely been Velen awakening his mana core and jumping straight to Novice Rank Lv. 9 in one leap! Chapter11-How Do You Have Such a Potion? Breakthrough nine levels in one go! This breakthrough speed was completely beyond reason, even beyond Alan''s imagination. For an Awakener, breaking through two minor levels at once was already an exceptionally rare feat. Even now, feeling Velen''s changes in aura firsthand, Alan couldn''t believe his own senses. "This big brother is way too ridiculous!" sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Alan rubbed his eyes. He considered himself exceptionally gifted, excelling in both leveling and alchemy. In the entire galaxy, there were very few who could compare to him. But before he could take pride in his talents, Velen completely outshone him. Compared to Velen, he felt like a novice among novices! "This might not be a bad thing. At least there''s a rival to keep things interesting in the fortress. I''m even looking forward to the days ahead!" Alan grinned, full of anticipation, as he returned to his room. Meanwhile, Velen, surrounded by the fragrance of starmetal stone, was having a sweet dream, transforming into a noble prince dancing gracefully with princesses from all nations! The next morning. At the crack of dawn, Velen got up early, stretching lazily with his entire body feeling refreshed. His bones cracked and popped audibly, as if in harmonious resonance, producing an ear-shattering sound. After a night of absorbing the medicinal power of the starmetal stone, his physical body had become even stronger. Velen smiled and then opened the system interface before him. Name: Velen Talent: None Bloodline: None Level: Apprentice Rank lv9 Luxury Points: 1210 Special Item: Tier-3 Fortifying Potion (Master Version) ¡ª 9999 bottles! Velen was quite satisfied; his stockpile of items for showing off had been refreshed! But what was this Tier-3 Fortifying Potion? And what did the golden-glowing Master Version mean? Since Velen wasn''t an alchemist, he didn''t know much about these things. So, he immediately walked toward Alan''s courtyard. Alan, as not only the chosen one but also a Tier-3 alchemist from the House of Violet, would surely know the answer. Velen had already planned in his mind: he would rely on these potions to show off again and earn some rewards! However, upon reaching the courtyard, Velen found that Alan wasn''t there. "Velen, are you looking for Alan?" an old man''s voice suddenly sounded. Velen followed the sound and saw the old man stepping out from the courtyard. "The young lady intends for Alan, this Tier-3 alchemist, to refine some potions and resources to quickly increase your levels," the old man explained. "He has gone nearby to procure the necessary materials." Velen nodded to show his understanding and then asked, "Could you take me along to have a look?" The old man, who held a good impression of Velen, did not refuse. "In that case, come with me. They shouldn''t be gone for too long." While speaking, the old man unfurled a magic carpet, gesturing for Velen to step on. Then, he carried him forward at a speed akin to a swift gale. On the magic carpet, feeling bored, Velen suddenly asked: "Elder, do you know about starmetal stone?" The old man nodded. "Of course I do. It''s very beneficial for level enhancement, though it''s quite troublesome to refine and extremely expensive, always in high demand but rarely available!" Hearing this, Velen nodded thoughtfully. "No wonder Alan reacted so strongly when I used starmetal stone as incense. It seems like it truly is a rare and valuable item." The old man froze as if he''d just heard something unbelievable. The magic carpet came to an abrupt halt midair as he hurriedly asked: "You really burned starmetal stone as incense?" Velen nodded. "Why do you and Alan make the same face? What''s wrong with using it as incense? It smells amazing and is quite addictive, though you can''t burn too much at once, or it may cause some side effects." The old man: "¡­" Was this even human talk? Starmetal stone was extraordinarily expensive. Getting just one piece was considered fortunate; owning several was a sign of exceptional luck! Once acquired, every Awakener would carefully store it or consume it meticulously. Burning it as incense? That was sheer wastefulness! After a brief moment of shock, the old man quickly regained his composure. With a warm smile, he said: "Velen, if you ever come across more starmetal stone, do save one for me. I''ll pay a high price for it!" After an hour of travel, The old man brought Velen to a tall and majestic city. The city was extremely grand. Although not as bustling and towering as the city where the Stellar Auction took place, it was still lively and extraordinary. "Velen, you may wander around here for a bit. I have some matters to attend to." The old man suddenly turned and left, as if sensing something. Seeing this, Velen had no choice but to roam the streets alone. The city streets were bustling, with shops lining both sides and many pedestrians coming and going. There were plenty of places selling weapons and resources for leveling up. Naturally, there were also luxurious bars, where women with fair skin, long legs, and scanty clothing stood outside, beckoning to passersby. Their legitimacy remained questionable. However, Velen''s attention was quickly captured by a luxurious auction venue. Mercenary Auction House! Upon seeing the sign, Velen felt a wave of menacing energy rushing toward him. If the Stellar Auction was the foremost on the surface, then the Mercenary Auction House was undoubtedly the foremost underground. In many cities, mercenaries were ruthless and formidable forces. If one were to show off wealth in such a place, they''d surely draw the attention of many. As this thought flashed through Velen''s mind, the system seemed to understand and immediately sounded its mechanical voice: "If the host encounters a life-threatening crisis while showing off, the system will provide guards to eliminate enemies threatening the host." With the system''s guarantee, Velen''s heart settled. Since his safety was assured, the auction house naturally became the ideal place to earn Luxury Points! Unable to locate Alan for now, he decided to visit the auction house. Upon entering, a well-dressed woman quickly approached, speaking in a gentle voice: "Dear guest, do you require a guide?" Velen glanced at her. "I have some potions here that I''d like to auction. How about it?" "If the potions are of high enough quality, we do offer consignment services with discounted fees," the woman explained, giving Velen a brief overview of the auction house''s services before leading him into a room for potion appraisal. Inside, Velen met a bald middle-aged man. His ten fingers were long and slender, his sharp gaze resembling a hawk''s, and his demeanor was arrogant. "What grade is the potion you want appraised and auctioned?" The appraiser asked bluntly. Velen directly took out a bottle of potion and handed it to the man. "This is the Fortifying Potion I intend to auction. It''s a Tier-3 potion, I suppose." Hearing this, the appraiser was somewhat surprised. Tier-3 potions were considered relatively rare resources. Moreover, Fortifying Potion, which could enhance talent and aptitude, was a standout among Tier-3 potions, making it exceedingly rare! He promptly put on white gloves and placed a monocle over his eye, carefully examining the potion. "It really is a Tier-3 Fortifying Potion!" After a brief inspection, the appraiser couldn''t help but exclaim! "And this craftsmanship and efficacy¡­ It''s undoubtedly a Master Rank creation!" Seeing the appraiser''s excitement, Velen immediately asked: "Is this potion very valuable?" The appraiser''s face flushed with excitement. "Though Fortifying Potions are Tier-3, those capable of altering bloodlines and improving physical constitution are exceedingly rare, already considered treasures! And the potion you brought, sir, was crafted by a master alchemist¡­" Worried that Velen might not fully grasp the value, he elaborated: "Potions are highly beneficial to Awakeners, but the same potion, if crafted by a Master Rank alchemist, achieves far superior results and greatly enhances the chances of altering bloodlines!" "If auctioned, this potion could fetch at least 100,000 gold coins!" Hearing this, Velen was equally astonished. "A single bottle of Tier-3 potion could fetch 100,000 gold coins?" What do you mean by ''just a single bottle of Tier-3 potion''? The appraiser couldn''t help but roll his eyes internally. However, considering the potion, he quickly replied: "There will be an auction soon! This Tier-3 potion is absolutely fit for the spotlight!" Chapter12-You Actually Used Such an Expensive Potion to Feed a Rabbit? "Then let''s put it up for auction. I''ve got another bottle here; let''s auction them together!" Velen didn''t take out too many at once¡ªrarity increases value. He planned to test the waters to see if the potion was as sought-after as the auctioneer claimed. "Spending 100,000 gold coins on a single potion¡ªonly a lunatic would do that," Velen murmured softly. He was well aware of the purchasing power of 100,000 gold coins. If it were other high-quality potions, it might make sense, but a single Tier-3 potion shouldn''t fetch such a price. Surely the auction house was exaggerating. Though Velen''s voice was low, Kevin, being not only a Tier-6 alchemist but also a Titan Rank Awakener, still heard him. While this Tier-3 potion wasn''t the highest quality, its effects were incredibly unique. Most importantly, it was crafted by a Master Rank alchemist, making its efficacy far superior to ordinary Tier-3 potions. How could the buyers possibly be lunatics? However, considering that Velen had brought out a Master Rank Tier-3 Fortifying Potion, Kevin didn''t say much. He simply watched Velen''s retreating figure with a complicated expression. This guy was definitely no ordinary person! After leaving the Mercenary Auction House, Velen thought for a moment and directly pulled out a bottle of Tier-3 Fortifying Potion, gulping it down. The appraiser had spoken so highly of it; he decided to try it himself. After drinking it, he indeed felt his body strengthening slightly, with a warm sensation spreading throughout, as though he were in a furnace. However, the improvement didn''t seem significant. "Well, I''ve got plenty of these potions. Might as well drink them like spring water." Just as Velen was about to leave, he suddenly noticed a white figure dashing toward him at great speed. Bang! Velen stood unmoving, while the white figure that collided with him was sent flying backward. A rabbit? Velen glanced down to see a panicked red-eyed rabbit. Its white fur was somewhat dirty, and its large ears quivered slightly, as though it was utterly terrified. The rabbit''s adorable appearance caught Velen''s eye, and his gaze brightened. He had a weakness for fluffy things. Seeing that it was injured, he took out a bottle of Fortifying Potion, opened it, crouched down, and said: "If you drink my potion, you''ll be my rabbit from now on." The rabbit looked at Velen with its red eyes. At first, there seemed to be two flames burning within them. Then, its nose twitched, and it slowly walked up to Velen, gently sipping the Fortifying Potion. After drinking, its wounds seemed to heal a bit. It then affectionately nuzzled Velen''s hand, its fur soft and warm. Velen couldn''t help but laugh. Without hesitation, he pulled out several more bottles of Fortifying Potion, opened them, and fed them to the eager little white rabbit. "Using a 100,000-gold-coin potion to feed a rabbit¡ªif the fool who bought this potion found out, would they come at me with a knife?" Velen rubbed his chin as this thought crossed his mind. "Whatever. I''ve got plenty of potions. Later, I''ll give some to Anastasia, Alan, and the elder. Otherwise, I won''t be able to show off all these potions." With that, Velen cradled the obedient little rabbit and chuckled softly: "Let''s give you a nice bath first, and then you can keep drinking for me!" The big white rabbit looked up at Velen, feeling a bit unnerved by its owner''s final smile. It immediately shrank back into Velen''s arms. "Excuse me, sir, this is a high-end hotel. Pets and personal food are not allowed. It''s our policy!" As Velen carried the dirty rabbit into a luxurious hotel, he was stopped by a hostess at the door. Her face bore a professional smile. "Policy? How much is this policy worth? Name a price. I insist on bringing my precious rabbit in to bathe and rest." Velen glanced at her. "Sir, the policy is non-negotiable and has nothing to do with money. This is a three-star high-end hotel¡­" Before she could finish, Velen pulled out a storage pouch from his arms. "This is 10,000 gold coins. Book your best suite for me and consider the rest compensation for breaking the rules." Velen didn''t argue further, letting the gold coins speak for themselves. The hostess checked the pouch and immediately felt her legs go weak. She had never seen so many gold coins before¡ª10,000 pieces! The hotel had never encountered such a bold customer. "Please come in, esteemed guest!" Her voice instantly turned seductive, and her gaze toward Velen practically sparkled. However, Velen paid her no mind and went straight to his room. Once inside, Velen looked at the rabbit, now soaking in the basin. His gaze carried a hint of surprise. Spending 10,000 gold coins to show off for a rabbit hadn''t earned him any Luxury Points. Clearly, the rabbit was currently of no value. "Alright, little rabbit, after your bath, it''s time to get to work!" As he spoke, Velen kept pulling bottles of Fortifying Potion from his system space, pouring them into a basin before the rabbit. The rich fragrance of the potion made the rabbit visibly excited. Though it lacked intelligence, its instincts told it that this potion was highly beneficial. Its red eyes glowed as it drank bottle after bottle, not stopping even when its belly bulged. Velen''s gaze grew softer as he watched. After all, a person could only drink so much, but this rabbit had downed over a hundred bottles without pausing. It was a natural asset for showing off his wealth. He had truly struck gold with this rabbit. However, after an hour of drinking, the rabbit''s belly swelled like a balloon, with veins and blood vessels visibly stretching across it. And then, the rabbit stopped drinking! With human-like behavior, it pushed the basin away and tilted its head, its long ears twitching. "Only a thousand bottles, and you''re done?" Velen poked its head. "You seemed to love drinking earlier. I''ve still got plenty¡­ Hey, don''t sleep yet! Drink more before you sleep!" No matter how Velen shook it, the rabbit showed no signs of waking up, the only sound coming from the sloshing liquid in its belly. Seeing this, Velen sighed and placed the rabbit on the floor, letting it sleep. "Fine, we''ll continue once you wake up." Velen shook his head and lay down on the luxurious bed, quickly falling asleep. Meanwhile, as Velen slept, tremendous changes were taking place within the rabbit''s body. Its fur became snow-white and crystalline, like white crystal. Its long ears grew even more elegant. With each breath, the mana in the air was drawn into its body, nourishing it continuously. At the same time, in the Mercenary Auction House: "Who would''ve thought that while out procuring materials, we''d come across two bottles of Fortifying Potion, both at the Master Rank level!" Seated in the main seat, Anastasia squinted slightly as she gazed at the two potions on the auction stage. Next to her, Alan''s eyes glimmered with intense desire. As an Adept Rank Awakener, he could now consume Tier-3 Fortifying Potions. It was as if the heavens had prepared these for him. After all, potions capable of enhancing bloodlines were exceedingly rare, monopolized by major powers. For other Awakeners, even catching a whiff of such potions was nearly impossible. But now, there were two life-changing potions before them, crafted by a Master Rank alchemist, their value immeasurable. If he could consume them, his bloodline would receive a significant boost, paving the way for future advancements. However, Alan also noticed that everyone else in the auction room was eyeing the two Fortifying Potions with bloodshot eyes. The final auction for the Fortifying Potions was bound to spark fierce competition! "Don''t worry. These potions will greatly benefit the two of you. As long as you''re with me, you won''t lose out. I''m determined to get them!" Elsewhere, on a picturesque mountain peak, a white-haired elder sipped fine wine, gazing at the scenery with a look of contentment. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Enjoying wine amidst nature with good friends¡ªtruly one of life''s great joys!" The white-haired elder remarked, prompting a slight smile from the older man beside him. "You sure know how to take it easy. I''ve already become the young lady''s protector. I don''t have the leisure you do. Once she establishes a fortress here, you old rascal better take good care of things." Chapter13-This Can Awaken a Bloodline Too?! "Oh?" The white-haired elder seemed to have thought of something and suddenly said, "Perfect timing. My Mercenary Auction House recently received two bottles of Fortifying Potion. These will surely help your lady in forming the Watchers'' Legion!" "Fortifying Potion!" The elder was momentarily stunned, then said in astonishment, "This type of special Tier-3 potion is incredibly rare. Your auction house actually has some?" The white-haired elder chuckled. "It was just good fortune¡ªsomeone brought them to the auction house not long ago!" The elder pondered briefly, then looked at the white-haired elder with a serious expression. "This Fortifying Potion that even a Tier-9 alchemist like you values highly¡ªit must be extraordinary, right? The effects must be remarkable?" Although Fortifying Potion was rare, such news wouldn''t typically reach his ears. The white-haired elder nodded with a smile. "Correct! These two bottles were crafted by a Master Alchemist. The effects and quality are extraordinarily powerful!" What?! Master Rank Fortifying Potion! The elder was shocked to his core. He had lived a long life, yet had never seen a potion of such caliber! Afterward, something seemed to occur to him. "Wait, the Mercenary Auction House is not as prestigious as the Stellar Auction. How could such rare and valuable potions end up at your place?" The white-haired elder shook his head slightly. "I''m not sure. I specifically looked into the matter. The person who left these two potions was a rather handsome young man." "Oh? A handsome young man?" The image of Velen inexplicably appeared in the elder''s mind. "That''s all the information I have. The young man casually left the two potions at the auction house and then left." Hearing this, the elder frowned. "Such precious potions, left so casually at an auction house¡ªhow reckless!" The white-haired elder speculated, "It''s likely a scion of an ancient family or a young lord from another galaxy. After the auction, we might be able to meet him." At this point, the white-haired elder noticed a contemplative look on the elder''s face. The more the elder thought about it, the more he believed the young man was likely Velen. Among the people he knew, only Velen had the wealth and mystery to match such actions! "Robert, I might know who that young man is!" The elder''s expression turned peculiar. "Who?" The white-haired elder, Robert, was immediately intrigued. Master Rank potions were enticing even to alchemists like him! "Come with me, and you''ll find out!" The elder''s heart stirred as he led Robert away from the scene. Not long after, the elder brought Robert to the luxurious guestroom. "He''s in there." Sensing Velen''s aura, the elder smiled. "Who is this person?" Robert asked, curious. "His name is Velen. He was the first to join the Watchers'' Legion, and even the young lady holds him in high regard. He''s immensely wealthy!" The elder gave a brief introduction. "Wealthy?" Robert was unimpressed. As a Tier-9 alchemist with numerous businesses under his belt, few dared to claim they were wealthy in front of him. But knowing the elder''s steady character, Robert figured he wouldn''t exaggerate. He was curious to see just how wealthy this Velen was. sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The guestroom door was tightly shut, but for the elder and Robert, this was no obstacle. They easily opened it. Inside, Velen was still sound asleep, much to the elder''s annoyance. Such prime years¡ªhow could they be wasted on sleep?! However, as the elder stepped into the room, Velen groggily sat up, rubbing his sleepy eyes. Both the elder and Robert were suddenly taken aback. In the middle of the guestroom lay a white-furred rabbit with a bloated belly. Next to it was a pile of potions. Just the scent wafting from those potions left them frozen like statues. Fortifying Potion! All the glass bottles were filled with Fortifying Potion! "Elder, are you done with your errands? Why are you here?" Velen rubbed his eyes, looking curiously at the elder who had suddenly appeared in his room. Then, glancing at the pile of potions on the floor and the sleeping white rabbit beside them, Velen scolded in annoyance: "Little Rabbit, why aren''t you behaving? There are still so many potions you haven''t drunk!" Hearing Velen''s voice, the little rabbit opened its red eyes, first casting a rather aggrieved look at Velen. Then, with a very human-like motion, it used its head to push all the Fortifying Potion bottles aside. The rabbit''s face displayed an unmistakable expression of disdain, as if it was utterly sick of drinking them and couldn''t stomach any more. "What on earth is going on here?" Robert clutched his head in shock, unable to believe what he was seeing. As a Tier-9 alchemist, he could tell at a glance that these potions were genuine! Moreover, their scent was identical to the two Fortifying Potion bottles reported from the auction! "Such precious potions¡ªI haven''t even had one myself! And this damn rabbit drank so many¡ªwhat a waste! This is outrageous!" Robert was beside himself, beating his chest in frustration, on the verge of losing his mind. While Robert''s emotions ran wild, the elder suddenly noticed something unusual about the seemingly harmless white rabbit. "Robert, this rabbit is extraordinary. The mana around it is circulating into its body!" "Although the mana is still sparse for now, given some time, it will definitely develop into something significant!" The elder''s face was full of astonishment. The little white rabbit was just ordinary prey and didn''t possess a mana-controlling bloodline. Yet, this rabbit was undergoing a transformation! Hearing this, Robert shifted his focus from the potions to the rabbit. His face quickly mirrored the elder''s shock. "How is this possible? How is its bloodline transforming?!" "But it shouldn''t have a spellbeast bloodline!" "From an ordinary animal evolving into a spellbeast¡ªthis¡­ this is unbelievable!" Even with Robert''s vast experience, he was astounded to witness such a phenomenon firsthand. He glanced at the scattered Fortifying Potion bottles on the floor and seemed to piece things together. With a pained look, he turned to Velen. "You¡­ How many of these potions did you feed this rabbit?!" To Robert, a single bottle of Fortifying Potion was invaluable. Judging by the rabbit''s state, it must have consumed a significant amount to cause such changes. Under Robert''s intense gaze, Velen thought for a moment and replied casually: "Not that many, just close to 2,000 bottles. The rabbit couldn''t drink anymore, so I let it take a break. But now it''s gotten picky and refuses to drink! This rabbit has no gratitude!" Hearing this, both Robert and the elder widened their eyes, staring at Velen in utter disbelief. This guy was outrageously extravagant! Nearly 2,000 bottles of Fortifying Potion! That quantity was an unimaginable blow to them! For Robert, an alchemist, the shock was even greater. Veins bulged visibly on his forehead, and he looked as though he wanted to kill Velen on the spot. "Kevin! Is this how the Ducal Manor teaches people to squander resources?!" "Such rare and precious potions¡ªused to feed a rabbit?! What were you thinking?!" To Robert, seeing such precious potions wasted was more painful than death! "This is beyond control. That''s just how he is¡ªhe has plenty of gold coins. Even I sometimes follow his arrangements to get things done for him!" Kevin sighed helplessly, a resigned look on his face. Hearing this, Robert stared at Kevin in disbelief. He knew Kevin''s background and strength well. As one of the Ducal Manor''s esteemed retainers and a top-tier Ascended Rank powerhouse, how could someone like him take orders from a fledgling? Yet these words had come straight from Kevin''s mouth! At that moment, Velen seemed to think of something. Turning to Kevin, he smiled slightly. "Elder, I could use some help with these potions. Of course, I wouldn''t ask you to do it for free¡ªthis time, let''s say, 100,000 gold coins!" While Robert''s face was still frozen in shock, Velen spoke up cheerfully. Chapter14-Whos the Fool That Spent So Much on the Potion? More gold coins to earn? Kevin''s eyes lit up instantly! Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, he swallowed nervously, a wild idea forming in his mind. He couldn''t help but ask: S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Velen, don''t tell me you want me to help you drink these Fortifying Potions?" Velen nodded seriously, confirming his suspicions. There were nearly 10,000 bottles of Fortifying Potion in total, but the little rabbit had only managed to drink 2,000 so far. That left about 8,000 bottles, all of which had to be consumed before sunset to maximize the luxury points! "How many bottles do you have left?" Kevin pressed. "Close to 8,000. They must all be finished before dusk. Can your stomach handle it, Elder?" Velen looked at Kevin with a hint of doubt. Kevin confidently patted his chest. "You''ve never seen me drink in my youth¡ªI could handle however much I was served!" With Kevin''s reassurance, Velen breathed a sigh of relief and immediately began piling up bottles of Fortifying Potion in front of him. Even though Kevin was used to Velen''s extravagance, he couldn''t help but feel a flash of amazement at the sight. But soon, he took a deep breath and began chugging bottle after bottle! Nearby, Robert watched as Kevin guzzled down potion after potion. The sight left him utterly dumbfounded, his shock rendering him almost numb. And Kevin only drank faster. Though the potion''s effects were minimal for someone of his level, the cumulative benefit was still substantial! Seeing Kevin drinking with such enthusiasm, the little rabbit couldn''t resist casting a disdainful glance at him, its expression even showing a trace of schadenfreude. Velen caught sight of the rabbit''s smug look and promptly kicked it lightly. "Little Rabbit, finish off the potions you left behind, or I''ll turn you into spicy rabbit stew tonight!" The little white rabbit seemed to understand Velen''s threat. Its expression froze, and it hesitated briefly before hopping reluctantly toward the potions. After a moment of mental preparation, it closed its red eyes and began swallowing the potions as though taking medicine. Witnessing Kevin and the rabbit''s actions, Robert was deeply shaken! He had met many extravagant individuals, and he considered himself a wealthy man. But compared to Velen, he realized he was no more than a pauper! After all, each of these potions could fetch an astronomical price at auction! Yet here was Velen, wasting such a massive number of potions. The sight made Robert feel like his heart was about to stop. "Not bad, not bad. Smooth going down, and the potion''s flavor has a certain tea-like charm. Such a pity¡ªI never encountered Fortifying Potions of this quality in my youth¡­" Kevin sighed as he drank, tears suddenly welling up in his eyes as if he''d recalled something sad. Velen and Robert stared at him in astonishment, completely baffled. Kevin sighed again. "Ah, fate plays cruel tricks. Back then, I spent all my hard-earned gold coins over many years just to buy a single ordinary Fortifying Potion. Now, when my talent can no longer be improved, I''m given so many Master Rank Fortifying Potions¡­" His talent had originally been quite decent, and the single potion he''d used back then had enhanced it further. But even so, he still couldn''t compare to the top prodigies. If he had consumed these Master Rank potions back then, he was certain his talent would have undergone a drastic transformation! He wouldn''t have been stuck at Ascended Rank for so long. Hearing this, Robert finally understood why his old friend was tearing up. Robert, too, found himself reflecting on his own situation. Like Kevin, he had also reached Ascended Rank. Though this was already a formidable level of power, he had been stuck at this rank for a long time. If he couldn''t break through, he would eventually die of old age. Yet attempting a breakthrough carried its own risks. Without sufficient talent, the calamities that arose during advancement could lead to utter annihilation. He was truly caught between a rock and a hard place. Velen glanced at Robert and, sensing his immense strength, spoke sincerely: "I still have plenty of Fortifying Potions. If Elder doesn''t mind, would you help as well?" "Like Elder Kevin, if you''re willing to help, the payment is 100,000 gold coins!" Velen figured this white-haired elder would be a great asset to speed things up. Robert froze. In all his years, this was the first time anyone had made such an outlandish request of him. But he couldn''t find a reason to refuse. After all, 100,000 gold coins was no small sum! And besides, Master Rank Fortifying Potions were incredibly rare. He had never had the chance to try one before! Without much hesitation, Robert quickly joined the potion-drinking effort. As he felt the mana flowing within him, Robert could hardly believe his luck. This was beyond incredible! Watching the two of them gulp down potions, Velen still felt their pace was too slow. At this rate, they wouldn''t finish until nightfall. If only Miss Anastasia and Alan were here, they could significantly speed things up! Velen couldn''t help but miss them a little. At that moment, Robert, his belly full of potion, wobbled slightly as he asked Velen: "Velen, are the two bottles of potion in the Mercenary Auction House yours?" Velen nodded. "Yeah, I just wanted to ask about the price. But the auctioneer said they might fetch 100,000 gold coins. I''m curious¡ªwho would be foolish enough to buy something so ordinary?" Robert and Kevin both stared at him, feeling deeply insulted. After all, they had both desperately wanted to buy such potions themselves in the past. And to call these potions "ordinary"? If they could go back in time, they would have sold everything they owned, even taken out loans, to buy them at any cost! These potions could truly change their destiny! A price of 100,000 gold coins was far from excessive! At that moment, Anastasia locked onto Velen and Kevin''s location using her heightened senses and arrived at the hotel. Alan followed closely behind, his face filled with excitement and gratitude. "Following the Ducal Manor''s young lady truly has boundless prospects!" Alan muttered to himself before eagerly heading to Velen''s room. "Big brother! Big brother! Great news!" Bursting into the room, Alan excitedly pulled out two exquisite boxes and declared: "Miss and I just found something incredibly rare at the auction. You''ll never guess what it is!" Anastasia followed Alan into the room, a trace of pain in her eyes. To purchase these two potions, she had dipped into her private funds, spending a total of one million gold coins to secure them! Although it had been a costly endeavor, she was eager to see Velen''s reaction. Velen might have money, but money wasn''t everything! Many things couldn''t be bought with gold coins alone. Luck and timing were crucial. No amount of money could buy what fate didn''t provide. But as Anastasia and Alan took in the room''s interior, they both fell into stunned silence. Because before their very eyes lay countless bottles of Fortifying Potion, each worth 500,000 gold coins at auction! And Kevin and Robert were still guzzling them down! Their dazed expressions made them feel as though they were hallucinating from overexcitement. Yet everything before them was painfully real. Clatter! The boxes fell from Alan''s hands, revealing the two Fortifying Potions inside. Velen, seeing the potions Alan and Anastasia had brought, suddenly felt a sinking feeling. The fool! He never would have guessed that the ones who bought his potions at such an exorbitant price were none other than Anastasia and Alan! Moments later, when the situation became clear, Anastasia and Alan both blacked out, especially Anastasia, who felt as though fate had played a cruel joke on her. The potions Velen had put up for auction had been purchased by none other than their own leader¡ªat an enormous cost! Chapter15-Massive System Rewards Alan, after a brief moment of shock, stared intently at the countless bottles of Fortifying Potion on the table. With such a large quantity, if he could consume more, it would be immensely beneficial to him! "Big brother, can I drink some of these potions?" His voice was filled with excitement and anticipation. Velen, of course, was more than happy. "Drink as much as you want! As much as you can handle!" He had been hoping Anastasia and Alan would help with the potions, so Alan''s eagerness was a win-win situation. With Velen''s approval, Alan froze for a moment before dashing over to Kevin and Robert, grabbing bottles with both hands and pouring them into his mouth like a parched desert survivor quenching his thirst. However, his frantic actions caused several bottles to fall to the ground with a "clink," their stoppers popping off and releasing a rich fragrance. "Hey, hey! You can''t drink that!" Suddenly, Alan noticed the white-furred rabbit squatting next to the spilled potions. Alarmed, he quickly shouted to stop it. The Fortifying Potion was incredibly precious; wasting even a drop was an unforgivable crime! But before he could finish, the rabbit seemed to recall some unpleasant memory, gagged dramatically, and kicked the potions away. Watching this, Robert turned to Anastasia and said: "Miss Anastasia, I know it''s not my place to say this, but Velen is far too extravagant. He''s fed nearly 2,000 bottles of these priceless potions to this rabbit. It''s outrageous! You need to rein him in¡ªno matter how wealthy he is, this kind of waste is unacceptable!" Alan, who had just picked up the rabbit-kicked bottles, froze. Hearing this, it felt like the sky was collapsing on him! His eyes locked onto the white rabbit in disbelief. What kind of world was this? He had prided himself on being able to drink even a single bottle of Fortifying Potion, and yet he was no better than a rabbit? Anastasia, shocked, stared at Velen. Was he really so rich that he didn''t know how to spend his money? Each bottle of this potion had cost her 500,000 gold coins! What''s more, Master Rank Fortifying Potions were priceless and never available on the open market. Even Kevin had never seen one before! Not long after, Kevin, Robert, and Alan were sprawled on the ground, much like the red-eyed rabbit, clutching their bloated stomachs. They couldn''t drink another drop. The Fortifying Potion, especially being Master Rank, contained an abundance of potent medicinal properties. Consuming so much had left them with indigestion. Velen glanced at the table, noticing there were still around 2,000 bottles left. His gaze quickly shifted to Anastasia. Since her arrival, she hadn''t consumed a single Fortifying Potion yet! Given her bloodline and rank, she should be able to drink all of these! Under Velen''s expectant gaze, Anastasia immediately realized what he was thinking and coldly refused: "No way! I''m not that kind of person¡ªyou won''t get me to drink!" "But these Fortifying Potions are incredibly valuable. I''ll buy them all!" Anastasia knew these potions wouldn''t benefit her much, but if she brought them back to the Ducal Manor, they could help her father produce a new generation of geniuses, earning her more resources and favor in return. However, Velen shook his head firmly at her offer. "Miss Anastasia, do you think I''m short on money?" From his understanding of the system, selling the potions to Anastasia like this would likely result in a significant deduction of luxury points and could even impact future system tasks. It simply wasn''t worth it. Anastasia was unwilling to give up. "I can contact my father to offer you the highest price!" Although she didn''t have enough gold coins on her, her father, a star duke, could mobilize vast amounts of gold and resources to purchase all of them! But as she finished speaking, she sighed dejectedly. For other Awakeners, gold coins meant resources, which meant rapid leveling and increased power and status. But for Velen, they were utterly meaningless. After spending time with him, she had confirmed that Velen was truly not short on money! The way he squandered wealth made it seem like he was the young master of the Ducal Manor! "Miss, just give it a try. The potion tastes quite nice!" Velen picked up a bottle and offered it to Anastasia again. If she refused, he''d have to find some wild animal to help finish them off. Seeing this, Anastasia finally gritted her teeth and drank the potion Velen handed her. If she couldn''t buy them, she might as well drink them all herself. If Velen wasted them any further, her heart might break. Before long, thanks to Anastasia''s help, the remaining 2,000 bottles were quickly consumed, and everyone let out a satisfied burp. "Congratulations to the host for successfully hiring Kevin to complete the task. Reward: 100 luxury points!" "Congratulations to the host for successfully hiring Robert to complete the task. Reward: 100 luxury points!" "Congratulations to the host for successfully showcasing today''s special items. Reward: 1,000 luxury points, 3 millennial afterlife flowers, and 5 pieces of Tier-9 Starry Stone!" [System rewards can be used freely but will not grant luxury points.] Velen looked at the system notifications with delight. Not only had he earned luxury points, but he had also received additional items! Meanwhile, Anastasia, now full, suddenly murmured in disbelief: "Kevin, I''m starting to think being the head of the family isn''t all that fulfilling." Kevin looked at her in brief silence before turning his gaze to Velen. Velen''s very existence had overturned everything he knew. He didn''t need guidance or assistance to level up. He didn''t require external resources; instead, he provided a vast amount of resources for others! Since Velen joined them, they had only grown wealthier. Both Anastasia and Kevin felt a sense of disillusionment. Ever since Velen joined, they''d felt like they were serving a tycoon! A tycoon who spent money as if it were water. A tycoon who truly didn''t care about wealth! "Elder Robert, as a Tier-9 alchemist, do you know about millennial afterlife flowers?" Velen didn''t know the purpose of these system rewards and wanted to understand their value. "Millennial afterlife flower?" Robert pondered for a moment before replying: "As far as I know, the afterlife flower is a mythical plant said to grow by absorbing the souls of the deceased. I''ve never even seen a century-old afterlife flower, let alone a millennial one. Furthermore, red afterlife flowers are considered the highest grade among them." "This spiritual herb is renowned for its ability to restore souls. If refined into a Revive Token, it could restore the soul of someone who''s been dead for up to three days!" "Of course, this is just its use for ordinary people. For us Awakeners, it''s even more valuable, especially for Ascended Rank Awakeners like us. Ascension is fraught with calamities¡ªfailure means certain death!" "But with the Revive Token, even if the attempt fails, it can preserve the soul, allowing the person to find a new body and revive!" Robert''s voice was filled with awe as he explained, his eyes brimming with longing. For someone as powerful and accomplished as him, longevity and ascension were the two insurmountable challenges he faced. Based on his research, the afterlife flower might be his only hope to overcome them. Hearing this, Kevin''s eyes lit up, his whole demeanor turning excited. Though he hadn''t spent much time with Velen, he knew that if Velen didn''t possess something, he wouldn''t bother asking about it. Since Velen had asked, it likely meant he had this legendary herb! Taking a deep breath, Kevin turned to Robert with a serious expression. "Robert, do you know about starmetal stone?" S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Robert nodded. "It''s a high-quality alchemical product that can significantly enhance one''s level. I''ve personally refined it, but its materials are scarce, and I''ve only managed to create a small amount. Nowadays, it''s a rare treasure among major powers." Kevin replied earnestly, "But Velen has been using starmetal stone as incense!" What?! Robert''s eyes widened in disbelief. The materials for starmetal stone were rare, and its refinement required high-level techniques. Even the smallest quantity was considered invaluable by major powers, reserved only for critical moments. And he used it as incense?! Chapter16-The Duke Arrives – A Mana Core-less “Wasteâ€? "Velen, stop hiding it. You must have millennial afterlife flowers!" Kevin quickly stepped in front of Velen, speaking earnestly: "This mythical spiritual herb must be treasured. You absolutely can''t just use it as incense!" "No worries. I have three millennial afterlife flowers. Using one as incense shouldn''t be a problem, right?" Velen replied casually. After learning about the effects of the millennial afterlife flower, he thought lighting one as incense would surely be an incredible experience! The rarer something was, the more tempting it was to try! "Velen, you really have three millennial afterlife flowers?" Robert couldn''t sit still any longer. He rushed to Velen''s side, his face full of longing. "Can you sell them all to me? No matter the cost, I''m willing to pay!" The millennial afterlife flower was crucial for his advancement. It could preserve his soul from destruction! As a Tier-9 alchemist, Robert also couldn''t stand the thought of Velen wasting such a precious herb. But Velen simply shook his head and turned to Anastasia. "Since I''m now part of the Watchers'' Legion, and Miss Anastasia is the captain, this millennial afterlife flower is a gift to you!" "The second afterlife flower I must light as incense to enjoy its fragrance¡ªno one can stop me!" "As for the third afterlife flower, I don''t have any particular use for it. If Elder Kevin helps me more in the future, I might consider giving it to him." With that, Velen allocated the three millennial afterlife flowers. "Velen¡­ this gift is too precious!" Anastasia looked at the red afterlife flower in her hand, her face flushing with excitement. Velen was far too generous to her. First, he had given her 100,000 gold coins, then invited her to join the Watchers'' Legion, and now he was gifting her this priceless millennial afterlife flower. With Velen''s extravagant style, she suspected she''d receive even more treasures from him in the future! At this rate, she almost felt as though Velen were supporting her. But she was supposed to be the mentor, the captain of the fortress, providing benefits to Velen and his team¡ªnot the other way around! She instinctively wanted to return the afterlife flower to Velen, but thinking about how critical it could be for her future advancement, she hesitated. At the same time, Robert stared intently at the afterlife flowers in front of Velen, his mind racing. "Velen, I can help you too. If I perform well, could I get this afterlife flower?" Kevin, hearing this, bristled with anger. "Robert, is this how you treat your friends? That millennial afterlife flower is already reserved for me!" He needed the afterlife flower just as much! "Velen only said he''s considering giving it to you. Giving it to me isn''t out of the question. Can''t you yield to an old friend?" The two began arguing. Meanwhile, Alan paid no attention to the commotion. The only thought in his mind was figuring out how to sneak a whiff when Velen lit the afterlife flower as incense. "Miss Anastasia, the fortress still needs people, right? Could I join as an elder?" Ultimately, Robert, being a civilized man, couldn''t outargue the crafty Kevin. He shifted strategies, aiming to stay close to Velen through Anastasia. Anastasia''s eyes widened. "Elder Robert, are you seriously considering joining the fortress?" She knew Robert well. Not only was he an Ascended Rank powerhouse and a Tier-9 alchemist, but his influence extended across many regions! Having someone like him join the fortress was an unimaginable boon. "Of course, I''m serious! I held your father when he was a child¡ªhe even peed on me! If you won''t allow it, I''ll take this up with him directly!" Seeing her hesitation, Robert grew anxious. Though he didn''t know much about Velen yet, anyone who could casually bring out three millennial afterlife flowers and distribute them so nonchalantly was undoubtedly someone with unimaginable power and connections. Missing this opportunity to get closer to him would be a lifelong regret! Seeing Robert''s eagerness, Anastasia nodded quickly. "The fortress would, of course, welcome Elder Robert! But don''t you still have many businesses to manage?" "I''ll leave all that to my juniors." Robert waved dismissively. With a bigshot like Velen around, all other matters could wait. His priority was figuring out how to win his favor! "Kevin, let''s settle this¡ªwhoever performs better gets the afterlife flower!" Kevin hadn''t expected Robert to be so ruthless, but he wasn''t about to back down. "Fine, let''s see who''s better!" Anastasia, watching the scene unfold, suddenly felt a bit dazed. Wait, what was going on? Why was there another person in the fortress? She hadn''t planned on recruiting anyone initially. Now, in addition to Velen and Alan, there was also an elder! All she had wanted was to quietly level up and prepare for her revenge in the upper plane universe! "By the way, do you all know about Tier-9 Starry Stones?" Velen glanced at Robert and the others, asking curiously. At his words, everyone''s heads buzzed, and they immediately surrounded him. "You have Tier-9 Starry Stones?!" Their eyes widened, burning with intensity, and the air seemed to heat up from their excitement. Seeing their reactions, Velen realized that Tier-9 Starry Stones might be even more valuable than the afterlife flowers! He quickly cleared his throat. "I was just asking." But his denial didn''t fool Robert and the others. They all stared at Velen with complex expressions, knowing he must possess such a priceless treasure. Even Alan, after a moment of silence, looked at Velen with unwavering conviction and admiration. "Big brother, oh big brother! Where exactly did you come from, you tycoon young master?!" As everyone was caught up in their excitement, Anastasia''s bracelet suddenly vibrated. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Kevin''s expression immediately turned serious. Anastasia glanced toward the fortress, her expression growing complicated. "Let''s go. My father has arrived¡ªprobably to inspect my progress in establishing the fortress." Not long after. With Anastasia leading them, Velen and the others¡ªalong with the white rabbit¡ªreturned to the fortress. Hovering in the sky above the fortress stood a dignified man, his hands behind his back. The sheer pressure he exuded caused the surrounding space to warp slightly. Seeing their arrival, the middle-aged man turned toward Anastasia, his eyes carrying a hint of reproach. "Anastasia, where are the Watchers'' Legion members you recruited? Didn''t I tell you not to fight alone anymore?" He had already scanned the area and found it empty of Awakeners. It was clear Anastasia hadn''t followed his instructions, leaving him deeply displeased. Anastasia quickly stepped forward to explain. "Father, these two are the members I recruited for the Watchers'' Legion! This is Velen, my vice-captain!" Though there were only two people, it was enough to barely meet expectations. Before her reincarnation in the upper plane universe, Anastasia had been an orphan. Now, reborn as the Ducal Manor''s eldest daughter, cherished by her parents, she greatly respected them. Hearing this, Duke Anthony Michelstein''s expression softened slightly. He knew Anastasia well¡ªshe rarely cared about anything. Not only had she recruited two people, but she had also appointed a vice-captain. She seemed to value this one highly. Curious, he asked: "What''s his mana core rank?" "Does he have a bloodline talent?" "What level has he reached?" A barrage of questions poured out. Anastasia rolled her eyes but knew this was her father''s way of testing her. She answered earnestly: "No mana core. No bloodline talent¡­" Hearing this, Duke Michelstein''s mouth twitched. "Isn''t that just a complete waste?" "And this is the vice-captain you appointed?!" Velen stepped forward confidently and introduced himself: "Duke Michelstein, my name is Velen. I provided Miss Anastasia with some gold coins and resources and was just promoted to vice-captain!" Though Duke Michelstein held a high position, Velen, bolstered by his system, showed no hint of intimidation. ?? Duke Michelstein was utterly baffled. His face darkened as he glared at Anastasia. "Anastasia, what are you doing? How could you sell a spot in the Watchers'' Legion?" "And you even gave him such an important position as vice-captain?!" Chapter17-The Rabbit with the Eye of Hell This assignment for Anastasia to hone herself here, Anthony thought, should help her grow. But he hadn''t expected this level of absurdity! The Watchers'' Legion was such a critical matter, yet she treated it as a joke! At this moment, Robert saw his chance to impress. Activating his mana, he conjured an earthy yellow throne for Velen. "Velen, take a seat and rest for now. I''ll explain everything to Duke Michelstein!" He walked over to Velen, his face full of reassurance. Kevin, noticing this, twitched at the corners of his mouth and angrily shouted: "Robert, what''s the meaning of this?" With a glance at Velen, he snapped his fingers, summoning rolling flames that coiled around the throne, making it warm and inviting. "Velen, the throne is heated now. Please, sit down and relax!" Anthony could hardly believe his eyes. Kevin was an elder of the Ducal Manor, yet he was fawning over someone he considered a waste? And Robert¡ªhe was the instigator of this whole affair. What was he even doing here? "Father, let me explain¡­" "Duke, please hear me out¡­" "Anthony, Velen is my close friend¡­" The three surrounded Anthony, giving him a concise explanation of Velen''s situation. After hearing them out, Anthony felt like he was dreaming. Using starmetal stone as incense? Feeding 2,000 bottles of Fortifying Potion to a rabbit? Possessing mythical afterlife flowers? This Velen was an unimaginably extravagant tycoon! Even he, a star duke, couldn''t compare to Velen''s wealth¡ªnot even to his rabbit! It was outrageous! "Ahem. Anastasia, as long as everything with the fortress is proceeding smoothly, I''m reassured." Anthony coughed lightly, calming his turbulent emotions. He then chatted briefly with Anastasia about the state of the Ducal Manor, his tone entirely different from his earlier questioning. Meanwhile, Velen and the others returned to their quarters without interrupting the father-daughter conversation. "Big brother, I have an excellent incense burner here¡ªperfect for burning aromatic herbs!" Alan shuffled in shyly, carrying the burner. "You want to experience the scent of the afterlife flower burning?" Velen chuckled at Alan''s awkward demeanor. Alan scratched his head sheepishly. "Big brother, I''ll just sit nearby and sniff. I won''t disturb you!" Velen laughed. "Since you''re my little brother and I''m now the vice-captain, of course, I''ll look out for you. Sit next to me, and we''ll enjoy it together." In the room, Robert and Kevin exchanged glances, feeling utterly hopeless as they watched Velen place the afterlife flower in the burning incense burner. They had thought Velen wouldn''t actually be so extravagant. But he was serious! Gentle wisps of smoke filled the air. A day passed in the blink of an eye. After sleeping for an entire day, Velen woke up feeling refreshed and stretched with vigor. The world seemed calmer and more serene. "As expected of an afterlife flower that grows by absorbing souls. Burning it as incense truly benefits the soul!" Velen exclaimed in admiration. Even though he had only absorbed a fraction of its effects through the incense, his soul had undergone significant enhancement. In high spirits, Velen checked the system. "Current luxury points: 2,410." "Today''s special item: Eye of Hell (Damaged Version) ¨C 9,999 available!" After reading this, Velen froze. "A damaged Eye of Hell?" He had no idea what it was! Curious, he summoned one. A small, jet-black orb the size of a marble appeared in his hand. It resembled a blurry eye, veined with cracks and exuding a deathly aura of destruction. Merely holding it gave Velen the unsettling feeling of being locked onto by some terrifying creature, making his scalp tingle. "Little White!" Unsure of the orb''s nature, Velen decided to test it on the rabbit. The white rabbit twitched its large ears and eagerly hopped to Velen''s side, its red eyes filled with anticipation, thinking it was about to receive a treat. Velen placed the Eye of Hell fragment on the rabbit''s forehead. Instantly, the orb dissolved into a black light and merged into the rabbit''s forehead, disappearing into its crimson eyes. A wave of corrosive, destructive energy emanated briefly from the rabbit''s gaze before vanishing as quickly as it had appeared. The rabbit''s eyes grew vacant for a moment. It sensed something new within its vision but couldn''t comprehend it. "What happens if these special items aren''t used through ostentatious means?" Velen suddenly asked. He had a strong sense that the rabbit''s eyes had changed, and based on his experience, anything with such an imposing name must be extraordinary! The system displayed a red warning: "Significant luxury points will be deducted!" Velen immediately grew cautious. Luxury points were hard-earned and incredibly useful. He couldn''t afford to lose them unnecessarily. "Fine, I''ll keep this just between us. The rabbit will absorb all of it." Velen decided that, knowing Robert and Kevin, they''d likely hoard such treasures instead of using them immediately¡ªsomething that could cause trouble. Looking down at the rabbit, he said, "Guess it''s up to you." "Anastasia, those two aren''t ordinary. Have you considered sending them to the Singularity Battlefield for training?" Duke Michelstein pondered for a moment before asking. "The Singularity Battlefield?" Anastasia thought for a moment and replied, "It''s not impossible. They don''t need me to guide their leveling. Velen is unfathomable, so I''m not worried about him. Alan, however, might face danger. But if they go together, I''d feel more reassured." Although she hadn''t spent much time with Velen and Alan, Anastasia had already taken them under her wing. "Have a Ducal Manor Adept Rank Level 9 guard accompany them," Duke Michelstein suggested, then asked, "Velen''s level isn''t as high as Alan''s. Why are you not worried about him?" Though Velen had many treasures, the Singularity Battlefield ultimately required strength and rank! After all, even the weakest beings in the first zone of the Singularity Battlefield were on par with Novice Rank Awakeners. A mana core-less person like Velen would be easily crushed! Anastasia thought for a moment and said slowly, "Velen may not have a mana core, but he''s not a waste. He''s already at Apprentice Rank Level 9, so he should be assigned to the second zone." "How can someone without a mana core reach any rank?" Anthony shook his head repeatedly. Without a mana core, it was impossible to level up¡ªthis was a universal truth! sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Most ordinary people lacked mana cores and were destined to be enslaved. Anastasia knew this well but responded with a calm and profound expression: "He broke the universal truth. I saw it with my own eyes. His mana patterns far exceed mine by several dozen times." She herself had been astonished at first, but facts were facts. "More mana patterns than you?" Anthony''s eyes widened in disbelief. "When you awakened your mana core, you instantly reached Novice Rank Level 9. The mana patterns from your core were so intricate that even the dormant ancestors of the Ducal Manor were awakened. For someone without a mana core to surpass you? Impossible!" To Duke Michelstein, Anastasia was the most remarkable figure in the family''s history. Velen couldn''t possibly compare to her! But Anastasia remained calm throughout, leaving Anthony questioning his certainty. Anastasia never joked, especially not about serious matters. Before Anthony could press for details, a terrifying black light suddenly shot into the sky, forming ripples of destruction that spread across miles! Everyone¡ªAnastasia, Anthony, Kevin, Robert, and Alan¡ªfelt the disturbance and rushed toward it. As they neared the towering pillar of black light, their expressions grew more horrified. The destructive aura emanating from the pillar sent chills down their spines, as if they were witnessing the universe''s end. "A rabbit?" Upon getting closer, Anthony and the others froze in astonishment! Chapter18-No Mana Core? No Limit! A pure white rabbit stood there, its eyes wide open. Its previously blood-red pupils seemed as if they were soaked in thick ink, now pitch black and eerily ominous. The aura of destruction everyone had felt was emanating from this rabbit¡ªVelen''s rabbit! Anthony and the others exchanged glances, seeing the disbelief mirrored in each other''s eyes. "What are you all doing in my courtyard?" Velen looked at the group who had stormed into his courtyard and asked, puzzled. Their gazes were fixated on the rabbit, their expressions laced with dread. "Velen, what''s going on with this rabbit of yours? Why is it radiating such a terrifying aura of destruction? Has it evolved into a spellbeast?" Velen shook his head. "How could a mere rabbit transform into a spellbeast? I just happened to have some Eye of Hell fragments, so I used them on it." He genuinely wasn''t sure if the Eye of Hell fragments were from the current era. "Eye of Hell fragments?" The crowd stared at Velen in horror, unable to believe what they were hearing. Their gazes then shifted to the rabbit, now filled with envy and jealousy. "The Eye of Hell is a terrifying spellbeast. Legends say its gaze alone can destroy entire universes. Its ocular abilities are incredibly formidable. Even in the Singularity Battlefield, comprehending such abilities is immensely difficult. And you¡­ you gave it to a rabbit?!" Anastasia was so furious she was trembling slightly. However, Velen noticed her mention of the Singularity Battlefield and asked, surprised: "Singularity Battlefield?" He had never heard of such a place before, but if it contained Eye of Hell fragments, it had to be extraordinary. "I was planning to send you and Alan to the Singularity Battlefield for training. Since you brought it up, let me explain it now," Anastasia said, glancing at Velen and Alan. "You should know that our Uranus Star is just one of many unremarkable stars in the vast universe, located on the edge of the downer plane universe. "All plane universes are connected to the Singularity Battlefield. "No one knows how the Singularity Battlefield came to be, but it is filled with resources for leveling up, including fragments of universal laws, spiritual herbs, ancient ruins, and legacies of great powerhouses. "Of course, while the Singularity Battlefield holds countless treasures, it is also extremely dangerous. Those who enter face not only attacks from other competitors but also threats from the battlefield''s spellbeasts. Many perish inside." S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Hearing this, Velen grew even more intrigued by the Singularity Battlefield. At that moment, the system''s voice sounded in his mind: "Congratulations, host. You have triggered a mission. Enter the second zone of the Singularity Battlefield and eliminate 100 Apprentice Rank Level 9 spellbeasts." "Mission Success: Luxury points will be awarded. Mission Failure: Luxury points will be deducted." Velen was slightly taken aback. This time, the system hadn''t specified how many luxury points would be rewarded, suggesting the amount would depend on his performance. Velen already understood the immense value of luxury points. Faced with an opportunity to earn more, he wasn''t about to let it slip away. Although he currently lacked offensive awakener skills, he figured he could find a way to compensate. "Velen, why does this rabbit have such a dense aura of destruction? How many Eye of Hell fragments did you use on it?" Duke Michelstein asked curiously. Mastering even a sliver of law-like fluctuations was enough to elevate someone to the rank of a true powerhouse. From the rabbit, Anthony could detect incredibly dense law-like fluctuations, even though the rabbit had yet to fully grasp them. It was still astounding! "Not too many, just about 10,000 Eye of Hell fragments," Velen replied nonchalantly. What?! Hearing this, Anthony and the others were utterly shaken. They stared at Velen, their expressions incredulous. 10,000 Eye of Hell fragments! Each fragment was unimaginably precious. If they had even a fraction of what Velen had, they would be confident in comprehending the true abilities of the Eye of Hell. Yet these priceless fragments had been given to a rabbit! The rabbit was living a life far more luxurious than theirs. Even though they already knew Velen was extraordinarily wealthy, they hadn''t expected this level of extravagance. Seeing the others glare at the rabbit as if they wanted to devour it, Velen realized his earlier decision to keep the fragments for the rabbit alone had been absolutely correct. "Father, you should send Velen and Alan to the Singularity Battlefield as soon as possible. I can''t stand his wastefulness anymore!" Anastasia took a deep breath, feeling that sending them off might be the best course of action. At least she wouldn''t have to deal with Velen''s antics and risk losing her temper. Anthony nodded seriously. "Fine. Once they return from the Singularity Battlefield, I''ll send them back to you!" Even Anthony couldn''t tolerate Velen''s actions any longer. He had to let them¡ªespecially Velen¡ªexperience some hardships. Only then might he learn not to squander so recklessly. He promptly took Velen and Alan away from the fortress. "Duke, where are we headed now?" Velen and Alan exchanged a glance before looking curiously at Anthony. Anthony glanced at the vast void and replied, "We''ll first return to the Ducal Manor. From there, you''ll join the Manor''s elite prodigies and enter the Singularity Battlefield together. It''ll ensure you have some support." Velen nodded thoughtfully. "Duke, is this how you usually travel? I''ve heard some ancient families use powerful spellbeasts to traverse starfields!" "Duke, do you need me to sponsor anything?" "Duke, shouldn''t I provide some resources for the Manor''s young talents?" "¡­" Anthony was left speechless by Velen''s barrage of questions. "If the House of von Michelstein were that inadequate, how could we have survived this long? "From now on, focus on your own preparations. The Singularity Battlefield is no joke¡ªit''s a place where people die!" Under Anthony''s guidance, the group boarded a luxurious spaceboat emblazoned with the Ducal Manor''s family crest. "Rest here. It''ll take about a day to reach the Ducal Manor''s home star." A day later, the spaceboat stopped at a relay star to replenish energy. Waking from his sleep pod, Velen immediately checked the system interface: [Name: Velen Bloodline: None Level: Apprentice Rank Level 9 Luxury Points: 3,410 Special Items: Mana Stones ¨C 99,999!] "Almost 100,000 mana stones¡­" Velen was surprised. Mana stones contained pure mana, useful for leveling up, and were a common currency among awakeners with significant purchasing power. Looking at them, Velen couldn''t resist the urge to flaunt his wealth. His attention turned to the system''s lottery feature. "System, lock onto offensive skills. E-rank high-tier. Keep drawing until I get the desired skill!" Velen knew skills were ranked from F to S, with further divisions into low-tier, mid-tier, and high-tier. E-rank corresponded to Apprentice Rank awakeners, and an E-rank high-tier skill was perfect for him. Such skills were incredibly rare and valuable in the outside world. After setting the conditions, he began a ten-draw sequence. "Congratulations, host. You have spent 100 luxury points and obtained the E-rank high-tier skill: Meteor Fist!" The system''s voice echoed as a flood of insights about Meteor Fist filled Velen''s mind. However, after assimilating the insights, Velen was stunned. "Does it really require an earth-element or light-element mana core to activate?" "I don''t even have a mana core¡ªthis is bad." Velen furrowed his brows, feeling as if fate were playing a massive joke on him. He had hit the jackpot on his first try, but he couldn''t use it! The thought lingered briefly before he calmed himself and focused, activating the mana patterns within his body. Since he lacked a mana core, didn''t that mean he was free from the restrictions of mana attributes? Chapter19-Journey to the House of von Michelsteins Stronghold! With this thought in mind, Velen attempted to transform his attribute-less mana into earth-elemental mana, followed by converting it into light-elemental mana. Each transformation was effortless, and his smile grew brighter with every success. It worked! His attribute-less mana could transform at will, entirely under his control! After several more attempts, Velen decided to try using Meteor Fist. But before he could, Duke Michelstein''s voice called out from outside the cabin. "Get over here and eat! Don''t be late!" Velen hurried to the dining area of the spaceship. The ship''s dining area boasted impressive views, with large windows and glass walls providing a panoramic view of the surroundings. After a simple breakfast, Anthony noticed something unusual about Velen. Instead of leaving, Velen opened one of the spaceship''s windows and began throwing mana stones down onto the planet below. Anthony was utterly dumbfounded. Mana stones were extremely valuable to awakeners, both as a source of energy and a form of currency. Yet, Velen was tossing them away as if handing out freebies on the relay star below! Meanwhile, the factions on the relay star looked up at the glowing lights falling from the sky, their faces filled with disbelief. "Are those¡­ mana stones?" "Why are mana stones falling from the sky? And so many of them?!" As the glowing objects drew closer, their suspicions were confirmed¡ªit was raining mana stones! "Holy crap! It must be from that spaceship!" "Who cares who it''s from? They''re ours now!" "Hey, slow down! I haven''t grabbed any yet!" Back on the spaceship, Anthony watched the chaos below and was utterly speechless. Sure, he knew Velen was wealthy, but this was beyond comprehension. How much money must one have to literally throw it away like this? "Velen, I know you have plenty of mana stones and gold coins, but if you keep squandering them like this, you''ll run out someday! And when you do, you''ll regret it!" Anthony tried to reason with him. Velen glanced at Anthony and sighed. "Do you know what the greatest pain in life is for me, Duke?" Anthony studied Velen and hesitantly guessed, "Not having a mana core?" Velen shook his head. "Not being famous across the universe?" Velen shook his head again. "Not being with the one you love?" Still, Velen shook his head. "Then what is it?" Anthony asked, genuinely curious. Velen looked at Anthony seriously and said, "My greatest pain is¡­ being alive while my money remains unspent!" Anthony: "¡­" By dusk, the spaceship had arrived at a vast blue planet stretching as far as the eye could see. "This is the home planet of the House of von Michelstein?" Velen curiously observed the view as the spaceship doors opened. Before them lay an ancient white estate surrounded by towering trees, its luxurious pavilions and terraces faintly visible through the greenery. What stood out most to Velen was the ambient mana, which was several times denser than that of Uranus Star. Shortly after the spaceship docked, a bespectacled middle-aged man with a scholarly demeanor approached respectfully. "Second Steward, this is Velen, a friend of Anastasia''s. He''ll be joining Ducal Manor''s other prodigies to enter the Singularity Battlefield. Take care of him for the next couple of days," Anthony instructed. He then glanced at Velen and added, "Don''t draw too much attention to yourself. You''ll leave for the Singularity Battlefield in two days." With that, Anthony departed, leaving to attend to other matters. "Second Steward! Pleased to meet you. Sorry to trouble you over the next few days," Velen greeted proactively, knowing the stewards of ancient noble families were never simple characters. The assistant steward, wearing white gloves, bowed respectfully and extended his hand. "Lord Velen, you''re too kind. Please don''t hesitate to ask if you need anything." Regardless of Velen''s mysterious origins, being both a guest brought personally by Duke Michelstein and a friend of Anastasia meant the assistant steward had to treat him with utmost respect. Suddenly, Velen noticed a commotion in the distance and asked curiously, "Second Steward, is something happening over there? It sounds quite lively." The assistant steward smiled. "Oh, that''s the Duke''s monthly challenge tournament. Outer family members can challenge core members. If you''re interested, Lord Velen, feel free to take a look." Before Velen could respond, the system''s notification rang in his mind: "Random mission triggered: Challenge 100 members of the Duke''s family and emerge victorious. Success will earn 600 luxury points." Hearing this, Velen glanced at his system interface. Current luxury points: 4,310. "Not bad. Completing this will bring me close to 5,000. Once I reach 9,000, I can go for another major upgrade!" With a determined smile, Velen headed toward the arena. When Velen arrived at the arena, the tournament hadn''t officially begun. Some of the stages were still empty. As Velen stepped onto one of the platforms, many people turned their attention to him. "Who is this guy? He doesn''t look familiar." "Judging by his clothes, he''s not from Ducal Manor." Amid the whispers, Velen scanned the crowd below and announced, "Everyone, my name is Velen, vice-captain of Anastasia''s Watchers'' Legion. I''d like to spar with you all!" His declaration left the men and women in the crowd stunned. "Isn''t the lady currently training on some remote star? With her pride, this Velen must be someone extraordinary!" "I don''t know why she chose him, but being her second-in-command is enviable!" The crowd''s expressions revealed their admiration. Anastasia was a legend within the House of von Michelstein, both an idol and a goddess to many. Her brilliance shone in every field. "Velen, is it? Let me test your strength!" Soon, a young man with bronze skin and a physique resembling a humanoid tyrannosaurus stepped onto the stage. Gasps spread through the audience. "It''s George! He''s a prodigy who practices a relentless style. He''s already reached Apprentice Rank Level 9!" "Not only is his body incredibly strong, but his offensive skills are also formidable, reaching D-rank intermediate. That''s a skill level reserved for seasoned awakeners!" "George has a well-known crush on Lady Anastasia. He''s always acted like her guardian. Velen''s in trouble now!" As the atmosphere grew more heated, Velen turned to George with a hint of surprise. "So, George, you seem to be one of the Manor''s prodigies with both talent and strength." George, as stoic as a towering bear, replied arrogantly, "Nothing compared to the lady, but I did break through to Novice Rank Level 7 when I awakened my mana core. What about you, Velen? What level did you reach during your awakening?" Clearly intending to dominate Velen in every way, George wasn''t in a hurry to attack. Velen scratched his head and replied, "I don''t have a mana core, but I broke through to Novice Rank Level 9 upon awakening." Hearing that Velen lacked a mana core, the crowd was momentarily stunned, ready to ridicule him¡ªuntil they processed the second part of his statement. The arena fell into dead silence. No mana core, yet he broke through to Novice Rank Level 9? That couldn''t be true. It had to be nonsense! "Velen''s got to be joking. Does he take us for fools?" sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Exactly! Without a mana core, you''re just a nobody. Breaking through to Level 9? Who does he think he is, Lady Anastasia?" "If what he said is true, I''ll do a handstand and¡­ yeah, right!" The shock quickly gave way to a wave of mocking laughter, as no one believed Velen''s claims. Chapter20-One Against Two Hundred George glared at Velen and said coldly, "Your words sound impressive, but is your level and strength equally so?" With that, he took a step forward, leaving a trail of illusory afterimages in his wake. "D-level Low, Phantom Step!" After activating his movement skill, George''s speed surged. The ten-meter gap between him and Velen was closed in an instant! The spectators below the arena couldn''t help but exclaim in surprise. Seeing George charging at him with great momentum, the dense mana patterns within Velen''s body lit up rapidly, seemingly stimulated. A vast wave of mana surged throughout his body. Meteor Fist! As he punched out, the void trembled. Earth elements spiraled around his fist, growing explosively, like a massive meteor descending from the heavens, hurtling directly toward George! The fierce gale accompanying the punch blew George''s long hair back, completely filling his vision and suppressing the mana surging within his body. "How is this move so terrifying?" George''s heart trembled. This domineering force gave him a sense of utter helplessness! The awakeners watching the battle all showed expressions of shock. The oppressive aura emanating from this skill left them short of breath! If they faced this move themselves, they would undoubtedly suffer severe injuries¡ªor worse, annihilation! "What a ferocious skill! This guy is no ordinary opponent!" As Velen''s meteor-sized fist approached, George felt an extreme sense of danger. He quickly countered with a punch of his own, his fist wrapped in golden light and tearing through the air. This was his signature D-level Low skill: Golden Fist! A technique powerful enough to threaten Adept Rank awakeners. Bang! The two fists collided head-on, causing the arena beneath them to sink slightly. George''s seemingly golden fist dimmed abruptly, and his body staggered backward uncontrollably. In contrast, Velen appeared unscathed. He continued channeling his condensed mana and launched another powerful punch! "Meteor Fist!" "Meteor Fist!" "Meteor Fist!" Velen''s offensive was ferocious, his mana surging like an unending river! The oppressive mana-packed fists locked George in completely! As the deathly aura closed in, George''s face turned pale. "What is wrong with this guy? How can he unleash so many skills? How dense is his mana, exactly?" The higher the skill''s level, the greater its power¡ªbut also the higher its mana consumption. The attack skill Velen was using had to be D-level Advanced. Logically, it should be impossible to use it multiple times in such a short period! George was already struggling to fend off one punch, let alone withstand three colossal meteors, each ten meters in diameter. That was a pipe dream! Although Velen was also an Apprentice Rank Lv. 9, the sheer density of his mana completely overwhelmed George¡ªit wasn''t even close. Terrified, George turned and leapt off the arena. Boom! Boom! Boom! The moment he left, the massive fist projections, like meteors, crashed down one after another onto the arena. The ground caved in, debris scattered, and dust clouds billowed into the air. The spectators near the arena felt the ground shake continuously, as if an earthquake had struck! Soon, the dust was dispersed by an invisible wind, revealing the arena, now half-collapsed and littered with rubble. This scene left everyone watching gasping in shock. The arena was specially reinforced, yet it was reduced to such a state. If such an attack landed on them, they couldn''t even begin to imagine the consequences! Amid the horrified stares of the crowd, Velen took a deep breath. The mana surging through his body made him feel indescribably exhilarated. "Not bad! So this is what it feels like to be an awakener?" The powerful mana coursing through his body made Velen feel an addictive sense of thrill. He immediately turned his gaze to the other young men and women around the arena, his face brimming with excitement and provocation. "Come on, all of you! Let''s have a good fight this time!" Velen''s voice, infused with overwhelming mana, boomed in everyone''s ears, making their eardrums tremble. "This guy is so arrogant! Does he really think we''re pushovers?" "No way! He needs to be taught a lesson! The dignity of Ducal Manor will be upheld by us!" The Ducal Manor prodigies standing closest to Velen, never having been so blatantly insulted, glared at him angrily. The young talents of Ducal Manor, allowed to train here, were all exceptionally skilled. At once, their restless mana surged as they charged furiously toward Velen on the arena. The first ones to approach were the elites among the outer circle members, all Apprentice Rank Lv. 9. Determined to subdue Velen quickly, they held nothing back. Multicolored mana waves illuminated the area around the arena, twisting and boiling the air. "Even though they''re only outer circle members, their combined strength would force any Adept Rank awakener to take them seriously!" "Velen is too arrogant!" Many of the Ducal Manor''s core members shook their heads slightly. But before they could finish their remarks, they saw Velen unleash a series of punches, creating a barrage of fist shadows. The domineering force of his punches tore through the air with piercing sonic booms. The attacks from the group shattered instantly upon contact with Velen''s meteor-like fists, dissolving into mana particles and disappearing. Bang! Bang! Bang! One by one, the awakeners who got close were sent flying by the sheer force of Velen''s punches, coughing up blood and wearing expressions of utter shock. "This¡­ how is this possible¡­?" The awakeners, wiping blood from their mouths, stared at Velen in disbelief. The density of Velen''s mana was unfathomable. Coming into contact with him felt like colliding with a tidal wave¡ªvast, boundless, and impenetrable! The assistant steward narrowed his eyes at Velen, surprised by the depths of Velen''s mana reserves. Among awakeners of the same level, others seemed like mere ants in comparison. Even when the assistant steward extended his spiritual sense into Velen''s body, it was like plunging into the ocean, unable to fathom its depths. "Is that all the strength you''ve got?" Velen looked at the hesitant crowd who dared not advance and became even more fired up. Commanding mana and launching relentless attacks awakened a primal beast within him. Thus, Velen continued taunting, "Come on, all of you! I only want to be defeated¡ªor to defeat you all!" These words further incensed the crowd around the arena. They surged toward Velen like a tidal wave. But just then, the assistant steward''s voice rang out. "Don''t act rashly! Velen isn''t someone any of you can handle alone. Attack together and form a battle formation!" Curious about Velen''s limits, the assistant steward decided to let the crowd test him. The assistant steward held great authority in the Ducal Manor. Though emotions were running high, the crowd instinctively followed his command, channeling mana and forming a formation. From a distance, the sight of over a hundred outer circle members and several dozen core members combining their mana was awe-inspiring. The ground trembled faintly under their power. "This is unprecedented¡ªover two hundred young talents attacking together. If Velen withstands this wave, he''ll definitely earn a spot on the Battleboard!" The assistant steward squinted. Earning a place on the Battleboard was the dream of countless young awakeners. "Once the battle formation is complete, even Adept Rank awakeners would be suppressed. Let''s see how Velen remains arrogant now!" "Attack!" Within the formation''s glowing light, the Ducal Manor prodigies roared as a towering barrier arose, spreading rapidly to envelop Velen, forming a new domain. sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Sensing the formation''s overwhelming pressure, Velen took a deep breath. If he defeated all two hundred people, his system task would be complete. Thus, he silently commanded in his mind, "System, lock onto D-level Advanced attack skills and extract!" Shwish! Shwish! Light flickered before Velen''s eyes. After seven rapid flashes, a notification appeared in his vision. "Congratulations, Host! You have obtained the D-level Advanced attack skill: Thunderfall!" As the system''s voice echoed, Velen''s mind was flooded with visions of endless thunder crashing down, roaring with destruction, replacing the heavens in an apocalyptic scene. "Indeed, a D-level Advanced skill is extraordinary!" After fully comprehending it, Velen became even more excited and commanded again, "Extract another!" Chapter21-Continuous Extractions! New Skills! "Congratulations, Host! You have obtained the D-level Advanced skill, Angelic Light Slash!" "Continue!" "Congratulations, Host! You have obtained the D-level Advanced skill, Frost Dragon''s Breath!" As the system''s notifications echoed, Velen''s mind became filled with casting insights for these skills. Immediately, his gaze toward the formation of hundreds of people grew more determined and eager. "Come on, let me test out my new attack skills on you!" Velen stretched his muscles and formed a hand seal in front of his chest. A strange ripple of thunder spread outward from him. Above his head, silver serpentine lightning began to roar and crackle, striking toward the formation in front of him! S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Bang! Bang! Bolts of lightning as thick as arms crashed into the barrier, emitting deafening thuds. The formation of over two hundred people began to shake slightly. "Thunder element?!" "He actually wields dual-element mana, and the power of this attack skill¡ªhow can it be so terrifying?" Everyone within the formation was struck with shock. Before they could fully voice their astonishment, they suddenly saw a massive white angelic silhouette appear behind Velen. Its wings gleamed like sharp blades of light, slashing forward and radiating a blinding brilliance. "Light element? How is this possible?" "What kind of monster is this guy? He''s controlling so many types of elemental mana, and these attack skills are insanely powerful!" "Wait, there''s also ice element! He just summoned an ice dragon¡ªit''s so cold!" Velen''s mana surged through his body as he unleashed three D-level Advanced attack skills to their maximum potential: The dense lightning crashing down from above! The radiant slashes from the enormous angel! The colossal frost dragon, as towering as a snow-capped mountain! All of these combined exerted overwhelming pressure on the crowd. The outer-circle members were utterly dumbfounded. Each of Velen''s attack skills exceeded their wildest imaginations! Was this really something an Apprentice Rank Lv. 9 awakener could accomplish? What''s more, Velen had unleashed four entirely different attack skills, each infused with distinct elemental mana. This clearly demonstrated the unparalleled strength of his talent! Additionally, all these skills were high-tier attack abilities, and yet Velen had activated them all at once, showcasing the immense depth of his mana reserves. Other prodigious awakeners lacked the mana reserves to execute so many powerful skills consecutively. Faced with Velen at full power, they finally felt as though they were confronting an insurmountable mountain¡ªendless and unreachable. The pressure on everyone''s hearts was immense. Boom! Boom! Boom! As Velen''s skills simultaneously struck the formation, deafening explosions erupted. Chaotic magical elements surged, creating ripples that swept out in all directions. The strain on those maintaining the formation grew heavier. Many weaker awakeners were already affected, coughing up blood and appearing drained. The radiant barrier of the formation dimmed significantly, and cracks began to spiderweb across its surface. Soon after, more awakeners were overwhelmed and sent flying, spitting blood. In an instant, the formation of over two hundred people shattered like glass. The assistant steward, watching this unfold, widened his eyes in disbelief. While he knew Lady Anastasia''s standards were exceptionally high¡ªrecognizing only a handful of peers even within Ducal Manor¡ªhe hadn''t expected this. For so many talented youths of Ducal Manor to join forces and still be defeated by Velen was utterly inconceivable! How many elements of mana did Velen control? How dense was his mana? Furthermore, the battle skills he had just demonstrated¡ªwhile the others couldn''t fully discern them, the assistant steward saw clearly that three of them were at the D-level Advanced tier. These were skills that even Adept Rank awakeners typically only began to learn. Velen''s level of comprehension was astonishing! Previously, the assistant steward thought that if Velen could endure a single combined attack from the group, he might scrape into the Battleboard rankings. But now, judging by Velen''s performance, he likely already had the qualifications to rank in the top ten! Bang! At that moment, the defeated awakeners crashed to the ground across the plaza, one after another, emitting muffled thuds as if it were raining. Meanwhile, brimming with confidence, Velen stepped forward, scanning the crowd before shouting from the depths of his soul: "Who else?!" As he spoke, silver lightning descended from the sky, the angel of light flapped its wings, and the frost dragon roared into the heavens, breathing icy mist. The domineering sights surrounding Velen, combined with his audacious words, exuded an overwhelming sense of supremacy¡ª"Above all, beneath none." The awakeners who had barely stabilized themselves after falling to the ground stared at him in shock. Despite just engaging in such an intense battle, Velen showed no signs of fatigue. Instead, he seemed to grow stronger as he fought! "Velen truly is a monster!" "If he continues like this, he''ll undoubtedly become a dazzling star on the Battleboard!" At this moment, everyone present looked up at Velen, his invincible figure etched deeply into their minds. Meanwhile. In the central plaza of Ducal Manor, five young figures had gathered. They appeared to be around the same age as Velen, each radiating a formidable presence. At this moment, they exchanged glances, curiosity evident in their eyes. They had been in the middle of normal training when Duke Michelstein suddenly summoned them to convene here. These five individuals were the core of Ducal Manor''s elite. Unless it was a matter of great importance, the Duke would never call them together. "Congratulations to all of you. You''re about to gain an exceptionally talented companion." "Although he''s currently only Apprentice Rank Lv. 9 and may require some extra care from you, having him join your ranks will bring unimaginable benefits!" As Duke Michelstein arrived, he smiled warmly at the five youths before him. These five were the future of Ducal Manor! Hearing this, the five exchanged frowns, puzzled by the Duke''s words. They were all renowned geniuses on the Battleboard, with boundless potential. Why was the Duke suddenly assigning them a companion? And at a level they considered nothing more than a burden! After all, as Battleboard elites, they far surpassed ordinary individuals in every aspect. Still, since this person had been personally recommended by the Duke, Hael, the leader, furrowed his brow and asked: "My lord, the places we go are extremely dangerous. Isn''t it unwise to bring along someone who would drag us down? Does he have any extraordinary talents?" In response to Hael''s question, Duke Michelstein replied seriously: "He has a lot of money!" "A lot of resources!" "And he''s very generous!" Hearing this, the five couldn''t help but wonder if the Duke was joking. How were these qualities extraordinary? Gold coins? While it was true that leveling up required substantial resources, as Battleboard prodigies, their sects and families fully supported them. Gold coins meant little to them. As for cultivation resources, their ties to Ducal Manor ensured they had plenty. And generosity? That just seemed like a joke. Before they could question further, Anthony suddenly spoke, his tone cautious: "Once you become companions, you must maintain a calm mindset. Otherwise, his displays of wealth might make you want to punch him." "???" The five young men looked at one another, confusion evident in their expressions. What kind of absurdity was this? Anthony sighed helplessly at their lack of understanding. Some things, he thought, they wouldn''t grasp without experiencing them firsthand. "You won''t understand even if I explain it now. You''ll figure it out later." "Just know this¡ªtreat him well. The things you''ll gain from him could change your futures forever!" Anthony grew increasingly passionate as he spoke. These five were the talents he valued most. If they stayed close to Velen and benefited from his unimaginable resources, their futures would be boundless! The rabbit that had been following Velen was a prime example. Initially, it was utterly ordinary. But now, not only had it evolved toward becoming a spellbeast, it had also mastered the Eye of Hell! Chapter22-Hatchling Order The more Anthony praised Velen, the more curious the five became. They were well aware of Duke Michelstein''s personality¡ªhe would never easily praise someone, and this was the first time he had spoken so highly of a young individual. Soon after, under Anthony''s guidance, the group set out to find Velen. On their way, the five Battleboard prodigies grew increasingly astonished, as everyone they passed was discussing Velen¡ªand the content of their discussions was explosive! "He can control four powerful and distinct types of elemental mana! He''s at least an SS-rank bloodline awakener!" "That''s nothing compared to the three D-level Advanced attack skills he displayed! His comprehension ability is monstrous!" "Exactly! He just defeated over 200 Ducal Manor members all by himself. That kind of combat prowess is utterly defying the heavens!" Hearing these comments, Anthony and the five were stunned. From what the crowd was saying, it seemed like they had missed a spectacular show! "My lord, is Velen really just rich and resourceful?" Hael, the leader, furrowed his brow and questioned again. Anthony thought for a moment before replying, "As far as I know, those are indeed his only qualities. In any case, Velen is just ahead. Let''s see for ourselves." Even Duke Michelstein appeared intrigued. He had only been away for a short while¡ªwhat had Velen done to stir up such a commotion? Why was everyone in Ducal Manor talking about him? Seeing Duke Michelstein''s reaction, the five prodigies were even more shocked. It seemed like the Duke didn''t have a deep understanding of Velen, yet he still insisted on bringing him into their group. What made Velen so special to warrant such attention from the Duke? Not long after, when Duke Michelstein and the others arrived at the arena plaza, they were all stunned by what they saw. The entire plaza was in utter chaos, a complete mess devoid of any semblance of order. "What''s going on? Wasn''t this supposed to be a duel tournament? How did it turn into a free-for-all?" The geniuses beside Hael all voiced their confusion. At that moment, the assistant steward rushed over. "My lord!" Seeing the assistant steward, Anthony immediately asked curiously, "What on earth happened here?" Hael and the others also turned their attention to the assistant steward. The assistant steward took a deep breath, his mind flashing back to Velen''s domineering performance, and said with a complex expression, "A genius. An unprecedented genius!" "My lord, Velen singlehandedly injured over 200 members¡ªboth the outer circle and the core!" S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. His voice trembled as he spoke. After all, Velen''s overwhelming display had reignited a long-dormant fire in his heart. Hearing this, Anthony and Hael were in disbelief. It was important to note that becoming an outer-circle member of Ducal Manor already meant standing out as a top-tier genius in smaller regions. And core members were one in a million! Even within the Titan Galaxy, they were considered first-tier prodigies. Moreover, they had a significant numbers advantage! And yet, they had all been defeated by Velen? Amid their shocked expressions, the assistant steward recounted the events that had just transpired, vividly describing every detail. Though he was merely recounting Velen''s actions, he couldn''t help but feel as if he were standing atop a mountain, looking down upon the world. Anthony suddenly remembered something Anastasia had mentioned before. She had said that although Velen lacked a mana core, his mana patterns were unusually intricate¡ªdozens of times more complex than hers! The more mana patterns one had, the greater their capacity to manipulate mana. This meant that Velen''s mana reserves were dozens of times greater than Anastasia''s¡ªand Anastasia''s mana reserves were already dozens of times greater than an ordinary awakener''s! In other words, Velen''s mana reserves were hundreds of times greater than a typical awakener''s! Against others of the same rank, he was completely overwhelming! Hael and the others noticed this detail as well. They frowned, exchanging glances. Could someone''s mana reserves really be nearly infinite? To release so many powerful skills and grow stronger as he fought¡ªthis was beyond anything they could comprehend! Moreover, they noted the variety of mana elements Velen controlled: Earth! Thunder! Light! Ice! And all of them were rare and powerful mana types. For most awakeners, mastering even one of these elements could elevate them into the ranks of top-tier prodigies! Yet Velen had mastered not one, but four. And all of his skills were high-level, reaching D-level Advanced! For Apprentice Rank awakeners, learning even one such skill was a monumental challenge. But Velen had mastered three. It was utterly mind-boggling! Immediately, Hael and the others looked at Duke Michelstein with a sense of being played. Rich! Resourceful! These must have been surface-level qualities. The Duke''s earlier remarks now seemed like a joke to them. Feeling their skeptical gazes, Anthony''s pride was slightly wounded. He asked, "Where''s Velen? Why don''t I see him?" "He''s been arranged to rest in the VIP lounge," the assistant steward replied respectfully. Hael and the five others exchanged glances, each filled with eagerness. "My lord, let us go meet Velen¡ªour new companion!" With that, they darted off in unison. "Companion?" The assistant steward narrowed his eyes and quickly inquired, "My lord, aside from Lady Anastasia, these five are the current members of the Hatchling Order. Are you planning to have Velen join the Hatchling Order as well?" The Hatchling Order represented Ducal Manor''s future. Once inducted, members received extensive resources and nurturing. "Velen is someone Anastasia values greatly. She''s been so focused on leveling up over the years that she hasn''t had many friends. Don''t let the senators find out about this, or they might take him away." The senators were known for their love of young prodigies. As long as someone had exceptional talent, they would go to great lengths to help them advance¡ªbut the process was extremely strict, leaving little freedom. Seeing Anthony''s growing appreciation for Velen, the assistant steward sighed bitterly. "My lord, this matter has already caused a huge stir¡ªit''s spread everywhere. Even if I don''t say anything, they''re bound to hear about it!" Hearing this, Anthony frowned. A talent like Velen was someone Anthony naturally wanted to keep close. With Velen by Anastasia''s side, he would feel much more at ease. There was no way he''d let the senators take him away! Shortly after. At the door to the VIP suite. As Velen opened the door, he was greeted by five figures around his age standing at the entrance. All of them were staring at him curiously, as if inspecting a rare creature. "Velen, from now on, you''re our companion. My name is Hael!" "I''m Audrey, your future companion." "I''m Austin, your future companion!" "I''m William, your future companion!" "I''m Jenny, your future companion!" Watching the five introduce themselves, Velen was a bit puzzled. It hadn''t been long¡ªhow had he suddenly gained so many companions? Sensing Velen''s confusion, Hael briefly explained the Hatchling Order. Upon entering the Hatchling Order, they would become companions. Velen nodded. All in all, he had gained a new identity, placing him in the same league as Ducal Manor''s top-tier geniuses! These individuals were clearly extraordinary. Velen glanced at his system and asked: "Since they''ll be my future companions, shouldn''t I provide them with some support?" The system didn''t refuse. Velen''s heart leapt with joy. This was a great opportunity to show off his wealth and build closer bonds with them. With a smile, Velen pulled out five storage bags and handed them to the group, one for each. "You are all truly exceptional¡ªdragons among men¡ªand my role models. Please accept this gift as a token of my respect!" Hael and the others, hearing this, were increasingly pleased with their new little brother. Not only was he strong, but he also seemed well-versed in social etiquette! "Thank you for the gift!" They accepted the bags. But as they opened them, they all froze in place, completely stunned. Chapter23-Wait, Who Gives Away This Much Money Right After First Meeting?! Inside the storage pouch, there were a hundred thousand mana stones shining brilliantly! To put this into perspective, a hundred thousand mana stones were an incredibly precious resource, even to these top-tier prodigies accustomed to wealth. Its purchasing power was astonishing! Even though they were somewhat prepared, knowing that Velen was likely quite wealthy, they never expected him to present such an extravagant gift! Giving away a hundred thousand mana stones as a greeting gift¡ªhow rich was Velen, really? They had encountered many wealthy individuals, but none could compare to Velen''s apparent level of wealth! This was undoubtedly a tycoon! As the five of them stared at Velen in utter shock, the system notification suddenly rang out. "Congratulations, Host, for successfully showing off your wealth. You have received 100 SSS Tomes of Skill Experience!" Hearing the notification, Velen''s lips curled into a slight smile. This time, flaunting his wealth had earned him a special item! Looking at the effects of the SSS Tome of Skill Experience, Velen was thrilled. This item could significantly enhance skill proficiency in a short period of time! Moreover, it placed no restrictions on the level of skills; any skill could have its proficiency improved using the SSS Tome of Skill Experience! [System reward items have no usage limitations but do not generate luxury points!] The only regret was the inability to earn luxury points, but at least there were no restrictions on usage! All in all, it was still an incredibly valuable item! Velen glanced at the five exceptionally gifted individuals in front of him and generously took out five SSS Tomes of Skill Experience. The others, seeing the five glowing, rainbow-colored books in Velen''s hands, were curious. "Velen, what''s this? It looks extraordinary!" Hael was the first to ask. Velen waved the five books in his hand. "These are SSS Tomes of Skill Experience. By absorbing them with mana, you can significantly enhance your skill proficiency." Hearing this, Hael and the others stared in shock at the glowing books. They had heard of treasures capable of increasing skill experience, but those were legendary and extremely rare. Could these books really have such an effect? After a brief hesitation, trusting Velen, they each took a book from him and channeled their mana to absorb it. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As they absorbed the SSS Tomes of Skill Experience, Hael and the others felt their minds clear, their understanding of skills deepened, and their skill experience skyrocketed! At this moment, Anthony arrived and noticed the top five prodigies surrounded by a peculiar glow. Confused, he was about to ask when Velen stopped him. "Shh, my lord. They''re absorbing SSS Tomes of Skill Experience. Once absorbed, their skill proficiency will greatly improve. Don''t disturb them." "SSS Tomes of Skill Experience? Greatly enhance skill proficiency?" Anthony raised an eyebrow. For awakeners, aside from their level, skill proficiency was a key factor determining their combat strength. To his knowledge, items with such effects were exceedingly rare and precious. Yet Velen had them! Anthony was deeply shocked and quickly asked, "Can any skill''s proficiency be enhanced? Velen, do you have any more? Could you give me a few?" Velen nodded. "Any skill can be enhanced, though the degree of improvement varies." With that, he handed Anthony ten SSS Tomes of Skill Experience and sincerely added, "Duke, I don''t have many SSS Tomes of Skill Experience left. I still need to save some for my little bunny!" Anthony''s lips twitched upon receiving the SSS Tomes of Skill Experience. What skills could a little bunny possibly have? Even if it had some innate bloodline skills, those were low-grade at best. Using such a precious item to enhance them? This¡­ this was sheer extravagance! Anthony''s eyes turned red with envy. Velen, however, remained composed. He knew the SSS Tomes of Skill Experience were incredibly valuable, but since the system granted him full-level skills upon learning, he didn''t need the SSS Tomes himself. More importantly, a tycoon must live up to their status! What was the point of being stingy? Might as well not bother being a tycoon at all! Spending lavishly for a moment of joy was worth it! After all, with infinite money, what couldn''t he obtain? Keeping things unused was simply not his style! Anthony stared at Velen''s calm demeanor, rubbed his hands, and whispered, "Velen, SSS Tomes of Skill Experience are incredibly rare and valuable. If you have more, our Ducal Manor would like to purchase them all! Rest assured, you won''t lose out on the price!" Anthony couldn''t bear to see Velen casually squander such precious items! Velen calmly shook his head. "There''s no need. I''m not interested in money." Not interested in money?! Anthony''s eyelids twitched uncontrollably. Countless awakeners fought tooth and nail for resources and gold coins. Many shed sweat and tears for the sake of wealth and resources. Yet you say you''re not interested in money?! The worst part was, when Velen said it, it sounded completely logical! Feeling a little disappointed, Anthony shook his head. Suddenly, his expression grew serious as he said, "By the way, Velen, the five senators of the Ducal Manor are waiting for you in the grand hall. They want to take you as their student, but the decision is entirely up to you." With that, Anthony led Velen away. Not long after, in an ancient hall in the rear courtyard, five elderly men with white hair and beards appeared before Velen. Seeing Velen, the five senators couldn''t hide their excitement. They had already heard of Velen defeating over 200 peer-level prodigies. What particularly impressed them was Velen''s ability to control four distinct mana elements and his mastery of a D-level advanced attack skill. These traits demonstrated his unparalleled talent, surpassing all the prodigies they had ever encountered. Naturally, they were extremely interested in him. "Greetings, senators!" Anthony respectfully greeted them after escorting Velen inside. The five senators ignored Anthony and approached Velen directly. Their dense spiritual senses swept over him like a tide. Apprentice Rank Lv9! Although this rank seemed average, the mana fluctuations emanating from Velen were vast, like a mighty river! In contrast, most other awakeners at this rank emitted mana fluctuations akin to a small stream. The difference was staggering¡ªlike heaven and earth! Even more astonishing was that Velen''s body lacked any mana core! No mana core?! Despite being experienced high-level powerhouses, this was the first time they had encountered such a phenomenon! "A mana core-less individual controlling four distinct mana elements¡­ How is this possible?" The senators exchanged glances, shock evident in their eyes. The chief senator, William, blinked his clouded eyes in confusion and asked, "Velen, without a mana core, how did you awaken? And why is your mana so abundant?" Scratching his head, Velen replied, "I''m not sure. When I awakened, mana surged uncontrollably into my body, and then I just¡­ awakened!" As he spoke, Velen raised his right hand. In his palm, four distinct mana elements swirled. Heavy earth mana formed stars, exuding the might of the earth. Lightning crackled like silver serpents, echoing the wrath of the skies. A sacred angel folded its hands, radiating pure white light. And an icy dragon roared, sending chills through the air as frost-filled winds howled. These four mana elements were not isolated but rotated continuously in harmony. William and the other senators were utterly stunned. Even as Ascended Rank powerhouses, they couldn''t comprehend the bizarre sight before them. While they were dumbfounded, Velen once again confirmed with the system: "These esteemed senators are highly respected. Since I''m now part of the Ducal Manor, giving them a million mana stones as a greeting gift should be normal, right?" To Velen, this was a prime opportunity to earn luxury points¡ªhe couldn''t let it slip by! "The quantity is too small; it does not match the tycoon identity!" The system''s prompt left Velen momentarily stunned. Was that even a thing? But he quickly understood. To Hael and the others, 100,000 mana stones were an incredible treasure. However, to the five senators, a million mana stones wouldn''t cause much of a ripple in their hearts. Chapter24-Everyone Gets a Billion! Velen immediately declared, "If a million mana stones are too few, then let''s multiply that by a hundred¡ªone billion each!" The system did not issue any warnings, which clearly meant it was an acceptable move! Seeing this, Velen swept his gaze across William and the others, smiling as he said: "Five senators, I didn''t come prepared today. Here are five billion mana stones¡ªone billion each. Consider it a token of my appreciation. Please, accept it!" With that, Velen took out five storage pouches and handed them to William and the others. William and the other four exchanged glances, all with stunned expressions, unable to believe what they had just heard. One billion mana stones per person! Could this really come from Velen, an Apprentice Rank Lv9 awakener? Anthony, who was familiar with Velen, had already widened his eyes in disbelief. Since Velen had spoken, it must mean he could actually produce five billion mana stones! The sheer number of mana stones Velen could casually give away left Anthony wondering¡ªhow many mana stones did Velen actually possess? Even the renowned Ducal Manor of Titan Galaxy could only mobilize about one billion mana stones at most. Mobilizing five billion would require approval from the family council! But Velen, without hesitation, handed out five billion mana stones as if it were nothing. This was simply unbelievable! William and the others quickly examined the storage pouches. Their earlier skepticism was replaced entirely with astonishment. Five billion mana stones! That was enough to purchase an entire planet! S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Velen¡­ was too rich! "Oh, by the way, five senators, here are five SSS Tomes of Skill Experience. They can enhance skill proficiency. Didn''t you mention being stuck at bottlenecks before? Perhaps these can help you." SSS Tome of Skill Experience? William and the others looked puzzled. They had never heard of such a thing. However, since Anthony had handed them over, they decided to give it a try, channeling their mana into the books. At their level, most items and treasures had little effect on them. If these could really enhance skill proficiency, it would significantly improve their combat strength! Soon, as they absorbed the unique energy within the SSS Tomes of Skill Experience, vibrant, rainbow-colored light began to emanate from their bodies. Complex mana fluctuations spread from them, and their auras gradually grew stronger. Moments later, William and the others simultaneously opened their eyes, staring at Anthony with shock written all over their faces! The SSS Tome of Skill Experience had indeed helped them enhance their skill proficiency! This item was too miraculous! "Anthony, how many more SSS Tomes of Skill Experience do you have? Bring them all over! These are immensely valuable to us. This time, you''ve done a great service!" Anthony coughed lightly, glanced at Velen, and chuckled, "The SSS Tomes of Skill Experience were given to me by Velen. He has quite a few left, but he''s planning to use them on his rabbit." Having been betrayed outright by Anthony, Velen''s smile froze. "Duke, is this how you betray your own people?" Anthony replied, "The main issue is that your behavior is too extravagant. You won''t sell them to me, you won''t save them for yourself, and you''re planning to use them on a rabbit. Such tycoon-like behavior must be corrected early!" Velen shook his head repeatedly. "As a tycoon, I''m simply being a little extravagant. What''s wrong with that?" William and the others stared at Velen in disbelief. "Velen, are you seriously planning to use the SSS Tomes of Skill Experience on a rabbit?" "Not to criticize, but while these are yours to do with as you please, they''re far too rare and precious!" "Exactly! If these were auctioned, the entire Titan Galaxy would be shaken!" Seeing the earnest advice from William and the others, Velen pondered for a moment and said: "How about this? I''ll keep thirty SSS Tomes of Skill Experience for myself, and the remaining sixty will go to my rabbit!" ?? William and the others turned red with frustration. After all their persuasion, Velen was still determined to use the SSS Tomes of Skill Experience on his rabbit?! Unable to vent their anger on Velen, they turned their glares toward Anthony. "Anthony, you must curb such extravagance in the Ducal Manor. Everyone here should cultivate the habit of thrift and frugality!" Anthony helplessly nodded. "Everyone else in the Ducal Manor is indeed very frugal. The only exception is Velen¡ªhis extravagance knows no bounds. You wouldn''t believe it." "The Afterlife Flower? He burned it as incense. And the Eye of Hell fragment? Thrown to the rabbit¡­" Hearing Anthony''s words, William and the others were completely dumbfounded. The Afterlife Flower was an incredibly rare treasure, even in the Singularity Battlefield. It was extraordinarily valuable. And Velen burned it as incense? As for the Eye of Hell fragment¡ªthe Eye of Hell itself was a terrifying artifact capable of destroying entire planes. And Velen gave it to a rabbit? They were utterly stunned, staring at the calm expression on Velen''s face. They couldn''t help but feel as though they were too old to understand Velen''s ways. Meanwhile, Velen looked at William and the others with a slightly complicated expression, realizing how much other novels had misled him. The Ducal Manor treated him well. They hadn''t exploited him despite his vast wealth of treasures. Instead, they had shown him kindness. For instance, Miss Anastasia, though she claimed indifference, had not only provided him with a scroll for self-defense but had also later secured a Fortifying Potion for him at auction. Her protector, Kevin, though elderly, was optimistic and treated him kindly. Anthony and the others in the Ducal Manor had shown no hostility either. The entire atmosphere felt like one big family. This sense of belonging allowed Velen to flaunt his wealth without a care in the world. "As a tycoon, I''ll live a carefree life and let them shoulder the burdens for me!" Velen smiled, his resolve to embrace this lifestyle growing stronger. After a brief silence, Anthony spoke in a negotiating tone: "Velen, given how precious the SSS Tomes of Skill Experience are, using them on a rabbit is wasteful. Why not just keep them for future use?" Anthony genuinely liked Velen. With his exceptional talent and kind nature, he was someone worth nurturing. If Velen grew stronger and maintained good relations with the Ducal Manor, it would greatly benefit them. Velen glanced at Anthony and nodded. "Alright then. I''ll give sixty SSS Tomes of Skill Experience to the Ducal Manor and keep thirty for my rabbit!" Anthony and the others, seeing Velen''s decision, could only gratefully accept without further comment. William and the other senators also gazed at Velen with increasingly kind expressions. Having just used the SSS Tomes of Skill Experience to break through their bottlenecks, they now had confidence in advancing further with more tomes! "Anthony, Velen has done a great service to the Ducal Manor. According to our rules, meritorious individuals must be rewarded generously and not left feeling unappreciated." "Exactly! Velen has made a significant contribution to the Ducal Manor. As long as he doesn''t violate our ironclad rules, he can do as he pleases! If we five old men approve, no one has the right to punish him!" The five senators solemnly addressed Anthony. Anthony nodded seriously. He understood that the mana stones and SSS Tomes of Skill Experience provided by Velen were monumental contributions to the Ducal Manor. Moreover, Velen was like a walking god of wealth. Even without the senators'' orders, he would ensure Velen''s safety and well-being. As the others fell silent, Velen stored the SSS Tomes of Skill Experience in a storage pouch and handed it to Anthony. At that moment, a dazzling light flashed, and a brilliant stone fell from Velen''s body¡ªit was a Starry Stone. "Why did this dumb stone fall out?" Velen muttered, shaking his head as he picked it up and placed it back into his storage pouch. As a top-tier tycoon, it was only natural to carry items that would make others envious. Otherwise, how could he show off his wealth? "Velen, I knew you had a Starry Stone!" Anthony said, his eyes filled with fervent admiration. Chapter25-Using a Starry Stone to Make a Toilet? "A worthless rock?" S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Hearing Velen''s words, Jake, one of the five senators, immediately felt his eyes redden. The Starry Stone was the core left behind by the collapse of an aging star, an indestructible material that served as an unparalleled auxiliary resource for forging weapons! As a veteran blacksmith, Jake had rarely even seen such a forging material in his life! And none of the ones he had seen could compare to the dazzling brilliance of Velen''s Starry Stone. This one might have even reached the legendary Tier-9 level! "Velen, are you willing to sell this Starry Stone? Just name your price, and I''ll do everything in my power to meet your demand!" Jake asked earnestly, his calloused hands rubbing nervously with anticipation. Velen shook his head outright. "I don''t have many Starry Stones at the moment. I plan to use this one to make a toilet, so I can''t sell it to you." "Make a toilet?" Hearing this, Jake''s pupils contracted violently! This was beyond human comprehension! Too extravagant! In his view, this move surpassed all of Velen''s previous displays of wealth. "Velen, the Starry Stone is immensely important for forging. With it, weapons that could shake the entire galaxy can be made!" Jake couldn''t help but try to persuade him. Velen thought for a moment before replying, "My dear lord, all that fighting and killing is so boring. A toilet made of Starry Stone, though¡ªbrilliantly radiant and self-heating¡ªwould ensure a warm seat during winter visits to the bathroom. It would be extremely comfortable!" Jake: ¡­ Anthony and the others were all petrified on the spot. Just to keep warm in the winter while using the toilet, you''d use a Starry Stone to make a toilet? What kind of thought process was that? Indeed, the mind of a tycoon was simply incomprehensible to ordinary people. After a brief moment of speechlessness, Jake''s eyes suddenly lit up. "Velen, I support your wish to make a Starry Stone toilet. But if you ever have any extra Starry Stones, could you sell them to me?" Velen seriously considered this and nodded. "I''ll definitely have plenty in the future. Once I''ve made the toilet, I''ll set aside any extras for you." Hearing this, Jake''s face instantly lit up with excitement. "Alright, it''s good for young people to have dreams. I wholeheartedly support you! When the Starry Stone toilet is completed, could I at least have a look? That would satisfy me!" Velen was momentarily stunned. He hadn''t expected Jake to become so fixated on the Starry Stone. Meanwhile, Anthony and the others stared at Jake, utterly dumbfounded. Something felt off about this situation! William and the others immediately sent a telepathic message to Jake: "Jake, have you lost your mind from all this? That''s a Starry Stone we''re talking about!" Jake chuckled and telepathically replied, "You''re all blinded by concern. Do you even know the greatest use of a Starry Stone?" William frowned slightly. "Isn''t it for forging equipment?" Jake shook his head, his expression profound. "Not at all. The true purpose of a Starry Stone is to weaken the Judgment of Rules. When we ascend beyond the Ascended Rank, sitting on¡ªor beneath¡ªa Starry Stone toilet can help us safely survive the ordeal! Now, tell me, isn''t that comfortable?" The Judgment of Rules referred to the trial imposed by the rules of the universe when an awakener advanced to the Ascended Rank and beyond. Only by passing this judgment could one continue to ascend. Although the idea of using a toilet during such a critical moment sounded odd, the thought of overcoming the life-threatening Judgment of Rules in such a manner filled them with exhilaration. Anthony and the others quickly connected the dots, their faces lighting up with excitement. "If the Starry Stone really can weaken the Judgment of Rules, we could definitely make use of it!" "Sitting on a toilet to break through¡ªwe''d be the first in history!" "Beyond that, if we equip all Ducal Manor members advancing to the Ascended Rank with this method, wouldn''t we double the number of top-tier powerhouses?" Thinking along these lines, their faces filled with eager anticipation. Previously, they believed the only indirect aid for surviving the Judgment of Rules was the Afterlife Flower, which only offered soul protection and couldn''t guarantee success. If a Starry Stone toilet could achieve this, they wouldn''t even need the Afterlife Flower anymore! As Velen watched them laughing and chatting amongst themselves, he grew curious. Could it be that they also thought his idea of a Starry Stone toilet was brilliant? Shortly thereafter, William and the others held a brief discussion, their expressions growing solemn as they concluded: "Anthony, if Velen goes to the Singularity Battlefield, we must ensure his safety. Gather all apprentice-level members of the Ducal Manor immediately. Should Velen encounter any danger, spare no effort to protect him!" Though they had no objection to Velen training to improve himself, as a top-tier tycoon, his safety had to be guaranteed. Anthony was about to nod when Velen stepped forward and said: "Senators, if I''m accompanied by so many people, how would I train in the Singularity Battlefield? You know my strength. There''s no need to make a big deal out of this. Too much attention could even backfire." Anthony glanced at William and the others. William and the others finally realized their excessive concern. Velen had, after all, defeated over 200 of the family''s younger members. Their worry had clouded their judgment. Moreover, Velen was right¡ªthe Singularity Battlefield was unlike any other place. Traveling in large groups only made them easier targets for spellbeasts or ill-intentioned individuals. "As long as you''re confident, that''s fine. Just remember, the Singularity Battlefield is a hunting ground. Be cautious at all times!" William warned. Velen nodded. Anthony added, "Rest well and make your preparations. In a couple of days, we''ll head to the Singularity Battlefield''s teleportation base." When Velen returned to his room, Hael and the others were already there. Surprised, Velen was about to speak when they eagerly crowded around him. "Velen, um¡­ do you still have any more SSS Tomes of Skill Experience?" Though it felt a bit thick-skinned to ask directly, the benefits of the SSS Tome of Skill Experience were undeniable. One tome had saved them years¡ªperhaps even decades¡ªof painstaking training! Most of their skills'' proficiencies had grown immensely, nearly doubling their combat strength. With such an opportunity before them, they naturally wanted to seize it. Velen glanced at their eager faces and said calmly, "I just gave the Ducal Manor sixty tomes. I only have thirty left." Hearing that he still had some left, Hael and the others immediately asked: "Velen, could you give us just one more?" One of the female geniuses even resorted to using a cutesy voice. Velen felt goosebumps rising and quickly replied, "No way. These thirty tomes are reserved for my rabbit. Not even the Duke has gotten one." Learning that the thirty remaining SSS Tomes of Skill Experience were for the rabbit, Hael and the others were incredulous. This was too extravagant! Why couldn''t they be the rabbit instead?! But this thought passed quickly, and they soon regained their composure. Hael apologized, "Velen, we''ve been too greedy. Receiving even one SSS Tome of Skill Experience from you is already the greatest honor." The others nodded in agreement. However, Hael glanced at the others with an excited look and said: "Velen gave the Duke sixty SSS Tomes of Skill Experience. As the top talents of Ducal Manor, isn''t it fair for us to use one or two?" Hearing this, the others'' eyes lit up, and they immediately dashed toward Anthony''s hall. Watching their enthusiastic departure, Velen shrugged in confusion. "Is this the pain of being a tycoon? They can''t sleep for days from the excitement of getting one SSS Tome of Skill Experience, but I don''t feel a thing?" "Ah, the life of a tycoon is so plain and dull!" After sighing, Velen thought of something and asked the system: "Why didn''t I earn any luxury points from giving the five senators their gifts?" "Because the five senators plan to return the gifts to the host." Seeing the system''s response, Velen was speechless. "They''re even refusing free money?" At that moment, William appeared beside Velen with a big smile. "Velen, I hope I''m not disturbing you by visiting unannounced?" Velen quickly smiled and replied, "Senator, you''re always welcome. It''s no disturbance at all!" "Also, I have plenty of mana stones. Please don''t be polite with me!" Chapter26-Enhanced Starlight Array Once a gift is given, there''s no reason to take it back. Hearing these words, William felt at a loss. The purpose of his visit was to return the mana stones to Velen. They had already received far too many benefits from him. Accepting these mana stones would be out of the question. Otherwise, word might spread that the five of them were greedy, insatiable old men. Seeing that William remained silent, Velen sensed an opportunity and continued: "Senator William, the Ducal Manor holds great prestige across the galaxy. This little bit of mana stones I''ve given you is but a drop in the bucket. There''s no need to take it so seriously." "If the Ducal Manor needs more mana stones, just say the word!" As a tycoon, Velen wanted William to understand that he didn''t lack mana stones. If they were truly returned, how would he earn luxury points? Moreover, letting William know he had an abundance of mana stones would ensure the Ducal Manor sought him out if they ever needed more¡ªplanning ahead, as it were. William, after a brief moment of contemplation, said, "Velen, do you happen to have advanced mana stones?" "The planetary defense array is currently lacking some advanced mana stones for maintenance." This was indeed a pressing issue for the Ducal Manor, but it was also a test of sorts for Velen. William wanted to gauge just how many resources Velen truly possessed. If Velen did have advanced mana stones, it would allow the Ducal Manor''s array to continue operating for some time. Though the Ducal Manor was a dominant power within the Titan Galaxy, the galaxy itself was vast, containing billions of planets. There were plenty of forces comparable to the Ducal Manor, some even mortal enemies. Advanced mana stones, sourced from the Singularity Battlefield, contained an exceptionally pure and abundant mana, akin to a wellspring of power. Their versatility and scarcity made them a widely recognized form of high-value currency, sought after by major factions and star-faring races alike. Recently, the Ducal Manor had obtained far fewer advanced mana stones from the Singularity Battlefield, causing issues with the planetary defense array''s operation. It was imperative to resolve this problem quickly. "Advanced mana stones?" Velen murmured, a smile slowly spreading across his face. He knew well that any currency fulfilling the criteria for flaunting wealth could be summoned in infinite quantities by the system! Thus, Velen tentatively asked the system: "System, the Ducal Manor has treated me kindly. Would giving them 10 billion advanced mana stones be reasonable?" System: "¡­" "Advanced mana stones can sustain an array''s operation for a long time. 10 million advanced mana stones is already a staggering amount, capable of powering the array for decades!" Hearing this, Velen smiled. His suggestion of 10 billion advanced mana stones was merely to probe the system''s limits. He understood the immense value of advanced mana stones and the vast mana they contained. 10 million advanced mana stones would indeed suffice. However, judging by the system''s response, even 10 billion advanced mana stones would be no issue, provided it was a reasonable display of wealth! While Velen communicated with the system, William observed his silence and thought it was within expectations. Advanced mana stones were exceedingly rare, primarily sourced from the Singularity Battlefield. It would be normal for Velen to have none. After all, this was just a test. William hadn''t truly expected to acquire advanced mana stones from Velen. "Senator William, here are 10 million advanced mana stones. That should keep the array running for some time." Velen retrieved a storage pouch from his person and handed it to William. Hearing these words, William froze. He had already resolved to return the mana stones and leave. 10 million advanced mana stones?! What an astronomical amount of wealth! Even if the Ducal Manor pooled all its resources and sold them at high prices, it wouldn''t come close to amassing so many advanced mana stones! sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. William felt his throat go dry as he struggled to believe it was real. But with the storage pouch right before him, he extended his spiritual senses to examine its contents. What he saw left him completely stunned. The advanced mana stones were stacked like meticulously arranged bricks, forming towering walls. Just a glance was utterly overwhelming! After a brief inspection, William was entirely certain¡ªthese were advanced mana stones, and the quantity truly reached 10 million! 10 million advanced mana stones! William''s mind swam as dizziness overtook him. It wasn''t until Velen placed the storage pouch in his hands that he came back to his senses, his trembling hands clutching the pouch tightly. The advanced mana stones in this pouch alone exceeded the entire value of the Ducal Manor! "Congratulations, Host, for successfully flaunting wealth. You have gained 300 luxury points!" "Congratulations, Host, for successfully flaunting wealth. You have gained 200 luxury points and acquired the Starlight Array [Enhanced]!" As the system notifications echoed in Velen''s mind, his smile deepened. It seemed that both the gift of the mana stones to William and the earlier gesture of meeting gifts had been acknowledged by the system and rewarded. However, the Starlight Array [Enhanced] intrigued him. It didn''t seem like an ordinary reward. "Velen¡­ are you sure you want to give so many advanced mana stones to the Ducal Manor?" William asked again, struggling to process the staggering number of advanced mana stones. Even with his years of experience weathering storms, he couldn''t help but tread cautiously. "Senator William, of course! I told you before¡ªif the Ducal Manor needs anything, I will give my all to support you!" Velen nodded and added, "Besides, these advanced mana stones are nothing. We''re family now. If you ever need more, just come to me." Having now forged deep ties with the Ducal Manor, Velen naturally wanted to see the manor grow stronger. With these advanced mana stones, the Ducal Manor could rest easy for a long time. This was undeniably a good thing! For Velen, luxury points were the ultimate goal. Whether they were ordinary or advanced mana stones, he cared little for them. William was left speechless by Velen''s generosity. After a moment, he said: "Velen, advanced mana stones are extremely rare. Even if you have many, they are difficult to replenish. Be cautious¡ª" Before he could finish, Velen interrupted with a smile: "Senator William, don''t worry. These advanced mana stones are insignificant compared to the contributions you''ve made to the Ducal Manor. This is hardly worth mentioning!" Hearing this, William''s face flushed slightly. 10 million advanced mana stones would be considered an astronomical treasure by any top-tier faction. How could that be considered "nothing"? Though he was a former senator of the Ducal Manor, the resources Velen had contributed were beyond imagination. William''s feelings were complex as he wrestled with Velen''s tycoon-like generosity. Velen, after further persuasion, added: "Rest assured, I have plenty more. If the Ducal Manor ever needs anything, just let me know." Hearing this, a long-lost sense of passion seemed to ignite in William. "With this many advanced mana stones, the Starlight Array on this planet will now operate indefinitely!" Velen was momentarily stunned, as the system had just gifted him the Starlight Array [Enhanced]. He hadn''t yet had a chance to study it. Arrays didn''t particularly interest him, and the enhanced version''s intricate designs made his scalp tingle. With a thought, Velen produced a glowing orb containing a unique energy. "Senator William, I have an enhanced version of the Starlight Array here. Perhaps it might offer some insights?" As soon as Velen spoke, William''s pupils shrank. The Starlight Array was a legacy array of the Ducal Manor, renowned for its immense power and widespread reputation. It had deterred countless threats to the manor over the years. But he had never heard of an enhanced version! However, since it came from Velen, it had to be genuine. This wasn''t just a hunch¡ªit was a certainty the moment William laid eyes on the glowing orb. Chapter27-You Want to Make Me a Senator? The waves emanating from the glowing orb gave William an extremely familiar yet far more terrifying sense of an array ripple. His spiritual energy quickly delved into the orb, and his expression turned to one of shock. This Starlight Array was absolutely genuine! Although his inspection was only cursory, he could clearly sense that the enhanced version of the Starlight Array not only had its power increased severalfold but also significantly expanded its range! It was a groundbreaking evolution compared to the previous Starlight Array. William stared at Velen in utter disbelief. How could Velen have something like this? The Starlight Array was already incredibly intricate and ever-changing, created by the first Duke during the founding of the Ducal Manor. Very few awakeners could even identify its flaws, let alone fully enhance it! However, before William could ask, Velen beat him to it: "This is just something I happened to acquire. If you find it useful, that''s all that matters." Naturally, he couldn''t explain that it came from the system. Judging by William''s reaction, this enhanced version of the Starlight Array would indeed serve its purpose, leaving Velen quite satisfied. "Was it really just a coincidence?" William''s sharp gaze fixed on Velen. He found it hard to believe that such a perfect coincidence existed. However, since Velen clearly didn''t intend to elaborate, William respected his decision and refrained from pressing further. Still, given everything Velen had offered¡ªadvanced mana stones and now the enhanced Starlight Array¡ªWilliam felt it necessary to reward him appropriately. Thus, William spoke with solemnity: "Velen, from this moment forward, you shall be an independent senator of the Ducal Manor! Your status will be equal to ours, and even Anthony must address you as Senator!" Understanding that Velen likely lacked interest in material wealth, William decided to offer a spiritual and status-based reward instead. No half-measures, no token titles like "chief watcher." Instead, he granted Velen the highest honor¡ªa position befitting his contributions. For the younger generation of the Ducal Manor, a title like "chief watcher" might be an esteemed role, but for someone like Velen, a mere watcher''s title would be an insult. Only the position of independent senator was worthy of Velen''s contributions. The title of senator in the Ducal Manor carried immense weight, outranking even the Duke and granting participation in the House of von Michelstein''s core decision-making. It was truly a position of supreme authority and influence. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. However, upon hearing this, Velen refused outright: "Senator William, give the title of independent senator to someone else. I''m really not interested!" For Velen, quietly flaunting his wealth was enough. Holding too high a position might only lead to complications. He didn''t want to be bound by obligations or entangled in additional responsibilities. William, however, took Velen''s refusal seriously and replied earnestly: "Given your contributions, the role of independent senator is more than fitting. Please, don''t decline. If you wish to remain low-profile and avoid disrupting your daily life, that''s simple enough!" "You can still act as a member of the Hatchling Order and stay on Uranus Star, continuing to follow Anastasia. But you will still hold the title of independent senator, and we won''t make this public for now." Seeing William''s resolute attitude and how he had even accounted for his preferences, Velen found it hard to refuse any further. After taking a deep breath, he relented: "Senator William, if the Ducal Manor ever lacks gold coins or mana stones, feel free to come to me. But I won''t be able to help much with anything else." William nodded without objection. At that moment, Anthony suddenly arrived and said: "Velen, since you love rabbits so much, would you like to visit the Forbidden Tower in the Ducal Manor and see the ferocious spellbeasts imprisoned there?" Given the immense contributions of a tycoon like Velen, Anthony naturally wanted to show his appreciation and care. However, upon seeing William already present, Anthony was taken aback. "Anthony! The name Senator Velen is not one you can casually utter!" William scolded sharply. "From now on, in formal settings, it''s acceptable to conceal Senator Velen''s identity. But in private, you must address him as Senator!" Senator Velen? Anthony was utterly dumbfounded. When did Velen become a senator? Wasn''t he just a talented member of the Hatchling Order? Noticing Anthony''s confusion, William explained: "Velen is now an independent senator within the House of von Michelstein. As you know, an independent senator holds equal status to us. Henceforth, you must treat Senator Velen with proper respect and heed his guidance and instructions!" Anthony was completely stunned. Independent senator? Velen?! He felt as if he were hallucinating. The process for appointing an independent senator was exceedingly stringent, requiring monumental, irreplaceable contributions and unanimous approval from all five senators. Anthony didn''t dare question this directly, so he leaned closer and whispered curiously: "Velen becoming an independent senator¡­ isn''t that a bit premature?" "Senator Velen has contributed more to the House of von Michelstein than anyone could imagine! The resources he''s provided are so abundant that even the title of independent senator doesn''t do him justice!" William replied. So many resources?! Had Velen given William something extraordinary? Overcome with curiosity, Anthony looked at Velen and transmitted a private message: "Senator Velen, William is a stickler for rules, yet he broke protocol for you. What exactly did you give him?" Though he didn''t understand the full context, Anthony''s expression carried a mix of curiosity and newfound respect. Velen quickly replied, "Just call me by my name. The title of independent senator was forced on me by William¡ªit''s just a title. I didn''t give him anything special." "Well, apart from 10 million advanced mana stones and the enhanced version of the Starlight Array." 10 million advanced mana stones?! Anthony''s jaw dropped, unable to close. Advanced mana stones were a rare commodity that even top-tier factions struggled to amass. A stockpile of thousands or tens of thousands was already considered exceptional. Yet Velen casually handed over an amount that was beyond imagination. And then, as if recalling something, Anthony''s expression shifted again. "Velen, what''s this enhanced version of the Starlight Array?" To ensure their home planet''s safety, the Ducal Manor had long sought ways to strengthen the Starlight Array. However, the array was so intricate that it was beyond their comprehension, let alone systematic enhancement. If what Velen claimed was true, the Ducal Manor''s defenses had silently undergone a massive upgrade. After learning the full story, Anthony''s doubts evaporated, and he looked at Velen with an awe that had never been there before. With the resources Velen had provided, the title of independent senator was a bargain. Seeing Anthony''s excitement, Velen said, "Since I have some free time now, let''s go check out the spellbeasts." After all, he had yet to encounter a spellbeast and was curious about them¡ªespecially since they would be his primary foes in the Singularity Battlefield. When William returned to the grand hall in the rear courtyard of the Ducal Manor, the other four senators immediately asked: "Did you return the mana stones to Velen?" As senior members of the Ducal Manor, they adhered to their principles. However, before they could continue, William shook his head. Jake and the others were momentarily stunned, unsure if they had seen correctly. William had gone specifically to return the mana stones, so how could he have failed? That didn''t make sense! "Five billion mana stones is a lot, but we''re not desperate for them." "Exactly. Velen has already contributed so much." Jake and the others voiced their opinions in unison. But before they could say more, William replied gravely: "Not only did I fail to return the mana stones, but I also accepted even more valuable items from Velen!" "What?!" "I initially planned to decline, but what he offered was so vital that I couldn''t refuse." Confused, Jake and the others stared at William. What could Velen possibly offer that was so indispensable? Under their curious gazes, William retrieved several advanced mana stones from a storage pouch. The moment they saw the advanced mana stones, Jake and the others were left utterly speechless. They knew the Ducal Manor''s stock of advanced mana stones had been nearly depleted. Where had William acquired so many advanced mana stones? Could it really be from Velen? Chapter28-Dragon Barbecue "These advanced mana stones were indeed given to me by Velen," William said, nodding as he confirmed to the stunned Jake and the others. "How many mana stones did Velen give you?" William took a deep breath and directly presented the storage pouch containing 10 million advanced mana stones. This was an astronomical amount, and the Ducal Manor was in dire need of them. With so many advanced mana stones, the Starlight Array could operate for decades, if not centuries. The array wouldn''t always be active, nor would it run at full capacity. This meant the mana stones could last even longer. William understood what they were implying and said slowly: "From now on, we''ll operate the array at maximum capacity. As the Ducal Manor, we cannot lose face!" "Velen has assured me that if we need more, he has plenty and told me to just ask." Jake and the others were utterly shocked. If anyone else had made such a claim, they would''ve laughed it off as a joke or exaggeration. But Velen said this¡ªthe same Velen who had already given them 10 million advanced mana stones. Such a staggering amount of mana stones was enough to purchase the entire Ducal Manor! "Additionally, Velen gave me an enhanced version of the Starlight Array. Although it demands more advanced mana stones, its power and range have been significantly enhanced!" "Even a peak Ascended Rank Lv9 powerhouse would find only death if they ventured into the enhanced Starlight Array." Hearing this, Jake and the others were left speechless, their shock reaching new heights. Meanwhile, at the Forbidden Tower within the Ducal Manor. Under Anthony''s guidance, Velen entered the tower. He observed his surroundings, noting the many spellbeasts imprisoned in iron cages, their roars echoing through the air. After watching for a while, Velen asked curiously, "Duke, why not eliminate these spellbeasts instead of going through the trouble of keeping them imprisoned?" Anthony smiled and explained, "The primary purpose of imprisoning them is to prepare trials for others in the Ducal Manor." "Whether traveling among the stars or venturing into the Singularity Battlefield, spellbeasts are an unavoidable presence." "If someone encounters a powerful spellbeast outside the Ducal Manor without sufficient experience, it could easily cost them their life." "That''s why we built the Forbidden Tower, allowing our members to train and gain experience here." After hearing the explanation, Velen nodded thoughtfully. Then, looking at Anthony, he said, "I''ll be entering the Singularity Battlefield soon. Could I test my skills here?" Anthony glanced at Velen and shook his head. "Most of the spellbeasts here were brought back from the Singularity Battlefield. With your strength, defeating them would be as easy as slicing through melons." He knew how terrifying Velen''s combat abilities were. Over 200 of the Ducal Manor''s prodigies had fallen to him. Asking him to fight here would be nothing more than senseless slaughter. Disappointed by the refusal, Velen wondered if he would have to wait until entering the Singularity Battlefield for a true challenge against spellbeasts. Still, since he was already here, Velen asked Anthony earnestly, "I''m curious¡ªwhat is an Apprentice Rank Lv9 spellbeast worth in gold coins or mana stones?" Anthony immediately understood Velen''s intent and chose to ignore him, lest Velen set a price he couldn''t refuse. Anthony wasn''t someone without principles, after all. Seeing this, Velen shook his head slightly. Under Anthony''s guidance, he toured the Forbidden Tower. Although there were many spellbeasts, none piqued Velen''s interest. Feeling a bit disappointed, he returned to his room. Checking his system interface, Velen saw that after drawing various attack skills, he had only 2,810 luxury points remaining. He planned to save up to 9,000 points to advance directly to Adept Rank Lv9. The next morning. After a restful night, Velen opened his eyes and looked at the system interface. Today''s special item: A dark dragon corpse. A dragon corpse? Velen was stunned. He hadn''t expected the system to offer something so unique. Dragons were synonymous with power, no matter where they were. Even as a corpse, it was bound to be extraordinary. But how could he use this to flaunt his wealth? Rubbing his chin thoughtfully, Velen sought out Hael. "You''re asking how to handle a spellbeast corpse?" Hael blinked at Velen''s question before replying slowly. "If it''s a high-level spellbeast, you can have an alchemist extract its blood. This would be incredibly beneficial for berserkers." "Berserkers don''t channel mana into cores or form mana patterns. Instead, they crudely infuse mana into their bodies, becoming living weapons. They''re a fierce bunch, and the extracted blood from a powerful spellbeast is better for them than most natural treasures." Hearing this, Velen nodded. He then asked, "What about just roasting it for food?" At this, Hael paused, considering Velen''s extravagant tendencies, and replied cautiously: "If it''s an ordinary spellbeast, roasting it is fine. But if it''s a high-level spellbeast or one with a special bloodline, it''s better to let an alchemist refine its blood. That would maximize its potential. Eating it directly wouldn''t fully utilize its value." "Got it," Velen said with a nod. "Are there any skilled berserkers in the Ducal Manor?" Hael nodded again. "Of course. Senator Jake isn''t just a master blacksmith; he''s also a legendary berserker. One strike of his hammer could shatter a mountain." Hearing this, Hael grew even more convinced that Velen possessed a powerful spellbeast corpse. Knowing Velen''s tycoon-like nature, anything seemed possible. "Great," Velen said. "Please gather everyone in the Ducal Manor. I''m treating them to a barbecue today." "A barbecue?" Hael was stunned. "Velen, there are nearly ten thousand people in the Ducal Manor. Organizing a barbecue for that many¡ª" Before he could finish, a thunderous sound echoed as something massive landed, causing the ground to quake and sink slightly. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A colossal dark dragon corpse appeared in the square in front of the Hatchling Order''s dormitory, taking up nearly half the space. As the dark dragon''s corpse materialized, an oppressive dragon''s aura instantly spread through the air! The stone tiles on the ground cracked under an invisible weight, the effect rippling throughout the entire Ducal Manor. Everyone felt the suffocating pressure, struggling to even stand upright. Sensing this aura, everyone instinctively looked toward the square and saw the towering dark dragon corpse. "My god!" "A dragon! A massive dragon!" "Even in death, it radiates such terrifying power. It must have reached maturity! Mature dragons are usually at the Ascended Rank!" "How did this dragon corpse end up here?" The crowd was filled with shock and confusion as they gazed at the dragon corpse, speculating amongst themselves. "Everyone, come on over. Let''s relax today and enjoy some dragon barbecue!" Velen''s voice, infused with mana, spread far and wide. Hearing this, the crowd''s shock deepened. Such a powerful dragon corpse, instead of being refined for its blood, was going to be roasted and eaten? Velen was outrageously extravagant! Yet, their shock quickly turned to excitement. Ordinary people didn''t even get to see dragons, let alone eat one. This was a rare opportunity, and they were ecstatic. However, as they gathered under the immense pressure of the dragon''s aura, they encountered a problem: the dark dragon''s body was covered in impenetrable scales. Swords and knives shattered against its scales. Even targeting its weak points, such as its eyes, proved futile. "Velen, the dragon''s scales are too tough. Even the weak spots are impenetrable!" "What should we do?" The crowd looked at Velen helplessly. The dragon''s corpse was right in front of them, but they couldn''t eat it. This left them on the verge of despair, their hopes pinned entirely on Velen. Velen sighed inwardly and asked the system, "If I can''t eat this dragon, how am I supposed to flaunt my wealth properly?" The system replied: "Dragonslayer Blade temporarily lent to the host. Must be returned after use, or a large number of luxury points will be deducted." Chapter29-Heard Youve Earned a Lot of Advanced Mana Stones Recently? As Velen distributed the blood-red Dragonslayer Blades to the people gathered around, the atmosphere instantly became lively. "Velen, what kind of dagger is this? Why is it so sharp? It cuts through the dark dragon''s corpse as easily as slicing tofu." "Could this be the legendary Dragonslayer Blade?" "No way, who has over a hundred Dragonslayer Blades lying around?" The people of the Ducal Manor discussed this excitedly. As the dark dragon''s corpse was sliced apart, many began setting up roaring fires to grill the meat. The scene turned into a bustling celebration, with the tantalizing aroma of barbecue gradually filling the air. Boom! Suddenly, the bright sky above the Ducal Manor darkened, and a pair of large, calloused hands reached out from the void, tearing it apart as if ripping through paper. A figure bathed in lightning emerged, resembling a humanoid tyrannosaurus. The man with bronzed skin stepped forward, his every movement causing the air to creak under pressure. His gaze quickly landed on the direction of the Ducal Manor. sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Anthony, I struck it rich in the Singularity Battlefield this time¡ªover a thousand advanced mana stones! Over a thousand! I can''t wait to see the look on your face!" With that, he stomped heavily on the void, launching himself like a bronze comet, closing in on the Ducal Manor in an instant. As he neared, he noticed that the Starlight Array was operating at full power, and his expression turned serious. Is there an enemy attack? His spiritual senses swept over the outskirts of the Ducal Manor but found no sign of intruders. Only me. "Looks like I''m overthinking this," the man muttered, shaking his head. He then charged into the Starlight Array. "I''ve spent years strengthening my body. Let''s see how long I can withstand the array this time." As Anthony''s old friend, he intended to make a grand entrance by testing the array''s power. Step! The moment he set foot inside the Starlight Array, a sense of impending doom enveloped him. From above, beams of light descended like falling stars, threatening to obliterate everything in their path. Reacting instinctively, his explosively muscular body tensed, and he retreated from the array in an instant. The spot where he had just been standing was consumed by a barrage of light swords, leaving a charred, blackened void filled with thick smoke. "Such terrifying attacks! When did the Starlight Array get upgraded? Its power has increased at least tenfold!" The man''s face was filled with shock. Had he been a second slower in retreating, even his body, honed to its current strength, would have been gravely injured¡ªor worse, destroyed. "Aiden, all these years, and you''re still as impulsive as ever," Anthony''s exasperated voice rang out from within the Ducal Manor. "Didn''t you notice the array is fully activated?" As Anthony quickly approached, Aiden, still shaken, said, "You never mentioned that the array had been upgraded. Its power has increased by at least tenfold!" Anthony gave him a once-over, ensuring he was unharmed before gesturing for him to enter. "Let''s talk inside the Ducal Manor." Following Anthony, Aiden asked curiously, "I don''t see any signs of an enemy attack. Why is the array fully activated?" "We recently acquired a large number of advanced mana stones, so we decided to keep the array running at full power to prevent any stealthy intrusions." "You just experienced its enhanced power¡ªfar beyond what it was before. While it does consume more advanced mana stones, we have enough to sustain it for decades." Anthony spoke with a smug tone, patting his round belly as if exuding the aura of newfound wealth. Aiden rolled his eyes. "Don''t play coy with me. You used to claim you didn''t have enough advanced mana stones when I wanted to use the array to temper my body. So how many did you get this time?" Anthony chuckled. "Not much. Just 10 million advanced mana stones." Aiden: ¡­ He had planned to show off his haul of over a thousand advanced mana stones from the Singularity Battlefield¡ªa rare stroke of luck. But compared to 10 million, his accomplishment seemed utterly insignificant. Knowing Anthony as a pragmatic man, Aiden was certain he wasn''t exaggerating. If he said 10 million, it was definitely true. With his plans to show off thoroughly quashed, Aiden coughed and said, "I just wanted to catch up and have a drink with you." Anthony didn''t overthink it. Aiden was known for his love of body training and drinking, as well as his loyalty. Suddenly, Aiden sniffed the air and exclaimed, "What''s that amazing smell? Did I arrive just in time for a feast at the Ducal Manor?" Anthony caught the aroma as well and quickly led Aiden toward the source. Following the scent, they arrived at the square in front of the Hatchling Order. As they approached, Aiden''s expression grew increasingly astonished. "This is terrifying! That scent¡ªit has to be coming from a dragon on the verge of breaking into the Ascended Rank. Otherwise, it wouldn''t give me goosebumps like this!" The closer they got, the more shocked Aiden became. Dragons were fearsome spellbeasts, virtually invincible among their peers. How could the Ducal Manor harbor such a powerful dragon? When they finally reached the square, Aiden was utterly stunned by the sight before him. A massive dark dragon corpse, the size of a small hill, dominated half the square. Even in death, its aura was enough to send chills down his spine. In front of the dragon, dozens of Ducal Manor members were using daggers to slice its body for barbecue. The scene was lively and festive. "Anthony, when did your Ducal Manor get so rich? Using a dragon''s corpse for barbecue?!" Aiden''s voice was filled with disbelief. He had initially planned to make Anthony envious, but now he found himself overcome with jealousy. Anthony, too, was flabbergasted. His mouth hung open as he surveyed the square. What''s going on? How had a dragon''s corpse appeared in the square? And why was it being roasted and eaten by the people of the Ducal Manor? Then his gaze landed on Velen, who was among the crowd, cheerfully giving instructions. "Everyone, eat to your heart''s content! Don''t hold back!" "Add more seasoning to the barbecue! Use a strong flame¡ªit tastes better that way!" Velen! This was definitely Velen''s doing! The dark dragon''s corpse contained incredibly potent blood, a rare treasure for berserkers. And Velen was using it for barbecue! Wasteful! Extravagant! Anthony''s body trembled slightly with emotion. Meanwhile, Aiden noticed the daggers being used to carve the dragon''s body. They were extraordinary¡ªdragons'' scales, even in death, were nearly impenetrable. Yet, these daggers sliced through the dragon''s flesh as easily as cutting tofu. What''s going on? Had Ducal Manor undergone some unimaginable transformation in the few years he hadn''t visited? Anthony sent a message to Senator William, his tone incredulous: "William, Velen has just organized a barbecue, roasting an entire dragon for the people of the Ducal Manor. At this rate, if you don''t hurry, even the bones will be gone!" ?? Aiden, overhearing this, was equally baffled. "What? Velen organized this? Why don''t you stop him? At least half the dragon could be preserved! Why wait for the senators?" Anthony sighed helplessly. "It''s not that I don''t want to stop him. Yesterday, Velen gave the Ducal Manor 10 million advanced mana stones and an enhanced version of the Starlight Array. His contributions were so immense that he''s now an independent senator, equal in status to the other senators. I have no authority to stop him." Aiden: ¡­ At the same time, William, having received Anthony''s message, was stunned. His eyes widened in disbelief. "What''s wrong?" Jake and the others asked, noticing William''s strange expression. William looked at Jake and said cautiously, "I''m about to share some news, but you need to stay calm." Jake raised an eyebrow. "Go ahead. I''ve lived for hundreds of years and seen my fair share of storms. What could possibly shock me?" The others also looked at William curiously, puzzled by his warning. Chapter30-Feeding Dragon Blood to a Rabbit—Who Does That? "Velen brought out a corpse of an Ascended Rank dragon and is roasting it in the square." As soon as William said this, everyone''s breathing turned heavy. Did they mishear that? An Ascended Rank dragon? Among the four, Jake''s emotions were visibly stirred, and his voice suddenly rose. "You¡­ you''re not joking, right? A dragon! The corpse of an Ascended Rank dragon?" For a body-strengthening practitioner like him, dragon blood refined from such a corpse was the best supplement! He had been stuck at his current level for years, but with dragon blood, he was confident he could break through to the next rank! "Then why aren''t we stopping Anthony? Dragons are too rare, too powerful¡ªthe value of this dragon corpse is immeasurable!" Jake, snapping back to his senses, urgently urged them. William, seeing Jake''s agitated state, sighed as though he had anticipated this reaction. "Anthony gave me a detailed report. Half of the dragon''s corpse has already been eaten by the members of Ducal Manor under Velen''s orders. What can we even do about it?" Hearing this, Jake and the others finally realized. Right. This kind of extravagant behavior was entirely in line with Velen''s usual style, wasn''t it? After all the benefits they had received from Velen, how could they possibly stop him now? sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Forcefully seize it? But it was something Velen brought out! And while this method was outrageously wasteful, it was still being consumed by the members of Ducal Manor. The dragon''s blood and flesh, rich in mana essence, were beneficial to them. However, it wasn''t exactly friendly to Jake. After all, the dragon corpse would have been of immense value to him. "Although we can''t stop Velen, the taste of dragon meat must be incredible. Why don''t we go and have a try too?" William suggested after some thought, looking at Jake and the others. The group exchanged glances and reluctantly nodded before rushing toward the square. In the square outside Hatchling Order. The crowd was eating to the point of sweating profusely. Mana waves surged through their bodies like they had been injected with adrenaline. Their faces were flushed, and they were brimming with energy. At this moment, Anthony and Aiden had also joined the feast of the dragon''s corpse. Their levels were quite high, so they ate quickly and, despite sweating, showed no signs of stopping. Dragon blood and flesh not only nourished but also tasted divine. With just some salt and spices, it was delicious enough to make one want to swallow their own tongue. While they were feasting, William, Jake, and the others arrived at the square. Seeing Velen elegantly eating roasted meat with a knife and fork, they greeted him and promptly joined the feast. Two hours later. The members of Ducal Manor were lying on the ground, rubbing their round bellies. Even their burps carried pure mana waves that disturbed the air. This feast had brought significant benefits and improvements to every one of them. And at the center of their attention, the dragon''s corpse had been reduced to nothing but bones. After greeting Velen, Jake eagerly carried the skeleton away, planning to craft dragon-bone artifacts with it! "Independent Senator, this is my old friend, a berserker whose strength is comparable to Ascended Rank Level 4!" Anthony brought Aiden to Velen. Velen, unused to being addressed as "Independent Senator," felt a bit helpless. He glanced at the burly Aiden and humbly said, "You flatter me. I''m just a member of Ducal Manor, not an Independent Senator." Aiden waved his hands repeatedly, saying, "Independent Senator, you''re too modest. I''m just a passerby!" Velen had been unanimously recognized as the Independent Senator by the senators of Ducal Manor. Aiden didn''t dare to overstep. Hearing this, Velen sighed and said, "Let''s just stick to informal titles. Call me Velen." "?" Aiden was momentarily stunned. If everyone used informal titles, wouldn''t that be awkward? Calling Velen by name while Anthony addressed him as "Independent Senator"¡ªwhat should he call himself, then? Just then, a system notification rang in Velen''s ears. "Congratulations, Host, for successfully flaunting wealth with the dragon corpse. Reward: 1,000 luxury points, 200 drops of dark dragon blood." Dark dragon blood as a reward? This was an unexpected delight! Velen already knew from Hael and others how precious dragon blood was. These 200 drops were immensely valuable! "Velen, thank you for today''s dragon feast. I can now say I''ve tasted real dragon meat in my lifetime. However, the blood of this dragon is truly extraordinary. For berserkers like us, it''s the best possible supplement!" Aiden expressed his gratitude but couldn''t help feeling pained over the extravagant barbecue of an entire dragon. "Is this what you call dragon blood?" Velen thought for a moment. A viscous blood droplet, about the size of a walnut, appeared in his palm, and he held it up before Aiden''s eyes. "What intense dragon pressure!" Just one glance made Aiden''s heart race uncontrollably. This aura¡ªit was definitely from that dragon! "Dragon blood, I can give you some. But I need to save some for my rabbit," Velen said casually. For berserkers, dragon blood was immensely beneficial. But for spellbeasts, it was equally valuable. And as Velen''s pet, the rabbit naturally deserved nothing less than the finest. Hearing this, Aiden''s eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. Feeding dragon blood to a rabbit? This was dragon blood¡ªso rare and priceless that it could fetch an astronomical price at an auction! Even Anthony and the others, familiar with Velen''s extravagance, couldn''t help but feel a pang of envy. Their own living standards couldn''t even compare to Velen''s rabbit! Was this the benefit of following the right person? "Aiden, you don''t understand. That rabbit, though ordinary at first, has been transforming into a spellbeast under the Independent Senator''s care." "Previously, it drank over 2,000 bottles of Master Rank Fortifying Potion. Its body is now immaculate, surpassing even the most elite spellbeast cubs in purity!" After listening to Anthony''s envious explanation, Aiden couldn''t help but glance at Velen again. My god! What kind of background does this Velen have? Even a rabbit gets such extravagant treatment? Master Rank Fortifying Potions were rare treasures even in the Titan Galaxy. Yet Velen had fed over 2,000 bottles to a rabbit? As far as Aiden knew, even the most prodigious talents of top factions hadn''t received such nurturing. And now this precious dragon blood¡ªVelen planned to feed it to the rabbit! This¡­ this was pure opulence! Aiden was utterly stunned by Velen''s actions. "Anthony, as old friends, don''t play me like this," Aiden said, his face serious as he looked at Anthony. How could someone possibly be this rich? And squander it to such an extent? Velen glanced at Aiden, finding his reaction entirely within expectations. This was just another uneventful and monotonous day in his life. "You all chat. I''m heading back," Velen yawned. After eating so much dragon meat, he felt a little drowsy. "Aiden, since you''re an old friend, come with me. I''ll offer you another opportunity," Anthony suddenly said. Aiden froze. Another opportunity? "Hey, hey! You haven''t answered my question yet!" Despite his confusion, Aiden followed Anthony and the others. Not long after, they arrived at Anthony''s grand hall. Aiden furrowed his brows when Anthony suddenly produced a glowing book. "This is the opportunity you mentioned?" Aiden couldn''t figure out what Anthony was up to. Anthony smiled and explained, "This is called the SSS Tome of Skill Experience. Absorbing it will enhance your skill proficiency." Hearing this, Aiden stared at Anthony, half-believing. "We''ve been friends for years. Don''t you dare trick me!" Seeing Aiden''s skeptical expression, Anthony shrugged and began putting away the SSS Tome of Skill Experience. "If you don''t believe me, forget it. This is a rare treasure even in Ducal Manor." Chapter31-Heading to the Singularity Battlefield Seeing this, Aiden immediately snatched the SSS Tome of Skill Experience, channeled his mana, and absorbed it into his body, afraid that Anthony might really take it back. After absorbing the unique energy contained in the SSS Tome of Skill Experience, Aiden squinted his eyes, feeling a peculiar sensation rise within him. The proficiency of all his skills surged rapidly... Aiden''s heart trembled. Shortly after, he exhaled sharply like an arrow, suddenly opened his eyes, and they turned sharper, like two spears that no one dared to meet. "I don''t have many SSS Tomes of Skill Experience left; all of them were provided by Velen. He still has some, but he plans to use them for that rabbit." Seeing Aiden clearly having a breakthrough and looking excited, Anthony quickly added, "By the way, you know that old guy Robert, right? Velen has already said that as long as someone helps him with some manageable tasks, he might give them the Afterlife Flower. Now Robert has joined the fortress as a venerated member." "Kevin''s also like a lackey, having no objections to assisting my daughter. He''s currently serving her at the fortress." Aiden squinted his eyes, then dashed into the distance at incredible speed. Anthony, puzzled, transmitted a question: "What''s with you leaving in such a hurry? Weren''t you here to relax and have a drink with me?" "No, no. I''m very interested in the fortress your daughter established. It gives me a sense of home. I think I''m very suited for it!" Anthony''s mouth twitched. Interested in the fortress? This was clearly an attempt to get closer to Velen through Anastasia! As expected of an old figure who had roamed the universe¡ªutterly shameless! Previously, Anthony had invited Aiden to join Ducal Manor, but he always declined, saying he loved freedom, enjoyed roaming the universe, and hated being tied down. And now? He was eagerly throwing himself at the fortress, completely disregarding his earlier words. Though he mentally gave Aiden a middle finger, Anthony could understand his actions. If he were in the same situation, he''d likely do the same. In a lavish room. Velen was just about to go to sleep when he heard the door being slammed open. He turned his head to see Hael barging in, looking highly emotional. "You''re a grown man. Why are you so clumsy?" S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Looking at the shattered door, Velen sighed helplessly. "Velen, do you even realize how precious the dragon corpse you just served was?" Hael, red-faced with excitement, was speaking louder and louder. Out of curiosity, he had just gone to the archives to research dragons. He actually found records of the dark dragon. After carefully reading them, he was even more shocked and awed by Velen''s extravagant behavior. Dark dragons were among the most powerful of their kind. Once they matured, they could almost always ascend successfully. The flesh and blood of such a dragon were incredibly valuable! However, just as he was about to continue speaking, he noticed Velen looking at him with an innocent expression. The countless words Hael had wanted to say suddenly dissipated into thin air. This dark dragon was immensely valuable to them, but to someone like Velen, who could casually produce countless treasures, was it really that precious? All he could do was sigh. The world of tycoons was something he truly couldn''t comprehend. Still, he had to quickly adapt to Velen''s tycoon-style behavior. After all, the Duke had plans for them to follow Velen and accompany Anastasia soon. If they couldn''t adjust to Velen''s extravagance, it would only lead to awkward situations! "Never mind, Velen. I won''t disturb you. Get some rest!" Hael gave Velen a quick farewell and turned to leave. Watching Hael leave after muttering a nonsensical statement, Velen wondered if he had mentally broken down from being overly stimulated. At least Hael was gone, and Velen could finally get some proper rest. According to Duke Anthony''s plan, he would take Velen to the Singularity Battlefield early the next morning. The Singularity Battlefield was full of dangers and opportunities, so Velen needed to rest well and adjust his state of mind. Yawning, Velen was just about to lie down when the door was slammed open again. Looking at the utterly ruined door and the arrival of Jake and four other senators, Velen was a bit speechless. "Uh¡­ well¡­" Seeing Velen look over, Jake and the others calmed down instead, awkwardly rubbing their hands and looking hesitant. Seeing the senators'' bashful demeanor, Velen immediately understood and couldn''t help but find it amusing. A group of old men, each hundreds of years old, suddenly found themselves too embarrassed to speak. "Senator Jake, here are ten drops of dragon blood. Take them." It was clear that Aiden receiving dragon blood earlier had made them envious. They had likely been too caught up in eating the dragon''s meat to think of it at the time, but now they remembered. "This¡­ this, Velen, thank you so much!" Senator Jake was so moved he was almost in tears. Only he understood how much those drops of dragon blood would help him. William and the other senators also looked at Velen with immense gratitude. With these drops of dragon blood, they owed Velen yet another favor¡ªone they might never be able to repay. After all, everything he gave them was far too valuable! "Velen, get some rest. If you ever need anything, don''t hesitate to ask us." Before leaving, William, Jake, and the others earnestly spoke to Velen. After that, they hurriedly left with the ten drops of dragon blood, completely shattering the already fragile door. The door: "¡­" The next morning. After waking up, Velen''s first task was his routine inspection of special items. Today was the day he would enter the Singularity Battlefield, making it particularly important. Special Item: Tier-2 Imprison Scroll ¨C Quantity: 9,999! Imprison Scroll: Can seal a target in place for an extended duration, preventing them from leaving. After reading this, Velen was very satisfied. Tier-2 scrolls corresponded perfectly to Apprentice Rank awakeners. Since he would be assigned to the Second Zone in the Singularity Battlefield¡ªwhere only Apprentice Rank spellbeasts and awakeners resided¡ªthese scrolls were just right. With these scrolls, he''d have a reliable means of self-defense in the Singularity Battlefield! "Velen, come with me. It should be your first time entering the Singularity Battlefield, so I''ll personally escort you there." Anthony had been waiting outside for a while. Seeing Velen come out, he immediately smiled and spoke. Velen nodded and followed Anthony to board a spaceship, leaving Ducal Manor behind. As Velen departed, the senators William, Jake, and others who had come to see him off couldn''t help but feel a sense of loss. Though their time with Velen had been short, he had left a profound impression. His sudden departure left their hearts empty, as though they''d lost their most precious possession. "Duke, are the spellbeasts in the Singularity Battlefield different from those in the universe?" Lying back in a recliner aboard the spaceship, Velen glanced at Anthony and asked curiously. Anthony''s expression grew solemn. "Spellbeasts in the Singularity Battlefield are affected by its radiation, making them far more terrifying. Coupled with the unique survival-of-the-fittest environment, the spellbeasts there are not only powerful but also possess an intense desire for battle. They''re nothing like the spellbeasts outside." "Generally speaking, a spellbeast from the Singularity Battlefield requires at least three awakeners of the same rank to take it down. You must be extremely careful!" Anthony reminded him seriously. In the Singularity Battlefield, Velen could only rely on himself. Velen nodded, understanding Anthony''s point. However, he had confidence in his own strength, especially with the Tier-2 Imprison Scrolls on hand. Five hours later. "Once we pass this star system, we''ll arrive at the teleportation base managed by the universe." Anthony stood up and stretched but suddenly seemed to sense something. His expression turned cautious. "Velen, it seems we''re being targeted. Stay here¡ªI''ll handle it." With that, he vanished from the spaceship in a flash, heading toward the asteroid belt surrounding the base. Relaxed moments ago, Velen immediately sat upright and looked out toward the front of the spaceship. In the asteroid belt, a massive Ironback Centipede hundreds of meters long slithered through the metallic surface of the asteroids. Its steel-like tentacles scraped the rocks, producing a metallic clanging sound and sending sparks flying like a shower of fire! Chapter32-Ascended Rank Spellbeast? "An aberrant spellbeast? Ironback Centipede?!" Upon seeing the Ironback Centipede, Anthony immediately felt an overwhelming sense of pressure emanating from its massive body, causing his face to pale slightly. Ascended Rank Level 9! This spellbeast was absolutely not something he could contend with in his current state! However, it had already set its sights on the spaceship. If Anthony didn''t step forward to stop it, Velen would be in grave danger! No matter what, he had to buy time for Velen to escape! As Anthony charged toward it, the Ironback Centipede''s grotesque mandibles twitched, producing a raspy voice. "Human, I''m in a good mood today. If you can offer me something I fancy, I might just let you and the spaceship go." Anthony frowned. Spellbeasts of this level possessed intelligence comparable to humans¡ªperhaps even harder to predict¡ªmaking them extremely troublesome. Anthony didn''t believe a single word from the Ironback Centipede. Spellbeasts were never trustworthy! Besides, he didn''t have anything on him that could tempt a spellbeast of Ascended Rank Level 9. "We''re merely passing through. We mean no harm. If you insist on this course, fighting will bring no benefit to either of us!" Anthony attempted to reason with it. His strength wasn''t weak, and if a fight broke out, the Ironback Centipede wouldn''t come out unscathed. "Heh, human, you overestimate yourself. Compared to me, you''re nothing but a plaything for my amusement!" As soon as the words fell, the Ironback Centipede''s hundreds of metallic limbs began to writhe. Its massive body transformed into a terrifyingly sharp blade, lunging directly at Anthony. Anthony quickly cast a defensive spell, summoning a thick, earthen-yellow shield before him, as solid as a fortress wall. Yet, under the Ironback Centipede''s assault, the shield shattered instantly. The tremendous impact sent Anthony flying, blood spilling from his mouth. Just as the Ironback Centipede was about to attack again, Velen''s voice suddenly rang out from the spaceship. "You want treasure? I''ve got some right here!" With these words, Velen produced five drops of dragon blood. Each drop emanated an overwhelming mana fluctuation, and an oppressive aura radiated outward, enveloping the surrounding area for miles. The Ironback Centipede''s attention was immediately drawn to the dragon blood. Its perception confirmed the authenticity of the dragon blood as soon as Velen revealed it. Consuming it would undoubtedly provide immense benefits! But the Ironback Centipede was astonished. Dragons were immensely powerful and rare, and even with its current strength, it wouldn''t dare face a dragon of equal rank. Yet Velen, merely an Apprentice Rank awakener, had dragon blood in his possession? Its heart was shaken. Initially, it had been toying with Anthony out of boredom, but now it seemed this encounter had yielded an unexpected bounty! Anthony, witnessing this, shouted urgently: "I''m fine! Don''t give it the dragon blood! Even if you do, it won''t let us go. Just leave while you can!" Spellbeasts could never be trusted! However, Velen shook his head nonchalantly. To him, using these resources to resolve the crisis was a worthwhile trade! As for the deceitful nature of spellbeasts, Velen almost hoped it was true. If he found himself in danger, the mysterious Guardians would surely appear to protect him. And when that happened, dealing with a mere spellbeast would be child''s play! He hadn''t seen the Guardians in action yet and was quite curious about them. Without hesitation, Velen tossed the five drops of dragon blood toward the Ironback Centipede, which immediately swallowed them whole. As the dragon blood coursed through its body, it radiated incredible fluctuations, triggering profound transformations within. The Ironback Centipede greedily fixed its gaze on Velen. It couldn''t comprehend where Velen had acquired the dragon blood, but seeing him remain calm even after giving up five drops made it evident that he must have more! S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Kid, hand over the rest of your dragon blood and any other treasures, and I promise to let you go!" The lie slipped effortlessly from its mouth. Velen squinted, his disdain for the spellbeast''s untrustworthiness growing. At that moment, the Ironback Centipede abruptly changed direction and lunged toward Velen. "If you won''t hand it over willingly, don''t blame me for taking it by force!" Its speed was incredible. Seeing this, Anthony immediately turned back, intending to shield Velen and buy him time to escape. Boom! Anthony clashed with the Ironback Centipede once again, the resulting mana shockwaves making the air itself tremble. Anthony was sent flying, crashing into the spaceship. His body was covered in wounds, as if struck by a spinning grinder, with blood flowing freely. "Let him go! I have 55 more drops of dragon blood!" As the Ironback Centipede prepared to deliver the fatal blow to Anthony, Velen''s voice rang out once more. Simultaneously, the unmistakable aura of dragon blood emanated from his palm. Fifty-five drops of dragon blood! The Ironback Centipede grew even more excited. Its earlier suspicions were correct¡ªVelen had far more dragon blood than he initially let on! Anthony''s heart trembled as he saw this. "Velen, this spellbeast''s greed knows no bounds. You''ll never satisfy it. Leave now and don''t worry about me!" Anthony stabilized his injuries and transmitted his urgent plea to Velen. But before he could finish, Velen walked out of the spaceship, carrying the 55 drops of dragon blood, and handed them over to the Ironback Centipede. "This is all the dragon blood I have. Take it and leave." Velen spoke earnestly. The Ironback Centipede took the dragon blood but continued to grin maliciously at Velen. "What about the rest of your treasures? Hand them over too!" Seeing its unrelenting greed, Velen shook his head. "I''ve already given you everything. If you don''t believe me, there''s nothing I can do." Velen''s sudden shift to a firm attitude made the Ironback Centipede sneer coldly. "Then you must have a death wish!" With those words, a flash of icy light appeared in the void as it prepared to sever one of Velen''s arms. Anthony''s pupils shrank as he realized he was too late to save Velen! His heart sank, but at that moment, he noticed the faint smile on Velen''s lips. It seemed¡­ this was intentional! Knowing Velen''s attitude toward his countless treasures, Anthony understood that even if Velen squandered them, he wouldn''t bat an eye. Could this calculated provocation of the Ironback Centipede be deliberate? Whoosh! As Anthony grappled with confusion, the sound of shattering glass echoed across the void. A moment later, a man clad in golden armor descended from the sky, appearing in front of Velen and intercepting the Ironback Centipede''s attack. "Detected danger to the host. A member of the Guardians has been dispatched!" The system''s voice chimed in. Velen was slightly surprised. He hadn''t expected the Guardians to literally descend from the heavens! Anthony was even more shocked. From the moment the golden-armored man appeared to the interception of the Ironback Centipede''s attack, Anthony hadn''t sensed a thing! This golden-armored figure was terrifyingly strong¡ªso much so that Anthony couldn''t even perceive his presence! The Ironback Centipede, however, was the most horrified. From the golden-armored man, it could feel the thick stench of death. This being''s strength far exceeded its own, likely someone from the Upper Plane Universe! Descending from the Upper Plane Universe wasn''t easy. What kind of background did Velen have to warrant such protection? As these thoughts churned in the Ironback Centipede''s mind, Velen glanced at the golden-armored man. His imposing figure exuded an unparalleled sense of security. "You came alone? Where are the other Guardians?" Velen looked around curiously, noticing no one else, and asked immediately. Both the Ironback Centipede and Anthony were shocked again. A single golden-armored figure from the Upper Plane Universe was terrifying enough, yet Velen spoke as if there were more, and they were specifically assigned to protect him! "Based on the Guardians'' assessment of the threat level, my presence alone is sufficient," the golden-armored man replied with a bow. Chapter33-Be My Pet! "Master, please rest assured. Members of the Guardians are spread across all major plane universes. As long as you encounter danger, someone will come to protect you," the golden-armored man reported respectfully. Hearing this, both Anthony and the Ironback Centipede were utterly shocked. Velen was merely an Apprentice Rank Level 9 awakener¡ªhow could he possibly have such terrifying connections? Not only did he have a powerhouse from the upper plane universe protecting him, but it wasn''t just one; they were everywhere in the cosmos. The Ironback Centipede, in particular, began trembling slightly. If it had known Velen had such terrifying backing, it never would have shown up here! sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Maybe it wasn''t too late to escape. Its gaze flickered as it prepared to leave, but Velen''s eyes locked onto it. "You have two choices: the first is to be slain here. The second¡­" The Ironback Centipede glanced at the golden-armored man, its rows of large eyes blinking rapidly, before it hastily answered, "I choose the second!" As long as it could stay alive, it would accept anything! Velen hadn''t expected the Ironback Centipede to decide so quickly. He said lightly, "Alright then. From now on, you''ll stay by my side as my mount." A mount?! Cold light shot from the Ironback Centipede''s eyes, suddenly becoming as sharp as knives! It was a mighty Ascended Rank Level 9 spellbeast, an apex predator in this part of the universe. Becoming the mount of a low-level awakener like Velen? Unacceptable! As the mana within it grew more turbulent, the golden-armored man suddenly swung his palm, striking the Ironback Centipede''s face with a resounding metallic crash. Its already flattened head caved in completely, resembling a sheet of paper. However, as a top-tier spellbeast, its vitality was astonishingly strong. It quickly recovered, though its once-cloudy eyes were now much clearer. The golden-armored man had shattered its defenses with a single blow. What terrifying power! A strong instinct told the Ironback Centipede that if Velen hadn''t intended to keep it as a mount, the golden-armored man would have killed it in one strike. Without hesitation, it repaired its head injuries, transformed into a burly man with eight-pack abs, and slid to its knees before Velen. "Master! Master! From now on, I am yours!" Anthony, seeing this, unfolded a special blood-red scroll. "Since you''re willing to become a mount, sign this master-servant contract with your blood." Anthony didn''t trust the promises of spellbeasts. Although Velen''s background was strong enough to deter betrayal, there was always a chance. With a master-servant contract in place, the Ironback Centipede wouldn''t dare stir up trouble. A master-servant contract! The Ironback Centipede felt its scalp tingle. This contract was infamous among spellbeasts, universally loathed because signing it meant eternal loyalty to the other party. "Don''t feel too aggrieved. Do you realize how many benefits you''ll gain by following the independent senator?" Anthony glanced at the Ironback Centipede and said seriously, "How did the dragon blood taste earlier? You probably never had access to it before, right? But for the independent senator, it''s nothing! Just yesterday, we dined on a dark dragon of your level!" "Even a rabbit following the senator has been eating so well that it became a spellbeast!" Hearing this, the Ironback Centipede''s pupils contracted sharply. As a spellbeast, its perception was extraordinary¡ªit could tell Anthony wasn''t lying! Glancing at the golden-armored man from the upper plane universe by Velen''s side, the Ironback Centipede gritted its teeth and sliced its palm open, letting its blood drip onto the contract. Velen also added a drop of his blood to the master-servant contract. Immediately, he felt the presence of the Ironback Centipede''s aura in his mind. It seemed as though he could control its life and death with a single thought! Anthony looked at the Ironback Centipede with a hint of envy. Only after spending time with Velen could one truly understand the extent of his tycoon-like nature. Even the crumbs he let fall from his fingers were unimaginable opportunities and wealth. The Ironback Centipede had grasped a golden opportunity. "Master, now that the crisis has been resolved, I shall take my leave." The golden-armored man bowed to Velen, then tore open the space before him and disappeared. Velen was very satisfied with the golden-armored man''s performance. The system truly lived up to its reputation! Afterward, Velen had the Ironback Centipede transform into its several-hundred-meter-long form and carry him and Anthony to the teleportation base. Sitting on the back of such a top-tier spellbeast was not only stable and impressive but also incredibly fast¡ªnearly twice as quick as the spaceship cruising behind them. By dusk, they had arrived at the teleportation base. Before entering the base, Velen instructed the Ironback Centipede to take human form to avoid causing a commotion. "There are so many people here!" Velen scanned the massive teleportation array built around the planet, noting the large number of people coming and going¡ªof all levels and abilities. Anthony nodded. "Although the Singularity Battlefield is fraught with dangers, the opportunities within make it extremely tempting. Most importantly, the battlefield is divided into zones based on level, giving many people the chance to seek fortunes, legacies, and treasures." Velen, curious about the Singularity Battlefield, observed that it seemed to exist in an independent space. "System, can the Guardians enter the Singularity Battlefield too?" The Singularity Battlefield was clearly complex and mysterious, far from ordinary. "The system transcends all and is unaffected." Impressed by the system''s bold response, Velen silently gave it a thumbs-up. With renewed confidence, Velen turned to the middle-aged form of the Ironback Centipede beside him. "Ironback, you''re fast. Take the duke back first. There''s no need for you to stay here." The Ironback Centipede nodded obediently. "No problem, Master!" Anthony, seeing this, felt a surge of excitement. The Ironback Centipede was an Ascended Rank Level 9 top-tier spellbeast, a rare existence in the universe! Even in Ducal Manor, only Senator William might be able to match it. Having such a powerful spellbeast escort him was something Anthony had never dared to imagine. After watching Velen enter the teleportation base, Anthony quickly returned with the Ironback Centipede. Having this formidable ally was a significant boon for Ducal Manor! Once inside the teleportation base, Velen felt the void around him writhing. A peculiar spatial force enveloped his body. His vision blurred, and when it cleared again, he found himself in another space entirely. Looking up, he saw two suns in the sky! The entire space was scorching hot, with a pervasive stench of decay and blood. Scattered about were bones¡ªboth human and spellbeast¡ªtheir putrid smell wafting from the corpses. Velen frowned slightly, uncomfortable with the atmosphere. "So this is the Singularity Battlefield? Truly bloody and brutal," he muttered as he surveyed his surroundings, his expression growing serious. "Hey, kid, first time here?" A chubby young man with a round belly and an innocent-looking smile approached, his face radiating friendliness. Velen, noting the harmless demeanor, nodded. "Yeah, it''s my first time." The fat youth scratched his head, his thoughts spinning with schemes that immediately crumbled. This guy''s too honest! Did no one tell him to be cautious and never trust strangers in the Singularity Battlefield? But since Velen was so forthright, the youth couldn''t resist trying to scam him¡ªit''d be unprofessional not to! He grinned and asked, "What level have you reached? What mana core attribute did you awaken? I''m an old hand here; I can guide you!" Normally, such information was a closely guarded secret in the Singularity Battlefield. But Velen, confident in his strength and backed by the system, casually replied, "Currently, I''m at Apprentice Rank Level 9." Apprentice Rank Level 9?! The fat youth''s heart immediately calmed. In the Second Zone, Apprentice Rank Level 9 was the highest level! At that rank, determining victory or death would come down to whoever had the better trump cards. Chapter34-Want to Team Up? Though Velen seemed a bit na?ve, his calm demeanor made it clear that he wasn''t someone easy to exploit. The chubby young man, Kidd, who couldn''t quite figure Velen out, proactively suggested, "My name''s Kidd. Since it''s your first time in the Singularity Battlefield, you''re probably unfamiliar with a lot here. Why don''t we team up? We''ll split all the resources we get fifty-fifty." Combat was the best way to reveal someone''s strength, methods, and trump cards. If Velen truly was na?ve and lacked the strength to back it up, Kidd wouldn''t mind stabbing him in the back when the time came. No one shows kindness without a reason¡ªeither a crook or a schemer! Velen immediately saw through Kidd''s facade. Though he looked innocent, he clearly wasn''t trustworthy. After all, in the harsh environment of the Singularity Battlefield, there was no room for honest people. Still, Kidd seemed like a seasoned veteran who knew the area well. Teaming up with him would be a good way to quickly familiarize himself with the Singularity Battlefield. So, Velen nodded. "Kidd, huh? I''m Velen. Let''s work well together!" Soon, the two set off together. After walking for a while, Kidd, who was in the lead, suddenly stopped and said, Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "There''s a pack of blood wolves ahead, about 200 of them. They''re around Apprentice Rank Level 5. How about we see who can kill more?" Though these blood wolves weren''t particularly high in rank, their numbers and speed could easily overwhelm an inexperienced newcomer. Kidd wanted to test Velen''s strength and see what cards he had up his sleeve. Velen nodded casually. "Alright, let''s compete." With that, Velen channeled his mana, summoning a stack of Imprison Scrolls before him. Kidd froze for a moment. Weren''t they supposed to compete? What was with all these scrolls? As the sealing energy radiated from the scrolls, Kidd''s heart trembled. If his senses weren''t wrong, these were precious Tier-2 Scrolls! Under Kidd''s astonished gaze, Velen activated the scrolls. Chains imbued with a strange energy flew out from the scrolls, instantly binding the 200 blood wolves in place. They could only glare at Velen angrily, unable to move. Velen walked up to the immobilized blood wolves, pulled out two golden knives and forks from his storage bag, and began slicing their throats one by one. Blood spurted out as the blood wolves let out feeble whimpers before collapsing into lifeless heaps on the ground. Kidd was dumbfounded. These blood wolves were only Apprentice Rank Level 5. Was there really a need to use such valuable scrolls? Was Velen so rich he didn''t know how to spend his money? While Kidd stared in disbelief, Velen quickly dispatched all the blood wolves. "They''re all dead. Looks like I win this round!" Velen put away his knives and smiled at Kidd. Kidd''s lips twitched. He had considered stepping in to compete with Velen, but the chains formed by the scrolls were so strong that his attacks couldn''t even make a dent. All he could do was watch Velen perform. It also became clear to Kidd that Velen hadn''t just used the scrolls to restrain the blood wolves¡ªhe''d done it to prevent Kidd from intervening. Using so many scrolls for a simple competition¡­ Kidd''s heart ached. If only those Imprison Scrolls had been given to him instead! The value of those scrolls far exceeded that of the blood wolves. "Let''s go, Kidd. Let''s check out other areas!" After killing the blood wolves, Velen lost interest and prepared to leave. Kidd, however, stayed behind, staring at the pile of spellbeast corpses. Though these corpses weren''t as valuable as the scrolls, they were still worth a decent amount. Was Velen really going to leave them? "Velen, these blood wolves are all yours. Their mana cores and pelts are worth quite a bit of gold coins!" Velen shook his head at Kidd''s persuasion. "If you want them, they''re yours. I''m not interested in gold coins." Kidd: "..." Fine, keep showing off. Let''s see how long you can keep it up! Kidd, who had come to the battlefield to train, wasn''t about to let the blood wolf pelts and mana cores go to waste. He quickly gathered and stored them in his bag. Just as the two were about to leave, an old man carrying a massive blood-red blade appeared, blocking their path. Drawing the blade from his back, he said coldly, "You two kids can''t handle the mana cores and pelts of so many blood wolves. Hand them over, and I might just let you live." With that, he released his mana waves¡ªApprentice Rank Level 9! The aura was saturated with killing intent and the stench of blood! "This guy must be one of the battlefield bandits. These types usually rely on robbing others and have no real skills," Kidd muttered disdainfully, though his expression turned serious. Anyone bold enough to be a bandit here had to have significant strength; otherwise, they wouldn''t survive long. As Kidd was about to warn Velen to be cautious, Velen casually activated an Imprison Scroll. Chains of sealing energy shot out, binding the old man in place. "A single Imprison Scroll won''t stop me!" the old man sneered, slashing with his blade. A flash of blood-red light cleaved the chains apart. Before he could advance further, more chains shot out, binding him again. The old man remained unfazed, slashing through chain after chain with broad, forceful movements. In no time, he had destroyed over ten Imprison Scrolls'' worth of chains. Seeing Velen run out of scrolls, the old man grinned triumphantly. "Out of scrolls, are you? Now it''s my turn!" Just as he finished speaking, his pupils contracted as he saw Velen summon hundreds more Imprison Scrolls. The vicious expression on the old man''s face froze. While he could break through ten scrolls'' chains, the effort had consumed nearly half his mana. Facing this many scrolls, he''d likely exhaust himself to death! Who was this seemingly unassuming young man?! He needed to flee! The old man moved decisively to escape, but Velen activated the scrolls, and chains wrapped around him like a mummy. He couldn''t break free. Velen stepped forward, golden knife and fork in hand, and stabbed the old man in the chest. The old man''s face was filled with terror and disbelief. He never imagined he''d die so miserably here. Kidd, witnessing the scene, broke into a cold sweat. How many Imprison Scrolls did Velen have? It was as if he had an endless supply, using them like they cost nothing! If Kidd had acted rashly against Velen earlier, he''d probably have ended up like the old man. He laughed bitterly at himself for thinking Velen was an easy target. Now it was clear¡ªVelen was the wolf, ready to devour anyone in his way! At the same time, Kidd finally understood why Velen didn''t care about the mana cores or pelts of the blood wolves¡ªhe truly wasn''t short on money! "Kidd, take these scrolls. Use them when you encounter spellbeasts or bandits. They''re simple and efficient, and there''s no need to waste precious time on them." Velen wiped his hands clean and handed Kidd the remaining hundreds of scrolls. Kidd''s eyes widened in disbelief. Was he dreaming? Velen glanced at his system interface. With over 9,000 scrolls remaining and only six hours until the next day, he realized he couldn''t use them all alone. He needed to speed things up! Not long after, Kidd, now very cooperative, began encountering spellbeasts and immediately started with Imprison Scrolls, dramatically increasing his efficiency and minimizing risk. Five hours later. "Congratulations, Host, for successfully flaunting wealth. Reward: 1,000 luxury points and 100 SSS Tomes of Skill Experience!" Lying on a tree branch, Velen smiled at the system''s notification. Watching Kidd, who was now fully engrossed in using the scrolls, he nodded approvingly. "Not bad. Having someone help flaunt wealth really speeds things up." Clearly, Kidd had never fought with such abundant resources before and was enthusiastically using most of the scrolls himself. After finishing off the bound spellbeasts, Kidd stood eagerly by Velen''s side, awaiting his next instructions, having fully embraced Velen as his newfound benefactor. Chapter35-Chaos City Velen pulling out over a thousand scrolls at once had deeply shocked Kidd! Just how rich was he?! The key point was that Velen didn''t even seem to care about the scrolls, using them casually! Even those alchemy factions capable of producing such quantities of scrolls wouldn''t dare to use so many at once. Kidd was truly impressed by Velen! "You helped open the scrolls just now. I noticed and appreciate your effort. Here, take this SSS Tome of Skill Experience. It will enhance your skill proficiency and be beneficial to you." Velen glanced at Kidd. Finding such a useful helper wasn''t easy, and Kidd had indeed put in significant effort. Naturally, Velen wouldn''t treat him unfairly. He handed Kidd the SSS Tome of Skill Experience. "Enhance skill proficiency?" Kidd''s pupils contracted sharply. Although he didn''t know what an SSS Tome of Skill Experience was, an item capable of enhancing skill proficiency had to be extremely rare! Velen was just an Apprentice Rank Level 9 awakener. How could he possess something so valuable? And even if he did, why would he hand it over so easily? Looking at the SSS Tome of Skill Experience in Velen''s hand, Kidd hesitated, filled with doubt. The capability sounded too powerful to be real¡ªsomething no one would believe! If the SSS Tome of Skill Experience truly enhanced skill proficiency, it would fetch an astronomical price in the universe! But what if it was real? After all, it was Velen¡ªthe tycoon¡ªwho had brought it out! Kidd raised his head, studying Velen, his eyes flickering with indecision. If it really worked, the benefits would be tremendous! Moreover, if Kidd refused to use it, he didn''t know if Velen might turn against him. Though he hadn''t fought Velen directly, the sheer number of scrolls Velen had casually produced proved he had plenty of tricks up his sleeve. Kidd stood no chance against him! Thinking this through, Kidd stopped hesitating and activated the SSS Tome of Skill Experience with his mana. A unique energy ripple spread out instantly. Kidd''s learned skills and combat experiences surged into his mind like a flood, his thoughts racing, and his skill proficiency soaring! Not long after, Kidd opened his eyes, now brimming with excitement. The enhanced skill proficiency had deepened his mastery of every skill, nearly doubling his overall strength! "Brother Velen, thank you so much! I''ll remember this kindness for the rest of my life. If you ever need my help, I won''t hesitate for a moment!" Kidd stood up and resolutely promised Velen, his tone firm. Velen nodded. A friend was an extra pathway¡ªhe might need Kidd''s help flaunting wealth in the future. He curiously asked, "Which galaxy are you from?" The Singularity Battlefield was vast, with participants from various galaxies. "Brother Velen, I''m from the Dark Eye Galaxy. Are you from there too?" Kidd asked, his eyes wide with hope. "Dark Eye Galaxy? Never heard of it. I''m from Titan Galaxy," Velen replied calmly. Judging by their conversation, their home regions were quite far apart. The Singularity Battlefield was boundless. If they parted ways this time, it was unlikely they''d ever meet again. Feeling slightly melancholic, Kidd continued guiding Velen through the Second Zone. Here, with two suns in the sky, there was no distinction between day and night. After wandering the battlefield for a while, Kidd suddenly stopped in front of a hill and struck it heavily with his fist. Bang! With a muffled sound, dirt and rocks scattered, revealing hidden white crystalline materials beneath. "Brother Velen, we''ve hit the jackpot!" "These are mana stones. Even though they''re low-grade, there must be at least 2,000 of them here once we mine them out!" Kidd was ecstatic. Though they were ordinary mana stones, each was worth 100 gold coins. Two thousand mana stones could fetch 200,000 gold coins! For an Apprentice Rank awakener, this was a considerable fortune! It could buy them coveted artifacts, potions, armor, and skill books! Despite having ventured into the Singularity Battlefield multiple times, Kidd had never encountered such a large deposit of mana stones. Velen, however, didn''t even glance at the mana stones. Seeing Kidd''s excitement, he smiled and said, "If you like them so much, they''re all yours." Hearing this, Kidd, who had been planning to share the haul with Velen, froze. First, he hadn''t wanted mana cores or wolf skins. sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Now, he didn''t want mana stones either! Blinking in disbelief, Kidd finally asked, "Brother Velen, if you don''t want any of this, why did you come to the Singularity Battlefield?" "Oh, just for fun. To look around, see the world, have some excitement, and flaunt a bit of wealth. Otherwise, having too much money to spend is such a pain. Can you understand that sorrow?" Kidd: "..." Be a person, will you?! That was the most outrageous bragging Kidd had ever heard! After a moment, something seemed to occur to Kidd, and he suddenly said, "If Brother Velen has so much money and wants to see the world and have fun, I know just the place to recommend!" "What place?" "Chaos City!" "Chaos City? What''s that?" Velen muttered, unfamiliar with the name. Kidd explained seriously, "Chaos City is a special zone in the Singularity Battlefield. There, all awakeners are suppressed, and no fighting occurs." "You can see treasures from all over the universe there! If you can imagine it, Chaos City has it." "You can buy anything there!" "However, Chaos City is a restricted area. You need a pass to enter. I happen to have one, but it''s the lowest-grade pass and only allows a one-day stay." Kidd handed Velen a palm-sized bronze pass. Velen examined it and immediately sensed a faint chaotic aura emanating from it. This pass was extraordinary! Turning it over in his hands, Velen asked curiously, "Where did you get this pass?" Kidd thought for a moment before replying, "I found it in a ruined Land of Legacy here in the Singularity Battlefield. I''ve never used it, but Chaos City is well-known, and all seasoned fighters are aware of it." "Spending money in Chaos City is like pouring water into a sieve. My savings can''t support it, so I''ve been holding onto the pass, hoping for the right opportunity. But now I see¡ªit''s better suited for you!" "This pass is valuable. Take these ten SSS Tomes of Skill Experience in exchange. How about that?" Velen placed ten SSS Tomes of Skill Experience into Kidd''s hands and activated the pass to leave. Watching Velen vanish and then looking at the tomes in his hands, Kidd was thrilled. "Brother Velen never lets me down. These are far more valuable than the pass!" Meanwhile, as the spatial fluctuations subsided, Velen opened his eyes to find himself in a bustling metropolis with a distinctly modern technological vibe. The sights in Chaos City were no different from those of the modern world he remembered before his rebirth! However, Velen''s sudden appearance immediately drew attention. "An Apprentice Rank awakener dares to come to Chaos City? How laughable!" "A place like this isn''t meant for ants like him!" "Exactly. How many mana stones could he possibly have? Isn''t he just wasting a pass?" As Velen admired the modern-tech aesthetic of Chaos City, its inhabitants studied him with disdain etched on their faces. Hearing their comments, Velen shook his head slightly, concluding that they were probably mentally unbalanced and ignoring them as he strolled through the futuristic city. "Hey there, where to? It''s convenient to grab a cab!" Suddenly, a yellow taxi pulled up beside Velen, and a bald, middle-aged driver grinned at him. "I''m a seasoned driver, and it''s just 5 chaos cards!" Curious, Velen asked, "Chaos cards? What are those?" "Newcomer, huh? Don''t even know what chaos cards are. What a waste of my precious time!" With that, the driver floored the gas pedal and sped away. Watching the taxi vanish into the distance, Velen shook his head slightly. The people of Chaos City certainly lacked manners! Chapter36-Ascended Rank Awakeners Can Only Work Here Velen quickly adjusted his mindset and continued wandering through Chaos City. Along the way, he saw various buildings and shops: Arena,Alchemy Guild,Forging Association,Scroll Factory,Residential areas, hotels, and more. The city was a dazzling array of everything one could imagine. Whatever Velen could think of, it was all here. After wandering for a while, Velen finally stopped in front of a grand bank. This bank exuded an imposing presence, occupying several square miles. At the entrance, a sign radiating a peculiar energy stood proudly: Chaos Bank. "Welcome, esteemed guest. How may I assist you?" As soon as he stepped into the lobby, a young woman in a business dress approached him with a lively demeanor and a gentle smile. "Do you have chaos cards here?" Velen glanced at her and asked. Since it was a bank, it should have these, right? Hearing his question, the woman''s smile faltered slightly, but she still answered, "In Chaos City, one advanced mana stone can be exchanged for a chaos card. This is the unique currency of Chaos City, and all transactions here must be made using chaos cards." One advanced mana stone for a chaos card! For other awakeners, this was an expensive luxury. But for Velen¡­ wasn''t this too cheap? At the same time, Velen noticed the woman''s ID card pinned to her chest: Name: AnnyGalaxy: Large Magellanic GalaxyRank: Ascended Rank Level 7 Though the information was simple, the fact that an Ascended Rank powerhouse was working at Chaos City to earn a living and serving an Apprentice Rank awakener like him was unimaginable in the outside world! Seeing Velen staring at her ID card, a hint of embarrassment flashed across Anny''s face. "Working here allows us to earn some chaos cards. Plus, working in Chaos City doesn''t consume our pass time, which is a great advantage for us." Velen was intrigued. "Doesn''t this waste your time? How do you find time to level up? Advanced mana stones can only be found in the Singularity Battlefield, right?" Faced with Velen''s barrage of questions, Anny decided he was a complete novice. She didn''t want to waste more time explaining and shook her head. "If you''re not here for business, please don''t disrupt my work." Advanced mana stones were rare resources. Even though they existed in the Singularity Battlefield, acquiring them in large quantities was nearly impossible. The safest and most reliable way was to work here. If she weren''t a Chaos Bank employee bound by regulations, she might have kicked Velen out already. After all, he was just an Apprentice Rank Level 9 newbie¡ªnot worth her time. "This is one billion advanced mana stones. Please exchange them all for chaos cards," Velen said, pulling out a storage bag and handing it to Anny. Anny gasped audibly, her eyes widening as she glanced inside the bag. The bag was filled to the brim with advanced mana stones¡ªone billion of them! In all her years working here, she had never seen anyone capable of producing so many advanced mana stones at once. This was likely unprecedented in Chaos City''s history! Instantly, the disdain in her heart turned into reverence. The smile on her face transformed into one of fawning respect. "Esteemed guest, please have a seat. I will process this for you immediately!" sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Clutching the storage bag with both hands, Anny hurried to the counter, her tone utterly deferential. While Anny processed the transaction, Velen''s mind drifted back to his experiences on Uranus Star, Ducal Manor, the Singularity Battlefield, and Chaos City. The world truly was fascinating! Now that he understood how chaos cards worked, he thought about obtaining more passes to bring Anastasia and the others here to enjoy it. Before long, Anny returned, sashaying gracefully, her demeanor both charming and respectful. "Esteemed super VIP, here is your crystal card. It contains all the chaos cards you exchanged. When you need to make a purchase, simply swipe it." "If there''s anything else you need or any questions, I''ll provide the best service for you!" To Anny, Velen was now a tycoon of the highest order. If she could gain his favor, even the smallest crumbs he gave her could be life-changing. "You seem busy with your work, so I won''t trouble you further," Velen said, shaking his head and walking away. Anny''s fawning attitude was painfully obvious, and Velen didn''t like people like her. Without another word, Velen left, thinking it was time to indulge a little. Suddenly, the pass in his possession began to glow red and burn. A spatial ripple erupted, engulfing Velen and forcibly teleporting him out of Chaos City. When Velen opened his eyes again, he was back in the Second Zone with its two suns overhead. "Kidd, that bastard! He gave me a defective pass! I was only there for half a day, and my time''s up already?" Velen''s chest heaved with frustration. It felt like dying with unspent wealth in hand¡ªutterly unfair! Looking at the crystal card in his hand, Velen sighed and rubbed his forehead. It seemed his enjoyment would have to wait. "Kidd said the pass was found in a Land of Legacy. Looks like if I want another pass, I''ll need to find one of those places," Velen muttered before quickly composing himself and deciding to search for a Land of Legacy in the Second Zone. Outside Ducal Manor, 100 KM above the sky. An elderly man with pale, vampire-like skin and a melancholic gaze suddenly appeared. His eyes gleamed as he stared at the ever-rotating Starlight Array protecting the manor, his pale face filled with surprise. What was going on? Ducal Manor wasn''t under attack, so why was the array operating at full power? Just then, Senator William appeared in front of him. Seeing the pale-skinned man, William broke into a smile. "It''s been years, you old fossil. What brings you to Ducal Manor?" The pale man sighed, the melancholy on his face fading slightly. He opened his mouth to speak but hesitated, unsure of where to begin. Fifty years. He had spent fifty years working in Chaos City. Years ago, he had stumbled upon a pass in the Singularity Battlefield and entered Chaos City. After painstakingly saving up chaos cards, he finally bought artifacts capable of weakening the Judgement of RULEs. Now that he had returned, only a short time had passed in the outside world. The surreal nature of it all left him dazed, as though an eternity had passed. "Corner, just tell me what''s going on. We''ve been friends for years!" William said, curious about Corner''s uncharacteristic hesitation. "Forget it. Let''s talk inside Ducal Manor," Corner replied. As William led him past the array, Corner suddenly seemed to remember something and asked in shock, "William, the energy core sustaining your array¡ªare you using advanced mana stones?" William beamed with pride. "Of course! Ducal Manor has plenty of advanced mana stones now. Since you''ve come all this way, I''ll give you some later." Give me some?! Corner''s pupils contracted. Had he misheard? "William, are you insane? Advanced mana stones are incredibly precious. You don''t need to waste them on the array. Ordinary mana stones would suffice!" Seeing Corner''s stunned expression, William couldn''t help but feel a sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu. Wasn''t this what they had tried to tell Velen before? But with the 10,000,000 advanced mana stones Velen had given them, Ducal Manor had enough to last decades. There was no shortage! "These are two Thrones capable of resisting the Judgement of RULEs at Ascended Rank. Each can shield me once, meaning I only have two more Judgements of RULEs to overcome before ascending to the upper plane universe!" "Even so, such precious artifacts only cost me 500,000 advanced mana stones!" As Corner spoke, he manifested two golden Thrones in his palms. William frowned slightly. "Corner, you might''ve been scammed. The artifacts capable of resisting the Judgement of RULEs are well-documented. What on earth are these Thrones?" Chapter37-Corner: This Isnt the Ducal Manor I Remember Seeing William''s skepticism, Corner shook his head repeatedly and explained: "There are things you simply don''t know. In the Singularity Battlefield, there''s a special pass that grants access to the mysterious Chaos City. With enough advanced mana stones, you can buy anything you want there¡ªit''s a paradise for the rich. Even Ascended Rank Level 9 elites would be willing to wash your feet for the right price!" William was stunned, unable to believe what he was hearing. He had entered the Singularity Battlefield before, but he''d never heard of Chaos City or its pass. However, he knew Corner wasn''t one to spout nonsense. The seriousness on his face made it clear he wasn''t joking. "Chaos City? Advanced mana stones are that important?" William murmured. "Exactly! Advanced mana stones are crucial. They''re the only way to exchange for chaos cards, and with chaos cards, you can buy anything and access any service in Chaos City!" Corner explained. "I worked there for fifty years just to save up enough to purchase these two Thrones. The most incredible part? When I returned, only a few days had passed in the outside world!" William''s eyes widened in shock. "Is this¡­ is this real?" "Of course it''s real! If you have a large number of advanced mana stones, don''t waste them!" Corner urged earnestly. William pondered for a moment before suddenly saying, "Then what are we waiting for? Let''s head to this Chaos City you mentioned!" If Corner was telling the truth, their 10,000,000 advanced mana stones could surely buy many valuable treasures. It would significantly boost Ducal Manor''s strength! "You can''t enter Chaos City without a pass," Corner said regretfully. "The pass I had was already difficult enough to obtain!" Passes were extremely rare, and acquiring one was a matter of sheer luck. sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Suddenly, as if remembering something, Corner asked curiously, "How many advanced mana stones do you have? And where did you get them?" "We have nearly 10,000,000. If I''d known about Chaos City earlier, I would have given you the pass and asked for your help," William replied, a hint of regret in his tone. Corner froze, staring blankly at William. "What did you just say? You have nearly 10,000,000 advanced mana stones?" William nodded. "Yes, all thanks to our independent senator. He''s a tycoon like none we''ve ever seen before!" "The scale of his wealth is unimaginable. He has so many advanced mana stones that he told us to keep the array running permanently. If we run out, he said we can just ask for more." What?! Corner was utterly dumbfounded. Where could you possibly find such a generous independent senator? 10,000,000 advanced mana stones? Even with all his collaborations with William in the Singularity Battlefield, they hadn''t found anywhere near that amount. "Can I meet him?" Corner rubbed his hands together eagerly. If this independent senator truly had so many advanced mana stones, entering Chaos City would be the perfect move! "He''s already gone into the Singularity Battlefield," William replied, shaking his head. "And you won''t be able to track him down with your special methods. He''s currently in the Second Zone." "Second Zone? An Apprentice Rank?" Corner''s heart skipped a beat. This had to be a joke! How could an Apprentice Rank individual possibly possess so many advanced mana stones? "You can choose not to believe it, but it''s the truth," William said with a shrug. "When you meet him, you''ll realize his wealth is beyond imagination." "Also, if he gets one of those passes you mentioned, we might all benefit! No one knows how many advanced mana stones he has!" "When he returns, we might witness a miracle!" In the Second Zone Velen had been searching for four hours, but he hadn''t found any trace of a Land of Legacy¡ªor even any living people or spellbeasts. Despite such a lengthy search, he had found nothing. "Damn it!" Velen gritted his teeth. "Kidd, if I see you again, I swear I''ll smack you silly!" The Land of Legacy was nowhere to be found, and the pass was even more elusive. Though he had obtained a pass earlier, Kidd''s misleading advice had caused him to waste so much time. Just as he''d begun to enjoy himself as a tycoon, he was unceremoniously kicked out. The more he thought about it, the angrier he became! "Brother Velen!" A familiar voice suddenly called out in the distance. Turning his head, Velen saw Kidd approaching and immediately stormed toward him. "Kidd! That pass you gave me only lasted half a day! Do you have any idea how much I suffered because of you?" Kidd was stunned by Velen''s words but quickly explained, "Brother, I didn''t tamper with the pass! It must''ve been used by someone else before!" "When I found the pass, it was in the possession of an old man who was gravely injured. He''d been fighting others over some treasure. I took advantage of the situation and questioned him about its use!" Hearing this, Velen studied Kidd for a moment and sensed that he wasn''t lying. If Kidd had intentionally deceived him, he wouldn''t have approached him so openly now; he would have hidden or run away. "Brother, what''s Chaos City like?" Kidd asked curiously. Though he''d found the pass, he had never dared to use it, knowing how expensive everything in Chaos City was. Entering without sufficient funds would''ve been a waste. If he ever amassed enough advanced mana stones and didn''t have a pass to enter, he''d regret it for life. Now that Velen had experienced it firsthand, Kidd was eager to know if the rumors were true. Thinking about the high-tech world of Chaos City, Velen asked, "Do you guys have advanced technology where you''re from?" The galaxies in the universe varied greatly in their technological development. Kidd blinked in confusion and asked, "Technology? What''s that?" Seeing Kidd''s ignorance, Velen shook his head. "If you don''t understand technology, I can''t explain it to you. Just remember this¡ªadvanced mana stones are incredibly important. If you get your hands on them, hold onto them tightly. They''re essential." Kidd nodded earnestly at Velen''s warning. Advanced mana stones were rare even in the Singularity Battlefield. Kidd had only managed to find a few ordinary mana stones, which couldn''t compare to advanced mana stones. At that moment, Velen''s pupils contracted as his system interface updated. Special Item: Sword of Judgement (Fragmented Version) ¨C 9,999 units! Another skill fragment! Velen was familiar with this scenario; he''d encountered the Eye of Hell earlier, which he had given to the rabbit. Distributing these fragments wouldn''t be difficult, but he needed a suitable recipient. Velen glanced at Kidd and asked, "Kidd, are you a swordsman?" "Swordsman? That''s too hard! I tried learning sword techniques before, but I just don''t have the talent," Kidd admitted, puzzled by the sudden question. Too hard? No talent? To Velen, those weren''t problems. If that was the case, he''d help Kidd out! Feeling unsettled by Velen''s intense gaze, Kidd cleared his throat and asked, "Brother Velen, is there something you need me to do?" "You just stand still," Velen said with a gentle smile. "I''m giving you a great opportunity!" A great opportunity? Kidd didn''t understand. Then he saw a strange sword energy radiating from Velen''s hand. Although it was as thin as a strand of hair, it emitted an incredibly dangerous and holy aura, as if a divine arbiter was about to deliver judgment! This was undoubtedly an extraordinarily powerful swordsman skill! As that thought crossed Kidd''s mind, the strand of sword energy entered his forehead. A terrifying Sword of Judgment skill resonated within his mind. Even though Kidd had never formally trained in swordsmanship and only heard of swordsmen, the infusion of this sword energy granted him a deep understanding of several swordsman techniques. Chapter38-I Never Wanted to Be a Swordman! Seeing that Kidd could endure fragments of the Sword of Judgement skill, Velen didn''t hold back. With a faint smile, he gathered more and more skill fragments into Kidd''s body. Ten! A hundred! A thousand! As the skill fragments surged endlessly through Kidd''s mind, he felt as though he were alone, facing countless hellish demons. Piercing, hoarse wails echoed endlessly in his ears. At a certain moment¡ª A single sword strike! Sword of Judgement! Endless radiance surged like white waves, crashing against the hellish demons, instantly dispersing them completely! The next moment, Kidd snapped awake, eyes wide, gasping for air! "Not bad, not bad! Congratulations! Now you''ve officially entered the realm of a swordman, and you''re only one step away from becoming a Grand Swordman at Adept Rank!" Seeing Kidd awaken, radiating a pure aura of Judgement, Velen smiled and praised him. Hearing this, Kidd was on the verge of tears. He was perfectly fine as an awakener, and now he had somehow become a swordman. Worse, he had even shown signs of advancing to wield sword aura. He didn''t want to be one of those swordmen who charged headfirst into battles. Hiding in the back, scheming, and being the sly opportunist was his true calling! But, to be fair, this Sword of Judgement was absurdly powerful! He had a strong feeling that if he could fully master it, even their Lord of the Holy Light Temple wouldn''t stand a chance against him! And that lord was a top-tier powerhouse at Ascended Rank level 9, a renowned legendary swordman! Precisely because he understood swordmen so well, Kidd felt even more unsuited for this role. After all, swordmen charged into the thick of battle, with no room for retreat. It was far too dangerous! Which swordman didn''t carry countless scars? They called them "marks of honor," but they clearly testified to how much peril they had endured! If the lord sensed the sword aura within him, Kidd was certain of one thing: The lord would undoubtedly force him to become a swordman, perhaps even take him as a saint disciple for personal guidance! Imagining himself having to charge at the forefront, fighting on the frontlines, his mouth twitched involuntarily. Looking at Velen, there was something he wasn''t sure he should say! In the end, he didn''t dare say it out loud and could only stare at Velen with a tearful expression. "Big brother, this swordman skill is so powerful¡ªwhy don''t you learn it yourself?" Velen shook his head and said, "I think I''m fine as I am now. There''s no need for me to become a swordman." Kidd: "¡­" Damn it, you don''t want to be a swordman charging into battle, so you make me one? He thought he was sly enough, but he hadn''t expected someone even slyer! Seeing Kidd''s agitated expression, Velen patted him on the shoulder and said, "No need to get so worked up, and no need to thank me. You''re my friend¡ªhelping friends is the right thing to do!" Kidd almost spat out a mouthful of blood in reverse. This was killing him¡ªboth literally and figuratively! "Congratulations, host, for demonstrating the Sword of Judgement (Broken). You''ve earned 1000 luxury points!" The system''s voice rang out, but this time there were no additional special rewards. Velen glanced at his system interface. Current luxury points: "5810!" Not bad. He wasn''t far from reaching 9000 luxury points! By then, he could instantly level up to Adept Rank level 9! Before entering the Singularity Battlefield, Velen had accepted a system mission: Eliminate one hundred Apprentice Rank level 9 spellbeasts to earn system luxury points. "Well then, it''s time to get to work. In a bit, you''ll be charging ahead, unleashing sword aura while we carve a path through. Don''t let a single Apprentice Rank level 9 spellbeast escape!" As he spoke, a chilling aura emerged above Velen''s head. A ferocious ice dragon materialized, exuding freezing air from its body, causing snowflakes to drift in the surrounding air. "Frostbreath?" Seeing the ferocious and majestic ice dragon above Velen, Kidd couldn''t help but exclaim in shock! Velen tilted his head to look at Kidd, somewhat surprised. "You recognize this skill?" Previously, when he used this skill, even the assistant steward and the duke hadn''t recognized it. They only knew it was an advanced D-level skill. "Isn''t this one of our Holy Light Temple''s obscure yet immensely powerful D-level skills? Big brother, how do you know it?" Although Kidd didn''t know the skill himself, he was quite familiar with the skills of his faction. He and Velen weren''t even from the same galaxy, yet Velen knew a skill from his faction. Clearly, something wasn''t right. Hearing this, Velen gained some insight as he looked at Kidd. Clearly, the system''s draws brought in skills from various galaxies across the universe. Velen didn''t explain much to Kidd and simply gazed ahead. "Let''s go. Time to hunt spellbeasts!" With that, Velen charged forward. As they advanced, they caused a massive stir in the Second Zone. "What a terrifying aura of Judgement! Where on earth is that guy from?" "That icy presence next to him seems even more terrifying. Even from this distance, I can feel my lungs freezing!" "These two must be geniuses from a top-tier faction. We absolutely can''t provoke them!" The aura of Judgement radiating from Kidd affected an area spanning several miles, making it difficult for many awakeners to breathe. Velen, on the other hand, seemed like the god of ice and snow. The ice dragon above his head exuded an overwhelming chill, surrounded by swirling snowflakes. No one dared to block their way or attack them. Even though they rampaged through the Second Zone, slaughtering the spellbeasts they had targeted earlier, no one dared to express anger, choosing instead to endure. For someone like Kidd, who had always preferred to lurk in the shadows, this was his first time experiencing such blatant dominance. Now he felt an exhilarating sensation rising from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head! "So this is the benefit of overwhelming power? No one dares to shout, and everyone behaves so respectfully without a hint of disrespect!" Kidd glanced around, relishing the reverent gazes from all directions, feeling a sense of superiority he had never experienced before. In the past, when he fought and plundered resources in the Singularity Battlefield, he always kept a low profile, at most attacking from the shadows. This was his first time being so openly domineering. "Big brother Velen, why don''t we set a time to enter the Singularity Battlefield together again? That way, I can stay by your side!" Kidd was well aware that his current power came from Velen. Even though his current strength was considered first-tier, if he were besieged, he''d still be done for. But with Velen around, he always had a sense of security. Even in a siege, he knew Velen had his back! "That''s not out of the question. However, the next time I enter the Singularity Battlefield, I''ll probably be heading into the Third Zone." Hearing Velen''s confident words, Kidd''s mouth twitched. "Big brother Velen, you''re way too confident. Are you saying you already feel like you''re about to level up?" S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Feel like leveling up? Not quite. But when I do level up, I''ll jump straight to the next major rank. The next time you see me, I''ll probably be an Adept Rank level 9 awakener." Kidd stared wide-eyed at Velen. For awakeners, even advancing one minor level was an immense challenge. Otherwise, there wouldn''t be so many Apprentice Rank level 9 awakeners risking their lives in the dangerous Singularity Battlefield to seek resources. Yet Velen confidently claimed he''d jump nine levels in one go¡ªhow was that possible? Still, considering Velen''s abundant rare resources, perhaps he wasn''t exaggerating after all. In any case, Kidd could only respond with admiration, "Then I''ll wish you success in advance, big brother! No one can rival you!" Not long after, Velen locked onto a group of Apprentice Rank level 9 spellbeasts. "The nine Apprentice Rank level 9 spellbeasts leading the pack are mine. You can handle the rest!" After assigning tasks, Velen charged at the nearest thunder wolf. The Frostbreath above his head unleashed a surge of white, tidal-like cold air! The chill froze the ground dozens of meters ahead, forming crystalline ice! The thunder wolf didn''t even have time to struggle before it was encased in ice, resembling a vivid ice sculpture! As Velen continued to channel Frostbreath, the frozen thunder wolf shattered into icy fragments, vanishing into the wilderness. One move obliterated an Apprentice Rank level 9 thunder wolf! Kidd, standing nearby, was speechless with shock. The spellbeasts in the Singularity Battlefield were known for their ferocious strength. At the same level, they could easily take on three opponents at once. Yet Velen had obliterated one with a single move! Chapter39-300 Awakeners in the Shadow Under Kidd''s horrified gaze, Velen continued his assault! The ice dragon above his head was suddenly infused with an immense and overwhelming torrent of mana, and waves of Frostbreath poured out of its mouth one after another. The air temperature plummeted instantly, and a biting cold wind filled the surroundings. The remaining eight Apprentice Rank level 9 spellbeasts finally reacted, each unleashing their own skills to counter the freezing breath! Boom! Boom! A series of collisions erupted, chaotic mana waves rippling outward and causing the barren land to tremble slightly. Kidd''s face was filled with shock and disbelief. One against eight! And these were eight top-tier spellbeasts of the same level! Velen''s confidence was simply beyond comprehension! However, in the next moment, as gusts of icy wind spread out, all eight Apprentice Rank level 9 spellbeasts were forced back. Parts of their bodies were frozen solid in varying degrees. "How can Velen''s combat strength be this terrifying?" Kidd swallowed hard. Previously, Velen had relied on the Imprison Scroll to kill spellbeasts, making it hard to gauge his true strength. But now that Velen was truly fighting, Kidd finally understood just how monstrous Velen''s power was! Whoosh! Whoosh! Another series of Frostbreath attacks spewed from the ice dragon''s mouth, accompanied by even colder winds and a piercing howl. Kidd was utterly dumbfounded. It was common knowledge that the effectiveness of a skill wasn''t solely determined by its level¡ªhigher-level skills consumed far more mana. Frostbreath was an advanced D-level skill. For an ordinary Apprentice Rank level 9 awakener, using it once would almost completely drain their mana reserves, making it a trump card reserved for desperate situations. But Velen had not only cast it almost instantly but had also unleashed over twenty consecutive Frostbreath attacks without showing any signs of fatigue! Just how vast was the mana within Velen''s body? At this point, Kidd couldn''t even begin to fathom how terrifying Velen''s combat abilities truly were. It was far beyond anything he had ever witnessed from other geniuses! Meanwhile, awakeners from various galaxies stared in shock at Velen''s display of power. It was one thing for Velen to kill an Apprentice Rank level 9 spellbeast in one strike, but for him to wound eight such spellbeasts simultaneously and then follow up with a move that wiped them all out¡ªwhat kind of monstrous strength was that? If that Frostbreath had been aimed at them, they would undoubtedly have been frozen into statues, with no chance to resist! After recovering from his initial shock, Kidd quickly adjusted his mindset, realizing the vast disparity between himself and Velen. He then rushed toward the remaining spellbeasts. Although Kidd charged forward, he suddenly concealed himself as he neared his targets, moving like a shadow in the night. Each time he reappeared, several spellbeasts would fall to his blade. "He has such a strong aura of Judgement. Why is he, as a swordman, not using a sword to kill but instead employing assassin-like stealth skills?" Many onlookers were puzzled. "Perhaps these spellbeasts are too weak to warrant his full strength." "I think so too. What an arrogant swordman!" The murmurs of the crowd reached Kidd''s ears, and his expression became increasingly complicated. Stealth assassin skills were his true specialty! Not long after, Kidd turned his frustration into motivation, swiftly eliminating the remaining spellbeasts. Time flew by, and two days passed in the blink of an eye. Under Velen and Kidd''s relentless hunt, they soon completed their mission of killing one hundred Apprentice Rank level 9 spellbeasts. Velen had no interest in the spoils, such as the spellbeasts'' pelts or mana stones, leaving them all behind. Kidd, influenced by Velen''s gift of the SSS Tomes of Skill Experience and Sword of Judgement, had also grown indifferent to such ordinary items. "Congratulations, host, for killing one hundred Apprentice Rank level 9 spellbeasts and completing the system task!" "Reward: 5000 luxury points!" Velen was very satisfied. Adding this to his previous 5000-plus luxury points, he now had over 10,000 luxury points in total! He then turned to Kidd and asked the system, "Kidd has served me well as a follower over the past couple of days. Giving him 200,000 advanced mana stones seems reasonable, doesn''t it?" Kidd''s performance over the past two days had been impeccable, and Velen planned to reward him generously while also using the act to gain some luxury points. "Relationship too shallow. Amount of advanced mana stones excessive." The system''s response didn''t surprise Velen¡ªoffering 200,000 advanced mana stones had merely been a test. "Then how about 100,000 advanced mana stones? That''s not too much, is it?" This time, the system did not respond, which clearly meant it was permissible. It seemed that the amount of mana stones Velen could distribute depended heavily on the recipient''s level and status. "Big brother Velen, I''ve been in the Singularity Battlefield for far too long. I need to head back soon!" At the mention of parting, Kidd''s mood soured. If he didn''t have a faction backing him, he could have stayed here indefinitely. However, he had been here for so long that if he didn''t return soon, his faction would likely assume he had perished in the Singularity Battlefield. Velen roughly understood his situation, as the duke had briefly mentioned it during their journey here. Spending too much time in the Singularity Battlefield without sending any messages could cause others to worry about potential accidents. "We''ll probably meet again in the future. Here''s 100,000 advanced mana stones as a farewell gift." Velen handed Kidd a storage pouch and then waved him off before leaving on his own. "Big brother Velen, we''ll definitely meet again¡ªdefinitely!" Kidd clutched the storage pouch tightly, activated his thoughts, and vanished from the scene. As Kidd disappeared, Velen heard the system notification in his ears. "Congratulations, host, for successfully flaunting wealth. Reward: 200 luxury points. Sword of Judgement (Broken)¡ª9999 fragments." Hearing the system''s voice, Velen was momentarily stunned. Again? After some thought, Velen decided to use the fragments himself. System rewards couldn''t be exchanged for luxury points, after all. Immediately, fragments of the Sword of Judgement skill began to merge into Velen''s body. At the same time, hundreds of awakeners gathered nearby. "That guy with the strong aura of Judgement has left. He must have plenty of valuable treasures on him!" "He was so arrogant earlier. He''s bound to have a lot of good stuff on him. If we all attack together, we''ll split the spoils based on luck. What do you think?" "Good idea. Over the past two days, he''s killed so many spellbeasts. His stamina must be greatly depleted!" The awakeners here were all geniuses who had sensed Velen''s overwhelming power. They were intensely curious about him, convinced he carried countless secrets and treasures. Thus, they had been tailing him all along. Now that the powerful individual by Velen''s side was gone, they believed this was their best chance to take him down! After all, there were 300 awakeners gathered here, with nearly 200 of them at Apprentice Rank level 9! Together, they were an unstoppable force in the Second Zone! "Attack together! We''ve got the advantage with our numbers!" Amid the roars of several individuals, the group began to close in on Velen. At that moment, Velen had absorbed even more fragments of the Sword of Judgement. "So this is the Sword of Judgement? As expected of a system reward¡ªit''s incredible!" After fully absorbing the fragments, Velen suddenly opened his eyes, which now glinted with a cold and ruthless light. He resembled a deity of judgment, gazing down upon the mortals below! "Have they set their sights on me?" As Velen finished absorbing the fragments, he immediately sensed the approaching geniuses converging from all directions, as dense as an impenetrable tide, leaving him no escape route. The chilling auras emanating from them locked onto him from afar. "Perfect timing. Let''s see how powerful the Sword of Judgement truly is!" Velen''s expression turned icy as he raised his right hand. A longsword formed purely of radiant light materialized in his grip. The blade''s brilliance was dazzling, and the moment it appeared, Velen''s aura of judgment spread rapidly, enveloping everyone in the vicinity! In an instant, all the awakeners who felt the overwhelming aura had their scalps tingle. A sense of impending death surged within them, growing stronger the closer they got to Velen. Their mana was being suppressed with relentless force. Under the suppression of the aura of Judgement, they were like mortals gazing upon a god. Some of the weaker awakeners even broke down emotionally under the immense pressure. The weight was simply unbearable. Aura of Judgement! The 300-plus awakeners, now suppressed, stared at Velen in shock. They hadn''t expected that this icy figure, who had earlier unleashed the terrifying ice dragon, also wielded such a horrifying aura of Judgement. Those who had charged ahead and reached Velen first were now utterly horrified. Velen''s strength was already evident when he casually wiped out the Apprentice Rank level 9 spellbeasts earlier. Now, with the addition of this devastating aura of Judgement, they felt no hope of victory. In fact, many had a strong intuition that Velen''s displayed abilities were far from his full strength¡ªhe likely had even more terrifying cards to play. This kind of monstrous talent was not someone they could afford to provoke! In an instant, the awakeners whose courage had crumbled began to regret their decisions and sought to flee. "You''ve chosen to attack me, so none of you will leave here alive!" Velen''s gaze remained cold as he spoke. Above his head, the ice dragon let out a furious roar, unleashing another torrent of Frostbreath that froze the approaching awakeners into statues of ice. As the dozens of awakeners at the forefront turned into ice sculptures, the remaining individuals, still under the suppression of the aura of Judgement, finally snapped out of their shock, their faces filled with terror. "All attack together! As strong as he is, we might still stand a chance if we work as one!" "This guy is too brutal! If we don''t unite, we''re all going to die here!" The surviving awakeners were all on edge, their emotions running high. They gathered their mana, resisting the aura of Judgement as best they could, and unleashed their most powerful skills against Velen. However, as the torrents of mana attacks approached within ten meters of Velen¡ª Dense, intricate mana patterns appeared around him, resembling miniature black holes, endlessly devouring the surrounding mana. Moments later, a surging torrent of mana erupted within his body, and pure white sword beams shot out, obliterating all incoming attacks. Even after neutralizing the enemy''s attacks, the sword beams didn''t lose their momentum, surging toward the crowd! Ahhh! Screams of agony rang out ceaselessly. Any awakener struck by the sword beams was instantly sliced into fragments, their bodies disintegrating on the spot. Feeling the surging mana within him, Velen let out a furious roar, activating all his skills at once! Thunder Descent! Angel Slash! Meteor Fist! One terrifying attack after another erupted, turning the area into a chaotic storm of mana! "Another D-level advanced skill!" "What other cards does this guy have up his sleeve?!" "Four different elemental mana attacks! What kind of monstrous mana core is this guy working with?!" As they watched Velen, like a human cannon spewing out skill after skill, the surviving awakeners were utterly stupefied, their hearts filled with despair. The Velen before them wasn''t human. These terrifying skills, combined with the endless mana surges, marked him as a true monster! None of the geniuses they had encountered before could even compare. What fools they were to challenge such a terrifying creature! Boom! Boom! Amid the deafening explosions, the battlefield was left littered with corpses. Velen swept his gaze across the mangled remains strewn across the barren land, his expression indifferent. Survival of the fittest, the law of the jungle. This was the unchanging iron rule. Enemies must be eradicated. Power was the ultimate truth! As Velen prepared to leave, a tall woman in a pure white gown suddenly appeared. A single strand of hair stuck up from her head, giving her an air of innocence and naivety. Looking timid, she asked softly, "Angel Slash¡­ Are you from the Angel Temple?" Velen hadn''t expected someone else to recognize his skill. He turned to look at her and, sensing no hostility, replied coldly, "I am. Who are you?" The woman had a stunning appearance, yet there was an inexplicable air of cluelessness about her. Upon hearing that Velen was from the Angel Temple, the woman''s lips curved into a faint smile. "My name is Belle. I''m from Celestia Academy!" "Celestia Academy?" Velen muttered, then shook his head. "Is that supposed to be famous? Never heard of it." Belle''s smile froze, and she tilted her head in confusion, sizing up Velen. "You''re from the Angel Temple. How can you not know Celestia Academy?" Velen retorted, "Why should I know it?" Belle was momentarily stunned before asking again, "Are you sure you''re from the Angel Temple?" "What''s your name? I''m starting to feel like you''re not really from the temple." Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Velen ignored her and turned to leave. Watching his departing figure, Belle''s expression grew complicated. Four elemental mana types. Intricate and dense mana patterns. Three D-level advanced skills. And an unfathomable aura of Judgement. This young man was terrifying. If allowed to grow, he would undoubtedly become a legendary figure on the battleboards, perhaps even ranking in the top ten! Maybe even the top five wasn''t out of reach! How could such a heaven-defying genius be allowed to slip through her fingers? Belle smiled and began to chase after Velen. "What''s your name? I already told you mine. Isn''t it rude not to tell me yours?" "If my earlier questions offended you, I apologize." "With your talent, the Singularity Battlefield probably doesn''t offer much benefit to you anymore. If there''s anything you need, just let me know. Maybe I can help!" Walking up beside Velen, Belle spoke softly. Velen turned his head to look at her, his voice cold. "If you don''t leave now, don''t blame me for being rude!" "You can''t kill me, you know," Belle replied confidently, a faint smile on her face. "My level isn''t Hero Rank level 9. It''s sealed by an artifact. If you attack me and I break the seal, I could kill you and still be forcibly teleported out afterward." Chapter40-This Guy Is Simply a Monster Velen was momentarily stunned as he listened to Belle''s words, staring at her in disbelief. Belle didn''t seem very old, so how could her level be so terrifying? Unable to believe it, Velen hurriedly asked the system, "Is it true? She''s about the same age as me. How could she be so powerful?" The system replied, "She is indeed Hero Rank level 9, and the sealing artifact is the diamond pendant she wears around her neck." Hearing this, Velen was even more surprised. Belle was truly extraordinarily gifted! At such a young age, to have reached such an awe-inspiring level of power¡ªshe was already on par with Anastasia! "I''m from Uranus Star, part of the Watchers'' Legion. My name is Velen. Never heard of it, have you?" Velen looked at her and added, "Good, you''re not supposed to have heard of it!" With that, he turned and left. "Uranus Star, Watchers'' Legion?" Belle muttered to herself. Indeed, she had never heard of such a place. It must be a small planet, she thought. And as for the name Velen, it was completely unfamiliar to her. "You must be from some remote corner of the galaxy, right? Places like that usually don''t even have teleportation bases. How do you possess such talent and strength?" Belle continued following him, her curiosity about Velen growing deeper. Velen glanced at her chest and said, "If you want to know, hand over the diamond necklace you''re wearing first." At first, Belle thought Velen was a pervert staring at her chest, but she quickly realized he had seen through her disguise! Her expression shifted slightly¡ªshe had underestimated Velen. After all, her disguise had never been seen through before. "I''ve never heard of Uranus Star, but you must be from Titan Galaxy, right? Have you heard of the House of von Michelstein?" "The House of von Michelstein is one of the most prestigious forces in Titan Galaxy. If you leave your so-called Watchers'' Legion, I can help you join the House of von Michelstein. It would be greatly beneficial to you!" Belle said confidently. Hearing this, Velen looked at her with a surprised expression. She seemed to have a close connection with the House of von Michelstein. House of von Michelstein? Velen''s expression turned a little odd. While he didn''t know much about other galaxies, there was only one House of von Michelstein in Titan Galaxy! "You know the House of von Michelstein? What''s your relationship with Duke Michelstein?" Velen asked slowly, looking at her. "Duke Michelstein is my father!" Belle crossed her arms and looked down at Velen, as if expecting him to be dumbfounded. After all, in Titan Galaxy, the Ducal Manor was a giant, its fame widespread. Surely Velen, someone from a small corner of Titan Galaxy, would be utterly shocked. Indeed, upon hearing her words, Velen''s face showed genuine astonishment. This person was actually Anthony''s daughter! Now that he looked closely, she did resemble Anthony to some extent. "What''s your relationship with Anastasia?" After his initial shock, Velen quickly asked. Anastasia was also Anthony''s daughter, but she had never mentioned Belle before. "You know my sister?" Belle looked at Velen suspiciously. She was well aware of her sister''s reputation in Titan Galaxy. Few dared to address her by name, as most referred to her respectfully as "the Little Duchess." Sister? Velen''s astonishment grew, and he nodded. "Of course I know her. We''re quite close. The Watchers'' Legion on Uranus Star was established by your sister. She''s the captain, and I''m the vice-captain!" Upon hearing this, Belle was even more taken aback. She knew her sister''s talent and pride. Almost no one could catch her eye, and she was only interested in leveling up. How could she place such importance on Velen? Curious, Belle pressed Velen for more details about his history with Anastasia. When Velen mentioned that he had been recognized as an independent senator by the five senators of the House of von Michelstein, Belle was utterly dumbfounded. She knew very well that while her father, Anthony, held the highest apparent authority in the Ducal Manor, the real power lay with the five senators of the council. If Velen was truly an independent senator, his status was equal to the other senators. Even she would have to address him as "Senator" and bow in his presence! The fact that Velen was also a friend of her sister made it even more complicated. She could casually address him by name as a friend, but as a senator, she couldn''t speak so informally. Once Velen confirmed her identity, he couldn''t help but take a closer look at her and chuckled. "I never expected the House of von Michelstein to have such a talented member. This senator is quite impressed!" Belle''s cheeks turned red with indignation at Velen''s cheeky adoption of his senator identity to take advantage of her. "What kind of senator has such poor decorum?!" Seeing Belle''s annoyed expression, Velen smiled. At the same time, he began pondering what kind of gift would be appropriate for such a talented member of the Ducal Manor. Not only was she Anastasia''s sister, but she was also a top-tier talent from the Ducal Manor. Giving her something like an SSS Tome of Skill Experience seemed too plain and unworthy of his tycoon status. As for the Afterlife Flower, he didn''t have many left, and both Kevin and Robert had been eyeing them for some time. A Starry Stone? That was something he still needed, and Belle probably didn''t have much use for it. What about giving her some dragon blood? After all, from Belle''s aura, he sensed the same suffocating pressure he felt when facing Senator Jake''s powerful physique. "Belle, are you a berserker?" Velen asked. Belle glanced at him in surprise. "How did you know?" She had completely concealed her aura, so other awakeners shouldn''t have been able to discern it. After receiving confirmation from Belle, Velen''s lips twitched. A seemingly frail and delicate young woman was actually a berserker. He could hardly imagine what she''d look like in combat¡ªdid she turn into a humanoid T-Rex? "Although I feel like you''re not lying, the position of independent senator is extremely important. The council wouldn''t grant it lightly. I still need to confirm this with the Ducal Manor. If you''re lying¡­" Belle glared at Velen as if trying to etch his face into her memory. Before she could finish her sentence, Velen opened his palm, revealing a blood-red orb that radiated an intense and pure vitality. A domineering dragon aura emanated from it. Dragon blood! The moment she saw it, Belle instantly recognized it. Her pupils constricted in shock. For berserkers like her, the blood of spellbeasts provided immense benefits. Dragon blood, in particular, was the ultimate elixir! "This is from a dark dragon that reached Ascended Rank level 9. You should know how precious its blood is. Call me Senator Velen, and I''ll give you a drop." "If you doubt my identity and don''t want to say it, then forget it¡­" As he spoke, Velen made a show of withdrawing the blood. Belle''s gaze was already glued to the dragon blood. Seeing Velen about to take it back, she quickly exclaimed, "When did I ever doubt the independent senator? Senator Velen is a member of the Ducal Manor''s council, and of course, I should greet him properly when I see him! Senator Velen is the best¡­" Toward the end, Belle even adopted a playful, coquettish tone, her voice sweet and charming, making Velen''s heartbeat quicken. "Very good! That''s the kind of talent worthy of the Ducal Manor!" Velen said, clearly satisfied, as he handed over ten drops of dragon blood to her. Belle stared at the dragon blood in disbelief, her mouth agape. This was dragon blood! And not just any dragon blood¡ªAscended Rank dragon blood! Velen had just handed it over to her, and not just one drop, but ten! From that moment on, Belle no longer had any doubts about Velen''s identity as a senator. Someone who could casually produce ten drops of dragon blood had no reason to lie to her! Moments earlier, she had thought Velen was just a bumpkin from some backwater planet. Now, it seemed she was the one who looked like an ignorant native! As Belle dazedly accepted the ten drops of dragon blood, Velen chuckled. At the same time, he grew curious. Since Belle was a berserker, could she also be a blacksmith? Many berserkers learned forging skills. After all, blacksmiths, like alchemists, were highly respected and lucrative professions. With that in mind, Velen deliberately tossed a Starry Stone into the air and caught it again. "Starry Stone!?" Belle instantly recognized the item and gasped, her body trembling with excitement. This item was incredibly rare and priceless! "Do you want this Starry Stone?" Belle nodded repeatedly. Who wouldn''t want something so precious? Velen, however, shook his head. "Even if you want it, I''m not planning to give it away right now." Belle: ¡­ If you''re not going to give it away, why flaunt it? What''s the point of showing off? Belle gritted her teeth, glaring at Velen with indignation. Seeing her reaction, Velen burst out laughing. Letting her experience the harsh realities of life early on¡ªhe figured it was a small contribution he could make as a senator for the Ducal Manor. Watching him laugh, Belle clenched her delicate fists. If it had been anyone else, she might have taken action to snatch the item. But Velen was an independent senator, and she couldn''t act recklessly¡ªespecially since he was also her sister''s friend. How could this guy have so many treasures? "Senator Velen, how did you meet my sister?" "And how did you become an independent senator?" sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Belle eventually suppressed her frustration and voiced her confusion. She knew her sister too well. Since childhood, Anastasia had only cared about leveling up and reaching the upper plane universe. She hated dealing with unnecessary trouble and paid no attention to matters within the Ducal Manor. How could she have become friends with Velen? And as for the Ducal Manor¡ªone of Titan Galaxy''s most prestigious forces¡ªeven the most talented individuals struggled to gain entry. How had someone as young as Velen become a high-ranking independent senator? None of it added up! Velen patted his chest and said, "At the end of the day, it''s because I have just a little too much money." "Becoming your sister''s vice-captain cost me 100,000 gold coins. As for becoming an independent senator, that required 10 million advanced mana stones and an enhanced version of the Starlight Array." Hearing this, Belle frowned. Why did Velen''s explanation sound so unreliable? "Velen, do you really think I''m that gullible?" "Advanced mana stones are incredibly rare. The output across all galaxies is extremely limited. Even in the Singularity Battlefield, they''re hard to come by. The most top-tier factions can produce each year is around 1,000 stones, yet you''re talking about 10 million? That''s absurd!" Chapter41-My First Mentee A voice full of authority came from not far away. Shortly after, a curvaceous woman with a pear-shaped figure approached slowly, her eyes coldly fixed on Velen. "Ten million advanced mana stones? Even if you sold the entire House of von Michelstein, you wouldn''t be able to gather that much. Kid, your words are far too arrogant." "Mentor!" Seeing the newcomer, Belle''s face immediately showed a hint of respect. Looking at the defiant woman, Velen shook his head slightly and said, "The universe is vast, full of wonders. Just because you don''t have ten million advanced mana stones doesn''t mean others can''t. That logic doesn''t hold up, does it?" The woman chuckled coldly and said, "I''m the headmaster of Celestia Academy. Across all galaxies, few forces can take out tens of thousands of advanced mana stones at once. And you, an Apprentice Rank level 9 awakener, think you can?" Seeing the conflict brewing between her mentor and Velen, Belle immediately tried to mediate. "Velen, my mentor is a pragmatic person who doesn''t like people who boast. Maybe tone it down a bit?" "I''m only speaking the truth. Your mentor''s vision is far too narrow. I suggest you leave this so-called Celestia Academy. It''s clearly not worth much!" Velen''s tone turned cold, clearly displeased with the headmaster''s attitude. Feeling belittled, Caitlin sneered, "Big words. If you have the ability, show me ten million advanced mana stones. Let me see it with my own eyes." Velen laughed in exasperation and stared at her. "If I really show it to you, what then?" Caitlin snorted. "If you can actually produce that many advanced mana stones, I''ll become your mentee and give you an even more prestigious title. How about that?" "Deal!" Velen glanced at Belle. "Your mentor is so full of herself. Today, I''ll give her a proper lesson!" With that, Velen pulled a storage pouch from his pocket. "These ten million advanced mana stones are my welcome gift to you, my first mentee. Take them." "Congratulations, host, for successfully flaunting wealth. Reward: 10 Starry Stones, 100 drops of dragon blood, and 5 class upgrade books (limited to the swordman class)." Hearing the system''s notification, Velen was quite pleased. Someone dared to boast in front of him, the ultimate tycoon? They needed to be shown their place! At that moment, Caitlin''s breath caught as she looked at the storage pouch Velen handed over. What did she see? Inside the pouch were advanced mana stones stacked neatly, like towering walls! With just one glance, she was certain. The advanced mana stones in this pouch totaled no less than ten million! This man had actually produced ten million advanced mana stones! It was well-known that even with the Celestia Academy''s millennia of accumulated resources, their total advanced mana stones barely reached a million. After all, most advanced mana stones came from the Singularity Battlefield, and acquiring them was incredibly difficult. To purchase advanced mana stones, one couldn''t simply use gold coins or ordinary mana stones¡ªthey had to trade exceptionally rare resources, and even then, few were willing to part with them! "How¡­ how can you possibly have so many advanced mana stones?!" Even after confirming the contents of the pouch, Caitlin couldn''t believe it was real. Celestia Academy spanned several galaxies, a colossal entity far more powerful than the House of von Michelstein. Even they couldn''t produce ten million advanced mana stones! And yet, Velen, a mere Apprentice Rank level 9 awakener, had them. How? Seeing Caitlin''s disbelief, Velen replied calmly, "I told you, the universe is vast, and there''s much you haven''t seen." "Besides these advanced mana stones, let me show you a few other treasures." As he spoke, Velen revealed a Starry Stone, some dragon blood, and an Afterlife Flower. Caitlin''s eyes widened in shock at the sight of these rare treasures. The Starry Stone was already an incredibly precious forging material, and Velen had fifteen of them! The dragon blood radiated an overwhelming draconic pressure, and Velen had over two hundred drops! How many dragons had to be slain to extract so much dragon blood? Then there was the Afterlife Flower¡ªa treasure considered a second life for Ascended Rank awakeners. Many would go to any lengths to obtain just one. Any one of these items could cause a galaxy-wide commotion, yet Velen had them all in abundance! As Caitlin stared in stunned silence at the dazzling array of treasures, Velen pulled out five books emitting a sharp aura. "Right, these are called class upgrade books. They can significantly enhance class experience. You''ve probably never seen one before, have you?" With that, Velen absorbed one of the class upgrade books. Instantly, the aura of judgment around him surged violently. Above his head appeared an angel wielding a pure white longsword, radiating infinite light. The brilliance illuminated everything around them in pure white. Grand Swordman! Seeing this phenomenon, both Caitlin and Belle were left speechless, their mouths agape. They had sensed Velen''s aura earlier and knew he was just a newly initiated swordman. But now, with just one class upgrade book, he had instantly advanced an entire rank, becoming a grand swordman! This was utterly unheard of¡ªnothing like this had ever happened before! Velen''s depth and resources were beyond their comprehension. Caitlin''s expression grew complicated. Though she didn''t want to admit it, the treasures Velen had displayed far exceeded her understanding. Her knowledge truly seemed shallow by comparison. After a moment of internal struggle, Caitlin sighed softly and said with some reluctance, "Today, I was in the wrong. From now on, you''ll be my mentor. However, this is unrelated to the academy¡ªit''s a personal matter." With that, she placed her left hand on her chest and bowed deeply to Velen at a perfect ninety-degree angle, performing a formal mentee''s salute. After roaming the universe for so many years, Caitlin never expected that today she would end up bowing to someone like Velen, an Apprentice Rank awakener! Her new mentor was truly unfathomable! How could this happen?! Seeing this, Belle felt her mind go blank. Just moments ago, she and Velen were peers. Now, she was two levels below him! Her mentor had become Velen''s mentee, which meant¡­ Velen was now her mentor? Turning to look at Velen, Belle suddenly didn''t know how to face him anymore. "Congratulations, host, on acquiring your first mentee. Rewards: 100 Delirium Petals, 100 Wraithwoods, 100 bottles of Soul Potion, and 100 Netherbone Pearls." "As a tycoon, your mentees must also flaunt wealth to the fullest. When your mentees flaunt wealth successfully, the host will also receive rewards!" sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Hearing the system''s notification, Velen was delighted. He hadn''t expected that taking on mentees would yield rewards and that when his mentees flaunted wealth, he would benefit as well! This system was truly something he had underestimated! Quickly, Velen turned his attention to the system''s rewards. He didn''t recognize any of the items. However, judging by their names, they seemed far from ordinary and likely had dark or sinister properties¡ªcompletely opposite to the light-based attributes of Celestia Academy. "By the way, do you recognize this?" Velen asked as he took out a Delirium Petal from the system space. The Delirium Petal looked like it bore a twisted human face on its surface. Just looking at it brought eerie wailing sounds to their ears. "Delirium Petal?!" Seeing the strange flower in Velen''s hand, both Caitlin and Belle gasped in shock, their eyes widening. As members of Celestia Academy, they were naturally familiar with such dark artifacts. After all, Celestia Academy specialized in purifying corruption to enhance their power. The more sinister the artifact, the greater the potential boost to their abilities. It was said that Delirium Petals only grew in places where ancient deities had fallen. These evil flowers could distort the souls of those who saw them. If purified with holy light, they could significantly strengthen their holy power! Both women stared at Velen with intense excitement. This was something they had always dreamed of obtaining! Seeing their eager expressions, Velen realized that the system''s rewards were indeed extraordinary. Chapter42-Tycoon Club! "Delirium Petal may be an extremely evil item that stirs up malice in the hearts of others, but for us at Celestia Academy, it''s a great resource for self-improvement," Caitlin said, her gaze filled with joy as she looked at Velen. She hadn''t expected to receive such a treasure right after becoming his mentee! In the entire history of Celestia Academy, sightings of Delirium Petals could be counted on one hand! Velen glanced at Caitlin. "Caitlin, since you''re my first mentee, I''ll surely have more mentees in the future. There need to be some rules, and you''ll have to set an example." Seeing Velen''s serious expression, Caitlin was taken aback. "Aren''t you a senator of the Ducal Manor? Are you planning to establish another force?" Velen thought for a moment and replied, "It''s not exactly a force. It''s just a group of my mentees who will eventually form the Tycoon Club, with members spread across various galaxies!" This was a bold idea that had suddenly come to Velen''s mind. "Congratulations, host, on successfully forming the Tycoon Club. Rewards: 100,000 luxury points. Arrival and Council functionalities unlocked." Council Functionality: A special communication method for the Tycoon Club. Members can contact the host through the council, and the host can issue orders to members via this feature. Arrival Functionality: As the Tycoon Club''s mentor and head, the host can teleport to a club member''s location, regardless of distance, and return to the original position after one hour. After understanding the system''s rewards, Velen couldn''t suppress the grin spreading across his face. First, there were the 100,000 luxury points. It had taken him significant time and effort to accumulate just 10,000 luxury points, but now the system had rewarded him with 100,000 luxury points all at once! Moreover, the Tycoon Club''s functionalities were incredibly powerful and practical! The council functionality allowed for seamless communication among members, but it was the arrival functionality that was truly game-changing. No matter the distance, he could instantly appear beside a member. This meant that even if the member were located across several galaxies, Velen could reach them immediately! "Not bad, not bad. With these two functions, it''s only a matter of time before the Tycoon Club becomes known throughout the universe!" The more Velen thought about it, the more excited he became. What had once been a plain and simple tycoon''s life was suddenly becoming interesting! Meanwhile, Belle and Caitlin couldn''t help but feel a bit speechless as they noticed Velen''s mysterious smile, especially when he mentioned the "Tycoon Club." Setting aside the club''s purpose, the name itself was far too tacky. It sounded like something from a red-light district. Caitlin, in particular, couldn''t imagine introducing herself as a member of the Tycoon Club without becoming a laughingstock. Just as Caitlin and Belle were contemplating how to dissuade Velen, they saw him suddenly produce a large pile of Delirium Petals! An extremely sinister aura swept through the area, making their mana surge with a hunger for confrontation. "So many Delirium Petals?" Caitlin gulped, unable to believe her eyes. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. There had to be at least a hundred of them! Delirium Petals were exceedingly rare¡ªencountering just one was already a stroke of luck. And yet, Velen¡ªno, her mentor¡ªhad casually brought out a hundred of them at once! For a brief moment, she seemed to understand why the club was called the Tycoon Club. "Caitlin, now that you''re a member of the Tycoon Club, I''m entrusting these Delirium Petals to you. How would you handle them?" Velen''s sudden question left Caitlin momentarily stunned. What exactly was he asking? But now that she was his mentee, she composed herself, looked at him seriously, and gave her honest opinion. "These are precious items given to me by my mentor. As a mentee, I would safeguard them carefully and only use one in times of absolute necessity. Moreover, since they belong to my mentor and the Tycoon Club, I would ensure they aren''t used by anyone else." To her, this response was completely logical. But the moment she finished speaking, Velen shook his head repeatedly. "If I gave you something, it''s meant to be used. Why are you saving it?!" "We''re the Tycoon Club. Do your actions live up to that name?" Faced with Velen''s scolding, Caitlin was utterly bewildered. She knew the club''s name was Tycoon Club, but was she really supposed to act like some extravagant, nouveau riche spender? Moreover, as someone accustomed to her lofty status, she was used to reprimanding others, not being reprimanded herself! Now, however, she was being scolded by Velen, seemingly without reason. She was indignant! Noticing her displeasure, Velen asked, "The evil power within Delirium Petals won''t affect you, will it?" "Of course not. Celestia Academy specializes in countering such dark artifacts. Purifying Delirium Petals serves as a cleansing process for our minds and mana. Even the emotional impact of their evil power can be a form of catharsis, making our hearts more transparent and pure." As the headmaster of Celestia Academy, Caitlin spoke with absolute confidence about purification. Hearing this, Velen said earnestly, "Since Delirium Petals are so beneficial to you, you should carry some as incense and burn them constantly!" "When you''re upset, burn a Delirium Petal like fireworks to lift your spirits. And when you''re happy, burn even more to celebrate!" At these words, Caitlin felt like she was about to lose her mind. Delirium Petals were so rare and precious that even seeing one was a miracle. Before meeting Velen, she had never even laid eyes on one. How could he suggest using them so frivolously? Seeing Caitlin''s resistance, Velen shook his head in disappointment. It seemed it would take some time for Caitlin to adopt the superior habits of a tycoon like him. "Mentor, even if you have a lot of Delirium Petals, the way you''re suggesting would use them all up in two days!" Caitlin struggled to suppress her frustration as she spoke as calmly as possible. Seeing that her mindset hadn''t changed, Velen immediately took out 100 Wraithwoods, 100 bottles of Soul Potion, and 100 Netherbone Pearls from his system space. "If you run out of Delirium Petals, so be it. I have plenty of other items like these. There''s nothing worth cherishing!" Caitlin was utterly stunned by the new items Velen had taken out. Wraithwoods, Soul Potions, and Netherbone Pearls¡ªall of them were incredibly rare, sinister artifacts! If purified with holy light, they would undoubtedly elevate the power of the light to unimaginable levels. Celestia Academy had spent enormous amounts of resources offering rewards for these treasures, yet even over centuries, or millennia, they had failed to acquire them. And now, these precious items were casually piled on the ground by Velen! When she realized that Velen intended to use these treasures as freely as the Delirium Petals, her heart ached so much she nearly decided to confiscate them to ensure they were properly preserved. "You don''t need to be so emotional. Since you''re my mentee and the face of the Tycoon Club, I won''t treat you poorly!" "These items are all for you, but you must promise to use them lavishly, just as I''ve described. Don''t be stingy¡ªdon''t embarrass me as your mentor!" Hearing this, Caitlin didn''t know whether to feel happy or sad. These were items she had dreamed of for years! But now, Velen wanted her to squander them all, and she couldn''t help but feel conflicted. "Don''t overthink it. In the Tycoon Club, we act in ways that make others envious of us!" "I''ll be able to provide you with even more of these items in the future, so just use them up now." "And by the way, the ten million advanced mana stones I gave you? Don''t save them. Spend lavishly! Raise the salaries of Celestia Academy''s mentors, mentees, and staff by at least ten times. You''re part of the Tycoon Club now¡ªyou need to live up to that status!" Watching Velen speak so passionately, Caitlin felt her worldview being completely upended. Just how wealthy was this mentor of hers to say such things?! Chapter43-Do You Need Me to Teach You How to Spend Money? Seeing Caitlin''s stunned expression, Velen rubbed his forehead. His mentee was clearly intelligent, yet she seemed clumsy when it came to flaunting wealth and extravagance. She was the headmaster of Celestia Academy, a renowned figure across galaxies¡ªher status required the appropriate level of pomp and prestige! However, since Caitlin was his first mentee, Velen didn''t want to press her too much. She would need time to adapt and gradually change her ways. "Take your time and figure it out. Also, let me pass on two things to you," Velen said as he placed a finger on Caitlin''s forehead. He linked her with the system''s Arrival and Council functionalities. Caitlin froze momentarily, then quickly returned to her senses. As she looked at Velen again, her eyes were filled with immense shock. She didn''t know exactly what Velen had done, but a strange feeling suddenly welled up within her. In her mind, she felt as though a spiritual council hall had been constructed, where she could communicate directly with Velen through her mental energy. Moreover, she sensed a unique bond forming between her and Velen. It was as if he could appear by her side with a single thought, becoming her strongest support and protector! She had already found Velen enigmatic, but now he seemed to be shrouded in even more layers of mystery, making him even harder to fathom. After a moment of silence, Caitlin suddenly looked at Velen and asked, "Mentor, is the core principle of our Tycoon Club all about flaunting wealth?" Hearing Caitlin directly point out the club''s core idea, Velen immediately nodded in approval. "Exactly! Flaunt wealth boldly. If you have money but don''t let people know, are you really a tycoon? Let''s flaunt wealth and make everyone else jealous!" "Mentor, I understand. I will follow your instructions and make sure the Tycoon Club''s reputation spreads to every corner of the universe!" Velen''s profound mystery and immense strength only made Caitlin more confident. She concluded that following her mentor''s instructions would never lead to any problems! In fact, just listening to Velen''s ideas about flaunting wealth made her feel inexplicably pleased. Belle, on the other hand, watched as her mentor Caitlin underwent a complete shift in mentality. She didn''t know how to react. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Caitlin, who had always been frugal and disciplined, now seemed as though Velen had introduced her to an entirely new world! "Well done, Caitlin. I believe in you. You''ll surely make the Tycoon Club known across the universe!" Velen was delighted. Having such a high-ranking mentee to help flaunt wealth would undoubtedly earn him more luxury points and system rewards! Moreover, he had found his new source of fun¡ªexpanding the Tycoon Club! Of course, while expansion was necessary, only the most exceptional individuals would be chosen to join. Kidd, for example, had shown some potential. However, whether or not he would cross paths with Velen again remained to be seen. If they did meet again, Velen thought it might be fate. He could bring Kidd into the Tycoon Club and make him his mentee¡ªit would surely be an interesting experience! Meanwhile, Belle looked at Velen and Caitlin, both smiling with satisfaction. She felt as though her world was spinning. They both seemed mentally unhinged. One was her sister''s friend, and the other was her mentor! If she stayed with them any longer, Belle feared she might lose her sanity as well. "Belle, here''s ten million advanced mana stones. If you spend them all quickly, I''ll give you ten drops of dragon blood," Velen said, handing her a storage pouch. ?? Belle''s eyes widened in disbelief. Was Velen trying to turn her into someone like him? She didn''t like it. But the ten million advanced mana stones were right in front of her, and completing the task would earn her ten drops of dragon blood! Who could resist such temptation? "Velen, thank you! I''ll make sure to complete the task as quickly as possible!" Belle said, patting her chest in assurance. Velen wasn''t surprised by her response. As his mentee''s mentee, Belle also needed to learn the art of flaunting wealth! "By the way, Mentor, the time limit on the artifacts suppressing Belle''s and my levels is about to run out. We need to leave this place soon," Caitlin said, glancing at the glowing diamond pendant on her chest and looking at Velen apologetically. "If you''re leaving, there''s no point in me staying here either. Let''s leave together," Velen replied. Having gained over a hundred thousand luxury points, he had reaped a substantial harvest. It was time to leave, raise his rank, and explore other battle zones. With a single thought, the space around Velen began to distort, and he was soon ejected from the Singularity Battlefield. After leaving the battlefield, Velen found himself back in Titan Galaxy. However, he wasn''t at the teleportation base he had originally used to enter¡ªit was a random location within the galaxy. This was a common occurrence. Unfamiliar with his surroundings, Velen decided to find a nearby inhabited planet to get his bearings before heading back to Uranus Star. "I wonder how Anastasia has been while I was away. If she hears about everything that''s happened to me recently, I can''t imagine how she''ll react!" Velen chuckled to himself, feeling a bit of anticipation. ¡­ Uranus Star, Fortress. "Uncle Aiden!" Seeing a towering figure approaching from afar, Anastasia called out in surprise. She recognized Aiden, an old friend of her father, Anthony! Though she didn''t know why he had come here, seeing a familiar face in this remote galaxy was an unexpected delight. "Anastasia, it''s been years. You''ve grown more beautiful and powerful. It seems I''m truly getting old!" Standing before her, Aiden looked at the increasingly radiant Anastasia and couldn''t help but sigh. His words were moving, but Anastasia, who knew Aiden well, knew he wasn''t the sentimental type. Nonetheless, she comforted him. "Uncle Aiden, you''re still young. How can you call yourself old? Besides, you''ve already reached Ascended Rank. Who knows how long it''ll take me to catch up to you!" Aiden sighed again. "Ah, I''m getting old and useless. Now I just want to settle down and live a peaceful life. Anastasia, how about letting me stay at your fortress as an honorary advisor?" Anastasia looked at him in shock, wondering if she had misheard. An Ascended Rank awakener like Aiden was still in his prime, far from being considered old. Moreover, to her knowledge, Aiden loved roaming the universe. Why would he suddenly come to the fortress and ask to become an honorary advisor? "Uncle Aiden, with your level of strength, joining our fortress would be beneath you!" Though unsure of his motives, Anastasia tried to dissuade him. She didn''t want her progress in leveling up to be delayed. She already had her hands full with Robert pestering her and managing two other Watchers'' Legion members. Adding Aiden to the mix would only make things harder. At that moment, the clear sky suddenly darkened as ominous clouds gathered. A terrifying aura of a spellbeast descended from the sky, shaking the fortress as if an earthquake had struck. Anastasia, Kevin, Robert, and Aiden all looked up and rushed out of the fortress. The weakest of them, Aiden, could only tremble inside the fortress. At the same time, several top-tier talents from the Ducal Manor appeared. Spotting Anastasia, one of them, Hael, waved excitedly. "Lady Anastasia!" "Hael? What brings you all here?" Anastasia asked curiously. These individuals were the future of the Ducal Manor¡ªwhy had they all come to this remote place? Her gaze then shifted to the man leading the group. He had a cold expression, but his aura was overwhelmingly powerful. The terrifying spellbeast aura from earlier had come from him! "Lady Anastasia, don''t worry. He came with us to join the fortress. From now on, we''re all under your command!" Hael and the others were thrilled. After all, they would soon be living alongside Velen. Knowing Velen''s extravagant nature, with SSS Tomes of Skill Experience and dragon corpses being commonplace, they were certain that following him would bring unimaginable wealth and benefits! Chapter44-Whos the Mentor Here? "You''re all staying at the fortress?" Anastasia looked at Hael and the others, her expression darkening. She was already distressed with Aiden''s arrival, and now, five geniuses from the Ducal Manor were here, completely disrupting her plans to level up! "You''re all talents of the Ducal Manor. What are you doing in a small place like this? There aren''t any good resources here to provide for you, and if a large-scale spellbeast invasion happens, the losses would be more than the Ducal Manor can bear!" Anastasia tried to dissuade them, clearly unhappy with their arrival. Moreover, she was perplexed. Why had Aiden and these five Ducal Manor geniuses suddenly gathered here to join the fortress? She had no interest in managing the fortress! Seeing Anastasia''s lack of enthusiasm, Hael and the others were surprised. With their talent and strength, joining any fortress should have been considered a boon for Anastasia. "Miss, we''re here at the Duke''s orders. Wherever Velen is, that''s where we''ll be," Hael said solemnly, looking at Anastasia. "Velen? What does this have to do with Velen?" Anastasia asked, confused. "Miss, you may not know, but after arriving at the Ducal Manor, Velen made a grand display of his power, defeating over two hundred peers among the awakening generation. He''s now a member of the Hatchling Order," Hael explained, his face full of pride, as though Velen''s astonishing achievements were his own. "As for the spellbeast invasion you''re worried about, you can rest assured. With us here, however many spellbeasts come, that''s how many we''ll kill!" At this moment, Ironback Centipede stepped forward with a cold smile, stopping in front of Anastasia. Feeling the terrifying aura emanating from Ironback Centipede, Anastasia''s pupils constricted sharply. S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. From him, she felt a suffocating sense of danger. His strength was undoubtedly at Ascended Rank level 9, and among that rank, he was one of the strongest¡ªperhaps even more powerful than her father, the Duke. "And you are?" Anastasia asked cautiously, though she already had a hint from Hael''s earlier remarks that this spellbeast was here to join the fortress. But since when did the Ducal Manor have such a powerful spellbeast? Facing Anastasia''s serious inquiry, Hael gestured respectfully toward Ironback Centipede and said, "Miss Anastasia, this is Ironback Centipede, a super-strong Ascended Rank level 9 spellbeast. The Duke mentioned that it was subdued by Velen on their way to the teleportation base. With this spellbeast guarding the fortress, it will be as solid as a rock!" It was precisely because of Ironback Centipede''s presence that they felt completely secure. The Ducal Manor had no concerns about their safety here. After all, there were very few beings in the universe capable of threatening Ironback Centipede. Anastasia stared at Ironback Centipede in disbelief. Such a terrifying spellbeast had been subdued by Velen and turned into his mount? She must have misheard, right? Then, as if realizing something, she turned to Aiden. "Uncle Aiden, is your reason for coming to the fortress also related to Velen?" Aiden gave a somewhat awkward laugh. "I haven''t met Velen yet, but I''ve heard a lot about him and was curious." Hearing this, Anastasia rubbed her smooth forehead. As expected, nearly everyone here was because of Velen! Velen had only been gone for a few days, yet he had already attracted so many talents and powerful figures. What exactly had he done? Especially Ironback Centipede, an Ascended Rank level 9 spellbeast¡ªhow had he managed to subdue it as a mount? Though puzzled, Anastasia had no choice but to face this new reality. The fortress, which had previously been home to her, Kevin, Robert, and Alan, would now have a flood of new people! And who knew what Velen might do next after entering the Singularity Battlefield? Would he attract even more people to the fortress? Ever since accepting Velen, her dream of a quiet, focused leveling environment had been completely shattered! She couldn''t even be sure if more awakeners would join in the future. The thought made Anastasia''s gaze turn sharp. When Velen returned, she wouldn''t let him leave again. Otherwise, the fortress would descend into chaos! Seeing Anastasia''s growing frustration, Hael seemed to think of something and quickly sent her a mental transmission. "Miss Anastasia, there''s something I might need to tell you in advance." Anastasia took a deep breath, suppressing her irritation as she curiously looked at Hael. Why was he sending a mental message, avoiding the others? Still, she followed his lead and asked in a neutral tone, "Hael, what''s so important?" Hael hesitated briefly before transmitting, "Miss, you may not know this, but Velen is not just the fortress''s vice-captain or a member of the Hatchling Order. He''s also an independent senator recognized by the senate, holding the same rank as the other senators. Even the Duke must respectfully address him as Senator Velen and follow his directives. So, please don''t hold anything against him." This information had been a closely guarded secret within the Ducal Manor, known only to its higher-ups. But before they departed, the Duke, aware of Anastasia''s temperament, had instructed Hael to inform her of Velen''s status as an independent senator if necessary. Hearing this, Anastasia''s mind spun. For a moment, she looked at Hael in shock. The position of independent senator was the highest honor that could be bestowed upon someone not born into the Ducal Manor. It also made them one of the core members of the senate, capable of influencing the Ducal Manor''s destiny! Previously, there had been no suitable candidate, and the position had remained vacant. After all, becoming an independent senator required immense contributions to the Ducal Manor and unanimous approval from the five existing senators¡ªan almost impossible feat for any genius. How had Velen, an Apprentice Rank level 9 awakener, achieved this? "Hael, this isn''t a funny joke," Anastasia said, glaring at him in disbelief. Hael, though not entirely privy to the details, said earnestly, "Miss, I don''t know how Senator Velen earned this position either. The Duke mentioned only that he provided the sect with a massive number of advanced mana stones. It seems the independent senator position was... purchased." "Purchased?" Anastasia stared at Hael in disbelief. Was it even possible to buy the position of independent senator? But recalling Velen''s extravagant actions when joining the Watchers'' Legion, it seemed plausible. How many advanced mana stones had he offered to convince the senate to unanimously approve him? The five senators were seasoned and knowledgeable figures. To gain their approval, Velen must have provided an unimaginable amount of wealth! While Anastasia was deep in thought, a special letter in her possession suddenly trembled. She pulled it out and saw words appearing on its surface. Belle?! Seeing the pink text, Anastasia smiled for the first time in a while. Ever since Belle had left to study, the sisters hadn''t communicated in a long time. She quickly wrote back on the letter: "Belle, you''ve been away for so long without a word. Do you even remember that you have a sister?" The words had barely disappeared when a playful reply appeared on the letter: "Sis, what should you call your mentor''s mentor?" Anastasia blinked in confusion. Was her sister joking? After all this time, this was what she wanted to discuss? "I''m your sister. Your mentor''s mentor is, naturally, also my mentor. Belle, why are you asking such a strange question all of a sudden?" Anastasia found her sister''s behavior odd. But Belle''s next response left her utterly speechless. "Well, Sis, your vice-captain Velen has taken my mentor as his mentee. So I thought I''d give you a heads-up. Otherwise, when you meet him again, you might be caught off guard." "My mentor, as you know, is Caitlin, the headmaster of Celestia Academy!" "Oh, and he''s started something called the Tycoon Club. He says it''s just a club, not a faction. My mentor is the first member." "When we''re done here, my mentor will bring me to meet our mentor. You''d better prepare in advance!" After this message, the letter dimmed. Chapter45-Divination Anastasia stared at the words on the letter, utterly stunned. Belle joining Celestia Academy and becoming Headmaster Caitlin''s mentee was something they all knew. Caitlin was a famously powerful awakener, renowned across multiple galaxies. But just now, Belle had told her that her mentor Caitlin, this top-tier powerhouse, had somehow become Velen''s mentee. Even though Belle herself had shared the news, Anastasia still found it absurd, something that didn''t seem remotely real. However, her younger sister would never joke about her mentor. This news had to be true¡ªCaitlin had, for some reason, really acknowledged Velen as her mentor! Then, as Anastasia thought it over carefully, she felt on the verge of collapse. Independent senator? Mentor? She didn''t even know how she should address Velen the next time they met! Sighing, Anastasia thought that if she hadn''t let Velen join the Watchers'' Legion back then, none of this would be happening now. But things had come this far, and there was no point in regretting it. All she could do now was quickly gather herself and look at Aiden, Hael, and the others before her. "Uncle Aiden, the fortress is practically out of resources. If you''re still willing to stay here, then remain at the fortress." Aiden waved his hand nonchalantly. "You don''t need to worry about me. As long as Velen returns from the Singularity Battlefield, that''s all that matters." He had already sensed the fortress''s conditions earlier¡ªit was quite rudimentary. But as long as Velen was here, nothing else mattered to him. Hael and the others also understood Anastasia''s intention and quickly spoke up. "Miss, we don''t need the fortress''s resources either. As long as Velen is here, that''s enough!" Seeing this, Anastasia breathed a slight sigh of relief and then turned to Kevin. "Arrange rooms for them. Everything else can wait until Velen comes back." ¡­ Meanwhile. After several hours of traveling through the dark expanse of space, Velen finally arrived at an ancient planet with signs of life. It was already the age of interstellar navigation, so despite the unfamiliarity of this planet, Velen didn''t feel much estrangement. Compared to Uranus Star, it was not too different¡ªif anything, it seemed slightly underdeveloped. After asking some locals for information, Velen roughly understood his location¡ªextremely far from Uranus Star. This gave him a bit of a headache. While major planets had been terraformed and humanity had engaged in large-scale interstellar colonization, transportation between planets was still not very convenient. Velen could only head into a bustling city to find a way to return to Uranus Star as quickly as possible. "I am Kelsey, Councilor of the Tarot Order. Tarot divination¡ªsee your past life, see your future!" Just as he entered a lively street, Velen spotted an elderly man dressed in refined attire, wearing a black bowler hat, sitting in a small roadside booth. Before him lay a deck of weathered Tarot cards, and he was calling out energetically. Councilor of the Tarot Order? Velen curiously sized up the old man. The Tarot Order was one of the most renowned organizations in the universe, possessing not only the purest intelligence network but also unparalleled expertise in divination. Nearly every major power treated the Tarot Order with reverence. Of course, because the Tarot Order was so famous, imposters frequently emerged to impersonate them. Nonetheless, Velen was intrigued by Tarot divination. Regardless of whether this man was genuine or fake, it wouldn''t hurt to give it a try. "One divination, ten thousand mana stones!" Seeing the price listed on the sign, Velen immediately understood why the booth was so deserted. Mana stones, more precious than gold coins, were the common currency among awakeners. Ten thousand mana stones could purchase a wealth of materials for upgrades. "Well, since I''m here, might as well give it a shot!" With that, Velen sat down on the chair across from Kelsey. "A ten-thousand-mana-stone divination? Someone''s actually going for it?!" "Is this guy a shill?" Velen''s actions instantly attracted attention from passersby. After all, the exorbitant fee for a single divination was enough to deter most people. "Pay the ten thousand mana stones first, then draw a card." Seeing Velen sit down, Kelsey''s face, lined with deep wrinkles, remained expressionless as he calmly spoke. Without hesitation, Velen retrieved a storage bag and handed it to Kelsey. When Kelsey saw the ten thousand mana stones inside, a faint smile finally appeared on his face. "You''ll soon find this is worth every bit of it!" With that, his hands moved like a butterfly in flight, shuffling the weathered Tarot deck before spreading it out in front of him. "Pick a card. It will determine your future destiny!" Rubbing his hands together, Velen casually picked a card and was about to flip it over. Suddenly, a voice from his system echoed in his mind. "Warning: A special power is attempting to peer into the host''s destiny. Initiating prevention!" "Prevention successful!" Hearing the system prompt, Velen noticed Kelsey suddenly bleeding from the corner of his mouth, and the monocle over his right eye shattered. Velen froze for a moment. Who would have thought that this roadside diviner was truly a councilor of the Tarot Order?! He genuinely could peer into destinies! Even the system had been forced to activate! Amazing! This ten thousand mana stones was money well spent. At that moment, Kelsey grabbed Velen''s hand, which was poised to flip the Tarot card, and stared at him intently with his murky eyes. Who could have guessed that in such a remote place, someone capable of obstructing his Words of Fate would appear! Though Velen''s level was not high, he was undoubtedly extraordinary. As a Councilor of the Tarot Order, Kelsey couldn''t see through him and had suffered severe backlash instead! He had a strong sense that if Velen really flipped the Tarot card and allowed him to glimpse his destiny, the backlash might kill him on the spot. Immediately, an invisible flame flickered, and the Tarot card turned to black ash, carried away by the wind. Kelsey stared at Velen with a deeply alarmed expression. To think that even with his current strength, he couldn''t discern Velen''s destiny and was instead injured by it! Seeing Kelsey hurt, Velen felt a pang of guilt. He hadn''t expected that asking for a divination would activate his system''s special function and injure the old man so badly. He promptly took out an afterlife flower, radiating a unique aura. "Councilor Kelsey, I''m terribly sorry! I have this afterlife flower, which is excellent for restoring the soul." "An afterlife flower?!" Kelsey''s pupils shrank sharply as he exclaimed in disbelief. "This is far too valuable! Please, take it back! While my soul has been gravely injured, using an afterlife flower to recover would be far too extravagant!" Kelsey waved his hands repeatedly. "If you sold this to an alchemist or an Ascended Rank awakener, the wealth and rewards you''d gain would be astronomical!" He glanced at Velen. "Besides, you''re just an Apprentice Rank Level 9 awakener. If anyone learns you possess such a treasure, you''ll undoubtedly become a target for those who''ll stop at nothing to obtain it." To Kelsey, the afterlife flower''s rarity was indeed extraordinary, but it paled in comparison to Velen, whose destiny was unreadable. Hearing Kelsey''s genuine concern, Velen couldn''t help but feel a bit of goodwill toward him. "Councilor Kelsey, I''m well aware of the afterlife flower''s value and rarity. But I still want you to have it. Otherwise, in a few days, I might use it as incense¡ªI haven''t enjoyed that intoxicating fragrance in a while." As he spoke, Velen handed the afterlife flower to Kelsey without hesitation. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Use an afterlife flower as incense? Kelsey stared at Velen in shock, then shook his head with a wry smile. "That joke wasn''t very funny, but I do appreciate the sentiment. Don''t worry about my injury; I''ll recover in a year or two." However, seeing the determination in Velen''s eyes, Kelsey hesitated for a moment before plucking a single petal from the afterlife flower. "A single petal will significantly speed up my recovery. You should keep the rest of the afterlife flower." Just as Velen was about to speak, the system''s voice suddenly echoed in his mind. "Congratulations, host, for unlocking a special system feature. Rewards: 10,000 luxury points, 100 afterlife flowers, 10 SSS-grade Tomes of Skill Experience (exclusive to Words of Fate)." A look of pleasant surprise crossed Velen''s face. He hadn''t expected that triggering the system''s special feature would yield such generous rewards! Chapter46-Fates Trojan With rewards like this from the system, didn''t it mean there might be other features waiting for him to unlock? And wouldn''t those also come with similarly generous rewards? Velen was already looking forward to it. Soon, his attention shifted to the SSS Tomes of Skill Experience. These ten SSS Tomes of Skill Experience were different from the ones he had encountered before. On the covers of these tomes was a golden eye emitting a unique fluctuation, distorting time and space. The more closely Velen examined them, the more he realized how extraordinary these limited-edition skill books were. "SSS Tomes of Skill Experience for Words of Fate¡­ isn''t this the most renowned skill of the Tarot Order?" Velen muttered to himself. At that moment, Kelsey, who had consumed a single petal of the afterlife flower, began to display heightened soul fluctuations. The cracked golden pupils deep within his eyes gradually healed somewhat under the nourishment of the abundant spiritual energy. Though full recovery would still take some time, the afterlife flower had already saved him half a year of recuperation. "Afterlife flower¡­ it truly lives up to its name. If those guys knew I used such a treasure to heal myself, they''d probably drool with envy!" Kelsey let out a hearty laugh. To him, using an afterlife flower to restore his soul was perhaps the most extravagant thing he had ever done in his life. Seeing that Kelsey''s soul had not yet fully recovered, Velen immediately urged him, "Kelsey Councilor, your injuries are serious. Hurry and use the afterlife flower to recover. If it''s not enough, I''ve got plenty more¡ªenough to go around!" With that, a cheerful Velen placed twenty afterlife flowers on the booth in front of Kelsey. Seeing Velen casually take out twenty afterlife flowers at once, Kelsey was so shocked that he was at a loss for words. Such precious treasures¡ªenough to satisfy everyone? For most people, merely seeing a single flower would be a stroke of incredible luck! ¡­ Shortly after. As the sweet fragrance of the incense wafted through the air, both Velen and Kelsey inhaled deeply, their bodies involuntarily trembling slightly as if they had just stepped out of a sauna. They felt a sense of unprecedented clarity and relaxation! "Who cares about what''s precious or not? As long as it''s comfortable, that''s all that matters! If you''ve got money and don''t enjoy it, how are you any different from a salted fish?" Stretching lazily, Velen glanced at Kelsey, who seemed just as content as he was, and smiled with satisfaction. After all, most people disapproved of his actions, thinking them far too extravagant. But Kelsey had quickly accepted it and was even enjoying it alongside him, giving Velen the feeling that he had found a kindred spirit. "I didn''t expect you to be so wealthy, Velen! You''re absolutely right¡ªif you''ve got money but don''t enjoy it, what''s the point of having it?" Kelsey echoed Velen''s sentiment, though his heart was bleeding inside. Earlier, Velen had said that using afterlife flowers as incense could help more comprehensively heal soul injuries. At first, Kelsey thought Velen was joking, but he wasn''t! Watching flower after flower burn right before his eyes left Kelsey feeling as though his heart was being cut to pieces. Too extravagant! Even the wealthiest people he had ever met were nothing compared to Velen''s actions! "Kelsey Councilor, you''re a well-known figure across the galaxies. Why are you running a divination booth in a place like this?" Velen asked curiously, turning his head to look at Kelsey. By now, he was sure of Kelsey''s identity, but the more certain he became, the more curious he was. Someone of Kelsey''s stature shouldn''t be here. "This remote little planet isn''t where I want to be, but it''s part of a mission from the Tarot Order. I have to stay here and wait for the right moment." At this, Kelsey fell silent, unwilling to elaborate further. "The right moment?" Velen asked, intrigued. But seeing Kelsey close his eyes, it was clear he had no intention of revealing the details of his mission. The more Kelsey evaded, the more curious Velen became. He asked, "System, can you find out Kelsey''s mission?" "Fate fluctuation detected. Fate''s Trojan activated!" The system''s voice echoed. Velen''s heart leapt with joy. Another special function had been unlocked! Looking at Kelsey, Velen felt certain that his attempt to peer into Velen''s fate had triggered the system''s changes. Without it, who knew how long it would''ve taken to unlock this feature? Gratitude swelled within Velen toward Kelsey. This councilor of the Tarot Order had indirectly done him a great favor! As a tycoon, how could he be stingy toward someone who had helped him? "Kelsey Councilor, it must be fate that we met here today. These five Words of Fate SSS Tomes of Skill Experience are for you. I hope they''ll be of some help!" Looking at the books radiating a unique energy that Velen handed over, Kelsey stared at him in astonishment. He hadn''t done anything significant for Velen, yet Velen had given him an afterlife flower, let him experience the luxury of afterlife flower incense, and now handed him these rare items. For Kelsey, this was a lifestyle he had never dared imagine. Now, Velen was offering him even more. He hesitated to accept it but soon caught himself. Fixing his gaze on Velen, he asked, "What did you say these books are called?" Velen smiled. "Kelsey Councilor, you heard correctly. These books are called Words of Fate SSS Tomes of Skill Experience. They can enhance the proficiency of the Words of Fate skill, and only that skill." sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Hearing this, Kelsey''s shock grew even deeper. As a councilor of the Tarot Order, he knew all too well how difficult it was to improve Words of Fate. Even after centuries of rigorous practice, he could only claim to have barely mastered the skill. The gap between his current level and the perfect or transcendent mastery he dreamed of was vast. Yet even with his current Adept Rank proficiency, he could see through the destinies of most awakeners, ranking highly in the Tarot Order. If these tomes could truly enhance the proficiency of Words of Fate as Velen claimed, people from the Tarot Order would go mad over them, sparing no expense to acquire them! But judging from Velen''s demeanor, he seemed to consider these tomes trivial, handing them over as a casual gesture. Velen was becoming increasingly inscrutable to Kelsey. To verify their authenticity, Kelsey immediately picked up one of the SSS Tomes of Skill Experience and activated it with mana. In an instant, golden Words of Fate appeared in Kelsey''s eyes, emitting peculiar fluctuations that rippled through time and space. Kelsey''s expression turned utterly astonished. Velen, noticing his reaction, wasn''t surprised. He simply turned his attention to the system. "System, activate Fate''s Trojan and investigate Kelsey''s mission!" According to the system''s description, Fate''s Trojan could be used three times daily and refreshed every day. "Kelsey''s mission here is to retrieve the Saintess of Tarot under the orders of the Head of the Tarot Order." Hearing this, Velen was slightly surprised. The Saintess of Tarot was the next head of the Tarot Order, holding a status second only to the Head of the Tarot Order! "System mission triggered: Locate the Saintess of Tarot and recruit her into the Tycoon Club. Success will yield a significant luxury point reward. Failure will result in a substantial deduction of luxury points." Listening to the system''s task, Velen couldn''t help but marvel at how interesting it was becoming! He glanced at Kelsey, who was still engrossed in absorbing the SSS Tome of Skill Experience to improve his Words of Fate proficiency. Recruiting the Saintess of Tarot right under this councilor''s nose¡ªit felt like he was stealing from the Tarot Order. But with the system''s rewards and the thought of adding a formidable member to the Tycoon Club, Velen clicked on Fate''s Trojan once more. "Find the Saintess of Tarot''s location and name." Moments later, Kelsey, having fully absorbed the SSS Tome of Skill Experience, suddenly opened his eyes wide and looked at Velen, his excitement palpable. "Velen, how many of these SSS Tomes of Skill Experience do you have? Name your price¡ªhowever many you have, I want them all!" Through his earlier experiment, Kelsey confirmed that these tomes could indeed significantly enhance the proficiency of Words of Fate. The increase was equivalent to over a decade of dedicated practice! The improvement was astonishing! "I do have more of these SSS Tomes of Skill Experience, but they''re not for sale," Velen replied, shaking his head. These special tomes had other uses for him. "Velen, I''ll be honest with you. These are incredibly important to the Tarot Order. Whatever price you ask, we''ll pay it!" Kelsey said with obvious reluctance. Velen still shook his head. "I understand how valuable these are, which is why I''ve saved some specifically for Sophia." Chapter47-Saintess of Tarot "You know Sophia?" Kelsey''s gaze instantly turned sharp as a blade, filled with hostility. The name of the Saintess of Tarot was top-secret information, known to fewer than a handful of individuals, and Kelsey himself had only learned it from the head of the order. How could Velen possibly know? "Kelsey Councilor, please don''t be alarmed. I mean no harm," Velen replied, surprised at how highly Kelsey regarded Sophia. However, Velen already had a plan forming in his mind. He spoke slowly: "I actually have a great suggestion. You''ve already experienced the Words of Fate SSS Tomes of Skill Experience. In the future, we can have her join both our sides!" "She can remain the Saintess of Tarot, under your tutelage, while I provide her with the SSS Tomes of Skill Experience free of charge!" As soon as Velen proposed this, Kelsey decisively shook his head in rejection. "Impossible! The Saintess of Tarot is the future of the Tarot Order. She cannot join any other faction!" "No room for negotiation?" "None!" Seeing Kelsey''s firm stance, Velen didn''t push further. Rising to his feet, he said, "Very well then. Whether Sophia joins any faction will depend on our respective abilities." With that, Velen turned and left. Watching Velen''s departing figure, Kelsey suddenly felt a sense of foreboding. What was Velen''s background? Why was he competing with the Tarot Order for the Saintess? Kelsey couldn''t make sense of it. If anyone else had such intentions, Kelsey would have taken immediate action to eliminate them without hesitation, as it concerned the future of the Tarot Order. But this was Velen¡ªa man whose destiny he couldn''t see through at all. A man who casually used the priceless afterlife flower as incense. Kelsey instinctively didn''t dare make a move. "The Saintess should arrive here within the next two days. I must prepare early to prevent Velen from succeeding!" Not daring to delay, Kelsey immediately began making preparations. ¡­ Before long, Velen arrived at the outskirts of the northern district. According to the Fate''s Trojan system prompt, Sophia would be arriving here soon. "No wonder Kelsey is so eager for the Words of Fate SSS Tomes of Skill Experience. His proficiency with Words of Fate must not be very high. Otherwise, he wouldn''t be waiting here for days without locating Sophia." Muttering to himself, Velen felt even more awed by the power of the system. The Tarot Order might be strong, but compared to the system, they were like amateurs. S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As he waited, Velen suddenly straightened. Amid the bustling crowd, a young woman''s figure stood out, immediately catching his attention. She held a pink parasol that obscured part of her face. But the half of her face that was visible was enough to captivate anyone''s imagination. Especially her strikingly curvaceous figure, which made it impossible to look away. "A pleasing figure and appearance¡ªthis is exactly the kind of person who belongs in the Tycoon Club!" Velen murmured, then briefly thought of Kidd''s somewhat rotund figure, deciding that Kidd would never make it onto the club''s candidate list. "Hello, my name is Velen!" With a smile on his face, Velen approached Sophia and greeted her. Sophia glanced at the extraordinary-looking young man before her and asked curiously, "We don''t know each other, do we? What do you want?" "I''m recruiting for the Tycoon Club I founded, and I think you''d be a great fit. Would you like to join?" Velen extended his hand, offering an olive branch. Sophia chuckled lightly, finding Velen amusingly naive. Naming his faction something like that? It exuded a juvenile arrogance that was almost laughable. "Velen, is it? If you''re looking to recruit, I won''t stop you. But have you even considered the difference in our levels? You''re only Apprentice Rank Level 9, while I''m already Expert Rank Level 8!" Sophia spoke mockingly. "Oh," Velen said, shaking his head. "Expert Rank Level 8 is indeed quite low. Compared to my mentee, who is Ascended Rank Level 9, the gap is huge. But I don''t mind. Anyone who joins the Tycoon Club can quickly increase their level." Hearing Velen''s serious reply, Sophia couldn''t help but roll her eyes. What kind of nonsense was this? She was almost two major ranks above him! And an Apprentice Rank awakener having an Ascended Rank mentee? Even a lunatic wouldn''t believe such a thing! Feeling like she was wasting her time with a madman, Sophia turned to walk away from Velen. "Sophia, wouldn''t you reconsider? If you acknowledge me as your mentor, you''ll never run out of gold coins or mana stones again, and you''ll have endless resources for upgrades!" Velen delivered his trump card. For awakeners, resources and mana stones were indispensable, yet hard to come by. If Sophia wanted to grow stronger, she''d have to be tempted. But Sophia only took it as more absurd boasting. Ignoring him, she continued walking away. "Sophia, this is a golden opportunity to change your fate. If you miss it, you might regret it. Why not think it over carefully?" Velen''s persistence caused Sophia''s anger to boil over. She abruptly stopped, glaring coldly at him. "Oh, so you have lots of mana stones, huh? Prove it¡ªproduce a million advanced mana stones, and I''ll join your Tycoon Club!" With that, she saw Velen freeze in place. A smug smile crept onto Sophia''s face. Let''s see you keep spouting nonsense now! "At your level, you''ve probably never even seen advanced mana stones. Watch your mouth next time and stop lying through your teeth," Sophia chided Velen mercilessly. A million advanced mana stones¡ªmost top-tier factions couldn''t come up with such a sum! Sophia was certain Velen couldn''t possibly meet her challenge. But as she observed Velen''s confident expression, tossing a storage bag her way, her smile stiffened. "Take a look. See if there are enough advanced mana stones inside," Velen said calmly. Sophia pursed her lips, ready to expose his bluff. But when she opened the storage bag, what she saw left her stunned. Inside were indeed advanced mana stones, an overwhelming number of them, stacked into a small mountain! One million? No! Ten million advanced mana stones! Sophia''s hand trembled as she clutched the bag, her eyes widening in disbelief. Ten million advanced mana stones¡ªten times the amount she had demanded! How could Velen possibly have so many advanced mana stones? Even in her wildest dreams, she had never dared imagine possessing such wealth. Yet Velen had presented it effortlessly! Should she truly become Velen''s mentee and join this so-called Tycoon Club? No! The thought had barely formed before Sophia forced it away. Her expression hardened, taking on a ruthless edge. With Velen''s level being so low, killing him quickly and fleeing with the mana stones seemed like an ideal solution. But this idea was suppressed just as quickly as it arose. Chapter48-Chaos Barrier She was currently at a critical juncture in breaking through her rank. If she were to kill Velen, her heart would never find peace, and it might even leave a permanent scar on her psyche. So eliminating Velen was absolutely not an option. Moreover, she quickly realized that if Velen could easily produce so many advanced mana stones, how could he not have some means of protecting himself? Carefully recalling what Velen had just said, things that initially seemed unreliable now sounded strikingly genuine. The Ascended Rank Level 9 mentee Velen had mentioned was likely real! If she could join the Tycoon Club and become Velen''s mentee, why couldn''t she? Given Velen''s vast wealth of advanced mana stones and the existence of an Ascended Rank Level 9 mentee, it was undoubtedly some kind of extraordinary opportunity! After a moment of thought, Sophia suddenly asked, "Velen, how many advanced mana stones did Caitlin ask for back then?" "The same as I''m giving you¡ªten million advanced mana stones!" Velen replied with a smile. "Honestly, considering her status and position, asking for a hundred million advanced mana stones would''ve been more appropriate. But since she wasn''t originally a member of our Tycoon Club, I guess it''s understandable." "A hundred million advanced mana stones?" Sophia swallowed hard. This was advanced mana stones they were talking about! For an awakener of her rank, even acquiring a few hundred advanced mana stones would be enough to make her ecstatic for days. As for one hundred million¡­ She wasn''t sure if combining all the advanced mana stones held by the top factions in the Titan Galaxy could even reach that number! Yet judging by Velen''s demeanor, producing one hundred million advanced mana stones didn''t seem to be an issue at all. "Velen, if you can really produce one hundred million advanced mana stones, I swear I''ll immediately join your Tycoon Club!" As Sophia''s voice fell, Velen tossed another storage bag her way. Sophia''s throat moved, her expression growing increasingly astonished¡ªcompletely stunned, even. Because inside the storage bag was an overwhelming, densely packed mountain of advanced mana stones. One hundred million! Velen¡­ how could he have so many? Sophia felt like she was dreaming. After a moment of dazed confirmation, she steadied her breathing, closed her parasol, and respectfully bowed to Velen. "Mentor!" Since childhood, she had always honored her word. If Velen could truly fulfill his promises, becoming his disciple was no big deal. After she spoke, she looked at Velen with a peculiar expression, then carefully handed back the storage bag containing the one hundred million advanced mana stones. "Congratulations, host, for completing the mission. Reward: 30,000 luxury points!" "Congratulations, host, on gaining a second mentee. Rewards: 10,000 Words of Fate SSS Tomes of Skill Experience and the Chaos Barrier." Chaos Barrier: Upon use, mitigates some of the side effects from peering into destiny. Seeing the rewards from the system, Velen''s excitement surged. Not to mention the 10,000 SSS Tomes of Skill Experience, which would undoubtedly drive the Tarot Order members mad with desire. The Chaos Barrier was also a delightful surprise! Every awakener who delved into destiny would eventually face erosion by fate, leading to a tragic demise. This was the inherent side effect of peering into destiny. But with the Chaos Barrier, some of these side effects could be neutralized. If the Tarot Order knew about this, they would lose their minds! However, Velen himself didn''t need it. Although Fate''s Trojan also involved peering into destiny, it wasn''t him doing the peering¡ªhis system perfectly nullified the side effects. That said, the Chaos Barrier would be incredibly beneficial for Sophia. With it activated, she could freely use the Words of Fate skill without being as constrained. "Sophia, while you''re now my mentee, the Tycoon Club is a very loose organization. Just remember your identity as part of it¡ªthat''s enough." After his initial excitement, Velen quickly addressed Sophia. He continued, revealing more to her: "The Tarot Order is currently looking for you, claiming you''re the Saintess of Tarot and the future Head of the Tarot Order. I won''t stop you because that''s your destiny." "The Tarot Order is powerful, especially with Words of Fate, which can see into the future. You must study it well." "I have here 10,000 Words of Fate SSS Tomes of Skill Experience. Using them will enhance your proficiency with Words of Fate. Don''t hold back¡ªuse them to improve quickly and come back to me once you''ve mastered it!" Saying this, Velen handed her a storage bag filled with the SSS Tomes of Skill Experience. Next, he pointed at Sophia''s forehead, integrating the Chaos Barrier into her body. "This Chaos Barrier will help you mitigate the backlash from peering into destiny, allowing you to use Words of Fate more frequently without as many restrictions." As Velen finished, Sophia was overwhelmed by the flood of information. She was the Saintess of the Tarot Order? Was that true? Words of Fate was evidently the most famous special skill of the Tarot Order. And these SSS Tomes of Skill Experience¡ªwhat were they exactly? And the Chaos Barrier¡­ Sophia carefully processed all the information she had just learned. Although she didn''t yet fully understand the value of what Velen had given her, knowing he was someone capable of casually producing one hundred million advanced mana stones, she was certain these things were extraordinary. "Mentor, don''t worry. Once I''m in the Tarot Order, I''ll work hard to improve myself. I''ll make sure the Tarot Order becomes a subordinate faction of the Tycoon Club!" Sophia said earnestly, looking directly at Velen. Although Velen hadn''t mentioned it, it was clear to her that he had been meticulously nurturing her so she could eventually take control of the Tarot Order! Hearing this, Velen couldn''t help but twitch his lips. What was she even saying? He had no such intention! What was going on in Sophia''s mind? "Sophia, that''s not what I meant!" Just as Velen was about to explain, Sophia interrupted him, "Mentor, didn''t you say Caitlin was impressive?" Velen nodded. Caitlin''s rank wasn''t just Ascended Rank Level 9; she was also the headmaster of Celestia Academy¡ªa truly formidable figure. Seeing this, Sophia smiled. "Mentor, don''t worry. I won''t let you down! Since you''re so dedicated to nurturing me, I''ll make sure I become your best mentee!" ? Velen widened his eyes. Was this the Saintess of the Tarot Order? Her ambition was off the charts! She was already setting Caitlin as her rival. Sophia had truly found herself a worthy competitor. "By the way, Mentor, where are the Tarot Order members? Why haven''t they arrived yet? Why don''t you take me to them? We can make it look like a chance encounter." "Once I join the Tarot Order, half of your plan will already be a success!" Sophia said seriously, as if she had already made it her goal to lead the Tarot Order under the Tycoon Club. Blinking at her, Velen realized Sophia''s mind was brimming with ideas. But her intentions were simple¡ªto flaunt her mentor''s wealth and bring more luxury points his way. She wasn''t as cunning as she seemed. Realizing this, Velen felt the need to correct her thinking¡ªhis goals weren''t as she imagined. S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Sophia, you''re overthinking it. My goals are actually very simple¡ª" "Mentor, you don''t need to comfort me. I know this path is difficult, but I''m confident I can fulfill this monumental task!" Velen: "¡­" Was Sophia secretly a drama queen? At that moment, Velen suddenly looked into the distance and pointed at an elderly man. "That dignified-looking old man is Kelsey, a councilor of the Tarot Order." Feeling it was difficult to communicate with Sophia, Velen felt a bit relieved now that Kelsey had arrived. "A councilor of the Tarot Order?" Sophia murmured, then seemed to think of something. Smiling, she said, "Mentor, I''ll approach him on my own. He''s sure to recognize me, and then he''ll quickly bring me back to the Tarot Order!" "Mentor, wait here for the good news from your mentee. I promise to complete the task as quickly as possible!" With that, Sophia confidently headed toward Kelsey''s direction. Chapter49-Someone Wealthier Than Me "Forget it, let Sophia do whatever she wants!" Watching Sophia''s retreating figure, Velen shook his head slightly, deciding to let the Tarot Order deal with her. At that moment, Kelsey, who had been approaching from afar, glanced at Velen before silently following behind Sophia, his heart filled with caution as they left together. Clearly, Sophia''s act of pretending not to know Velen had misled Kelsey into believing that she and Velen had never interacted. Watching the two leave, each preoccupied with their own thoughts, Velen remained indifferent. For him, the main purpose of contacting Sophia had been the system''s rewards. Whether she would be brainwashed by the Tarot Order and fully embrace their teachings was of no concern to him. Just as he was about to turn and leave, Velen suddenly slapped his forehead. "I think I forgot to explain the council and descent abilities to her." "Next time I see her, I''ll mention it." Considering Sophia''s tendency to overthink, Velen decided that staying away from her for a while might be a good idea. In the City Once Kelsey sensed that Velen had left the area, his face broke into a wide smile. "Hmph, Velen, trying to compete with the Tarot Order for the Saintess? How laughable. The Saintess is already with us and has smoothly joined the Tarot Order!" Standing beside him, Sophia saw the smug look on Kelsey''s face and shook her head slightly. She couldn''t help but internally scoff: So this guy is a senior councilor of the Tarot Order? With skills like this? He was completely outmaneuvered by Mentor and still thinks he''s won without noticing a thing. He even said he''d been waiting for me here for a long time. The Tarot Order isn''t as impressive as Mentor, who not only knew exactly when I''d arrive but also my precise location. Judging from the behavior of both Velen and Kelsey, the difference in capability was clear. Becoming Velen''s mentee felt like the best decision she had ever made. Meanwhile On his way to the capital of the planet, the most prosperous city, Velen glanced at the darkening sky and decided to rest for the night. Looking around, he realized that in his haste to travel, he had ended up in a desolate wilderness. "I should reach the capital tomorrow. Once there, I''ll see if there''s a trade guild offering interstellar travel. That should get me back to Uranus Star." Velen muttered to himself. This planet was quite remote, and only its bustling capital city might have trade caravans capable of interstellar travel. Not long after, Velen stood in a cave, satisfied as he admired the large bed he had constructed by stacking advanced mana stones. Even when camping in the wilderness, as a true tycoon, he needed to maintain his image! After arranging everything, Velen lay down on the glowing bed of advanced mana stones and fell into a deep, comfortable sleep. In the Mountains A plump, sinister-looking young man adjusted his luxurious clothing and angrily punched a tree trunk. "Damn it, I''ve been searching all day and still haven''t found a single powerful spellbeast!" Beside him stood an emaciated old man with sharp eyes and a terrifying mana aura. He glanced at the young man with undisguised disdain but suppressed his emotions and said coldly: "Lyla, if this doesn''t work, let''s head back." If it weren''t for the fact that this man was the youngest son of a count and that the count himself had given the order, the old man wouldn''t have bothered protecting someone like him. This young man, infamous for his indulgence in food, drink, and debauchery, was arrogant and tyrannical, frequently harassing women and even committing brazen robberies in broad daylight. Were it not for his status, he would have died countless times over. "Who asked for your opinion?" Lyla, already in a foul mood, glared coldly at the old man. "If it weren''t for you, old geezer, I''d have found a powerful spellbeast by now. You''re just a jinx!" Hearing this, the old man''s face twitched with anger, but he ultimately suppressed his fury. If he killed Lyla here, he wouldn''t be able to explain it to the count, and the count would never let him off the hook. "A cave! Finally, a decent place to rest for the night." "Bad luck today, but tomorrow I''ll have those top-tier spellbeasts begging at my feet. I, Lyla, am destined for greatness! How dare anyone look down on me? I''ll make them eat their words!" Lyla sneered, feeling a bit better. The old man following behind him rolled his eyes. With your Apprentice Rank Level 5? If you really met a powerful spellbeast, you''d be running for your life. You only survive because of me. Even if you bring back a spellbeast, who''s going to respect you? It''s just self-deception. After venting internally, the old man followed Lyla to the cave. As they neared it, Lyla''s pupils suddenly shrank, his face filled with shock. The old man noticed Lyla''s reaction and curiously glanced inside the cave. His eyelid twitched, and disbelief spread across his face. Inside the cave, advanced mana stones were stacked like bricks, forming a bed that emitted a faint glow. And lying on this extravagant bed was a young man, sound asleep! Clearly, they had encountered someone who indulged in even greater extravagance than themselves. "Tsk, tsk. I thought I was unmatched in flaunting wealth, but there''s always someone better!" Lyla felt as if his worldview had been shattered. Advanced mana stones! Even in the palace, they were incredibly rare and precious, locked away in vaults. Just seeing one was a privilege. Yet here, someone had used them to build a bed! Thinking about the rough terrain he had endured in the mountains recently, sleeping on hard, rocky ground, Lyla''s anger grew. "No way! I can''t allow anyone to outdo me in luxury!" Hearing this, the old man''s mouth twitched. Luxury? Flaunting wealth? Of all things, you choose to compete on this? Can''t you aim for something better? "Old man, go kill him for me! That bed made of advanced mana stones is mine now!" Lyla ordered with a wave of his hand. The old man''s expression turned grim. "Lyla, anyone who can casually pile up so many advanced mana stones for a bed isn''t an ordinary person. If we provoke him and his protector appears, things could get very troublesome¡­" Before he could finish, Lyla interrupted angrily, "Why do you talk so much nonsense? You''re scared of some nobody in the middle of nowhere? And you call me talentless? You''re the cowardly useless one!" The old man''s face darkened. He was trying to protect Lyla. Given his confidence in his own strength, he could likely escape even if the person had a protector. But Lyla, with his meager abilities, wouldn''t stand a chance. sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Still, because of Lyla''s status, the old man suppressed his frustration and said, "I don''t sense any other presences here. This means either the person has no protector or their protector is far stronger than me." His intuition leaned toward the latter. After all, even he couldn''t casually produce so many advanced mana stones. If someone could sleep peacefully atop such a fortune, they must have absolute confidence in their safety. "Old man, that''s an order! Do it now!" Growing more furious at the old man''s hesitation, Lyla slapped him across the face. While the slap was insignificant to the old man, it further fueled his cold resentment. Without another word, the old man charged toward Velen, mana swirling in his hands. But just as he stepped into the cave, a flash of light sliced through the air. In an instant, the sound of flesh being torn echoed. Both the old man and Lyla were bisected by the blade light, blood splattering everywhere. As their consciousness faded, they saw a figure appear before Velen. The man wore golden battle armor, and the mana radiating from him distorted time and space. This was an awakener whose power was beyond comprehension¡ªfar more terrifying than even the most powerful count they had ever known. Chapter50-Lava Orb Staring at the two corpses, a trace of ruthlessness flashed across the face of the golden-armored guard. "These two damned fools dared to disturb the master''s sleep¡ªthey truly deserved to die!" After speaking, he seemed to sense something. His eyes turned cold as he stared at Lyla''s lifeless body. A faint, almost imperceptible rune imbued with deathly energy surfaced. "Mourning of the Fallen?" Such a special rune was invisible to low-ranking Awakeners, but to the golden-armored guard, it was perfectly clear. Once someone marked by the Mourning of the Fallen dies, the rune would relay a message back to its origin. Simultaneously, it would silently attach itself to the killer. "Interesting. Whoever''s backing this kid must have some influence. Looks like I might see my master again soon." The golden-armored guard smiled faintly as he saw the rune pass through his body and merge into Velen''s, disappearing without a trace. Time passed swiftly. After a night of restful sleep, Velen stretched lazily and sat up from his large Advanced Mana Stone bed. "Sure, the bed''s big enough, but it''s too hard. Next time, I must bring something softer, like beast pelts." After some grumbling, Velen summoned his System Interface. [Name: Velen. Talent: None. Bloodline: None. Level: Apprentice Rank lv9. Skills: E-level Advanced-Meteor Fist, D-level Advanced-Frostbreath, D-level Advanced-Thunderfall, D-level Advanced-Archangel Slash. Special Class: Grand Swordsman - Sword of Judgment. Luxury Points: 141,010. Inventory: 95 Afterlife Flowers, 120 SSS Tomes of Skill Experience, 15 Starry Stones, 280 drops of Dragon Blood, 95 SSS Words of Fate Tomes, 4 Class Upgrade Books (swordsman class only). Today''s Special Item: Lv6 Lava Orb ¡ª 99,999 units.] After reviewing the System panel, Velen''s focus immediately landed on the special item at the end. "Lv6 Lava Orb¡­ its power could even threaten a Titan-Rank Awakener!" He was quite satisfied with this. Newbie Rank, Apprentice Rank, Adept Rank, Expert Rank, Elite Rank, Titan Rank, Heroic Rank, Supreme Rank, Ascended Rank¡­ Among the various star systems, Titan-Rank Awakeners were considered pivotal figures. Above Titan Rank, Awakeners became increasingly rare, dominating the highest echelons of power across all factions. At Titan Rank, one could already live a very comfortable life anywhere. "With so many Luxury Points saved up, it''s time for an upgrade!" Taking a deep breath, Velen promptly issued a command to the System: "Deduct 9,000 Luxury Points and upgrade to Adept Rank lv9!" As soon as Velen''s voice fell, the dense Mana Patterns within his body emerged once more, resembling greedy mouths that continuously devoured the pure mana within a radius of dozens of miles, channeling it into his body. Very quickly, the mana within him surged, and his level rose at a rocket-like pace: Adept Rank lv1! Adept Rank lv2! Adept Rank lv3! ¡­ Within about ten minutes, Velen''s level stabilized at Adept Rank lv9! With nine consecutive level-ups, Velen felt an overwhelming strength surging through his entire body. Mana roared like an endless ocean, coursing through every cell! "Deduct 90,000 Luxury Points and upgrade to Expert Rank lv9 in one go!" Velen didn''t stop there. He continued commanding the System. Instantly, even more colossal mana began converging! The mana within him, already like a vast ocean, compressed further, becoming increasingly refined, approaching the limit of a solid state. Simultaneously, the dense Mana Patterns on his body grew even more intricate and multiplied rapidly. His entire being resembled a massive black hole composed of countless smaller black holes, pulling in mana from thousands of meters around. Expert Rank lv1! Expert Rank lv2! Expert Rank lv3! ¡­ Finally, he broke through to Expert Rank lv9 in one go! Feeling the leaden, mercury-like density of his mana, Velen was struck with a profound realization. If his previous self were to face the current him, he could crush his former self with a single finger! The rapid, successive breakthroughs left him feeling as though he had ascended from an ordinary man to a towering giant. "This¡­ ascending two major ranks in one go¡ªthere''s no way anyone else could achieve such a feat!" Velen laughed proudly. Yet, a hint of regret crept into his tone. "Such a universe-shaking event, and no one was around to witness it¡­" Just as he spoke, he caught sight of two corpses at the entrance of the cave, causing him to take a step back in surprise. "What the hell? Why are there two bodies here?" Spreading his spiritual senses, Velen probed the two bodies. He quickly shook his head. Both bore the residual, terrifying mana of the golden-armored guard. Clearly, the cave had not been peaceful while he slept last night. After shaking his head again, Velen stashed the Advanced Mana Stone bed into his storage pouch and left the cave without looking back. Not long after stepping outside, Velen raised his head to see fleets of ships streaking across the sky. "Trade fleets!" Recognizing their banners, Velen grew excited. These fleets appeared to be departing the planet. Joining them would be a quick way to return to Uranus Star! Without hesitation, Velen channeled his surging mana and flew towards the fleets. At his newly elevated rank, even without any speed-enhancing skills, Velen moved at an astonishing pace. In no time, he caught up with the ascending fleet. "Kid, who are you? Why are you following our fleet?" At this point, the fleet was still ascending at a moderate speed. Noticing Velen''s approach, the fleet''s captain, Daniel, transmitted his voice to question him. "Captain, I''d like to join the fleet and travel to¡ª" Before Velen could finish, Daniel shook his head and rejected him outright. "Our fleet is transporting valuable goods. We can''t let an unknown outsider join. You''d best find another fleet!" After speaking, Daniel prepared to accelerate the fleet. However, the richly dressed young man beside Daniel suddenly spoke with interest: "Wait, Daniel. This kid isn''t simple¡ªhis mana is astonishingly abundant. He might be a worthy opponent." Hearing this, Daniel immediately issued new orders: "Fleet, halt and remain vigilant!" Soon, the massive fleet slowed down and hovered like a balloon in the sky. Daniel, accompanied by the young man, flew out to meet Velen. "You want to join the fleet?" Daniel scrutinized Velen. Not understanding why Daniel had suddenly changed his mind, Velen still nodded. This was the only fleet he''d encountered. Joining them was the fastest way to leave, as finding another fleet would waste too much time. Seeing Velen nod, Daniel gestured to the young man beside him. "This is our young master. He''s interested in your strength. Defeat him, and you can join the fleet!" Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Feeling the surging mana within him, Velen grew interested as well. "Sure!" He had just ascended two ranks and welcomed the opportunity to test himself against a powerful opponent. With confidence in his ability to crush any opponent of the same rank, he made the customary introduction for duels in the universe, cupping his hands in salute: "Velen, Expert Rank lv9!" The young man stepped forward, gazing at Velen with intrigue before introducing himself. "My name is Nikola, Elite Rank lv9!" ? Velen stared at him in disbelief. A whole rank higher¡ªhow was this supposed to be a fair duel? At higher levels, the gap between ranks only grew larger, making the disparity insurmountable. "Don''t say I, Nikola, bullied you. I''ll let you take ten moves. You may use armor, potions, scrolls, formations¡ªanything to enhance your strength!" "How about it?" Nikola declared with supreme confidence. Chapter51-God Rank Skill Velen: "..." He had seen shameless people, and he had seen show-offs. But he had never seen someone who was both shameless and desperately trying to show off! He was clearly a whole rank higher than Velen, yet spoke as though he were humbling himself. However, since Nikola had already said as much, Velen decided it was time to teach him a lesson! Without hesitation, Velen took a large handful of Lava Orbs from his system space. S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As the Lava Orbs appeared in the air, the temperature around them suddenly spiked, as if they had entered a dry desert in an instant. Everyone present immediately felt a sharp tingling sense of danger! "Be careful!" Daniel, who sensed the overwhelming danger first, couldn''t help but shout, rushing forward to shield Nikola. As the captain of a trade fleet, he immediately recognized the Lava Orbs. They were dangerous Lv6 items, and if they exploded, their terrifying shockwaves would be enough to pose a threat to even Titan Rank enemies! Nikola, now just an Elite Rank awakener, would have no chance against the explosive force of a Lava Orb! "Velen, this is just a spar, why are you using such a dangerous Lv6 item with such terrifying power?" Daniel said, eyeing Velen warily. He hadn''t expected Velen to pull out something so dangerous! Velen shrugged, "Your young master said I could freely use any items to enhance my strength." At that moment, Nikola realized what had happened. Hearing Velen''s words, his mouth twitched slightly, and he explained, "My sensory abilities are somewhat extraordinary. Although your mana is restrained, I can still feel it. Your mana fluctuations are almost at the Elite Rank level, so I wanted to spar with you!" The vast mana flowing within Velen had piqued Nikola''s interest. He had traveled to many planets and met many talented individuals. But none of them had ever given him such an oppressive feeling! Clearly, his rank was lower by a large margin, yet in terms of mana''s vastness and purity, he felt he could not compare to Velen! Now that Velen had pulled out the Lv6 Lava Orb, Nikola was more certain that Velen was no ordinary person. "Having more friends means more options. I think you have great potential, and after testing you, regardless of the outcome, I plan to bring you into the fleet. There''s no need for this," Nikola added. Velen wasn''t sure if he was being truthful, so he quickly consulted his system. Fate''s Trojan glowed briefly and soon provided a response. "His words are true." Upon hearing this, Velen smiled gently, tossed the Lava Orb in his hand, and said, "Actually, I was just joking with you. It''s just a spar. I didn''t plan on using this thing." He then put the Lava Orb back into his storage pouch. Seeing this, both Nikola and Daniel breathed a sigh of relief, but soon, Daniel spoke again. "Velen must come from some major faction. The Lava Orb is worth five million mana stones. You just pulled out ten, worth fifty million mana stones. That must be all your trump cards, right?" He was quite curious about Velen. A young man who could produce so many Lava Orbs was no simple character. If he could learn more about him, maybe they could become friends. Velen shook his head slightly, "These worthless orbs aren''t my trump cards. They''re just toys." Saying that, Velen threw the ten Lava Orbs into the sky. Boom! Boom! Boom! The sky trembled as if a red fire cloud had suddenly risen, engulfing the vast sky before them in a sea of blood-red hues. The deafening roar reverberated for miles! Even from a distance, the mana shockwaves sent through the air made everyone in the fleet stagger, their bodies swaying. At the same time, the air became scorching, burning their lungs. ??? After regaining their balance, Daniel and the others from the fleet stared in shock at Velen, rooted to the spot in disbelief. Fifty million mana stones, right before their eyes, just wasted! Velen really was extravagant! He had detonated so many Lava Orbs just to prove they weren''t his trump cards. He was ridiculously wasteful! At the same time, this scene made them all the more convinced¡ªthese precious, expensive Lava Orbs were truly not his trump cards. In fact, they were just his toys! But a single Lava Orb was worth five million mana stones! Daniel felt an immense pang of heartache. Velen, meanwhile, looked up at the sky. After the Lava Orbs exploded, the scene before him was like a sunset-colored fire, a beautiful sight that made one want to become entranced. "Not bad, not bad. This looks great. It could be used as fireworks," he mused. After admiring it for a moment, Velen looked around at Daniel and the others from the trade fleet, who numbered in the hundreds. "You''re all staring at me. You seem interested in these orbs, right? Then help me share the load. I''ll treat you to a fireworks show!" As he spoke, Velen handed a handful of Lava Orbs to Daniel. This handful wasn''t just thirty or so¡ªthere were more! Daniel''s hands trembled as he took the orbs. This was the first time he''d held something worth hundreds of millions! "Use your mana to activate them. This is my way of thanking you for letting me join the trade fleet," Velen said, continuing to hand out Lava Orbs to Nikola and the others. The rest of the fleet members stared in disbelief at Velen, unable to comprehend how he could casually produce so many precious Lv6 dangerous items. He was even letting them use them as fireworks! Boom! Boom! Boom! Under Velen''s lead, everyone else, stunned beyond belief, instinctively followed suit, activating the Lava Orbs, causing them to explode with deafening roars. From a distance, it looked like lava was erupting, spraying fiery splashes. As they watched the exploding flames, everyone''s faces were filled with shock. In their eyes, each flash of fire that vanished in an instant represented countless mana stones! They couldn''t understand why Velen was doing this, but they were all deeply shaken. At the same time, they were increasingly certain of one thing: Velen was incredibly rich! Even though they carried plenty of life-saving items on them as traveling merchants, none of it could compare to the Lava Orbs Velen had just produced! As Velen watched the fireworks, his smile grew even more pronounced, as if he were seeing a large number of luxury points beckoning to him. Of course, getting them to activate the orbs wasn''t free. After all, he was a tycoon, and his actions had to match his status. Later, he planned to reward them with some mana stones, earning a wave of luxury points in return! "Velen, you''ve activated so many orbs already, is it enough?" Daniel and the others all looked at him. Velen had given them hundreds of orbs, but they hadn''t activated many themselves. They figured that activating this many orbs was enough. There was no need to keep going. "Don''t stop. Didn''t I say? These orbs are fireworks. What are we saving them for?" Velen said, urging them on. Seeing that Velen was serious, Daniel confirmed once more, "Velen, are you sure? Should we really continue?" "Yes, keep going! Don''t stop. If you do it well, there will be a heavy reward for you later!" Velen smiled. At this, everyone reluctantly began activating the orbs again. At the same time, they couldn''t help but wonder what kind of reward Velen would give them. Boom! Boom! Boom! The fiery explosions intensified, and the sky was filled with bright bursts of light for over twenty minutes before finally dying down. "Congratulations, host. After showcasing today''s special items, you''ve earned 1000 luxury points! You''ve earned the god rank skill¡ªDivine Form!" Velen blinked in disbelief as he stared at the virtual system interface before him. A god rank skill¡ªDivine Form! He could hardly believe it. The system had actually rewarded him with a god rank skill! This was something he had never expected, as god rank skills were incredibly rare and difficult to learn. For most awakeners, even if a god rank skill was placed right in front of them, they wouldn''t be able to learn it! At the same time, god rank skills were symbols of power. Even many Ascended Rank awakeners didn''t possess one, and they longed for such skills! Chapter52-Dragon Blood Potion Formula And now, he was merely an Expert Rank Awakener, yet he had already mastered a god-rank skill! If word got out, it would definitely shake the entire galaxy! What surprised Velen, though, was that the system didn''t provide an introduction for this god-rank skill. Only by activating it could he fully comprehend the Divine Form. "This time, I''ve really gotten lucky. System, give each of them 10 million mana stones. That''s fair, right?" Velen was so excited after gaining the god-rank skill that he prepared to give these people unimaginable wealth. "10 million is too much. It doesn''t correspond to their efforts," the system responded. Seeing this, Velen immediately began to bargain with the system. In the end, after Velen''s firm negotiations, the amount was settled at 500,000 mana stones per person. Mana stones were ten times more precious than gold coins. 500,000 mana stones were equivalent to 5 million gold coins, which was an enormous fortune for low-level individuals! "My god, the fireworks just now must have cost no less than a hundred billion mana stones! We were not only witnesses, but participants as well!" "Thanks to Velen, when we go back, who will dare say we''ve never seen the world?" "Exactly, they''ll never see a scene like this in their entire lives!" "Truly, the joy of a tycoon is something we can''t even imagine. Even though we''ve only indirectly experienced a bit of it, I''m already so exhilarated!" Many people looked at the lingering mana fluctuations in the sky, discussing excitedly. This scene had left an unforgettable impression on them! "Captain Daniel, compared to Velen, my usual extravagant actions are nothing. In front of him, I''m simply a nobody!" Nikola remarked, his eyes filled with awe and admiration as he looked at Velen. Daniel, upon hearing this, could only nod in agreement with a sigh, unable to refute it. It seemed that they had just wasted no less than 10,000 Lava Orbs. Each worth 5 million mana stones, that was an astronomical amount of mana stones! Enough to buy countless planets? How many resources could it acquire? They couldn''t even fathom it! "Earlier, we didn''t believe that those things were just his polite refusals. Now, it seems we were all clowns!" "Yeah, Velen is truly extravagant, he really activated so many Lava Orbs!" Looking at Velen in the distance, Daniel and Nikola couldn''t help but feel a little dazed. Who exactly is Velen? He''s just too rich! Even if their entire fleet were sold, it couldn''t compare to the amount of mana stones Velen spent showing off! Under their gaze, Velen casually scanned the crowd, then spoke slowly: "Everyone, thank you for helping me recognize those beads earlier and for arranging this grand fireworks display. Please accept these mana stones as a token of my gratitude!" With that, Velen waved his hand and took out a number of storage bags. "500,000 mana stones?" Upon seeing the storage bags Velen handed out, Daniel''s heart raced, unable to believe his eyes. 500,000 mana stones, that was enough to rival their decades of hard work! After all, mana stones were the hard currency between Awakeners! One person receiving 500,000 was simply unimaginable wealth! "One at a time, each person gets a storage bag!" Velen glanced at them with a light smile. Hearing this, everyone snapped out of their daze and gathered around Velen, receiving the storage bags with deep gratitude, looking at him as if he were a tycoon! This was the first time they had ever seen so many mana stones! The key was that these mana stones were a reward from Velen! "My god, 500,000 mana stones per person, and the fleet has over 400 people. This... What kind of terrifying background does Velen have?" Velen''s actions made them truly experience what it meant to spend money like water! After receiving such a huge sum of mana stones, many crew members, once they expressed their thanks to Velen, immediately resigned from the fleet. "Captain Daniel, with these mana stones, I have enough to level up for the next ten years. The fleet is too dangerous; I must take my leave!" "Captain Daniel, although I feel a bit guilty, the mana stones Velen gave me are enough for my future needs. I''ll no longer risk my life on the ship¡­" Soon, others followed suit, with more and more crew members no longer wanting to take the risk and resigning. Being part of the trade guild''s fleet across the galaxies was extremely dangerous. After all, many intergalactic bandits would target the fleet''s resources. The death rate among crew members was high. Before, they were willing to risk their lives for the large amount of mana stones given by the trade guild. But now, with the massive amount of mana stones from Velen''s reward, there was no longer any need to take such risks! If they continued with the fleet and encountered intergalactic bandits, it could end badly! In just ten minutes, the once-bustling fleet had become eerily quiet. Velen looked around, seeing only Daniel and Nikola left, a faint awkwardness appearing on his face. Mainly because he hadn''t considered things from the perspective of the crew. Daniel, looking at the now-empty fleet, felt a surge of anger rising! Even when he had faced intergalactic bandits before, the crew hadn''t scattered so completely! But Velen was no ordinary person, so Daniel didn''t dare lash out directly. He could only suppress his anger, clenching his fists in frustration. "Congratulations, host, for successfully showing off. Reward: 200 luxury points and the Dragon Blood Potion formula!" "Captain Daniel, they left on their own, it has nothing to do with me, right?" Velen glanced at Daniel, who looked like he might devour him, and coughed awkwardly, speaking confidently. His thoughts were simple: he just wanted to earn luxury points through showing off. He had no intention of dismantling the trade guild fleet. It was simply that the crew had been short-sighted. Upon hearing Velen''s words, Daniel''s face turned red with anger. His forehead veins began to throb as his anger flared up once again! "It''s not related to you?" If it weren''t for you giving them a massive amount of mana stones, would they have left without a care? "Ah, this situation is truly not my fault. I was actually prepared to give them 10 million mana stones each. But since they are so short-sighted, they don''t deserve so much," Velen shook his head, feeling a little relieved. Upon hearing this, Daniel, who had already been calming down, couldn''t hold back and spat out a mouthful of blood, staining his chest. His energy seemed to wane. "Velen, Captain Daniel is on the verge of dying because of your words. Please, keep it to yourself!" Nikola quickly rushed to Daniel''s side, supporting his shaky body, then turned to Velen and spoke. Daniel, now spewing blood, couldn''t speak, but he was also slightly stunned after hearing the words. He didn''t know how to respond. After all, Velen had truly treated the Lava Orbs and the 500,000 mana stones as if they were nothing! S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He had given them 500,000 mana stones per person! This was a benefit he had given them to help them, and objectively speaking, he hadn''t done anything wrong. As for Velen''s claim of giving them 10 million mana stones per person, though exaggerated, he subconsciously believed it. After all, given Velen''s previous actions, he could very well have taken out such a massive amount of mana stones! And he truly seemed willing to give them away! But even if that were true, Daniel was too furious and didn''t need Velen''s words to further provoke him. With Nikola''s angry gaze on him, Velen felt a bit wronged. He was just speaking the truth! But then he realized Daniel''s severe injury, and since he still needed him to manage the trade guild fleet, and he had caused Daniel to vomit blood, he felt a little responsible. So Velen seriously asked, "Nikola, it seems Captain Daniel''s injury is quite serious. Do you have anything that can help him recover quickly?" As he spoke, Velen began to search through his storage bag. Afterlife Flower! Starry Stone! Dragon Blood! SSS Tomes of Skill Experience¡­ Various items were pulled out by Velen from his storage bag. But after searching through the entire bag, there was nothing that could heal Daniel''s injury. Daniel and Nikola, who were standing nearby, were completely stunned! Most of the items Velen had taken out were rare and legendary items that were only spoken of in legends. But here, they were casually piled up by him like they were nothing! Chapter53-Pouring the Dragon Blood Potion The Afterlife Flower¡ªsuch a rare and precious item that it can save the life of an Ascended Rank Awakener during the judgment of RULEs, a treasure that has been the focus of trade guilds for years, yet no one has ever even seen a shadow of it. And now, Velen not only has it, but he has it in large quantities! As for the Starry Stone, this material is irresistible to blacksmiths. It can be forged into magical artifacts imbued with various powerful abilities. There are even rumors that it can withstand the judgment of RULEs. Moreover, there were many items Velen took out from his storage bag that Daniel and Nikola didn''t recognize. However, considering that it was placed together with such rare treasures as the Afterlife Flower and Starry Stone, the rarity and value of these items were undeniable. Daniel and Nikola exchanged glances and saw the shock in each other''s eyes. Was Velen looking for healing items or just showing off his wealth? "It seems my foundation is still too shallow, I don''t even have healing treasures," Velen sighed, shaking his head. With that, he packed everything back into his storage bag. At that moment, Daniel and Nikola''s faces darkened. It was intentional! Velen was definitely showing off! And his words were even more infuriating! S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Was this how he treated others? Just to provoke them like this? As they were fuming, Velen''s voice rang out, "Captain Daniel, how is your condition? Feel free to tell me what kind of potion can help your injury." Although Velen didn''t have any good healing potions on hand, he had a system that allowed him to extract specific potions at will! When the two of them heard this, they immediately understood¡ªVelen was about to show off again! Was it really necessary to be this direct? Daniel was furious. Wasn''t this just bullying poor folks like them? He glanced at the overly confident Velen and suddenly flashed a sly smile. "Velen, I''ve suffered injuries to my lungs and internal organs. These are not easy to recover from, I need a Dragon Blood Potion to heal quickly." The Dragon Blood Potion¡ªan 8th rank special potion, incredibly rare and extremely effective for healing severe injuries. It was a miracle drug that could heal injuries as long as a person still had a breath left. Of course, such a powerful potion was incredibly valuable and rare, with a high rank¡ªalmost mythical! Since Velen wanted to show off, Daniel couldn''t resist taking the opportunity to embarrass him! Nikola, standing beside Daniel, looked at him in shock. The Dragon Blood Potion was not only extremely rare, but its formula had long been lost in history. This was a big trap for Velen! However, Nikola supported this. Velen had been showing off too much, and now it was time for him to be put in his place. He was eager to see Velen''s face when he couldn''t provide it! "Dragon Blood Potion?" Velen paused for a moment. He had just received the formula for it from the system! However, the formula alone didn''t do him much good at the moment. So, Velen immediately opened his system interface. "Lock Dragon Blood Potion, extract ten bottles!" As soon as Velen issued the command, a glow appeared in the system, and the extraction process began. The chances of obtaining an 8th rank potion were slim, with only a 30% probability, but with nearly 50,000 luxury points, he was sure to get what he wanted! The reason he wanted ten bottles was that rewards obtained from the system''s extraction were different from those directly awarded. Using them would earn a substantial amount of luxury points! Soon, as the system''s roulette spun, ten bottles of Dragon Blood Potion were quickly extracted. "Spent 8000 luxury points, obtained ten bottles of Dragon Blood Potion!" When Velen saw the system''s notification, he smiled in satisfaction. At that moment, Daniel, who had been silent, realized he may have gone too far. Although Velen had shown off excessively, he didn''t mean any harm. It was unfair of him to make things difficult for him. "Velen, I was just joking earlier. The formula for the Dragon Blood Potion has already been lost, it''s perfectly normal for you not to be able to get it." But before he could finish speaking, he saw Velen open his palm, and in it, a blood-red potion, fiery and alive, was held in his hand. The blood-red liquid in the bottle stirred restlessly, occasionally forming a blood dragon that roared to the sky, and at times, turning into a crimson wave crashing relentlessly. "Oh my god!" "Dragon Blood Potion!" "Am I seeing this correctly?" Daniel''s eyes widened in disbelief. Based on his understanding of the Dragon Blood Potion, the vial in Velen''s hand was, without a doubt, the real deal! The liquid exuded a powerful dragon pressure, and its essence couldn''t be mimicked by any other potion. "Here you go, Dragon Blood Potion, Captain Daniel. Drink it quickly, your health is the priority," Velen said, handing him the potion. Since it was specifically used to earn luxury points, it had to be consumed immediately. Daniel swallowed hard. He couldn''t bear to drink such a precious potion, shaking his head. "Velen, I know my body well. It''s nothing serious. It''ll get better in a few days. This Dragon Blood Potion is too rare and valuable, I think it''s better if you keep it." He had only mentioned the injury to provoke Velen earlier. His wounds weren''t that severe. And even if his life depended on it, he would still hesitate before drinking the Dragon Blood Potion. Its value was astronomical¡ªhe could sell himself ten times over and still not afford a bottle! Using it on himself would be a waste! "You should drink it now," Velen said, shaking his head. "This stuff, I can have as much as I want, anytime." Daniel clearly didn''t believe him, thinking that Velen was using the potion as an excuse to heal himself. Still, he stubbornly handed it back to Velen. "Just a potion, what''s the big deal? Isn''t a life more important? These material things are nothing but fleeting clouds," Velen said with a slight shake of his head. He opened the bottle of Dragon Blood Potion, and instantly, a thick wave of energy surged from it, causing Daniel and Nikola to tremble in awe. Even just inhaling the aroma from the potion made their bodies feel stronger, a feeling of deep satisfaction. As they reveled in this sensation, Velen immediately tilted the vial, and the Dragon Blood Potion poured out into the air! ?! Their eyes widened in shock, and they immediately lunged at Velen. "No!" "Don''t!" The Dragon Blood Potion was so precious, just inhaling its aura made them feel like their bodies were transforming. They couldn''t imagine how much greater the benefits would be if they actually drank it. But their reaction was too slow. The potion fell quickly, its crimson liquid blending into the soil and plants below, completely wasted. Daniel and Nikola watched with their hearts bleeding! They had seen people waste mana stones and other resources, but never had they seen someone waste a prestigious item like the Dragon Blood Potion! This was something that even Ascended Rank Awakeners would fight over! And now it was gone? "Successful showoff! Daniel and Nikola''s souls were shocked, reward: 3000 luxury points!" The system''s prompt echoed in Velen''s ears, bringing him great joy. By pouring out just one bottle of Dragon Blood Potion, he had earned 3000 luxury points. If he continued like this, he could make a fortune in luxury points! Without hesitation, Velen opened another vial of Dragon Blood Potion and poured it out. "Velen!" "Big Brother!" "Nooo!" Daniel and Nikola screamed in horror as they watched the precious potion waste away. Chapter54-Collaboration with Daniel "Congratulations, host, on successfully flaunting wealth. Reward: 3000 luxury points!" As Velen poured bottles of dragon blood potion from the air, the system prompt sounded in his ears again. Daniel and Nikola were both on the brink of collapse and madness. This was dragon blood potion! Did he think it was just waste water to pour it out so casually? After pouring out five bottles of dragon blood potion, Velen took out another bottle and waved it in front of Daniel. "Captain Daniel, would you like to drink this bottle of dragon blood potion?" As soon as the words were spoken, Captain Daniel pounced on it like a mad dog, swallowing the dragon blood potion, cork and all, in one gulp. The speed was like a whirlwind. By the time Velen finished speaking, he was left holding an empty glass bottle that had been licked a few times by the tongue. Daniel no longer hesitated. His gaze was firm as if nothing could shake him. After drinking the dragon blood potion, Daniel smacked his lips and furrowed his brow. "What does dragon blood potion taste like? I drank it too fast to taste it¡­" Although he didn''t taste anything, the dragon blood potion that entered his stomach was already tearing through his body, penetrating every inch of his pores. Then, with a foul-smelling black slime, it was expelled from his body, and he underwent a complete transformation. His skin tightened and became more elastic, his muscles seemed to contain explosive power, and his eyes became sharp and fierce, as though a little giant had descended! Feeling his body change, Daniel''s face immediately showed a complex expression, and he muttered to himself, "Daniel, oh Daniel, you''ve fallen. How could you waste so much!" Nikola, hearing this, looked at Velen with a mix of fear in his eyes. Captain Daniel was known as the "Luxury Terminator" in the trade guild, extremely harsh on everyone in the fleet, and notoriously stingy. He liked to call it cost reduction and efficiency improvement. In reality, it was all about satisfying his miserly tendencies. Now, in front of Velen, his usual stinginess and frugality were completely shattered! In such a short time, Velen had completely changed Daniel''s character. It was truly terrifying! "Congratulations, host, on successfully flaunting wealth. Reward: 3000 luxury points. Reward: 1000 dragon blood potions! (Luxury point rewards cannot be obtained.)" Velen smiled, quite pleased. This time, he had triggered the flaunting wealth reward again and received an additional 1000 dragon blood potions! Immediately, Velen looked at Daniel with an even wider smile. "Captain Daniel, how''s your injury? I still have more!" With that, Velen took out more than ten bottles of dragon blood potion from his system space. Seeing this, Nikola, who was standing next to Daniel, was nearly drooling, eyeing Velen eagerly. Dragon blood potion wasn''t just good for healing injuries; it could also strengthen the body! "You want to drink so badly? Here, take them all!" Velen said as he handed the potions to Nikola. Nikola stared in disbelief, his eyes wide. Even Daniel, who had already had his mindset corrected by Velen, was shocked and had his mouth agape. This was more than ten bottles of dragon blood potion! ... Not long later, Velen, Daniel, and Nikola were all sitting on the large sofa of the fleet, wearing broad smiles on their faces. Velen was looking at his rapidly increasing luxury points, feeling that temporarily joining the fleet was a really good choice. Daniel and Nikola were drinking the dragon blood potions Velen had given them like they were beverages, devouring them with great gusto, afraid that Velen might waste the potions like he did earlier. After all, apart from healing effects, dragon blood potion had a significant nourishing and enhancing effect on the body. Drinking as much as they could was no problem. The two of them drank to their heart''s content, though they had only managed to down over two hundred bottles. Mainly, they couldn''t drink any more! "Velen, from now on, I''ll be your little brother! If you need anything, just say the word! I''ll follow you to the mountain of blades and the sea of fire without batting an eye!" Nikola''s face was flushed, as though he was drunk, continuously slapping his chest and making promises to Velen. Velen''s display of flaunting wealth had deeply shocked him, and it had completely reshaped his worldview. Although he had visited many places and met many people in the fleet, even some ancient families with business dealings, the mana stones they offered were still not enough to buy the two hundred plus bottles of dragon blood potion that he and Captain Daniel had just consumed. Dragon blood potion was already incredibly expensive, and after the recipe was lost, its price had skyrocketed to astronomical numbers! "Nikola, when we get back, I''ll definitely have a word with the head. He misunderstood you in the past; your spending was just normal, not wasteful or extravagant at all! It was the head and our narrow-mindedness that was the problem!" Daniel said with a deep sense of regret. After seeing a big tycoon like Velen, he realized how small his own world had been. Nikola''s flaunting wasn''t even worth mentioning. Now that Nikola had acknowledged Velen as his big brother, Daniel wholeheartedly welcomed it. To become Velen''s little brother was the luckiest thing that could have happened to him! "Although dragon blood potion is an lv8 potion, you all seem to be well-informed people. Why do you value it so much?" Velen then asked, voicing his confusion. "Remember, the recipe for dragon blood potion has already been lost. Even if you have enough spirit herbs and dragon blood, without knowing the proper ratios and alchemical techniques, you can''t make dragon blood potion." "And the healing effect of dragon blood potion is among the top in the lv8 potions, so its price just keeps going up!" Daniel explained to Velen. Velen nodded, understanding the situation. Then, he scratched his head and took out a book from his chest. "Take a look, is this the recipe for dragon blood potion?" Daniel''s eyes immediately focused on the book that Velen had taken out. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He wasn''t an alchemist, nor had he seen the recipe for dragon blood potion before, so he couldn''t identify whether it was real or not. The only way to confirm it was to have an alchemist prepare a batch of dragon blood potion according to the recipe and see for themselves. "Velen, is this recipe real?" Daniel asked, his voice filled with excitement. Velen nodded. "Of course it''s real. If you''re interested, I can give the recipe to you." Daniel looked at Velen in excitement. "Really? Velen?!" Since Velen said it was real, Daniel had no reason to doubt it. After all, Velen had already shown so much dragon blood potion. The key was that Velen was willing to hand over the recipe to them at the trade guild! Dragon blood potion was highly sought after across all the star systems. Whenever dragon blood potion appeared, it would stir up a great deal of turmoil. If others found out that Velen had the recipe, it would surely attract countless alchemical factions to gather around! Given how precious the recipe was, Velen could practically cooperate with any alchemical force that came his way! But Velen had chosen to work with them. This made Daniel feel like it was almost too good to be true. However, for Velen, since he wasn''t an alchemist, keeping the recipe was useless. It would be better to let Daniel and his guild handle it, and he would just take a percentage of the profits. "Now that the fortress has just been established, there''s still a lot we need. I''ve been working so hard for the fortress. Anastasia will be very happy when she finds out, right?" Velen smiled and then looked at Daniel. "Captain Daniel, I''ll give you the recipe. All I ask is for 10% of the profits from selling dragon blood potion to go to the fortress." "Only 10%?" Daniel was stunned for a moment, quickly asking, "Are you serious?" High-grade potions always had huge profit margins, and dragon blood potions, especially, would be their exclusive product. The monopoly profits would be astronomical! For Velen to ask for just 10% was truly unbelievable. "Only 10%. After that, you just need to send the profits to the fortress." Velen nodded. This was Velen''s way of securing a steady stream of income for the fortress. "Okay! Velen, as soon as the recipe is verified, we''ll sign a contract right away!" Daniel said resolutely. Even if Velen took the majority of the dragon blood potion profits, Daniel would agree. After all, without the recipe, the business couldn''t be done! Besides, Velen wasn''t asking for much. "By the way, how much is your fleet worth? I''ll buy it all, then take me to Uranus Star. The fortress is there..." Chapter55-Bloodline of Fenrir? "Velen, the cargo on the fleet isn''t worth much, so when we send you to the fortress, we''ll give it all to you as well." Daniel made the decision directly. Velen gave them the recipe for the dragon blood potion, and they had already taken a huge advantage. These goods weren''t worth mentioning. So, Daniel decided to send them all to Velen, leaving a good impression. Clearly, Velen had a lot of valuable items, and there might be opportunities for cooperation in the future. Building a good relationship now was very important. Seeing this, Velen didn''t refuse. In fact, this wasn''t just for him but for the fortress. It was a nice gesture to bring something back for the fortress after being away for so long. "Then let''s set off quickly!" Velen looked at Daniel and nodded. Daniel glanced at the fleet''s navigation system, found Uranus Star, and reported to Velen: "We are quite far from the fortress. It will take us about three days to reach it." "Three days?" Velen murmured, feeling a bit of anticipation rise in his heart. He hoped the system would refresh some good items during this time! After eating and drinking his fill, Velen lay down in the fleet''s guest room to rest. Meanwhile, Daniel, who stayed in the cockpit, looked at Nikola, who had just walked over after reporting to the head, and said happily: "What did the head say? Did he praise my quick thinking?" Nikola replied angrily, "Dad says I''m talking nonsense, my mind is confused, and that when we return, he''ll teach me a lesson." S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Also, he says you''ve gone mad with me. After this, he''s going to remove you from the position of fleet captain." Daniel''s face, which had just shown a smile, immediately stiffened. "How could the head say that? How could Velen deceive us? You saw it yourself, Velen is a huge tycoon like we''ve never seen before!" "Father and the others have narrow views. When we return, we''ll make them apologize to us!" Both of them were furious. Velen had given them strong confidence! ... Aurora Trade Guild. "Bruce, immediately go after Nikola''s fleet and see what he''s up to?" "He reported that the cargo wouldn''t be delivered and that the fleet would specifically send Velen back, giving him all the cargo. He even said that we, the trade guild, have gained a huge advantage." "I''m worried he might have been kidnapped by space pirates." The head of the trade guild raised his head and looked at the stars with a serious expression. As Nikola''s father, he knew his son all too well¡ªhe was never a source of peace of mind. But this time, Daniel, as the fleet captain, was standing with Nikola. It was hard to say whether they had encountered danger. From Nikola''s tone, it was clear that he highly valued Velen. Bruce frowned slightly. Daniel was his son, known for being thrifty. Now, he was doing something so ridiculous with Nikola. Everything about it felt strange! "Don''t worry, head. I''ll find out the truth as soon as possible. Whoever dares to lay hands on our fleet will be looking for death!" A fierce glint flashed in Bruce''s eyes. Then, he quickly controlled the ship and sped off in the direction of the fleet. ... After a good rest, Velen woke up and immediately checked the special items refreshed by the system. Special Item: Fenrir Bloodline! Fenrir: Fierce and savage, growing stronger with each battle. It possesses a special bloodline ability that evolves during combat. What doesn''t kill me only makes me stronger! Seeing the special item of the day, Velen''s eyes widened in surprise! This time, the system really refreshed something great! Velen knew about Fenrir. It was a legendary spellbeast, rumored to be able to contend with the top gods and even devour them¡ªa terrifying giant wolf. At first, Velen thought it was just a myth, but now he realized it was true! What surprised him even more was how powerful Fenrir''s bloodline was! It evolved in battle and grew stronger the more it fought! Velen was deeply moved! After all, there were so many Awakeners in the galaxy, and no one dared to claim they were invincible in their class. The abilities, attributes, and skills of different Awakeners had mutual countering effects. However, with the ability to evolve infinitely, there were limitless possibilities. With this bloodline, one could truly be invincible! "System, it''s reasonable for me to absorb this bloodline, right?" This bloodline was so powerful, and Velen was deeply tempted. After all, he had no bloodline at all. If he had this bloodline, his combat ability would grow exponentially! He would become a true monster! "Host, if you use it, a large amount of luxury points will be deducted. Please think carefully." "Additionally, while Fenrir''s bloodline is indeed strong, your identity is so noble that this bloodline is unworthy of you." Upon hearing the system''s reminder, Velen had to suppress his excitement. This bloodline was already powerful enough, but from the system''s tone, it seemed there might be an even more extraordinary existence! This made Velen even more excited. If the system said there was something, it definitely existed! The only question was how incredibly powerful it could be. "If I can''t use it, who should I give this bloodline to?" Velen fell into a brief moment of thought. "Velen, breakfast is ready!" At that moment, Nikola''s voice came from outside the door. This voice reminded Velen of Kidd. He didn''t like to be a frontline swordman, preferring to stay in the back. But after giving him the special skill "Sword of Judgement," he probably wouldn''t be able to escape the fate of becoming a swordman. With that thought, Velen stroked his chin with a bit of dark humor. When Velen opened the guest room door, Nikola immediately enthusiastically invited him to the fleet''s dining room, positioning himself as Velen''s subordinate. "Velen, big brother, I''m not sure if these ingredients suit your taste, but they''re very fresh. This steak was just cooked..." After guiding Velen to the dining room, Nikola immediately placed a plate of freshly grilled steak in front of him, and the faint smell of meat wafted through the air. Velen cut a piece with a knife and fork and tasted it. It had a subtle creamy flavor and was quite delicious. "This steak is really good. Do you cook often?" Nikola nodded, embarrassed. "Mostly because I''m afraid of pain. I only engage in friendly sparring; I don''t like life-and-death battles, so I''ve always managed the fleet''s logistics." Seeing that Velen was looking at him more seriously, Nikola added, "Although I don''t often fight space pirates, I''m good at cooking and healing. They''re quite useful!" Daniel sighed from the side, "Actually, it''s not that the young master doesn''t want to go into battle. It''s mainly because his personality and mana core are like his mother''s. He didn''t inherit the head''s special mana core, so his combat ability is pretty average. Rather than that, it''s better to manage logistics." Hearing this, Velen nodded slightly and then asked the system in his mind, "System, are there any requirements for inheriting Fenrir''s bloodline?" The system replied, "As long as they are sentient beings, they can inherit it. There are no special requirements. This bloodline mainly evolves rapidly through combat!" Upon hearing this, Velen nodded. He felt even more amazed by the power of this bloodline. After all, as long as one didn''t die in battle, they would keep evolving. Even if the world collapsed from the start, one could rise up! "Nikola, if there were an opportunity for you to grow stronger, but it required constant fighting and growing in battle, would you accept it?" Hearing Velen''s question, Nikola immediately shook his head and said, "If such an opportunity really existed, I wouldn''t want it. I''m going to be the head of Aurora Trade Guild in the future. Glory and wealth are waiting for me. There''s no need to fight and kill." "Besides, it really hurts!" Daniel looked at Nikola''s cowardly expression and felt embarrassed for him. In the past, Nikola had always bullied the weak, using heavy strikes against Awakeners of lower levels, but when facing those stronger than him, he was docile and submissive. If this opportunity really came to him, he definitely wouldn''t choose it. Young master was the kind of rich second generation who just ate and waited to inherit the family business. Velen smiled slightly, then slowly asked, "I wonder if you''ve ever heard of Fenrir?" Chapter56-Chrono-Light Orb Fenrir? Although Nikola felt a bit uncomfortable with the smile on Velen''s face, he still nodded and said: "Of course I know. It''s rumored to be the most brutal spellbeast, infamous for its bloodthirsty nature. They say even the legendary gods were devoured by it!" "Velen, why are you asking about this all of a sudden?" Velen smiled and replied, "I had a dream last night. In the dream, it told me that its bloodline must not be allowed to end. It needs to find someone suitable to inherit it." Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Nikola scratched his head, curious. "Did it tell you what kind of person is suitable to inherit its bloodline?" Velen nodded. "It said the best candidate would be someone afraid of pain, a spoiled young master." Nikola: "¡­" "Could you be referring to me directly?" "Velen, this dream sounds pretty cool, but it''s just a dream, right? If I really inherited its bloodline, I''d probably be tortured to death." He had heard that Fenrir became the strongest after countless battles between life and death. Its bloodline should have perfectly inherited that brutal process. He thought that if he had to experience such bloody battles, it would be better if they just killed him outright. However, Velen was staring at him, and Nikola suddenly felt uneasy. "Velen, I''m telling you, I''m not really a spoiled young master. I''m not afraid of pain at all!" With that, he grabbed a knife and fork and was about to carve a bleeding wound into his hand. But the moment the utensils touched his skin, his body trembled, and he gave up. He swallowed nervously and cautiously asked: "Velen, you''re not really going to do it, right?" "Have I ever lied to you?" Velen squinted his eyes and said. Nikola: "¡­" At this moment, Daniel suddenly became excited. "If the young master really inherits Fenrir''s bloodline, his future will be limitless!" "The trade guild will benefit immensely from his rise!" "If Velen really has Fenrir''s bloodline, please pass it onto Nikola!" Daniel said with great seriousness. Nikola quickly shook his head. "Velen, don''t you care about my opinion? If I really inherit Fenrir''s bloodline, my father won''t let me off easy. I might die in battle!" Velen didn''t speak but simply smiled as he walked closer. In his palm, a special rune containing Fenrir''s essence blood flickered with a bloodthirsty, savage, and frenzied aura. "Velen, don''t come any closer!" As Nikola sensed the terrifying blood-colored rune, his face instantly turned pale. He quickly turned to flee in panic. But Daniel grabbed him by the arm. "Master, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to change your fate!" "I just want to live a lazy life and wait for death! I don''t want to change my fate!" "No! Master! You''re thinking wrong!" As Nikola screamed in resistance, Velen''s Fenrir bloodline was infused into his body. Minutes passed, and half an hour later, after the bloodline was completely absorbed, blood-red patterns began to spread across Nikola''s body. These patterns resembled huge, mana-like veins, covering every part of his body. At the same time, a savage aura soared from Nikola''s body, shining in the sky like a brilliant red giant star! Standing nearby, Daniel immediately felt an overwhelming pressure from the bloodline, as if in front of Nikola at this moment, he were just an insignificant ant gazing at a mighty dragon! Meanwhile, deep inside Nikola''s mind, he saw a towering giant wolf. The wolf stepped over countless corpses, its body drenched in blood, covered in brutal and intersecting scars. Its ferocious aura turned into a blood-red mist that filled his mental world. Roar! At that moment, the giant wolf howled toward the heavens. The frantic roar shattered the very fabric of space, causing cracks to spread out across the void. The roar even tore through the boundary between illusion and reality. In the presence of Velen and Daniel, they both saw the giant wolf standing before them like a blood-red planet, making them feel as small as dust. The sensation of being looked down upon by such an overwhelming force, as though they could be annihilated with a glance, made Velen and Daniel''s hearts race. Fortunately, this sensation only lasted for a moment before vanishing without a trace! After a brief moment of dizziness, both Velen and Daniel wiped the cold sweat from their foreheads, trying to calm their shocked hearts. "My goodness, Fenrir''s bloodline is truly insane¡­ The system misled me!" Velen cursed inwardly. Just inheriting the bloodline had caused such a massive cosmic phenomenon. It was hard to imagine how far Nikola could evolve through continued battles! Daniel also looked at Nikola in awe. The power of this bloodline was terrifying, far beyond his imagination. "With such a bloodline, if the young master doesn''t train hard, it will be a waste of such a powerful gift!" He felt a strong sense that his master didn''t deserve such a powerful bloodline. To use it on him would be a waste! At this point, Nikola, who had just opened his eyes, noticed that Velen and Daniel were staring at him, and a wave of unease hit him. "Congratulations, host, on fully unlocking Fenrir''s bloodline. You have been awarded 1000 luxury points and 3 Level 9 Chrono-Light Orbs!" Chrono-Light Orb: A one-time consumable item. When activated with mana, it creates a phantom space-time that can trap an Ascended Rank lv9 awakener for 10 hours. "True to its level 9 rating, these are powerful items. On our way back to the fortress, I won''t have to worry about being disturbed. I can finally get a good night''s sleep!" Velen was very pleased with this item, as it could trap an Ascended Rank lv9 for 10 hours. If it fell into the hands of another awakener, it would definitely be a trump card. But Velen wasn''t concerned. As a tycoon, being able to sleep without interruptions was an honor for him! "Velen, why do I feel like my body hasn''t changed much?" At this point, Nikola looked down at his body. Aside from being slightly stronger than before, he didn''t notice any significant changes. "The true terror of Fenrir''s bloodline doesn''t lie in instantly increasing your power and level. It''s in the countless bloody battles, purging and perfecting itself. It''s normal that you can''t feel any changes yet." Velen gave him a simple explanation, "Once you get familiar with this special bloodline, you''ll have a deeper understanding." Daniel spoke up at this moment. "Once we get to the trade guild and the head learns about your bloodline, he will definitely train you intensively. I need to remind you, based on the head''s personality, he won''t show any mercy. It''s highly possible you''ll be severely injured or even crippled¡­" Seeing Daniel''s icy demeanor, Nikola couldn''t help but feel that his future was looking dark! "Although I don''t know the head well, it''s highly likely that if you don''t die, he''ll push you to the limit, forcing you to fight to the death and unlock your potential." Velen gave Nikola a hug in advance. "Make sure to cherish your time now." ¡­ Before long, the day passed. During this time, Nikola seemed to understand the gravity of the situation and actively sought Daniel''s guidance on combat and leveling up. This surprised Velen, as it was not like Nikola to act this way. But it was good that he had this awareness. If he fully awakened Fenrir''s bloodline, Nikola''s name might echo across the universe in the future. Velen wasn''t interested in their training. He yawned and returned to his room, activating the starry sky light-shadow orb to avoid any disturbances. After all, the starry sky wasn''t peaceful, and anything could happen. Then, Velen took out some dragon blood potions and placed them by his side, before gradually drifting off to sleep. Meanwhile, in the same starry sky, an old man piloted a spaceship, rapidly approaching their location! Ten minutes later, after reaching the edge of the fleet, the old man didn''t rush in but quickly emitted a mental wave to probe the fleet''s interior. Chapter57-Blood Battle Under the spread of his spiritual fluctuations, it didn''t take long for him to silently infiltrate the fleet. At this moment, he suddenly froze, because he saw his son, Daniel, wielding a long sword and ruthlessly charging toward the young master. Across from him, Nikola, for some unknown reason, didn''t choose to dodge but instead took the blow from Daniel''s sword with his body, covered in wounds, blood dripping. Even though this was only sensed through his spiritual fluctuations, he still felt his heart tighten. If this battle continued, even if the young master wasn''t killed by Daniel, he would definitely bleed out and die! "Stop!" "Stop it now!" Bruce''s old face turned slightly red as he let out a thunderous roar, hoping they would calm down and come to their senses. The fleet was definitely in trouble! Daniel and Nikola, who had always had a good relationship, were now fighting to the death within the fleet! It looked like a fight to the death without a hint of reconciliation! However, just as his deafening voice was about to spread throughout the fleet, an invisible ripple suddenly spread, blocking his voice. Bruce furrowed his brows and quickly looked toward the source of the ripple. S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It came from the VIP room in the center of the fleet. He could sense the presence of a young man from there. That must be Velen, whom the young master had mentioned, right? "It must be this guy controlling Nikola and Daniel, making them fight each other. Such a ruthless heart!" Bruce almost ground his back teeth in anger. He immediately prepared to force his way into the fleet to stop the bloody battle and eliminate Velen, the mastermind! However, as soon as he got close, the previous ripple once again manifested, like an uncertain mist, blocking his way. "The fluctuation of time and space, I''ve actually been isolated into another time and space... When did this happen?" Bruce suddenly looked around, a chill running down his spine! He thought he had been hidden well, but to his shock, he had unknowingly fallen into a trap. Boom! Reacting quickly, Bruce immediately attacked, punching the illusory barrier in front of him. His restless mana gathered into a wild bull, continuously grinding against the barrier, producing a series of loud collisions. However, the barrier was like a flowing skirt, no matter how violently he struck, it didn''t budge in the slightest. Bruce''s brows immediately furrowed tightly. So this is Velen''s method? It was indeed strange to the extreme. He continued to use several skills, trying to break free from this illusory space-time, but to no avail. Whoosh~ Nikola, covered in deep wounds, was breathing heavily, seemingly on the verge of collapse. Then, dragging his exhausted body, he walked toward Velen''s room with an extremely ferocious look in his eyes. Bruce was stunned. Had the young master broken free of Velen''s control? But something didn''t seem right. The young master had always been afraid of pain and was gentle by nature. Yet the look in his eyes now made Bruce feel like he was seeing a savage wolf! It was completely unlike the young master he knew. However, his attention quickly shifted to the bottles of potions placed in the room. Dragon blood potion? Seeing the special potions in the glass bottles, Bruce was momentarily dazed! He had once seen a bottle of dragon blood potion, and it looked exactly the same as the ones in this room! But why... Why would Velen have so many dragon blood potions in his room? At a glance, there must be at least a hundred bottles! A hundred bottles of dragon blood potion? Did he think they were cabbages? He could hardly believe his eyes. At that moment, both Nikola and Daniel entered the room and each took a bottle of dragon blood potion and drank it down. Before going to sleep, Velen had told them that if they needed dragon blood potion, they could come to his room to take it, but they had to be quiet and not disturb him. Velen was well aware that in order to awaken Fenrir''s bloodline, they needed to go through extremely brutal battles, and dragon blood potion was an excellent healing agent, so it would be very useful to them. In an instant, the abundant energy within the dragon blood potion rapidly brought Daniel back to his peak, his energy so vigorous it was almost frightening, and his eyes seemed to emit a bloody red light. Though he hadn''t been injured, he had been very careful and precise with his mana and power control to better stimulate Nikola''s Fenrir bloodline, which had already drained a significant amount of his energy. Thus, the dragon blood potion''s main purpose for him was to restore him to his peak state. As for Nikola, the dragon blood potion was like the rarest water in a dry desert. After being nourished by the potion, his injuries rapidly healed, his mana grew, and his physical body quickly recovered and strengthened! The sensation of his body growing stronger and evolving into something even greater made Nikola feel somewhat intoxicated. It was a feeling he had never experienced before! "Captain, continue, I can handle it!" "I can feel my mana and my body rapidly evolving!" Nikola stared at Daniel, filled with excitement. At the start, Daniel had left deep scars on his body with every blow. But as time passed, the wounds became shallower with each strike. His body was rapidly undergoing an astonishing transformation! Especially with the nourishment of the dragon blood potion, the speed of his evolution was astonishing! Daniel nodded and then unleashed even more powerful mana, launching another attack on Nikola! Bruce was completely stunned by the sight! What was going on here? Had they both completely lost their minds? The precious dragon blood potions were being recklessly consumed just to continue the brutal battle. He couldn''t understand it, but he was deeply shocked! The battle continued for another two hours. During that time, Nikola''s gains were enormous¡ªhis skin felt like it was made of indestructible gold and iron. But their battle also grew even more dangerous. "These two are really going too far. They''re wasting so many precious dragon blood potions just to fight like beasts!" Bruce''s lungs felt ready to explode. He wanted to rush into the fleet and slap them both across the face! From the moment he sensed the battle beginning, they had fought over ten rounds. Every time their strength faltered or their injuries were too severe, they simply used the dragon blood potion to recover. He didn''t understand, but he was deeply shaken! Soon, another two hours passed. Velen stretched lazily as he woke up from his bed, sensing the ongoing battle between the two. He was both surprised and slightly confused. Nikola was truly crazy, having trained for so long. After calculating the time in his mind, Velen suddenly looked toward the outside of the fleet. The Chrono-Light Orb was activated, and the moment he woke up, he immediately noticed something, a cold glint flashing across his face. "This old man seems to be planning a sneak attack. Fortunately, I was prepared." Velen didn''t know Bruce, but he found his thin and somewhat suspicious appearance to be a potential threat, so he decided to be cautious. He immediately took out another Chrono-Light Orb from his pocket, replacing the time-altering orbs with it. "Let''s just trap him for now. It won''t be long before we reach the fortress." Velen wasn''t too concerned about Bruce. He decided to wait until Daniel and Nikola finished their fight before dealing with him. From Bruce''s greedy and regretful look, it was obvious he wasn''t a friendly visitor, and likely had some enmity with him! As Velen assessed Bruce, Bruce was also looking at Velen, his brows furrowing tightly. Velen had discovered his presence¡ªthis wasn''t a good sign! "This special restraint can''t last forever. I''ll see just how desperate you''ll be once the time is up!" Bruce spat, his voice filled with venom. Velen, being relatively young, clearly wasn''t a top-tier powerhouse. Without this special restraint, Bruce was confident that he could easily wipe him out. Using his own son and the young master as pawns¡ªhe had to make Velen pay the price! "Daniel, you''ve been fighting for an entire day. Take a good rest now. Rest and work... Chapter58-Advertising Dragon Blood Potion? "Now you want to escape? It''s too late!" Bruce, trapped in the illusory time-space, saw the spaceship about to activate again. A cold, ruthless expression appeared on his face. He swiftly charged towards Velen, gripping his double-headed axe tightly. The blade, covered in sharp bone spikes, slashed through the illusory time-space ahead, disrupting the void. However, his strike didn''t tear the time-space apart; there wasn''t even a ripple in its wake. Bruce furrowed his brow. The confinement ability of this illusory time-space was even more troublesome than he''d imagined! "Damn Velen!" Bruce glared at Velen''s retreating figure, his face filled with icy killing intent. Under Bruce''s intense gaze, Velen remained unfazed and even provocatively flipped him the bird! Bruce, already filled with rage from being trapped, was further provoked by Velen''s taunting. His anger flared to the point where he nearly exploded. The great axe in his hands hummed with restless mana, continuously striking the illusory time-space. But it was still nothing more than impotent rage. After attacking for three or four hours, Bruce finally suppressed his fury. At this point, his relentless assaults weren''t achieving anything. The tool Velen had activated was simply too terrifying. He had used his most powerful techniques, but still couldn''t shake this illusory time-space. Meanwhile, Velen glanced at Daniel and Nikola, murmuring to himself: "These two probably don''t know I helped them trap their enemy." That old man''s gaze was incredibly vicious, with a murderous intent almost palpable. If that old man managed to break into the fleet, it would be disastrous. After all, the old guy''s level was terrifying, and he was far beyond what Nikola and Daniel could handle. Velen shook his head, then suddenly noticed a special item refresh in the system interface. Special Item: 9999 Bottles of Dragon Blood Potion. Velen immediately furrowed his brow, clearly surprised by the refresh of this item. He really didn''t need this right now! He hadn''t even finished using the 1000 bottles of Dragon Blood Potion the system had awarded him previously! "It looks like the normal usage method can''t possibly use them all up." Velen shook his head. Daniel and Nikola had already drunk too much Dragon Blood Potion. If they were to drink more, they''d probably end up vomiting from it. But, they could at least drink a little more! "Daniel, Nikola, we''ve been at war for so long, you haven''t eaten yet, right?" As he spoke, Velen pulled out several bottles of Dragon Blood Potion and handed them to them. "Here, have this potion as your breakfast. It''s rare for you to make it yourselves." Seeing Velen pull out several hundred bottles of Dragon Blood Potion again, Daniel and Nikola both looked a bit grim. They had already consumed too much Dragon Blood Potion these past few days. Though it tasted decent, drinking so much was still making them feel extremely uncomfortable. However, since Velen had handed it to them, they couldn''t refuse out of politeness. They had no choice but to grit their teeth and drink the potions one by one. After drinking over two hundred bottles, the nausea subsided, and they quickly waved their hands, signaling that they couldn''t drink any more. Seeing this, Velen was a little disappointed. Though he had anticipated this, they had only consumed a little over two hundred bottles. The speed and efficiency were too slow. "Daniel, since you can''t drink these potions, just throw the rest into space later." Velen placed the more than 9000 bottles of Dragon Blood Potion into a storage bag and handed it to Daniel. "Throw them all away?" Daniel, feeling the density of the Dragon Blood Potion in the bag, swallowed nervously and looked at Velen in disbelief. So much Dragon Blood Potion¡ªare we really going to throw it all away? "Velen, these things are so precious. Shouldn''t we keep them? And if so much Dragon Blood Potion flows into the galaxy, won''t it affect our future sales?" Nikola spoke up in a hurry. Velen shook his head. "For the major star systems, this amount of Dragon Blood Potion is nothing. Besides, doing this might actually make your trade guild better off!" Nikola was confused, staring at Velen. How would wasting so much Dragon Blood Potion benefit their sales? "You guys didn''t have Dragon Blood Potion before, so your reputation was too low. Even if you advertise everywhere in the universe, it would still be a huge cost and effort. But, when you scatter these potions, put your trade guild''s label on the glass bottles. Those who pick them up and try the effects will want more. Who do you think they will turn to?" Velen said with confidence. Nikola and Daniel exchanged looks, and it seemed to make sense! "Moreover, once so much Dragon Blood Potion is scattered by your trade guild, it will surely cause a stir. You won''t even need to advertise anymore; countless customers will come to you naturally!" Velen looked at them. Though it seemed like a wasteful display of wealth, this approach would indeed greatly boost the reputation of their trade guild, indirectly helping them with future profits. After Nikola figured it out, he nodded eagerly. "Velen, you''ve made us realize our small thinking. With what you''ve done, our trade guild is going to make a big splash in the universe!" Daniel also stared at Velen with admiration. "A tycoon is a tycoon. The way he thinks is totally different from ours. Though it looks like wasteful spending, it''s actually a smart move." Once this news spreads, the reputation of their trade guild would soar, and their business would benefit immensely. "Alright, alright! Velen, I''ll go do it right now!" Daniel took the storage bag from Velen and immediately entered the fleet''s laser processing plant. There, he marked the guild''s logo and name on the glass bottles. Soon, with Daniel''s extravagant efforts, the Dragon Blood Potions were scattered across the dark starry sky, drifting and spreading. After the dispersal, Velen received a system reward of 1000 luxury points. The only downside was that aside from the luxury points, there were no other rewards. "Keep going." Velen glanced at the two and sat down on the couch in the cockpit. He still had one last Chrono-Light Orb. If that fierce old man came again, he could activate it to ensure the safety of the two. "For you, and for the fortress, I feel like a worried old father¡­" Looking at the two of them, who had fallen back into battle, Velen couldn''t help but sigh. At this moment, as the Chrono-Light Orb''s time ended, Bruce immediately began tracking the fleet''s direction and pursued the spaceship. As he followed, Bruce suddenly noticed that there were many bottles of Dragon Blood Potion floating in the pitch-black void, like small meteors drifting aimlessly. "Dragon Blood Potion! So much Dragon Blood Potion!" Bruce slowed the ship and quickly jumped out to grab a bottle. His eyelid twitched. "The Aurora Trade Guild''s logo¡­ Too extravagant! What is Velen up to?" Bruce''s shock and coldness grew. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A rough count of the Dragon Blood Potions floating in the starry sky revealed there were thousands of bottles! Though he had sensed that Velen had quite a few Dragon Blood Potions from before, throwing so many into space was excessive! Bruce immediately opened his storage bag and started collecting all the Dragon Blood Potions along the way... Chapter59-S rank skill-Meteor Volcano However, his opinion of Velen was growing increasingly negative. So many precious potions, treated like beans being thrown around? This deeply stimulated his nerves. Such waste! Even though these dragon blood potions were not his own, he still wanted to sentence the culprit of this waste to the most severe punishment. Filled with anger, Bruce accelerated the speed of the spaceship. ¡­ Time passed quickly. The next morning. As soon as Velen got up from the couch in the cockpit, he immediately headed toward the back of the ship to the living room. In the massive living room, Daniel and Nikola were still in the middle of an intense battle. And that fierce-looking old man had still not appeared, which puzzled Velen. At the old man''s speed, he should have arrived by now. Velen decisively used Fate''s Trojan to inquire about the old man''s whereabouts. He didn''t want the sudden appearance of the old man to affect the two of them. After receiving the message from Fate''s Trojan, Velen immediately went to the rear of the fleet. When he arrived, he immediately saw the old man driving a small spaceship. The old man glanced at Velen, furrowing his brows, feeling that Velen was heading straight for him. "Velen! What have you done to my son¡­" The old man started questioning but suddenly noticed that Velen''s hand had once again appeared a translucent white light orb. Velen didn''t give him any time to react and directly manipulated his mana, activating the Chrono-Light Orb. Immediately, the Chrono-Light Orb expanded like a translucent balloon, rapidly enveloping Bruce. Though the two of them seemed to be facing each other, in reality, they were separated by an ancient space-time rift! Even though that space-time was illusory, it was still something Bruce could not cross or break. Seeing all this, Velen clapped his hands and said, "That old man really doesn''t give up. If he has the guts, let him continue chasing!" Velen mocked, then ignored Bruce''s murderous glare and returned to the spaceship. "Velen!" "You damn bastard!" "If I catch you, I''ll break your legs and make you wish you were dead!" Watching Velen''s retreating figure, Bruce''s face flushed red with anger. His mana was stirring, and the terrifying killing intent even distorted the void. "Velen, where did you go just now?" When Velen returned to the fleet''s living room, Daniel and Nikola had already stopped sparring and looked at him curiously. Velen casually waved his hand and asked in return, "Just went out for some fresh air. Why did you two finish so quickly today?" Nikola raised his hands and proudly displayed his muscles, excitedly saying, "Velen, you really are from Fenrir''s bloodline! My body has evolved to be tougher these days. Even if I''m hit hard with an alloy longsword, all it leaves is a white mark on my skin. This bloodline is too strong, really has infinite potential. I''ll definitely cherish it from now on!" The more Nikola experienced Fenrir''s bloodline, the more he realized how terrifying it was. Any attack that caused him harm multiple times would gradually build up resistance, making him stronger until he could eventually withstand the attack. As long as he didn''t die, he would keep getting stronger in battle! Velen nodded, knowing the power of the bloodline. He was happy for Nikola''s progress. "By the way, Velen, we''re now about a day away from Uranus Star. We should arrive early tomorrow morning!" Daniel said slowly. Velen nodded, then nonchalantly glanced behind him. If that old man managed to break free of the confinement and kept chasing, once they reached the fortress, Velen had to show him what cruelty truly was! "Speed up!" Velen glanced at Daniel. Daniel nodded and immediately activated the fleet''s maximum power. At this moment, Velen also glanced at the system. Special Item: S rank skill book - Meteor Volcano! Velen was somewhat surprised to see that the system had given him a skill book. Especially an S rank skill, which was a treasure that many forces would covet! However, after thinking for a while, Velen felt somewhat disdainful. It wasn''t that the S rank skill was bad, but the higher the rank of the skill, the harder it was to learn! Otherwise, why would people like Hael, Councilor of Tarot Order Kelsey, and others be so eager for the SSS Tomes of Skill Experience? S rank skills were too difficult for him to learn at his current level, and even if he did learn them, it would be a waste of time and effort. After all, the skills he obtained through the system were directly at full proficiency, and there was no need to go through the learning process. To others, this was a treasure, but to Velen, it was like a piece of grass. How could he show off with this? Velen pondered for a moment. He had already done similar things before, like throwing things away, but that was too tacky. It didn''t suit his image as a tycoon. Tearing it up didn''t seem much better either. After a while, Velen seemed to have thought of something and suddenly looked at Nikola. "Nikola, do you need to use the toilet?" Nikola didn''t know why Velen asked this question, but he still answered, "No need, Velen, you know, as an awakener, we don''t even need to eat. Even if we do, we can completely digest the food within our bodies, so there''s no need to eliminate impurities." Nikola then smiled and added, "Although I''m not a top-tier awakener, I do have some strength in this area." Velen shook his head and said, "I don''t think you have that ability!" Nikola furrowed his brows and retorted, "But I really do!" "No, you don''t!" Velen firmly shook his head. Nikola was left without confidence, hesitantly asking, "I really don''t have it?" "You don''t!" "Okay, okay, Velen, you''re right. I really don''t have this ability!" Upon hearing this, Velen''s face broke into a mischievous smile. Nikola''s heart skipped a beat. What did Velen mean by this? Could it be that he liked to go behind the scenes? Should he comply, or should he resist? This was a dilemma! After all, Velen had never treated him like an outsider and had given him many benefits! While Nikola was lost in thought, Velen handed him the skill book. "Remember to use this after you''re done in the toilet!" Nikola was stunned, then let out a huge sigh of relief. He had really overthought it! He immediately took the skill book and headed for the bathroom. Seeing this, Velen suddenly thought to himself that he was a genius! Using an S rank skill book as toilet paper was truly a top-tier idea. In the bathroom, Nikola was very puzzled. He remembered that after becoming an awakener, it seemed like he hadn''t used the bathroom. S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Now, he was being forced to go number two. Just thinking about it made him feel uncomfortable, and he couldn''t even make it happen. To distract himself, he began focusing on the skill book in his hands. The skill book looked very ancient, with molten lava patterns flowing across its surface, emitting faint waves of heat, quite extraordinary in appearance. Nikola only looked at it for a moment, and his mental energy seemed to fall into the flowing patterns, feeling as though he saw countless volcanic eruptions. The lava fell from the sky like rain! Suddenly, a destructive aura surged from Nikola''s body! "What''s going on?" Daniel quickly sensed the terrifying aura and immediately looked toward Nikola''s direction. From the aura, it was clear that it was released by Nikola, as if he had entered a special state of mind. Daniel immediately turned to Velen in shock. "Velen, what book did you give the young master just now?" Hearing Daniel''s question, Velen was also somewhat surprised and said, "It''s just an S rank skill book. It''s useless, just a piece of junk. I thought I''d have Nikola use it as toilet paper." Although Daniel didn''t quite understand, he still looked at Velen with immense gratitude. "Velen, I understand your intentions. This kindness, the young master, and the trade guild will never forget!" In his mind, Velen had given such an excellent opportunity to the young master, purely for his good, and didn''t want them to feel any psychological burden, so he deliberately said this! "Velen, you really are the young master''s good big brother. Fenrir''s bloodline should have some other marvelous uses, and you must have known in advance, so you gave him this S rank skill book..." Chapter60-The Ancient, Unimaginable Forces Velen had a dazed expression on his face. Daniel''s flattery was too much! He had merely shown off his wealth by giving Nikola a skill book. At this moment, Velen seemed to realize something, and his expression suddenly changed drastically! Oh no! In an instant, Velen urgently activated his power and charged toward the restroom door like a gust of wind, then began to pound on the door. Bang! Bang! Bang! The sound of Velen banging on the door exploded. Inside the restroom, Nikola, who had been captivated by the red fiery patterns, was startled by the loud noise. He quickly opened his eyes. Confused, he blinked and looked at the frantic Velen running to the door. "Velen, what''s wrong? Why are you so worked up? Did something happen?" "Nikola, use that skill book you''re holding as toilet paper, stop dawdling!" Velen''s expression was anxious, and his voice even sounded somewhat harsh. Nikola''s confusion deepened. It was the first time he had seen Velen so focused. But out of absolute trust in Velen, he immediately began tearing a few pages from the skill book. Each time he tore a page, he felt a sharp pain. Only moments ago, under the guidance of the skill book, he had learned about the terrifying power of the lava volcano. This was an S-rank skill that, if placed in the outside world, would be fiercely fought over with bloodshed! If he learned it, it would surely boost his power immensely. But now, it was going to be wasted like this! He felt a bit reluctant, but this was Velen''s order, and even though he was reluctant, he chose to obey. "Special item failed to show off, deducting 50,000 luxury points!" The system''s notification sound suddenly rang out, and immediately, Velen''s expression darkened. He had just sensed a special fluctuation from Nikola and felt that something was wrong. Now it seemed to be true. If a special item wasn''t used in a show-off manner but in a normal way, a large amount of luxury points would be deducted! Velen had just barely managed to accumulate over 60,000 luxury points, and now losing 50,000 was a huge blow! In fact, if Nikola continued learning this skill, his luxury points might not even be enough to cover the deduction, and he might even owe the system luxury points! This was ridiculous! When Nikola came out of the restroom, he saw that Velen''s expression was getting worse. It seemed like he had realized something, and a look of sudden understanding appeared on his face. "Velen, I understand my mistake!" "The Fenrir bloodline needs to constantly evolve and grow through battle. This is the invincible path for someone like me, there''s no need for other skills!" "I am destined to be invincible. Even SSS-rank skills are not as important to me as a glorious battle!" "You gave me this skill book as a test, didn''t you? To guide me?" "Unfortunately, I''m too foolish, and it took your guidance for me to realize this!" "Velen, I''m really sorry!" The more Nikola spoke, the more guilt appeared on his face. Velen had been so good to him, it was like having a brother! S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But Velen''s face was full of question marks. He was actually quite upset, but not for this reason. This Nikola, how did he turn out like Sophia, who liked to add drama to things? He hadn''t meant to guide him; he had just wanted to show off! Daniel, who had followed behind Velen, looked at him with increasing admiration. When Velen had rushed over to stop the young master earlier, Daniel had actually been a little unhappy. After all, this was the young master''s opportunity. Since Velen had given it to him, how could he suddenly interrupt? But hearing Nikola''s explanation, Daniel finally understood he had been too short-sighted! What he thought was an opportunity nearly ended up hurting Nikola! "Velen, I''m so sorry, I misunderstood you just now. You''re always thinking about the young master''s best interests, you''re our great benefactor. How could I have been so petty in my heart just now?" Saying this, Daniel lowered his head in shame, his face flushed with embarrassment! Velen: "..." He hadn''t expected Nikola to spout such nonsense, but Daniel was someone who had been through great trials in life. How could he follow along with this nonsense? Velen''s intentions had been very simple! He just wanted to show off! But now, being looked at like an idol by these two, Velen didn''t know how to respond. He could only sigh and turn to go back to his room. These two were so blinded by their imaginations that they couldn''t see the truth! He really didn''t want to talk to them anymore. Seeing Velen turning to leave, Nikola immediately looked at Daniel. "Captain Daniel, it seems Velen is really disappointed in us¡­" Daniel didn''t know what to say either and could only sigh. "When Velen passed on the Fenrir bloodline to you, he probably expected this, but he didn''t expect you to get so absorbed in the S-rank skill¡­" "I was absorbed, but I snapped out of it quickly, alright?" Nikola retorted. "Regardless, what you did earlier didn''t align with Velen''s intentions. The immediate priority is to make Velen calm down and forgive us. Ah, it''s all my fault, I shouldn''t have been so narrow-minded like Velen." The two of them, without hiding anything, were both reflecting and sighing. Velen, upon hearing their words, couldn''t help but roll his eyes, his frustration written all over his face. "Enough! You both better act normal. If you keep this up, I''ll really be angry!" Velen stopped in his tracks and glared at them fiercely. If he didn''t stop them, they''d probably talk all night. Nikola immediately approached, his face full of apologies. "Velen, please don''t be angry. It''s not good for your health, and I promise from here on out, I''ll follow your commands without question. You tell me to go east, I''ll never go west!" "Also, Velen, you passed on such a powerful bloodline to me and have guided and helped me so much. In the future, I will lead the Aurora Trade Guild to become the number one trade guild in the universe!" "By then, no matter where you are or what you need, the Aurora Trade Guild and I will spare no effort in supporting and helping you!" Hearing Nikola suddenly spout such grand words, Velen was stunned. What was this sudden ambition? The number one trade guild in the universe? That was quite the bold claim! When he first passed on the Fenrir bloodline to Nikola, he never imagined such a thing! Nikola''s understanding of it was entirely his own imagination! Velen didn''t need Nikola to be the leader of the universe''s number one trade guild; he just wanted to be a carefree tycoon! "The number one trade guild in the universe? That''s too big a claim, I hope he''s just saying it for show¡­" Seeing that Nikola seemed to have found his life''s goal, Velen didn''t want to directly crush his dream. He could only think to himself. Time passed, and soon ten hours had passed. Bruce, who had been trapped in the Chrono-Light Orb, suddenly opened his tightly closed eyes. The special illusory space that had trapped him finally dissipated. "Ten hours! Velen! Do you know how long ten hours feels?!" "You''re finished!" "Even Jesus can''t save you now!" After the illusory space shattered like bubbles, Bruce immediately piloted his ship and rushed toward the direction of the trade guild fleet. This time, he would make Velen pay a heavy price! The cold, terrifying aura he emitted left a long trail in the dark starry sky. Any nearby starships felt an overwhelming sense of dread and dared not approach. In the pitch-black universe, Daniel was piloting the fleet, traveling at maximum speed. The closer they got to Uranus Star, the more tense and curious they felt. After all, Velen''s domineering actions had deeply shaken them. Velen came from a fortress on Uranus Star, and it was unimaginable what kind of terrifying force could have raised someone like Velen. Chapter61-Explosive Axeman Bruce! The next day. When the fleet arrived at Uranus Star, both Daniel and Nikola were stunned! The remote, barren planet before them¡ªwas this the fortress that Velen had been so eager about? How could it be so plain and ordinary?! Moreover, the fortress looked newly constructed, and it seemed like a shoddy project. There was no trace of any ancient power whatsoever! Even the aura within the fortress was sparse, leaving the two men feeling confused and questioning whether they had arrived at the wrong place. At that moment, an angry shout suddenly came from within the fortress. Immediately after, Anastasia, Kevin, Robert, Aiden, Hael, and others all rushed out from the fortress. When Daniel and Nikola saw the group gathering, their attention immediately focused on Robert. "Robert!" Aurora Trade Guild had business dealings with several nearby star systems, so they naturally knew this influential figure, who had many auctions under his control. However, their business was always handled by the head of the guild, so Robert didn''t recognize them. They were a bit confused¡ªhow could such a big shot like Robert be in a small place like this fortress? Velen, however, immediately fixed his attention on the enraged Anastasia. "Captain, I''m back!" Then he pointed to Hael and the others. "How did they end up here?" Anastasia rolled her eyes. At this point, how could he still play dumb? Didn''t they all come here because of him? With a huff, she replied, "Velen, you''ve done a good job as the vice captain. You''ve only been gone for a short time, but you''ve already brought so many powerful experts, seniors, and even the geniuses of the Hatchling Order here, not to mention that spellbeast." The more Anastasia spoke, the angrier she became. With all these people delaying her progress, she felt that her level-up speed had slowed down considerably! And the culprit for all this, without a doubt, was Velen! When she finished speaking, her gaze suddenly shifted to Daniel and Nikola, who were standing beside Velen. Her frown deepened. "Velen, are these two also people you brought to join the fortress?" Anastasia''s face was full of questioning. Velen shook his head repeatedly. "Captain Anastasia, they''re not joining the fortress. This is Nikola, the young master of the Aurora Trade Guild, and this is Daniel, the captain of the Aurora Trade Guild. They brought me back this time and also wanted to discuss some business matters with you." Upon hearing this, Anastasia gave Velen a few extra looks. Velen smiled lightly, but Anastasia grew wary. The fortress had only just been built, so what business could they have with them? Upon hearing Velen''s introduction, Robert was finally certain of their identities. Though he had noticed the clothes and the fleet behind them that indicated they were from the Aurora Trade Guild, he wasn''t sure of their exact status. Now that he had heard the introduction, he realized Nikola looked somewhat similar to the head of the Aurora Trade Guild, as he had dealt with the head before. "So, you''re the legendary Velen?" Suddenly, Aiden''s eyes widened as he looked Velen up and down. On the surface, Velen was handsome, but nothing too extraordinary. However, Aiden knew that Velen was a true tycoon with many treasures. If he could make a good impression on him, his future would be set. For top-tier awakeners, advancing further required not only higher talent and potential but also a huge amount of resources! If he could get a few drops of Dragon Blood, it would be immensely beneficial to him. Anastasia, seeing Velen introduce Daniel and Nikola, felt a trace of embarrassment deep in her eyes. The fortress had only just been built, and although it required a lot of resources, she didn''t have any gold coins! S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Of course, the awkwardness only lasted for a moment before quickly disappearing. "Gentlemen, as you can see, the fortress is newly established and is as poor as can be. We don''t have enough gold coins to purchase resources, so let''s put the cooperation aside for now." Anastasia scanned the two of them and slowly shook her head. Her expression was firm, filled with an unshakable certainty. Nikola and Daniel exchanged bewildered glances. Poor as a church mouse? What was this nonsense? With a tycoon like Velen around, even a small amount of money from him could instantly make them rich. How could they be broke? On their way here, Velen had already tossed out over 9,000 bottles of dragon blood potions. The value was so great that if it were all used to purchase the resources needed for upgrades, it would be enough to sustain the fortress for decades. "Miss Anastasia, you''ve misunderstood. We didn''t come here to discuss that kind of business..." Daniel smiled and casually explained the dragon blood potion recipe to Anastasia. Upon hearing this, Anastasia was completely stunned, as if turned into a statue. The dragon blood potion recipe?! As the young lady of Ducal Manor, Anastasia naturally knew what the dragon blood potion was. It was something even Ducal Manor didn''t have in stock. After all, the recipe for dragon blood potions had been lost for so long that it was impossible to recreate. If Velen could truly provide the recipe to make the dragon blood potion, the potential profits would be unimaginable! She never dreamed that one day she would be involved with the dragon blood potion! If this was true, didn''t that mean the fortress would receive a massive amount of gold coins and mana stones every month? This was an incredible opportunity! Seeing Anastasia in shock, Velen smiled and said, "Captain Anastasia, as the vice captain of the fortress, the strength of the fortress is also a very important matter to me. It''s something I should do." Such a person, who worked so hard for the benefit of his faction, was rare nowadays, wasn''t he? He lifted his head, waiting for Anastasia to praise and reward him. Across the entire universe, there was no one as capable and loyal as him. Seeing Velen''s boastful attitude, Anastasia almost wanted to slap him against the wall. Velen! Only Velen would do something like this! She had been steadily working on her level-up, and not long from now, she would advance to Ascended Rank and move into a higher plane. But now, Velen kept interfering with her plans! Once the fortress was built into an impregnable fortress, the burden on her would only increase! This would be even more detrimental to her level-up progress! At the thought of this, Anastasia''s mindset was on the verge of collapsing. "Reminder to host: The old man chasing after you is about to arrive at Uranus Star!" The system''s prompt suddenly sounded at that moment. Velen had previously set up Fate''s Trojan to alert him when the vicious old man caught up, so he could make some preparations. Now, receiving the system''s prompt, Velen immediately turned to the Ironback Centipede, which had transformed into human form. "Little Iron, there''s an old man chasing us. He''s almost here. Capture him when he arrives. I want to give him a good beating!" The Ironback Centipede immediately flew into the sky, heading straight for the starry sky. Before it flew into space, it didn''t forget to turn back and solemnly say: "Master, don''t worry, I''ll capture him in ten moves!" Velen couldn''t help but roll his eyes at its overly dramatic confidence. It was just a spellbeast, why did it have to act so tough? As the Ironback Centipede flew into the stars, Bruce was also about to arrive at Uranus Star, his face grim as he said: "The fleet will stay here. Velen, this time, you won''t escape!" The closer he got, the more excited Bruce became. The humiliation he had suffered being imprisoned for thirty hours would soon be washed away! "That item is definitely your greatest trump card! If I don''t hang you up and beat you, then I''m not Explosive Axeman Bruce!" Just as he finished speaking, a mocking laughter suddenly rang out from ahead. Chapter62-This Fortress Seems Off! "Little Iron, there''s an old man chasing us. He''s almost here. Capture him when he arrives. I want to give him a good beating!" The Ironback Centipede immediately flew into the sky, heading straight for the starry sky. Before it flew into space, it didn''t forget to turn back and solemnly say: "Master, don''t worry, I''ll capture him in ten moves!" Velen couldn''t help but roll his eyes at its overly dramatic confidence. It was just a spellbeast, why did it have to act so tough? As the Ironback Centipede flew into the stars, Bruce was also about to arrive at Uranus Star, his face grim as he said: "The fleet will stay here. Velen, this time, you won''t escape!" The closer he got, the more excited Bruce became. The humiliation he had suffered being imprisoned for thirty hours would soon be washed away! "That item is definitely your greatest trump card! If I don''t hang you up and beat you, then I''m not Explosive Axeman Bruce!" Just as he finished speaking, a mocking laughter suddenly rang out from ahead. "Get lost, young one, don''t piss me off!" The moment Bruce saw the young man charging toward him, his expression immediately turned icy. Ironback Centipede, hearing those words, couldn''t help but shake its head and scrutinize the young man. "I''ve been hunted by your master all the way here. I thought you might be a worthy opponent, but it turns out you''re just a weak Ascended Rank Lv4. How dare you shout at me in my presence?" The young man immediately saw through Bruce''s level, and his expression suddenly turned calm. This young man was definitely no simple foe. After all, his level was suppressed, and it wasn''t something that just anyone could perceive. Even if this young man wasn''t stronger than Bruce, his level was at least comparable. Then, Bruce seemed to sense something and his pupils shrank suddenly. Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. From this young man, he could feel an extremely cold spellbeast aura! Remembering that the young man had just mentioned his master, Bruce was even more certain that this young man was a spellbeast disguised in human form! "Humans dominate the galaxies, and yet a mere spellbeast dares to appear so arrogantly before me? Truly seeking death!" Once Bruce confirmed the young man''s identity as a spellbeast, his expression turned even more ruthless. Although spellbeasts were incredibly powerful, humans were the true rulers of the universe! However, as soon as he finished speaking, the Ironback Centipede''s violent aura, like shattered metal and iron, immediately poured out, crushing the vast black void in front of them! Even though Bruce had been prepared and used his double-edged axe to defend, he was still pushed back repeatedly by the overwhelming mana. His body was under immense pressure, twisting severely, and blood began to trickle from the corners of his mouth! "Impossible, how could your level be so terrifying?" Under the absolute suppression of mana, Bruce was horrified and stunned. He was Ascended Rank Lv4, one of the top experts in Titan Galaxy, but under the Ironback Centipede''s pressure, he couldn''t even move. This was the result of an overwhelming level difference. Ascended Rank Lv8 and above! The level of this spellbeast was too terrifying! But wasn''t it a spellbeast enslaved by Velen? How could such a powerful spellbeast be controlled by a human? How did Velen manage that? As Bruce''s shock grew, Ironback Centipede coldly spoke: "Don''t worry, I won''t kill you unless my master commands it. However, your actions on this journey have displeased my master, which in turn displeases me. So, why don''t you try the taste of my fists?" As it spoke, Ironback Centipede immediately extended countless fists made of its many legs, smashing toward Bruce with immense brutality. Bruce''s face turned white in an instant. With so many limbs, if they all hit him, he''d either be dead or severely disabled! Yet, under Ironback Centipede''s pressure, he had no power to resist and could only let out constant screams! ... Meanwhile, Nikola, who was beside Velen, suddenly sensed something. He quickly pulled a red interstellar receiver from his storage pouch. After a series of harsh buzzing sounds, Nikola''s eyes widened. "Father, what did you say? Senator Bruce arrived with the fleet three days ago? But we haven''t seen him!" "Hmm? Senator Bruce sent you a distress signal, saying he''s being beaten by a spellbeast and is about to be killed?" Upon hearing this, Nikola immediately turned to Velen. "Velen, when Captain Daniel and I were aboard the fleet, we didn''t notice anything unusual outside. Did you see an old man approach? His level was Ascended Rank Lv4." Velen smiled and replied, "Though it''s a bit late for you to notice, it''s no big deal. But remember, always pay attention to hiding your tracks, otherwise, you might not even know how you died if your enemies find out." "You didn''t know? That old man had been following us for three days with a murderous intent so strong it almost turned into a physical presence." ?? Nikola''s pupils shrank suddenly. It turned out that Velen had already noticed Bruce, but there must have been some misunderstanding! Then, he suddenly remembered Velen''s profound methods, as well as the mysterious youth he had just sent out, and quickly explained in anxiety: "Velen, the old man you mentioned isn''t an enemy. He''s a senator from the trade guild, and also Captain Daniel''s father!" Nikola felt that Velen must have misunderstood because of his connection with Daniel. The fact that Bruce was almost killed by the youth sent by Velen was surely a huge misunderstanding! Velen paused for a moment, unable to comprehend. The old man with a fierce expression, the one he had toyed with for three days, was actually Daniel''s father, a senator from the trade guild? Wasn''t this a massive blunder? Meanwhile, Daniel, still immersed in his ideal future, froze when he heard Nikola and Velen''s conversation. What did this mean? His father had been treated like an enemy by Velen, who had even sent someone to almost kill him? Bang! Before Daniel could fully react, a loud crash rang out as a dark shadow landed heavily, and Ironback Centipede, resembling a mighty multi-armed demon, descended from the sky, landing beside the shadow in a grand, imposing stance! "Master, I have fulfilled my mission and brought this man back." Ironback Centipede saluted Velen with pride, waiting for praise. "Father!" At that moment, Daniel saw the bloodied and battered old man lying on the ground. He immediately recognized him and rushed to help him up. Anastasia, Robert, Hael, and others in the vicinity all looked at Velen in astonishment. They had overheard Velen and Nikola''s conversation clearly. To their surprise, the person Velen had been targeting all this time was actually a senator from the trade guild. Just now, he had ordered Ironback Centipede to beat him up! This... was incredibly awkward. Soon after, Daniel explained the situation to Bruce, who could only weep in frustration. He hadn''t done anything, but Velen had treated him as an enemy, toyed with him for three days, and let his spellbeast beat him to a pulp! But Velen was his son''s and the young master''s friend, even the young master''s sworn elder brother, and had been protecting the two of them. Even though he was enraged to the point of almost spitting blood, he could only swallow his anger. After all, the spellbeast under Velen''s command was so powerful that if Velen had issued a kill order, he would be dead by now! His entire journey had been one of immense frustration. "Ahem, Senator Bruce, my sincere apologies," Velen said, looking at Bruce, who was covered in bruises, trying to stifle his laughter and explaining awkwardly. "I didn''t mean to target you. It''s just that your actions seemed suspicious, and you seemed to harbor deep hostility toward us. You didn''t look like a good person, so to protect Daniel and the others, I had no choice but to act." Bruce thought back to when he approached the fleet. To investigate their abnormalities quietly, he hadn''t warned Daniel and the others in advance. Seeing them fighting, he had naturally glared at Velen, thinking he was behind it. He hadn''t realized that this had led Velen to think he had strong hostility toward them. What a ridiculous loss this was for him. "Senator Bruce, I didn''t expect to meet you here again!" Robert walked over with a smile, not just because he had met an old friend, but because the state his friend was in was truly amusing. "Robert? What are you doing here?" Bruce''s swollen eyes widened, and after seeing Robert''s face through his pained gaze, he was surprised. Robert was a major shareholder in several auction houses and should be busy with business, so why was he in this small place? "Well, I''m temporarily not dealing with auction house matters. I''m currently a priest at the fortress. It''s a nice place, and I think I''ll be living here from now on." Robert smiled as he spoke. Bruce asked... Chapter63-Bloodline Inheritance He knew Robert very well¡ªhe was someone who wouldn''t take action unless there was a benefit. If he was willing to give up on the auction, it was because an even greater profit had caught his attention. This fortress must be the key! "Earlier, Daniel and Nikola told me that your trade guild is going to collaborate with our fortress, so we''re considered new partners. Come, let me introduce you!" At this moment, Robert took the initiative to step in front of Bruce and started introducing Anastasia and the others. "She is the current leader of the fortress, the captain of the Watchers'' Legion, and also the daughter of the duke." "These are the geniuses of House von Michelstein, both extremely talented and highly ranked. They''re also people of the fortress." "This is Kevin, Miss Anastasia''s protector." "This is Aiden, a friend of Duke Anthony and currently a senator of the fortress." At this point, Robert''s gaze shifted to Ironback Centipede, and with an awkward expression, he said: "This is Ironback Centipede, Velen''s mount. You''ve seen it earlier." Alan, who wasn''t introduced¡ªor rather, was ignored¡ªwas feeling very displeased. He was the second member to join the fortress. How could they not even give him any recognition? As Alan muttered to himself, Bruce''s face had already turned pale in shock. He had originally thought that the fortress was just another faction, but it turned out not only was it backed by House von Michelstein, but it also had so many Ascended Rank experts! Such a lineup would be considered invincible on Uranus Star. This fortress was indeed no ordinary power! At that moment, an ear-splitting explosion suddenly rang out, and a hill near the fortress was completely obliterated by a burst of black light. "The aura of Eye of Hell!" Bruce, Nikola, and Daniel sensed the terrifying gaze and instantly turned pale in shock. Under their watchful eyes, a white-furred rabbit hopped over, and the deathly Eye of Hell aura was emanating from it. "My god, a rabbit has mastered Eye of Hell?" The three of them couldn''t believe their eyes! After all, Eye of Hell was said to be a world-ending skill, capable of destroying entire star systems. It was an extremely rare skill, and mastering it was no easy feat. Yet now, they were witnessing the terrifying power of Eye of Hell coming from a mere rabbit. Their lips quivered as they revealed intense jealousy. Eye of Hell was a skill none of them had mastered. Meanwhile, Anastasia and the others knew that this rabbit was Velen''s pet, and he had fed it a lot of valuable items, making it a spellbeast now. "Little White Rabbit!" When Velen saw the rabbit hopping over, a smile appeared on his face. He hadn''t seen the rabbit for a while. The little white rabbit, in turn, jumped over to Velen''s side, rubbing its head against his leg in an affectionate manner. After consuming a lot of Fortifying Potions, the rabbit had developed considerable intelligence and saw Velen as a parent. Seeing how cute the rabbit was, Velen immediately took out some SSS Tomes of Skill Experience and handed them to the rabbit. The little rabbit knew that everything Velen gave it was extraordinary. As soon as it saw the SSS Tomes of Skill Experience, it quickly activated its mana and began absorbing them. Soon, the rabbit''s eyes turned as black as the deep starry sky, and a sense of destruction and desolation spread from its gaze. The surrounding area seemed to turn into a dead desert! The rabbit''s proficiency in Eye of Hell shot up rapidly! The people around also felt the increasingly terrifying pressure radiating from the rabbit, their faces turning pale in shock. "I knew it. Velen always has unbelievable treasures!" Daniel and Nikola had seen these SSS Tomes of Skill Experience before when Velen had casually shown them along with Starry Stone and afterlife flowers. They had sensed something unusual back then. Now, as they watched Velen use them on the rabbit, they realized just how extraordinary the SSS Tomes of Skill Experience were. After all, the little rabbit was merely a spellbeast-like animal, but with the SSS Tomes of Skill Experience, its proficiency in Eye of Hell had skyrocketed. It had advanced from beginner to a small success level! The power of Eye of Hell had now undergone a qualitative transformation! Nikola, who was envious and biting his teeth, soon let go of his frustrations. After all, Velen had even given him Fenrir''s bloodline. Using such powerful items on a rabbit wasn''t a big deal for Velen. As long as Velen was happy, that was all that mattered. He truly was an unprecedented tycoon! Watching Velen''s display of wealth, Anastasia couldn''t help but feel her eyelids twitch. She tried to comfort herself mentally, "These things aren''t mine. I must stay calm!" But despite trying to calm herself, she couldn''t help but be shaken. After all, Hael had once told her about the incredible power of the SSS Tomes of Skill Experience, and now that she had witnessed it firsthand, she was even more certain that these were treasures beyond compare. Velen casually handed the books to the rabbit, elevating its Eye of Hell proficiency to the next level. If those SSS Tomes of Skill Experience had been used on the young geniuses in Ducal Manor, their skills would have experienced an explosive improvement. "This guy really is extravagant. I used to think that eating a dragon''s corpse was Velen''s limit, but now I see that''s just his baseline. This just makes me more certain that I''ve come to the right place!" Aiden was equally shaken, but the more he saw, the more he realized that joining the fortress had been the right choice. After all, if even a rabbit following Velen could receive such benefits, then as a living person, all he had to do was serve Velen well, and he would reap huge rewards! Just a little scrap that slipped through Velen''s hands would be enough to make him ecstatic. Meanwhile, Hael and the others, who had already seen Velen''s even grander displays of wealth, remained calm. "This is just Velen''s basic operation. If they saw him going all out, they''d probably faint from excitement," Hael remarked. "None of these guys have seen the world. When you''re with Velen, the first thing you need to do is adjust your mindset!" Hael and the others, being younger, were able to adjust their mentality easily. When facing Velen, they knew not to rely on common sense. He was someone beyond comprehension. Not long after, the goods from the fleet were transferred to the fortress. Bruce and the others declined Anastasia''s invitation to stay and left. Although Bruce still had many questions, he couldn''t ask directly with so many people around. Now, as they left, he was planning to ask them about the nature of the agreement they had with Velen. "You''d better tell me what you''ve agreed with Velen. While we''re still here, I need to know if there''s anything I can do to remedy this. Otherwise, you''ll regret it when you get back to Head!" "Don''t try to fool me by saying you''ve got the formula for dragon blood potions. That''s been lost for who knows how many years." Back at the fleet, Bruce coldly glared at the two of them and began questioning them. "Velen didn''t even care about such a precious bloodline; do you really think he needed to deceive us?" Daniel added at this moment. "Besides, you don''t know, in Velen''s eyes, an S rank skill is nothing more than toilet paper¡ªjust worthless trash." Bruce was even more shocked. An S rank skill¡ªthat was something they had never sold at their trade guild despite selling so many other things! "S rank skill, toilet paper... what are you even talking about?" Bruce stared at Daniel in confusion. Daniel said indifferently, "Just take it literally. Velen gave that level of skill to Nikola to use as toilet paper." At these words, Bruce''s eyes nearly popped out of their sockets! It was only now that he understood why his son and the young master trusted Velen so much. "Since the dragon blood potion recipe is most likely genuine, once we verify it back home, I''ll come here with Craig, the head, and we''ll renegotiate. A 10% profit share is far too little¡ªat least 20%, or even 30%. The recipe for the dragon blood potion is priceless, and Velen has shown such great sincerity, we can''t afford to shortchange him!" ... Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. At the fortress. Inside the grand hall. "Captain, I do work for the fortress, that''s my duty. You don''t need to single me out..." After Anastasia had personally summoned him to the hall, Velen had initially smiled humbly, his expression showing a hint of awkwardness. However, upon seeing Anastasia''s increasingly serious gaze, he was caught off guard. But he couldn''t think of anything he had done wrong recently. "Velen, it seems I''ve underestimated you all this time. Maybe I should be your vice-captain instead of you being mine." Chapter64-Back to the Fortress "You''ve only been gone from the fortress for how long? And already you''ve accumulated so many titles?" "Hatchling Order member!" "Independent senator!" "Even founded the Tycoon Club, and made the headmaster of Celestia Academy your mentee?" "Velen? Independent senator? Should I just call you ''Grandmaster'' now?" Anastasia spoke with a teasing smile. Velen scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "Captain, just call me Velen. These titles were forced onto me, they''re nothing but empty titles!" "The kindness you''ve shown me, Captain, I still haven''t repaid it!" Velen said with a mischievous grin. He needed to build a good rapport with Anastasia. If she kept being so harsh with him, things wouldn''t go well. But if she eventually became his girlfriend... Just thinking about it made him a little excited! Velen knew Anastasia pretty well¡ªcold on the outside, warm on the inside! Though she acted indifferent to him on the surface, he knew she had noticed his contributions to the fortress. Once he fully developed the fortress, she would definitely be moved! After all, he was a tycoon¡ªhe had all the time and money in the world. He believed that with a constant stream of mana stones powering the fortress, it would only get stronger, and one day, Anastasia would surely reveal her soft side to him. Anastasia looked at Velen with sincere feelings, somewhat touched. Despite leaving the fortress and experiencing so much, he still remembered the fortress and her. That was rare. "By the way, Anastasia, the Tycoon Club was just something I mentioned casually. Belle must have told you about it. The headmaster of Celestia Academy joined because he lost a bet, not because he genuinely wanted to be my mentee." "And as for the title of independent senator, they forced it on me!" Velen quickly clarified again, not wanting Anastasia to misunderstand him. Upon hearing this, Anastasia''s expression slowly softened. Although many things had happened around Velen, he was still the same Velen. Nothing had really changed, and that was enough for her! Thinking this, Anastasia stopped dwelling on the past and suddenly spoke, "Velen, since you''ve been to the Singularity Battlefield, do you know of a little-known place there?" Velen thought for a moment, then spoke, "You''re talking about Chaos City, right?" "I was there for half a day once, just long enough to rush through a wave of chaos cards. But when my pass expired, I had to be teleported out." Velen''s face showed regret as he spoke. Anastasia''s expression grew complicated. Chaos City was a secret to most awakeners. She hadn''t expected Velen not only to know about it but to have visited it. This was his first time entering the Singularity Battlefield, yet he already knew about such a hidden place¡ªhe must have learned it from the Senate. "Anastasia, that place is quite interesting..." Seeing Anastasia seemed particularly curious about Chaos City, Velen eagerly began sharing his experiences there. Upon hearing that it was a place with extremely advanced technology, Anastasia grew even more intrigued. "Everyone there is after chaos cards. Chaos cards can buy anything you can imagine¡ªgoods, services, anything!" "When I get my next pass, I''ll definitely take you there. We''ll make those Ascended Rank big shots wash our feet for us!" Velen spoke boastfully. In other galaxies, he might not be able to do this, but in Chaos City, he absolutely could! Anastasia looked at Velen with a deeper, more thoughtful gaze. Velen''s words were sincere, and she could feel the truth in them. Velen had always considered her and the fortress, and having him join was truly a great fortune. Feeling his gaze soften, Velen smiled faintly. Great, Anastasia was indeed cold on the outside but warm on the inside. His efforts seemed to have opened her heart, bringing them closer together. Anastasia, however, quickly came to her senses. Seeing Velen smiling at her, she realized her gaze had been a little too special just now. She quickly suppressed her emotions and awkwardly turned away, "Let''s leave it at that for today. I''ll report your visit to Chaos City to the Senate." Velen nodded understandingly. Anastasia was a strong-willed person. While her attitude toward him had softened, there was still a long way to go! After Velen left the hall, he suddenly saw a muscular old man approaching with a bright smile. "Velen, I''m Aiden, a friend of Duke Anthony and a senator of the fortress. I''m also a berserker. If you need anything, just let me know!" "Kevin and Robert are getting too old, but I, though older, know that hundreds of years are still the prime time to fight!" Velen was about to respond when he saw Kevin and Robert storming over, clearly upset. "Aiden, you''re really something. Weren''t you the one who said no internal competition, that everything should be fair?" Kevin said angrily. Caught in the act, Aiden was a bit embarrassed but knew his goal had been achieved. "Well, I don''t have anything to do today. Let''s see about tomorrow!" Velen understood their intentions¡ªthey wanted the Afterlife Flower and dragon blood. Not wanting things to escalate, he spoke up first. "If anything comes up tomorrow, I''ll definitely need your help." None of them dared get angry in front of Velen, so they all nodded seriously. "Alright, Velen. Call us anytime!" Aiden was the first to speak, then turned and left, his goal already achieved. "We''ll be waiting, Velen. That old man''s too unreliable!" Kevin and Robert said before leaving as well. "Velen!" When Velen returned to his courtyard, Hael, Unum, and Alan were all gathered around him. Looking at the six people surrounding him, Velen couldn''t help but feel a little helpless. Sure enough, wherever a standout person goes, they''re the center of attention! "Velen, you''ve only been gone for a little while, and now you''re already at Expert Rank level 9?" Only then did Hael and the others notice that Velen''s level had already risen dramatically, and they looked at him with great curiosity. "Before entering the Singularity Battlefield, Velen, you were only at Apprentice Rank lv9, right? How did you suddenly leap over two ranks?" Although they knew that there were many great opportunities in the Singularity Battlefield, advancing so many levels at once was truly unbelievable! However, when Alan heard this, he looked at them with a calm expression. When he first saw Velen, he noticed that Velen''s level was skyrocketing, and the speed of his advancement was like riding a rocket. Even with tremendous opportunities, no one could compare to Velen''s speed of growth. So, he directly turned his gaze to Velen and thoughtfully said, "Velen, how long did it take for you to go from Apprentice Rank lv9 to Expert Rank lv9? It must have been a one-time breakthrough, right?" Alan was the second person to join the fortress. Originally, his talent was quite good, but compared to Velen, and later the talents of Hael and the others, there were still some gaps. Now that Velen was back, as one of Velen''s supporters, he planned to use him to gain some attention, otherwise, he would soon be forgotten. After hearing Alan''s words, Hael and the others all stared at him in shock. A one-time leap from Apprentice Rank lv9 to Expert Rank lv9? What kind of joke was that? "Alan, have you been doing too many alchemical experiments and damaged your brain? Even if Velen is exceptionally gifted, there''s never been a case in all the galaxies'' history where someone can break through two ranks at once!" "That''s right, Alan, your over-the-top praise is actually a form of overkill for Velen! Breaking through two levels at once is almost impossible!" "Each rank represents a huge gap, tens of times bigger than the previous one. Even without hitting a bottleneck, accumulating the foundation for upgrades takes a long time!" "Alan, you''re only at Adept Rank, so maybe you don''t understand much about leveling up. But what you''re saying can only happen in a dream!" Hael and the others spoke one after another. They all knew that Velen''s talent was extraordinary, but what Alan said was too outrageous, something that had never happened before in history! In fact, to them, breaking through a single rank in one go would be enough to make history and shake the galaxy. "Alan truly understands me!" At that moment, Velen, who was somewhat surprised, stared at Alan and slowly said, "I originally thought the only witnesses to my leveling up were the mountains and two corpses, but I didn''t expect Alan to have guessed it. You have no idea, when I broke through, the surge of mana was so sudden and uncontrollable!" As Velen spoke, he seemed to drift back to the moment of his breakthrough, recalling those two corpses. After Velen finished speaking, Hael and the others were instantly stunned. Although they had not believed Alan''s words, hearing Velen himself say it made it far more likely to be true! After all, from their interactions with Velen, he wasn''t someone who spouted nonsense. The key was that there was no reason for him to lie to them. In just a few days, he had gone from Apprentice Rank lv9 to Expert Rank lv9, which was already shocking enough. It was hard to imagine how shocking it would be to leap over two ranks at once! The feeling of having your strength increase dozens, even hundreds of times in an instant¡ªwhat could that possibly feel like? Velen ignored the astonished expressions around him and suddenly looked at Alan, somewhat curious, and said, "Alan, you''ve drunk so many Fortifying Potions and inhaled the afterlife flower''s incense. Your body should have undergone great changes, right? Why haven''t you broken through to Expert Rank yet?" Although Alan seemed insignificant in the eyes of Hael and the others, in Velen''s view, this man had the aura of a chosen one. He was far from simple. Hearing Velen''s words, Hael and the others immediately shifted their attention to Alan. They admitted that they hadn''t paid much attention to Alan before. After all, they were the carefully selected geniuses from Ducal Manor, and they had looked down on someone like Alan, a local native. However, now that Velen had spoken, their curiosity about Alan was piqued. Their gaze once again focused on Alan, now filled with intent to scrutinize him. Why? Why was his body so pure, as if it had just been born, with not even a hint of impurity to be felt? "Fortifying Potion? The potion that enhances physical strength and refines the body?" "But isn''t the effect of that potion quite small? And it''s so rare¡­" Hael and the others exchanged glances, all seeing the confusion in each other''s eyes. Then, they suddenly looked toward Velen, realizing that with him around, anything seemed possible! "Alan, just how many Fortifying Potions have you drunk?" Seeing Hael and the others looking at him with such astonishment, Alan calmly said, "I haven''t drunk that many, just as much as I could hold in my stomach. Also, this wasn''t just any Fortifying Potion. It was a Master Rank lv3 Fortifying Potion. Since I''m only at Adept Rank, I almost missed this opportunity." By the end, his voice lost some of its calmness and gained a touch of pride. Hael and the others were top-tier talents from Ducal Manor, so what? He believed that with his body refined by the Master Rank Fortifying Potion, his natural talent was not inferior to theirs. Compared to them, he was only short on some foundation and time! His future was boundless, and he was completely capable of competing with these top geniuses from Ducal Manor! Hael and the others, hearing this, had expressions of realization on their faces. The Fortifying Potion itself was already a rare and special potion, and Alan had consumed the Master Rank version. The effects were almost fully catalyzed, making it far more powerful than an ordinary Fortifying Potion. sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The key point was that the fact that Alan had received such a thing clearly pointed to Velen''s involvement! Instantly, they all gazed at Alan with intense envy. If they had encountered such good fortune when they were Alan''s age and level, they were certain their bloodline and other factors would have undergone qualitative changes, and they might have even had the chance to ascend to the upper plane universe and become one of the top powers! Thinking this, they once again looked at Alan with curiosity and reverence, no longer looking at him with the slight disdain they had held before. After enduring the effects of the Master Rank Fortifying Potion, Alan''s body had reached an ultimate purity, and his mana core was refined to its peak. That alone made him incomparable to them. His future might even surpass theirs! After being stared at by Hael and the others in awe, Alan proudly lifted his head and chest, then looked toward Velen, the one who had changed his fate. "Originally, I was planning to level up earlier, but Miss Anastasia asked me to wait for you to return, in case anything unexpected happened." Velen nodded. He understood that this was why Anastasia cared so much about them. Breaking through from Adept Rank to Expert Rank was a major step, and once successful, they would be the backbone of the universe''s forces, leaving behind their origins as lower-tier Awakeners. Velen thought for a moment and realized that he didn''t currently have anything that could help Alan. "I don''t have anything that can help you at the moment. Just wait for now." He wanted to help Alan, but there was truly nothing he could offer at the moment. Upon hearing this, Hael and the others looked at Alan with extreme envy. With Velen''s help, Alan''s body had been refined to an unprecedented level, which was already shocking. If Velen were to assist him in breaking through to Expert Rank, that would be like adding wings to a tiger. His future accomplishments might even surpass theirs due to Velen''s help! Unfortunately, they hadn''t encountered Velen when they were striving for their own Expert Rank breakthroughs. However, upon thinking further, Hael and the others quickly realized. Although they had missed the opportunity to break through to Expert Rank, they had all reached Titan Rank, and breaking through to Heroic Rank was still incredibly important. If they could receive Velen''s help now, it would be a huge boost to them! The higher they advanced, the more critical the assistance they needed! Chapter65-Star Hunt, the new task from the system With Velen''s help, they felt like they might break through their own limits. Velen was like a super tycoon, providing them with an unshakable safeguard. "Congratulations, host has triggered a random task: lead the genius members of Ducal Manor to participate in the Star Hunt hosted by Element Academy." "Task requirements: host must win second place in this hunt, and the geniuses from the House of von Michelstein must not take first place." "Task success: gain luxury points. Task failure: lose luxury points." Upon hearing the system''s notification in his mind, Velen''s expression turned somewhat strange. Star Hunt. Second place? It had to be second place. This system was clearly up to something! Although he had no idea what the Star Hunt was about, he figured that since nothing particularly urgent was happening at the moment, it wouldn''t hurt to join. It could be considered a social event with everyone gathering together! But the requirement to get second place actually seemed harder than securing the first! Not allowing Hael and the others to take first place¡ªthis was clearly a patch the system had added. "Hael, do you know anything about the Star Hunt hosted by Element Academy?" Velen decided to figure out the situation first. If Hael and the others had just joined the fortress and didn''t know anything about it, he planned to ask Anastasia¡ªshe might have more information. "Velen, I didn''t know you already knew about it. A few days ago, Element Academy sent us a challenge letter, inviting us to participate in the Star Hunt. But Miss Anastasia seems to have rejected it, so we don''t know much more about it," Hael shared the information he had with Velen. Velen nodded. Hael and the others probably only knew that much. So, Velen went directly to the great hall where Anastasia was. When Velen arrived, Anastasia was absorbing mana from a mana stone, diligently leveling up. Seeing Velen return so quickly, her eyebrows furrowed slightly, but she still asked, "What''s going on?" "I just heard Hael and the others say that Element Academy sent us a challenge letter, asking us to join the Star Hunt. Is that true?" Velen asked directly. Anastasia nodded. "Element Academy is a well-known faction on Uranus Star. This time, they sent challenge letters to more than ten powerful factions around here, hoping to get us to participate in the Star Hunt." "They previously approached me. If we decide to join, we''d need to put a large amount of materials that can help with leveling into the small asteroid where the Star Hunt will take place. Any faction that can grab those materials will keep them." "Although Element Academy seems to have restricted the number of participants to ensure fairness, they are hosting the event on an asteroid they know very well. They already have a huge advantage. Agreeing to join would be a disadvantage." Anastasia spoke faintly, showing no interest in this event. She felt it would waste her valuable time. Moreover, knowing that the other side might use some underhanded tactics, she was even less interested. Velen understood Anastasia''s thoughts, so he took a deep breath and said, "Anastasia, I want to participate in this Star Hunt!" "You want to join? But Fortress doesn''t have enough precious materials¡­" Before she could finish her sentence, she realized that Velen''s expression had become excited. Thinking of Alan, the big tycoon, Anastasia swallowed the second half of her sentence. She knew that once she mentioned that Fortress lacked materials and gold coins to join the Star Hunt, Velen would raise his hand and say that these problems were no issue and would take care of it. As she expected, Velen quickly spoke up with a confident tone. "Captain, leave the materials and gold coins to me! Those are just small problems!" With that, Velen pulled out several priceless treasures from his storage bag. "Captain, you''re familiar with the SSS Tomes of Skill Experience, the rare and valuable things that can only be snatched through hard work. Let''s take out fifty of them!" "Also, I''ve got some Afterlife Flowers here, I''ll take out fifty of them too!" S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Here''s some Starry Stones, I''ll painfully part with three of them!" "And, I have 100 drops of dragon blood. This should be enough, right?" Seeing Velen present such rare treasures, Anastasia''s eyes almost went blind. At the same time, a surge of anger began to build in her heart. As usual, Velen was acting extravagantly, bringing out so many rare treasures in advance. If all of these items were thrown into the asteroid for the Star Hunt, it would be a complete waste! The combined wealth of all the factions joining the event couldn''t even compare to the scraps Velen was offering! "Captain, should be enough, right?" Velen didn''t think it was a waste. To him, it was a perfect opportunity to show off his wealth! If other factions saw these treasures, they would be so hyped up they''d be ready to dive into a mad chase for them. He couldn''t wait to make them see what real luxury and indulgence looked like. However, as soon as Velen finished speaking, Anastasia shook her head repeatedly. "Keep all of these treasures in Fortress. Fortress needs them for development." First of all, how could she let these precious things go to waste in the Star Hunt? Even a single one of them being lost would make her faint! Secondly, Velen''s habit of showing off had to be corrected! She quickly thought of a way to address his behavior and smiled to herself. But just as she was smiling, Velen decisively waved his hand and put everything back into his storage bag. He then glared at Anastasia, looking like a bird protecting its food. Anastasia, seeing his swift action, was completely confused. She only wanted to keep the treasures in Fortress for his benefit, worried that Velen, being young and hot-headed, might not handle them well. But how could he take them all back so quickly? Her smile froze. "Captain, these items are for the Star Hunt. They can''t go to Fortress." Velen shook his head firmly. Anastasia was now a bit puzzled. She knew Velen cared about Fortress. Otherwise, he wouldn''t have spent so much effort working with Aurora Trade Guild to create a long-term source of gold coins and mana stones for Fortress. But now, with Velen taking out all these precious items, he seemed unusually determined to not keep them for the fortress. "Captain, if I really give these to you, are you going to leave them in storage and let them gather dust?" Velen looked serious and sternly asked Anastasia. "Unused resources aren''t resources at all. Only when these things are used to help the prodigies of Fortress level up will they have value. You can''t just hoard them like this." To Velen, it wasn''t about the treasures. It was more about Anastasia''s stinginess. If she took them, she would never use them. "If you need mana stones or Afterlife Flowers, I can burn them and send the incense to you. I won''t hold back!" Velen''s words were firm and decisive. Anastasia, hearing this, shook in anger. She knew that if Velen really gave her those treasures, she would indeed keep them safe but would never use them. Velen had anticipated this. After some brief consideration and internal struggle, Anastasia made a concession. "Alright, let''s compromise. I''ll prepare the materials for the Star Hunt, and you can give these to Fortress, but how you use them is up to you." For her, if Velen the show-off actually used these treasures, that would be good. Just as long as a few remained in Fortress''s warehouse, it would be a good thing for the fortress! Seeing Anastasia make a concession, Velen was somewhat surprised. This wasn''t like the strong-willed Anastasia he knew. Her decision indirectly meant she had agreed to his flaunting of wealth. After all, the way he would use these treasures would undoubtedly be extravagant and excessive. Once Anastasia had compromised, there would likely be a second, third time. Eventually, Anastasia might even become a member of the Tycoon Club! After all, once someone experienced the pleasures of being a tycoon, it was hard to forget! Without hesitation, Velen quickly took everything from the storage bag he had just received and placed it all out. "How do you plan to use these 50 SSS Tomes of Skill Experience?" Looking at the items Velen had placed, Anastasia directly asked. Velen thought for a moment and said, "Kevin, Robert, Aiden, Hael, Alan, Ironback Centipede, and you, Captain, each of you will get two books. The rest I''ll give to Little Bunny, since these were originally meant for it." Upon hearing Velen''s distribution plan, even though Anastasia had an inkling of it, she still felt her eyelids twitch with anger. The core members of Fortress only got two SSS Tomes of Skill Experience each, while the rest went to Little Bunny? And he made it sound like they were competing with a rabbit for resources? The more Anastasia thought about it, the angrier she became. But recalling that she had previously stated that the resource allocation was Velen''s decision, she could only force herself to swallow her frustration. She then shifted her focus to the 50 Afterlife Flowers. "What are you planning to do with these Afterlife Flowers?" Velen sniffed the air and replied, "It''s been a long time since I made any aromatherapy. I''ll use all of these Afterlife Flowers to make incense. Whether for upgrading or when sleeping, the fragrance will definitely improve the mood." "Also, after you each take two, the rest can be used to give Little Bunny a nice bath. A clean, fragrant bunny is much cuter." Upon hearing this, Anastasia''s anger flared. A sharp mana fluctuation radiated from her, spreading throughout the hall. Her smooth forehead even started to twitch with visible veins. It seemed Velen''s extravagant and wasteful behavior had truly become ingrained in him. Seeing Anastasia was on the verge of exploding, Velen wisely refrained from further provoking her. Instead, he shifted the topic. "Captain, how about we place all these items on Star Hunt..." Anastasia, who had clearly reached her limit, suppressed her rising fury. She gritted her teeth and said, "I think your distribution plan is great!" Putting all these things into Star Hunt? Better to let Velen waste them. Though it made her feel like her heart was being crushed, she managed to force out a smile. "What about these three Starry Stones?" Anastasia took a deep breath and asked with a slight smile, testing her patience. Velen, having already wasted so many valuable resources, should know better by now not to misuse them. "These three Starry Stones are too few. I''ll make some kitchen utensils first. This will help with cooking. If there''s any leftover, I''ll make scissors or other tools to take care of the flowers and plants in Fortress." Velen had his own plan for the Starry Stones and spoke with a serious tone. Upon hearing this, Anastasia felt her temples throbbing painfully. Starry Stones were treasures for crafting magical tools, extremely rare and precious. But Velen was planning to turn them into kitchen utensils? Or scissors for tending to flowers? She couldn''t understand how his mind worked. How could he be so wasteful, so extravagant, yet so confident about it? Anastasia rubbed her temples, then turned her attention to the final 100 drops of Dragon Blood. "How do you plan to handle these?" she asked. "Simple. The area around Fortress is too barren, with sparse vegetation. I''ll use these drops of Dragon Blood to water the plants," Velen started to explain, but then felt a sudden cold, murderous intent in Anastasia''s gaze. The oppressive aura made him freeze. She was staring at him with an expression so chilling, it made his back feel icy. He quickly shut his mouth. "After all this, it''s good that I haven''t exploded yet. Eventually, Anastasia will come to understand the joy of being a tycoon!" Velen thought to himself, before speaking up again. "For the Dragon Blood, I think Fortress lacks proper incentives. If anyone achieves a rank breakthrough or contributes greatly, they can be rewarded with Dragon Blood." Upon hearing this, Anastasia finally let out a breath. She softened her gaze and smiled slightly. "That''s a good idea. Let''s do it as you say." Anastasia agreed quickly. Velen''s idea had given her a sense of relief. Although his character still needed to be molded, she believed that, with time, she could change him. Slowly but surely. "Kevin, have everyone in Fortress gather for a meeting!" Anastasia quickly transmitted the order to Kevin. Then, recalling how Velen, Daniel, and Nikola had spent quite a bit of time aboard the fleet, and considering Velen''s tendency to flaunt his wealth, she couldn''t help but ask out of curiosity. "By the way, what else did you waste while you were on the fleet?" "Captain, you know my personality. Everything''s just a fleeting thing, nothing too wasteful," Velen immediately shook his head. "Well, the Dragon Blood Potion¡ªDaniel and Nikola almost vomited from the smell. They''ll probably gag every time they smell it in the future." "Also, I used the S-rank skill... as toilet paper for Nikola." Anastasia''s slender fingers immediately clenched into fists. An S-rank skill! For a Heroic Rank Awakener, such skills were extremely valuable¡ªDucal Manor didn''t even have many of them. They were worth at least a billion mana stones! And now... such a precious skill had been used as toilet paper!? Anastasia took a deep breath, trying to calm her fast-beating heart. An S-rank skill was rare and powerful, but in the upper plane universe, it was still somewhat common. "Also, I acquired Fenrir''s bloodline. Nikola''s terrified of pain, so I thought it would be perfect for him to inherit it." "You have no idea, but after Nikola received the bloodline, he became incredibly violent. He and Daniel fought to the death aboard the fleet, and Nikola''s progress was rapid." Anastasia''s pupils immediately constricted. She couldn''t help but lean forward, exclaiming, "What did you say? Fenrir''s bloodline?" "You can''t be serious, right?" As someone who had once been a major figure in the upper plane universe, she had seen a Fenrir bloodline inheritor before. That person was a complete lunatic¡ªreckless in battle, growing stronger the more they fought. Even her own mentor, a top-tier decision-maker in the upper plane universe, had been driven into a corner by this individual. And that was with a rank difference! To think that someone with Fenrir''s bloodline could be such a monster! Chapter66-Taina Planet Upon hearing this, Anastasia froze, staring blankly at Velen. Fenrir''s bloodline, Velen actually knows about it! When the terrifying being from the upper plane universe fought her mentor, they had clearly told her that without absolute strength, anyone with Fenrir''s bloodline should never be touched, because doing so would only help the other party grow stronger! Now, not only does the upper plane universe have a battle-crazed individual, but there is also one in this plane universe! However, looking at Velen, he seemed to have a strong aversion to this terrifying bloodline! "Velen, Fenrir''s bloodline is not as simple as you think. If you ever face one, you''ll understand the terror of it!" "That''s a monster with no growth limit! From now on, if you meet Nikola again, make sure to maintain a good relationship with him. He will become your strongest support in the future!" The power of Fenrir''s bloodline made Anastasia forget about Velen''s extravagance and wastefulness. She had personally witnessed the terror and potential of this bloodline and only hoped that Velen wouldn''t miss out on this great opportunity! Faced with Anastasia''s excited expression, Velen helplessly scratched his hair. "That Nikola guy kept pestering me, calling me ''Big Brother.'' I''m so sick of him." "He even said he wants to build the strongest trade guild in the universe, and if I ever need help, he''ll follow me through fire and water. I don''t even have a gang here; it''s like he''s treating me like a mafia boss." "Captain, do you think he''s read too many novels?" Upon hearing Velen''s complaints, Anastasia''s face darkened. Velen was doing this on purpose! He was showing off! She had just been trying to get him to build a good relationship with Nikola and get close to him, but instead, Velen had directly become Nikola''s big brother! The tables had turned! Anastasia put a hand to her forehead, feeling like having Velen around might just be pushing her mental state to the brink. "Miss, they''ve all arrived!" At that moment, Kevin''s voice came from outside the hall. Then, he brought everyone into the hall. "Lord Anastasia, is there something urgent?" Aiden looked at Anastasia''s unusual expression and asked curiously. Since Anastasia had established the fortress, she was considered a lord, albeit the lowest level of lord. Naturally, the people working under her had to address her as "Lord." "Ahem, I suddenly feel a bit unwell. I need to go to the restroom. You all chat for now." Seeing Anastasia''s gaze shift towards him, Velen quickly made an excuse and fled the scene. Anastasia sighed helplessly as she watched him disappear. It was impossible to reason with Velen. As much as she wanted to complain, he had a point. After all, Velen was the mascot of the fortress, the big tycoon. He was a huge asset to both her and the fortress. She shook her head, pushing those distracting thoughts away, and turned her attention to the people in front of her. With a calm voice, she said: "I gathered you here today because Velen has contributed a batch of valuable resources to the fortress, and I plan to distribute some of them to you." Everyone froze for a moment, except for the snow-white rabbit, whose ears immediately perked up, showing pure excitement and longing. Anastasia''s mouth twitched. Clearly, the rabbit was just as extravagant as Velen¡ª it was like Velen''s second self! She let out a bitter laugh. It seemed that in terms of enjoyment, these people were no match for a rabbit. "Well, it''s not my stuff anyway. Since the rabbit knows how to enjoy, I shouldn''t be worse than a rabbit, right?" Anastasia thought angrily, not realizing that her mindset was subtly changing without her noticing. "SSS Tomes of Skill Experience, you all should be familiar with these. Their impact on skill proficiency is unparalleled by other treasures. Here are 50 books, and each of you will take two." Saying this, Anastasia took two books and put them into her storage bag. The others followed suit, quickly grabbing their two books. "Lord, you''re so kind to us. Is this an entry gift?" S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Kevin and the others were all delighted. "By the way, Lord, there are still 28 more SSS Tomes of Skill Experience. Should we distribute them as well?" They all knew the importance of these tomes and hoped to get a few more. "The remaining ones already have owners." Anastasia said, her inner anger rising but she suppressed it before continuing, "Those remaining are for the little white rabbit." The rabbit, as if understanding, eagerly hopped over to the tomes and laid down on top of them, comfortably absorbing mana. Soon, after absorbing all the books, its eyes turned an even darker shade than the night, and an aura of cold, destructive hellish energy seemed to freeze the entire fortress. Kevin and the others were left speechless. This harmless-looking little white rabbit not only possessed the terrifying skill "Eye of Hell," but its proficiency was rapidly increasing with the help of the SSS Tomes of Skill Experience! Just a glance at its eyes sent chills down their spines and goosebumps all over their bodies. "That''s its own, no need to envy." Anastasia hummed coldly, speaking seemingly to the others, but more to herself. "Now, here''s the afterlife flower. As usual, take two each, and leave the rest for the little white rabbit." "Also, a reminder, this is for incense making. Use it properly over the next couple of days. If you don''t, you''ll be expelled from the fortress." With that, Anastasia gritted her teeth and took two afterlife flowers. Seeing this, the others knew this was Velen''s doing. Although reluctant, they could only agree with a tearful nod. "Now, these dragon bloods are a reward from the fortress. Those who have contributed to the sect will be able to receive them. The specific rules will be released in a couple of days, so make sure to read them carefully when the time comes." Anastasia said as she put the dragon blood into her storage bag. Then, she looked at the Starry Stone. This item was invaluable for high-level awakeners. She was planning to use it to make kitchen tools and garden scissors. She decided not to tell them about its real use. If they knew, they''d definitely go crazy. After Anastasia finished distributing the items, she left the hall, and Kevin and the others immediately fell into a frenzy. Although the SSS Tomes of Skill Experience weren''t many, they would help improve their skill proficiency by a level. As for the afterlife flowers, even though they were extravagant, they could still benefit from them, something they never even dared to dream of before. Now, thanks to Velen, they could actually have them in reality. Among them, the most excited was Aiden. As a berserker, the reason he joined the fortress was to get dragon blood. Now, not long after joining, he saw the hope of obtaining it! Meanwhile, Anastasia, after careful thought, decided to have her good friend help her forge some items. Although she was only a lv7 blacksmith, she could still melt the Starry Stones and use them to craft simple kitchenware and scissors. "I wonder what her reaction will be when she sees these Starry Stones?" Anastasia wondered, "And after knowing their use, I wonder if she''ll go crazy¡­" Anastasia left¡­ Chapter67-With Me Here, No One Can Hurt You! Upon seeing Victoria, a loli face with a muscular body, Anastasia''s heart eased slightly. However, her expression remained stern, and she said directly: "Victoria, I''ve come here this time hoping you can help me craft a few things." Victoria, seeing Anastasia''s serious face, shook her head slightly and said, "Anastasia, I really don''t know how you developed this personality. You always look like you have a deep grudge against the world. Can''t you smile more?" "Your personality is just like a boy''s. Only I can tolerate it," Victoria added with a teasing tone. Anastasia didn''t like to smile, and this was something Victoria always found a bit unsettling, as if there were a heavy stone weighing on her heart. S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. She had always wanted to change Anastasia''s character, but she had never succeeded. Seeing the concerned expression on Victoria''s face, Anastasia shook her head, saying, "I''ve gotten used to it. Besides, apart from you, the vice-captain I recruited not long ago can also accept it." As she said this, the image of Velen flashed across Anastasia''s mind. His words and actions proved that he was truly dedicated to the fortress and genuinely wanted to help her. It was clear that he accepted her cold and distant personality. Victoria, growing curious, leaned in closer, her beautiful eyes wide open in a playful manner as she asked, "Anastasia, you just joined here not long ago, and you weren''t demanding much from the guardians, so why did you suddenly appoint a vice-captain? You didn''t even tell me about this!" She and Anastasia had been good friends for many years, and Victoria''s personality was extremely cold. She wouldn''t say a word to strangers, her only focus being on leveling up! Leveling up! She had a kind of innate arrogance toward other awakeners and didn''t think much of them. Now, someone had joined the Guardians and even been appointed as vice-captain, which meant that Anastasia truly recognized him. This piqued Victoria''s curiosity even more! "You didn''t ask about it before, and besides, he... how should I put it? You can think of him as a super tycoon." Anastasia briefly mentioned it, then changed the subject, "Alright, enough gossip. Help me craft some kitchen utensils and large scissors for trimming lawns and fruit trees." She wasn''t sure why, but seeing Victoria so interested in Velen made her feel an inexplicable desire not to talk more about him. Victoria, noticing Anastasia''s odd behavior, didn''t press the issue but spoke regretfully, "Anastasia, I''m sorry, but my mentor needs my help to forge a high-quality magic tool. I won''t have any free time for the next month..." Anastasia, disappointed, was about to leave when suddenly a deep, powerful voice came from the depths of the forge shop. "It''s just crafting some simple kitchen tools and scissors, no problem!" The voice sounded, and a short but muscular, bald old dwarf appeared, holding a large black hammer, looking at Anastasia with a kindly expression. "Master Ethan!" Upon seeing the old dwarf, Anastasia''s usually emotionless face showed a rare expression of respect. Ethan looked up at Anastasia and laughed heartily, "It''s been a while since I last saw you. You''ve grown so tall. Looks like I really am getting old!" He sighed, then suddenly asked, "How are those five old men from the Senate doing?" Anastasia smiled faintly and replied, "Master Ethan, thank you for thinking of them. Their health is great. Senator Jake has been wanting to discuss body forging and crafting with you again." "If there''s an opportunity, I''ll definitely visit Ducal Manor again. But today, since you''ve come all the way to my shop, I won''t let you leave empty-handed," Ethan said, adjusting his long beard before turning to Victoria. "Go get some of that fine iron, we have plenty of it here. Crafting kitchen tools and garden scissors won''t take long!" Seeing that Master Ethan himself was stepping in, Anastasia quickly said, "Master Ethan, although these things are simple, there is one special requirement. I need all of them to be infused with something special during the forging process." Ethan, not at all concerned, waved it off and said, "That''s easy! You want alloyed kitchen tools, right? Just bring them over!" Ethan had always been a close friend of Ducal Manor, and since Anastasia was good friends with his mentee, he naturally wanted to make sure she was satisfied. Anastasia nodded and then took three Starry Stones that emitted a colorful glow. Holding them in her hand, the entire forge shop was immediately bathed in dazzling, multicolored light. Ethan and Victoria, both in the midst of the radiance, couldn''t help but stare at the three stones, their faces filled with astonishment. Starry Stones! Three whole Starry Stones! Seeing their shocked reactions, Anastasia felt somewhat helpless. She didn''t want to do this, but it was Velen''s decision, and she had no choice but to comply. "Anastasia, is this really true? You want to use three Starry Stones to craft kitchen tools and scissors?" Victoria asked, her voice incredulous. "You''re not planning to use them to make magic items, are you?" After a brief moment of shock, Victoria looked at Anastasia as if she couldn''t believe her ears. This was the kind of shock and awe that came from someone who was so rich they could squander treasures like Starry Stones. Was this the feeling Velen sought when he indulged in luxury and excess? Anastasia couldn''t help but feel a strange sense of satisfaction, although she quickly suppressed it. Clearing her throat, she said, "It''s just for crafting kitchen tools and scissors for trimming grass. We don''t need to make them into magic items." Before Anastasia could finish speaking, Ethan couldn''t take it anymore. He lifted his hammer and swung it toward Anastasia''s head as if he were going to knock some sense into her. As a rare smith master, he had never seen so many Starry Stones. Forging a magic item with a Starry Stone had been his lifelong dream but was something he had never been able to accomplish. Yet now, Anastasia was using three of them to craft kitchen tools and scissors?! It was such a waste; it felt like dragging his reputation through the dirt! Victoria, knowing her mentor''s hot temper, quickly grabbed his wrist and tried to calm him down. "Victoria, let go of me! Today, I''m going to teach Anastasia a lesson for being so wasteful! Starry Stones aren''t to be used like this!" "Even in the Singularity Battlefield, Starry Stones are extremely rare! Other Ascended Rank awakeners would fight to the death over them! And yet she''s using them to make kitchen tools and scissors?! I''ve never seen anything so wasteful!" As Ethan glared angrily at Anastasia, she quickly realized the gravity of the situation. With some resignation, she explained, "Master Ethan, it''s no use talking to Senator Jake and the others about the Starry Stones. These three were given to me by the independent senator of Ducal Manor, and doing this is his request." Before Ethan could say anything, a murderous aura suddenly filled the room, locking the entire forge shop down! Then, with Ironback Centipede leading the way, Velen stormed into the scene, glaring at Ethan, who was still holding the hammer. "Are you planning to strike Lord Anastasia? You have quite a bit of courage!" Velen''s voice was filled with fury. As he spoke, he stepped in front of Anastasia, his mana flaring up as he checked her body and aura. Seeing that she wasn''t harmed, Velen sighed in relief. "Lord, you''re too careless. You came to this blacksmith''s shop, and if Iron Cub hadn''t brought me here, you would''ve been in danger!" Chapter68-Speak and Be Eaten? Seeing Velen as a barrier blocking the wind in front of her, even Anastasia, with a heart as deep as a calm well, couldn''t help but feel a slight ripple. This Velen, really something, when it comes to matters, he''s truly on the frontlines! Although he looks a bit naive. "Velen, things aren''t what you think¡­" She was about to explain, but saw Velen already turning to the Ironback Centipede, giving orders. "Iron Cub, take Lord Anastasia and leave. I''ll handle this!" The moment Anastasia heard Velen''s voice, she felt a vast mana wrap around her, and under the guidance of the Ironback Centipede, she was quickly whisked away from the forge shop. She tried to break free from the Ironback Centipede''s hold, but given her current level, compared to the Ironback Centipede, the gap was still too great. She couldn''t escape. "Iron Cub, let go of me! Master Ethan is not only a smith master, but also an Ascended Rank lv9 being!" She was really worried about Velen. After all, Master Ethan''s strength was terrifying! Although the Ironback Centipede had also reached Ascended Rank lv9, it had only survived two thunder strikes. But Master Ethan had endured five thunder strikes! However, the Ironback Centipede, after sensing this, had already turned back into the forge shop, completely ignoring her words. It had already sensed the old dwarf''s level when it first saw him and knew that he was stronger than it. But standing next to Velen, a mysterious and formidable figure, it remembered how it had been pummeled by that golden-armored man. Who was in danger? That was not for Anastasia to decide. Inside the Forge Shop. After seeing Ironback Centipede take Anastasia away, Velen stared coldly at the old dwarf, his gaze filled with condescension and disdain, "Old dwarf, you''ve got guts! You dare take my stuff, dare bully my¡­ my Lord?" Saying this, Velen stomped on a nearby table, shattering it into splinters! "Are you insulting my mentor?" As Velen grew more insolent, Victoria, with her muscular arms clenched tightly, ready to strike, was stopped by Ethan with a firm grip on her wrist. "You''ve got courage, I haven''t seen many like you," Ethan said, sizing up the arrogant Velen, a trace of admiration appearing on his wrinkled old face. "Mentor, this guy insults you like that and you''re praising him?" Victoria was utterly confused, hands on her hips. Ethan looked at Velen for a moment, then turned to comfort the fuming Victoria with a chuckle, "If you ever have someone like him under your command, someone who will step up without hesitation in a critical moment, no matter how he insults me, I would not be angry, I''d be very pleased!" Victoria paused for a moment before realizing. It seemed this Velen was likely the Vice Captain that Anastasia had just mentioned. To stand up for Anastasia in front of her mentor, no matter how rude he was, it showed he was indeed someone worth respecting. No wonder Anastasia valued him so much; Victoria couldn''t help but feel a little happy for her. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Victoria''s gaze softened as she looked at Velen. After a brief silence, Ethan spoke up again, "Who are you? When standing up for someone else, shouldn''t you first check your own rank? Do you really think you can act recklessly just because of that spellbeast?" Although Ethan could feel that the young man in front of him was a friend of Anastasia, he didn''t know their exact relationship or background. Now was a good time to test Velen. After all, Velen gave off an air of someone who didn''t seem to think much of Ethan. Before Velen could respond, Ironback Centipede couldn''t help but laugh. If it followed Velen''s instructions and got beaten up in return for letting off some steam, though it would be humiliating, at least it would save its life. Otherwise, it might not even know how it died. "Old dwarf, you seem to be a terrifying existence with that level. How about we gamble? No matter how hard you strike, you won''t be able to hurt a single hair on my body?" Velen waved his hand provocatively at Ethan, the challenge so strong it almost spilled over. "You''re pretty cocky, young man!" Seeing Velen''s confidence, Ethan grew even more curious. He raised his forge hammer and swung it down at Velen. The air cracked around it, as if smashing through glass. With his own strength at Ascended Rank lv9 and being both a blacksmith and berserker, that hammer strike could flatten a mountain in an instant! Of course, Ethan was confident enough in his skills to stop the blow before it could turn Velen into mush. After all, Velen was only at Expert Rank lv9, and he wouldn''t be able to withstand a blow like this. As the hammer grew closer to Velen, the air in front of him twisted like dough. A force that seemed to tear the heavens apart surged out, freezing time and space for a moment. Then, a red-haired man with a single eye appeared in front of Velen with a crazed laugh. "Finally, a minion who''s barely worth looking at. Now I can descend!" As he spoke, an aura of hellish bloodlust spread from him, turning the air around him a chilling crimson. Madness! Terror! Slaughter! Anyone within this blood-red aura felt an overwhelming sense of impending death, their hearts gripped with anxiety! Even Ethan, the most powerful of them, was momentarily stunned. The moment he saw the man''s single eye, memories flooded back of this man''s destructive presence on battlefields, tearing through Awakener after Awakener, blood droplets raining like a bloody storm! This man seemed to revel in killing, and he could bring about endless carnage! As the man''s blood-soaked gaze scanned the room, his hands, dripping with blood from his fingertips, trembled with excitement as he spoke in a hoarse, crazed voice: "Master, let me tear them apart and show you a blood-soaked fireworks display, to vent your anger!" Upon seeing Velen, the man immediately breathed heavily and saluted before impatiently speaking. His voice was both raspy and wild, his body trembling from excitement. Velen looked at the red-haired man, surprised. It was obvious that he was one of his protectors. But why did he feel so different from the others? This one was clearly not like the others who protected him. He seemed like a madman, speaking of slaughtering all life on the planet! Everyone present didn''t feel like he was bluffing; he truly had the power to do it! Velen had no doubt. Even the lowest-ranked members of the Guardians were terrifying beings from the upper planes, capable of eradicating these people with ease. "Old dwarf, did you raise your hand against my master?" The red-haired, one-eyed man licked his lips, his voice dripping with malice. "Don''t worry. I won''t kill you just yet. I want you to watch as I carve your body into a thousand pieces and savor your flesh." Not receiving a direct order from Velen, the one-eyed man did not strike immediately, but spoke coldly. Seeing this, Velen was left speechless. The Guardians were this wild? Who did they recruit? Chapter69-The Young Independent Senator The Ironback Centipede glanced warily at the frantic one-eyed, red-haired man. It suddenly felt relieved that this person hadn''t made a move earlier; otherwise, it might have already become jerky meat by now. Quickly leaving the blacksmith''s shop, it saw Anastasia anxiously trying to break through the protective barrier. "Lord Anastasia, the two people inside say they know you. Are they your friends? They weren''t lying, were they?" Anastasia nodded repeatedly upon hearing this, although she didn''t know exactly what had happened inside. "Yes, that''s right. Victoria is my friend, and Master Ethan is an old friend of the Senate." "By the way, what''s the situation with the master? You''re probably no match for Master Ethan, right?" The Ironback Centipede nodded. In a normal duel, even as a spellbeast, it wouldn''t stand a chance against Ethan. However, Ethan was facing the unfathomable Velen. Thinking of how both Victoria and Ethan were friends of Lord Anastasia, and recalling the terrifying red-eyed man, the Ironback Centipede immediately grew anxious. "Lord, you should go check on them; something serious is about to happen!" Inside the blacksmith''s shop. "Master, no matter what, attacking you is a disrespect, and disrespecting you means there''s no need to live anymore!" The one-eyed, red-haired man cruelly licked his lips, preparing to strike at Victoria and Ethan. On one hand, these people had no sense at all, attacking Velen like this. On the other hand, he had come here with the intention of staying longer, using this opportunity to celebrate with bloodshed. Seeing his bloodthirsty nature, Velen immediately asked the system: "System, does the Guardians have no threshold? Can someone who is this murderous become a member of the Guardians?" "The Guardians are complex and unpredictable. It''s not as simple as it seems. I cannot explain it to the host at this time." Velen became even more curious after hearing this. Before he could investigate further, he fixed his cold gaze on the red-haired man, whose emotions were now on edge. "Shut up before I speak!" Seeing Velen''s displeasure, the one-eyed, red-haired man immediately knelt in fear, suddenly feeling as if he was choking to death. To others, they were the reapers of death, but in front of Velen, they didn''t even dare to breathe loudly! The fear in the red-haired man''s eyes made Velen nod with satisfaction. Looking at the Guardians, he felt as if they had entered a master-servant contract with him. In his mind, he could erase them in an instant if he wished. "How many members are there in the Guardians? Tell me everything about them." Hearing Velen''s telepathic inquiry, the red-haired man immediately responded, "Master, as far as I know, there are currently ten members in the Guardians..." He briefly shared everything he knew about the Guardians. After listening, Velen had a clearer understanding of them. The Guardians were selected from various star systems, including the upper plane universe, to protect his safety. Just as he was processing this, he suddenly received a telepathic message from Ironback Centipede, causing his expression to twitch. He quickly waved his hand and said: "Leave immediately; I''m safe for now. I don''t need you." According to the message from Ironback Centipede, what the muscular girl said earlier was true. There had indeed been a big misunderstanding. The red-haired man had no idea what Velen had heard, but when it came to Velen''s orders, he couldn''t dare defy them and quickly left. Once the terrifying presence of the red-haired man was gone, both Victoria and Ethan subconsciously let out a sigh of relief. The man''s rank was incomprehensible, and the crazed energy he emitted made them feel extremely uncomfortable. At that moment, Ethan and Victoria saw Velen take five Starry Stones from his chest and place them on a nearby table. "Here, this was all a misunderstanding. We''re all friends here, no need to make things so awkward. These five Starry Stones are for you." Since these two were close friends of Anastasia, he naturally gave them something to smooth things over. Ethan and Victoria struggled to shift their gazes from the five Starry Stones to Velen. "Who are you, exactly? What''s your relationship with Anastasia? What do you mean by interacting with her like this? Are you after her body?" Victoria fired off a series of questions straight at Velen. His presence felt too strange to her, and she couldn''t help but think of her good friend''s well-being. sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Ethan, seeing his mentee''s aggressive questioning, quickly grabbed her. "No matter who Velen is, his behavior earlier proves he won''t harm Anastasia." The more mysterious Velen''s power and background were, the more it showed he was genuinely looking out for Anastasia. Seeing her mentor stop her from continuing, Victoria frowned. Perhaps due to her instincts, she felt there was a huge secret about Velen, and if she didn''t investigate thoroughly, it could have a big impact on Anastasia. She secretly vowed to get to the bottom of Velen''s motives! And the best way to investigate was to join the fortress and stay close to Velen at all times! Just then, without the mana interference from Ironback Centipede, Anastasia hurried into the blacksmith''s shop and scanned the room, relieved to see that everyone was safe and unharmed. Earlier, in those few short minutes, she had been tormented with worry, anxious for both Velen and her friends, Victoria and Ethan. Thankfully, they hadn''t ended up in a full-blown fight. "Master, what happened here? I felt an extremely terrifying aura suddenly appear. What was going on?" Anastasia curiously looked at Velen and the others. Velen cleared his throat awkwardly. "Uh, it was all a misunderstanding! Just a misunderstanding!" "Now that everything''s clear, there''s no reason to stay. I''ll be leaving now." As he said that, Velen quickly turned to leave. The longer he stayed, the more awkward he felt. After Velen and Ironback Centipede left, Ethan looked at Velen''s retreating figure, his face grim. "Anastasia, I didn''t expect you to encounter someone like Velen here. He''s a real genius, and he''s someone you should definitely befriend." Although they didn''t know Velen''s background yet, with so many cards in hand, anyone guarding Anastasia''s side was a powerful ally. If Victoria also had someone like him by her side, perhaps the old grudges could be resolved, and they''d all live a few more years! Anastasia thought about Velen''s performance today. If it weren''t for the misunderstanding, Velen''s actions were perfect. "Anastasia, you said earlier that the Starry Stones you have were given to you by your independent senator, right? But isn''t it true that Ducal Manor only has five senators?" Ethan, noticing that Velen had given them five Starry Stones, couldn''t help but raise an eyebrow. He was curious about why Velen, so casually, handed out such precious items. "Independent senator?" Anastasia, hearing Ethan''s question, took a more serious tone. She slowly explained: "Actually, this young man, my vice-captain, is the independent senator of Ducal Manor. This was approved by the Senate, and the Starry Stones I gave you earlier were given to me by him." Ethan and Victoria were stunned, their minds struggling to comprehend. Velen, though mysterious, was connected to Ducal Manor, one of the top forces in the Titan Galaxy. How could they possibly make someone like Velen an independent senator? And wasn''t he working under Anastasia? Victoria thought hard about the situation, and her expression grew even more strange. "Anastasia, does that mean you have to call him ''Senator'' now that you''ve seen him?" Anastasia sighed and nodded. She was just as troubled by this situation as everyone else. If Victoria knew that Velen had another identity as a grandmaster, things would probably... get even more complicated. Chapter70-Velen brings yet another senator! Hearing Ethan''s question, Anastasia, after organizing the information about Velen, finally spoke firmly: "Tycoon!" "Extravagant!" "Wasteful!" Ethan widened his eyes. What was going on with Anastasia? S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Why was she emphasizing this so much? Could it be that having money meant gaining the approval of the Senate of House von Michelstein and becoming an independent senator? Anastasia, seeing the confusion in Master Ethan''s eyes, explained: "Velen gave Ducal Manor five billion mana stones, and even had Ducal Manor keep the Starlight Array running, with him fully funding it." The enhanced Starlight Array was still a secret of House von Michelstein, known only to a few. So Anastasia didn''t mention it to Master Ethan. Ethan nodded upon hearing this. He hadn''t thought about it much, but indeed, Velen was quite wealthy. To be able to casually spend so many mana stones at his age meant he must come from a powerful family. But then, after thinking for a moment, he felt something was off. "Anastasia, five billion mana stones is a lot, but House von Michelstein wouldn''t give Velen the position of independent senator just for that, would they?" Anastasia nodded. "I forgot to mention, there''s also ten million advanced mana stones." "Advanced mana stones?" "Ten million?" Ethan and Victoria both gasped in shock. They recognized the terms, but combined, they felt a tremendous impact! How precious are advanced mana stones? In the major star systems of the universe, they are a hard currency! Their purchasing power is astounding, and even the top forces, who have accumulated resources for thousands, even tens of thousands of years, don''t have more than a million advanced mana stones. But Velen... he casually gave ten million! That''s enough to buy the entire Ducal Manor! Thinking about this, Ethan suddenly understood why Velen looked so indifferent about something as rare as Starry Stone, and even used it to make kitchenware and scissors. This man was truly wealthy enough to be careless with money! Ethan, as a smith master, had seen wealthy families and top-tier aristocrats, but none compared to Velen! Suddenly, Ethan, as if realizing something, chuckled: "Anastasia, I''m getting old and just want to find a nice place to retire. Your fortress seems nice; you wouldn''t refuse an old man like me, right?" For Ethan, Velen, this big tycoon, was the hope to further improve his forging skills! After all, whether as a blacksmith, alchemist, or any other class, they all required enormous resources¡ªespecially mana stones¡ªto sustain their work. With his current forging skills, he didn''t lack mana stones, but those rare materials he needed, and the mana stones required for each of them, were all sky-high prices and hard to find. Velen''s appearance had ignited a spark of hope in his heart. Hearing this, Anastasia, thinking about how Aiden, the berserker, and Robert, the level-9 alchemist, had already joined the fortress, felt a bit of a headache. Another big shot wanted to join the fortress? Although he wouldn''t be joining the Guardians, if too many senators joined, would they end up with more senators than regular members? While Anastasia was feeling speechless, Ethan, noticing her hesitation, persuaded: "Anastasia, you''ve only just established the fortress, and aside from Protector Kevin, there aren''t any strong awakeners, right? This place is on the edge of the Titan Galaxy, very dangerous. My strength and connections here will be very helpful!" As a smith master, Ethan had vast networks and was connected to the top forces and strongest individuals! With such a weighty background, he was qualified to join any faction and become a senator. Seeing that Ethan was insistent on joining, Anastasia reluctantly nodded. Anyway, with Aiden and Robert already there, it wouldn''t hurt to let him join as well. And she knew very well that Ethan''s joining was most likely for Velen''s sake. Since that was the case, let Velen deal with it. She wanted to see how Velen, the vice captain, would turn the fortress into something different! Victoria, seeing Anastasia agreeing, also showed a faint smile. As Master Ethan''s mentee, wherever Ethan went, she would naturally follow. Before, she had been hesitant about how to join the fortress and probe Velen''s background, but now, she didn''t have to worry about that anymore. Meanwhile, at the edge of Taina Planet... "Those guys are too arrogant. This is a transit star, with many ships, fleets, and awakeners passing through, and they dare to speed through, recklessly releasing mana fluctuations to probe? They''re looking for death!" "You, an Apprentice Rank nobody, shouldn''t speak too much. Didn''t you see the sun, moon, and star symbols on them? They''re the top awakeners from Triad Sanctum!" "My heavens, Triad Sanctum could become a top-tier force, and they''re sending so many strong awakeners here?" "I don''t know, but I heard that Simon, the lord of Triad Sanctum, survived the first Judgement of RULEs and has entered the Ascended Rank of awakeners!" Many people on Taina Planet were discussing. "Speed up, everyone. We need to investigate thoroughly. The aura of Mourning of the Fallen is on this planet!" "No matter who it is, anyone who dares to harm my son must pay the price in blood!" Simon, the leader, had a cold expression and a murderous aura. Behind him, a group of Triad Sanctum''s strong members had cold eyes and an icy killing intent. As they moved, violent winds followed. Back with Velen... "This planet is so boring." After leaving the forge shop, Velen, led by Ironback Centipede, started wandering. Compared to Chaos City, which he had visited before, these places felt rather primitive and barbaric. There was none of the modern atmosphere or entertainment like in Chaos City. This left Velen somewhat disappointed. Hearing Velen''s complaint, Ironback Centipede didn''t know what to say. For spellbeasts and other awakeners, upgrading and ascending to the upper plane universe was their main goal. They were always busy, never bored. Only someone like Velen, who seemed to have everything, could feel bored. But as Velen''s mount, Ironback Centipede certainly couldn''t complain. The image of that one-eyed red-haired man still lingered in his mind. If he offended Velen, the consequences would be terrible! "If the master is bored, I know a place you might enjoy!" Suddenly, Ironback Centipede looked towards the north of Taina Planet, where there was a bustling area with many commercial streets. By now, he understood Velen; the master seemed to enjoy showing off wealth. The commercial street there seemed like the perfect place to satisfy that need. Velen, hearing this, became a little interested. "Let''s go check it out. If we find something interesting and have the chance to show off, that would be perfect." Since he was idle anyway, why not? So, following Ironback Centipede''s lead, Velen went straight to the bustling commercial street. As soon as they arrived, Velen heard many vendors calling out, selling their goods. "Come, come, take a look! Don''t miss out! I have many rare items from Singularity Battlefield, including some precious treasures!" "Look here, fresh ore from the Fourth Warzone, perfect for forging top-tier magical weapons!" "I have many skill books, all from the Singularity Battlefield ruins. Some are incomplete, but if they came from Singularity Battlefield, they''re certainly high quality!" Velen listened to the calls and looked at the shops and stalls along the street. Here, they sold all kinds of things, many of them materials from Singularity Battlefield. As a transit star, there were also plenty of unique products from other planes, making the street lively and bustling. However, while there was a lot of stuff, most of it was of low quality. Velen... Chapter71-The Shopkeeper Who Lost Big Although Velen was a tycoon, he wasn''t a fool. There was no need to waste gold coins and mana stones on such obviously fake items. After strolling around the commercial street for a short while, Velen suddenly heard a system prompt in his ear. "Discovered Chaos City pass!" "Triggered a random task: Buy the ancient beast hide containing a hidden pass. Reward: 100 luxury points. Failure: Deduct 100 luxury points." Velen narrowed his eyes, casually glancing at a shop beside him. The shop was not large, its d¨¦cor old-fashioned, and it seemed very quiet, with almost no customers. However, Velen''s attention was fixed on a piece of yellowing beast hide carelessly placed in a corner. Pass! If it weren''t for the system''s sudden reminder, Velen would never have believed that this beast hide contained a rare pass. Without hesitation, Velen walked into the shop. Inside, there was an elderly man with small eyes, but his sharpness was unmistakable, a glint of wisdom shining through. When the old man saw Velen enter and his gaze fall on the beast hide in the corner, he smiled slyly and walked up to greet him. "Dear guest, what would you like to buy? Our prices are the fairest in town!" Velen glanced at him and pointed at the yellowing beast hide, "How much for this?" As soon as Velen exposed his intentions, the old man''s smile grew wider, feeling he had just found a na?ve customer. "This ancient beast hide comes from the Singularity Battlefield''s Third Zone. It''s truly valuable. For this, an Adept Rank awakener has lost hundreds of men, battling for it in the most brutal conditions¡­" Listening to the old man''s exaggerated talk, Velen shook his head, "Just tell me the price." To him, money was just a number. Buying this would complete the system task, and that was what mattered most. "If you''re interested in this, it''s fate," the old man said with feigned sincerity, "I''ll sell it to you for 5 million mana stones, at a loss!" The old man spoke as if he was making a significant concession. Velen was slightly surprised by the price. A real Chaos City pass was extremely rare, and its price far exceeded 5 million mana stones. He had even prepared to show off, thinking he would make a substantial profit after purchasing it. Seeing Velen''s expression change, the old man wondered if he had asked for too much. 5 million mana stones for a piece of beast hide seemed a bit mismatched. If a knowledgeable buyer were to set a price, it would probably only be worth a few thousand mana stones. This beast hide had been on sale for a long time, but no one had bought it. Had it not come from the Singularity Battlefield, it probably wouldn''t have sold at all. "I know the price is high, but it''s still a fair price. For this beast hide from the Singularity Battlefield, it might even contain some powerful skill or a treasure map!" The old man tried to persuade him further. Selling these types of items was all about convincing the customer. But before the old man could finish, Velen had already taken out a storage pouch and handed it to him. "5 million mana stones. I''ll buy it." With those words, the Ironback Centipede immediately took the ancient beast hide and handed it to Velen. The old man glanced at the storage pouch. Inside, the 5 million mana stones lay silently. No haggling? He actually bought it without question? The old man had expected to bargain, thinking he could make a huge profit even if the price was halved. It was a once-in-a-lifetime deal! But Velen had bought it so decisively that it felt wrong. Could it be that the ancient beast hide held some secret he didn''t know about? They had already checked it, and apart from being sturdy, there was nothing of value. It didn''t contain any skills or treasure maps! Why had Velen paid 5 million mana stones without batting an eye? "Master, the beast hide." At that moment, the Ironback Centipede handed the beast hide to Velen respectfully. S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Velen nodded, storing it in his pouch and preparing to leave. But just then, the old man called out to him, scratching his head. "Sir, the item is yours now, but could you satisfy my curiosity? What makes this beast hide worth 5 million mana stones?" With the Chaos City pass in hand, Velen was in a good mood and decided to answer. "For you, this may not be worth much, but for me, it''s worth 50 million mana stones, even 500 million mana stones. I would still buy it without hesitation!" With that, Velen turned and left with the Ironback Centipede. The old man was left utterly stunned. Did he just hear that right? 50 million mana stones? 500 million mana stones? What kind of secret was hidden in this beast hide? Its ultimate value must be close to 1 billion mana stones! The old man couldn''t believe what he had just sold. The fool was actually him! Later, with a frown and a grim expression, the old man realized that he had just let go of something priceless. But soon, his mood shifted, a cold, greedy look overtaking his face. For someone in his line of work, relying solely on big customers wasn''t enough to survive. There were always less-than-legal ways to make a living. Meanwhile, as Ironback Centipede and Velen left the shop, the centipede turned to Velen and reminded him, "Master, that old man is keeping his eyes on us." Velen smiled, his expression one of amusement. What he said earlier about paying 500 million mana stones for the beast hide was true. He genuinely thought it was worth that much. But he had also said it on purpose, testing the old man. And the old man had taken the bait! "They''ll be here soon. Wait for them to finish collecting the mana stones, then send them on their way. Don''t forget the order," Velen instructed, his voice calm. When Ironback Centipede stared at him, looking somewhat confused, Velen immediately understood his thoughts. However, this decision had been the result of a lot of back-and-forth with the system. There was no way he could explain this to Ironback Centipede, so he decided to leave it unsaid. Chapter72-Dragon Forge "They''ll be here soon. Wait for them to finish collecting the mana stones, then send them on their way. Don''t forget the order," Velen instructed, his voice calm. When Ironback Centipede stared at him, looking somewhat confused, Velen immediately understood his thoughts. However, this decision had been the result of a lot of back-and-forth with the system. There was no way he could explain this to Ironback Centipede, so he decided to leave it unsaid. Ironback Centipede didn''t quite understand, but he committed Velen''s orders to memory. The more he thought about it, the more he felt that what his master was doing was simply cruel. To him, Velen''s ruthlessness had already surpassed that of the one-eyed, red-haired maniac. "Is this the place?" A low voice suddenly came from outside the door. Ironback Centipede''s expression grew serious, and he reported, "Master, there are two individuals. One of them is at Hero Rank level 8. This is likely the helper that person hired." Velen nodded and opened the door. The two men, who had been attempting to force their way in, froze when the door swung open. Their faces twisted into cruel smiles as they stormed into the room. When they saw the pile of mana stones, stacked like a small mountain at the doorway, both men were momentarily stunned. The sight before them was astonishing¡ªthere were at least a million mana stones, maybe even more! Their excitement intensified as they realized the enormity of what they were looking at. The five million mana stones Velen had previously given them, along with this massive pile, confirmed that Velen was indeed a wealthy tycoon. "Well, well, you two are the first ones to recognize me as a big-time target. Consider this one million mana stones a token of my appreciation," Velen said, walking over to the pile and pushing it toward the two men. They stared for a moment, then their expressions turned icy. "You think one million mana stones will buy us off, you little brat? Do you take us for beggars?" one of them sneered. "Hand over your storage bags!" the other demanded. "If you cooperate and give us five hundred million mana stones, we might let you go." David couldn''t hold back and spoke first. He had promised his boss five hundred million mana stones, and this one million wasn''t nearly enough¡ªit was practically an insult! Velen sighed inwardly and spoke to the system, "System, didn''t I tell you these guys have huge appetites? They need more mana stones to make it interesting. I want to scare them to death, but now I''m being looked down upon by these two lowlifes. A big tycoon like me is being disrespected!" Velen''s words were dripping with sarcasm as the system hummed, seemingly reluctant to respond. Then, with a sharp tearing sound, a golden-armored guardian appeared, familiar to Ironback Centipede. Seeing that it wasn''t the one-eyed, red-haired man, Ironback Centipede let out a silent breath of relief. Velen, on the other hand, was puzzled. "Why is a Guardian showing up? There''s no danger here." The system''s cold voice echoed, "As the host is a top-tier tycoon, these small-time thugs don''t deserve to rob you. Erase them immediately." Velen shot a sidelong glance. He could tell the system was just making excuses now, using some absurd tactics. Ironback Centipede silently watched as David and his partner were instantly eliminated, not daring to ask any questions. He simply helped Velen pack the one million mana stones into a storage bag. "Ugh, this is so boring," Velen muttered, shaking his head. Just as he was about to leave, the system''s voice rang out again. "System error. Compensation granted to host: 100,000 luxury points, 100 lv9 Angel Wing Barriers, and Dragon Forge." Velen''s previously irritated expression turned into a grin. "Not bad, not bad. A system that can admit when it''s wrong is a good system!" The compensation was indeed generous, and Velen chose to selectively forget the earlier frustrations. Ironback Centipede quickly shrank down to a miniature version of himself, floating Velen as if on a magic carpet. Meanwhile, Velen was busy examining the system''s rewards. Angel Wing Barrier: When activated, countless angel wings can be conjured, devastating any living creature within the barrier''s radius. Dragon Forge: Crafted from the bones of a fire dragon, it can unleash the fire dragon''s flames. A supreme tool for alchemists, capable of refining materials from various star systems! After reading the descriptions, Velen felt a surge of excitement. "The Angel Wing Barrier is incredibly powerful¡ª100 barriers at once! I''ll need to figure out how to get rid of them. I have no use for them anyway." "As for the Dragon Forge, this could be useful. I''ll ask Alan, the alchemist, about it when I get the chance." Soon, Velen arrived back at the fortress, carried by Ironback Centipede. As they entered the central plaza, he noticed a lot of activity. Many people had gathered there. "Skills have varying strengths. A well-practiced low-level skill can often be more useful in battle than a high-level skill just learned. So, don''t be obsessed with high-level skills!" Kevin was lecturing, his gaze stern as he looked at Hael and the others. Hael and his group, on the other hand, were drenched in sweat, their faces flushed and panting. Velen was confused by what was going on and asked, "Kevin, Aiden, Robert¡ªwhat''s going on here?" Instead of answering immediately, the three counselors summoned energy to create comfortable chairs in front of Velen. "Velen, you''ve been away. Rest first!" Kevin said with a warm smile. "This chair is my latest creation. It''s as soft as a cloud. You have to try it out¡ªit''s incredibly comfortable," Robert added eagerly. Aiden, however, seemed shocked. He knew that the other two had been trying hard to curry favor with Velen, but he hadn''t expected it to go this far! But seeing the benefits of flattering Velen, Aiden snorted and kicked the chairs that Robert and Kevin had created, smashing them to pieces. Robert and Kevin froze, dumbfounded. What was Aiden doing? Wasn''t he supposed to be trying to please Velen too? Why stop them? Before they could react, Aiden snapped, "You two are hopeless! Do you think Velen needs to rest right now? Look at him¡ªhe''s just come back from a trip, and all you can offer is a chair?" He then pulled out a bottle of fine wine and a platter of roasted meat from his storage bag and placed it before Velen. "Velen, you must be hungry. Here, try some of this roasted meat. The wine''s been aged for centuries¡ªit''s exquisite!" Everyone watching was left speechless. Especially Hael, Alan, and the others, who nearly spat blood from frustration. They were working themselves to the bone while the counselors treated Velen like royalty. The disparity was impossible to ignore. Just as Hael and the others glared at Aiden in frustration, Aiden glared back at them. "What are you looking at? Have you finished your training tasks? If you keep dawdling, I''ll make you train ten times harder!" Hael and the others could only look away, knowing they had no choice but to endure the situation. The counselors were too powerful to defy. Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Remember, this is for your own good. If you suffer now, you''ll bleed less when danger strikes later," Robert and Kevin added. Velen, however, was deep in thought and turned to the system. "System, can the Angel Wing Barrier''s power be adjusted?" Since it wasn''t useful for him, he was considering using it to help train Alan and the others. Using a devastating weapon like the Angel Wing Barrier to help them improve their skills¡ªhow is this not flaunting wealth? "This barrier''s power can be adjusted freely, but regardless of its power level, it will dissipate after 12 hours!" "Non-host users need to leave a soul mark beforehand to control the barrier''s power at will." Upon hearing the system''s notification, Velen couldn''t help but feel like a genius! As a look of immense joy appeared on Velen''s face, Hael and the others present instinctively felt something bad was coming. Velen then turned to Aiden and the other two counselors, smiling as he spoke: "Gentlemen, using ordinary methods to improve skill proficiency and combat ability is really slow, and you can''t simulate the chaos of a real battle. I have a much better solution!" As he spoke, a fist-sized, shimmering white light orb appeared in Velen''s hand. "This is a level 9 barrier. Once activated, it covers a large area and creates countless angel wings that attack anything within its range. The power is terrifying and can be adjusted to suit the situation. It''s perfect for improving Hael and the others'' skill proficiency and combat ability!" Upon hearing this, Hael and the others'' eyes widened in shock. Not only is he flaunting his wealth, but they''d been working so hard on their training, and now this? Instead of understanding their struggle, Velen is giving them a weapon that could obliterate everything! This wasn''t a tycoon; this was the "Torture King!" They all glared at Velen. Previously, they had hoped Velen would relieve them from this grueling training, but now the intensity was about to increase. Was he afraid they hadn''t been pushed hard enough? "Velen, a level 9 barrier? That''s a weapon capable of destroying stars! Using it for training¡ªthis is too wasteful!" Kevin and the others twitched their mouths as they looked at Velen. A level 9 barrier could only be deployed by the rarest of the awakeners, and its cost was beyond measure in mana stones! If its full power was unleashed, even the three counselors would be reduced to ash in an instant. But Velen shook his head repeatedly, his face serious as he responded: "Senator Kevin, you''re wrong! There''s no better investment than investing in talent!" "Hael, Alan, and the others are all future geniuses of Fortress and Ducal Manor. Investing in them, helping them grow¡ªanything I give is worth it!" Kevin''s mouth twitched. Though he knew Velen was just flaunting his wealth and spouting nonsense, he couldn''t argue with that logic. "Fine, whatever. It''s just a level 9 barrier. If this tycoon isn''t worried about it, then we shouldn''t be either," Kevin sighed. At Kevin''s words, Hael and the others exploded. "Senator Kevin, how can you say that? This is a level 9 barrier, do you want us to die?!" "If we can''t resist, we might as well prepare for it. Velen may have no conscience, but at least he''s only prepared one barrier. If we endure, it''ll be over!" Hael glanced at the other four elites and Alan, trying to reassure them. They didn''t have the status that Velen did to ignore the counselors'' orders. "Ugh, we''ll have to cooperate. Though it''ll be tough, we should be able to endure. The barrier doesn''t last long, anyway." Alan and the others reluctantly agreed. But before they could finish, they watched as Velen pulled out one barrier after another from his pocket. "I have 99 rare Angel Wing Barriers here for you. They''re enough for 50 days of continuous training. Get to work! I''m doing this for your own good!" Huh?! Taking out all these barriers¡ªwas he trying to kill us, or is this really for our benefit? Hael and the others nearly vomited blood in frustration. Level 9 barriers were being handed out like cheap cabbage to train them¡ªone slip-up and they''d be preparing for a memorial service! Kevin and the other counselors stood frozen, staring at the level 9 barriers. Even though they knew Velen loved to flaunt his wealth, watching him waste such precious barriers made them feel even more shocked by his extravagance. This was truly an example of reckless luxury¡ªa tycoon who was beyond human limits. As everyone stood shocked and terrified, Hael couldn''t take it anymore. He quickly took out a communication device, panicked, and said: "Duke, save us! Velen''s gone mad with wealth in Fortress, and we can''t take it anymore!" They couldn''t even handle one barrier, let alone a hundred! The thought of activating all those barriers was terrifying beyond imagination! Even the three counselors couldn''t resist them. What was worse, they had no idea what strange things Velen would throw at them next. They couldn''t stay there for another minute! In Ducal Manor, Anthony raised an eyebrow as he listened to the urgent message from Hael. "What''s going on at Fortress? Why does Hael want to return so urgently?" He was confused. When Hael had first gone to Fortress, he was full of excitement, but now... something had clearly gone wrong. Just as he was about to reflect, Velen appeared before Hael, suddenly snatching the communication device away. He smiled and said: "Hael, I''ll leave these Angel Wing Barriers to you. As the top genius of Ducal Manor, you should naturally take responsibility for overseeing them." Hael''s face darkened. He wasn''t going to take the fall for this! They were all in this together. Before he could even refuse with conviction, Velen continued: "Of course, I know this task is difficult, so I''ve prepared more than 20 SSS-level Tomes of Skill Experience as a reward for you." Upon seeing the SSS-level Tomes of Skill Experience in Velen''s hand, Hael hesitated for a moment. But soon, a radiant smile appeared on his face as he patted his chest and promised: "Velen, leave this to me. I''ll train them well and improve their combat skills several times over!" Alan and the others watched in disbelief as Hael turned on them so quickly, cursing him under their breath as they hastily tried to leave the area. "Where are you going? Velen is doing this for your own good!" "Your growth will help make Fortress and Ducal Manor famous!" Hael caught the escaping elites one by one and threw them back into the center of the plaza. "Hael, you treacherous traitor!" "Didn''t we agree to stick together?" Alan and the others glared at Hael, but Hael simply shrugged it off, unconcerned, and said: "This is for your own good. You don''t know what''s best for you! Get in the barrier now!" With that, he activated the barrier and kicked them all into it. Velen, watching from the sidelines, nodded in satisfaction. With Hael in charge, they''d surely make great progress. ... Back at Ducal Manor, Anthony frowned as he stared at the now-silent communication device. "Should I bring them back, or should I just leave them there?" After a moment of thought, Anthony''s expression grew serious. Hael had a strong sense of principles. If something wasn''t serious, he wouldn''t have reached out to him. But since Hael was at Fortress, with old friends and Kevin there, he shouldn''t be facing any life-threatening danger. "Well, I don''t know exactly what''s happening, but going to Fortress and seeing Velen again will be a good opportunity!" Soon, Anthony made up his mind. He laughed and decided to inform the Senate, telling them he was heading to Fortress. When William and the other Senate members heard Anthony''s report, they were immediately excited. They quickly changed clothes and rushed to Anthony''s side. Upon seeing their eager faces, Anthony froze, and Corner, who had followed him, was speechless. Could it be that the five grand senators had truly lost their minds? Chapter73-The Art of Begging At this moment, the five Grand Senators were all dressed in very old, patched-up clothes, looking like homeless people. These individuals were the face of Ducal Manor and some of the top-tier powerhouses of Titan Galaxy, so how could they be in such a shabby state? Anthony stared at William and the others in shock, his face full of confusion, "Gentlemen, what are you doing?" William looked down and adjusted his "homeless" outfit with a smug look. "Anthony, Velen always said you have a small perspective. I can see now that your perspective is indeed small. You still don''t understand Velen''s character. He''s incredibly generous, and he''s put us in this sorry state on purpose. He''ll surely support us. This is the begging strategy we all agreed on!" Anthony''s mouth dropped open in surprise, but quickly, he snapped his fingers. "Right! How could I not have thought of that?" With Velen, a big tycoon, around, Ducal Manor would never lack resources. They just needed to flatter Velen and beg him for some materials, and they''d be able to send Ducal Manor soaring to new heights! Suppressing his excitement, Anthony was just thinking of where to find a similar set of tattered clothes when Senator William spoke again. "Anthony, let me accompany you this time. Corner is staying in Ducal Manor because he wants to meet Velen. I''ll take him to meet him." Jake and the other four senators turned green with anger. "Senator William, I think I should take Corner instead. You''re getting old, you might not be able to handle it!" All the senators wanted to meet Velen and beg him for some treasures. "Next time, I''ll let you go see Velen. But this time, as the head of the Senate, I''ll lead the way!" William said with confidence, taking Anthony and Corner with him as they quickly left. Jake and the other senators, though furious, could only watch in silence. When Anthony, the Duke, left Ducal Manor, the remaining senators had to stay behind to maintain the manor''s order and prevent outside invasions. "Should we discuss this again? After all, with the enhanced Starlight Array fully activated, even if some foolish people try to attack, it should be enough to keep Ducal Manor safe. Maybe we should all go with them?" Jake said, unwilling to let the opportunity slip by. "Let''s forget it this time, there will be more chances later," said another senator. "Yeah, if it weren''t for Corner telling us about the situation in Chaos City, we wouldn''t even know how serious things are right now." The four senators exchanged glances and shook their heads. Although they now realized why William kept Corner in Ducal Manor, overall, it was still a good thing for them! Meanwhile, on the way to Fortress, Corner, who had figured things out, looked a little uncomfortable. His pale, almost vampire-like face was now full of complex emotions. "William, I knew there was a reason you insisted on keeping me here. It''s all to find an opportunity to go beg Velen. I''ve become your tool!" William didn''t change his expression and said, "I kept you here to take you to meet Velen. You''ve always been a wanderer. Why not rest here in Ducal Manor?" Corner couldn''t argue, considering he''d been eating and drinking with William and the other senators these days, which was far more comfortable than being alone. "Alright, I''ll let this one go. But what''s with this ragged outfit?" Corner suddenly noticed William''s clothes. If he didn''t know William, he would have thought he was a homeless person from some poor village. They were both Senators of Ducal Manor, top-tier beings in Titan Galaxy, so how could they dress like this? Seeing Corner''s questioning gaze, William grinned smugly and said, "You really have a small perspective, just like Anthony. This outfit may be outdated, but don''t forget about the dragon blood you took and the SSS Tomes of Skill Experience." As soon as William mentioned dragon blood and SSS Tomes of Skill Experience, Corner''s face turned serious. He had personally experienced both of these things, especially the dragon blood, which he''d never seen anything like during his time in Singularity Battlefield. "But what does that have to do with your outfit?" Corner asked, confused. "You just don''t get it. Whether it''s the dragon blood, the SSS Tomes of Skill Experience, or other incredible things you''ve never seen, they all came from Velen. He''s our lucky charm, a big tycoon who loves to show off!" "By seeing me in this outfit, he''ll surely get the urge to flaunt his wealth again, and he''ll definitely give us more treasures!" Upon hearing this, Corner was shocked. Could this really work? But seeing the serious look on William''s face, he knew William wasn''t joking. Thinking of all the treasures he had longed for, his heart burned with excitement. "Velen, do you have any more of these homeless clothes? Give me one!" Corner said eagerly, reaching out to snatch the outfit from William. "Corner, don''t get too excited, don''t snatch it! I''ve got one ready for you!" William said, grinning. At the edge of Fortress, Alan looked at Velen with deep gratitude. "Velen, you''re the best!" Just a moment ago, he had endured countless impacts inside the Angel Wing Barrier, feeling sore all over. He was on the verge of fainting from exhaustion. Thankfully, Velen called him over, otherwise, he would have had to struggle like the other four geniuses inside the barrier. The feeling of being trapped in the barrier was something he never wanted to experience again. "Alan, training is unavoidable. But I have something I need your help with. Since you''re an alchemist, I need you to look at it. After that, you''ll need to go back into the barrier for more training," Velen said. Alan''s expression fell as he realized that Velen wasn''t his savior, but was simply using him for something. But since he would get a short break, Alan shrugged and asked, "Velen, what is it? What''s this ''good stuff'' you''re unsure about?" Alan was very curious, especially since everything Velen had given him so far was something truly extraordinary. Just then, Robert suddenly walked over. "Velen, if it''s something related to alchemy, why don''t you let me take a look? Alan''s knowledge in this area is still too shallow." Before Alan could protest, Robert grabbed him and threw him into the barrier. Alan: "¡­" At that moment, Alan was filled with murderous intent. "Alan, I''m doing this for your own good. You''re too low level right now. You need to train and level up. Don''t thank me, I''m just being kind," Velen said, not minding the situation. Thinking that Robert was a Level 9 Alchemist, Velen didn''t say anything further. Instead, he followed Robert to his small courtyard. Once inside, Velen immediately took out the Dragon Forge from his system space. Boom! The Dragon Forge was incredibly heavy, resembling the head of a massive dragon. As it hit the ground, the courtyard floor caved in. The flames surrounding the forge emitted a terrifying heat, instantly causing the plants in the courtyard to dry up and burn to a crisp, leaving the ground blackened like charcoal. The temperature in the air spiked dramatically! At the sight of the Dragon Forge, Robert''s pupils contracted. As an alchemist, he instantly recognized that this was indeed an alchemist''s forge. However, the dragon head design and the terrifying heat emanating from it were things he had never seen before. In fact, as he stared closely, he could even see the rolling flames taking the shape of a massive, lifelike fire dragon. Though it had perished, its will seemed to live on! This was an extremely unusual fluctuation. But that was enough to confirm for Robert that this forge was anything but ordinary. "Velen, where did you get this forge from? It feels like I''ve never seen anything like it before, but it definitely seems extraordinary¡­" Robert muttered, running his hand through his hair, lost in thought. Upon seeing Robert''s reaction, Velen remembered the system''s prompt and slowly said, "I only know that this is the Dragon Forge, made from the bone of a fire dragon. It can unleash the fire dragon''s flame and is capable of smelting medicinal materials from various star systems." Hearing this, Robert chuckled lightly and shook his head, "Velen, there are things you don''t know. Alchemist forges are ranked from level 1 to level 9. To forge various potions, special items, and tools, a forge''s assistance is crucial¡ªespecially for high-quality items and potions. Low-level forges simply cannot smelt high-quality or special materials." "For example, take the Starry Stone you had earlier. Only a special forge of level 7 or above could melt it. A forge below level 7 would have no chance at all." "To smelt the medicinal materials of the various star systems, you need to surpass level 9. That would be the legendary Supreme Forge." "And even my level 8 forge took a huge price to acquire. People call it a Supreme Forge, a level 9 forge. You can hardly find one in the whole universe." After hearing Robert''s explanation, Velen began to understand more about forges. He thought for a moment, then smiled and said, "Senator Robert, I get the feeling this forge might be beyond even the Supreme Forge." Robert was about to refute, but then he paused. He realized that even a level 9 forge wouldn''t have the soul of a dragon like this one. Even the legendary Supreme Forge only had a bit of sentience, far from the overwhelming dragon flame that seemed to encapsulate this forge. Suddenly, he froze. "It couldn''t be¡­" The Supreme Forge was already rare enough. Anything beyond it, like a God-Rank Forge, was said to exist only in myths or in upper plane universes. At that moment, Velen noticed Robert''s hesitation. Without missing a beat, he infused some of his mana into the Dragon Forge. In an instant, the dragon soul formed from the flames erupted with an explosive roar, shooting a massive fire pillar straight into the sky, about ten thousand meters high! The fire pillar reached up to the heavens! The intense heat caused the very air around it to burn like steam, making Robert feel a burning sensation in his lungs, as though they were being scorched. Everything around him turned a bright red, almost like molten lava. "My God!" Even the well-traveled Robert couldn''t help but cry out, his face filled with shock. At that moment, everyone in the middle of training, sensing the overwhelming heat and the shocking fire pillar, looked up in awe. It felt as if a wave of molten heat was sweeping toward them, almost making them evaporate. The intense heat made them feel as though they were on the verge of bursting into flames. Even Anastasia, who had just returned to the fortress, gazed at the massive fire pillar and was stunned. Just the residual heat from the flames made her feel the threat of death! The Dragon Soul! Doom Flame! How could such a terrifying thing exist in a lower plane universe? Anastasia''s scalp went numb. This kind of phenomenon was so rare, even in upper plane universes! Seeing the fire dragon soul causing such an uproar, Velen quickly withdrew the fire pillar into the forge. As Velen channeled mana back into the Dragon Forge, the flames slowly receded, and the forge gradually returned to a calm state. Velen, his legs a little weak, staggered backward, staring at the forge with a mix of amazement and awe. "This forge is amazing, but it consumes far too much mana. My mana almost got drained completely just now." And keep in mind, his mana was already hundreds of times more than that of an average awakener! He had barely used the Dragon Forge for a moment and already felt it almost depleting all his mana. If any other awakener tried to power it, they would likely be unable to activate it at all. "Still, it''s not all bad. The firepower is intense. It''ll be so much easier for cooking and grilling in the future!" Velen quickly recovered and smiled. He wasn''t an alchemist, and he didn''t care much about the profession. Charlotte, hearing this, almost had her jaw drop. This Dragon Forge was terrifying beyond belief, and Velen wanted to use it for grilling? What a complete waste! She couldn''t help but want to give Velen a good punch to see what was going on in his mind. "Velen!" "That noise just now, of course it was you causing it!" S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A strong gust of wind came, and Anastasia rushed into the room, her eyes immediately drawn to the Dragon Forge. She had once been a genius from the upper plane universe, but she had never seen such a powerful forge before. In her eyes, this Dragon Forge was practically an artifact! She immediately tried to activate the forge with her own mana, only to find that she couldn''t get it to work. She stared at Velen in disbelief. "Did you leave a soul mark on this forge?" Such a forge was already rare in the upper plane universe. To leave a soul mark on it, to earn the forge''s approval, was not an easy feat. Velen was still only at Expert Rank 9. Even if he had outstanding talent, how could he, as an awakener, leave a soul mark on this kind of extraordinary forge? After all, the overwhelming destructive power of the forge could dominate the Titan Galaxy. Velen nodded. "Yeah, when I activated it just now, I left the soul mark without thinking. This forge requires so much mana that it nearly drained all mine." Hearing this, Anastasia''s mouth twitched. "This forge is practically an artifact! Even though you only activated it for a brief moment, that alone would be enough to injure an Ascended Rank awakener. If you master it fully, even an Ascended Rank awakener would avoid you out of fear. They wouldn''t stand a chance against the Doom Flame!" "Lord Anastasia, Velen is going too far!" At that moment, Robert, his eyes reddened, glared fiercely at Velen. "You need to control him! He plans to use that forge for grilling! It''s a waste!" "Is this forge meant for grilling? I''m about to explode with anger!" "This kind of extravagant wasteful behavior cannot be allowed to continue!" Robert almost shouted in fury. Even though Anastasia had somewhat expected Velen''s behavior, she was still enraged. This kind of forge, even in the upper plane universe, would stir up countless conflicts among powerful forces. Yet here Velen was, planning to use it for such a trivial purpose. If the five senators or his previous mentors knew, they''d probably be so furious they''d burst a vein! Anastasia knew Velen loved to flaunt his wealth, but she had never imagined he had sunk to such extremes. "Velen, this forge is too powerful and important. With it, you could dominate the star systems. You can''t just waste it like this!" Anastasia quickly persuaded him. "What''s the big deal? It''s just for use. I don''t care about ruling over anyone. I just want to eat well and drink well. That''s what matters!" Velen responded casually. Anastasia: "¡­" "Velen, you should recognize the value of this forge. It''s invaluable to both alchemists and blacksmiths. It would be a huge waste not to make full use of it." Anastasia pressed down her frustration and tried a gentler tone, knowing Velen responded better to soft words. Velen glanced at her. "Don''t worry, I won''t waste it. When we encounter any strange spellbeasts, I''ll throw them into the forge for a big stew. That''ll be delicious!" Hearing this, Anastasia couldn''t take it anymore. Mana surged within her, and a violent wave of energy radiated from her. "Lord Anastasia, please calm down! Velen is the fortress''s lucky charm and a big tycoon. He''s also your deputy!" Seeing Anastasia about to lose her temper, Robert quickly stepped in to stop her. "Senator Robert, get out of my way! I''m going to teach Velen a lesson for his flaunting!" Anastasia was determined to correct Velen''s extravagant ways before it was too late. Velen, sensing the impending storm, coughed and swiftly made an excuse. "I''ll be right back. My stomach''s a little upset. You two can keep talking." Chapter74-Kidd on the Verge of Collapse As he spoke, Velen turned and left, carrying the Flame Dragon Furnace, which was burning with roaring flames. In his opinion, Anastasia was acting so irritable probably because she was simply too exhausted these days, leading to a hormonal imbalance. She''d be fine in a couple of days. Had Anastasia known what Velen was thinking at that moment, she definitely wouldn''t have let him leave so easily. She had to teach Velen a proper lesson, making sure he understood exactly why she was angry. Otherwise, he''d remain completely oblivious. After leaving Robert''s courtyard, Velen returned straight to his own residence. He placed the Flame Dragon Furnace in the courtyard before heading into his room and going to sleep. At that moment, he was completely unaware that William senator and the others were rushing toward his location at full speed. By the next morning, they would arrive. As he lay in bed and closed his eyes, a certain figure suddenly appeared in his mind¡ªKidd. "Haven''t heard from Kidd in a while. I wonder how he''s doing now. After all this time, he should have made it back to the Dark Eye Galaxy by now¡­" Muttering to himself, Velen quickly shook off the thought. "Why am I thinking about that guy before falling asleep? I should be spending my dreams deepening my bond with Lord Anastasia instead¡­" Dark Eye Galaxy, Holy Light Temple, Sword Saint Plaza. Before the towering statue of the Sword Saint, wielding a Holy Light Greatsword, Kidd''s plump body knelt trembling on the ground, resembling a quivering ball of fat, unable to lift his head toward the Holy Light Temple Lord seated beneath the statue. After a brief silence, Kidd mustered up the courage to put on a flattering smile, his chubby face squeezing into an obsequious expression. "Mentor, your mentee knows his mistake! But look, I made it back safely, didn''t I?" "I promise, there definitely won''t be a next time!" "A next time?!" The middle-aged man, whose silver hair gleamed like a crescent moon and whose scarred face bore a fearsome intensity, suddenly snapped his eyes open, glaring at Kidd. A chill ran down Kidd''s spine as he met Make''s gaze. In an instant, blinding sword light erupted from Make''s eyes, flooding the entire plaza in a dazzling white radiance. "The Singularity Battlefield is fraught with peril! With your meager abilities, you dared to enter on your own? Do you even know what ''certain death'' means?!" Fuming with rage, Make was just about to slap Kidd across the face, but when he saw Kidd''s ingratiating smile, he could only suppress his anger for the moment. Seeing this, Kidd immediately clung to him like sticky rice, grinning cheekily. "Mentor, I know you''re only concerned about my safety! However you choose to punish me, I fully accept it! Just don''t let your anger hurt your health!" Make sighed, looking at him helplessly. Kidd pulled this trick every time, and every time, Make had no counter for it. With a stern face, Make finally spoke: "Until you reach Adept Rank, you are to remain in the Holy Light Temple and reflect on your actions!" Just as his words fell, a hysterical-looking old man with sparse hair suddenly rushed over, scanning his surroundings with wild eyes. "I felt it!" "I felt the aura of the Judgement Sword!" "Who among you possesses such power? Please, reveal yourself!" Before he had even finished speaking, his attention suddenly locked onto Kidd. He could confirm it¡ªthat faint yet distinct aura of Judgement lingering in the air was radiating from Kidd''s body. At that moment, the elder froze completely, staring at Kidd in utter shock and disbelief. The aura of the Judgement Sword¡­ was coming from him? He knew Kidd''s personality well¡ªa schemer who preferred ambushing from the shadows. How could he possibly wield the Judgement Sword?! After all, Kidd had joined the Holy Light Temple at a very young age, and the elder had a deep impression of him. Judging by Kidd''s temperament, he couldn''t possibly be the type to lead the charge as a swordsman. And yet, here he was, radiating an aura of Judgement Sword so pure it was unmistakable. When had Kidd become a swordsman?! "Grand Senator, why have you suddenly appeared?" Make, looking at the aged yet unfathomably powerful elder, curiously inquired. "And who is this ''great figure'' you speak of? I haven''t sensed anyone at all." The Grand Senator, Lucas, stared at Kidd with wide eyes, his expression filled with astonishment and excitement. "Good heavens¡­ I haven''t seen you for just over a year, and you''ve given me an earth-shattering surprise!" As one of the Holy Light Temple''s Grand Senators, Lucas had always kept a close watch on the temple''s most gifted disciples. He had even tried multiple times to persuade Kidd to become a swordsman. But Kidd had always refused, insisting that he had no interest in leading dangerous charges. And yet, here he was, not only a swordsman but having comprehended the terrifying Sword of Judgement! That technique was powerful enough to slay an Ascended Rank Awakener with ease! Even within the Holy Light Temple, the Sword of Judgement only existed as a recorded legend. "Well, well, Kidd¡­ So the real reason you refused to become a swordsman wasn''t because you were afraid of death¡­ but because we were unworthy of teaching you!" Hearing Lucas'' words, Kidd''s heart sank instantly. Before returning to the Holy Light Temple, he had taken every precaution to hide his abilities. Yet despite all that effort, Grand Senator Lucas had seen right through him! This was bad. Lucas was even more fanatical than the Temple Lord. At this moment, Make finally recovered from his shock, his expression turning serious. "Kidd, explain yourself. Why do you possess the aura of the Judgement Sword?" After Lucas'' exclamation, Make had personally examined Kidd, confirming that the Sword of Judgement''s aura was indeed emanating from his body. This greatly shocked him, making him even more curious about what had happened in the Singularity Battlefield. With both the Temple Lord and the Grand Senator staring him down, Kidd''s psychological defenses completely collapsed. "Grand Senator¡­ Mentor¡­ I swear, I never wanted to become a swordsman! This was all an accident!" With a deep sigh of resignation, Kidd reluctantly released the aura of the Sword of Judgement from his body. At once, a divine radiance resembling the sacred wings of a celestial lion illuminated the space, bringing a soothing presence that accelerated the healing of old injuries. This was the purest form of the Sword of Judgement. Lucas'' entire body trembled with excitement. To witness this legendary technique in Kidd of all people¡­ "Kidd! And you still say you don''t want to be a swordsman?!" Make glared at him. "Didn''t you say, all these years, that you never wanted to be a swordsman?!" "Listen to me!" Seeing both of them interrogating him, Kidd let out a bitter laugh. "Believe it or not¡­ this all started when I ran into a certain ''super tycoon'' in the Singularity Battlefield." "I think he was just so rich that he found joy in throwing money around." "I only learned the Sword of Judgement because he thought it would be funny to force it on me after I told him I didn''t want to be a swordsman!" At this point, Kidd was practically in tears. Sensing the Grand Senator''s suddenly murderous gaze, Kidd hurriedly shrank behind Make for cover. "Mentor, I was just telling the truth! Why is the Grand Senator so angry?" However, Make was even more irritated by Kidd''s plea for help. Without hesitation, he kicked Kidd out from behind him and back into the open. "Kidd, being valued and mentored by the Grand Senator is your fortune!" "From now on, follow the Grand Senator closely¡ªyou are the future Sword Saint of our Holy Light Temple!" As Make spoke, Lucas had already grabbed Kidd''s round, plump body and whisked him away at high speed. A swordsman talent like Kidd had slipped through their fingers once¡ªthey couldn''t afford to let him run wild again! "Kidd, from now on, you will train diligently under me! I will show you why leading the charge is a man''s true romance!" Seeing the fanatic gleam in Lucas'' eyes as he spoke, Kidd suddenly felt like half of his body had already been buried in the ground. He couldn''t help but curse internally: "Big Bro Velen, you''re really the best brother I''ve ever had!" Inside the Fortress As Velen lay comfortably in bed, sleeping soundly, he suddenly felt a chill run down his spine, as if someone was secretly talking about him behind his back. "I''ve always loved helping others. How could anyone be speaking ill of me? Must be my imagination!" S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. With that thought, Velen quickly adjusted his mindset and slept soundly until late morning. By the time the sun was high in the sky, Velen stretched lazily and glanced at his system interface. Special Items: 10 Level 9 Furnaces! ? Velen rubbed his eyes vigorously, wondering if he had seen it wrong. From Robert, he had already learned just how precious Level 9 furnaces were¡ªa priceless treasure for alchemists and blacksmiths across the galaxy. Yet, now the system had casually gifted him ten of them, just for showing off his wealth? These furnaces were even rarer than the corpse of a Dark Dragon! Just as Velen was contemplating how best to flaunt his fortune, he suddenly heard the sound of his front door being kicked open. "Velen! That''s a god-tier furnace! How could you just leave it lying around in the courtyard?!" Storming into the room in a rage, Anastasia glared at Velen. "Lord Anastasia, no matter how impressive the Flame Dragon Furnace is, it''s just a tool. There''s no need to make such a big deal out of it." Velen had assumed that after witnessing his extravagant displays of wealth before, Anastasia would have adjusted her mindset. But apparently, she was still the same as ever. She placed too much importance on resources. If he wanted to change her mindset, he still had a long way to go. "A furnace of this caliber deserves all the reverence it can get!" Anastasia was on the verge of mental collapse from Velen''s indifference. She had tolerated his previous extravagance, even though those items were valuable and rare, they were at least somewhat obtainable in the galaxy. But the Flame Dragon Furnace¡ªeven in the Upper Plane Universe of his past life, this was an absolute treasure of the highest order! Unwilling to let Anastasia dwell on the furnace issue, Velen swiftly changed the topic. "There''s no need to fuss over that furnace, Lord Anastasia. If you like rare furnaces, I actually have ten more Level 9 furnaces that, while not as powerful as the Flame Dragon Furnace, are still quite impressive. Want to see them?" As he spoke, Velen directly summoned all ten Level 9 furnaces before him. Boom! As the ten Level 9 furnaces appeared, the surging waves of heat forced everyone nearby to squint their eyes against the searing air. Even Anastasia, caught off guard, was forced to step back under the intense heat pressure, immediately sensing the dangerous energy radiating from them. "T-Ten Level 9 furnaces?!" After steadying herself, Anastasia stared at the sudden appearance of these legendary furnaces, her expression frozen in utter shock. It was as if her face had been permanently molded in astonishment¡ªno amount of force could pry it off. These were Level 9 furnaces! The top-tier furnaces in the entire galaxy! How had Velen suddenly pulled out so many?! At that moment, Anastasia''s face darkened as a serious thought crossed her mind. "Velen¡­ You''re not planning to flaunt your wealth with these furnaces again, are you?" From what she knew of Velen, ninety percent of the time, whenever he brought something out, it was purely to flex. "You understand me best, Lord Anastasia! Showing off my wealth is my one true passion!" Velen nodded seriously. "If you have any suggestions on how to flaunt it better, I''d love to hear them!" Anastasia: "..." She was utterly speechless. At this point, she didn''t even dare to continue this conversation. Who knew if Velen would pull out even more insane treasures and shatter her sanity completely? So, in the end, she simply sighed, deciding to leave immediately before she lost her mind. After all, she couldn''t control Velen anyway. However, after leaving Velen''s courtyard, Anastasia wasn''t about to ignore the problem entirely. She headed straight to Robert''s courtyard. Velen had brought out far too many Level 9 furnaces this time. If Robert saw them¡ªespecially if he learned that Velen planned to waste them¡ªhe might die of sheer anger on the spot. "No way! I have to get Robert out of here for a while, or things will get messy!" Sighing heavily, Anastasia arrived at Robert''s courtyard and immediately spoke up: "Senator Robert, the fortress is running low on several alchemical materials and resources. You should go purchase some immediately." Hearing this, Robert narrowed his eyes in suspicion. Why was Anastasia suddenly trying to get him out of the fortress? "Lord Anastasia, if we need something, we can simply have it delivered from the auction house." "If it''s something difficult to obtain, I can personally handle it. There''s no need to leave the fortress¡­" As he spoke, Robert suddenly had a realization. "Wait¡­ Lord Anastasia, do you not want me staying in the fortress?" He directly asked: "Can you just tell me the reason outright? No need to be so secretive." Hearing Robert''s direct question, Anastasia was momentarily at a loss for words. She had never dealt with something like this before, and for a moment, she didn''t know how to respond. Glancing in the direction she had just come from, Robert''s expression turned thoughtful. "Wait¡­ Is Velen up to something ridiculous again? And you don''t want me to see it?" Seeing Anastasia''s pupils contract slightly, Robert immediately knew he had hit the mark. He chuckled softly. "Lord Anastasia, you underestimate my mental resilience. No matter how extravagant he gets, I can handle it!" Saying this, Robert''s curiosity was fully piqued. He rushed toward Velen''s courtyard without hesitation. "What in the world is Velen doing this time? Just how absurd is it to make Lord Anastasia this nervous?!" Watching Robert''s departing figure, Anastasia sighed deeply, her face filled with concern. Robert only had an 8th-level furnace. If he saw Velen casually wasting Level 9 furnaces, wouldn''t he scream on the spot? Chapter75-A Pretty Good Incinerator Meanwhile... Velen, wielding a gardening hoe embedded with Starry Stone, easily sliced through the ground as if cutting tofu, quickly digging out a series of large pits. "Velen, how could we let you do such physical labor yourself? Leave it to us! Your delicate hands aren''t made for this kind of work!" Robert, who had just rushed over, didn''t even know what Velen was up to, but he immediately started flattering him, hoping to win more favor. Seeing Robert enthusiastically offering help, Velen felt a little awkward. The other two enshrined senators weren''t alchemists, so it was fine. But if Robert found out about his plan, he would probably lose his mind on the spot. "Velen, is there some treasure underground?" As he eagerly worked, Robert couldn''t resist asking curiously. He seriously doubted that Velen was just digging holes for fun. Velen didn''t answer directly, instead, he looked at Robert''s sweat-drenched face and said with mild amusement: "Senator Robert, you should use your mana. It''ll be faster that way." "Ah¡­ I''m getting old. If I don''t use mana, I can''t even dig a hole properly anymore." Robert sighed wistfully, pretending to be helpless. In reality, he was doing this on purpose¡ªhoping to attract Velen''s attention, get closer to him, and reap some benefits. Velen, of course, saw right through it. But that was fine¡ªhe got a tool for flaunting his wealth, and Robert got his perks. Mutual benefit. Before long, under Robert''s diligent digging, a massive pit was excavated in the ground. After digging a large pit, Velen looked at its depth and felt it was about right. Then, he casually tossed a furnace into the bottom of the pit. Boom! The furnace crashed to the ground, producing a loud noise as a wave of heat swept over them. sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Robert''s attention was instantly drawn to the heatwave, his pupils contracting sharply. "A furnace! And a high-quality one at that!" Just by sensing the aura emitted by the furnace, Robert was utterly shocked. This furnace felt far superior in quality to his own level 8 furnace! As he examined it more closely, his expression grew even more horrified. "Level 9! A level 9 furnace?!" Robert couldn''t believe his eyes. In the current star systems, level 9 furnaces were incredibly rare. Even in their massive Titan Galaxy, there were fewer than ten level 9 furnaces in total! And now, Velen had just casually taken one out! Seeing this, he suddenly understood why Lord Anastasia was so eager to send him away. Velen was showing off his wealth again! However, what Robert couldn''t understand was what exactly Velen planned to do. "Velen, why are you putting a level 9 furnace in this pit? Are you planning to build an alchemy cellar?" A bad feeling rose in his heart, and he immediately asked. Velen responded seriously, "I intend to use this furnace as the ultimate machine for promoting ecological recycling. With this thing, the biggest problem in the fortress can be perfectly solved." Robert frowned. "What do you mean?" Velen explained, "To put it in simpler terms, I''m turning this place into a waste disposal station. Otherwise, if garbage in the fortress is just dumped anywhere, it ruins the scenery. With this thing, no matter what kind of trash is thrown in, it''ll all be gone." At this point, Velen seemed to think of something and continued, "Later, I''ll build a restroom on top of this incinerator¡ªone furnace, multiple uses. The air and environment in the fortress will improve significantly." As soon as Velen revealed what he saw as a grand plan, Charlotte nearly lost his mind. Using a level 9 furnace as an incinerator? As a restroom?! Who even thinks of such things?! This was infinitely more outrageous than those golden toilets! Instantly, he glared at Velen, eyes burning with rage. "Velen, today, either you die or I live!" The moment Robert made his move against Velen, Anastasia, who had already anticipated this, appeared, blocking Robert''s path. "Senator Robert, calm down. No matter what, he''s an independent senator of Ducal Manor. Don''t act recklessly!" "Lord Anastasia, don''t stop me! I must make Velen change this outrageous habit today!" Watching the two struggle, Velen felt a strange sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu. Shaking his head, he looked at Robert, who was still fuming. "Lord Anastasia, Senator Robert, I''m leaving first. This incinerator still needs a restroom on top, and some mana-replenishing arrays are missing. I''ll have Alan take care of that later. You better not interfere with my plans for a better fortress." With that, Velen turned and left. He had only squandered one furnace so far, but there were still nine left. He had to think about how to waste them properly. A real headache. "Velen, you''re just inhuman!" Robert roared. "You know Alan is an alchemist, yet you''re making him do this?! Do you realize how much psychological damage this will cause him?!" The fact that Velen was making Alan complete the incinerator and restroom drove Robert to his breaking point. There were plenty of geniuses in the fortress, yet Velen specifically chose Alan, one of the only two alchemists, for this ridiculous task. This was blatant humiliation! "Lord Anastasia, why did you stop me?! The furnace may belong to Velen, but what he''s doing is trampling on the dignity of all alchemists!" Robert''s silver hair nearly stood on end with rage. To alchemists, a furnace was as crucial as mana was to an awakener¡ªit was indispensable. Anastasia smiled faintly. "I recall that when I wanted to teach Velen a lesson before, it was Senator Charlotte who stopped me." Robert''s mouth twitched. That was true. "So you''ve been following me this whole time?" Anastasia nodded. "I knew Senator Charlotte wouldn''t be able to hold back, so I came early." After saying that, Anastasia turned and left. Robert could only sigh. Life truly was an endless cycle. He glanced back at the level 9 furnace in the pit, his face darkening further. Velen''s displays of wealth were getting more and more excessive! If this furnace were revealed to the public, it would cause an enormous stir. But now, Velen was using it as an incinerator. As a restroom. If furnaces had intelligence, this one would probably burn Velen first. Even though he despised Velen''s actions, the furnace belonged to Velen. There was nothing he could do. ¡ª While Robert was lost in thought, Velen arrived at Robert''s courtyard and placed a level 9 furnace inside. Clearly, such a furnace would greatly benefit Robert. And since Velen was showing off his wealth anyway, he might as well give Robert one. After all, Robert''s power boost would also benefit the fortress. After finishing that, Velen left Robert''s courtyard and headed toward Alan''s. Since he had already given Robert a level 9 furnace, he figured he might as well give one to Alan too. Alan had more potential than Robert, so helping him out was a good investment. Velen felt like he was truly working hard for the fortress. What an incredible tycoon he was! ¡ª Not long after Velen left, Alan hurriedly arrived at Robert''s courtyard. Seeing this, Robert''s eyelids twitched violently. "Alan probably doesn''t know about this yet. If he finds out, his youthful spirit might not be able to handle it." Just as Robert was about to speak, Alan spoke first. "Senator Robert, Velen asked me to help set up the restroom. Are you here to assist too?" Robert shook his head. "I was just helping dig the pit. The rest is up to you. But don''t say I didn''t warn you¡ªno matter what you see, stay calm. Your future is long, don''t let material things get to you. It''s not worth it." Robert ultimately decided to warn Alan. After all, Alan was also an alchemist. But Alan remained utterly calm. "Senator Robert, are you talking about how the level 9 furnace is being used as an incinerator? Honestly, Velen''s creativity is amazing. He even found such a niche way to flaunt his wealth. He''s truly a born tycoon!" ??? Robert was completely dumbfounded. Alan already knew?! But if he knew, why was he so calm?! This wasn''t normal! Any true alchemist would lose their mind upon hearing that a level 9 furnace was being used as an incinerator! Why was Alan so calm? Why was he looking at Robert like he was overreacting? Alan scratched the back of his head and explained, "I just came from my courtyard. Velen gave me a level 9 furnace. Like you said, material things are just that¡ªso I set it up as a heater." After spending time with Velen, Alan had become completely desensitized. Velen could waste anything, and Alan would simply accept it. The key was to waste things alongside Velen! "Senator Robert, what''s wrong? Why are you clutching your chest? Are you having a heart attack?" Alan looked at Robert in shock and concern. Robert, his hand trembling, pointed a finger at Alan. He almost couldn''t catch his breath from sheer rage. Chapter76-The New Use of the Lv9 Incinerator "You truly are birds of a feather, flocking together. Sticking with Velen, you''ve fallen so low!" Robert, his lips turning purple from anger, stared at Alan with deep disappointment. Alan remained unfazed, smiling as he said, "Senator Robert, Velen is different from anyone you''ve ever met¡ªhe is one of a kind. I used to think the same way as you, but now, I''ve come to terms with it." As he spoke, Alan walked into Velen''s courtyard and began constructing a restroom. Seeing Alan speak so highly of Velen, Robert grew even more furious. Especially when he realized that Velen had given Alan an Lv9 furnace, while he himself hadn''t received so much as a shadow of one. Was this blatant discrimination against the elderly? He was merely a young man of nearly a thousand months, after all! Filled with resentment, Robert no longer wished to stay in this place that only brought him heartache. With a casual wave of his hand, he turned and left with a sense of despondency. "It''s a world for the young now... I really am getting old, too conservative in my thinking." Just as he returned to his own courtyard, preparing to drown his sorrows in alcohol, he suddenly saw Master Ethan standing there. "Senator Robert, I truly underestimated you. I never imagined your auction house had amassed such wealth, to the point of casually leaving an Lv9 furnace in the yard!" Seeing Robert return, Ethan looked at him with admiration, his face full of shock. Robert was utterly confused by Ethan''s words. Lv9 furnace? Where the hell did he get an Lv9 furnace?! Just as this thought flashed through his mind, the corner of his eye caught sight of an Lv9 furnace casually placed in his courtyard. He was instantly stunned. The next moment, as he realized what was happening, his aged face was suddenly filled with ecstatic joy. "That Velen! Now that''s what I call impressive!" "Senator Robert, you know, though I''ve ascended to the rank of Master Blacksmith, I have yet to create a truly famous work. I was planning to forge an Lv9 furnace to establish my reputation, but Lv9 furnaces are incredibly rare and always tightly guarded treasures. "If I could properly study this furnace, my success rate in forging would improve drastically!" Ethan''s voice carried a pleading tone. An Lv9 furnace was right before him! How could he, a master blacksmith, not be overwhelmed with excitement?! Thus, despite outranking Robert in both level and prestige, he still had to humble himself and beg. Robert thought for a moment and had no intention of refusing. After all, Ethan wasn''t just a top-tier Ascended Rank Lv9 figure¡ªhe was also a Master Blacksmith. In every aspect, he was far superior. If not for both of them being part of Fortress and holding the same rank of Senatorial Advisor, Robert would have to respectfully call Ethan "Master" anywhere else! At the same time, seeing such a prestigious figure humbling himself before him was deeply satisfying to Robert. It was a dream he never dared to imagine! Immediately, Robert straightened his back, waved his hand grandly, and said: "Master Ethan, take the Lv9 furnace and study it all you like. No need for formalities. I was only using it as a heater anyway." The moment he finished speaking, Robert saw Master Ethan''s mouth fall open, his face full of shock, as if he were seeing him for the first time and having his entire worldview reshaped. Seeing this, Robert felt a sense of bliss wash over him! In that moment, he finally understood why Velen was so generous with his wealth¡ªit felt incredible! The spiritual thrill of flaunting his wealth brought Robert an unparalleled sense of euphoria! Thinking about it now, he realized he had indeed placed far too much importance on the Lv9 furnace before. Seeing Robert so nonchalantly grant him access to the furnace, Ethan was utterly stunned. To any alchemist, an Lv9 furnace was of paramount importance. Others wouldn''t even let someone else look at theirs, guarding it as if it were their own life. Yet Robert had just handed his over so casually! "As Senators of Fortress, it''s only natural that we help each other!" Robert said with conviction. Ethan, deeply moved, replied, "Senator Robert, I won''t say more, but I will remember this kindness. I will repay you in full in the future!" With that, he excitedly carried the Lv9 furnace and left. Watching Ethan''s ecstatic departure, Robert immediately rushed toward Velen''s courtyard. "Improving Fortress''s environment is everyone''s responsibility! How could I not take part in building incinerators and restrooms?" ... "Hahaha! An Lv9 furnace! My life is complete¡ªI actually get to see such a legendary item up close and even study it!" "I must let Victoria join in as well. It will be incredibly beneficial for her future!" "It seems joining Fortress was truly a wise decision!" With the Lv9 furnace slung over his shoulder, Ethan couldn''t stop smiling. Once he fully understood the workings of an Lv9 furnace, his title as a Master Blacksmith would be firmly cemented! Just as he was envisioning a bright future, his eyes happened to glance at Alan''s courtyard. His pupils suddenly contracted. "What the hell? Has Fortress reached such an unfathomable level of wealth? "A mere Lv3 alchemist has an Lv9 furnace?!" He looked at the furnace in his hands. His excitement instantly deflated. What the hell¡ªwasn''t an Lv9 furnace supposed to be rare?! Why did it seem like they were completely worthless in Fortress? Shaking his head, he suppressed his inner turmoil and continued toward his courtyard. He hadn''t walked far before he suddenly stopped in his tracks. Because right in front of Velen... There were seven Lv9 furnaces! Each one emitted an incomparably intense heat! Master Ethan was utterly petrified. He suddenly felt like the Lv9 furnace on his shoulder wasn''t so special anymore. Even his grand plan to forge an Lv9 furnace was now dead on arrival. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Lv9 furnaces clearly weren''t rare in Fortress! Velen had them casually scattered around, like items at a street stall. Looking at Velen''s collection of furnaces, and recalling that both Robert and Alan had Lv9 furnaces that looked remarkably similar, he deduced that Velen must have given them out. But then... why did the two assassins look so troubled? Could even a tycoon like Velen have worries? Master Ethan was baffled but still walked up to Velen and set down the furnace he was carrying. "Velen, what''s troubling you?" he asked curiously. Velen looked at Ethan and immediately grew excited. "Master Ethan, what do I do with all these Lv9 furnaces? I can''t even use them all! "How is anyone supposed to be a tycoon like this?" Ethan was at a loss for words. He had been worried that Velen was facing some difficulty... but it turned out his "trouble" was that he didn''t know how to spend his wealth! After a long silence, Ethan finally picked up the Lv9 furnace again and said seriously, "Velen, I don''t understand wealth and extravagance. I''m just a blacksmith. But if you need weapons or armor, I can forge them for you." Saying this, he prepared to leave. Velen''s words had struck him like a dagger to the heart, and he wasn''t sure he could take any more. But then, Velen suddenly exclaimed in realization, "Master Ethan, you truly deserve your title! You''ve opened my eyes!" "...Huh?" Ethan was stunned. What had he just said? Did Velen misunderstand something? But Velen, looking absolutely thrilled, pointed at the furnaces and said, "Master Ethan, I owe you for this one¡ªtake your pick!" Ethan was even more confused. What had he done to earn this? Seeing his bewildered expression, Velen grinned and explained, "Master Ethan, don''t hold back! From now on, if someone annoys you, just smash them with a furnace!" "???" Ethan''s mouth twitched. Was this guy even speaking human language?! That was an Lv9 furnace, and he wanted to use it as a throwing weapon?! But then, Ethan''s eyes suddenly lit up. He finally understood¡ªVelen was planning to use Lv9 furnaces as weapons! "Velen, the Lv9 furnace is not meant to be used the way you''re thinking. What I just said was merely from the perspective of my profession as a blacksmith!" Master Ethan, upon realizing what Velen was implying, immediately grew serious and looked at him intently. Velen remained unfazed and countered, "Master Ethan, purely from the perspective of a master blacksmith, isn''t an Lv9 furnace sturdy enough?" Master Ethan instinctively wanted to refute, but he hesitated. Lv9 furnaces were designed to withstand extreme heat and pressure, making them comparable to top-tier armor in durability, even though they lacked special abilities. So, he nodded. "It is sturdy, but¡ª" "Then, do you think this furnace is heavy enough?" "An Lv9 furnace is forged through countless rounds of refinement and fusion of various alloys, so of course, it is heavy, but¡ª" "But what? It''s sturdy enough, heavy enough, and it even has a fire effect¡ªdoesn''t that make it the ultimate offensive and defensive magical weapon?" Velen''s eyes were firm as he stared at Master Ethan. Master Ethan scratched his head. What Velen said actually made sense. But this was an Lv9 furnace¡ªan alchemist''s treasure! Taking a deep breath, he suppressed the strange excitement bubbling up inside him and objected, "Velen, what you say might have some logic, but the amount of mana required to wield an Lv9 furnace is immense. In actual combat, it would be completely impractical." As a master blacksmith and a berserker, he was naturally well-versed in combat. Lv9 furnaces were indeed powerful, but they were unwieldy and consumed too much mana. Against a true expert, they would be nothing more than a joke. Velen, however, remained calm. He lightly tapped the surface of the Lv9 furnace, producing a deep, metallic echo. "Master Ethan, as an Ascended Rank awakener, how long would it take you to destroy an Lv9 furnace?" Master Ethan fell silent for a moment before answering seriously, "With my current strength, even if I went all out, I wouldn''t be able to break through the Lv9 furnace''s defenses¡ªunless I used specialized flames to soften it first." As he finished speaking, his voice grew hoarse, because he had suddenly realized something. An Lv9 furnace was fundamentally beyond the destruction capabilities of an Ascended Rank awakener using conventional means! Which meant¡­ Velen''s idea was actually feasible. Even if it wasn''t the most agile of weapons, it was an unmatched defensive tool! With this realization, Master Ethan slung an Lv9 furnace over his shoulder and walked off. With each step, Fortress seemed to tremble ever so slightly. Having figured out the perfect way to flaunt his wealth, Velen stored the remaining furnaces in his spatial bag. "Senator Robert, thank you!" While passing by Velen''s courtyard, Master Ethan sensed Robert''s presence and immediately approached, carrying two Lv9 furnaces. He placed one of them in front of Robert. "Velen gave me an Lv9 furnace, so I no longer need yours for research, but I still appreciate it!" Master Ethan said with gratitude. As he spoke, he shifted the furnace in his hands, and the veins in his arm bulged instantly from its immense weight. "I finally understand why Velen said this thing could be used as a weapon. I''ve barely held it for a moment, and my arm is already sore." Robert stared at Master Ethan in astonishment. What was he saying? Using an Lv9 furnace as a weapon? Had he misheard? How had Master Ethan, in such a short time, been completely brainwashed by Velen?! Had he too become extravagant and ridiculously imaginative? "An Lv9 furnace is an incredibly rare treasure, so using it as a weapon might sound absurd¡­ but it could actually work as a surprise tactic. After all, who would ever expect someone to be rich enough to use an Lv9 furnace as a weapon?" With that, Master Ethan burst into laughter, clearly enjoying the thought. However, at that moment, his eyes landed on a massive pit behind Robert¡ªwhere an Lv9 furnace was placed. Alan had also built a small structure nearby¡­ Wait¡ªwas that a restroom?! "Robert¡­ what are you doing? Don''t tell me¡­ you''re building a restroom." Master Ethan''s voice trembled slightly as he asked. Robert nodded. "Isn''t it obvious?" The moment those words left Robert''s mouth, Master Ethan''s eye twitched violently. Using an Lv9 furnace as a heater or a weapon¡ªhe could reluctantly accept. But using it as a cremation furnace for a restroom?! He could not accept that! His entire being was on the verge of a mental breakdown! "You¡­ you people are too much!" Master Ethan felt like he was losing his grip on reality. Crafting an Lv9 furnace had once been his ultimate dream¡ªsomething that would cement his name as a legendary blacksmith in the Titan Galaxy. But now, seeing how Velen and the others were desecrating these furnaces, he completely abandoned that dream. From now on, even if he had the ability to forge an Lv9 furnace¡­ He would never do it. Even if it killed him, he would never forge another one! Furious, Master Ethan stormed off. Alan and Robert exchanged bewildered glances. As alchemists, they had long since accepted this reality. Yet, Ethan¡ªa master blacksmith¡ªcouldn''t handle it?! Inside the central hall of Fortress¡ª Anastasia, Kevin, Aiden, Ironback Centipede, and Little White Rabbit all stared in shock at the blazing furnaces before them. "Velen, these furnaces don''t look ordinary¡­ What level are they? And why are you giving them to us? We''re not alchemists." Anastasia was the first to speak, confused. Velen pointed at the furnaces. "These are Lv9 furnaces. They possess immense offensive and defensive capabilities. Imprint your soul marks on them and master their control as soon as possible. "If you use them as weapons, they''ll be devastating¡ªone swing, and you could flatten a mountain!" Anastasia and the others were completely baffled. An Lv9 furnace? These were legendary items they had only ever heard about. In the entire Titan Galaxy, there weren''t even a handful of these high-tier furnaces. Yet Velen casually pulled out five?! And he wanted to use them as weapons?! Was he insane?! Everyone stared at him as if he had lost his mind. But then¡ª Ironback Centipede''s eyes lit up. It manifested multiple massive hands, grabbed an Lv9 furnace, tossed it in the air a few times, then grinned. "Master, this furnace is unbelievably heavy and durable. Even without using mana, just relying on its sheer weight¡ªif swung like a meteor¡ªit would be a devastating force that''s nearly impossible to defend against!" As a spellbeast, Ironback Centipede''s physical strength far exceeded that of most human awakeners. It was having a blast playing with the furnace, completely satisfied with its new "toy." The others swallowed hard. They had known Lv9 furnaces were special, but they hadn''t expected them to be this heavy and powerful. "Velen, I don''t know what your true intentions are¡­ but how do you expect Little White Rabbit to wield an Lv9 furnace? That''s just ridiculous." "Yeah, Velen, what''s a rabbit supposed to do with this thing?" Before Velen could respond, Little White Rabbit glared at the speaker, its long ears standing on end in fury. Velen chuckled, stroking its fluffy ears. "Look¡ªLittle White Rabbit loves the furnace! If nothing else, it makes for a great rabbit den." "Besides, Little White Rabbit is no ordinary rabbit anymore¡ªit''s a spellbeast with boundless potential. "Who knows? Maybe it''ll master the Flying Rabbit Kick and launch the furnace with its feet, unleashing its full power!" At these words, Anastasia and the others all simultaneously envisioned an adorable, chubby rabbit standing upright and drop-kicking an Lv9 furnace at terrifying speeds. The image was so bizarre that they instinctively shook their heads. From now on, they would never look at Little White Rabbit the same way again! Chapter77-Avenge My Son "Only one of the ten Lv9 furnaces remains. I''ll just keep it for myself." Velen muttered to himself, feeling relieved that his system''s flaunting task was finally nearing completion. At that moment, an enraged, murderous voice roared from the outskirts of Fortress, shaking the entire stronghold. "Everyone in Fortress, get out here!" "You dare kill my son?! You must pay in blood!" Simon, the Hall Master of Triad Sanctum, stormed in with his forces, surrounding Fortress like an overwhelming black cloud, exuding immense pressure. However, Ethan, upon seeing Simon and his men, merely curled his lips in disdain. "Triad Sanctum? You people think you can cause trouble here? Do you really believe us old folks are easy to bully?" As he spoke, he gripped his furnace tightly by its leg and soared into the sky! "Velen, stay here and enjoy the show¡ªleave the rest to us!" "Fortress has been keeping a low profile for too long. Today, we''ll use their heads to make a statement!" Robert also hoisted up a furnace and shot into the air! "Triad Sanctum? Quite a well-known force, but why did you have to pick a fight with us?" Anastasia''s gaze was sharp and ruthless. She had never feared threats or challenges. In fact, she was itching for a battle after going so long without one! "Lord Anastasia, don''t forget to bring your furnace¡ªsmash them!" Velen reminded her from the sidelines. Meanwhile, Simon''s subordinates, standing around him, glared down at Fortress with murderous intent. "Hall Master, rest assured! Today marks the end of Fortress! They dared to harm our young master¡ªthey''ve sealed their fate!" "Exactly! The young master was such a fine man! How could they bring themselves to harm him? They have no conscience!" "We must make everyone in Fortress pay with their lives!" The lackeys flattered Simon one after another, their expressions filled with bloodlust. Hearing their words, Simon''s face turned even colder. "Simply killing them would be too merciful." "When we''re done, sell all the women in Fortress to those pleasure clubs¡ªlet them live in endless suffering. As for the others, harvest their organs piece by piece." As soon as his cruel words echoed through the air, the men of Triad Sanctum suddenly widened their eyes in shock, pointing down at Fortress. "Hall Master¡­ something about Fortress seems strange!" From their vantage point, they could clearly see that Ethan, Robert, and the others were all carrying absurdly heavy-looking furnaces, an utterly bizarre and ridiculous sight. "Furnaces? Am I seeing things, or are they all carrying furnaces?" "Is this some crazy alchemist faction?" "Even if that''s the case, who charges into battle lugging furnaces?" "They must be lunatics!" The Triad Sanctum troops mocked and jeered. But Simon, their leader, did not laugh. Instead, his expression grew even more serious. Because whether it was Ethan or Robert, the sheer aura they radiated was terrifying. Even he felt an overwhelming sense of danger from them! "Simon, you''re really courting death by daring to lay a hand on Fortress." "If you make a move against us, you will pay the price. Even if your Triad Sanctum''s Grand Senator steps in, he won''t be able to save you today!" Ethan tightened his grip on his furnace, his eyes brimming with killing intent as he glared at Simon. He didn''t even bother asking why Simon was attacking Fortress. It wasn''t important. In the vast galactic territories, the law of the jungle reigns supreme. As long as you are strong enough, no one dares to challenge you! Upon hearing Ethan speak, Simon''s pupils contracted. There was something familiar about this old dwarf. His face turned pale as he hesitantly asked, "Who¡­ who are you? Why do I feel like I''ve seen you before?" "Me? I was once Ethan of Taina Planet. Now, I am a Senatorial Advisor of Fortress." "It''s not surprising that you don''t know me¡ªbut your Grand Senator sure does. After all, he still owes me a massive debt for my forging services!" As he spoke, a torrential surge of mana erupted from Ethan''s body, sweeping through the battlefield like a tidal wave! At the same time, his Bloodline Suppression, honed through body-tempering forging techniques, spread in all directions! In an instant, the entire Triad Sanctum force was engulfed in a double-layered pressure! "Ethan?!" "Are you really Master Ethan?! No way¡ªhow could a legendary figure like you be in a backwater place like Fortress?! Didn''t the Grand Senator say that Master Ethan hates being tied down by factions?!" Simon was utterly horrified. He had finally recognized Ethan. This wasn''t just some random blacksmith¡ªhe was a renowned master craftsman with frightening combat prowess. Just this one man alone was enough to annihilate every single one of them! The gap in level and power was simply too massive. But¡­ why was he here? Realizing the danger, Simon immediately abandoned his arrogance, lowering his head in desperation. "Master Ethan, this is all a misunderstanding!" "My son was killed not long ago, and I used Mourning of the Fallen to track his killer here¡ªI didn''t come here to be your enemy!" However, Ethan merely shook his head repeatedly. "Simon, at this stage, your lies are just pathetic." "Your useless son was constantly protected by strong bodyguards, and you valued him immensely." "Do you really expect me to believe that someone from Fortress could defeat your elite guards?" Ethan then turned toward Ironback Centipede, Anastasia, and the others, who had just arrived. "Tell me¡ªhas anyone here killed a useless young man recently?" Anastasia and the rest shook their heads. They had barely left Fortress lately¡ªlet alone gotten into fights. In fact, they didn''t even know who Simon''s son was. Seeing their predictable reaction, Ethan sneered at Simon. "You might be able to fool others, but you can''t fool me. I know how Triad Sanctum operates¡ªyou people always plunder wherever you go." "This time is no different¡ªyou targeted Fortress." "Too bad for you¡ªyou picked the wrong place!" "In your next life, remember this¡ªnot every force is yours to rob!" With those words, Ethan lunged at Simon and his forces, furnace in hand! BOOM! The sickening sound of a skull shattering echoed through the air. A high-ranking Triad Sanctum officer, who had just been mocking Fortress, didn''t even have time to wipe the smirk off his face before Ethan''s furnace smashed his head to pulp. Blood and brain matter splattered across the surrounding warriors, who froze in terror. They had never imagined that this master blacksmith would be so ruthless, charging into battle wielding a furnace like a warhammer! From afar, Anastasia watched in shock as Ethan rampaged through the battlefield, reducing high-ranking Triad Sanctum members to gory smears with each swing of his furnace. Her eye twitched. "¡­So this is the power of using a furnace as a weapon?" "He''s like a bloody, unstoppable killing machine!" "If anyone in Fortress misbehaves in the future¡­ I might start carrying a furnace too." Meanwhile, Velen arrived and marveled at Ethan''s rampage. "Tsk, tsk. I told you furnaces make great weapons¡ªone swing, one kill!" Seeing Velen''s excited expression, Anastasia''s mouth twitched. Only Velen''s bizarre mind could come up with such a ridiculous combat style. At this moment, Ethan, like a wolf among sheep, had already finished off Simon¡ªthe last standing member of Triad Sanctum¡ªwith a single, decisive strike. "Lord Anastasia, I think they were really coming for me!" Anastasia, who had been about to return to Fortress, paused mid-step, her face full of surprise. Was Simon telling the truth? "Did you really kill his son? Were they actually here for revenge?" She turned to Velen, needing confirmation. Velen might be a habitual show-off, but he rarely actively provoked trouble. So what exactly had happened this time? Was this meant to increase the difficulty for everyone in Fortress? "How did you kill his son?" "When did you two even cross paths?" Anastasia was baffled. She knew that while Velen loved flaunting his wealth, he wasn''t the type to enjoy killing. Velen scratched his head. "I was asleep at the time, so I have no idea what happened. When I woke up, they were already dead." Anastasia''s eyes widened. What the hell? Did he kill people in his sleep? And then, when their allies came seeking revenge, he wiped out all of them too?! "Lord Anastasia, these Triad Sanctum people were scum. They were always committing atrocities¡ªtaking them out only enhances Fortress''s reputation!" Ethan clapped his hands casually, as if he had just finished a chore. Velen chimed in, "Triad Sanctum has long been known for bullying the weak and oppressing the innocent¡ªthey''re an evil organization through and through. Senator Ethan, you''ve done a great deed by eliminating them!" Hearing Velen''s praise, Ethan''s grin stretched ear to ear. This wasn''t just anyone''s praise¡ªthis was Velen''s! After all, Velen never missed an opportunity to mock them, so getting his approval was unexpectedly satisfying. The thrill of being praised was addictive. After all, Velen was a legendary tycoon! Receiving his recognition was no small feat. At that moment, Ethan almost wished for more enemies¡ªso he could further prove his strength to Velen! Seeing Ethan completely intoxicated by a single compliment, Anastasia sighed and rubbed her temples. Compared to Velen, her own leadership felt utterly insignificant. He always stole the spotlight. But soon, her expression changed again¡ªher eye twitched violently. Wait, what did Velen just say? Triad Sanctum was a vile organization? That''s not what he said earlier! Shameless! Still, everyone seemed so happy, and she didn''t want to dampen their spirits. So, she swallowed her words, though she felt a deep sense of frustration. Not just for herself, but even for Simon and his men. Finally, she glanced at the bloodied remains of Simon and his forces, then dragged her heavy furnace back into Fortress. "By the way, Lord Anastasia, have you signed up for Star Hunt?" Just as Anastasia was leaving, Velen suddenly called out. This was a system task! It could earn him a massive amount of luxury points! "Star Hunt begins in one week. I''ve already signed you all up¡ªyou just need to show up." Anastasia stopped and turned to face Velen. "For safety, you should have one of the Senators lead the team." S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After speaking, a rare smile appeared on her stunning face. Having more Senators around was proving to be an advantage¡ªshe no longer needed to handle everything herself. She could finally focus on leveling up. Since Anastasia didn''t want to lead the team, Velen decided to ask the system. "System, what exactly is Anastasia busy with? Why doesn''t she want to come with us?" Fate''s Trojan spun briefly before responding: "Lord Anastasia is the Celestial Hall Saintess from the Upper Plane Universe." "She was ambushed and killed by three enemy factions¡ªthe Dark Church, the Bloodthirsty Insect Emperor, and the Spellbeast Alliance. The divine treasure of her temple protected her, allowing her to reincarnate into the lower world." "Every day, Lord Anastasia is focused on leveling up, hoping to return to the Upper Plane Universe and take revenge." "Whether in her past life or this one, she has had no time for romance¡­" Hearing this, Velen frowned. Was the system¡­ gossiping?! Why did it suddenly drop all this personal history? "A saintess from the Upper Plane Universe?!" "She was hunted down and killed? No wonder she spends every waking moment training and leveling up!" Velen suddenly felt sorry for her. She must have been through hell¡ªand she was still struggling every day. At that moment, he made a silent vow: He would help Fortress''s Senators and disciples ascend to the Upper Plane Universe¡­ and make those bastards pay in blood! The Dark Church, the Bloodthirsty Insect Emperor, the Spellbeast Alliance¡­ They would all regret ever crossing Lord Anastasia! Anastasia was his chosen partner! How dare they bully her?! "Congratulations, Host! You have confirmed your chosen partner! Reward: 1,000,000,000 bottles of Bloodline Upgrade Potion!" Bloodline Upgrade Potion: Gradually enhances the user''s bloodline, improving talent. Minor doses have limited effects, but there is no upper limit to the enhancement. Slightly bitter taste. "¡­ One billion?!" Velen''s eyes widened in disbelief. He carefully counted the zeroes¡ªyep, ten digits. One billion Bloodline Upgrade Potions! This stuff was insanely powerful! It could endlessly enhance bloodline strength! Even if a single dose had limited effects, he had one billion bottles! As for considering Anastasia as his partner¡­ Well, he had been eyeing her since day one¡ªnot for her looks, but for her spiritually compatible soul! (Definitely not because of her body.) In fact, the first time he saw Anastasia, he had already thought of names for their future children! Why else would he treat her so well? Why else would he care so much about Fortress? "If everyone strengthens their bloodline, they''ll be able to absorb mana faster. Their attack power and combat efficiency will increase exponentially. "If they can reach the level of Fenrir Bloodline, then even in the Upper Plane Universe, they''ll be unstoppable!" Velen squinted. This Bloodline Upgrade Potion had come at the perfect time! Immediately, he handed ten bottles to Ironback Centipede. At this, everyone nearby¡ªincluding Robert¡ªbegan breathing heavily. They knew what this meant. Velen was about to show off again! However, none of them knew exactly what this potion did¡ªonly that it was different from the ones before. As Velen took out more potions, he suddenly thought of something. "System, didn''t I already use up today''s special items? Why didn''t I get a notification?" "The other Lv9 furnaces have already been used, but the one in your possession has not been activated yet." Understanding this, Velen retrieved his Lv9 furnace, then poured his mana into it. WHOOSH! Flames erupted like tidal waves, instantly engulfing Simon''s remains. FWOOSH! The ground charred black, bodies reduced to ashes. The spectators were shocked. How could Velen activate an Lv9 furnace so easily? He was nowhere near Ascended Rank! "Congratulations, Host! You have spent today''s special item! Reward: 1,000 luxury points and the Holy Light Set!" Holy Light Set: A luxurious gold-threaded undergarment woven from sacred silk. Emits divine light when viewed, making it impossible to see through. Provides warmth, comfort, and divine protection. ¡­??? Velen stared at the bikini-like Holy Light Set. This is¡­ lingerie for big-chested women¡­ and white tigers?! His entire body stiffened. If he gave this to Anastasia, she would skin him alive! Chapter78-I Order You as an Independent Senator! "System, can you be human for once?!" Velen stared at the system''s notification, his mouth twitching involuntarily. Though he was cursing in his heart, the problem still remained before him. Should he accept this mission or not? This was not just a task¡ªit was a declaration about what Anastasia was to him. Was she his companion? His wife? Or just his leader? If he completed the mission, he would be rewarded with 500,000 luxury points! 500,000 luxury points! Compared to the system''s usual stingy rewards of 100 or 200, this was beyond generous! The temptation was overwhelming! Thinking of this, Velen once again took out the Holy Light Set from the system space. To be honest, if he gave this to Anastasia now, he was asking to be killed. But¡­ could he really give up on such a reward? As he wrestled internally, Anastasia, noticing Velen suddenly freeze in place, frowned. "Velen, what are you spacing out for?" Velen looked at Anastasia and, without thinking, blurted out: "Madam, did you call me?" The world fell into complete silence. Anastasia''s eyes widened in absolute shock, as if she had just seen something beyond comprehension. Ethan and the others also turned to stare at Velen, their faces filled with pure disbelief. What¡­ did Velen just call Anastasia? Madam?! Had they actually gotten together?! When did this happen?! Then, their eyes shifted to the item in Velen''s hands¡ªthe Holy Light Set. Ethan and the others were seasoned veterans¡ªjust one glance and they immediately recognized what it was. Connecting that to Velen''s outrageous statement, they instantly imagined an entire series of unspeakable events. "Velen¡­ this guy is unbelievable. He actually won over Anastasia¡ªthis is earth-shattering!" "Heh, have you forgotten who we''re talking about? This is Velen! What can''t he do?" "Anastasia is his superior, and he still managed to make her his woman. And now he''s even holding that? His methods must be godly!" At that moment, Ethan and the others all looked at Velen with admiration. Anastasia had always been an untouchable ice queen¡ªjust getting a single sentence out of her was difficult. And yet, Velen, in just a short time, had completely conquered her?! Kevin was especially shaken. After all, he had spent the most time by Anastasia''s side and knew how cold and indifferent she was to anything that wasn''t leveling up. But now¡­ she had fallen for Velen?! That said, Kevin didn''t oppose it. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Anastasia had always been too detached. If Velen could make her more human, it was a good thing. So, after his initial shock, he let out a yawn and turned away. "I just remembered I have something to do. I''ll be going now." Ethan and the others also reacted quickly, hoisting their furnaces and leaving the scene at top speed. And so, in just a few seconds, the only ones left were Velen and Anastasia. The moment everyone else was gone, Anastasia could no longer suppress her anger. Her eyes locked onto Velen with deadly intensity. "Velen, what the hell did you just say? Who are you calling ''Madam''?!" Velen coughed awkwardly, scratching his head. "Lord Anastasia, that was just a misunderstanding!" Though Velen did have feelings for Anastasia, this time, it had really just been a slip of the tongue! "A misunderstanding?" Anastasia''s gaze grew even colder, and her frosty eyes shifted to the Holy Light Set in Velen''s hands. "Then explain what that is!" Even Anastasia, despite having seen countless things, had a slight blush on her flawless face. Why the hell did Velen have something like this?! Velen glanced at the Holy Light Set and was at a complete loss for words. "Lord Anastasia, this¡­ this¡­" He stammered for a moment before his eyes hardened with resolve. "Forget it. Since things have already come this far, let''s go all the way!" Having made up his mind, Velen let go of all hesitation and tossed the Holy Light Set to Anastasia. "Madam, this is made of the finest Holy Silkworm silk. Not only is it warm and comfortable, but it also enhances mana absorption and can withstand attacks from an Ascended Rank awakener!" Hearing this, Anastasia had just been about to throw it away¡ªbut then she froze. As someone from the Upper Plane Universe, she immediately understood how precious Holy Silkworm silk was. It was incredibly rare, with exceptional durability and defensive properties. It also greatly enhanced mana absorption. In the Upper Plane Universe, it was considered one of the rarest treasures! Even her mentor in the Upper Plane Universe had only one piece, treating it as a sacred treasure. Even in the Singularity Battlefield of the Lower Plane, this material simply did not exist. Only the higher-tier battlefields of the Upper Plane Universe contained it. And yet¡­ Here it was, in her hands?! Who the hell would waste such precious material on something like this?! But as she carefully examined the Holy Light Set, her shock deepened. "This contains incredibly pure Holy Light!" Holy Light could enhance aptitude and accelerate leveling¡ªits benefits were endless! Instantly, her embarrassment disappeared, and her full attention shifted to the Holy Light Set. "Not only is it made from Holy Silkworm silk, but it also contains special formations that absorb mana at an accelerated rate. "This¡­ is too well-crafted!" If not for its ridiculous design, she would have outright praised Velen. It was exactly what she needed! "¡­Did Velen do this on purpose?" She suddenly gave Velen a suspicious look. This guy loved pulling stunts. If anyone could come up with something like this, it was definitely Velen. But the fact remained¡ªthis was an incredibly valuable item. So, after calming herself, Anastasia gripped the Holy Light Set tightly and finally spoke: "Velen, regardless of whether this was a misunderstanding or not, I will let it slide this time. "But from now on, do not call me ''Madam'' ever again!" For the sake of the Holy Light Set, Anastasia chose to swallow her anger! At the same time, she became even more curious about Velen. He casually threw out treasures like they were worthless. Where did all this wealth come from?! Was he actually some hidden powerhouse from the Upper Plane Universe? After all, even as a saintess, she was nowhere near the top of the hierarchy there. Meanwhile, Velen sighed in relief. But then, his eyes fell on the Holy Light Set still in Anastasia''s grip. If someone like her valued it this much, then the Holy Light Set was clearly far more extraordinary than he had thought! Seizing the chance, Velen grinned and said: "Madam, no matter what you call me, I''ll always call you ''Madam''!" Anastasia''s face flushed red, then immediately turned ice-cold. "Velen, if you dare say that again, I will kick you out of Fortress!" But Velen simply smirked. "Anastasia, as an Independent Senator, I strip you of the authority to expel me!" ¡­?! Even Anastasia, who thought she had prepared for Velen''s shamelessness, was left completely speechless. Chapter79-Call Me Whatever You Want! Seeing the mischievous grin on Velen''s face, Anastasia was utterly speechless. She had no way to deal with him. All she could do was turn away and leave in frustration. When it came to Velen and his shameless antics, she had no effective countermeasures. She might as well ignore him altogether. As for Velen insisting on calling her ''Madam'', she decided to just let him be. She knew Kevin and the others too well¡ªonce a misunderstanding like this started, the more she tried to explain, the more they would gossip! Besides, Velen now had too many identities, and she couldn''t control him even if she wanted to. At this point, her only option was to give up and accept it. She needed to focus on leveling up. Once she ascended and left this world, she would finally be free from Velen! Seeing that Anastasia had reluctantly accepted the situation, Velen''s eyes narrowed in excitement. The hardest part is always the beginning! Now that he had made his first breakthrough, all he had to do was keep up the momentum. Eventually, Anastasia wouldn''t just be his ''Madam'' in name¡ªshe would truly become his wife! "Not bad, not bad¡­ After so much effort, there''s finally some progress. "Though¡­ this does feel a bit like a domineering CEO forcibly taking his lover¡­" Velen muttered to himself, but his expression soon turned into one of excitement. "Just a single Holy Light Set was enough to make Anastasia compromise. "If I keep showering her with gifts, her affection for me will skyrocket!" "By then, marriage and a cute little baby will just be the natural next step¡­" As he watched Anastasia''s cold and graceful figure disappear, Velen decided¡ªit was time to start spending extravagantly on Anastasia! After all, she was his future wife. If he didn''t cherish her, who would? "Wait a minute¡­ Everyone''s gone, but I still haven''t handed out the Bloodline Upgrade Potion!" Looking at the potions in his hand, Velen was momentarily stunned. He had been so focused on Anastasia that he had completely forgotten his main task! Shortly after¡­ Velen sent a transmission to Alan. "Alan, gather at the central hall¡ªI have something good for you all!" With that, Velen headed toward Hael and the others, who were training in the square. On his way, Alan''s voice filled with admiration rang in his ears. "Velen, I always thought you were just a rich fool, but the real fool is me! "You actually won over Lord Anastasia and made her your Madam? "I, Alan, have never truly admired anyone before, but from now on, you are my idol! "Seriously, teach me your ways!" Velen: "¡­" How had word spread so fast?! If Alan already knew, then everyone in Fortress probably knew too. Even Ducal Manor might have heard about it! At that thought, Velen''s eye twitched violently. When he finally arrived at the square, Hael and the others were all staring at him as if seeing him for the first time. "Velen, you''re something else! "Miss Anastasia has never shown interest in anyone before. "She''s always been cold and focused on leveling up¡ªthat''s why she even built Fortress by herself!" "And now, you''ve actually won her over?!" "Velen, from today on, you are our god!" Hael and the others had spent a lot of time around Anastasia and knew her personality well. The fact that she was now ''Madam'' to Velen was so unbelievable that their minds couldn''t process it. Seeing that everyone knew, Velen''s thoughts immediately flashed to Kevin, Ethan, Robert, and Aiden. There''s no way this news spread so fast without those big-mouthed fools! Later, he would force-feed them all the Bloodline Upgrade Potion! Just then, Victoria stormed onto the scene, her muscles tensed and her loli face filled with anger. Her usual friendly demeanor was gone as she glared furiously at Velen. "Ethan, let me go! "Velen, if you don''t explain yourself, I swear I''ll fight you to the death!" "What did you do to Anastasia?!" Victoria was livid. She was one of Anastasia''s few friends, and she had only joined Fortress to investigate Velen and figure out why he was getting close to Anastasia. But before she could even start her investigation¡­ Anastasia was already calling him ''husband''?! Victoria''s mind went wild. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Considering Velen''s extravagant spending, the strange people around him, like Ironback Centipede and the one-eyed red-haired man, she worried deeply for Anastasia. Regardless of what had or hadn''t happened between them, She absolutely did not want Anastasia to be with Velen! Velen turned to Ethan and said calmly, "Senator Ethan, bring Victoria to the central hall¡ªI have something for all of you." Victoria''s anger exploded. "Velen, don''t run away! "I don''t want your stupid gifts! "Anastasia is a kind person¡ªyou two are not suited for each other! "I am Anastasia''s strongest shield, and I will not be bought off!" Velen, knowing that Victoria was overthinking things, simply ignored her and walked away. A short while later, in the central hall¡­ Everyone gathered with excitement. Under their expectant gazes, Velen walked in leisurely, holding a white-furred rabbit in his arms. As he gently stroked its fluffy back, the little white rabbit nuzzled against his hand, rubbing its ears against him in pure enjoyment. It looked more seductive than a fox. But Velen doted on this rabbit more than anyone else¡ªit always got the best stuff, and often the biggest share too! Among the gathered crowd, Anastasia and Victoria both glared at him with pure hostility. "Madam, I know I''m the most handsome person here, but you don''t have to stare at me so much. "My heart has always belonged to you." Velen grinned teasingly, completely ignoring Anastasia''s murderous gaze. Her chest rose and fell with anger, but considering Velen''s status, she forced herself to stay calm, simply letting out a cold snort and refusing to engage. The best way to deal with Velen was to completely ignore him! Velen chuckled to himself. He knew that right now, Anastasia only cared about revenge¡ªshe had no interest in anything else. Only when she ascended to the Upper Plane Universe and struggled against her enemies, would he arrive with Fortress''s elite Senators and geniuses¡­ Rescue her heroically. Then, with his overwhelming main-character aura, even her heart of stone would surely melt! Anastasia''s husband? That position was his for the taking! The next moment, Velen waved his hand, and countless bottles of Bloodline Upgrade Potion appeared, stacking up like a small mountain in the hall. Seeing the sheer amount, everyone''s eyes widened in shock! "Velen, what are these potions?!" Alan''s voice trembled with excitement. He still couldn''t forget the Fortifying Potion that had almost made him throw up. But these looked even more miraculous! "This is Bloodline Upgrade Potion¡ªfar superior to the Fortifying Potion. "It can infinitely enhance your bloodline!" The room erupted in excitement! Just as the little white rabbit lunged forward to grab some potions, Alan suddenly kicked it away with a flying strike! "Little bunny, you can''t handle this stuff. "Let me go first!" Chapter80-The Triple-Torment Potion Having been kicked away by an overexcited Alan, the little rabbit gazed at Velen with an expression full of grievance. But Velen merely patted its head in comfort. "I have plenty of these potions today. Don''t worry¡ªlet them go first." Kevin and the others were puzzled. Velen had always been exceptionally fond of this little rabbit. Why was he suddenly changing his attitude today? Still, it didn''t matter. This time, they wouldn''t lose out¡ªthey wouldn''t let a mere rabbit beat them! Feeling even more determined, they sped up. The Bloodline Upgrade Potion was a priceless treasure that could change their fates forever. They couldn''t afford to hold back. The moment Alan and Kevin rushed forward, Anastasia also moved in. "Anastasia, how could you drink something from Velen?!" Victoria glared at her, clearly frustrated. "After what he did to you, you can''t just let him buy you off!" But Anastasia remained calm. "Victoria, this time, I can''t listen to you. "The Bloodline Upgrade Potion is too important¡ªit will greatly accelerate my leveling speed!" Seeing this, Victoria bit her lip in anger, then rushed in after her. "If this potion is really so incredible, then I have to test it myself! "I can''t let Anastasia fall into Velen''s trap!" Soon, everyone had gathered around the pile of potions, gulping them down in batches of several bottles at a time. Meanwhile, Velen calmly replenished their supply, ensuring no one ran out. Ten minutes passed. Having consumed hundreds of Bloodline Upgrade Potions, the group was now clutching their stomachs and dry-heaving against the walls. The potion was incredibly bitter¡ªand the more they drank, the worse it got. Even though they were seasoned warriors, they could barely endure it. On top of that, they had been competing to drink as much as possible, fearing that others would take more. The combined effects of the overwhelming bitterness and massive intake had left them completely overwhelmed. "Is it really that bitter?" Seeing everyone''s pained expressions, Velen opened a bottle and poured it into the little rabbit''s mouth. The rabbit had been thrilled at first, thinking, "Finally! I get to drink it! "Master still loves me!" But the moment the potion hit its tongue¡­ The little rabbit gagged violently, instantly spitting it out, then stumbled backward in disgust. "You ungrateful rabbit!" Velen''s face darkened. Without hesitation, he raised a fist and delivered a lesson. Seeing Velen discipline the rabbit, the previously miserable crowd suddenly burst into laughter. "Good hit, Velen! "That lazy rabbit does nothing but eat all day! "It''s about time someone taught it a lesson!" "Yeah, we all endured this disgusting potion¡ªwhy should the rabbit be any different?!" Alan and Hael grinned smugly. After all, Velen had always treated the rabbit better than them. After a solid round of discipline, Velen flexed his wrist. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The rabbit had grown sturdier¡ªeven with his current strength, he could only make it feel pain rather than inflict serious harm. Having been taught a lesson, the little rabbit''s arrogance faded considerably. It looked noticeably more obedient, its eyes wide and innocent. "Now, drink." Velen handed the potion back to the rabbit. This time, the rabbit didn''t dare refuse. Whimpering softly, it reluctantly gulped down the potion. "That''s more like it. "You really have no idea how special this potion is, do you? "If I wasn''t planning to turn you into the Greatest Rabbit King in the Universe, "I wouldn''t be wasting these potions on you!" Most of the others still looked down on the little rabbit. They didn''t understand why Velen cared so much about it. But to Velen, this rabbit was special. In his past life, he had a pet rabbit¡ªhis only emotional support after coming home from work. So now, in this life, he wanted to help this rabbit become truly powerful. Seeing Velen''s serious gaze, the little rabbit felt deeply moved. It began drinking even more enthusiastically. It didn''t care about anyone else, but for Velen''s sake, it had to try harder! Suddenly, Velen asked the system, "After the Fortifying Potion''s effects, the rabbit''s bloodline has already become highly unique. "How much Bloodline Upgrade Potion would it take for a significant breakthrough?" The system responded immediately. "Every individual has different bloodline foundations, leading to varying results. "However, in general, consuming 100,000 bottles should result in a substantial bloodline transformation." Hearing this, Velen''s eyes widened. "100,000 bottles?!" That was an astronomical number! Not something that could be done overnight. At that moment, Ethan, who had recovered slightly, looked at Velen with a complicated expression. "Velen, I''ve already consumed over 300 bottles. "I can feel the potent energy burning through my body, cleansing impurities and enhancing my bloodline¡­ "But the effect seems pretty slow. "How many bottles do we need to actually trigger a breakthrough?" Alan and the others perked up immediately. They all felt the same way¡ªwhile the potion was working, the effects felt weak and gradual. They wanted to know exactly how much was needed to reach a true transformation. Velen didn''t bother hiding the truth. "About 100,000 bottles. "It doesn''t matter what your bloodline or rank is¡ªit''ll take about 100,000 bottles per person." "100,000?!" Everyone froze in shock. Not only was that an outrageous number, But the thought of drinking 100,000 of these god-awful potions was pure torture! More importantly, the more they drank, the more they realized how disgustingly bitter the potion was. They had tried shutting off their taste and smell, but it didn''t help. The bitterness felt like it seeped into their souls¡ªit was pure torment. But Anastasia''s eyes burned with determination. She understood better than anyone¡ªonce they ascended to the Upper Plane Universe, The difference between those with strong bloodlines and those without was massive. There had once been a madman with Fenrir Bloodline¡ªhis mere presence shook the entire Upper Plane Universe. Countless powerhouses feared him. Without a powerful bloodline, the Upper Plane Universe''s elite factions wouldn''t even acknowledge their existence. If everyone in Fortress could enhance their bloodline, Not only would their leveling speed skyrocket, but they would also become highly sought-after talents! After all, everyone in Fortress and Ducal Manor already had decent bloodlines. If they underwent a bloodline transformation, they could become absolute geniuses in the Upper Plane Universe! This would also greatly strengthen her Celestial Hall. Her mentor would definitely do everything possible to recruit them. Victoria, however, shuddered. "Anastasia, are you serious?! "100,000 bottles of that nasty stuff?! "This is pure torture! "Velen must be doing this on purpose!" Hearing this, many people hesitated. They wanted to improve their bloodline, But 100,000 bottles? Could they really endure such suffering? Seeing their conflicted expressions, Velen suddenly paused. "Wait¡­ just how bitter is this stuff?" Curious, he tilted his head back¡ª And gulped down a bottle himself. Chapter81-The Cunning Charles "Ugh!" The moment the potion touched his tongue, Velen''s face twisted in disgust, his expression turning as sour as if he had just swallowed pure misery itself. This potion wasn''t just bitter¡ªit felt like his very soul was tasting a never-ending wave of bitter melon. He felt downright depressed. "System, this is just cruel!" "You told me this stuff just had ''a slightly bad taste''¡ªbut this is worse than drinking piss!" Velen furiously complained to the system, unable to tolerate it any longer. The system gave a calm response. "Host, Bloodline Enhancement will not show significant benefits now. Its true power will only manifest in the Upper Plane Universe. Whether or not to continue enhancing bloodlines is up to you." Hearing this, Velen was stunned. So the real value of Bloodline Power would only be fully realized in the Upper Plane Universe? That was great news for him! At that moment, Aiden and the others saw Velen struggle with just one bottle of the potion. They shook their heads in dismay. "Velen, I think my bloodline is already decent. "Besides, I''m not young anymore¡ªI''ll sit this one out." Ethan was the first to step forward, his expression looking rather conflicted. The others hesitated as well. Sure, the Bloodline Upgrade Potion was incredibly valuable, but they feared that if they drank too much, they''d be permanently depressed from the sheer bitterness. Velen glanced around and immediately saw through their hesitant thoughts. "If you don''t want to participate, fine. "But if you ignore my request, that one-eyed, red-haired madman surely won''t be as forgiving." A dangerous smirk played at Velen''s lips. Ethan had been ready to argue, but the moment he thought about that man, he shuddered violently. That guy''s first words upon meeting them had been about eating people¡ªhe was as cruel as he was terrifying. Most importantly, he was fanatically loyal to Velen. If Velen gave an order, he would execute it without question. Just then, Ironback Centipede was the first to grab a bottle of Bloodline Upgrade Potion. He chugged it down without hesitation, his eyes widening in delight¡ªas if he were savoring a fine delicacy. He understood the true fear that the one-eyed, red-haired man inspired. Just thinking about it made his heart race. Compared to drinking this awful potion, he would much rather endure the bitterness than face that monster''s wrath. Gulp! Gulp! Gulp! Before anyone could react, another person started downing the potion in rapid gulps. To everyone''s shock, it was Victoria! Anastasia and the others stared blankly. What''s going on?! Just moments ago, Victoria had been the most vocal opponent of drinking Velen''s potions. Now she was gulping them down like her life depended on it? Who the hell is that red-haired madman?! Anastasia was even more bewildered. As Victoria''s closest friend, she knew her well¡ªVictoria was just as stubborn as she was. Once she made up her mind, she never changed it. Yet, just hearing Velen mention that man had made her terrified enough to submit instantly! Ethan, who had personally witnessed the red-haired madman, was already shaking in fear. Without another word, he tilted his head back and chugged more potion. "Velen, I''ve already had 303 bottles. "Just give me the rest in a storage bag¡ªI''ll drink them later. "As a Senatorial Advisor of Fortress, I must set an example!" "And besides, we''re lucky that you''re generous enough to share such valuable potions with us. "How could I possibly refuse?" Ethan''s voice rang out righteously. The others froze. Wait, what?! Who the hell was this one-eyed red-haired guy? Ethan was an Ascended Rank Lv9 Awakener, a Master Blacksmith, and a Berserker. Yet even he feared that man to the core?! Many of them had never seen this so-called madman, but they could already feel the unseen pressure weighing down on them. If even the strongest members of Fortress were terrified, then it was obvious¡ªanyone who refused to drink the potion would suffer the consequences! "Velen¡­ how many secrets are you hiding?" Anastasia felt like she understood him less and less. The more she learned, the more mysterious he became. And judging by Ethan, Ironback Centipede, and Victoria''s reactions, Something major must have happened at the blacksmith shop earlier¡ªsomething she still didn''t know about! After gulping down potion after potion, the group felt like their tongues had gone numb from bitterness. Their stomachs were bloated, and they couldn''t take another sip. Ethan pounded his chest, forcing down the lingering potion in his throat. Then he turned to Velen. "Velen, we killed Simon and the Triad Sanctum members. "That Grand Senator of theirs will find out soon enough. "And knowing his personality, he will come here for revenge!" "Is that Grand Senator really that strong?" Velen asked. Ethan nodded grimly. "That Grand Senator is extremely cunning. "He specializes in poisons¡ªhe''s infamous for using them to wipe out entire bloodlines without leaving a trace. "Among Ascended Rank powerhouses, he''s one of the most feared. "Many people dread him, because he never fights fair. "If he sees he can''t win a direct battle, he''ll poison his enemies from the shadows. "He''s an insidious bastard¡ªa true snake in the grass." Even Ethan, at his level, couldn''t guarantee survival if he got poisoned by Charles. That''s why he was warning Velen now. Velen frowned¡ªthis was going to be tricky. How do you defend against someone you can''t see coming? Just then, the system''s voice chimed in. "Mission Triggered: Lead 10,000 Pre-Guardians and Annihilate Triad Sanctum!" "Mission Success: +300,000 Luxury Points." "Mission Failure: -300,000 Luxury Points." "Mission is optional." Velen blinked in confusion. "10,000 Pre-Guardians?" "System, you once said Guardians are spread across the universe. "But that one-eyed red-haired guy told me there were only ten of them. "Why doesn''t the number match up?" The system responded. "Anyone wearing gold armor is a Pre-Guardian." "Only those who have fully regained their true power can be considered full Guardians." S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Hearing this, Velen was even more confused. "System, shouldn''t real Guardians be sent to help me if I''m in danger?" "Your current universe is too weak. "Even Pre-Guardians are more than enough to handle all threats." "So whenever you''re in danger, the system randomly assigns someone." Velen''s expression froze. "Wait¡­ you''re telling me my backup is chosen by a RANDOM LOTTERY?!" The system remained silent. Velen felt speechless. But as he checked his status screen, his Luxury Points had already reached 618,210. If he completed the Triad Sanctum mission, he could surpass 900,000 points¡ªbringing him to Elite Rank Lv9! "System, is Triad Sanctum really that dangerous?" "Why send 10,000 Pre-Guardians?" "They''re just bored. They want to go out for some action. "Triad Sanctum is weak." Velen burst out laughing. So this was just a vacation trip for them?! Chapter82-Velens Ruthless Plan Whether or not they knew he was participating in Star Hunt didn''t matter. As long as he wiped out all the resources on that planet, leaving only a small fraction for some lucky survivor to claim¡­ Then there would only be one first place. And everyone else would be second place! A perfect loophole to meet the system''s mission requirements! Sure, this was borderline villainous, but hey¡ªif they weren''t skilled enough to stop him, that was their problem! A genius plan! Velen was incredibly satisfied with himself. His eyes sparkled with excitement as he turned toward Anastasia. "Wife, I''m heading out with Senator Ethan for a few days¡ªdon''t worry about us!" Before he could finish his sentence, Anastasia had already drawn her sword and pressed it against his throat. "Say that again. I dare you." Her cold, piercing gaze sent a chill down Velen''s spine. The others watching? They didn''t take it seriously at all. To them, this was just another day of witnessing their ''romantic'' banter. They fully believed that if anyone else had said that, Anastasia''s sword would''ve already sliced through their neck. Velen felt the icy blade against his skin and quickly corrected himself. "Ahem¡ªLord Anastasia, I''m just heading out with Senator Ethan to take care of some business¡­" "Good." Anastasia nodded immediately. ¡­Wait. That''s it? Velen blinked in disbelief. She wasn''t even asking where he was going or what he was doing?! That¡­ that was too cold! "Lord Anastasia, I may be just the vice-captain of Fortress, but I''m also your most trusted, closest aide. "Shouldn''t you at least ask about my well-being?!" Anastasia''s lips curved into a smirk. "You''re an Independent Senator. "I''m just a lowly Fortress Lord. "How could I possibly interfere with your affairs?" Velen: "¡­" Damn it. This was payback for how he bullied her earlier with his Senator status! Anastasia never forgot a grudge. Not long after, Velen packed up ten sets of 100,000 bottles of Bloodline Upgrade Potion, giving each person their own storage bag. He reminded them to drink it like water before departing with Ethan. The group stared helplessly at their storage bags. From now on, meals were canceled¡ªthey were only drinking potions. "Velen, where exactly are we going?" Sitting on a special flying carpet, Ethan glanced at Velen curiously. Velen ran his hands over the carpet''s fabric, intrigued. "Senator Ethan, this thing is pretty special. "It''s not just fast¡ªit''s also really comfortable. "What grade is it?" He had seen many spaceships, but lightweight, high-speed flight artifacts like this were rare. "This is a flight artifact I personally crafted. "It can match the speed of starship fleets. "Its advantage is miniaturization¡ªyou can power it with either mana or mana stones. "The more mana you pour in, the faster it flies. "But it burns through mana stones ridiculously fast." Hearing that, Velen''s interest only grew. After all, he was swimming in mana stones! "This flying carpet is just something I made casually¡ªit''s only a Lv3 flight artifact. "It''s not that fast. "But as a Berserker, I usually just fly through space with my bare body¡ªit''s faster and less hassle." Ethan explained proudly. Velen raised a brow. "Can this Lv3 artifact get us to Triad Sanctum within 7 days?" Ethan''s eyes widened in shock. "You want to go to Triad Sanctum?" Charles was extremely dangerous, and Triad Sanctum was full of cutthroat assassins. Their real combat power was likely stronger than Fortress at this stage. Going there on purpose? That was pure madness. "You want to strike first to stop Charles from poisoning us, but¡­" Before Ethan could finish, Velen cut him off. "I just need to know¡ªcan we reach it in 7 days?" Ethan hesitated, then sighed. "If we only use the Lv3 artifact, 7 days won''t be enough¡ªit''s too far away. "But if I go full speed, only stopping at night to rest, we can make it in 6 days." S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Good." Velen''s eyes gleamed. "Then, Senator Ethan, I''ll have to trouble you¡­" Ethan''s stomach dropped. The way Velen was looking at him gave him a very bad feeling. A few moments later¡­ Velen sat comfortably on the flying carpet, watching the galaxies blur past on both sides. His smile was practically glowing. "Not bad, not bad! "This Lv3 flight artifact is still far slower than Master Ethan, though!" Behind him¡ªEthan gritted his teeth. Because right now, he was the ''booster rocket'' pushing the carpet forward at full speed! He, a dignified Ascended Rank Awakener, a Master Blacksmith, and a Berserker, was now acting as Velen''s personal jet engine! This was utterly humiliating! After ten exhausting hours, Ethan finally found a small planet where they could rest. He knew Velen valued comfort and wasn''t about to fly nonstop. Plus, the longer he stayed with Velen, the more benefits he might receive. So¡­ he wasn''t exactly in a hurry. Velen checked into the most luxurious hotel on the planet. As he lay on the soft, plush bed, he suddenly remembered something. "Right, I have a mentee!" Bloodline Upgrade Potions would definitely benefit Caitlin and Belle. The sooner they took them, the better. Without hesitation, he activated the System''s Teleportation feature. "Locking onto Caitlin¡ªdescending!" A brilliant golden light flashed. Velen vanished from the hotel room. The next moment¡­ White mist surrounded him. A faint, fragrant aroma filled the air. It only took him a second to realize¡ª "Wait¡­ this is¡­ a bathhouse?" Through the hazy steam, he could see a stunningly curvy silhouette¡ª A naked woman bathing. Before he could react¡ª "PERVERT!" "YOU DISGUSTING FREAK!" A furious shriek rang out. Caitlin clutched her chest, rage burning in her eyes. Her shout was so intense that it shattered the mist around them. "Caitlin, wait! It''s not what it looks like!" Velen instinctively tried to explain. "I just wanted to help scrub your back!" Caitlin''s face turned crimson with fury. Her long, toned legs swung straight toward Velen''s crotch¡ª Aiming to kick him straight into the afterlife. But at that moment¡ª A terrifying chill tore through space, freezing the entire bathhouse in an instant. "Master, fear not!" A booming voice echoed from the void. A figure began emerging from a spatial rift¡ª A powerful guardian rushing to defend Velen. "GET LOST!" Before the figure could even step through, Velen kicked him back into the rift. "Understood, Master!" The figure vanished immediately. Caitlin sighed deeply, glaring at Velen. "Mentor, can you at least warn me before teleporting next time?!" Velen nodded furiously. "Yes! Next time, I promise!" ¡­Though honestly, he felt like he''d already been ''rewarded'' with a nice view. Clearing his throat, he handed two storage bags to Caitlin. "Each bag has 100,000 bottles of Bloodline Upgrade Potion. "One for you, one for Belle. "Make sure to drink all of them¡ªit will greatly enhance your bloodlines." Caitlin finally smiled. Her mentor might be unreliable at times¡­ But he truly cared for her. Chapter83-The Fire Extinguished by Velens Wealth "Oh, by the way, this potion doesn''t taste very good. But for your future, you must persist and drink every last drop." Seeing Caitlin''s excitement, Velen quickly added a warning. Not very good? Caitlin heard this but didn''t take it to heart. As an Ascended Rank Awakener, such minor discomforts were hardly worth considering. "Rest assured, mentor, I will drink all 100,000 bottles of the Bloodline Upgrade Potion without leaving a single one behind." Caitlin responded with firm resolve. She knew that anything Velen offered had to be precious beyond measure. After all, Velen was a super tycoon! And just moments ago, the piercing cold aura that had suddenly descended upon the bathhouse¡ªeven as a Lv9 Ascended Rank Awakener, it had sent chills through her very soul! If that mysterious figure had truly fully manifested, she wouldn''t have stood a chance. It was proof that Velen was far more than just a wealthy man. Her respect for her mentor deepened. Meeting Velen and becoming his mentee¡ªperhaps it was the greatest fortune of her life! As for the mysterious guardian secretly protecting Velen, she had no intention of prying further. If Velen didn''t bring it up himself, she would pretend she had never sensed anything. Velen carried many secrets. But one thing was certain¡ªhe genuinely meant her no harm and was truly helping her. That was all that mattered. Seeing Caitlin''s deep, contemplative gaze, Velen suddenly thought of something and asked: "Caitlin, do you know about Triad Sanctum?" "I plan to wipe them out in the next few days. "If you have any lingering ties with them, you might want to sever them now." "Aside from that, I have nothing else to say. "Just remember to drink the Bloodline Upgrade Potion properly!" With that, the space around Velen shimmered, and he turned to leave. Caitlin watched his departing figure, her expression first puzzled, then gradually turning icy cold. "Triad Sanctum actually dared to provoke my mentor? They''re courting death." Since Velen intended to destroy Triad Sanctum, as his mentee, she naturally had to support him. "Pass down my orders¡ªany Triad Sanctum members causing trouble near the academy¡­ "Eliminate them all. Leave no one alive." As one of the top academies in the galaxy, Celestia Academy had always been aware of Triad Sanctum and their underhanded methods. Previously, Caitlin had avoided getting involved. But now that Triad Sanctum had chosen the path of destruction, she would wipe them out completely! Ten minutes later. "Mentor, what the hell did you give me?! This potion is absolutely disgusting!" Inside Belle''s room, she clutched her stomach, looking miserable. A moment ago, Caitlin had given her a single bottle to try. She drank it in one gulp¡ªand immediately regretted it. Not only was the taste unbearably awful, but her stomach churned violently, making her feel absolutely wretched! "So it really is that bad?" Caitlin murmured, deep in thought. Just one bottle had nearly broken Belle. Clearly, when Velen had warned them about the taste¡­ he had been seriously downplaying it. Thankfully, she had the foresight to let Belle test it first. Still¡­ could it really be that bad? Caitlin hesitated for a moment before taking a sip herself. The instant the liquid touched her tongue, an overwhelming bitterness exploded in her mouth. Her body recoiled, her stomach clenched, and she felt the urge to vomit. But remembering Velen''s instructions, she forced herself to swallow. "You must drink all 100,000 bottles. Not a single drop can be wasted." "Mentor, this potion is so disgusting¡ªjust forget it! You don''t have to force yourself!" Seeing Caitlin struggling, Belle tried to dissuade her. But Caitlin shook her head. "Belle, this is from Velen. It''s invaluable for our bloodlines. "You must drink every last bottle. No excuses." As she spoke, she handed Belle a storage bag. Belle peeked inside¡ª Her eyes went wide with horror. "T-This many?! There must be at least 100,000 bottles!" Her face went pale. The sheer quantity was overwhelming. This wasn''t just a bad-tasting medicine¡ª It was a nightmare in a bottle! "Mentor, have you been tricked by Velen? "This much of such a disgusting potion¡­ "Is he trying to torture us to death?!" Belle grumbled furiously, but Caitlin flushed slightly and quickly refuted her. "What do you mean ''tricked''? Don''t talk nonsense! "Velen is your grandmentor¡ªshow some respect! "And drink all of it. That''s an order." Belle pouted angrily. Fine, if her mentor wouldn''t listen, she would go over her head! She immediately called her sister, Anastasia, prepared to complain about Velen. The call connected. But before Belle could even speak¡­ She heard Anastasia''s voice¡ªgagging and retching in between gulps. "Belle¡­ ugh¡­ what''s up¡­? Gulp, gulp, gulp¡­" Belle: "¡­" "Never mind, sis. Forget I called." She hung up immediately. Then, looking at the storage bag, she sighed in despair. "Guess I have no choice but to drink this nightmare potion too¡­" Suddenly, she remembered something and asked: "Mentor, I heard you ordered an attack on Triad Sanctum?" Triad Sanctum wasn''t just any faction¡ª They were ruthless, known for playing dirty, and once entangled with them, they were like a plague¡ªimpossible to shake off. Even though Celestia Academy was a major power, taking the initiative against such an enemy was unwise. But Caitlin''s expression remained calm. "Velen plans to wipe out Triad Sanctum. "It won''t be long before they cease to exist." Belle''s eyes widened in shock. "Velen is actually planning to destroy Triad Sanctum?!" That was insane! Triad Sanctum wasn''t some small-time gang¡ªthey were notoriously vicious. Did Velen really have the strength to take them on? ¡­ Or had Caitlin misheard? Maybe Velen wasn''t planning to destroy them¡ª S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Maybe he was planning to buy them out instead?! The Next Morning Velen woke up feeling refreshed. Stretching lazily, he opened his system interface. New Special Item: Forging Mastery Compendium ¡Á9999! Description: Insights from Upper Plane Universe master blacksmiths. "Greatly enhances forging skill proficiency!" Velen''s eyes lit up. This was a rare treasure! For ordinary people, reading one book could instantly make them a low-level blacksmith. For a master like Ethan, the benefits would be tremendous. "Velen, do you need my help with anything today?" Ethan walked in, rubbing his hands eagerly, a flattering smile on his face. He knew Velen spent lavishly every day. And since he was the only one around, if Velen was going to show off his wealth, he''d surely reap the rewards! Velen glanced at him and suddenly thought of something. "Senator Ethan, what is your greatest wish?" Ethan hesitated, then sighed. "To be honest, I''ve always wanted to forge a top-tier artifact of my own. "I once dreamed of forging an Lv9 Furnace. "But after seeing you casually produce ten of them in one go¡­ "That dream just¡­ lost all meaning." Velen: "¡­" So¡­ my casual flex¡­ actually crushed a master blacksmith''s life goal?! Chapter84-Im a Master Blacksmith, and You Want Me to Forge Pots and Pans?! Velen, after hearing Ethan''s words, casually pulled out more than ten copies of the Forging Mastery Compendium and said slowly, "Since Senator Ethan thinks he''s too old, these things are probably useless to you. "I might as well burn them." As he spoke, Velen retrieved an Lv9 Furnace from his storage bag and tossed it into the flames. Ethan, who had been resigned and indifferent, suddenly had his pupils contract sharply. He had suspected it¡ªbut now he was certain. Velen really had it! Even though it was just a fleeting glance, Ethan could feel the profound aura radiating from the books. These were absolutely Upper Plane Universe''s Forging Mastery Compendiums! And judging by Velen''s attitude, he clearly had a lot of them. The man was holding over ten copies¡ªjust to burn them! Ethan''s eyes turned red instantly. For a blacksmith, this was a priceless treasure! Even in Singularity Battlefield, such knowledge was extremely rare. Ethan had spent years in Singularity Battlefield and had only seen traces of such books, never obtaining one. But now, Velen was literally throwing them into the flames! Just as Ethan''s emotions churned violently, Velen casually pulled out several hundred more copies and tossed them into the furnace. "Senator Ethan, do me a favor. "Even with an Lv9 Furnace, burning all of these books one by one will take too long. "I still have over 9,000 left¡ªhelp me burn them so it goes faster." Watching as more and more Forging Mastery Compendiums were devoured by the fire, Ethan felt as if he himself had been thrown into the furnace. "Velen, I think¡­ I can still be saved!" "My old dreams¡­ are rekindled!" Ethan hurriedly stepped forward, blocking Velen from throwing more books into the flames. If he could absorb all of these¡­ His forging skills would skyrocket! With enough materials, he could easily forge an Lv9 Furnace himself! He might even become Titan Galaxy''s greatest blacksmith! The fire that had been extinguished by Velen''s wealth¡­ ¡­was reignited by Velen''s absurd wastefulness! However, Velen shook his head and sighed. "Forget it, Senator Ethan. "You were right before¡ªyou''re old. "You should just enjoy retirement. "Forging should be left to the younger generation." Ethan nearly slapped himself. He immediately straightened his posture and said urgently, "Velen, I was just joking earlier! "How could a few hundred years make me old? "This is the prime of my career!" Seeing this, Velen nodded. "Alright, then. "If you really believe in yourself, "Once you absorb these compendiums, you''ll become one of the best blacksmiths¡ªcapable of forging artifacts with true sentience." "So in the future, you can be responsible for all of Fortress''s daily necessities¡ªbrooms, shovels, plates, and chopsticks¡ªall forged with sentience!" Ethan, who had been elated just moments before, suddenly froze, his eyes widening in disbelief. "Sentience¡­" Only the most legendary artifacts gained sentience. A sentient artifact was the pinnacle of craftsmanship, the defining achievement of the greatest blacksmiths. Throughout the galaxies, the most famous blacksmiths all owed their reputations to creating sentient artifacts. Once an item gained sentience, it didn''t just become stronger¡ªit became a legend. This was the lifelong dream of every blacksmith! But Velen¡­ ¡­wanted him to forge sentient brooms and kitchen utensils?! sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. If he really did this, it would be the ultimate humiliation. How could a blacksmith of his status waste his talent on household items?! "Velen, these kinds of things¡­ you can just let some random apprentice forge them. "They''re not important¡­" Ethan tried to refuse. But before he could even finish his sentence, Velen cut him off seriously. "These are Fortress''s essential daily tools¡ªthey''re very important. "If you don''t want to do it, that''s fine¡ªI won''t force you." Saying this, Velen threw dozens more Forging Mastery Compendiums into the Lv9 Furnace. FWOOOOSH! The flames roared higher. Dozens of priceless books¡­ turned to ash. Ethan''s eyes went bloodshot, his heart ached, and just as Velen prepared to toss in another hundred copies, Ethan couldn''t take it anymore. "Alright, alright, Velen¡ªI''LL DO IT!" After shouting in frustration, Ethan deflated like a balloon, staring at Velen with resentment, like a bullied child. Velen, feeling a shiver down his spine, quickly handed him the rest of the Forging Mastery Compendiums. "Hurry up and absorb these. "You''re making it look like I''m bullying an old man." Half an hour later. Ethan, having absorbed all the books, felt an entirely new sensation. It was as if the very fabric of reality moved with his thoughts. His mental power had skyrocketed. His perception of his surroundings had changed. When he opened his eyes, they held a newfound depth and confidence. But then he turned to Velen, frowning slightly. "Velen¡­ I need to warn you. "Forging sentient artifacts is extremely difficult. "Now that my skills have improved, I can attempt it¡ªbut it will bring forth a disaster." "A disaster?" This was the first time Velen had heard of such a thing. Clearly, it was no trivial matter if Ethan was bringing it up so seriously. But then Velen thought about the one-eyed red-haired warrior, about The Guardians backing him¡ª And he stopped worrying. "Don''t worry. "Just forge. "Disasters will be handled." Ethan''s face darkened. "Velen, you''re underestimating this. "Disasters don''t work that way. "If anyone interferes, the calamity only worsens. "Even now, with my new abilities, I have no confidence in resisting it." Seeing Ethan''s growing concern, Velen just smiled. "What if the one-eyed red-haired lunatic intervenes? "Do you think he could handle it?" Ethan''s pupils shrank instantly. He had never fought the red-haired warrior¡ª But the terrifying aura alone had burned itself into his memory. That man wasn''t just strong¡ª He was a menace, even in the Upper Plane Universe. If he was on their side¡­ Ethan realized¡ª He had no more excuses. No matter how he tried to avoid it¡ª Velen had forced him onto this path. He, a master blacksmith capable of forging sentient artifacts, Was now¡­ Destined to create self-aware kitchenware. If word got out, he would become a laughingstock! Ethan wanted to cry. He didn''t even know if his newfound abilities were a blessing or a curse anymore. With a deep sigh, he gazed at Velen, his expression unreadable. Six days remained before they reached Triad Sanctum. And Ethan¡­ Was sure Velen would bring even more surprises. After just one day together, his entire worldview had already been shattered. What else could possibly be in store? After a simple breakfast at a hotel, Ethan resumed flying toward Triad Sanctum with Velen. But after a few hours, Velen suddenly looked toward a peculiar resource planet ahead¡ª A planet teeming with spellbeasts. His eyes gleamed, and he immediately called out¡ª "Senator Ethan, wait a moment!" Chapter85-The Divine Skill of Controlling Emotions Ethan was momentarily stunned before following Velen''s gaze toward the planet. As he spotted three young men locked in combat with spellbeasts, his expression became grim. "Thousand Venom Hands! These guys are from Triad Sanctum!" "This technique is one of the deadliest in Triad Sanctum. Their status must be extraordinary!" "Oh?" Velen let out a soft sound of interest, his curiosity piqued. "All three of them, as well as the spellbeasts, are at Expert Rank Lv9," Ethan added. Spellbeasts were typically far stronger than human awakeners of the same level, and despite the three''s ruthless methods, they were still caught in a desperate struggle against the pack. Velen nodded and then rushed straight toward the planet. "Since I''ve come across them, they''ll make perfect test subjects for my newly acquired skill¡­" Velen''s intent was simple: he wanted to test Divine Form, the god-tier skill he had just obtained. A god-tier skill was not something an awakener of his level should even have access to. It was powerful beyond imagination, an ultimate trump card that most people could only dream of possessing. Seeing Velen eagerly dive toward the battlefield, Ethan''s curiosity deepened. "So Velen is finally going to make a move? "I''ve heard so many people say he''s talented beyond measure, but I''ve never seen it myself. "Now I can finally verify the truth with my own eyes." But was Velen planning to target the spellbeasts¡­ or the Triad Sanctum members? On the Planet The three Triad Sanctum members were fighting desperately, standing back to back as they struggled against the attacking spellbeasts. "Our luck is absolutely rotten. "We just returned from Singularity Battlefield and ended up landing in the middle of a damn spellbeast ambush!" "These spellbeasts are vicious! "If you two keep holding back, we''re gonna die here!" The scar-faced leader snarled at his two subordinates, his face grim. But instead of listening, the other two turned livid with rage. "Captain, are you serious?! "Most of the resources we gathered in Singularity Battlefield are in your hands! "We''ve already burned through all our survival measures¡ªyou''re the one dragging your feet!" "If you don''t start fighting seriously, we''ll drag you down with us!" As the two lashed out at their leader, the five spellbeasts roared violently, their massive jaws snapping closer with deadly intent. The scar-faced captain''s expression darkened, but just as he was about to retaliate against his subordinates¡­ A suffocating pressure descended from above. All three of them froze. They felt a terrifyingly powerful aura plummeting from the sky. The mere presence of this aura made them feel as if death itself had arrived. A moment later, a figure crashed down like a meteor. Mana rippled from his body like tidal waves, forcefully separating the spellbeasts from the three men. A barrier of raw power had formed¡ªone that neither side could cross. "ROOOAARRR!" The five spellbeasts, furious at this sudden interference, bellowed at Velen and charged at him in unison. But the moment they lunged forward, something changed. Velen''s entire body pulsed with radiant energy, and the spellbeasts'' eyes widened in terror. They saw something divine¡ªsomething incomprehensibly powerful. In their shaken minds, Velen became a supreme deity, gazing down upon the world like a god judging the fate of mortals. In the presence of this overwhelming might¡­ They felt like nothing but insects. As the five spellbeasts froze in fear, Ethan¡ªwho had been watching from above¡ªgasped in sheer disbelief. "What the hell is this technique?! "It''s distorting space and time!" Even though Velen''s skill hadn''t been aimed at him, just being near its aura made Ethan''s skin crawl. "This technique¡­ it has to be god-tier!" Ethan had seen many things in his long life, but this? Even in Upper Plane Universe, god-tier skills were exceedingly rare. In the lower planes, they were mere legends. Only in Singularity Battlefield could one, with unfathomable luck, acquire a divine skill. The three Triad Sanctum members, still reeling from shock, stared at Velen in horror. The energy radiating from him made resisting feel impossible. But their fear soon turned into something else. Envy. Greed. "A god-tier skill¡­" "This bastard actually possesses a god-tier skill!" Such a skill was priceless beyond measure. It wasn''t just unparalleled at the same level¡ªit could even turn the tide against stronger opponents. Most importantly, god-tier skills could grow stronger, meaning even Ascended Rank awakeners could wield them to devastating effect. If they could steal this skill¡­ Their power would skyrocket! Their eyes met, and all three instantly understood each other''s intentions. They wanted it. They wanted it desperately. Just as they plotted their betrayal¡­ The five spellbeasts suddenly stopped moving. The killing intent in their eyes vanished entirely. Instead¡­ A new emotion filled the air. A strange, intoxicating atmosphere spread across the battlefield. Before anyone could react¡ª The five spellbeasts turned to each other¡­ And began mating. Right then and there. In broad daylight. And they did it furiously¡ªlike obsessed, tireless beasts driven purely by instinct. Velen, staring at the surreal scene before him, blinked. "Uh¡­ what?" Then, as if a revelation had dawned upon him, he murmured, "So that''s how Divine Form works¡­" "It can manipulate emotions¡ªseizing control of any creature''s desires and instincts." "A truly fascinating ability¡­" Clearly, his control over the skill wasn''t refined yet. Instead of redirecting their bloodlust elsewhere, He had accidentally cranked up their mating instinct. Velen''s mind made sense of the situation¡ª S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But Ethan and the three Triad Sanctum members? They were utterly dumbfounded. The spellbeasts, who had just been viciously attacking, were now engaged in something far more¡­ explicit. Somehow, one of the beasts even had two partners¡ªone above and one below. The longer they watched, the more disturbed they became. "What the¡­ hell am I looking at?!" "I thought poisoning people was twisted¡­ but this? This is NEXT LEVEL!" At first, the three Triad Sanctum members were shocked and appalled¡ª But seconds later¡­ Their eyes gleamed with greed. "Captain, if we learn this skill, we''ll be able to seduce any woman we want!" "Exactly! All those bitches who ignored us will be begging on their knees!" They wanted this power. They needed this power. But before they could make their move¡­ Velen turned his gaze toward them. Their bodies froze instantly. A terrifying realization sank into their bones¡ª They could no longer move. Then¡ª Their thoughts began to change. "How could I be such scum?" "My whole life, I''ve been cruel and ruthless¡ªI don''t deserve to live!" "I must commit seppuku to atone for my sins!" Moments later¡ª With expressions of deep regret, They pulled out their knives¡­ And gutted themselves, spilling their intestines onto the ground. Chapter86-The Strongest Rabbit in the Universe Seeing the three men, who had been filled with greed and malice just moments ago, suddenly commit seppuku, Velen was stunned. "This Divine Form skill that controls emotions¡­ is way too terrifying!" First, the five spellbeasts had died of exhaustion, And now, these three Triad Sanctum members had killed themselves out of guilt. "This skill¡­ truly lives up to being god-tier!" Meanwhile, Ethan, who had witnessed everything, was completely shaken. He had traveled across the universe, encountered countless strange techniques, Yet he had never seen a skill that could manipulate and alter emotions like this. There were some skills that could affect minds, but none of them were even close to what Velen had just demonstrated. He swallowed nervously and muttered, "Velen¡­ they''re already dead¡­ Maybe you should turn off this skill now?" The deathly stillness left behind by Velen''s ability sent chills down his spine. Even though he knew Velen wouldn''t target him, Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The bizarre and gruesome deaths of the spellbeasts and the three men were horrifying in a way he couldn''t describe. Feeling a lingering unease, Ethan let out a sigh of relief when he saw Velen finally withdraw the aura of Divine Form. Still, when he looked at Velen, he noticed that he seemed to be deep in thought, as if analyzing the experience. "Velen, was this the first time you''ve used this god-tier skill?" Velen nodded. "Yeah. I just got it recently and never had a chance to test it until now. "The effect¡­ was way more bizarre and powerful than I expected." Even with his high standards, Velen had to admit¡ªthis skill was absolutely insane. Anything from the system was bound to be broken. Ethan let out a long breath. "The first time using it, and it''s already this powerful¡­ "If you fully master it, even Ascended Rank awakeners will be nothing more than toys in your hands." He had met many powerful figures, But none had ever possessed a skill this monstrous. Velen nodded in agreement but sighed. "The problem is that Divine Form is way too complex and mysterious. "I still don''t fully understand how it works. Right now, the way I manipulate emotions is¡­ kind of random." Hearing this, Ethan finally understood. So that was why those five spellbeasts¡­ He had thought Velen had some kind of twisted fetish. Now, he realized that Velen wasn''t controlling their emotions deliberately¡ªit had been pure chance. Still, even with that limitation, the skill was insanely strong. "This god-tier skill is incredible. You absolutely need to master it¡ªit''ll be a devastating trump card in battle." Velen nodded. Then, he checked his mana reserves. Two uses¡­ and his mana was already down by two-thirds. For most awakeners, even attempting to cast a god-tier skill once would have completely drained them. "The mana cost is huge¡­ but it''s worth it." Then, suddenly¡ª "Congratulations, Host! You have found a pass!" Velen''s eyes lit up. His gaze snapped to the bodies of the three dead Triad Sanctum members. Ethan saw Velen''s attention shift and warned, "Velen, be careful. "They just came from Singularity Battlefield, and they''re part of Triad Sanctum. "They probably have all sorts of hidden poisons on them. "One mistake, and you could get yourself killed." Even from a distance, Ethan could hear everything clearly. "The scar-faced guy should have all the loot they gathered from Singularity Battlefield." Ethan added another piece of information. Hearing this, Velen''s excitement grew. Originally, he had only planned to test his skill, but he ended up finding a pass¡ªan unexpected jackpot! Now, once Star Hunt ended, he could go to Chaos City and flex his wealth properly. However, after searching through the scar-faced man''s storage pouch, he didn''t find the pass. "It must be on the other two." Velen smirked and checked their bodies as well. Sure enough, these two had a ton of valuable items¡ª Advanced mana stones, potions, artifacts, tools, poisons, hidden weapons¡­ Velen glanced at Ethan. "Master Ethan, didn''t you say all the loot was on the scar-faced guy?" Ethan looked awkward and then glared at the two dead men. "Those bastards! They acted like they gave everything to the captain, but they kept the real treasures for themselves. "Typical thieves'' paranoia¡ªthey were probably afraid of getting robbed." While they talked, Ethan noticed Velen picking up an old-looking scroll. The scroll looked crude, like something drawn by a child, yet Velen seemed strangely interested in it. "Velen, is there something special about that thing?" Velen infused mana into the scroll, slowly crushing it. "This thing is hiding a pass." A pass? Ethan didn''t fully understand, but seeing Velen''s delighted expression, he knew it had to be something incredibly valuable. Still, his curiosity got the better of him. "Is this pass really that rare? What does it do?" Asking this question, Ethan felt a little embarrassed. He was an experienced veteran, yet he kept asking this young man for answers. "It lets you enter Chaos City. "There''s no point explaining¡ªI''ll just take you there one day, and you''ll see for yourself." Velen casually waved him off and put the pass into his storage pouch. "All you need to know is that this pass is the key to Chaos City." "Let''s go. Besides the pass, the rest of this stuff is just garbage." Ethan nearly choked. Garbage?! These were artifacts from Singularity Battlefield, and Velen was tossing them aside like trash. Still, not wanting to waste valuable loot, Ethan quickly stored everything in his own pouch. Then, the two of them resumed their journey toward Triad Sanctum. ¡ª After a while, Ethan asked, "Velen, besides this god-tier skill¡­ "Do you have any other hidden trump cards?" Velen thought for a moment. "Sword of Judgment, I guess. That one''s also pretty strong." "Sword of Judgment?! So you''re a swordsman too?!" Ethan stared at Velen in shock. Becoming a true swordsman was incredibly difficult¡ª It required both talent and years of relentless training. For a tycoon like Velen to also be a swordsman¡­ unbelievable! But Velen laughed and shook his head. "No, no. I''m not a swordsman. "I''m just a ruthless skill book destruction machine." Ethan blinked. That¡­ doesn''t make sense. Then, suddenly, Ethan remembered the skill tomes Velen had casually thrown at him earlier. If Velen could give away nearly ten thousand rare SSS Tomes of Skill Experience, Then his supply of high-level skill books must be absolutely absurd. ¡ª "Senator Ethan, there are plenty of powerful swordsmen in the universe¡­ "But have you ever seen a super OP, hyper-aggressive, and unstoppable little white rabbit before?" "A rabbit? Super OP and unstoppable?" Ethan immediately thought of Velen''s pet rabbit. "That tiny thing? It looks harmless!" Velen chuckled. "That little white rabbit has already mastered ''Eye of Hell.'' "Its bloodline is now completely pure and untainted. "It''s officially the strongest rabbit in the universe. "One day, it won''t just dominate the rabbit kingdom¡ªit''ll dominate the entire cosmos!" Chapter87-The Tarot Orders Premonition A rabbit ruling the universe? Ethan''s eyelid twitched uncontrollably. That idea was just too insane! But then he thought about Velen''s extravagant personality and how much he loved that rabbit¡­ Maybe it really could happen! The thought of being surpassed by a rabbit, or worse, being beaten into the ground by one, made Ethan deeply regret asking in the first place. Why did I even bring this up? He should have just kept his mouth shut and continued pushing Velen forward like a proper toolman. From now on, he swore never to ask unnecessary questions again! ¡ª Aurora Trade Guild Headquarters Inside the training grounds, a young man was fighting fiercely, his eyes filled with unshakable determination. Watching from the sidelines, the head of the Aurora Trade Guild, Sylure, couldn''t believe his own eyes. "Is this really my son?!" The arrogant, weak-willed, and wasteful Nikola, the one who had always been afraid of the strong and bullied the weak¡­ He was now standing tall, pushing himself to the limits, and growing stronger by the second! It was as if he had been completely reborn. What happened while he was away with Captain Daniel?! At that moment, Bruce approached, his expression solemn. "Head, the young master is training hard these days. It would be best if you don''t disturb him." Sylure frowned. "Why? Why has Nikola changed so drastically?" Bruce took a deep breath. "Head, on our way back, the young master told me he wanted to give you a great surprise. "He wants to prove, with real actions, that he is not just a parasite of the trade guild." Bruce paused for a moment, then added: sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "And¡­ we''ve just confirmed with the trade guild''s alchemists¡ªthe formula for the Dragon Blood Potion is real." Sylure''s eyes widened. "The formula is real?!" This was huge news! But then, his expression darkened. "Senator Bruce, even if the Dragon Blood Potion formula is real, that doesn''t change the fact that Nikola has been a disgrace to our trade guild for years!" Bruce couldn''t help but chuckle bitterly as Velen''s face flashed through his mind. "Head¡­ Before I met Velen, I would have agreed with you completely. "But after seeing Velen with my own eyes¡­ "Let''s just say our definition of ''wasteful'' was too naive. "In comparison to him, the young master isn''t wasteful at all. "In fact, even we don''t measure up to the standard of his pet rabbit." Sylure''s curiosity was piqued. This Velen had been mentioned repeatedly by Bruce, Captain Daniel, and now even Nikola. Who was this person? And just how extravagant was he? Sylure clenched his fists. "If the Dragon Blood Potion formula is real, then I must personally visit the fortress. "Ten percent of the profits is far too little for what he has given us. "He granted my son the Fenrir bloodline¡ªa priceless gift. "Even if we work for him for free, we''re still the ones profiting!" When he first heard that Nikola had obtained the Fenrir bloodline, he had lost control of his emotions completely. It was legendary. A bloodline with limitless potential¡ªNikola could achieve anything he wanted with it. And now, with the Dragon Blood Potion''s formula confirmed, the favor Velen had done for them was immeasurable. He had to make sure Velen and the fortress got their fair share. And more importantly¡ªhe wanted to meet this legendary tycoon in person! "Head, you can meet him, but I must warn you¡­" Bruce''s expression grew serious. "You better mentally prepare yourself. "If you''re not ready, you might just pass out when you see his level of wealth." ¡ª Meanwhile, en route to Triad Sanctum¡­ Ethan suddenly turned to Velen, his expression serious. "Velen, Triad Sanctum''s Grand Senator, Charles, just contacted me." He pulled out a star communicator from his robes. Velen sneered. "If he''s reaching out, that means he already knows what happened at the fortress. "Tell him to sit tight and wait for death." He wasn''t worried in the slightest. One Guardian recruit was enough to crush an Ascended Rank awakener. Even in the entire lower universe, they could roam unchecked. Triad Sanctum might be notorious, but a single Guardian recruit could wipe them out completely. And this time, the system had dispatched ten thousand Guardian recruits. Just imagining them all descending at once¡­ the sheer devastation would be legendary! "Charles, in six days, your Triad Sanctum will be nothing but history. "Prepare your last words¡ªthese are your final days." ¡ª Inside Triad Sanctum¡­ CRACK! The star communicator shattered beneath Charles'' furious stomp. His face twisted with rage, his eyes burned with murderous intent. His voice echoed through the halls of Triad Sanctum like an executioner''s decree. "Summon all our forces! "These fools will have nowhere to run. "Let the name of Triad Sanctum be written in blood!" Triad Sanctum had dominated the underworld for years. For Ethan to speak so arrogantly, as if they were already doomed¡­ Unforgivable! Charles would show them the price of their arrogance! ¡ª Tarot Order Headquarters The councilors of the Tarot Order were gathered around their round table, when a sudden ripple of energy spread across the entire headquarters. At once, they all turned their gazes toward the sacred library at the center. A massive disturbance was emanating from within¡ªsomething impossible to ignore. They glanced at one another before collectively turning to the Grand Speaker of the Tarot Order. The elderly speaker, clad in a crown and ceremonial robes, lifted his staff and nodded gravely. "Come. Let us see what the Saintess of Tarot has foreseen." They hurried toward the library, arriving before Sophia¡ªthe Saintess of Tarot. Despite their high-ranking status, she regarded them calmly, without the slightest fear or reverence. This was the first time all twelve councilors had gathered before her since she joined the Tarot Order. Sophia hesitated for a moment. She already possessed the skill book for the Eye of Fate, given to her by Velen, which had caused her power to grow at an unprecedented rate. This growth had shocked the entire Tarot Order, but she could tell they still hadn''t fully realized the extent of its significance. Now, she was considering whether to reveal the existence of the Chaos Barrier to them. Only if they understood its importance would they truly prioritize fulfilling Velen''s request. Meanwhile, the Grand Speaker, unaware of her internal deliberation, was already beyond impressed by her. "The Saintess of Tarot grows more formidable by the day!" "She is the hope of our order''s revival!" The councilors were practically beaming with excitement. Just then, one of them spoke up, his face filled with shock. "I just used the Eye of Fate¡­ and it showed me the complete annihilation of Triad Sanctum!" Silence fell. "Triad Sanctum? Wiped out?!" Another councilor frowned. "But they have Charles¡­ How could they fall so quickly?" "I don''t know. All I saw was a future where Triad Sanctum no longer exists." The Grand Speaker''s eyes narrowed. "Their destruction does not concern us. "However, one of our sacred artifacts is still within Triad Sanctum. "We must retrieve it before their annihilation is complete!" Chapter88-Velen is Too Powerful! "Who among you is willing to travel to Triad Sanctum and retrieve the sacred artifact?" After the Speaker posed the question, the other councilors exchanged helpless glances. Kelsey, furrowing his brows, spoke up: "Speaker, that artifact was borrowed by the former head of Triad Sanctum, Sergei, at great cost. The agreement was for ten years. "It has only been three years. If we try to reclaim it early, Sergei and his people will certainly refuse. "They might even suspect something is wrong and interrogate the councilor sent there. "This could be extremely dangerous." Kelsey believed this matter needed careful consideration. The other councilors nodded in agreement. Though the Tarot Order held a high status in the universe, they were not known for direct combat. Among those of similar rank, they were one of the weakest in battle. Sergei, however, was a fearsome individual. Before entering seclusion, he had endured eight waves of Thunder Tribulation, a terrifying feat that placed him on the verge of ascending to the upper plane universe. If he targeted the envoy sent to retrieve the artifact, even the Speaker himself would find it troublesome. But since the artifact was crucial, they couldn''t just ignore the situation. They had to find the right person for the task. After some thought, the Speaker slowly spoke: "Perhaps we should use the Scarlet Tarot." The Scarlet Tarot was one of the Tarot Order''s sacred artifacts, capable of peering deeper into fate and even providing the best course of action. However, activating it would cause one''s destiny to be corroded by fate, leading to a tragic death. This was the unavoidable price of peering into fate. The gifts of destiny always came with a price, marked long before they were granted. Unless absolutely necessary, the Tarot Order avoided using it. After all, the consequences were too severe. Moreover, only the Speaker and the Saintess were qualified to activate it. Even though the Speaker''s health was failing, the artifact was too important to ignore. The Scarlet Tarot had to be used. "Speaker, please reconsider! Your health is already weak¡ªactivating the Scarlet Tarot could kill you!" Kelsey quickly protested. The other councilors also pleaded with concern: "Speaker, that artifact is important, but without you, the Tarot Order cannot function!" Seeing how frail the Speaker was, Sophia suddenly stepped forward and said: "Speaker, esteemed councilors, why don''t I try activating the Scarlet Tarot instead?" "Absolutely not!" "We cannot allow the Saintess to do this!" "Your rank has risen quickly, but the backlash from peering into fate this time will be far too severe¡ªyou won''t be able to withstand it!" Kelsey and the others vehemently opposed the idea. They had already treasured Sophia like a rare gem¡ªhow could they allow her to suffer harm? The Speaker also firmly rejected the idea: "Sophia, your duty is to focus on your studies. Leave this burden to us old men." Sophia was the future of the Tarot Order¡ª they couldn''t risk even the slightest danger to her. "Even though you are qualified to activate it, the backlash of fate would kill you instantly." Sophia wasn''t surprised by their rejection. Taking another step forward, she said firmly: "Speaker, the backlash of the Scarlet Tarot''s fate-weaving magic is indeed terrifying, "but I have this!" As she spoke, Sophia activated her Chaos Barrier! A misty gray fog surged forth, wrapping around her like a veil of shifting silk. "...?" "Chaos Barrier?!" Seeing the phenomenon surrounding Sophia, the councilors were stunned into silence, their minds going blank. At just a single glance, they recognized the Chaos Barrier¡ª A legendary entity! For the Tarot Order, whose members constantly peered into fate, this was the most coveted treasure of all¡ª a shield against fate''s deadly backlash! Seeing their awestruck faces, Sophia secretly sneered. "At least they can recognize the Chaos Barrier. "But compared to Velen¡­ "They are still far too lacking." As Sophia''s thoughts swirled, the Speaker suddenly released his spiritual energy, carefully examining the Chaos Barrier''s effects. "Sophia, allow me to verify its ability to counteract fate''s backlash." Minutes ticked by¡­ Then ten full minutes passed. The Speaker''s expression changed drastically¡ª his eyes widened, his mouth gaping open as if he had seen something unbelievable! "Speaker, how powerful is the Chaos Barrier?" Seeing his reaction, Sophia asked curiously. The Speaker quickly gathered himself and explained: "This isn''t just a matter of power!" "You have no idea what fate''s backlash truly means. "Let me tell you¡ªalmost no Tarot Order member has ever died a natural death. "They all perished because of fate''s counterattack." "In fact, for many¡­ death was a mercy. "The afflictions caused by fate''s retribution are beyond comprehension." "My own life is nearing its end. "Each time I gaze into fate, I shave away what little remains of my lifespan. "But you¡­ you are different. "You have the Chaos Barrier. "It shields you from the vast majority of fate''s retribution. "Sophia, you were born to be the ultimate oracle of the Tarot Order!" With that, he immediately led Sophia to the council chamber, where a deck of blood-red tarot cards lay upon an altar. With unprecedented solemnity, he personally handed the Scarlet Tarot to her. "Since you have the Chaos Barrier, "this will serve as both a trial for you and a means to preserve my own life. "Finding a suitable candidate to retrieve the artifact¡­ "Will now be your responsibility." Then, the Speaker turned to glare at Kelsey and the other councilors. "When it truly matters, it is the Saintess who steps forward. "From today onward, the will of Sophia is my will. "The Tarot Order is fully open to her command. "And you all shall support her unconditionally!" Kelsey and the others immediately agreed. Sophia might still be young, and her rank not yet high, but her mastery of the Eye of Fate was unparalleled, and with the Chaos Barrier, her future was beyond imagination. Sophia glanced around at the councilors, feeling more convinced than ever¡ª Velen is too powerful. Just a single Chaos Barrier¡­ "and they have completely changed their attitude toward me!" Even more amusing¡ª They''re absolutely desperate to possess the Chaos Barrier themselves. And yet, Velen had handed it to her so casually, as if it were a meaningless trinket! "Velen is too generous¡­ and too unfathomable." Under the intense gazes of the council, Sophia''s forehead gleamed¡ª a symbol of the Eye of Fate emerging. At the same time, the Scarlet Tarot began to move¡ª spinning around her like fluttering butterflies. The councilors held their breath. Screech! Suddenly¡ª A horrific, twisted force of fate lashed out! It sought to devour Sophia''s life force¡ª a punishment for daring to defy fate! But¡ª The Chaos Barrier surged forth¡ª And the attack¡­ vanished. Seeing this, the Speaker and the councilors felt relief wash over them. "Normally, we could do nothing but endure fate''s wrath¡­" "But Sophia''s Chaos Barrier¡­ actually repels it!" Minutes passed, until only a single tarot card remained. Sophia opened her eyes. "What did you see?" The Speaker asked immediately. Sophia frowned slightly in thought, then slowly said: "According to the Scarlet Tarot''s guidance¡­ "The most suitable person to retrieve the artifact¡­ sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Is me." Chapter89-Forging a Starry Stone Toilet "Councilor Kelsey, the Scarlet Tarot has already provided its guidance. The Saintess'' journey will be the safest, and there should be no major issues. You only need to accompany her." The Speaker shook his head, rejecting Kelsey''s proposal. After speaking, he urged Kelsey to take Sophia and depart for Triad Sanctum as soon as possible. Kelsey nodded, "Alright, we''ll return as soon as possible!" As he watched Kelsey and Sophia leave, the Speaker finally let out a sigh of relief and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. The other councilors looked at him with confusion¡ªwhy did he seem so tense? Looking at the group, the Speaker sighed: "Sophia''s Chaos Barrier is far stronger than I imagined. Just now, when activating the Scarlet Tarot, she didn''t just investigate the outcome of her journey to Triad Sanctum¡ªshe also explored other matters!" Hearing this, the councilors'' curiosity was piqued. They couldn''t activate the Scarlet Tarot themselves, but they were well aware of its difficulty. Even an Ascended Rank Level 9 Awakener like the Speaker faced immense backlash each time he used it. So how could Sophia activate it multiple times? "Just now, using the power of the Chaos Barrier, Sophia activated the Scarlet Tarot more than fifty times!" As the Speaker uttered these words, his expression was filled with disbelief. Sophia''s control over fate and the Chaos Barrier''s power far exceeded his expectations. And based on his understanding of the Scarlet Tarot, he could clearly perceive Sophia''s state while she was using it. "Speaker, what was Sophia investigating during all those activations?" The other councilors, equally shocked, asked with great anticipation. "She used the Scarlet Tarot to probe into Councilor Kelsey''s personal affairs, including which massage parlors he visited, how many married women he had affairs with, and all the ridiculous things he did in the past..." Upon hearing this, the councilors'' expressions turned strange. They all knew that Kelsey was infamous for his past escapades, having done many reckless things in his youth. Now, Sophia had uncovered everything¡ªeven his deepest secrets. It seemed their Saintess was a ruthless one! "Speaker, something doesn''t add up. How could she activate the Scarlet Tarot over fifty times and still look completely fine?" "Even with the Chaos Barrier, shouldn''t there be some kind of limit?" "Exactly! Even if the Chaos Barrier can shield against backlash, after so many activations, it should''ve reached its limit, right?" The Speaker listened to the councilors'' concerns, but their words only deepened his despair. After all, he had always feared the consequences of peering into fate and only activated the Scarlet Tarot when absolutely necessary. Every activation was done with extreme caution. But Sophia treated it like a game, using the Scarlet Tarot to gossip and uncover Kelsey''s darkest secrets, without any concern for the consequences! For the Speaker, Sophia''s sheer power was a brutal reality check¡ª A devastating blow to all Tarot Order diviners! This was more than just incredible talent¡ª It was a form of silent, overwhelming flexing! Very soon, the Speaker and the councilors began to feel a deep sense of dread. If Sophia could truly use the Scarlet Tarot without restriction, did that mean none of their secrets were safe? The feeling of being completely exposed¡­ This was the same fear they had once inflicted upon others¡ª Now, Sophia was doing it to them. And they were terrified. "Speaker, you must discipline Sophia! She can''t use the Scarlet Tarot for such trivial nonsense!" "Exactly! Even as the Saintess, she shouldn''t be so reckless!" Hearing the councilors'' complaints, the Speaker could only shake his head helplessly: "Do you think I haven''t tried? She simply doesn''t listen! Just now, she used the Scarlet Tarot fifty times in a row." "We''ll all talk to her together when she returns." Meanwhile, on the journey to Triad Sanctum¡­ Kelsey looked completely defeated, as Sophia relentlessly exposed his past misdeeds. His deepest, most shameful secrets were being spilled one after another. "Councilor Kelsey, how did those witches taste? Were they as good as they say?" "Also, with all those illegitimate children you''ve left scattered across the universe, have any of them ever come looking for you? If they all showed up at once, it''d be an entire army!" "Tsk tsk tsk, I never would''ve guessed that in your youth, you also had... a taste for men." As Sophia grew more smug, Kelsey completely broke down. "Saintess¡ªSaintess! Please, I beg you! You''re my ancestor¡ªjust stop talking!" Kelsey pleaded for mercy. These were his most closely guarded secrets! Then, glaring at her in frustration, he exclaimed: "Hold on! You activated the Scarlet Tarot fifty times... just to spy on me?! That''s completely unethical!" The more Kelsey thought about it, the more furious he became. "The Chaos Barrier may shield against fate''s backlash, but this isn''t how you''re supposed to use it!" To any Tarot Order diviner, the Chaos Barrier was the most precious treasure in existence. If any of them acquired it, they would cherish it dearly¡ª Unlike Sophia, who used it to gossip for fun. "Saintess, you must learn restraint! The Chaos Barrier has its limits! You can''t just waste it like this¡ªwho taught you this reckless behavior?!" Mid-rant, Kelsey suddenly thought of someone¡ª His eyes widened in horror: "Saintess Sophia, do you know Velen?" Sophia blinked innocently and shook her head: "Never heard of him." Hearing this, Kelsey breathed a sigh of relief. "Good. That''s good." Sophia pretended to be curious: "Why?" "It''s just that¡­ in some ways, you and Velen act very alike. "If you ever meet him, stay away¡ªwhatever you do, don''t learn from him!" Kelsey forced a laugh, avoiding further explanation. But Sophia, upon hearing that she and Velen were so similar, grinned with delight. "If I''m anything like him, that''s perfect!" "After all¡­ I''m his mentee." Ding! Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Congratulations, Host! Your mentee Sophia has successfully flexed her wealth! Reward: 800 Luxury Points! Bonus: 200 Starry Stones!" Lying on his flying carpet, Velen suddenly perked up. "Sophia flexed her wealth?!" After learning the details, Velen burst into laughter. "Classic Sophia. "She''s already mastered my style!" "Using the Chaos Barrier to pry into gossip¡ªsuch a brilliant, extravagant flex!" Feeling pleased, Velen pulled out 200 Starry Stones and handed them to Ethan. Ethan''s eyes bulged in disbelief: "Velen?! This many Starry Stones¡­ for me?!" Chapter90-What Terrifying Being Did the Triad Sanctum Provoke? Seeing Ethan''s strongly disapproving expression, Velen patted his shoulder earnestly. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Master Ethan, you''ve been following me for quite some time now, yet you''re still so rigid?" "Are you telling me that as a great tycoon, I don''t deserve a toilet made of Starry Stone?" "Even the senate of the Ducal Manor highly praises and supports me on this matter!" Hearing this, Ethan shook his head repeatedly. "Velen, the senate are all reasonable people. How could they possibly support you?" Velen shrugged and did not explain further¡ªafter all, he was telling the truth. Ethan couldn''t accept this outcome at all and hurriedly contacted William and the others. After a brief exchange, Ethan was on the verge of a breakdown. "William, Jake, you two are senators! How can you be so ridiculous?" "Forging a toilet out of Starry Stone¡ªeven the top tycoons wouldn''t do something so disrespectful to their ancestors!" Although William and Jake didn''t know how Ethan found out about this matter, they still explained: "Master Ethan, you should have some understanding of independent senators'' temperament by now. For someone with such a grand vision, a Starry Stone toilet is just a minor detail." "Exactly! And you might not know this, but Starry Stone has the ability to resist Thunder Tides. It''s not just for show!" Seeing that the senators of the Ducal Manor were all speaking in Velen''s defense, Ethan was even more shocked. However, it was true that Starry Stone could resist the Judgment of RULEs. When gathered together, its effectiveness in resisting the Judgment of RULEs became even stronger. Although a toilet made of such material seemed inappropriate, as long as it was practical, it wasn''t really a problem. Thinking this through, he looked at Velen again, and his expression changed¡ªhis face lit up with a fawning smile as he nodded. "Alright, when I get back, I''ll personally forge you a Starry Stone toilet!" Seeing Ethan agree so quickly, Velen was a bit puzzled. He wasn''t sure what exactly Senator William and the others had said to Ethan to cause such a drastic shift in attitude. But as long as Ethan accepted it, that was all that mattered. Time flew by. By dusk, Velen found another planet to rest for a while. This planet appeared barren, with little sign of life. Velen directly used advanced mana stone to construct a temporary dwelling in an open forest. Seeing the residence built from advanced mana stone, Ethan followed suit, using mana stone to construct his own house nearby. "One should never stop learning. If we talk about sheer indulgence, I''m nowhere near Velen''s level!" Ethan sighed with admiration, his gaze toward Velen growing increasingly complex. How could someone be this rich and extravagant? After finishing the palace built with advanced mana stone, Velen lay down inside to rest. The strong mana fluctuations emanating from the advanced mana stone made the place pleasantly cool in summer and warm in winter. And because advanced mana stone could absorb mana on its own, there was barely any consumption¡ªpure luxury. Soon, morning arrived. Boom! A deafening roar suddenly resounded from above the planet. A surge of devastating thunder energy instantly jolted Ethan awake from his sleep, his eyes wide with fear. "Thunder Tide!" When he saw the thunderstorm gathering above, his heart was filled with shock. This Thunder Tide had reached the strength of a fifth-wave Thunder Tide! It was the same level he had once endured! It was powerful enough to heavily damage this planet! Yet, there was no sign of human habitation here, nor did anyone seem to be undergoing tribulation. Why would such a terrifying thunderstorm appear? As his confusion deepened, he suddenly noticed Velen in the distance, activating scrolls one after another. Every time a scroll was unfurled, terrifying thunder energy erupted from it! The thunderstorm in the sky seemed to be summoned by Velen! Realizing this, a chill ran down Ethan''s spine! A fifth-wave Thunder Tide was powerful enough to wipe out all life within a hundred miles. It was a force belonging to the heavens, usually only triggered by Ascended Rank awakeners. Yet now, this horrifying force was being manipulated by Velen! Not just once, but repeatedly! In the blink of an eye, a thousand thunderclouds densely packed the sky, covering the entire planet¡ªlike a vast thunder nebula! Was Velen showing off his wealth again? But this time, his display of wealth was too terrifying! Just sensing the terrifying thunder energy in the sky made it difficult for Ethan to breathe! This was way too dangerous! A single Thunder Tide was already terrifying enough. Now, there were a thousand of them! He had no doubt this entire planet would be reduced to ashes under the assault of the Thunder Tides! The most horrifying part? He had just witnessed with his own eyes that these Thunder Tides were being summoned by Velen''s scrolls! This was absolutely insane! Even though he knew Velen, as a tycoon, possessed all sorts of unimaginable treasures, he was still utterly shocked! "Velen, you¡­ what are you doing?" He trembled as he approached Velen, completely lacking the composure of an Ascended Rank awakener. The sheer number of Thunder Tides had scared him senseless. "I''m just bored, so I thought I''d put on a little thunder firework show," Velen said casually, gazing at the dense thunderclouds in the sky. In reality, this was a special system-generated product for the day¡ªone thousand Thunder Tide scrolls! The power of these things was immense, and since he had no other use for them, he decided to activate them all at once and enjoy a grand fireworks display! Hearing this, Ethan had no words to describe his emotions. Fear, shock, speechlessness, envy¡­ a mix of countless feelings overwhelmed him. He didn''t know what kind of scrolls Velen was using, but anything capable of summoning Thunder Tides had to be extraordinary. After all, the thing Ascended Rank awakeners feared the most was Thunder Tides! They were catastrophes that could utterly obliterate one''s soul! Just possessing one such scroll could turn the tide of a battle. Yet now, Velen was squandering so many of them as fireworks! "Let''s go. These Thunder Tides are almost ready. We should watch from a distance¡ªit''ll be a truly spectacular display," Velen said with a smile. Ethan shuddered and immediately took Velen away from the planet. Being locked onto by a thousand Thunder Tides¡ªstaying here any longer was suicidal! Even though he had endured five Thunder Tides before, he didn''t dare mess with this. ¡­ Inside the Tarot Order. The crown-wearing Speaker''s face suddenly turned pale. The Eye of Fate on his forehead dimmed, and his expression was filled with horror! "The terrifying being that destroyed the Triad Sanctum¡­ its power is too terrifying! It actually summoned a thousand Thunder Tides¡­ Can such a power even exist in this world?" He had just used the Eye of Fate to peer into the scene and was left with a memory he would never forget! A blurry figure was summoning one Thunder Tide after another. The terrifying thunder energy distorted space-time. Even his brief glimpse had caused him to suffer backlash and injury to his soul! It was unimaginable! The Thunder Tide, a force wielded by the heavens, was now being controlled by another being¡ªone who could summon a thousand of them at once! What kind of terrifying existence had the Triad Sanctum provoked? ¡­ At that moment, as Ethan took Velen away from the planet, the fully charged thunder energy finally erupted. With a deafening explosion, a mountain range on the planet was instantly reduced to blackened dust. Countless silver lightning bolts crackled wildly. The mountain collapsed, forming a massive abyss thousands of meters wide! And as the first strike fell, the rest followed like a torrential storm. In an instant, the planet was engulfed in a cataclysm of explosions, fire, and lightning! The massive planet shattered into pieces, bursting like a brilliant firework in the dark void of space! Even from vast distances away, the dazzling light was clearly visible, turning the pitch-black universe as bright as day! "Not bad, not bad!" Velen clapped his hands in satisfaction. Chapter91-Where the Army Passes, Not Even Grass Remains Soon, the third day passed. Velen used all 1,000 special item enhancement runes generated by the system to strengthen his magic carpet, greatly enhancing its speed and defense to an unprecedented level! On the fourth day, Velen directly merged the 100 crystal ore veins refreshed by the system into a barren planet they passed by. These crystal ore veins were extremely special. Given enough time, they could continuously produce mana stones and gradually alter the surrounding environment. For any major power in the universe, such resources were an invaluable foundation. Ethan watched Velen''s actions with a bleeding heart. Crystal ore veins could absorb mana on their own and were essentially mana sources. Even the most powerful factions in many star systems did not have crystal ore veins as their foundation. Yet now, Velen was squandering them in this manner. After Ethan''s desperate pleading, Velen finally agreed to leave him one. By the fifth day, Ethan was on the verge of a complete breakdown. Because he witnessed Velen scattering a thousand A-rank or higher skill books onto a primitive tribal planet, causing the inhabitants to revere him as a god! "Velen is too extravagant! It has only been five days, yet the resources he has squandered¡­ If measured in mana stones, even the top forces of ten star systems combined couldn''t afford it!" "What kind of unfathomable background does he have?" Ethan increasingly felt that Velen was beyond comprehension. At the same time, he was beginning to understand why the five senators of the Ducal Manor had been so supportive of Velen''s previous extravagant actions. The truth was simply that Velen was too rich. So rich that treasures rare even in the vast universe were as common as cabbages in his hands! "Sigh, we should be arriving at the Triad Sanctum tomorrow. I wonder what other treasures he''ll squander¡­" Mentally shattered by Velen''s constant displays of wealth, Ethan glanced at the peacefully sleeping Velen with a look of curiosity. He finally understood¡ªVelen, this supreme account, simply couldn''t go a day without wasting something. It was as if his body would itch if he didn''t. Inside the Triad Sanctum. "Sophia Saintess, the time is almost up. We should start figuring out how to take that special treasure away. Otherwise, the calamity that will soon destroy the Triad Sanctum might drag us down with it." Kelsey anxiously approached Sophia. Ever since Sophia had arrived at the Triad Sanctum, she hadn''t been in a hurry to seek out the special treasure. Instead, she had been leisurely vacationing and sightseeing as if she were on holiday. Kelsey couldn''t make sense of it, and his worry only grew. "I don''t care if I die here, but you are the hope of our Tarot Order. You absolutely cannot afford to be harmed!" S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Seeing Kelsey''s grim expression, Sophia adjusted her sunglasses and replied indifferently: "Councilor Kelsey, no need to be so anxious. When I activated the Blood Tarot Cards, I actually received two revelations. There''s still one more!" Hearing her serious tone, Kelsey suppressed his impatience and asked, "What''s the other revelation?" "Timing! The best timing for us to take the treasure!" Sophia narrowed her eyes. "If we try to claim the treasure before the Triad Sanctum''s destruction, we will almost certainly die. The Triad Sanctum will never hand over the treasure willingly¡ªin fact, they might even try to kill us." "The optimal time is actually when the Triad Sanctum is on the brink of annihilation. That will be our best chance to take the treasure and bring it back!" When Sophia first received this revelation, she had been equally shocked. After all, it defied logic! The Triad Sanctum''s impending doom was undoubtedly a terrifying event. They were a formidable force with powerful means, and when faced with existential crisis, they would likely become desperate and slaughter everyone indiscriminately. From what she knew of the Triad Sanctum, this was entirely possible. Moreover, the force capable of annihilating the Triad Sanctum must be extraordinarily powerful. Once the Triad Sanctum was destroyed, the Tarot Order''s treasure would inevitably fall into their hands, making it nearly impossible to reclaim. No matter how one looked at it, staying here was incredibly dangerous and unrealistic. Yet, the Blood Tarot Cards had made it clear¡ªstaying was their best chance. She didn''t fully understand why, but she trusted the guidance of the Blood Tarot Cards. So, she simply relaxed and waited comfortably. ¡­ As the sixth day arrived, Ethan, pushing the magic carpet forward at an accelerated pace, froze when he saw the storage pouch Velen handed him. "One hundred thousand 1st-level spellbeast mana crystals? And you want me to throw them away?" Although 1st-level spellbeast mana crystals were worth only a few hundred mana stones each, a total of 100,000 meant a fortune of several million mana stones! For the vast majority of awakeners, this was an astronomical sum. However, upon further reflection, compared to the resources Velen had squandered before, these 100,000 mana crystals seemed insignificant. Thus, Ethan swallowed his reluctance and began tossing the 1st-level mana crystals along the way. By midday, he had finally finished scattering all of them. Since Velen had wasted so many previous resources, these mana crystals¡ªworth millions¡ªnow seemed to Ethan like an example of extreme frugality. "Velen, the very center of the valley ahead is the headquarters of the Triad Sanctum!" Suddenly, Ethan stepped in front of Velen, his expression grave. The Triad Sanctum had many powerful awakeners, and, more importantly, they were ruthless. Even top factions held a degree of apprehension toward them. Now, with just the two of them approaching, they needed to be extremely cautious. After all, they were here to annihilate the Triad Sanctum. Ethan didn''t know what kind of trump card Velen had, but after witnessing his extravagant waste along the way, he understood one thing¡ª The Triad Sanctum had provoked the wrong person! No matter what ruthless methods or hidden cards they possessed, there was no escaping their destruction at Velen''s hands! "So, we''ve finally arrived." Velen stood up from the magic carpet, stretched his body, and then took out a gleaming suit of armor from his storage pouch, putting it on. The dazzling golden armor radiated a powerful aura, making him look like a battle-hardened general. However, behind him, Ethan rubbed his forehead in exasperation. This was the armor Velen had forced him to forge from Starry Stone during their journey. Originally, Ethan could have crafted something imposing and majestic. But for some inexplicable reason, Velen insisted it be golden and shimmering¡ªturning what was meant to be a mighty suit of armor into something that reeked of nouveau riche vulgarity. It was the ultimate insult to Ethan''s craftsmanship! The only silver lining was that this armor had consumed so much Starry Stone that the previously planned Starry Stone toilet had to be postponed. "Senator Ethan, didn''t you ask me before why I wanted golden armor? Now, I''ll give you the answer!" With that, Velen raised his golden longsword high and shouted, "Come forth, Tycoon Guardian!" At that moment, the surrounding space fell into an eerie silence. Then, thunderclouds began to churn violently across the sky. Bolts of lightning, thick as bowls, flickered and crackled, tearing through the heavens. Standing beneath the surging lightning, Ethan felt his legs go weak. He nearly collapsed to the ground. Though he didn''t know exactly what was happening, the terrifying aura in the sky was suffocating him! This thunder was far more powerful than anything he had ever faced! From within its raging depths, he could even sense the wrath of the heavens. What in the world had Velen done to enrage the heavens so? Just as his thoughts were in turmoil, a massive black rift, tens of thousands of meters long, suddenly split open in the void before Velen. One after another, towering, formidable figures emerged in perfect formation from the fissure. Each was clad in golden armor that gleamed brilliantly, exuding an indescribable aura of dominance! The aura of every single figure was unimaginably powerful¡ªso much so that Ethan could barely breathe. As these terrifying warriors appeared, the thunderclouds above churned even more violently, crackling with divine wrath. Yet, despite the fury of the heavens, the guardians remained indifferent. Instead, they exuded an overwhelming killing intent¡ªready to clash head-on with the heavens themselves! Chapter92-Sergeis Fear Ethan nearly wet himself upon witnessing the heavens'' wrathful thunder being suppressed and forced back by an endless wave of blood-colored killing intent! Each and every one of these guards was stronger than himself¡ªnot only in power but in their sheer disregard for the heavens. Their contempt was something he could never hope to match! The roaring of the heavens meant nothing to them, as if they were merely watching a rabid stray dog barking in futile rage. "Velen, the commotion you''re making is way too big! I have a weak heart¡ªdon''t scare me like this!" Ethan''s breath came in rapid gasps, his legs trembling as he stared at Velen in disbelief. Although he had never doubted Velen''s ability to annihilate the Triad Sanctum, any one of these guards gave him the impression that they alone could wipe out the entire faction. And yet¡­ Velen brought ten thousand of them?! Was there even a shred of fairness left?! ¡­ Compared to Ethan''s shock, the members of the Triad Sanctum were utterly terrified as they gazed at the churning thunderclouds above. "Even the will of the heavens has been alarmed? What on earth is happening?" "This thunder¡­ it''s terrifying. It could easily obliterate our planet dozens of times over!" "It seems to be drawn to that dazzling golden light. What in the world could provoke such fury from the heavens?" "What the hell?! Why is something like this happening on our planet?!" At the forefront stood the Great Senator Charles, his face dark as iron as he stared at the endless sea of lightning clouds. This thunderstorm was far too terrifying¡ªeven he wouldn''t dare to touch a single bolt for fear of being instantly obliterated. Who was the damned fool that had enraged the heavens here? sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. If they wanted to seek their own death, fine¡ªbut why drag the rest of them down with them? Did they have no shame? No sense of responsibility?! Charles seethed with fury. As ruthless and unscrupulous as he was, even he couldn''t compare to someone who would dare provoke the wrath of the heavens itself. If that fury truly descended upon them, no matter how hard the Triad Sanctum fought, it would all be for nothing. They would be erased from existence. As Charles stood there, his expression growing darker, he suddenly noticed a figure emerging from the back mountain. The previous Grand Master Sergei had arrived, tightly gripping a skeletal staff as he rushed to the scene. The gathered members of the Triad Sanctum let out a collective sigh of relief upon seeing Sergei. But Charles'' expression only grew colder. Because he noticed¡ªSergei''s five skeletal fingers were clutching the staff so tightly that his knuckles had turned white. Clearly, he, too, feared the sudden eruption of the Judgment of RULEs! And Sergei''s strength far surpassed his own. If even Sergei was this wary, then the Triad Sanctum was in extreme danger! At that moment, Sergei''s cold gaze suddenly locked onto Charles. Then, in an emotionless tone, he questioned him icily, "Charles, tell me the truth¡ªwhat have you done recently? Who have you offended? Why has such a catastrophe descended upon the Triad Sanctum?" Under Sergei''s aura, Charles felt an enormous pressure weigh down on him. He had no idea why he was suddenly being questioned. He had been inside the Triad Sanctum this entire time, focused on advancing his power¡ªhe hadn''t provoked anyone! His utterly bewildered expression only infuriated Sergei further. But now wasn''t the time to point fingers. Sweeping his gaze across everyone present, Sergei quickly issued a command: "All of you¡ªprepare yourselves! Whoever is approaching is not friendly. Whether it be the dense thunderclouds or that blinding golden light, they are closing in on us!" "If you wish to survive, do not hold back¡ªotherwise, we will all die here!" Sergei''s expression was grim to the extreme. "You should all be able to feel it clearly¡ªjust one attack from either that thunder or the golden light would be enough to annihilate every single one of us!" Despite Sergei''s dire warning, some of the Triad Sanctum''s powerhouses remained unconvinced. "Grand Master, I admit that the wrath of the heavens and that golden light are terrifying¡ªbut we are not weak either. If we work together, we may not need to fear whoever provoked this divine anger!" "Exactly! The one who provoked the heavens still has to deal with them. We can wait for the right moment to strike!" Unlike Sergei''s growing fear, most of the senators of the Triad Sanctum remained calm, barely taking the situation seriously. Sergei let out a cold, furious laugh. "I told you all to focus on improving yourselves, but none of you ever listened. Now, you can''t even grasp the true danger right in front of you! How utterly disgraceful!" His icy gaze swept across the assembled Triad Sanctum elites. "Do you fools have any idea why the wrath of the heavens has been gathering for so long but hasn''t fallen yet?" "Do you think it''s still building up power?" "Wrong! It does not dare to fall!" "Even the heavens itself fears the being who stands beneath its fury!" Impossible! At those words, disbelief flashed through the minds of the Triad Sanctum''s powerhouses. The heavens were the most terrifying existence across all star systems. No awakener, no matter how powerful, could ever stand against it. All were forced to submit to its will. How could there possibly be an existence in this star system that even the heavens feared?! It was completely illogical! Yet, as they gazed at Sergei''s trembling, near-desperate expression, they knew¡­ He was not lying. Panic rapidly spread across their faces. If even the heavens are afraid¡­ then just how terrifying is this being?! ¡­ "Master, shall we proceed with the attack on the Triad Sanctum?" Now gathered in perfect formation, ten thousand elite Guardians stood beside Velen, awaiting his command. As for the thunderclouds raging above? They knew it was nothing but a paper tiger. Not even worth mentioning. Velen surveyed the assembled Guardians with satisfaction before nodding. "Good. Move out¡ªflatten the Triad Sanctum!" "Those who perform exceptionally well today will have the chance to become true Guardians!" The moment the Guardians-in-training heard this, their eyes blazed with fervor. This was their greatest dream! Now, the opportunity had finally arrived. They were ready. "Master, rest assured! When we strike, we never disappoint!" The golden-armored commander at the front spoke with unwavering conviction. Velen nodded, then turned to Ethan, who was still reeling from shock. "Master Ethan, lead the way." "We need to wipe out the Triad Sanctum as quickly as possible¡ªI have other matters to attend to." "With the Guardians protecting you, you don''t need to worry about anything. Just go for it!" Hearing this, Ethan felt a surge of confidence. While he was a top powerhouse in his star system, he still lacked the absolute strength to command at will. But with the Guardians-in-training backing him¡­ he had nothing to fear. Still, he hesitated. "Velen¡­ will they really listen to our commands?" After all, these warriors were leagues beyond his own strength. Even with Velen, he couldn''t help but feel intimidated. Velen chuckled knowingly. "Don''t worry. With my command, they will obey you." "If you order someone to be wiped out, they''ll be wiped out¡ªno questions asked." Ethan had always been cooperative with Velen''s plans, so Velen decided to let him enjoy himself. To truly understand what it meant to wield absolute power. "Alright, alright! No problem, Velen¡ªthis time, the Triad Sanctum will learn to fear us!" Laughing boldly, Ethan led the vast army toward the Triad Sanctum. ¡­ Meanwhile, at the Triad Sanctum''s perimeter, every senator and disciple had gathered, standing guard with solemn expressions. "Alert! Alert! An unidentified force is rapidly approaching!" "Who dares to defy the wrath of the heavens?!" At someone''s sudden shout, every eye turned toward the horizon. There, the clash of dark thunderclouds and blinding golden killing intent surged forward at terrifying speed. Charles'' expression grew grim. Sergei tightened his grip on his staff. They could all feel it. An overwhelming pressure bearing down on them. They were not the enemy''s match. But surrender without a fight? Never. Chapter93-Defying the Heavens, the Speechless Firmament "Charles, long time no see!" As the members of the Triad Sanctum stared at the thunderclouds in the distance, Ethan''s deafening roar suddenly rang out from not far away. Immediately, everyone present turned their attention to the source of the voice¡ªonly for their faces to turn deathly pale in unison. Not far away, an army of towering figures clad in golden armor approached, each one exuding an aura of invincible gods descending upon the mortal world. As this army drew near, the Triad Sanctum''s members felt an overwhelming sense of dread. The mana within their bodies was severely suppressed! The pressure these warriors exerted was even greater than that of former Grand Master Sergei, the most powerful figure they knew! Every single one of these golden-armored awakener warriors was stronger than Sergei! The pupils of the Triad Sanctum members shrank violently, unable to believe what they were seeing. Only after this initial shock did they finally shift their attention to the seemingly insignificant Ethan. In their memories, Ethan had always been a formidable powerhouse¡ªyet now, standing amidst this golden tidal wave of warriors, he looked utterly insignificant. But what caught their attention even more was the man standing beside Ethan¡ªa golden-clad leader whose sheer presence alone exuded an indomitable aura that made it hard to breathe. "Brothers, that guy¡ªand him, that fat one¡ªthey all mocked me before!" At that moment, Ethan swept his gaze across Charles and the others, calling them out by name. Whoosh! Whoosh! The moment his words fell, a series of piercing wind howls erupted¡ªslicing through the void and locking onto the targets Ethan had pointed out. In the blink of an eye, before they could even react, their bodies were torn apart, blood splattering everywhere. Those standing beside them were instantly drenched in fresh blood, their bodies trembling uncontrollably from terror. After all, the fallen had been just as strong as they were. If these mysterious golden-armored beings could slaughter them in an instant, then they could just as easily be next! For a moment, the Triad Sanctum fell into a deathly silence. "Ahh, that was satisfying!" Seeing his long-time tormentors eliminated so effortlessly, Ethan felt a wave of euphoria wash over him. This absolute control over life and death intoxicated him¡ªit was the taste of power he had never known before. He understood all too well¡ªif not for Velen, he could never have commanded these terrifying golden-armored guards, each of whom far surpassed him in strength! After dealing with those he loathed, Ethan immediately retreated behind Velen. Seeing this, Velen smiled slightly, then swept his gaze across Charles, Sergei, and the rest. The Triad Sanctum was far stronger than rumors suggested. Each of its members exuded an unusual energy, clearly having cultivated forbidden techniques distinct from those of normal awakeners. "Today marks the end of the Triad Sanctum¡ªkill them all!" Velen waved his hand, issuing the command. At his side, a particularly burly golden-armored guard hesitated for a moment before leaning in and whispering: "Master, how would you like us to exterminate them?" Hearing this question, Velen instinctively replied, "Kill them however you want. There''s no need to ask me." The burly guard grinned upon hearing this and suggested, "Master, since our arrival has disrupted the balance of this star system and drawn the wrath of the heavens, why not use that wrath to annihilate the Triad Sanctum?" To these golden-armored guards, the Triad Sanctum was nothing more than a trivial faction they could wipe out with a single hand. However, since this was their chance to demonstrate their loyalty, they naturally wanted to show off their ingenuity before Velen. Hearing this, Velen was impressed. After all, the wrath of the heavens was a force feared by nearly all factions in the star system¡ªa power none dared to defy. Yet this golden-armored guard intended to harness it for their own use¡ªutterly disregarding the heavens'' authority! Such arrogance, such defiance of the divine¡ªVelen loved it. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Since he was now in a world where strength reigned supreme, there was no reason to fear the heavens! "Good, good! You''re thinking the right way. We awakeners exist to defy the heavens!" "Rebelling against fate¡ªthat is our true calling!" Hearing this, Velen felt even more emboldened. Why should he give the heavens any respect? The heavens were not something to revere¡ªthey were meant to be trampled underfoot! "Go ahead and use the heavens'' wrath to wipe out the Triad Sanctum!" "Those in the Triad Sanctum have all walked the path of corruption¡ªtheir sins are unforgivable. What better way to send them to hell than with the very lightning they fear?!" Just as he finished speaking, a system prompt suddenly appeared before his eyes: "Reminder: Your mentee Sophia is still inside the Triad Sanctum. Take care not to harm her!" Velen quickly added, "Make sure to protect my mentee!" "Understood, Master!" With that, the terrifying golden-armored guards swiftly dispersed, positioning themselves across various points in the Triad Sanctum. They then forcibly seized control of the thunderbolts in the sky, condensing them into thick, bowl-sized lightning spears, before hurling them down at the Triad Sanctum below. The already terrified members of the Triad Sanctum were completely paralyzed with fear as the golden-armored guards began their assault. Yet, as the overwhelming presence of death settled over them, their faces twisted with desperation and madness. "Fight! Even if we can''t win, we''ll take a piece of their flesh with us!" Realizing they were outmatched, the Triad Sanctum''s warriors unleashed their deadliest, most forbidden techniques. In an instant¡ª Venomous insects, mummies, spellbeasts, and cursed relics tainted with dark energy erupted from within the Triad Sanctum. From a distance, the entire Triad Sanctum seemed to transform into a nightmarish, poison-ridden abyss, filled with the vilest dark arts the star system had ever known. Even the Triad Sanctum''s own members shuddered at the sheer malevolence of the battlefield. However¡ª Just as their forbidden arsenal reached its peak, the golden-armored guards'' lightning descended from the heavens. BOOM! The sky tore apart as lightning obliterated the dark mist, instantly eradicating countless venomous creatures and spellbeasts, reducing much of the Triad Sanctum to ashes. In the face of the relentless lightning assault, the forbidden arts of the Triad Sanctum were utterly destroyed in mere moments. Within just a few breaths, the once-expanding corrupt mist was completely purged by divine thunder, and most of the Triad Sanctum''s members were reduced to nothing but charred remains. Standing beside Velen, Ethan trembled uncontrollably at the sight. On the journey here, he had tried to imagine how Velen would obliterate the Triad Sanctum¡ªbut witnessing it firsthand, he realized¡­ His imagination had been too limited. Velen''s methods were beyond comprehension! Even the wrath of the heavens was nothing more than his plaything. "Following Velen truly opens one''s eyes to the real world¡­" Ethan couldn''t help but mutter in awe. Velen, meanwhile, watched the destruction unfold with great interest. At this moment, the wrath of the heavens was no longer free to act¡ªthe golden-armored guards had enslaved it, using it as a mere battery to fuel their relentless lightning onslaught. They were like divine envoys of thunder, bringing apocalyptic judgment upon the Triad Sanctum. Chapter94-The Guidance of the Blood Tarot Cards Kelsey''s heart was in turmoil as he looked at the ever-composed Sophia, feeling even more anxious. Given the current situation, how could Sophia Saintess remain so calm, leisurely sipping wine as if nothing was happening? He was on the verge of a breakdown. "Relax. According to the guidance of the Blood Tarot Cards, we won''t be in any danger. All we need to do is stay put." Seeing Kelsey''s face filled with worry, Sophia handed him a glass of red wine, smiling softly. Kelsey, however, had no interest in drinking. "Sophia Saintess, you stay here¡ªI have to go out and see what''s happening!" The chaotic energy outside made it impossible for Kelsey to sit still. He had to find out what was going on. Without another word, he hurriedly pushed open the door. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But the moment the door swung open, his pupils contracted sharply, his face filled with horror and shock. He saw thousands upon thousands of lightning bolts crashing down from the sky, densely raining down upon the Triad Sanctum, reducing the entire land to scorched devastation¡ªnothing survived! At that instant, only one thought filled Kelsey''s mind: I acted too rashly! With a loud creak, he quickly shut the door again. Just sensing the heavenly lightning''s power made his scalp tingle. If one of those bolts struck him, he was certain he would be vaporized instantly! "What''s the matter, Councilor Kelsey? Weren''t you going out to investigate? Why aren''t you leaving?" Sophia took another sip of wine, smiling as she spoke. Kelsey coughed awkwardly, then hastily made an excuse: "Ah, well¡­ I was just worried about Sophia Saintess'' safety! At such a critical moment, I must stay by your side to protect you!" Sophia simply nodded, saying nothing more. She had clearly noticed the terror on Kelsey''s face¡ªit was obvious that the outside world had already become a living hell. Though she had expected this outcome¡ªafter all, the Blood Tarot Cards had clearly foretold that the Triad Sanctum would be annihilated today, leaving no survivors¡ªshe was still astonished. After spending several days inside the Triad Sanctum, she had come to fully grasp its strength. The Triad Sanctum had hidden a great deal of power and secret techniques¡ªthey were easily on par with the true top factions. Even if multiple top factions joined forces, they might not be able to completely destroy the Triad Sanctum. Yet, the Blood Tarot Cards had predicted that the Triad Sanctum would undoubtedly be erased today, and that staying here was the safest course of action. Furthermore, they had indicated that the Tarot Order''s sacred treasure would be delivered to her. She had no idea why, but she trusted the guidance of the Blood Tarot Cards completely. All her questions would soon be answered. In fact, Sophia couldn''t help but feel that the reason the Blood Tarot Cards had chosen her as the most suitable recipient was connected to the next revelation. Otherwise, she might have perished here like the others. "Why was my fate altered? Why didn''t I die here?" Sophia was puzzled. Meanwhile, as countless lightning bolts rained down, most of the Triad Sanctum''s members had been reduced to ashes. Amidst the relentless storm, former Grand Master Sergei glared furiously at Charles, his eyes burning with rage. If it hadn''t been for Charles provoking an unimaginable enemy, the Triad Sanctum wouldn''t have ended up in this catastrophic situation! Under Sergei''s furious gaze, Charles felt nothing but grievance. He never expected Ethan to bring such a terrifying force to back him up! "The other members of the Triad Sanctum have been eliminated¡ªit''s time to send these two on their way as well." Velen observed for a moment before deciding to end it all. However, just as he was about to give the command, a system notification suddenly sounded in his ears. "Reminder: The former Grand Master Sergei possesses a sacred treasure of the Tarot Order that your mentee, Sophia, requires!" Hearing this, Velen''s gaze turned cold as he looked at Sergei. "You old geezer¡­ why do you have something my mentee needs?" The moment he spoke, two golden-armored guards locked their fierce gazes on Sergei. With a single kick each, they sent Sergei flying to the ground before Velen''s feet. "The Master asked you a question¡ªanswer properly!" Sergei groaned in pain, his entire body aching from the forceful kicks. Then, under Velen''s sharp scrutiny, he was utterly dumbfounded. Mentee? Who?! Sergei''s eyes widened. He had been inside the Triad Sanctum all this time¡ªhe had never left. How could he possibly have something that belonged to Velen''s mentee?! Then, realization dawned¡ªthis must be a fabricated accusation! This demon wanted an excuse to torture him further! This man was too ruthless¡ªnot only did he want to torment his body, but he was now toying with his mind as well! Though Sergei had committed many atrocities in the past, he had behaved himself for the last few years. Taking a deep breath to suppress his anger, he immediately pleaded with Velen: "Big brother, I don''t know what I did to offend you, but please¡ªlook at how sincere I am in admitting my mistakes! Spare my life!" A man under the eaves must bow his head. Velen was too mysterious, and Sergei knew that his only chance was to beg for forgiveness. As long as he survived, there was still hope. However, in Velen''s eyes, this was nothing more than Sergei refusing to admit his guilt and holding onto the treasure. Trying to fool me when the system already confirmed it? "You haven''t suffered enough¡ªbeat him!" Velen''s expression darkened as he gave the order. Without hesitation, the golden-armored guards unleashed a ruthless beating on Sergei. Even without using mana, their bodies were as tough as legendary artifacts, making their attacks unbearable for Sergei. As blows rained down, he howled in agony. Watching this, Ethan couldn''t help but feel that Sergei was lucky¡ªat least Velen hadn''t summoned the one-eyed red-haired warrior. If that guy had shown up, this would have been far worse than a simple beating. For ten full minutes, they beat Sergei mercilessly. Yet, seeing that he still refused to hand over the treasure, Velen sneered. "Didn''t expect you to have such a backbone¡ªI like that." Hearing this, the golden-armored guards intensified their attacks. Previously, they had held back for fear of accidentally killing him, but now that they saw how tough he was, they struck even harder. After another ten minutes of relentless beating, Sergei still didn''t speak. Velen laughed in amusement. "Still won''t hand it over? Fine¡ªkeep going! Let''s see how long he can hold out!" Seeing how durable Sergei was, the golden-armored guards became even more excited¡ªthey were thrilled to have something to play with. At this point, Sergei was completely broken. Struggling to speak through his swollen face, he croaked out: "Big brother¡­ if you want me to hand over your mentee''s item¡­ could you at least tell me who your mentee is? And what the item even is?" After all, he had committed so many crimes in his lifetime, he had no idea what Velen was talking about. Seeing that Sergei was finally yielding, Velen declared: "The item¡­ I don''t actually know what it is." Sergei: "¡­" For a moment, he wanted to curse out loud. Was Velen just playing with him this whole time?! This man was a demon! Chapter95-Meeting Sophia Again If Velen had truly attacked the Triad Sanctum just for this matter, wouldn''t that be an unimaginable injustice? And if Velen had falsely accused them just as an excuse to act, wouldn''t that be an even greater injustice?! Sergei''s heart bled at the thought. But what could he do? Velen was simply too powerful. In this world where the strong devoured the weak, he could only swallow his grievances and accept reality. With trembling hands, he quickly retrieved an ancient chessboard from his robes and handed it over to Velen, his voice quivering. "Big brother¡­ is this what you were looking for? This is the W¨¤n Gu¨® Chessboard, the sacred treasure of the Tarot Order, which I borrowed!" Ethan, seeing this, suddenly felt a bit awkward. He quickly transmitted a message to Velen: "Velen, I think we may have¡­ wrongly accused him." "This item is a sacred relic of the Tarot Order. When it was borrowed all those years ago, it caused quite a stir." As a master forger, Ethan was extremely knowledgeable about such legendary artifacts. However, Velen remained unfazed. "Senator Ethan, I gave him a chance earlier. If he had handed it over sooner, would he have needed to suffer like this?" "Besides, this is a trivial matter. The Triad Sanctum has been wreaking havoc for years. You all have been angry but afraid to act¡ªso today, I''m delivering justice in your stead!" Velen didn''t feel the slightest bit of regret. With a calm expression, he continued, "Besides, we''ve already become enemies with the Triad Sanctum. Should we just leave them be and let them plot against us later?" Upon learning about the Triad Sanctum''s heinous deeds, Velen had already passed judgment on them. "They''re nothing but a bunch of clowns¡ªbut I don''t want distractions at critical moments. The lives of my people are worth far more than every single member of the Triad Sanctum combined!" "And besides¡ªmy guards rarely get to come out and have fun. They should enjoy themselves!" Hearing these words, the golden-armored guards were deeply moved. Each of them placed their right hand over their heart and solemnly vowed: "Master, we swear our eternal loyalty¡ªwe will never betray you!" Their combined voices shook the heavens. Watching this unfold, Sergei nearly lost his mind. He, an Ascended Rank Level 9 awakener, who had survived seven waves of the Thunder Tides¡ª Was now being used as a mere stepping stone to win over Velen''s subordinates?! This was pure cruelty! "Fine! If you won''t let me live, then don''t blame me for what happens next!" A furious Sergei burst into laughter, then forcefully compressed his mana core, preparing to self-destruct. "Velen! He''s going to self-destruct!" Sensing the chaotic energy within Sergei, Ethan''s face paled with panic. At Sergei''s level, a self-destruction of his mana core would annihilate everything within dozens of miles. And with them standing so close, the impact would be disastrous! However¡ª Just as Ethan finished speaking, one of the towering golden-armored guards beside Velen casually slapped Sergei away. With a single slap, he sent Sergei flying, instantly disrupting the unstable compression of mana in his core. The self-destruction was completely neutralized. Ethan sucked in a sharp breath. Sergei''s explosion had been imminent. Yet, this golden-armored guard had casually slapped him away and forcefully dispersed the mana buildup?! What kind of monstrous reaction speed and strength was this?! Even self-destruction wasn''t an option before Velen?! Sergei, dizzy from the slap, was utterly shocked to his core. Even though he was injured, he was still a top-tier awakener. But now, one of Velen''s ordinary guards had easily overpowered him?! Despair filled his heart. Even if he had successfully self-destructed, he doubted it would have harmed Velen or his people at all. How could they be this strong?! S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Having roamed the star systems for years, Sergei''s entire worldview was collapsing. Meanwhile, Velen turned to the burly golden-armored guard who had struck Sergei, a pleased expression on his face. "What''s your name?" "Master, everything I am belongs to you! Please bestow a name upon me!" The burly guard responded with excitement. Velen, though knowing he was flattering him, still found his words pleasing. Thinking for a moment, he said: "You''re quick with your words and even quicker with your hands. From now on, you will be called Victor One." "You are the first I''ve named¡ªdon''t disappoint me." Hearing this, the burly golden-armored guard''s face flushed with excitement. He pounded his chest hard, his voice full of determination. "Victor One will never disappoint you, Master!" The surrounding guards all clenched their fists in frustration. Such an incredible opportunity had just slipped through their fingers! However, after a moment of disappointment, they became excited again¡ª Since Victor One had received a name, it meant that they also had a chance! Having a name was the greatest honor they could receive! "He''s a natural-born leader¡­ He has endless ways to win people over." Watching all this unfold, Sergei couldn''t help but feel a mix of admiration and dread. Even though they were enemies, he couldn''t deny that Velen was a truly terrifying figure. But just as he sighed in admiration, Velen turned to look at him again. "Send them on their way. It''s time to head back." Sergei''s face froze. He had just praised Velen¡ªand this was how he was repaid?! And if they were going to kill him anyway, then why stop him from self-destructing earlier?! The realization struck him like lightning¡ª After a lifetime of manipulating others¡­ he was now being played with himself. How ironic. Just as the thought crossed his mind, countless attacks rained down on him in an instant. Before he could react¡ª His body evaporated into nothingness. Not even a trace remained. Watching Sergei and Charles vanish into ashes, Ethan felt dazed. These were figures even he had feared¡ªrenowned awakeners across the star system. Yet before Velen, they had ceased to exist with just a word. The sheer shock and awe of this realization left an unshakable imprint on his soul. Velen lightly patted Ethan''s shoulder. "Let''s go, Senator Ethan. Time to deliver this to my mentee." Hearing this, Ethan snapped back to reality. One thought dominated his mind¡ª For the rest of his life, he had only one goal: to cling tightly to Velen''s thigh! As Velen and Ethan departed, the golden-armored guards reluctantly stepped into the void, one after another, disappearing. Inside the only remaining hall amid the scorched ruins¡­ Sophia looked at Kelsey, who had fainted from shock, her expression twitching. Hadn''t he just said he would protect her? How did he faint at the crucial moment?! Sophia sighed, then suddenly saw the closed doors slowly push open. A figure clad in golden armor strode into the hall. A powerful, invisible aura filled the air. Behind him, a sturdy dwarf followed. Sophia''s expression turned serious. But just as she was about to speak, the golden-armored man removed his golden mask. "Sophia, how have you been? Did you miss me?" At that familiar voice¡ª Sophia gasped in shock. "Mentor?!" Recognizing Velen''s smiling face, she leaped forward excitedly and threw herself into his arms. "Mentor! What are you doing here? I missed you so much!" Behind Velen, Ethan stood frozen, utterly dumbfounded. Chapter96-Eye of Annihilation Velen had previously mentioned that Sophia was his mentee, but Ethan still had some doubts. After all, Velen had also said that Sophia was the saintess of the Tarot Order. The saintess of the Tarot Order¡ªher status and strength were both extraordinary. How could she possibly be Velen''s mentee? But now, Sophia had personally admitted it! Clearly, she truly was Velen''s mentee! Velen was simply incredible! Within the Titan Galaxy, the strongest faction had never been definitively identified. After all, for so many years, internal conflicts within Titan Galaxy were rare, and top forces had always concealed part of their strength. Thus, the true dominant force in Titan Galaxy remained uncertain. However, if one were to name the most arrogant and influential faction, It would undoubtedly be the Tarot Order! Because of their ability to peer into fate, they had always held themselves above others and never regarded other factions as equals. Yet now, the saintess of the Tarot Order had actually become Velen''s mentee. Considering what Ethan knew about the councilors of the Tarot Order, if they found out, they would be absolutely furious! Velen''s methods were truly remarkable! After all, if nothing unexpected happened, the saintess of the Tarot Order would one day become its Speaker, leading the entire Tarot Order! And now, as Velen''s mentee and having such a close relationship with him, wouldn''t that mean that the Tarot Order itself might one day fall under Velen''s influence? Thinking of this, Ethan felt his scalp tingle. For the first time, he felt that knowing too much was not necessarily a good thing! At this moment, Velen took out the World Chessboard and handed it to Sophia. "This is what you came here for, right? Take it. Deliver it to the Tarot Order." Velen spoke casually. Seeing the World Chessboard in Velen''s hands, Sophia was slightly surprised. She had already realized¡ª The one who had caused such a massive disturbance and annihilated the Triad Sanctum from behind the scenes was actually her own mentor! Then, Sophia blinked her large eyes and earnestly asked, "Mentor, since no one else is around, can you tell me why you destroyed the Triad Sanctum?" Velen hadn''t expected Sophia to ask such a question and was momentarily unsure how to respond. His reason for destroying the Triad Sanctum was simple: he didn''t want them to affect the fortress, and he also wanted to give the pre-guards a chance to stretch their legs. Other than that, he had no particular motive. But what was Sophia imagining now? Seeing that Velen didn''t answer, Sophia didn''t press further. Instead, she declared fiercely, "The Triad Sanctum actually dared to obstruct mentor, getting in the way of your grand plan¡ªthey were seeking their own doom!" Saying this, Sophia clutched the World Chessboard in her hand and solemnly vowed, "Mentor, don''t worry! I have already received unprecedented recognition from the Tarot Order. With this World Chessboard, my status will rise even further. Before long, I should be able to take full control of the Tarot Order!" "And with the Chaos Barrier you granted me, I can negate the side effects of peering into fate. Using the Tarot Order''s most sacred treasures, I can now assist you as well!" "I will not be weaker than that senior sister of mine!" Velen massaged his temple as the veins throbbed on his forehead. Good grief, how long had it been since they last met? His mentee, the Queen of Overthinking, seemed to have gotten even worse. He really didn''t have any of those bizarre, devious schemes in mind! These words were practically slander against his character! At that moment, Ethan suddenly dropped to his knees, swearing, "Velen, I heard nothing just now! If a single word of today''s conversation ever leaks, may I die a horrible death¡­" Ethan made a solemn oath on the spot! Sophia''s words had utterly shaken him. He never expected Velen, who usually seemed so harmless, to be so ruthless behind the scenes! And to have such an earth-shattering plan! Hearing all this, he was afraid he might be silenced! Seeing Ethan suddenly kneel and swear an oath, Velen was completely dumbfounded. "Senator Ethan, what are you doing?" He could understand Sophia, the Queen of Overthinking, indulging in her wild fantasies¡ªbut Ethan? A renowned master forger? How could he also start spewing nonsense? Something that was originally simple¡ªhow had they managed to make it so complicated? "Velen, I understand the rules. Don''t worry, from now on, I am yours! I will never betray you, ever!" Ethan spoke with unwavering determination. "Senator Ethan, you are seriously overthinking this. It''s all just nonsense from Sophia¡ªnone of it is true!" Velen prided himself on being a straightforward person. He had no desire to be seen as some kind of scheming mastermind. Ethan nodded repeatedly, "Right, right, right! It''s not true! I was too stupid earlier and failed to grasp your deeper meaning, Velen!" Velen: "¡­" Is it really so hard to just be a simple person? Seeing that there was no way to correct their misunderstanding, Velen sighed deeply and then suddenly adopted a serious expression: "Since you already know, then as you said¡ªtoday''s events must be kept absolutely secret. Not a word is to be leaked!" Since there was no way to fix their misunderstanding, he might as well roll with it. Ethan immediately covered his mouth and nodded furiously, relieved at his own quick thinking. That was definitely a test from Velen just now. Fortunately, he had reacted in time! Velen truly was a man with grand ambitions¡ªhe was merely biding his time, making his moves in secret! Seeing Ethan''s "I knew it" expression, Velen didn''t know what to say. Since Ethan was beyond reasoning with, Velen could only turn to Sophia. "You have to explain things clearly to Ethan later. Don''t let him keep misunderstanding me!" Sophia playfully stuck out her tongue. "Don''t worry, mentor! I''ll be sure to explain it properly!" Hearing this, Velen felt slightly more at ease. After hesitating briefly, he decided to take Ethan and leave this place. He did not pass on the abilities of Descent and Council to Sophia. After all, seeing her like this¡ªif he gave her those abilities, she would definitely pester him endlessly. "Congratulations, host, for completing the Annihilation of Triad Sanctum mission. You have been awarded 300,000 luxury points and the Ghost Box!" Ghost Box: A special magical artifact containing tens of thousands of bloodthirsty spirits. Once released, they form an unstoppable spectral army, attacking the souls of their targets. By feeding it your own blood, you can continuously strengthen these spirits. The artifact can grow indefinitely! Reading the Ghost Box description, Velen''s eyes immediately lit up. This was a fantastic item! sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Soul-attacking artifacts were already rare to begin with. The fact that this one could grow indefinitely¡ªonly requiring his own blood as nourishment¡ªwas incredible! Though a bit sinister, its power and potential were simply undeniable! Seeing how much Velen valued the Ghost Box, the system''s voice suddenly chimed in: "Host, you are a super tycoon¡ªhow could you be impressed by such an item?" Velen snorted. "System, you call this garbage? Then tell me, what counts as a good item? Don''t just dangle vague promises¡ªI don''t fall for that." Previously, it had dismissed the Fenrir bloodline as trash. Now, it was saying the Ghost Box was worthless, too. Velen was really curious¡ªjust how godly did an item have to be to meet the system''s standards? "Congratulations, host, for obtaining the Eye of Annihilation!" Eye of Annihilation: Nothing is indestructible! The stars and galaxies lie within your gaze¡ªdestruction and creation are but a thought away. (Due to the host''s low level, it can only be used once per day.) Reading the description, Velen suddenly felt as if something terrifying had fused into his eyes. Rubbing them, he opened them again¡ªonly to find that the entire world suddenly seemed far smaller. At the same time, an eerie, annihilating energy surged within his pupils, as if a single thought could obliterate everything. Velen instantly grew excited¡ªthis was definitely a treasure! Although he hadn''t used it yet, since it was something the system gave to slap him in the face, it had to be extraordinary. He could feel the overwhelming power contained within his gaze! Thinking this, Velen decided to test the Eye of Annihilation. "Velen, is something wrong?" Ethan asked nervously, noticing Velen suddenly pause. Velen said nothing. His gaze swept over the landscape before locking onto a towering mountain in the distance. "A ten-thousand-meter-high mountain¡­ should be a good test target." With that thought, he channeled all his mana into his eyes. He narrowed his gaze, beginning to charge the terrifying Annihilation Light¡ª Chapter97-Star Hunt At the moment Velen reopened his eyes, an extremely terrifying aura of destruction surged forth, resembling a special death wave of the undead that engulfed everything. In an instant, within Ethan''s perception, the entire world fell into boundless darkness the moment Velen''s eyes fully opened. His senses were instantly stripped away. By the time he suddenly snapped back to reality, he felt as though the sensation just now was merely a fleeting illusion! What was going on? Was that just his own illusion? Ethan furrowed his brows, but in the next second, he jumped up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, his hairs standing on end. He suddenly saw that, not far ahead, the towering ten-thousand-meter-high mountain range was dissolving like an illusion at a speed visible to the naked eye! That colossal mountain, like a giant beast, had been completely leveled under the pitch-black radiance that Velen''s eyes had just unleashed¡ªwithout a sound, without anyone noticing! Ethan rubbed his eyes in disbelief, yet the scene before him remained unchanged. The mountain had already been annihilated! Just now, the mountains had truly been destroyed. How could Velen possibly possess such terrifying power? A strong feeling gripped Ethan¡ªif he had been standing before that mountain, he would have been instantly obliterated! That destructive power was simply too terrifying! The more he thought about it, the more unfathomable Velen appeared to be! His reverence toward Velen grew even deeper. Not to mention the tens of thousands of lightning guards he had once toyed with. Then there was that one-eyed, red-haired man who always appeared whenever Velen was in danger. The Saintess of the Tarot Order, who schemed alongside Velen, and that other, even more mysterious mentee. And now, this eerie ocular technique. Velen was undoubtedly someone who had been concealing his strength, biding his time for a grand endeavor. As Ethan''s gaze toward Velen grew increasingly reverent, Velen, having fully experienced the might of the Eye of Annihilation, was in an exceptionally good mood. Indeed, his knowledge was still too limited! Without hesitation, Velen retrieved the Ghost Box from his system inventory and handed it to Ethan. "Ethan, Senator, you''ve put in a lot of effort traveling all the way from the fortress. Take this Ghost Box as a token of appreciation for your hard work!" With the power and limitless potential of the Eye of Annihilation, Velen no longer had any interest in the Ghost Box. Seeing Velen offer the Ghost Box, Ethan''s expression suddenly changed. As a Master Forger, he had an acute perception of special artifacts. The moment Velen took it out, he had already sensed its extraordinary nature. Now that it was placed in front of him, he was utterly astonished. "Velen, if I''m not mistaken, this should be an extremely rare growth-type artifact, right?" He had only heard of such artifacts in legend. Their rarity was comparable to those relics passed down from the Upper Plane Universe. But now, Velen was actually giving such a priceless artifact to him! This reward was too generous! He could hardly believe it! If other factions learned of this artifact, they would stop at nothing to seize it. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "It''s yours. Just take it." Seeing Ethan''s disbelief, Velen directly placed the Ghost Box into his hands. The moment it touched his skin, an overwhelming spiritual shock surged into Ethan''s mind. For a brief moment, he saw countless ghosts howling and echoing, threatening to tear his soul apart. Even as an Ascended Rank master forger, possessing a strong soul with a natural suppression over such artifacts, he was still being overwhelmed by the spirits. The power of this artifact exceeded even Velen''s expectations! Huff¡ªhuff¡ª Ethan gasped for breath, abruptly opening his eyes. The eerie visions in his mind dissipated, replaced by a unique bond forming between him and the Ghost Box. At the same time, information about the artifact surged into his consciousness. Upon understanding its special cultivation method, he took a sharp breath. The countless spirits alone were already unsettling enough. Feeding it with his own blood¡ªhow was this different from those sinister sacrificial artifacts? Although he had never forged such artifacts himself, as a forger, he knew plenty about them. They were all extremely ominous. "Ethan, Senator, you should have sensed these ghosts by now, right?" "They are all terrifying entities. While they may attack one''s mind, they are bound and controlled by the Ghost Box. Unlike other artifacts, it has no backlash, and it possesses immense growth potential¡­" Velen smiled as he introduced the Ghost Box. Though it appeared ominous, in reality, it simply required blood to sustain it¡ªwithout any risk of backlash. Upon hearing this, Ethan nodded, a hint of fanaticism flashing across his face. As a Master Forger, his body was brimming with lifeblood¡ªnurturing these spirits would not be a problem. The sheer terror exuded by the spirits within was more than satisfactory. Even in its current undeveloped state, it could already threaten an Ascended Rank Awakener. Who could imagine how powerful it would become with proper cultivation? This was a true weapon of destruction! After familiarizing himself with the Ghost Box, Velen looked at Ethan and said: "I have other matters to attend to. You should return first." Ethan looked at Velen in surprise, unsure of his intentions, but he chose to obey without question. "Velen, I''m leaving then. Be careful on your own!" Saying this, Ethan toyed with the Ghost Box in his hands and swiftly departed. Meanwhile, Velen turned to his system interface. "System, take me to the hunting planet." However, the system advised, "Surveillance shows major factions are deploying resources. I suggest the host departs tonight." Upon hearing the system''s suggestion, Velen found a quiet spot to rest. Element Academy On the vast plaza, as Element Academy''s headmaster, Cor swept his gaze across the crowd. Seeing that all preparations were in order, he turned to the elder beside him and slowly asked: "Are the supplies and personnel ready?" "Headmaster, everything has been arranged according to plan. Once they finish setting up and inspecting the hunting planet, we will use our pre-arranged trackers to locate their scattered supplies and move them to the planet''s core." Beside Cor, the Grand Mentor''s veins bulged with excitement, his wrinkled face brimming with fervor. "We have prepared for this day for hundreds of years. This time, we will finally unseal the old Headmaster!" "Once the old Headmaster is freed, it will be the moment for our Element Academy to rise. By then, whether it be the forces on Ulalos or the surrounding factions, they will either submit completely¡ªor perish!" "All shall bow beneath Element Academy!" Seeing the Grand Mentor''s excitement, Cor nodded with a smile. "It is all thanks to your meticulous planning, deceiving all these factions. They think they can obtain resources from us? What a ridiculous fantasy!" This Star Hunt was never about forging alliances. It was a trap to collect resources and release the long-sealed old Headmaster! For this day, they had been preparing for centuries¡­ At dusk. On the grand plaza of Element Academy, all the mentors and core members of the academy had gathered. Meanwhile, the guest rooms surrounding the plaza were packed with geniuses from various factions who had come to participate in Star Hunt. At this moment, inside a room at the fortress¡ª Hael frowned as he looked at Alan and the other geniuses. "I really don''t understand what Velen and Miss Anastasia are thinking. For the other factions, this Star Hunt is a frenzied battle for resources, but all those supplies combined aren''t even worth a single bottle of dragon blood potion that Velen casually throws out!" "Exactly! Those so-called resources are nothing but junk. Why are they making such a big deal out of it, fighting over trash?" Alan and the others nodded in agreement. After being influenced by Velen, they had completely lost interest in such ordinary resources. Compared to what Velen casually took out, the supplies scattered on the hunting planet were nothing but worthless garbage! The one leading them here, Ironback Centipede, let out a helpless sigh and said: "I know how you all feel. I don''t want to be here either, but this is an order from Velen and Miss Anastasia. Otherwise, wouldn''t it be way more comfortable just lying around in the fortress?" Chapter98-Soul Crystal Thinking about that little white rabbit in the fortress, eating well, drinking well, just like a shut-in loser. His heart became even more unbalanced! Even those senators found the matter boring, so they sent him, a spellbeast, to act as a guardian here and bring them over. "Sigh, at this point, let''s just treat it as entertainment. I wonder if Velen can make it back tomorrow?" Hael asked curiously. Triad Sanctum was an extremely long distance from here. "If Velen said he''s participating in this Star Hunt, then he will definitely come. When the time comes, we won''t even bother to make a move. Let''s just find a quiet place and keep drinking our potions. I still have tens of thousands of them!" Alan thought for a moment and said. Since Velen said he would come, no matter how far the distance, he would definitely arrive. The other prodigies all nodded upon hearing this. Compared to this Star Hunt, they felt that consuming potions was far more important. "Sigh! When will Master return? The fortress is just too boring!" Ironback Centipede shook his head and sighed. At least the others had daily training to pass the time, but he truly had nothing to do. ¡­ Time flew by. In the blink of an eye, it was the next day. Velen, still in a deep sleep, felt someone pushing his body. He slowly opened his eyes. "Master! It''s time to depart!" Standing beside Velen, Victor No.1 spoke respectfully. "Oh, it''s already the second day?" Velen rubbed his eyes and looked at Victor No.1. "Alright then, take me into the secret realm!" Victor No.1 nodded, raised his long sword, and slashed through the air. Instantly, a rift in space appeared, forming a bizarre and colorful passage. "Master, through this passage, you can enter the hunting planet." Velen nodded, then stepped into the spatial passage. Watching Velen''s departing figure, Victor No.1 narrowed his eyes, sensing something. "This planet doesn''t seem simple. There''s a rather strong presence here, full of resentment. It could pose a danger to Master. Perhaps I should make some preparations in advance!" Victor No.1 murmured to himself. Ever since Velen granted him a name, it was as if his thoughts had been unlocked. Although Velen hadn''t encountered any dangers yet, this planet still harbored hidden threats. This was undoubtedly a great opportunity! If he seized it, he could definitely deepen his bond with Master! After stepping into the spatial passage, Velen''s attention immediately shifted to his system interface. "A special item has refreshed. I actually slept straight through the night." Velen stretched lazily, then curiously looked at today''s special item. 200 Soul Crystals. Soul Crystals provided immense benefits to alchemists, puppeteers, vengeful spirits, and evil awakeners, as they contained vast amounts of pure soul energy. Seeing the effects of the Soul Crystals, Velen immediately understood. Soul energy was filled with infinite mysteries, and even many soul masters dedicated to its study couldn''t fully grasp its intricacies. Soul-based attacks were nearly impossible to defend against, eerie and unpredictable. This thing actually contained a massive amount of pure soul energy! It was an incredibly rare treasure. "Soul energy can not only erupt in an instant to form terrifying soul storms, but it can also be gradually released to restore consumed soul energy. It''s extremely beneficial to certain special classes like alchemists." At this moment, the system added another explanation. Velen nodded. As expected, it was just as he had thought. This item was immensely useful for soul-based classes and could even counter them. "Fate''s Trojan, where are most of the resources on this planet located?" The main reason he was participating in this Star Hunt was to complete his system mission, so he naturally needed to prepare in advance. Fate''s Trojan quickly provided an answer, "They are mainly concentrated in one place." Hearing this, Velen was momentarily stunned. Good grief, Element Academy''s goal in this event was indeed not simple! But this was good too¡ªhe wouldn''t need to scour the planet searching for resources. "Where exactly are they concentrated?" Velen continued asking. "Deep within the cave ahead of you," Fate''s Trojan replied. Velen narrowed his eyes. Being teleported here was obviously no coincidence. Victor No.1 must have sensed something and prepared in advance. "Victor No.1¡­ looks like I underestimated these prospective guards¡­" Velen murmured to himself, growing even more satisfied with Victor No.1. "If everything is inside this cave, then perfect!" Without hesitation, Velen dashed straight into the pitch-black cave. He had barely entered when suddenly, a system prompt echoed in his ears. "Detecting a special force attempting to erode the host''s soul¡­" Velen halted his steps. So, Element Academy gathering all the resources here wasn''t just about hoarding them for themselves. "The erosion is intensifying. Purification function activated!" As Velen was contemplating whether to continue deeper, the system''s voice sounded again. This immediately reminded him of how, previously, when Kelsey attempted to peer into his fate, it also triggered the system, resulting in severe injuries for Kelsey instead. His system was so domineering that it surpassed both fate and the heavens. Thinking of this, Velen chuckled, then quickly ventured deeper into the cave. With the system protecting him, any force attempting to erode his soul was nothing more than a pathetic clown. It might even trigger new system functions, which made him look forward to it! As Velen delved deeper, he gradually realized that this seemingly narrow cave entrance seemed to lead directly to the planet''s core. The further he went, the darker and more eerie it became! At the same time, deep within the hollow core of the planet, a disheveled old man in black sat cross-legged like a beggar. In front of him, countless strands of soul energy swirled like mist. "Excellent!" "Excellent!" "As long as I refine all these resources, combined with the foundation I''ve accumulated over centuries, I''ll be able to condense two hundred Soul Crystals. Then, breaking free from this seal will be effortless!" Thinking about how he would soon escape this imprisonment, gaining immense power and breaking through to a higher realm, the black-robed old man couldn''t help but laugh maniacally. His voice was hoarse and ear-piercing, echoing throughout the hollow core. But before his laughter could spread far, a puzzled voice suddenly rang out from the distance. "Why is there someone down here in the planet''s core?" Hearing this voice, the black-robed old man''s pupils shrank suddenly. This was his sealed domain! For centuries, he had been the only one here. How could there suddenly be someone else? Whipping his head toward the voice, he saw a handsome young man walking over. How did this kid get in? The old man rubbed his eyes forcefully, unable to believe what he was seeing. The sealing formation imprisoning him was terrifyingly powerful. sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He couldn''t escape, and no one else could enter. Even approaching it would trigger its attacks. So how did this young man¡ªwho looked so weak¡ªfind this place and pass through the formation? He himself had endured nine waves of thunder tides and was on the verge of ascending to the Upper Plane Universe as a top-tier powerhouse. If not for this seal forcibly suppressing him, he could have entered the Upper Plane Universe long ago! Even with his strength, he couldn''t break the formation, only slowly wear it down over time. Yet this low-level kid had waltzed in effortlessly? "Who are you? How did you get here?" Unable to comprehend, the black-robed old man asked grimly. Velen glanced at him indifferently. "I just walked in." "Walked in? Do you take me for a fool?" The old man''s face darkened. "The seal¡ªhow did you bypass it?" Velen had no idea what he was talking about. He hadn''t encountered any so-called seal at all. Seeing the confusion on Velen''s face, the old man''s heart began to race. The seal must have completely faded away over time! It had to be! With that realization, he flashed toward the passage Velen had entered from and shouted ecstatically: "Freedom! I''m finally free!" Chapter99-The Sealed Old Headmaster Seeing the black-robed old man acting all crazy, Velen was momentarily stunned, then recalled the system prompt he had received when venturing deeper into this place. Could that have been the so-called seal? As this thought flashed through his mind, the black-robed old man, who had rushed toward the passage at extreme speed, suddenly seemed to suffer a heavy blow. His entire body was sent flying backward, crashing heavily to the ground before Velen, blood trickling from his nose and mouth, looking utterly wretched. "Brat, that seal hasn''t failed at all! You tricked an old man who''s been around for centuries! Have you no decency?!" The black-robed old man rolled on the ground before getting up, glaring at Velen in rage. Had he not reacted in time with his defenses just now, that soul impact would have been enough to wipe him out completely! Velen speechlessly stared at the old man. He had never said the seal was broken¡ªthis old guy had just celebrated too soon. "Fate''s Trojan, who is this guy?" Although he still didn''t understand what the seal was all about, the fact that it had triggered the system meant it was definitely not something simple. And someone who had been sealed here was certainly no ordinary person either. "This man is Clinton, the founding headmaster of Element Academy. He is a special type of soul master, who has endured nine waves of thunder tides and was once a top-tier awakener capable of ascending to the upper plane universe at any moment." "However, over three hundred years ago, Clinton provoked Max, a disciple of the Sunlord from the upper plane universe, and was subsequently sealed here by the Sunlord''s representative in the lower plane universe, forever barred from ascending to the upper plane universe." Hearing the system''s explanation, Velen was a little surprised. So this crazy old man actually had such a remarkable background! A soul master who had survived nine thunder tides! Soul masters were an incredibly rare and powerful class. But that was just perfect¡ªsince he was a renowned soul master, then the Soul Crystals he had just obtained would make for a perfect opportunity to flaunt his wealth. This guy could be a great tool! "Old Headmaster, do you know about Soul Crystals?" Velen grinned as he looked at Clinton. Hearing Velen bring up his area of expertise, Clinton immediately raised his head proudly. "Of course I do! These things are extremely precious. I happen to have quite a few myself!" Saying this, he deliberately took one out and placed it in his palm as if showing off. He still had no idea how Velen had gotten in here, but since the boy was only an Expert Rank awakener, he posed no threat to Clinton at all. Having been sealed here for so long, he was quite eager to have someone to talk to, especially about a subject he excelled in! "Soul Crystal?!" Seeing the object in Clinton''s hand, Velen recognized it immediately and suddenly found himself in a dilemma. Since Clinton was a soul master and possessed Soul Crystals himself, it didn''t seem like the best opportunity to show off. However, after studying it for a few moments, Velen''s lips curled into a smirk. "Old Headmaster, do you think what I have here is also a Soul Crystal?" Saying this, Velen directly retrieved a head-sized Soul Crystal from his system inventory. Clinton had been wearing an expression of pride, but the moment he saw the massive crystal in Velen''s hands, he completely froze. My god! How could a Soul Crystal be this gigantic?! He knew that the larger a Soul Crystal, the higher the soul power required to condense it. Even though he had reached the peak of the soul master class, the Soul Crystals he could form were only thumb-sized at best. And that was already his absolute limit! Even after spending centuries, he had barely managed to condense just over two hundred pieces. Yet, even if he combined all of them, they still wouldn''t measure up to the one Velen was holding! Where had Velen gotten this from? Clinton was utterly dumbfounded! The sheer size of Velen''s Soul Crystal was a dimensional suppression on him! The psychological impact was simply overwhelming! Seeing Clinton frozen like a statue, Velen couldn''t help but smile. For a moment, it had almost been Clinton showing off in front of him instead. But that''s impossible! He was the ultimate tycoon here¡ªthere was only room for him to flaunt his wealth, never for others to show off in front of him! Then, under Clinton''s nearly petrified gaze, Velen crushed the Soul Crystal in his hands into dust. The black powder slipped through his fingers like grains of sand, scattering onto the ground. The rich soul energy hidden within the crystal quickly dissipated into the surroundings like mist. "This lunatic!" Seeing this, Clinton''s eyes instantly turned bloodshot! How much pure soul energy had been contained in that giant Soul Crystal?! It was the culmination of countless years of effort for any soul master! Yet, Velen had just crushed it¡ªwasting it all! "Scoundrel! You''re an absolute scoundrel! Do you have any idea how precious Soul Crystals are?! Do you understand that you just destroyed a soul master''s life''s work?!" He glared at Velen with fury, itching to kill him on the spot as an offering to the heavens. Seeing Clinton this agitated, Velen''s grin only grew wider. "Old Headmaster, what does it matter how rare a Soul Crystal is? Trapped in this place, no matter how valuable something is, it''s meaningless." "To tell you the truth, I also offended Max and got sealed here by the Sunlord''s representative. These things, no matter how rare, are all pointless now!" Velen shook his head and sighed, smoothly starting to deceive the old headmaster. He had nothing better to do anyway, so why not mess around a little? S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Clinton, who had been raging just moments ago, suddenly froze when he heard Velen''s words. His bloodshot eyes stared at him intensely. "What did you say?" "You were sealed here because of Max too?" "No wonder¡­ no wonder you could pass through the seal! I thought the seal had failed¡­ That bastard isn''t human, but his power and background are too strong. We powerless nobodies from the lower plane universe could never oppose him¡­" Hearing Velen mention Max and Sunlord, Clinton immediately believed him. After all, very few people knew about this incident, and Velen being able to enter this place proved his words were true! "If he sealed you as well, then it means he still hasn''t ascended yet. That damn bastard! If we ever get out of here, we must make him pay in blood!" Clinton''s expression turned murderous as he spoke, his killing intent nearly materializing into reality. "There''s no point talking about that now. We should focus on the present instead." Velen said calmly. Hearing this, Clinton could only nod dejectedly. It was true¡ªhe had been trapped here for so long, unable to break free. Talking about revenge against Max was nothing but wishful thinking. "Old Headmaster, you''ve been sealed here for way too long. How about we play a game to pass the time?" Seeing Clinton settle down, Velen suddenly suggested. Clinton frowned. "We''re both trapped in here¡ªwhat can we even play¡­" Before he could finish, he saw Velen manipulating mana to conjure a basketball hoop on the ground. Then, Velen retrieved a basketball-sized Soul Crystal. "This is called basketball. Whoever scores the most points wins. What do you think?" Hearing Velen explain the rules, Clinton, who had been sealed for centuries, found himself quite interested. But when he saw Velen spinning a Soul Crystal on his finger like a ball, his mouth twitched. This kid is using Soul Crystals as toys?! "Shouldn''t we¡­ use something else?" he asked hesitantly. Velen shook his head. "Relax, Old Headmaster! I still have 199 Soul Crystals left¡ªwe have plenty to play with!" Saying this, Velen immediately started dribbling and shooting! As a basketball master with two and a half years of practice, he naturally started scoring quickly. But Clinton, being highly talented, picked up the game fast¡ªespecially his shoulder charge, which soon surpassed Velen''s. "Haha, Velen! I scored!" "Again!" "Again!" The more he played, the more excited Clinton became. This brand-new sport was helping him release all his pent-up frustration! As for the Soul Crystals? At this point, he didn''t even care anymore. Several hours later¡­ Both were drenched in sweat. And all the Soul Crystals Velen had taken out had been reduced to dust. "Congratulations, Host, for successfully flaunting your wealth. Reward: 1,000 Luxury Points. Additional reward: 10,000 Soul Crystals (Luxury Points will no longer be awarded!)." Hearing the system prompt, Velen froze for a moment. Another huge reward?! Chapter100-The Unbreakable Seal? Velen had no intention of squandering the Soul Crystals rewarded by the system anymore. After using up so many, he was honestly exhausted from all the extravagance. Clinton glanced at the score carved into the stone wall¡ªhe was still far behind Velen. But judging by his current mastery of basketball, as long as they continued playing, he was confident that he could overtake Velen! But now, there were no more Soul Crystals! "Velen, have we really used up all the Soul Crystals?" Clinton asked unwillingly. He had already glimpsed the dawn of victory. If the game ended like this, it would leave an unbearable feeling stuck in his throat. "You don''t have any Soul Crystals left, but I do!" Saying this, Clinton generously handed over his thumb-sized Soul Crystals to Velen. "See if you can come up with another game using these Soul Crystals." Velen was stunned as he looked at Clinton. He had been using up Soul Crystals only to gain Luxury Points. This Clinton, however, was clearly just completely hooked on the games now. But Velen could understand¡ªit had been over three hundred years since Clinton had been sealed in here. If it were any other awakener, they might have already suffered soul collapse and turned into a complete lunatic. Looking at the thumb-sized Soul Crystals Clinton handed over, Velen had an idea and said: "How about this¡ªwe play badminton?" Considering the size of the Soul Crystal, Velen used mana to simulate feathered edges on the crystal''s tail, then condensed a racket in his hand. "Badminton?" Clinton had no idea what Velen was doing, but he immediately mimicked Velen''s actions, also conjuring a racket in his hand. Smack! As Velen suddenly served the shuttlecock, he briefly explained the rules. Clinton listened intently, then, filled with anticipation, started playing against Velen. "So this is badminton? Interesting! I''ve never played such an amusing game before¡­" Clinton grinned with excitement, his eyes burning with competitive spirit. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Velen, this time, you''re definitely going to lose to me!" With confidence, he engaged in a fierce rally with Velen, thoroughly enjoying the game. They played with great enthusiasm. Several more hours passed. By the time all of Clinton''s Soul Crystals had been shattered from impact, their badminton match also came to an end. The final score was tied. Even though he didn''t win, Clinton had never felt so refreshed before¡ªdrenched in sweat, yet utterly exhilarated. Even though he had lost all of the Soul Crystals he had painstakingly gathered, his face was still filled with exhilaration. "For over three hundred years, I haven''t felt this happy!" "Velen, I really have to thank you this time!" Clinton looked at Velen with genuine gratitude in his eyes. "You were right. Soul Crystals may be precious, but since we''re sealed here and can''t leave, we might as well enjoy the moment!" "Nothing is more valuable than happiness!" However, as he spoke, Clinton''s excitement faded a little, and he sighed. "Even though this was fun¡­ the seal is extremely powerful. Every few decades, there''s only a brief moment of weakness, allowing my disciples to transfer resources here without a life signature. This kind of happiness¡­ we won''t get to experience again for another dozen decades." He let out a deep sigh, looking slightly dejected, though no longer as insane as before. At least this time, he wasn''t alone. "You have no idea. I was once the headmaster, but because I offended the wrong person, I ended up in this miserable state. Fortunately, my disciples had some conscience and tried to rescue me by sending me resources." "But they don''t realize that even with all these resources, it''s nearly impossible to break this seal. I can only disappoint them again and again." He sighed again. He had once completely given up on escaping. But when his former disciples managed to track him down, it rekindled his desire to leave. However, despite all their help, after attempting an escape just earlier, he realized he had underestimated the Sunlord''s representative. The moment this seal was cast, it was never meant to let him leave alive¡ªhe was meant to remain imprisoned here until his soul was completely erased. Hearing this, Velen was slightly stunned. Originally, he had assumed Element Academy''s actions were Clinton''s orders. But they weren''t¡ªhis former disciples truly valued their old headmaster and had orchestrated this plan on their own. "Old Headmaster, if you could escape, would you return to the academy?" Velen asked curiously. Clinton quickly shook his head. "At this point, all I want is to leave this seal and enjoy life, to make up for all the time I''ve lost! Why would I go back to some academy?" Hearing this, Velen seemed to think of something and suddenly asked: "Old Headmaster, you''ve been trapped here for so long¡ªare you absolutely sure there''s no way to break the seal?" Clinton sighed deeply. "It''s not that there''s no way at all¡­ Based on my years of testing, the only way to break the seal is to destroy its core!" As he spoke, he pointed to a black crystal embedded in the wall. "This black crystal is the core of the seal. I''ve spent over three centuries trying everything, but nothing can even scratch it. It''s definitely something they left here on purpose, just to mock me." Clinton was furious, but at the same time, helpless. The solution was right in front of him, but because he lacked the strength, he could only stare at it in frustration. That was even more cruel than just imprisoning him¡ªit was psychological torture. Velen followed Clinton''s gaze and looked at the black crystal embedded in the wall. His expression turned serious. Although he wasn''t a forgemaster and didn''t recognize the material, the aura emanating from it was beyond this universe. This black crystal was definitely made of some upper plane universe material! "Don''t bother looking at it. The greater your hope, the greater your disappointment. This thing doesn''t exist in the Titan Galaxy. The more you try to break it, the more you''re falling into their trap!" Seeing Velen staring at the black crystal, Clinton quickly warned him. During his first hundred years of imprisonment, he had been obsessed with breaking free. He had wasted countless resources and energy, only to fail completely. He had been a fool. Velen had left a good impression on him. He didn''t want Velen to turn into a fool too. But upon hearing this, Velen suddenly said: "Maybe¡­ I can try destroying it." Clinton shook his head. "Velen, I appreciate your optimism, but you should know that this black crystal was left by the Sunlord''s representative. If we could break it, they wouldn''t have just left it in plain sight." But before he could finish speaking¡ª Velen had already activated the Eye of Annihilation! If the system had given him this ability, then surely, it could destroy the black crystal! With that thought, Velen poured nearly all of his mana into his pupils, unleashing a blinding annihilation beam toward the black crystal. Wherever the black light passed, everything seemed to fade into nothingness. As the destructive beam struck the black crystal, the entire wall it was embedded in vanished into thin air, as if it had never existed. Clinton''s jaw nearly hit the floor. For centuries, he had tried everything, failed repeatedly, and completely given up. Yet this Expert Rank awakener had easily done what he never could?! Something was definitely wrong here. Clinton frantically touched the wall, trying to confirm that the black crystal was truly gone. The moment he realized it was really destroyed, his heart raced, and he bolted toward the exit. As Clinton crossed the seal, he felt utterly unreal. He was really free. The Sunlord''s representative''s seal had truly been broken¡ªby Velen! Chapter101-Clintons Shock—How Can Someone Like This Exist? "You¡­ how did you do that?" "That was a rare artifact from the upper plane universe¡ªin our galaxy, it''s supposed to be indestructible!" Clinton was shocked beyond words, staring at Velen in utter disbelief as he questioned him. Before Velen could even respond, the excitement on Clinton''s face suddenly vanished, replaced by bloodshot eyes glaring at Velen. "Velen, you knew all along that you could break the seal, didn''t you?" "If you were so confident that you could do it, then why didn''t you say so earlier? My Soul Crystals¡ª!" The moment Clinton realized that, under Velen''s manipulation, he had squandered hundreds of years'' worth of painstakingly condensed Soul Crystals, his good mood instantly soured. "You never asked me before!" Velen shrugged indifferently, completely unbothered. "Besides, what''s done is done¡ªdwelling on the past is meaningless. Just be happy¡ªthat''s what really matters!" Hearing this, Clinton was so furious that he was practically grinding his teeth, but he had no way to argue against it. After all, those Soul Crystals¡ªhe had given them away willingly. ¡­ Meanwhile, as the seal was broken¡ª Inside the Solar Temple of the upper plane universe, the temple lord, Sunlord, rubbed the sun-shaped sigil on his forehead, narrowing his eyes in mild surprise. "Interesting¡­ In the barren lower plane universe, someone actually managed to break the seal I left behind." "A genius¡­ finally, something entertaining has appeared again!" Sunlord burst into laughter, his amusement echoing through the grand temple. ¡­ At the same time, in an isolated cosmic region of Titan Galaxy¡ª Max was seated cross-legged atop a planet radiating immense stellar energy. Though it was called a planet, in reality, it was merely the size of a house¡ªa celestial body that had been compressed through countless refinements, making it unbelievably dense! The planet contained mana condensed to its absolute limits, offering tremendous benefits for leveling up and purifying mana. At that moment, Max sensed something, his gaze shifting toward the now-destroyed seal. "To think that after hundreds of years, you''d actually break free¡­ Looks like I underestimated you after all¡­" "But it''s too late." Max smirked. "I am no longer the same Max from back then." "With this compressed planet, my mana has been refined to the point of being as dense as liquid¡ªno awakener at the same level could ever compare to me now!" As he spoke, Max realized¡ªClinton breaking free might not be a bad thing. "Our grudge¡­ is finally coming to an end!" Max snorted coldly, his killing intent surging. Back then, he had been young and weak, unable to defeat Clinton. But now, the situation had reversed. It was time for revenge! ¡­ Meanwhile, after hearing Clinton''s story about his deadly feud with Max, Velen was surprised. "So¡­ the whole reason you and Max had such a massive conflict was because you discovered a Mana Planet first, and Max wanted to steal it?" "But since he couldn''t defeat you, he ended up humiliated and empty-handed¡ªso he got Sunlord''s representative to intervene?" After listening to the full account of Clinton and Max''s feud, Velen nodded, feeling a strong sense of familiarity. "Beat the weaker one, then the stronger boss shows up¡ªclassic!" Clinton had expected Velen to be intimidated upon hearing Max''s name. Instead, he got this¡­? ''Classic''? So what, being sealed for three hundred years was just a normal event now? That hurts, man. If he hadn''t been a soul master, if he didn''t have Soul Crystals to pass the time, he probably would''ve gone completely insane. Speaking of Soul Crystals¡ªClinton suddenly felt like coughing up blood again. If he still had all the Soul Crystals he had painstakingly condensed over the centuries, he would be filthy rich! He could''ve lived like a king! But now? Without them, he was just a wandering beggar, completely broke! "This Velen¡­ what kind of scam artist is he?! Too cruel!" The more he thought about it, the more pissed off he became. Finally, he couldn''t hold back and asked¡ª "Velen, which faction do you belong to?" Velen had actually been considering how to recruit this top-tier powerhouse into Fortress¡ªbut to his surprise, Clinton asked first! With a grin, he replied: "I come from Fortress on Uranus Star. It''s not a huge power right now, but the people are great!" Since he didn''t know if Clinton was willing to join, he kept his introduction brief. Hearing that Fortress wasn''t a major force, Clinton simply nodded. "This time, I only managed to escape the seal thanks to you. With my level as a top-tier awakener, I assume I can become a Guest Elder Senator at Fortress?" Clinton''s words startled Velen. "Old Headmaster, now that you''re free, don''t you want revenge against Max?" "Besides, with your level, you could enter the upper plane universe at any time, right?" Hearing Velen''s direct questions, Clinton''s eyes widened in shock. "We really are kindred spirits¡ªyou guessed exactly what I was thinking!" Back when he was still sealed, he had definitely wanted revenge against Max. After all, it was because of Max that he had been imprisoned for so long. But now that he was actually free¡­ That hatred had begun to fade. He had spent so long trapped, there were so many things he still wanted to experience¡ªwhy waste time on revenge? Sure, he was strong¡ªbut he had no background. He was no match for Sunlord. Going after Max was asking for death. If it weren''t for Velen, he would''ve been imprisoned until he died! "Forget revenge¡ªI''m too old for that kind of hot-blooded nonsense." "As for entering the upper plane universe?" Clinton shook his head. "Sunlord is already watching me. If I go up, I''ll just die faster." "Besides, here in the lower planes, I''m one of the strongest. If I enter the upper plane universe, I''ll be at the bottom. I have zero interest in that." His answer was frank and honest. Velen respected that logic. At that moment, he contacted the system¡ª "System, Clinton is a big deal. Shouldn''t we welcome him properly? How about a million Advanced Mana Crystals as a gift?" Clinton was someone who could enter the upper plane universe anytime. Fortress needed powerhouses like him. Velen was already planning for when Anastasia ascended, to take Fortress with him¡ªthe more strong allies, the better! After a brief pause, the system responded¡ª "Approved¡ªthis falls within reasonable wealth-flaunting limits." Velen expected that answer. After all, when he had gifted the Senate ten million Advanced Mana Crystals, they had immediately given him a Guest Elder Senator position. Now, gifting Clinton one million Advanced Mana Crystals seemed just right! Taking out a storage bag, he handed it to Clinton. "Since you''re joining Fortress, as the Vice Captain, I welcome you! This is just a little gift¡ªconsider it a signing bonus!" Clinton curiously examined the bag¡ªhe had always felt that Velen was an enigma. S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But when he peeked inside¡­ His entire body froze. "Velen¡­ is this real?! A million Advanced Mana Crystals?!" Even with his powerful soul, he almost couldn''t believe it. This was beyond extravagant! "You bet it''s real. And don''t worry¡ªonce you join Fortress, I have an even bigger surprise for you!" Velen grinned. He had already planned it out¡ªsince Clinton loved Mana Planets, he would rig the system lottery and get tons of Mana Planets to decorate his estate! Chapter102-What Kind of Fortress Is This? "You''re telling me your Fortress was just recently established on a remote planet, and yet you''re handing out a million Advanced Mana Crystals as a welcome gift?" Clinton was an old veteran of the universe, having seen countless great forces across the cosmos. But none had ever been as extravagant as Velen. A million Advanced Mana Crystals¡ª Even he had never seen so many before! This felt too good to be true, and instead of excitement, Clinton felt uneasy. After all, Velen''s generosity was too overwhelming¡ªit just didn''t feel realistic. Could this guy actually be scheming against his body? He had heard about many twisted organizations that liked to refine powerful Awakeners into mummies, or worse, harvest their organs for transplantation¡ªhorrific acts beyond imagination. And now, Velen had offered him such massive benefits right from the start¡­ It was too suspicious! Even though he was one of the strongest beings in the galaxy, Clinton decided to be cautious against this unpredictable character. Thus, Clinton smiled and said: "Velen, you know, I''ve been sealed away for centuries, and all I really want now is to travel, relax, and make up for lost time¡­ So about joining your Fortress, let''s discuss it later¡­" Before he could finish speaking, Velen suddenly pulled out dozens of head-sized Soul Crystals from his storage. Clinton was just about to refuse¡ªbut when he saw the enormous pile of Soul Crystals, his words got stuck in his throat. Velen could casually take out so many of these priceless treasures¡ªeven if Clinton sold himself ten times over, he wouldn''t be able to trade for that much wealth! Instantly, he grinned ingratiatingly and said: "Velen, I think your Fortress is actually a great fit for me! I mean, I am getting older, and I''d really love a place to settle down." Seeing this, Velen didn''t hesitate¡ªhe immediately handed over 1,000 Soul Crystals to Clinton. S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Old Headmaster, these Soul Crystals are for you. As a Soul Master, you can maximize their potential far better than anyone else. If you ever face a powerful enemy, don''t hesitate¡ªeither unleash your strongest soul abilities or just detonate them all to create a soul storm! Use them freely! If you run out, just come to me for more!" As Clinton stared at the massive pile of Soul Crystals, he felt like he was dreaming. A thousand Soul Crystals?! Even if he wasted them constantly, it would still take ages to use them up¡ªhe might not even finish them before he died! At that moment, Clinton''s excitement soared. With this many Soul Crystals, he had nothing to fear! After all, as a Soul Master, as long as he had enough soul energy, he could continuously unleash terrifying soul abilities¡ªeven taking on multiple enemies at once wouldn''t be an issue! For a brief moment, Clinton even hoped that a deadly battle would break out immediately¡ªwith these Soul Crystals backing him, he felt invincible! "Congratulations, Host, on successfully flaunting your wealth. Reward: 300 Luxury Points. Additional reward: 100 Soul Stones." [Soul Stone: Greatly enhances soul quality and elevates soul level.] Hearing the system prompt, Velen immediately asked: "System, why are you only giving me rewards now for Clinton''s gift? Did he hesitate to accept before?" After looking at the Soul Stone''s effects, Velen realized¡ªthis would be a huge help to Clinton! So, he turned to Clinton and tested the waters: "Clinton Senator, have you ever heard of Soul Stones?" "Soul Stones?" Clinton looked at Velen in surprise. "You''re not even a Soul Master, so how do you know about Soul Stones? Their value and importance to us Soul Masters surpass even Soul Crystals!" "Soul Crystals can only expand the vastness of our soul power¡ªthe breadth of the soul. But Soul Stones refine our soul impurities, making the soul purer and sharper¡ªenhancing soul precision, which is much harder to achieve. "For a Soul Master, that''s far more valuable!" Velen nodded in understanding. "I''ve seen Soul Stones before, but only in the Singularity Battlefield. Outside of that, they''re almost impossible to find¡ªthey''re too rare." Even though he didn''t know why Velen was asking, Clinton still seriously explained the details. "If I gave you a Soul Stone, would you ascend to the Upper Plane Universe immediately?" Velen asked. "Of course!" Clinton nodded. "Technically, I could ascend right now, but I''d rather stay hidden for a while. The Sunlord is watching me¡ªif I go up now, I''m dead for sure." Although Clinton desired the Soul Stone, he wouldn''t use it immediately. Once absorbed, suppressing his soul energy to avoid ascending would be impossible. Seeing this, Velen decided not to push further. Instead, he made up his mind¡ªwhen the time came for Fortress to ascend together, he would hand over the Soul Stone to Clinton then. Now was not the time for Clinton to go up alone¡ªand clearly, he didn''t want to either. ¡­ A short while later¡ª Velen retrieved a mana crystal from Clinton''s storage bag¡ªan item belonging to this Star Hunt event¡ªand placed it on a prominent mountain peak before preparing to leave with Clinton. Seeing this, Clinton was completely confused. Velen didn''t bother explaining. As long as someone picked up that Mana Crystal, they would automatically be crowned Champion of the Star Hunt. After all, every other resource had already been taken by Clinton. Everyone else would be second place at best. With this, Velen would have completed his system quest! "Looks like not too much time has passed," Velen observed, glancing at the sky above the planet. "Velen, where is your Fortress? I''ll take you there." Now that he had officially joined Fortress, Clinton naturally wanted to see for himself what this mysterious force was all about. After all, if Velen, just a Vice Captain, was this ridiculously powerful, then the entire Fortress had to be even more terrifying! Velen was just about to respond, but suddenly¡ª He sensed a familiar aura rapidly approaching! "Clinton Senator, hold on for a moment." The moment Velen spoke, Clinton also felt it¡ªa fearsome presence rapidly closing in! Though it wasn''t as strong as him, it was still nothing to take lightly! "Who dares attack my master?!" A furious roar echoed¡ª Ironback Centipede descended like a war god, wielding a Level 9 Forge, swinging it straight for Clinton''s head! Seeing Ironback Centipede attack without warning, Clinton immediately gripped his Soul Crystals, preparing to fight. Now that he had Soul Crystals, he feared no one! As the atmosphere grew tense, on the verge of battle¡ª Velen quickly intervened: "Stop! We''re all on the same side!" ¡­? Clinton''s gaze shifted to Ironback Centipede, his expression shifting to one of shock. A Spellbeast?! And not just any Spellbeast¡ªone that had survived two Thunder Tides! How could this be a "same side" situation?! Noticing Clinton''s confusion, Velen clarified: "Clinton Senator, this is my mount¡ªhe also belongs to Fortress." Mount?! Clinton stared at Velen in pure disbelief. This was an Ascended Rank Spellbeast¡ªone of the strongest beings across various galaxies. And it was Velen''s mount?! Just how powerful was Fortress?! Then, Clinton''s gaze locked onto what Ironback Centipede was holding¡ª His pupils shrank in shock. "Wait¡­ Is that a Level 9 Forge?!" He couldn''t help but exclaim¡ª That was a treasured artifact that would drive Alchemists insane¡­ And yet, in Ironback Centipede''s hands¡ª It looked like just another weapon?! At that moment, Ironback Centipede withdrew his killing intent and smiled warmly. "My apologies, Clinton Senator¡ªI was too hasty!" Chapter103-Witnessing the Unbelievable Ironback Centipede swung the Level 9 Forge beside Clinton, laughing as he said, "This thing? In Fortress, pretty much everyone has one¡ªit''s not that rare." "It''s heavy enough, and smashing people with it feels amazing!" Ironback Centipede adored his Level 9 Forge. For a Spellbeast like him, with both a strong physique and powerful mana, there was simply no better weapon. Clinton stood there, completely dumbfounded. A Level 9 Forge. One of the rarest treasures across all major galaxies, with fewer than a handful in existence¡ª And here in Fortress, everyone had one? What kind of insane background did this Fortress have?! Or¡­ had he just been sealed for so long that the entire universe had changed without him realizing it? Even so¡ªusing such a high-tier artifact as a blunt weapon? These people¡­ something is seriously wrong with their heads! Seeing Ironback Centipede being so friendly toward Clinton, Velen found himself a little surprised. This Spellbeast was not the friendly type. "Clinton Senator, you''ve just joined Fortress, haven''t you? You''ll soon notice that our Fortress is quite different from other factions!" As he spoke, Ironback Centipede enthusiastically pulled Clinton along, introducing him to Fortress. Previously, Ironback Centipede had been the only Spellbeast in Fortress. Even with his strong combat ability, he was still excluded at times. And now, a new Senator with considerable strength had arrived¡ª This was the perfect opportunity to build an ally for himself! Clinton silently nodded, genuinely curious about Fortress. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. And as Ironback Centipede provided a brief overview, he gradually understood. The Level 9 Forges were not exactly common¡ª They were just something Velen personally gave to everyone! And the people of Fortress all treated their Level 9 Forges differently. Some used them as weapons. Some used them as heaters. Some used them as nests for pet rabbits. And Velen? He used his as a cremation furnace. The more Clinton heard, the more shocked and furious he became. How could a faction be this ridiculously extravagant?! This was beyond reckless¡ªit was just sheer insanity! Just hearing about it was unbearable. These Level 9 Forges, if sold, would command astronomical prices, enough to make Fortress a dominant force. Yet, they were being wasted like this?! This was a crime against nature! Seeing Clinton''s face redden in frustration, Ironback Centipede simply shrugged and said, "Clinton Senator, you still don''t understand our Master well enough. Compared to his other acts of extravagance, this kind of wastefulness is just a drop in the ocean." Clinton took a deep breath. At this point, he was starting to understand. After all, when Velen welcomed him into Fortress, he casually handed him a million Advanced Mana Crystals¡ª That was completely beyond comprehension for any other faction. And that wasn''t even counting the 1,000 Soul Crystals Velen had given him! This level of extravagance¡ªVelen must have seen it as nothing more than a casual gesture. Looking back¡­ How ridiculous was it that he had tried flaunting his wealth in front of Velen?! Now that he thought about it, his three centuries of accumulating Soul Crystals¡ª In Velen''s eyes, that must have been a complete joke! At that moment, Clinton felt so embarrassed, he didn''t even know where to put his feet. "Clinton Senator is a peak Ascended Rank Level 9 powerhouse, and yet¡­ he can''t even handle this much shock?" "If he finds out about the rabbit''s treatment in Fortress, he might just get so angry he has a stroke!" Ironback Centipede sighed internally, worried about whether Clinton could even handle the level of extravagance he was about to witness in Fortress. "Iron Cub, just have Hael and the others scout the planet for show and head back quickly¡ªthere''s nothing left here." Seeing that Ironback Centipede was still explaining, Velen patted his shoulder and said this casually. Ironback Centipede quickly nodded and left to notify Hael. Though they didn''t understand why all the resources here were gone, it didn''t matter. They had come here just for show anyway¡ªmost of them were just focused on taking bloodline-enhancing potions. They didn''t care about the planet''s resources at all. Once Ironback Centipede left, Velen turned back to Clinton and said: "Clinton Senator, the atmosphere in Fortress is great¡ªwe should head back now." Hearing this, Clinton swallowed hard. At this point, he wasn''t even sure if he wanted to step into Fortress. This place was just too excessive, too terrifying. Even as someone who had seen countless great powers, he was getting cold feet. But then, he thought about everything Velen had given him¡ª And how he was already considered a Senator. So, he forced himself to nod. "¡­No matter what kind of place Fortress is, I have to see it for myself today!" Clinton took a deep breath, suppressed all the doubts and fears in his heart, and followed Velen toward Fortress. ¡­ Time passed quickly. By morning, they finally arrived at Fortress. "What¡­ terrifying infernal energy!" Suddenly, Clinton halted, his body tensing up as he warily gazed at Fortress. As a Soul Master, his sensitivity was far greater than that of normal Awakeners¡ª Even from a distance, he could feel the bone-chilling Hellish aura¡ª It was so oppressive, it was almost suffocating! "Velen¡­ does our Fortress have a Hell-born Spellbeast inside?" Hearing this, Velen scowled and grumbled, "That damn rabbit must be messing around again!" "If it''s not sleeping or drinking potions, it''s just randomly unleashing Hell energy¡ªwhat kind of nonsense is this?!" Velen had no idea why the rabbit was doing this. But he knew one thing¡ªits intelligence was growing, and it was definitely at that mischievous stage. Soon, they reached the Fortress plaza, where the Hellish aura was the strongest. There¡ª A small white rabbit stood in the center, its dark eyes wide open, continuously blasting the mountains ahead. Its attacks were no longer just instinctual¡ª It was actively training, trying to master a rhythm and technique. The entire mountain range in front of it was riddled with massive craters, thick Hell energy seeping out. Seeing the Hellish aura was actually coming from a tiny white rabbit, Clinton felt like his entire worldview had just shattered. And then¡ª He realized what the rabbit was doing¡ª It was practicing techniques for Eye of Hell! Clinton suddenly felt lightheaded. "I was sealed for a long time¡­ but surely the entire world hasn''t changed THIS much, right?!" But before he could process it, he heard a voice¡ª "Velen!" Kevin approached and greeted him. "The rabbit finished all its potions, and its bloodline has undergone significant changes¡ªit''s currently trying to upgrade the power of Eye of Hell." "Since it has no experience with skills, Lady Anastasia had me supervise its training." Kevin looked exhausted as he spoke. He was one of Anastasia''s most trusted subordinates¡ªyet here he was, babysitting a rabbit. "Who would ever believe this?!" Hearing this, Velen nodded in satisfaction. "Kevin Senator, you''ve done well. From now on, the rabbit is your responsibility!" Kevin''s face turned pale. He had come to complain¡ªnot get permanently assigned to the rabbit! Meanwhile, Clinton was still in shock. And so, he unleashed his soul perception, silently scanning the entire Fortress¡ª He needed to know just how deep this madness went! Chapter104-Mental Distress Compensation As Clinton''s soul perception spread out, the situation within the fortress quickly surfaced in his mind. Two Heroic Rank female Awakeners. And two Ascended Rank Awakeners! Sensing the presence of those in the fortress, Clinton was utterly shocked. The fortress indeed had a considerable number of people, but all of them were elites! Leaving aside the three Ascended Rank Awakeners he had already detected, those two Heroic Rank female Awakeners¡ªthough young¡ªhad already reached such a level. Even top-tier forces would struggle to produce such supreme prodigies! Moreover, there was that Ironback Centipede, a spellbeast that had survived two waves of Thunder Tide! And that rabbit with an extremely peculiar aura! This fortress was too extraordinary! It was far too powerful! It completely exceeded Clinton''s previous expectations. "No, this place is too dangerous. I need to leave immediately!" After careful consideration, Clinton concluded that this was a place beyond his comprehension! However, at that moment, an extremely eerie and chilling aura swept over from afar. Everyone''s souls trembled slightly, sensing an immense and terrifying danger! Immediately, Robert, Aiden, Anastasia, and Victoria all rushed over from different directions, fully alert. Under their watchful eyes, a figure wrapped in a fearsome aura charged into the area. "Finally, I''m back!" Ethan stopped before the fortress, standing on a Level 9 Forge, holding a Ghost Box in his hands. The bone-chilling aura that unsettled their souls was emanating from it. Seeing that the berserker Ethan had suddenly acquired such a bizarre aura, everyone was startled. Especially Clinton, who immediately recognized the abnormalities in Ethan. Particularly, the Level 9 Forge beneath his feet and the Ghost Box in his hand. He looked like an unrivaled menace. "Senator Ethan, where did you get that evil artifact in your hand?" "You haven''t been corrupted into a dark cultivator, have you?" Anastasia and the others all focused their attention on the Ghost Box. The aura emanating from it gave them an immense sense of oppression. Upon hearing this, Clinton, who had been quietly remaining vigilant, was even more taken aback. Such a terrifying individual was also a senator of this fortress?! What else was there in this fortress that he didn''t know about? "Velen, how did you return before me?" Seeing Velen already present, Ethan''s face flashed with surprise. He had managed to return so quickly only because he used a special secret technique. But how did Velen get back even faster than him? Then, his gaze shifted to Clinton standing beside Velen. "Velen, don''t tell me this guy is another senator you brought back to the fortress?" The aura radiating from Clinton was rather unique, exuding a powerful sense of oppression, clearly distinguishing him from ordinary Awakeners. At this moment, Anastasia and the others also shifted their focus onto Clinton. Velen glanced at Anastasia and introduced him with a smile, "Lord Anastasia, this is Clinton. He is a Soul Master who has survived nine waves of Thunder Tide. From now on, he will be a senator of the fortress." Upon hearing this, Anastasia and the others were utterly astonished. Did they hear that right? A Soul Master who had survived nine waves of Thunder Tide?! That statement was difficult for them to comprehend. Logically speaking, someone of Clinton''s level should have long since entered the Upper Plane Universe! And Soul Masters were an incredibly rare and powerful class. With both factors combined, Clinton was undoubtedly one of the most extraordinary Awakeners in the galaxy! Yet Velen had managed to recruit such a powerful figure into the fortress! They could hardly believe their eyes. But the unfathomable aura surrounding Clinton made them wary nonetheless. Under the shocked and slightly reverent gazes of Anastasia and the others, Clinton suddenly felt a sense of elation. S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It seemed that despite being sealed for over three hundred years, the world hadn''t changed much. Strength was still the ultimate determinant, and during his years of being sealed, he had already become one of the strongest. The admiration and respect directed at him after his long solitude felt immensely satisfying. Suddenly, he started to feel that joining this fortress might not be such a bad idea. At that moment, Velen opened his system interface and prepared to draw a lottery! "System, lock onto Mana Planet and don''t stop until I''ve drawn a hundred of them!" This was a great opportunity to acquire Luxury Points through Clinton, and since Velen had a favorable impression of him, he was planning to give him a real spectacle! "The probability of drawing a Mana Planet is 15%. Beginning extraction!" As the system prompt sounded, the lottery wheel began spinning rapidly, like a little windmill. Before long, as the system continued to provide notifications, the wheel gradually came to a stop. "Congratulations, Host! You have spent 83,000 Luxury Points and obtained one hundred Mana Planets!" Hearing the system prompt, Velen nodded in satisfaction. Then, he turned to the gathered senators. "Senator Robert, take Senator Clinton around the fortress to familiarize him with the environment!" "Senator Aiden, Senator Ethan, come with me. I have something I need your help with." Following Velen''s orders, the three senators immediately took action. Meanwhile, Anastasia watched Velen and the others leave in astonishment. Good heavens, Velen was the leader of the fortress, wasn''t he? Or was he her fortress''s leader now? But upon second thought, this might not be a bad thing. Under Velen''s leadership, the fortress was thriving like never before. "I never intended to establish a fortress!" Suddenly, realizing this, Anastasia felt a wave of frustration! But in the end, she could only sigh helplessly. Since Velen had entered the fortress, it had transformed from a barren wasteland into an entity capable of rivaling top-tier forces. And now, they had even recruited a powerhouse capable of breaking through space-time barriers and entering the Upper Plane Universe. Anastasia couldn''t even imagine how shocked Duke Anthony would be upon hearing this news. Or what Velen would ultimately turn the fortress into. She was finding Velen harder and harder to decipher! "However, this won''t last forever. Once I enter the Upper Plane Universe, I can finally focus on leveling up and enacting my revenge!" Taking a deep breath, Anastasia suppressed her emotions and returned to her courtyard, resuming her daily grind of leveling up. As the gathering dispersed, Kevin glanced at the small white rabbit left behind and couldn''t help but sigh. "Even though you''re just an ordinary little white rabbit, gaining Velen''s favor might be a greater fortune than being born as one of those top-tier spellbeasts. Now, even an old man like me has to become your mentor." "Velen wants you to become the number one spellbeast in the galaxy. Let me help him gradually realize that goal!" Since he had nothing else to do and no mentees, tutoring this little rabbit wasn''t a bad choice. After all, its bloodline and mana had been greatly enhanced by the various potions Velen provided! Calling it a promising candidate wasn''t an exaggeration. Under Kevin''s intense gaze, the little white rabbit suddenly had a bad feeling. Kevin had previously been so dismissive of it, so why had his expression changed now? As its bloodline and level improved, so too did its intelligence, making it exceptionally adept at reading people. Could Kevin actually believe Velen''s nonsense about making it the number one spellbeast in the galaxy? That was just something Velen said offhand! All it wanted was to cling to a powerful backer and enjoy an easy life! ... "This will be Clinton Senator''s new residence. But before that, tear it down!" After bringing Aiden and Ethan to an unoccupied senator''s courtyard, Velen immediately issued his command. Aiden and Ethan had assumed Velen had a grand task for them and had been gearing up to showcase their skills to earn rewards. They never expected Velen to order them to demolish a courtyard?! But why tear it down when it was perfectly fine? "Velen, are you preparing a residence for the newly awakened Senator Clinton? Even if this courtyard isn''t aesthetically pleasing, there''s no need to demolish it. It could just be renovated." As a master blacksmith, Ethan looked at Velen in confusion. Velen didn''t respond immediately. Instead, he communicated with the system. "If I''m making two Ascended Rank senators do the work of ordinary Awakeners, I should at least compensate them with some hardship pay and mental distress compensation, right?" Chapter105-The Floating Courtyard The system responded: "This action is befitting of a great tycoon''s status!" Seeing the system''s approval, Velen was not surprised. He smiled faintly and looked at Ethan and Aiden. "Two senators, I just feel that this place is unworthy of Senator Clinton. Feel free to demolish it boldly. Of course, I won''t have you do this for nothing. Once you complete this task, I will compensate you with some labor fees!" Upon hearing the words "labor fees" from Velen, both Ethan and Aiden became visibly excited. After all, the labor fees from Velen were bound to be unimaginably generous! And indeed, as they got excited¡ª Velen continued, "I don''t know what you both prefer, so here''s the deal. If you help me demolish and rebuild this courtyard, I''ll give you ten bottles of the potion of your choice!" Hiss! The sound of sharp inhaling came simultaneously from Ethan and Aiden. Extravagant! Luxurious! But they loved it! Ten bottles of their preferred potion! S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. For them, the temptation was maxed out! Although their levels were high, they had no absolute confidence in surviving future Thunder Tides and ascending. With the potions they desired, their chances of success would increase dramatically! Velen was truly Velen! As generous as ever! In an instant, both of them, fueled by excitement, turned into human bulldozers, crashing straight into the courtyard walls, shattering them into dust! They didn''t even use mana. Since Velen had given them so much, they felt they had to put in extra effort to deserve such benefits! Otherwise, they would feel guilty for accepting Velen''s generosity! Velen watched them rampage through the small courtyard like human wrecking balls, his eyes widening in astonishment. "Senator Ethan, your speed isn''t cutting it! I''ve already leveled the foundation!" "Senator Aiden, since Velen said to completely demolish the courtyard, we need to utterly pulverize it. Speed alone isn''t enough!" The two competed against each other, increasing their efficiency, demolishing every building in the courtyard. Within just a few dozen breaths, the entire area was flattened, as if no courtyard had ever existed there! Seeing this, Velen immediately took out the Mana Planets he had drawn from the lottery. Seeing the Mana Planets suddenly appear in Velen''s hands, Aiden and Ethan were puzzled and curiously asked, "Velen, what are these things?" They didn''t recognize the Mana Planets, but from them, they could sense an incredibly dense mana fluctuation and exceptionally pure stellar energy! "These are Mana Planets. Senator Clinton likes them very much. Use them to reconstruct the courtyard. And remember, don''t leave a single one behind." Velen instructed. "Alright!" Although they felt these Mana Planets were highly unusual and extremely valuable, considering Velen''s usual extravagant nature, it wasn''t surprising for him to use them so casually. "Velen, don''t worry. Leave it to us. We''ll make sure it turns out great!" As a master forger, Ethan confidently declared. After all, it was just a courtyard. He could build one effortlessly. Even if he had to use these special Mana Planets, it wouldn''t be a problem! Velen had full confidence in the two of them, so he nodded and said, "Then I''ll be waiting for good news from you!" After saying that, Velen turned and left. Watching Velen''s departing figure, Aiden turned to Ethan and said, "Senator Ethan, these Mana Planets are highly unique. They can naturally gather mana and earth elements. If we use them to construct a small courtyard, we might not even use them all!" His keen perception allowed him to clearly sense the special fluctuations emanating from the Mana Planets. Just one of these could build an extraordinary structure. "Using them all might be difficult, but ten bottles of potion don''t come easy." Ethan naturally understood this, and after a brief contemplation, he had an idea. "How about this¡ªlet''s just build a floating island and use the extra Mana Planets as the foundation!" Hearing this, Aiden''s eyes immediately lit up. "Great idea! A floating courtyard made of Mana Planets¡ªsomething like this has never existed in any galaxy!" Ethan said proudly, "Of course! Since Velen has given us such a grand reward, we have to make it the best. Let''s get started!" ¡­ Meanwhile, Clinton was following Robert around the fortress, familiarizing himself with the environment. "Ducal Manor?" "You''re saying this fortress was built by Anastasia, the daughter of Ducal Manor?" After listening to Robert''s introduction, Clinton was utterly bewildered. After all, Ducal Manor was no small force¡ªit had existed in the Titan Galaxy for many years. Given Anastasia''s background, how could this fortress be considered a small faction?! The fortress already had so many powerful senators, and with Ducal Manor as its strongest backing, This fortress had become a colossal force! Clinton narrowed his eyes, growing even more intrigued by the fortress. But soon, he noticed Robert tilting his head back and drinking a potion, his expression somewhat complicated. "By the way, Senator Robert, you''ve been drinking that potion all along. I sense some rather special effects from it." He had noticed that Robert''s expression soured every time he drank the potion, clearly indicating it wasn''t pleasant. Yet, Robert kept drinking it. Robert did not immediately respond but instead asked, "Senator Clinton, since you''re a Soul Master, you must have a unique bloodline, correct?" Although Clinton wasn''t sure why Robert was asking this, he still nodded. "Yes, that''s right. I do possess a unique bloodline, and I have already reached the highest level possible within the Lower Plane Universe. Only by entering the Upper Plane Universe can my bloodline continue to evolve." Upon hearing this, Robert smirked mysteriously. "What if I told you that you could break the limit and continue upgrading your bloodline even within the Lower Plane Universe?" "That''s impossible!" Clinton shook his head repeatedly. "Senator Robert, the Lower Plane Universe is restricted by the higher realms. Bloodline upgrades beyond a certain level are exponentially harder¡­" Yet, just as he said that, a certain figure suddenly flashed through his mind¡ªVelen. If it were anywhere else, it might truly be impossible, but with Velen, perhaps it was possible! Immediately, his eyes widened as he stared at the empty potion bottle in Robert''s hand, his face full of disbelief. "Senator Robert, don''t tell me¡­ this potion can upgrade my bloodline?" Robert nodded. "That''s right. Velen gave me this bloodline-enhancing potion. It significantly boosts bloodline potential, but it tastes horrible. And¡­ it takes 100,000 bottles to trigger a true transformation!" "Before long, you''ll be just like us, drinking these potions every day." At this point, Robert didn''t say any more. After all, only by experiencing it firsthand could one truly understand. Hearing how serious Robert was, Clinton subconsciously believed it to be true. He grew even more expectant of the fortress. After all, if he could break his bloodline limits, his combat power would skyrocket! As for the terrible taste? He didn''t think it could be that bad. Suddenly, Clinton pointed curiously at a restroom in the distance. "Senator Robert, at our level, we no longer need restrooms, right? Why is there one here, and in such a central location?" "Oh, that? Velen had it built recently," Robert glanced at it, his expression turning complex. He wasn''t sure whether to be amazed or exasperated. After all, this restroom was anything but ordinary! Velen had poured countless precious resources into it! Hearing that this was Velen''s facility, Clinton suddenly recalled something the Ironback Centipede had told him. "Senator Robert, before I arrived, I heard that Velen used a Level 9 Forge as an incinerator. Is that true?" Robert looked at Clinton in surprise. "Didn''t expect you to be so well-informed. Yeah, he not only placed a Level 9 Forge beneath the restroom, but he''s also planning to build a Starry Stone toilet to withstand the Thunder Tide!" "For those of us who haven''t fully endured the Thunder Tide yet, that Starry Stone toilet is a godsend!" Chapter106-Is This How Big Shots Are Treated in the Fortress? Hearing Robert''s words, Clinton was completely dumbfounded. He knew what Starry Stone was¡ªone of the best forging materials in the Lower Plane Universe. It was indeed extremely useful for resisting Thunder Tide. However, it required an immense amount of Starry Stone to be effective, which was why this function was largely unknown to most people. Even if someone knew about it, it wouldn''t matter¡ªno one could gather enough Starry Stone to withstand Thunder Tide! But now, Velen actually had this idea¡ªand more importantly, he planned to forge it into a toilet! What kind of insane idea was this? Clinton completely failed to understand! Back in the day, he had struggled desperately to survive each Thunder Tide, exhausting countless resources and mental effort. Every step was a life-and-death battle, and only through sheer perseverance had he succeeded. If Velen really managed to forge a Starry Stone toilet, Wouldn''t that mean future Thunder Tides would be as effortless as sitting on the toilet? Thinking about it like that, all his past struggles felt like a complete joke! Ever since he entered the fortress, Clinton had realized that he had nothing to brag about. Instead, he had been repeatedly humbled by Velen''s extravagance and recklessness! However, when he imagined future senators breaking through while either sitting on a toilet or carrying a toilet on their backs, he felt a lot better. The scene would definitely be hilarious! At that moment, Robert pulled out a glowing book from his coat and handed it to Clinton. "Senator Clinton, since you''ve just arrived at the fortress, take this Skill Tome of Experience as a welcome gift. I was reluctant to use it myself before." The SSS Skill Tome of Experience was a precious item. Before, Robert would have never been willing to part with it. But with Anastasia''s fortress rules now in place, as long as one contributed to the fortress, they could earn Contribution Points. Contribution Points could be used to exchange for rare resources such as SSS Skill Tomes, Dragon Blood, and more. Now that he had a steady supply, Robert didn''t mind using one to build rapport with this soon-to-ascend powerhouse. Clinton looked at the glowing book in Robert''s hand. "SSS Skill Tome of Experience? What is this?" Clinton was confused. He had never heard of such an item before. But from Robert''s expression, it was clearly extremely valuable. "You''ll understand once you try it." Robert smiled. Clinton, still skeptical, channeled mana into the SSS Skill Tome of Experience. At that moment, a dazzling light burst forth. Immediately, Clinton felt all of his skills surging in proficiency! Sensing the transformation in his body, Clinton''s face filled with utter shock. His skill proficiency was skyrocketing! He knew that his current skill proficiency had already reached a bottleneck, making further progress extremely difficult. Yet this SSS Skill Tome of Experience was actually boosting his proficiency effortlessly! After fully absorbing the SSS Skill Tome of Experience, Clinton slowly opened his eyes, his gaze burning with excitement as he stared at Robert. "This skill experience¡­ is also from Velen?" From his perspective, only someone as mysterious as Velen could possess such an unbelievable item. Robert nodded. "That''s right. Velen gave these to us. We don''t have many left, though, because Velen gave most of them to that rabbit." Hearing this, Clinton''s eyes widened in disbelief. He had seen the little white rabbit before, but¡­ Velen gave most of the SSS Skill Tomes of Experience to a rabbit?! He couldn''t accept this! Immediately, he spoke anxiously: "Velen may be a great tycoon, but isn''t this too wasteful? Why aren''t you all saying anything to him?" "We don''t have the right to question him," Robert chuckled. "Senator Clinton, you''re still lacking in social experience. Why do you think so many senators have gathered here?" "Isn''t it all because of the resources Velen provides?" "Aren''t you here for the same reason?" Faced with Robert''s straightforward question, Clinton immediately snapped back to reality. That''s right! The only reason he had joined the fortress was because Velen gave him Advanced Mana Crystals and Soul Crystals. He had no argument. "Uh¡­ I''m just interested in the fortress¡­" Clinton weakly defended himself. "Senator Clinton, it''s just the two of us here. You don''t need to pretend." "We all have the same thoughts. Everyone is drawn by Velen''s resources." "As long as we work hard for the fortress¡ªas long as we work for Velen¡ªVelen will never let us suffer." Robert smiled knowingly, completely seeing through Clinton''s excuse. He then shifted the conversation, looking toward a nearby courtyard. "You''ll understand everything in time. For now, just find a place to settle in." Clinton nodded. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Judging from everything he had seen so far, the fortress was an excellent place to stay. No other faction could match the fortress''s extravagance. As they continued deeper into the fortress, Clinton suddenly sensed an overwhelming mana fluctuation. Turning his gaze toward the source, his mind nearly collapsed. Because what he saw was Ethan and Aiden actively embedding Mana Planets into the ground and stonework! "What are you doing?!" "That''s Mana Planet! Why are you embedding it randomly into the walls?!" Clinton was furious, rushing over to stop them. "Do you have any idea how long it takes for a single Mana Planet to form? How could you waste them like this?" This was Mana Planet! He had been sealed for over 300 years because of a single Mana Planet! But now, Ethan and Aiden were casually using them to build a house?! This was madness! As a senator of the fortress, he couldn''t allow such reckless extravagance! "Senator Clinton, you came just in time! Your courtyard is almost finished. Take a look¡ªwhat do you think?" Ethan grinned at Clinton. Clinton, who had been burning with fury, suddenly froze. What? This luxurious courtyard made from so many Mana Planets was for him?! Had he misheard? "Y-you¡­ this is too wastefu¡ª I mean¡­ y-you''ve worked hard! I love it!" Clinton instantly changed his tone. He didn''t know exactly how many Mana Planets had been used, But just from the aura emanating from the courtyard, he was completely intoxicated! Most importantly¡ªhe now owned 100 Mana Planets! If Max, the one who had once stolen his Mana Planet, found out about this, He''d probably cough up blood from sheer rage! Something Max had once treasured beyond measure was now just building material in Clinton''s eyes! He had to rub this fact in Max''s face! Meanwhile, Robert, Ethan, and Aiden all looked enviously at the floating courtyard above them. This courtyard was leagues above their own! Even at their level, they could feel just how beneficial it was to live here. With mana so dense, one probably didn''t even need to meditate to advance¡ªjust living here was enough to level up! Chapter107-The Sneaky Duo This courtyard was simply too comfortable! Ethan and the others were all green with envy. "I think Velen built such a luxurious courtyard for Clinton on purpose¡ªjust to push us to level up faster!" "I think so too! We''re all long-time members of the fortress, yet Velen didn''t upgrade our courtyards. Instead, he built such an extravagant residence for Clinton, who''s about to enter the Upper Plane Universe. It must be to motivate us!" "We have indeed been slacking off compared to Hael and the others." "No way, we have to work harder! Only by leveling up can we gain more privileges and get Velen''s attention!" After a brief exchange, Robert, Ethan, and Aiden all saw the determination in each other''s eyes. They were convinced they had figured out the truth behind this situation! Meanwhile, Clinton looked at them and couldn''t help but think they had completely misunderstood. An outsider sees more clearly than those involved. Velen''s behavior had nothing to do with motivating them¡ªhe was simply showing off his wealth. After all, Velen had casually taken out 100 Mana Planets. It was clear he wasn''t lacking such things, so there was no hidden message urging them to level up. Velen''s goal was simple and direct! At that moment, the system''s voice suddenly rang in Velen''s ears: "All Mana Planets have been used. Show-off attempt failed. No reward." Velen froze. What? He had gone through so much effort to show off his wealth, and yet there was no reward?! Building a house with 100 Mana Planets¡ªif that''s not showing off, what is?! "The host''s flaunting attempt failed because the target characters actively participated in the construction. Since they believed it was within the host''s capabilities, it did not trigger a reward." Velen suddenly realized: "So¡­ I didn''t show off enough?" Hearing the system''s explanation, Velen finally understood. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Clinton had been sealed for 300 years¡ªhe was probably mentally scarred from it. I miscalculated! Shaking his head, Velen decided to forget about it and just went to sleep. ¡­ Time passed quickly. Late at night. Two figures silently slipped into the fortress. "Senator William, you''re from Ducal Manor. Do you really need to sneak around like this?" Corner looked at William in confusion. As a righteous man, he didn''t like this sneaky behavior. William, however, shook his head seriously. "Corner, look at the time. It''s already late. They''re probably either asleep or, like Miss Anastasia, busy leveling up. We shouldn''t disturb them. Let''s just wait until morning." Corner considered his words and found them reasonable. After all, the fortress had become the true gathering place of Ducal Manor''s top talents. It was only right to show some respect to these geniuses. Especially Velen¡ªwho loved to sleep¡ªhe must not be disturbed. However, as they continued sneaking deeper into the fortress, Ethan and Clinton immediately sensed their presence, their expressions turning serious. "Enemies?" At the same time, William and Corner¡ªunfamiliar with the layout of the fortress¡ªwere wandering around aimlessly. "There''s Velen''s presence here. This must be where the fortress geniuses rest. Let''s find another area." Just as they left Velen''s courtyard, Corner suddenly stiffened. "Ascended Rank Lv3!" "Ascended Rank Lv4!" "And another Ascended Rank Awakener!" "The three you mentioned should be Kevin, Robert, and Aiden," Velen replied casually. He was very familiar with their auras. This confirmed it¡ªthey had found the senators'' quarters. "Senator William! Corner!" At that moment, Ethan¡ªwho had been approaching¡ªrecognized their auras and suddenly got an idea for a little prank. They wanted to sneak in to surprise them? He''d surprise them first! "A floating courtyard? What''s going on?" As they ventured deeper, William and Corner''s pupils shrank sharply! They had seen floating islands before, but this courtyard¡­ The immense mana fluctuations emanating from it¡­ It was like a mana fountain! Both of them were dumbfounded! "A senator''s personal courtyard¡­ this is way too extravagant! How many Mana Planets were used for this? Three?" Corner couldn''t help but exclaim in shock. Velen''s expression turned serious, and he shook his head repeatedly. "Three? Impossible." "Mana Planets gather mana naturally. If only three were used, it couldn''t have created such a dense mana field. At least ten were used!" Then, a horrified expression crossed Velen''s face as he realized something. "I think it''s far more than ten. Mana Planets are extremely rare, and even one would cause a war over ownership." "The only person who would use them to build a house is Velen." "So¡­ judging by this floating courtyard, I''d say at least 100 Mana Planets were used!" Hearing this, Corner stared at Velen in disbelief. No way. 100 Mana Planets?! Even if you gathered all the Mana Planets in Titan Galaxy and the neighboring star systems, it wouldn''t total 100! At the same time, William''s expression grew extremely serious. This meant that¡ªon some level¡ªhe believed Velen actually could take out 100 Mana Planets! "William, we''re old friends, right?" Corner suddenly asked. "Be honest with me¡ªdoes your fortress need a mixologist?" Velen''s extravagance had shattered his perception of reality. He had spent decades grinding in Chaos City, yet even that couldn''t compare to a single brick of this courtyard! If he could just stay close to Velen, it would be a million times better than slaving away in Chaos City! William immediately understood what was going through Corner''s mind. After all¡ªanyone who had seen Velen''s lavish lifestyle had thought about becoming his loyal servant. But¡­ This was Corner. A man who once considered himself too noble to mix drinks. Yet now¡ªhe was begging to be Velen''s bartender? The world truly is unpredictable. That said, William knew one thing¡ªif Corner shamelessly clung to Velen, he might actually become the fortress''s mixologist! Though Corner had a good chance, William wasn''t going to let him off easily. He''d make sure to tease him a little first before giving him a real answer. Meanwhile, Clinton¡ªwho had been hiding in the shadows¡ªlet out a sigh of relief. Seeing their behavior, it was clear they weren''t enemies of the fortress¡ªrather, they were trying to join the fortress and follow Velen. The fortress was already powerful beyond belief, and yet more strong figures were gathering. Just how terrifying would the fortress become in the future? Thinking this, Clinton stepped out of the darkness. "Since you''re friends of the fortress, rest in my courtyard for now. We''ll talk when Velen wakes up." As Clinton revealed himself, William and Corner''s pupils shrank! They had remained highly alert, yet hadn''t sensed his presence at all. But judging by his words, he had been watching them for a while¡ªhe knew everything they had said. If this old man had wanted to kill them, they would have died on the spot! Just how terrifying was his strength?! More importantly¡ªhe looked like a complete hobo. Compared to them, his disguise was far more convincing. The two exchanged a glance¡ªand saw the competitive pressure in each other''s eyes. They had merely pretended to be sneaky¡ªthis old man had mastered it! Seeing their hesitation, Clinton smiled and said: "You must have just escaped from a seal too, right? Don''t be nervous. I was also recently unsealed. I understand your feelings." ?? William and Corner were utterly confused. Before they could react, Ethan''s loud voice rang out from a distance. "Senators William and Corner, you''re both friends of the fortress. Why are you sneaking around like thieves? I don''t get it!" As Ethan''s words echoed, William and Corner''s faces turned dark¡ªbut they knew Ethan was just messing with them. Chapter108-That Was My Past Wish After a burst of laughter, Ethan turned his attention to Clinton, his expression becoming a bit more restrained. Even though they were all senators of the fortress, Clinton was, after all, an almost-ascended powerhouse about to enter the Upper Plane Universe. Instinctively, Ethan held some reverence toward him and didn''t dare act too casually. "Since you''re here, Senator Clinton, let''s all get to know each other!" Saying this, Ethan walked over to William, eyeing his tattered, vagabond-like outfit and grinning. "This is Senator William, the Grand Senator of Ducal Manor, and an old friend of mine!" Hearing this, Clinton looked at William in disbelief. Ducal Manor was one of the most powerful factions in the galaxy, and their Grand Senator looked this impoverished? He looked no different from a beggar, almost as ragged as Clinton himself after being sealed for 300 years! However, Clinton knew Ethan had no reason to lie. And from William''s presence alone, Clinton could clearly feel his formidable strength! Even though William was not as strong as himself, he was still a force to be reckoned with! "As for Corner, he is a renowned mixologist. Many Awakeners with a taste for fine liquor spend fortunes just to have a single cocktail crafted by him!" After Ethan''s introduction, Clinton nodded in greeting, showing goodwill toward the two. Although he still couldn''t understand why they were dressed in such rags, their strength was undeniable. William and Corner both awkwardly nodded in response. At this moment, Ethan turned to Clinton and introduced him to William and Corner. "This is Clinton¡ªa Soul Master who has survived nine waves of Thunder Tide and is about to enter the Upper Plane Universe as a top-tier powerhouse!" Hiss! William and Corner both inhaled sharply. Although they had already sensed that Clinton was unusual, They never imagined that this man¡ªwho looked like a true vagabond¡ªwas actually this powerful! Surviving nine waves of Thunder Tide meant that his entry into the Upper Plane Universe was practically guaranteed! Such an individual would stand at the very peak, overlooking the entire Lower Plane Universe. Even though they were both Ascended Rank Awakeners, compared to Clinton, They were far from his level! When had Anastasia managed to recruit such a top-tier powerhouse?! A being of such immense strength would be famous across the Titan Galaxy¡ªrecruiting someone like him should have been near-impossible! William couldn''t fathom how Anastasia had accomplished this. With Clinton as a senator, along with the other powerful senators gathered here, The fortress was showing signs of surpassing Ducal Manor! Yet, the fortress was originally created just to test and temper Anastasia! How long had it been? S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. And already, Anastasia had grown it into such a formidable force?! At this rate, surpassing Ducal Manor would be as simple as breathing! Thinking this, William suddenly felt a strong urge to stay here! Meanwhile, beside him, Corner''s eyes were also gleaming with excitement. Although he had yet to meet Velen, the great tycoon, The fortress had so many powerful figures gathered in one place¡ªthis was no ordinary faction! The thought of staying here had completely taken root in his heart! With Clinton as the powerhouse protecting the fortress, its safety was unquestionable. And with Velen¡ªthe great tycoon¡ªpresent, Why would he go back to working in Chaos City? Working was impossible! With Velen here, spending some time in the fortress would definitely turn him into a wealthy man, able to indulge in luxury and excess! "This fortress is the perfect place for a mixologist like me!" Corner became more resolute in his decision. "Master Ethan, what are you doing here?" William had known Ethan for a long time but had never expected to find him here. Corner, too, was stunned to see Ethan. Ethan had always been a free-spirited master forger, never affiliating with any faction. So why was he here in the fortress? And why did he seem so familiar with everything here? Being questioned by both of them, Ethan coughed lightly and said: "Well, you both know I''m a forger, so I joined the fortress a while back¡­ mainly to forge things like bowls and scissors for them!" Hearing this, Corner and William were utterly shocked. They both knew Ethan well¡ªhe was an ambitious forger with grand aspirations! "Master Ethan, you must be joking! You were once a madman for forging, utterly obsessed with your craft!" Corner nodded in agreement. "Exactly! You once told me you wanted to become the God of Forging, crafting a legendary Level 9 Forge that would be known throughout the galaxy¡­" The Ethan standing before them was completely different from the one in their memories. If not for his unchanged aura, they would have doubted whether he was really Ethan at all! Under their intense gazes, Ethan sighed and said: "That was my past wish." "After meeting Velen, I finally opened my eyes and saw the world properly." "Now, my only goal is to stay by Velen''s side and forge daily necessities for him!" "Don''t argue¡ªeven everyday items need to be crafted with absolute precision so that they develop spirituality!" Hearing Ethan''s praise of Velen, William immediately grasped what had happened and asked directly: "Ethan, we''re old friends. Just tell me¡ªhow much did Velen give you?" Ethan waved his hand dismissively. "Not much¡ªjust a Forging Mastery Skill Tome." "With that skill book, I''ve taken my first solid step toward becoming the greatest forger in the galaxy." "From now on, the things I forge will naturally develop spirituality." William, Corner, and Clinton all stared at Ethan in disbelief. With their understanding of forging, they knew how difficult it was to craft weapons or tools that developed spirituality. What kind of god-tier skill book had Velen given him?! After the initial shock, Corner became extremely excited. Since Velen had recruited Ethan, a master forger, into the fortress, Then surely accepting a mixologist like himself wouldn''t be a problem! "Ethan, you joined the fortress first, so that makes you my senior. I''ll be counting on your guidance!" Corner spoke earnestly. Ethan was momentarily stunned. "Corner¡­ don''t tell me¡­ you want to join the fortress too?!" "Of course! Why else would I be here?" Corner huffed and nodded. Seeing this, Ethan grew excited. "Great! With a master mixologist like you here, we''ll never run out of fine drinks!" Getting a cocktail from Corner used to be incredibly difficult, But now¡­ With Velen''s countless resources, there was a good chance they''d create legendary drinks never seen before! For most Awakeners, food was optional¡ªbut alcohol was essential! Hearing their conversation, Clinton swallowed hard. He had been sealed for 300 years, and he was passionate about food and fine liquor. Staying in the fortress, living in a Mana Planet-forged floating house, and drinking legendary cocktails¡­ That was true paradise! At that moment, Clinton''s desire to stay in the fortress became firmer than ever! Even William''s eyes flickered with contemplation. As Corner''s old friend, William knew his drinks weren''t just delicious¡ªthey also enhanced cultivation! Thinking about this, even William felt tempted to stay. Tomorrow morning, he would talk to Anastasia about staying here for a while! Before long, after some casual chatter, Ethan returned to his own courtyard. Meanwhile, William and Corner entered Clinton''s floating courtyard to rest. That night, many were too excited to sleep. Chapter109-The New Mixologist A few hours later, as the sky began to brighten. Having barely rested, Senator William made his way to Anastasia''s hall early in the morning. Seeing Senator William suddenly appear, Anastasia was visibly puzzled. "Senator William, what brings you here?" Unless there was a major event, the senators typically remained in Ducal Manor and would not leave easily. Moreover, Senator William was the foremost figure in the senate. His every move would attract attention, so coming here must mean something significant was at hand. William did not immediately respond to Anastasia''s question. Instead, he looked extremely serious and asked: "Anastasia, tell me the truth¡ªwhat would you say if I left the senate and became a consecrated senator in your fortress?" When Anastasia heard these words, her first reaction was to suspect that someone was impersonating William. He was the Grand Senator of Ducal Manor! His level and influence were immense¡ªwhy would he suddenly ask such an absurd question? "Senator William, whether you''re serious or just joking, this is absolutely impossible!" Anastasia immediately shook her head and refused. Although she had no idea what had happened to make Senator William think this way, She had a strong feeling that it was definitely related to Velen! If she opened this door, then the other senators of Ducal Manor would surely start flocking here. Wouldn''t that mean the fortress would effectively become the new headquarters of Ducal Manor?! That would be tantamount to splitting Ducal Manor! This was a responsibility Anastasia could not bear! "Senator William, you are one of Ducal Manor''s pillars. If you leave, wouldn''t Ducal Manor fall into chaos? I think you should return as soon as possible!" A sudden realization hit her¡ªif Senator William defected, then other members of Ducal Manor would surely follow. That would turn into a nightmare scenario! To prevent that from happening, Anastasia spoke her mind frankly, explaining everything to Senator William. Hearing her reasoning, William''s expectation and excitement instantly vanished. Because he knew she was right. He understood all too well how the other senators of Ducal Manor would react! At least four other senators would immediately want to join the fortress. If that happened, Ducal Manor''s internal structure would be thrown into complete chaos! ¡­ Meanwhile, in his quarters, Velen was fast asleep. However, when he opened his door, he was met with a surprising sight¡ª A rather aged man, pushing a small serving cart, stood outside his door, grinning obsequiously at him. "Velen, I''m the new mixologist. Just call me Corner. I''ve prepared some fine drinks and pastries for you¡ªplease have a taste!" As he spoke, Corner opened the serving cart. Immediately, a rich aroma of fine liquor wafted through the air. At the same time, the beautifully crafted pastries emitted a faint, sweet fragrance. Seeing how Corner truly looked like a mixologist, Velen was astonished. Since when did the fortress have a mixologist?! And he was even personally recommended by Anastasia?! Though a bit confused, the exquisite scent of the cocktails and pastries was so enticing that Velen''s anticipation grew. Without hesitation, Velen gestured for Corner to push the cart into his courtyard. Once inside, Velen, unable to resist any longer, picked up a tall glass. Inside, the seven-colored liquid glowed softly. Taking a sip, Velen was instantly overwhelmed by an ethereal sensation, as if he were floating in the air! His entire being felt weightless, exuding a unique mana fluctuation! "What kind of cocktail is this?!" After a brief moment, Velen abruptly opened his eyes and asked. Corner smiled proudly and replied: "This is my Rainbow Series, specially blended for you, Velen¡ªI hope you like it!" Velen took another sip, and his smile grew even wider. Even though he wasn''t a mixologist, he had heard enough to know¡ª This cocktail surpassed anything he had ever tasted! "Velen, I also prepared some pastries¡ªhave some to balance out the alcohol." Corner reminded him considerately. At that moment, Velen''s attention shifted to the pastries. He had heard that top-tier mixologists were also often master pastry chefs. Given how amazing Corner''s cocktails were, his pastries were surely just as extraordinary! And indeed¡ª When Velen bit into a delicate, snow-white pastry, he felt a surge of clarity in his mind. A complex explosion of flavors erupted like a volcanic eruption in his senses! For someone like Velen, who had gone so long without truly fine food and drink, This was a divine blessing! After all, Anastasia was too focused on training and refused to cook. And Alan''s cooking¡­ well, it was better than Bloodline Enhancement Potions, but only slightly. "Corner¡­ are you perhaps some kind of legendary mixologist?!" After briefly indulging in his feast, Velen looked at Corner with astonishment. Hearing Velen''s praise, Corner was overjoyed and proudly introduced himself. "Indeed! I was once a master mixologist, but my skills have improved even further. The cocktail you just drank was infused with the power of seven different spellbeasts, refined through special techniques!" Then, Corner confidently declared: "There is no one else who can mix a cocktail of this caliber!" "Velen, you''ve had a taste¡ªwhat do you think?" At that moment, Velen was too focused on his feast to respond. Only after finishing his drink and polishing off the pastries did he pat his slightly rounded stomach and grin. "Not bad, not bad!" "Anastasia really brought in a good one this time¡ªwe''re in for a treat from now on!" Eating and drinking while getting stronger¡­ isn''t that everyone''s dream? Just then, Velen''s attention shifted to his system interface. Special Item of the Day: Nine Dragon Goblets! Nine Dragon Goblets¡ªa special creation of a grandmaster forger from the Upper Plane Universe. S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A set of nine unique crystal goblets, meticulously crafted from different rare materials, infused with the souls of ancient dragons. Each goblet was linked to a different dragon element: Thunder Dragon, Ice Dragon, Gold Dragon, Earth Dragon, Wood Dragon¡­ Reading the system''s description, Velen immediately recognized the goblets'' extraordinary value. However, another problem arose. How should he show them off? This puzzled Velen for a moment¡ª But soon, a perfect candidate popped into his mind. Alan. If he gifted these goblets to Alan, he would definitely earn a ton of luxury points! Although Alan had no use for the Nine Dragon Goblets, that was precisely why it would be the ultimate flex! Now, the only question was¡ªhow to make Alan accept them. Velen already had a plan. "Corner, your mixing skills are amazing. Have you ever thought about training mentees and founding your own school?" Corner shook his head immediately. "Train mentees? Forget it. Most Awakeners don''t care about mixology¡ªthey see it as a waste of time." "Besides, I have very high standards. If they don''t meet my expectations, I won''t waste my time on them." Hearing this, Velen thought of Alan¡ªthe ''Chosen One''. Alan would be the perfect mentee! "Don''t worry, we''re friends, aren''t we? I''ll recommend someone perfect for you!" "Oh? Who is it?" Corner asked curiously. "He''s only a Level 3 Alchemist, but he''s very obedient and extremely talented. I''m certain he can become a top-tier mixologist!" Velen patted his chest confidently. However, upon hearing this, Corner immediately felt something was off. A Level 3 Alchemist¡­? That meant he had never touched mixology before! How could an alchemist become a mixologist? This was practically an insult to his profession! But since the offer came from Velen, he figured¡­ Maybe it was worth meeting this so-called mentee. Chapter110-The Calamity Triggered by the Nine Dragons Cup Before long, under Velen''s guidance, Corner arrived at the courtyard where Alan was staying. At that moment, Alan was resting in his room. Seeing Velen bringing along a mysterious person he had never met before, he was slightly startled but still got up to greet them. "Velen, is something the matter?" He couldn''t shake the feeling that the mysterious old man was looking at him strangely. The way he was being scrutinized made him inexplicably uneasy. "Alan, you were the first person I brought into Fortress, and I care deeply about your future!" Velen lightly patted Alan on the shoulder. Hearing these words, Alan was instantly thrilled. Being valued by Velen¡ªthis was something he had long dreamed of! After all, with Velen''s tycoon status, gaining his favor could mean a meteoric rise¡ªan incredible opportunity! "Velen, you really do treat me like a brother!" Alan''s eyes turned red with emotion. He had been in Fortress for quite some time, yet every other genius who had joined far outshone him in almost every aspect. This had placed a great deal of pressure on him. But there was little he could do¡ªHael and the others not only possessed exceptional talent but also had powerful backgrounds, something he could never compete with. Fortunately, Velen had remembered him now¡ªhis chance had arrived! "Velen, whatever you need me to do, just say the word! I''ll work myself to the bone if I have to!" Alan pounded his chest, making his pledge. Seeing this, Velen nodded and turned toward Corner. "Alan, this is Corner, our newly joined senator in Fortress. He is also a Ascended Rank powerhouse!" A flicker of confusion flashed through Alan''s eyes. He didn''t understand why Velen was introducing Corner at this moment. Still, Corner was an Ascended Rank awakener, so Alan held a certain level of respect for him. He quickly bowed in greeting. Velen smiled and said, "From now on, he will be your mentor. You must follow him and learn the art of mixology. Strive to become the greatest bartender in the galaxy!" "Mentor? Mixology?" Alan was baffled. Had Velen misspoken, or had he misheard? Velen assigning him an Ascended Rank mentor¡ªhe was delighted. But learning to mix drinks? That, he could not accept. He was a Tier 3 Alchemist! How could he possibly switch to learning mixology? Although he wasn''t the most talented, he still believed himself to have potential. If he were to become a bartender, wouldn''t that mean he was no better than a failure? "Velen, I think I''m still salvageable!" Being labeled a failure was something Alan absolutely could not accept¡ªnot even if the person before him was an Ascended Rank powerhouse! But before he could say another word, Velen had already pulled out the Nine Dragons Cup from his coat. "As a mixologist, how can you not have your own mixing tools? This Nine Dragons Cup is my gift to you!" Velen knew that forcing Alan to become a mixologist would certainly provoke resistance, so before Alan could explode in anger, he had already placed the Nine Dragons Cup into his hands. Corner, as a top-tier awakener, was strong in all aspects. And with the added blessing of the Nine Dragons Cup, Velen was convinced that Alan''s future would be limitless. He had always wanted to give Alan, the first person he had recruited into Fortress, a boost. Now, he had finally found the perfect opportunity. Alan stared at the nine dragon-shaped cups that had suddenly appeared before him, his face filled with shock and astonishment. Each of the Nine Dragons Cup was unique in form and radiated an immensely terrifying mana aura. As an alchemist, Alan had a sharp eye for magical artifacts. He could tell instantly that the Nine Dragons Cup was an artifact of the highest quality! At that moment, as the Nine Dragons Cup appeared, the dragon-shaped cups suddenly began to tremble. From them, different elemental dragons burst forth! A Thunder Dragon! An Ice Dragon! A Flame Dragon! ¡­ Nine dragons in total soared into the sky, each carrying wild and violent mana surges, sending powerful waves rippling through the surroundings! Alan was completely dumbfounded. The power of the Nine Dragons Cup far exceeded his imagination! It had even developed sentience! That was a characteristic found only in artifacts from the Upper Plane Universe! At the very moment when the nine fierce dragons soared into the sky, a terrifying dragon''s might spread, sweeping across the land. Everyone within Fortress was stunned as the overwhelming dragon''s might pressed down on them. Even they felt their hearts racing in terror! Then, their pupils shrank even further as they gazed in horror at the dark clouds suddenly gathering in the sky. Countless black clouds roiled like ink, exuding an unbearably oppressive aura! This thunderous storm seemed capable of annihilating everything below! Calamity! A thunder calamity triggered by a powerful artifact! At that moment, Ethan and the others trembled, staring in disbelief at the raging storm of lightning above. They had heard rumors before¡ªwhenever a powerful artifact emerged, it would attract the attention of the heavens, which would then attempt to destroy it! This, in turn, would unleash a disaster even more terrifying than the Thunder Tide! But¡­ that was just a rumor! They had never actually seen it happen before. After all, the kind of blacksmiths capable of forging artifacts that could provoke a calamity were almost nonexistent in the galaxy! Creating such an artifact required not only an exceptional blacksmith but also extremely rare materials. Yet now, they were witnessing it with their own eyes! Clinton, too, was utterly stunned. Even when he had faced the ninth wave of the Thunder Tide, powerful enough to obliterate dozens of miles of mountains, he had never felt such horror as he did now in the face of this storm! Even with his current strength, there was no way he could withstand this lightning strike! Experience tales with My Virtual Library Empire "What kind of artifact triggered this thunder calamity? It''s like the end of the world!" "This Fortress is truly extraordinary. I''ve only been here for a day, and already I''ve encountered something like this!" Clinton''s heart pounded in fear. He was certain that if this Thunder Calamity spread unchecked, the entire Fortress would be affected! Unlike the others, who were filled with dread, Corner''s eyes were wide with shock and envy. The closer he examined the Nine Dragons Cup, the more he realized its uniqueness¡ªit was simply the perfect creation of the heavens! If he could obtain it, even if he died in the Thunder Calamity, he would have no regrets! "Velen actually handed such a precious artifact to Alan¡­ If only it were mine!" Corner was practically drooling with desire. At the same time, he became even more determined to stay in Fortress and cling to Velen''s support. If Velen could casually hand out such a treasure, then anything else he might offer¡ªeven if not as extraordinary as the Nine Dragons Cup¡ªwould still be immensely valuable! Meanwhile, Alan''s eyes welled up with gratitude. Velen! A true brother! An artifact capable of triggering a Thunder Calamity¡ªin any galaxy, such an item would be fought over by countless awakeners and factions! It was priceless! Yet Velen had given it to him without hesitation. He had once thought that Velen had given up on him, but now he realized¡ªhe had simply been thinking too small! Velen''s regard for him was far greater than he had imagined! Perhaps¡­ becoming a mixologist wasn''t such a bad choice after all! But¡­ this Thunder Calamity was far too terrifying¡ªhe had no way of stopping it. Unlike the others, who were filled with dread, Velen remained calm. Even though this Thunder Calamity was immensely powerful, he wasn''t the least bit worried. After all, he had yet to use the Eye of Annihilation. With its ability to erase everything, even if the calamity were ten times worse, he could still obliterate it effortlessly. However, since he had a group of tycoon guards standing by with nothing to do, he decided to give them a chance to prove themselves. Whoever arrived first¡ªit would all depend on luck! Just as Velen made this decision, the Thunder Calamity in the sky reached its most terrifying peak! Boom! The earth trembled as terrifying lightning bolts danced wildly like silver serpents, falling in dense torrents from the sky. The once-darkened sky, shrouded in storm clouds, was instantly illuminated as bright as day! S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A deluge of lightning rained down, like an overturned black ocean in the sky, pressing down so heavily that Clinton and the others could barely breathe. A suffocating sense of death loomed over them. They knew¡ªno matter how hard they fought, there was no way they could withstand this devastating lightning strike! Chapter111-The One-Eyed Man—A True Mans Romance As Clinton and the others sank into utter despair, unable to muster the courage to resist the incoming lightning, a blood-red figure suddenly appeared in the void, illuminated to a blinding whiteness. With the emergence of this figure, Clinton and the others felt as if space-time itself had been warped. The pure white surroundings seemed to be dyed crimson, transforming into a blood-red sunset! Anastasia, Ethan, and Victoria instinctively stepped back in fear! They immediately recognized the one-eyed, red-haired man. The last time he had appeared, he had given them an overwhelming sense of oppression, leaving an unforgettable impression! Now, in the face of Fortress''s impending destruction, the one-eyed, red-haired man had appeared once more! Then, before their very eyes, the man with only a single eye unleashed a torrent of twisted, blood-red mana from his body, which coalesced into an irregularly shaped, blood-red scythe in his hands. The moment the scythe materialized, his figure vanished from its original position. All that remained was a blinding, wild blood-red slash that tore through the sky, shredding the void and reversing the descent of the lightning. In an instant, all the incoming lightning was obliterated! One strike. Heaven and earth laid to waste. The sight made everyone tremble from head to toe. Just how terrifying was this one-eyed, red-haired man''s strength? With just a single move, he had wiped away a thunderstorm that could have destroyed Fortress a thousand times over! Even the thick thunderclouds that had gathered in the sky began to disperse at an astonishing speed! It was as if they feared the one-eyed, red-haired man and dared not unleash their calamity upon him! "This guy is way too monstrous!" Ethan swallowed hard. He suddenly felt that the phrase "the gap between people is even greater than that between a man and a dog" had become a painfully vivid reality. Victoria''s jaw dropped, her face filled with shock. She had always considered herself an extremely proud and gifted individual. But compared to this red-haired, one-eyed man, she was nothing but a mere beginner! "We both have two hands and two legs¡ªhow can the gap be this huge? Could it be because he only has one eye? With one less eye, does that mean he has half as many enemies and is twice as ferocious?" Victoria flexed her burly physique, and on her petite, doll-like face, there suddenly appeared an expression of enlightenment! Meanwhile, the other members of Fortress, who had never encountered the one-eyed, red-haired man before, were terrified beyond words. Who was this man? His combat strength was beyond imagination, shattering everything they thought they knew! Dominating. Overpowering. Cold-blooded to the extreme. Just looking at his back made their senses feel distorted. Anastasia stared at the one-eyed, red-haired man, her expression turning grim. She had no idea who he was, but his overwhelming strength and crazed aura reminded her of that madman with the Fenrir bloodline! Both of them belonged to the kind of terrifying lunatics who struck fear into the hearts of all. Yet, from this one-eyed, red-haired man, she felt an even more suffocating sense of terror and despair! Even in the Upper Plane Universe, this man would be a force to be reckoned with¡ªa tyrant who walked unchallenged! She had been reincarnated into the Lower Plane Universe, so why was she encountering someone even more terrifying than the madman from the Upper Plane Universe? Her mind reeled, completely unable to comprehend it! "At least they know their place. Otherwise, they would have learned firsthand what the heavens taste like today." As the last of the thunderclouds dispersed, The one-eyed, red-haired man licked his lips, suppressing the bloodthirsty urge within him, and stepped back to stand beside Velen. His speed was unparalleled, but what struck fear into everyone''s hearts the most was what he had just said. Almost involuntarily, the others took several steps back in terror! Who was this man? Not only did he hold no regard for the Heavens, but he was even thinking of eating the Heavens?! This was insanity beyond comprehension! Before long, Anastasia glanced at the gathered senators and members of Fortress, a complicated expression flickering in her eyes. Experience new stories on My Virtual Library Empire Originally, Fortress had only been composed of her and Kevin. But now, it had truly begun to resemble a top-tier faction. Her gaze quickly shifted to Velen. All of these changes had happened after Velen joined! Especially today¡ªwhen that terrifying anomaly had taken place, she herself had felt a moment of utter despair! "Velen, everyone''s here now. What just happened? Where did those dragon souls come from?" As Anastasia''s words fell, everyone''s eyes immediately turned to Velen. Many of them still had no idea what had just transpired. But it was obvious that the artifact capable of triggering such a disaster had come from Velen. Only Velen, the unfathomable tycoon, could possess something so rare and precious! At that moment, Alan stepped forward. "Lord Anastasia, the calamity was caused by the Nine Dragons Cup." "Nine Dragons Cup?" All eyes turned to the artifact in Alan''s hands. That terrifying phenomenon¡­ was caused by a set of drinking cups?! They could hardly believe their own eyes. "This was a gift from Velen. I''m not suited to being an Alchemist, so he gave it to me as a present for transitioning to Mixology." Alan could see their confusion and took the initiative to explain. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Hearing this, Robert and the others were dumbfounded. Not suited to Alchemy? Alan was still young, yet he had already reached Tier 3 Alchemist. That was absolutely top-tier alchemy talent¡ªhow could he not be suited? "Alan, the Nine Dragons Cup is indeed remarkable, but your talent may be better suited for Alchemy. Don''t let certain people lead you astray!" Anastasia glanced meaningfully at Velen. Velen simply ignored her, acting as if she weren''t talking about him at all. Alan, however, responded earnestly, "Lord Anastasia, I think Velen is right¡ªresources are the key to growth. Whether I have a bloodline talent or not doesn''t matter!" "Velen gave me the Nine Dragons Cup, which is perfect for both Mixology and combat. I''ve already gained a lot of insight into Mixology and new skills from it¡ªI think I''m now a Tier 4 Mixologist!" ??? Anastasia, Clinton, William, and Corner were all left speechless. Corner had spent countless years honing his craft to become a Mixology master! Yet Alan, after switching to Mixology just recently, had already reached Tier 4?! No bloodline talent, no problem¡ªjust brute-forcing it with resources? Only now did they truly understand why Alan had said resources are the most important thing! With Velen as a backer, even someone with zero talent could be forcefully turned into a genius! Alan was living proof! Realizing this, Corner felt like crying. Why hadn''t he met Velen sooner?! Meanwhile, Anastasia and the others turned their attention to Velen once more. To be honest, Velen''s actions didn''t seem like something a sane person would do. Alchemy was far superior in every way to the niche profession of Mixology. Yet Velen had single-handedly flipped that logic upside down! "It''s not too late. I''ve only just met Velen. As long as I serve him well, I can soar to the top just like Alan!" Corner took a deep breath, already envisioning his glorious future. At that moment, Anastasia looked at Corner. "Corner, I heard from the senior senators that you plan to become Fortress''s Mixologist? Did Velen, our vice-captain, have anything to do with this decision?" Velen blinked in confusion. What? He had never even met Corner before! Corner had been recruited by Senator William¡ªhow was this related to him? Don''t randomly give me credit! Velen didn''t think he was that influential! But after a brief hesitation, Corner nodded seriously and said, "I won''t deny it¡ªit was precisely because I saw Velen''s potential that I decided to join Fortress!" Velen stared at Corner in disbelief. What the hell? He actually joined because of me?! But¡­ he had never invited Corner! Hearing this, Anastasia''s expression darkened. This had gone too far¡ªVelen needed to answer for himself. "Everyone, leave. I have something to discuss with Velen." Sensing Anastasia''s anger, the others obediently left. After all, everyone knew¡ªVelen and Anastasia''s relationship was anything but ordinary. Chapter112-He Is My Guard! The crowd quickly left the grand hall, leaving only Velen and Anastasia behind. "Velen, I know you have many secrets, things that no one else knows. We all do. That''s why I never questioned you about the Flame Dragon Furnace or the Nine Dragons Cup when you brought them out." "But today, I must ask¡ªwho exactly is that one-eyed, red-haired man to you?" Anastasia''s gaze was sharp and unwavering, as if she were trying to see right through Velen. Velen, however, remained unfazed by her scrutiny, meeting her gaze head-on. Anastasia, whose temperament was more reserved, was the first to falter and look away. Velen smiled faintly and nodded. "Actually, he''s my guard." Not a chance! Anastasia refused to believe it. That one-eyed, red-haired man was unimaginably powerful¡ªhow could he possibly be just a guard for Velen? Even in the Upper Plane Universe, that man would be an apex existence. Why would someone like him lower himself to serve as Velen''s guard? However, Anastasia didn''t press the matter further. Instead, her expression grew solemn as she stared at Velen and asked, "Why did you approach me? What''s your true purpose?" She spoke seriously. The more special Velen proved to be, the more she felt that his closeness to her had to serve some hidden agenda. Hearing her sudden question, Velen was momentarily stunned. "Purpose?" Enjoy new tales from My Virtual Library Empire "What purpose could I have? I''ve helped you build Fortress¡ªaside from getting closer to you, what other evil schemes could I possibly have?" Velen countered with a smirk. Anastasia rolled her eyes. This man talks way too much! "Velen, be serious. This isn''t a time for jokes," Anastasia pressed. She was convinced that Velen was trying to avoid the topic. "Madam, do you really want to know?" Velen''s eyes twinkled mischievously as he asked. Anastasia hesitated for a moment but then shook her head. She still didn''t know why Velen had approached her in the first place. However, based on everything so far, Velen had been nothing but good to her. He had shown no ill intent toward Fortress or the Ducal Manor. If he truly bore no malicious intent, then prying too deeply into his secrets might not be a good idea. "If you don''t want to say, then forget it. No matter what, I''ll always consider you a friend." Always a friend? Velen''s expression twitched. Was she giving him a "good person" card?! No way! He didn''t want to be just friends with Anastasia. A sly smile crept onto his face as he suddenly asked, "Madam, have you heard of Celestial Hall?" Anastasia, who had just started to relax, suddenly froze, her pupils constricting. S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Celestial Hall?" She muttered, making sure she hadn''t misheard. She was from the Upper Plane Universe, formerly the Saintess of Celestial Hall. Of course, she knew what it was. But Velen was from the Lower Plane Universe¡ªhow could he know about one of the most elite factions of the Upper Plane Universe? Moreover, his tone wasn''t one of mere curiosity¡ªit was certain. Given what she knew of Velen, he never asked about something unless he already had some knowledge of it. Anastasia''s curiosity was piqued, but at the same time, a faint anxiety crept in. Did Velen know her true identity? If he really knew¡­ As she watched him anxiously, Velen, in contrast, remained utterly calm. He couldn''t read her mind, but the way she was staring at him told him that she was anything but at ease. "Ahem, Velen, Lord Anastasia, I''m coming in." At that moment, Corner stepped inside, carrying a tray with a freshly mixed cocktail and some steaming appetizers. "Hope I''m not interrupting. I just mixed this cocktail and made some snacks¡ªI''m sure they pair well. I''ll take my leave now." Corner gave them a brief glance, stated his reason for coming, and promptly turned around to leave. But from the way Anastasia had been staring so intently at Velen just now¡­ Could it be that Anastasia was the one pursuing Velen?! Just like the rumors suggested¡ªthey did have something going on! Feeling rather clever, Corner had deliberately chosen a red rose-themed cocktail, a symbol of romance and ambiguity. With this, sparks of love would surely fly between them! When they got together, he would be the one responsible for their love story! As Corner made his swift exit, Anastasia caught a glimpse of the peculiar look in his eyes. He had obviously misunderstood her relationship with Velen! But Anastasia knew that trying to explain things to the senators would be pointless. The best way to handle rumors was to let them die out naturally. Sometimes, not explaining was better than explaining. Meanwhile, Velen, intrigued by the cocktail''s rich fragrance, picked up a glass and took a sip. For someone who rarely drank, he was curious about what a master mixologist could create. The fiery red liquor went down smoothly¡ªsilky and rich, with a pleasant burn at the throat. Even as someone who didn''t typically drink, he had to admit¡ªit was delicious. A masterpiece worthy of a mixology master! As Velen savored the drink, Anastasia furrowed her brows, deep in thought. She had a feeling that since Velen had deliberately mentioned Celestial Hall, he would eventually bring it up again. If she pressed him now, she might just walk into whatever trap he was setting. Velen, on the other hand, was surprised that Anastasia managed to hold back. She had restrained her curiosity¡ªfor now. But he knew her well. She wouldn''t last long. And sure enough, after a moment, Anastasia unconsciously leaned closer to Velen, picking up a glass of the red cocktail. She sipped quietly, suppressing the turmoil in her heart. Celestial Hall meant a lot to her. After hesitating for a long while, she finally looked at Velen and whispered, "Velen¡­ about Celestial Hall¡­" Seeing that she had finally taken the bait, Velen''s lips curled into a victorious smile. He had found Anastasia''s weakness. Now, taking control of the conversation¡ªand her¡ªwould be all too easy. Of course, he had no intention of revealing her secrets. Instead, he casually pulled out two special passes from his coat and waved them in front of her. "Anastasia, I have two Chaos City passes. How about you accompany me there?" Now, he just had to bide his time¡ªsoon, he would have Anastasia completely in the palm of his hand. Anastasia was smart. The moment Velen dodged her question and changed the topic, she immediately saw through him. She wanted to know the truth, but pushing further now would only play into Velen''s hands. So, she followed his lead instead. "Chaos City¡ªthe special zone you mentioned inside the Singularity Battlefield?" Velen nodded. "Last time, I got kicked out because my pass expired. But now, with these two passes, we can finally go on a real spending spree!" Excitement flashed across his face. Not being able to splurge last time had left him seriously unsatisfied. "But Singularity Battlefield is far from here. Isn''t it a waste of time to travel all the way there?" Anastasia asked. She was very interested in Chaos City, but the round trip would take too long and disrupt her training. "This pass should allow us to go directly to Chaos City. We don''t have to enter through the Singularity Battlefield." Velen handed her one of the passes. "Let''s test it out!" After a brief moment of thought, Anastasia nodded. If Chaos City was as special as Velen said, then the pass must have unique properties as well. As the two infused their mana into the passes, a peculiar spatial ripple spread outward like water, engulfing them both. Under the power of the spatial distortion, they vanished from sight. When Velen opened his eyes again, he found himself back in the ultra-modern Chaos City, surrounded by towering high-tech buildings. Even in daylight, neon lights shimmered across the cityscape, making it feel like a dreamlike metropolis. He was thrilled¡ªhe had finally made it inside without needing to trek through the battlefield! But as he scanned the area, his expression darkened. Anastasia was nowhere to be found. Chapter113-The Dazzling Chaos City "Hey, brother, need a ride?" A bright yellow taxi pulled up in front of Velen, looking all too familiar. Velen squinted. Wasn''t this the same snobby taxi driver he had encountered during his first visit to Chaos City? "Base fare is 10 Chaos Cards. Within five kilometers. After that, it''s 5 Chaos Cards per kilometer. I can also give you a tour of Chaos City!" The driver, noticing Velen''s relatively low level, immediately lost interest. His voice turned cold, and he was about to step on the gas and drive away. "Find someone for me." Velen opened the car door and got in without hesitation. He knew these drivers were extremely well-connected in Chaos City. "Who are you looking for? Finding people costs extra. Can you even afford it?" The driver shot Velen a skeptical look through the rearview mirror. Chaos Cards were extremely valuable¡ªthis low-level nobody probably couldn''t even afford the fare. Without a word, Velen casually waved his Chaos Card in front of the driver. "Find her for me, and I''ll pay you 100,000 Chaos Cards." The driver was about to mock him for boasting, but then his eyes landed on Velen''s Chaos Card and the long string of digits displayed on it. His jaw nearly hit the floor as he rubbed his eyes frantically. "One¡­ two¡­ three¡­ four¡­ Holy crap¡ªa hundred million Chaos Cards?!" The driver practically jumped out of his seat. In all his years driving in Chaos City, customers who could drop 100,000 Chaos Cards were rare. A million? Never seen it. A hundred million? Not even in his wildest dreams! "Sir! My dear VIP! Who are you looking for?" The driver instantly transformed, wiping the drool from his mouth, his expression fawning like a well-trained pet. "Her name is Anastasia. She was teleported into Chaos City at the same time as me." Velen paused and added, "She''s young. Beautiful." The driver''s enthusiasm deflated slightly as he sighed regretfully. "Sir, to be honest, teleportation into Chaos City is almost completely random. And Chaos City is massive. Finding someone here in a short time is nearly impossible!" Velen frowned and quickly pulled up his system interface. "System, can Fate''s Trojan determine Anastasia''s location?" Since this was Chaos City, he wasn''t entirely sure if the system would work. "Host, the system transcends all. It remains fully functional within Chaos City and will not be detected by any entity." Hearing this, Velen relaxed and immediately activated Fate''s Trojan. He still had three uses left for the day, so why not? "District D, Commercial Street!" After getting the precise coordinates from Fate''s Trojan, Velen wasted no time giving the order. "Understood, VIP! It''ll take about four hours to reach District D!" With that, the taxi sped off, accelerating to full speed. Meanwhile, in District D, Chaos City Anastasia, dressed in a simple yet elegant long dress, wandered through the unfamiliar streets of Chaos City, utterly stunned by the sheer opulence surrounding her. Just casually passing by a shop, she noticed mana planets being sold! Mana planets! These celestial bodies contained highly concentrated mana, making them incredible resources for awakeners, essential for leveling up. In most star systems, these were extremely rare treasures. Yet here? They were readily available, as if they were common goods! Anastasia''s eyes lit up, and she immediately stepped forward, eager to buy one. Such an item would be immensely beneficial for herself and Fortress! However, when her eyes landed on the price tag, she froze. 1,000,000 Chaos Cards. Even the lowest-grade mana planets started at one million! Anastasia''s mouth twitched. A single high-grade mana crystal could only be exchanged for one Chaos Card. And those high-grade mana crystals were incredibly rare and precious. Even if she pooled together every single high-grade mana crystal in the Ducal Manor''s entire treasury, she wouldn''t even come close to affording this. "Velen was right¡ªthis place is insanely extravagant¡­ but these prices¡­" She shook her head in disbelief and decided to explore more, hoping to find something slightly more affordable. Then, she walked past a store selling Starry Stones. Inside, the shelves were filled with various Starry Stones of different sizes and grades. Anastasia''s desire to buy everything skyrocketed. Until she checked the price tag. 2,000,000 Chaos Cards. Even more expensive than the mana planets! She let out a deep sigh. I was too impulsive. Taking a deep breath, she continued her exploration. This place had everything from all the major star systems! Even Lv9 Forge, a treasure sought after by entire galaxies, was on sale. The price? 6,000,000 Chaos Cards. Everything here was top-tier, but the prices left her speechless. Just how rich would someone have to be to afford this kind of shopping spree?! Still, despite her shock, she couldn''t deny the temptation. Every useful item she could think of was available here. This was the ultimate shopping paradise. If she could go on a spending spree here, not only would she be able to return to the Upper Plane Universe for revenge, but Fortress and Ducal Manor would gain an unbelievable boost in power. Now, she understood why so many top-tier powerhouses chose to work in Chaos City instead of leaving. Yes, everything was expensive, but the chance to earn and obtain these items made it worth it. For the rich, this place was heaven. For the poor, this place was pure agony¡ªseeing all these treasures yet being unable to buy anything was sheer torture. After some time, Anastasia felt overwhelmed from looking at so many incredible items. She was just about to search for Velen when¡ª Find adventures at My Virtual Library Empire A taxi pulled up nearby. Anastasia blinked. A taxi in Chaos City? That was no small deal. Here, every Chaos Card was precious¡ªowning and driving a taxi meant serious influence. Then, the car door opened. And stepping out was¡ª Velen. For a brief moment, Anastasia was stunned. Then, her excitement took over as she rushed up to him. "Velen! Earlier, you said that last time you left Chaos City, you exchanged a lot of Chaos Cards. Was that true?!" Velen nodded casually. "Of course it was." "How many?" "Not much. Just about one hundred million Chaos Cards." Anastasia''s eyes widened in shock. She now understood the prices in Chaos City¡ªhigh, but worth it. With one hundred million Chaos Cards, Velen could buy an insane amount of high-tier treasures! A sudden thought struck her. "Wait¡ªVelen, the things you''ve been spending in Fortress and Ducal Manor¡­ did you buy them here?!" Velen shook his head. Most of the things he had given away came from system refreshes and rewards¡ªthey had nothing to do with Chaos City. Then, glancing at the surrounding shops, Velen''s eyes lit up. "Anastasia! I can finally craft my Starry Stone Toilet!" "Let''s go crazy shopping!" Since the pass had a time limit, he had already wasted a lot of it searching for Anastasia. Now was the time to splurge! Hearing this, Anastasia felt a rush of excitement. In Chaos City, you couldn''t buy trash¡ªeverything was top-quality! But then she remembered Velen''s reckless spending habits¡­ If left unchecked, who knew what bizarre things he''d buy? He had to be controlled! Without hesitation, she dashed into the nearest store and, seeing an array of rare elixirs, declared loudly: Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "I''ll buy EVERY ELIXIR IN THIS SHOP!" The store clerk looked at her in shock. "Miss¡­ are you sure? The total cost will be nearly ten million Chaos Cards." "Of course!" Anastasia said confidently. With Velen''s 100 million Chaos Cards, she had nothing to fear! The clerk hurried off to fetch the manager. But before he could leave, Velen suddenly called out, "Kidd? What the hell are you doing here?" The young man turned around, startled. Chapter114-The Managers Breakdown Kidd had previously been plump and somewhat sleazy in appearance, but now he looked so much thinner that Velen almost didn''t recognize him at first glance! Hearing the familiar voice, the young man immediately stopped in his tracks and turned around sharply. Upon confirming that it was indeed Velen, his face was filled with shock as he strode toward him. "Velen, is that really you?" Anastasia, observing the apparent familiarity between the two, was slightly taken aback. She hadn''t expected Velen to know someone even in Chaos City. Moreover, judging by the badge on the man''s chest, he wasn''t from their star system. "Kidd, you gave me your communication pass last time¡ªhow do you still have one?" Seeing Kidd stop before him, Velen immediately asked in curiosity. The pass to enter Chaos City wasn''t easy to obtain. He had gone through great lengths to acquire one, and he had assumed it would be a long time before he could see Kidd again¡ªyet here they were. "Ugh!" Kidd let out a heavy sigh, looking at Velen with a bitter smile. "Velen, you have no idea what I went through after returning to the Holy Light Temple!" "Not only was I targeted by my mentor, but even the Grand Senator, Lucas, kept pushing me, insisting that I was destined to be a divine swordsman and that I should carry forward the profession of Judgment Swordsman!" "For days, they forced me through inhumane training and tests before dragging me into the family''s secret realm, where there were all sorts of swords. The Grand Senator ordered me to choose one. I picked one at random, purely by instinct." "When I grabbed that golden greatsword, I unexpectedly found a pass hidden inside it." "Velen, you know me¡ªforcing me to become a swordsman and participate in direct combat is as good as sending me to my death! You gave me that Sword of Judgement fragment last time, and it''s been nothing but trouble for me!" Kidd was now looking at Velen with teary eyes, as if on the verge of breaking down. "I really don''t want to be a swordsman. I couldn''t bear going through their relentless training anymore, so I decided to stay in Chaos City and find a job." "This way, I don''t have to face my mentor and the Grand Senator, and I can also earn Chaos Cards to buy what I want." Stay tuned with My Virtual Library Empire As he finished speaking, the frustration and resentment on Kidd''s face finally eased a little. Beside them, Anastasia was utterly stunned. She could hardly believe how extravagant Velen was! The Sword of Judgement was an incredibly powerful skill, even in the Upper Plane Universe. Kidd clearly wanted nothing to do with it, so why had Velen wasted such a precious thing on him? She felt she could bear that burden for Kidd. As Anastasia''s mind raced with these thoughts, a sharp aura suddenly radiated from Velen. Then, in his open palm, an ancient book appeared¡ªits very presence exuding an overwhelming sword intent. The sight of the book struck Anastasia with an eerie sense of familiarity, as she felt a chilling sword energy emanating from it. For Kidd, who had already become a swordsman, his perception of sword energy was even sharper. The moment he saw the book, a bad premonition crept into his heart, and he immediately asked in alarm: "Velen, what is that thing? Why do I suddenly have a really bad feeling about it?" He wanted nothing more than to avoid becoming a swordsman, but thanks to the Sword of Judgement, his sensitivity to sword intent had become unnaturally acute. If Velen had brought out something like this, there was a very high chance it was related to the Sword of Judgement! Facing Kidd''s question, Velen simply smiled and spoke truthfully: "This is a Class Upgrade Book¡ªit can greatly enhance your class experience. It''s a huge benefit for you! You''ll become a Grand Swordsman instantly, saving yourself years of grueling training!" As he spoke, Velen handed the Class Upgrade Book to Kidd. Before Kidd could even react, the Judgment Sword Energy within him surged like a tidal wave. A colossal angelic figure appeared above Kidd''s head, wielding a dazzling sword of light that emitted an aura capable of rending the heavens and earth. The sheer radiance of the Judgment Blade was so intense that it turned everything around them into blinding white. Grand Swordsman! As the phenomenon unfolded before his eyes, Kidd was left utterly speechless. He had only just begun as a swordsman, and under normal circumstances, it would have taken him years of effort to reach the rank of Grand Swordsman. Yet, with Velen''s reckless gifting of a Class Upgrade Book, he had jumped straight to that rank in an instant! It was absolutely insane. Even as the person experiencing it firsthand, Kidd felt as though he was dreaming. Then, his shock quickly turned into fear and regret. Because the moment he returned, his mentor and the Grand Senator would see his overwhelming talent and be ecstatic¡ªonly to push him even harder toward becoming a Judgment Swordsman. Why did his life keep getting worse? Despite his massive power-up, Kidd didn''t look particularly thrilled¡ªnor did he seem too dejected. After all, he had already decided to stay here indefinitely and never return! "Velen, thanks so much for all these ''gifts'' you''ve prepared for me." "But I don''t need anything more for now¡ªI''ll be staying here and working for the time being." To Kidd, Velen was clearly digging a hole for him, but at least now he had a way to avoid the consequences. His mentor and the Grand Senator didn''t have passes to Chaos City. Even if they did, their strength would be suppressed upon entering, making them powerless to do anything about him. Seeing Kidd''s determination to stay, Velen suddenly had an idea. He turned toward the store manager who had come over to watch the commotion and asked with interest: "You''re the manager of this shop, right?" "How much would it cost to fire Kidd from your store?" At these words, the atmosphere instantly froze. The store manager, though a high-ranking employee, had no special privileges in Chaos City. He had only earned his position through over a century of diligent service. He had dealt with plenty of difficult customers before, but this was something else entirely. Weren''t these two friends? Why was Velen offering money to get Kidd fired? "Velen, as the manager, I do have the authority to fire employees," he explained cautiously. "But if I do so without cause, I''ll be severely penalized and have a large number of Chaos Cards deducted." Before he could finish speaking, Velen handed him a Heaven''s Card. "No matter how much gets deducted, I''ll compensate you ten times over!" "You know, Kidd is my friend, and he has extraordinary talent as a Judgment Swordsman. For the sake of his brighter future, I''m willing to spend everything I have!" Hearing this, Kidd¡ªwho had just been silently cursing Velen¡ªwas suddenly overwhelmed with emotion. Velen might be a pain in the ass, but when it really mattered, he never let him down! To Kidd, Velen was his best friend. "Velen, since you''re so determined to look out for my future¡­ Fine. This time, I''ll listen to you. I''ll leave Chaos City on my own." sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. If Sword of Judgement and the Class Upgrade Book were both perfect fits for him, then perhaps¡­ becoming a Judgment Swordsman was his inevitable fate. Since that was the case, he would face it head-on. At least he had Velen¡ªhis rock in this absurd journey. As he followed Velen away, the store manager nearly had a breakdown watching them leave. "Hey, hey, hey¡ªyou three! You''re leaving without compensating me? And weren''t you about to buy a bunch of stuff?!" "I''ll even give you a discount¡ªjust don''t leave yet!" But as his desperate cries faded into the distance, the three figures disappeared into the crowd. Thinking about how much he could have earned if the deal had gone through, the manager felt as though he had just watched a fortune slip through his fingers. The rollercoaster of emotions¡ªfrom excitement to utter disappointment¡ªwas unbearable. ... After leaving the shop, Kidd glanced at Velen before sneaking a subtle look at Anastasia. He had met plenty of beautiful noblewomen before, but the moment he laid eyes on Anastasia, he was still taken aback by her beauty. "Velen, who is this lady?" Velen chuckled and said, "Her name is Anastasia. She''s the lord of our fortress¡ªand also my direct superior." As soon as Velen finished speaking, Anastasia nodded in acknowledgment¡ªthen immediately darted toward the nearby shop. Chapter115-Spreading Starry Stone Toilets Across the Galaxy? "Reminder to the host: Chaos Cards are a special currency obtained through the exchange of premium mana crystals. Since all special items must be used in an ostentatious manner, even if given to others, they must be presented in a lavish fashion. Failure to comply will result in punishment from this system." Suddenly, the system''s mechanical voice rang in Velen''s ears. Hearing this, Velen wasn''t surprised¡ªafter all, the system''s rules had been consistent from the start. "So if I flaunt my wealth here, will I earn Luxury Points?" "No, but you will experience the spiritual joy of consumption!" Velen nodded in understanding. For now, he set aside the urge to go on a reckless shopping spree. After all, if he bought too much, the originally valuable items would lose their rarity and become worthless, leading to inflation¡ªand true wealth flaunting relied on scarcity. If something became too common, it wouldn''t be seen as an extravagant display of wealth¡ªit would just be mundane. With that in mind, Velen realized that even though he could buy without limits, doing so carelessly would negatively impact his ability to flaunt his wealth in the future. After some thought, he turned to Kidd. "What''s fun to do here in Chaos City?" Even if he couldn''t hoard too many resources, he could still enjoy himself limitlessly¡ªsince pleasure wasn''t subject to supply and demand. As soon as Velen brought it up, Kidd got excited. "Velen, from what I''ve learned¡ªand from what the manager mentioned¡ªas long as you have enough Chaos Cards, you can live like a king here!" "No matter what luxury service you want, it''s available! Foot baths, essential oil massages, karaoke, fine dining¡ªwhatever you can imagine, they have it!" "But the real highlight? Paradise." "I''ve heard that in Paradise, you can find the most breathtaking women of any race and any class. As long as you have enough Chaos Cards, you can experience the pinnacle of indulgence!" Although Kidd hadn''t made much money working in Chaos City, he had learned a lot about its pleasures. Especially when it came to places of luxury¡ªhe had picked up plenty of secondhand knowledge just by listening. Velen nodded thoughtfully as he listened, while Kidd became more and more animated. After all, Chaos Cards ruled this place. Status, beauty, wealth, artifacts¡ªthey all bowed before the power of Chaos Cards. The all-consuming pursuit of Chaos Cards had turned the city into a hedonistic paradise, where people were utterly obsessed with wealth and indulgence. At that moment, Anastasia returned from the shop where she had been purchasing Starry Stones, holding Velen''s remaining Chaos Card balance¡ªnow down to less than 100,000¡ªalong with a storage pouch filled with Starry Stones. "Velen, while Chaos Cards can buy anything here, the prices are ridiculously high. That one billion Chaos Cards you had? You barely managed to buy 999 Starry Stones before running out." For Anastasia, everything in Chaos City was extremely tempting. If she could bring these rare resources back to the fortress, their faction would instantly become the wealthiest and most resource-rich power in the star system! After Anastasia finished speaking, Velen calmly took the Chaos Cards and the storage pouch. "Well, since we''ve gotten what we came for, it''s time to enjoy ourselves¡ªotherwise, this trip would be a waste." At these words, Anastasia''s eyelids twitched slightly. Knowing Velen as well as she did, she could already guess what he meant by "enjoyment"¡ªit was about to be another round of insane, reckless, and utterly absurd extravagance! "By the way, Kidd, these Starry Stones are for you. Do you know how to use them properly?" Due to the system''s restrictions, Velen wasn''t planning on bringing these Starry Stones back to their home star system. As valuable as they were, the system would likely reward him with even more in the future¡ªso he didn''t need them. Instead, it was better to give them to Kidd and let him handle them. Even though Kidd knew Velen was absurdly generous, giving away 999 Starry Stones at once still made his eye twitch uncontrollably. For a moment, he couldn''t believe his own eyes. But soon, he wiped away the drool at the corner of his mouth and solemnly declared: "I''ll make sure to use these Starry Stones wisely¡ªnot a single one will be wasted!" With this many rare Starry Stones, he would finally have leverage to negotiate with his mentor and the Grand Senator. If they forced him into becoming a swordsman, he could use these Starry Stones as bargaining chips to get his way! "Not waste them?" Hearing this, Velen shook his head slightly. "Kidd, you should know me well enough by now. When I say use them properly, do you really think I mean not wasting them?" Kidd''s eyes suddenly widened in realization. Oh. Oh. Velen was no ordinary person. To him, "proper use" meant showcasing extreme wealth¡ªnot saving or conserving resources! After all, Velen was a flaunting maniac! No matter how rare or precious an item was, he always treated it like it was worthless trash. Just by following Velen around for a while, Kidd had witnessed him burning through fortune after fortune in the most ridiculous ways imaginable. So after just a moment''s thought, Kidd realized exactly what Velen meant¡ªhe wanted him to flaunt his wealth too. But Kidd had no experience in wealth flaunting! "Velen, what should I do with these Starry Stones?" Since he had no clue, Kidd turned to the expert. Velen responded casually, "Make a Starry Stone toilet." ¡­? Continue reading at My Virtual Library Empire A Starry Stone toilet?! Kidd instinctively rubbed his ears¡ªwondering if he had heard wrong. Something as rare and valuable as Starry Stone¡ªa material with immense practical applications¡ªwas to be used to craft a toilet?! What kind of absurd thought process was this?! If he actually made a Starry Stone toilet, any blacksmith or awakened being who found out would explode in rage! This was Velen''s idea of flaunting wealth?! It completely shattered his sense of reality! Beside them, Anastasia''s lips trembled slightly. This Velen¡­ was insane! He had absolutely no sense of value! Building one Starry Stone toilet in the fortress was already ridiculous enough. But did Velen actually plan to build a Starry Stone toilet in every single dimension?! S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. If she didn''t already know Velen wasn''t insane, she would have suspected he had lost his mind. "Velen¡­ maybe you should reconsider?" Kidd swallowed hard, hesitating. He had just been thinking about using the Starry Stones to bargain with his mentor and the Grand Senator. If they found out he built a toilet out of them, they''d probably skin him alive. "This is final," Velen patted Kidd''s shoulder with a grin. "Kidd, you''re my good friend, and I trust you completely¡ªI know you''ll make this toilet absolutely perfect!" With that, Velen headed toward a bank to exchange more Chaos Cards. Seeing that Velen was dead set on this, Kidd helplessly turned to Anastasia as his last hope. "Anastasia, you''re his superior¡ªcan''t you do something?! This is Starry Stone, for heaven''s sake!" Anastasia sighed and shook her head. "What can I do? It''s his own money." Besides¡­ Velen always brings us benefits in the end. ¡­ A little while later. At Majestic Spa & Club, one of Chaos City''s top luxury bathhouses¡ªwhere people from all races and ranks sought out elite relaxation services¡ªVelen and his group lay back in massage chairs, as a line of stunning female attendants prepared to pamper them to perfection. Chapter116-Reunion with Sophia "Velen, are we trapped in some kind of illusion?" Feeling the unbelievably soothing foot massage, Anastasia could hardly believe what she was experiencing. After all, these masseuses weren''t just ordinary attendants¡ªthey were Ascended Rank powerhouses from various star systems! Even in their Ducal Manor, Ascended Rank individuals were considered the pinnacle of power¡ªonly the Five Grand Senators held such rank. And now? These once lofty and untouchable Ascended Rank beings were¡­ massaging their feet?! Their technique was exquisite, their expressions were warm and professional. This¡­ was Chaos City? This was the power of Chaos Cards?! Even though she had already sensed that this place was different from the outside world, she was still completely shaken! Beside her, Kidd, who was also enjoying a foot massage from an Ascended Rank beauty, was on the verge of losing his mind from sheer excitement. This was, after all, the legendary club¡ªa place where only the wealthiest and most powerful beings in Chaos City could afford to indulge. And now, he¡ªa nobody¡ªwas experiencing the very best treatment! Seeing how overwhelmed the two of them were, Velen remained completely calm and simply said: "Relax and enjoy. The technicians here have excellent skills. Chaos City is filled with an abundance of resources, but most of them are just junk meant for workers. There''s nothing truly valuable. Instead of wasting time buying trash, you should take full advantage of what this place has to offer." At these words, the three Ascended Rank masseuses nearly stopped breathing. What¡­ what kind of madness was this?! Chaos City''s resources were renowned across countless star systems. Everything imaginable could be found here, driving people into frenzied competition just for a taste of its wealth. Countless awakeners dreamed of looting this city''s treasures. But this man wasn''t even interested?! S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. While the masseuses were left in utter disbelief, both Kidd and Anastasia nodded in contemplation. As much as they lusted after the rarest resources here, with Velen around, they didn''t have to rush. These treasures were precious, but with Velen, they could get them anytime in the future. However, a pass to Chaos City was incredibly hard to come by. So they might as well enjoy it to the fullest! One Hour Later After an hour-long massage, all three of them felt completely rejuvenated, with their energy pathways and muscles reaching an unprecedented state of relaxation. "Lord Anastasia, shall we move to another location? An hour of massages is starting to get boring." Velen suddenly suggested. "I think it''s perfect here," Anastasia refused, shaking her head. "This is the most relaxed I''ve felt in years. I''m not going anywhere." She had spent so much time living with constant tension¡ªpushing herself relentlessly in pursuit of revenge. Now, for the first time, she felt truly at peace, her body unwinding like never before. She was content. Kidd also chimed in, "Velen, I''m going to stay here too and enjoy myself. But don''t worry, I swear that no matter how badly I get beaten by my mentor and the Grand Senator, I will definitely get the job done!" Seeing that they were committed to staying, Velen didn''t argue. Instead, he casually handed a Chaos Card worth 10 billion to the Ascended Rank masseuses. "Keep serving them. Make sure they get the best treatment. There will be tips." The three masseuses exchanged glances, their eyes wide in shock. Ten billion Chaos Cards?! Majestic Spa & Club was one of the most prestigious establishments in Chaos City. They had seen many powerful and wealthy clients. But never had they seen someone casually throw around ten billion Chaos Cards! This was a mind-boggling fortune. Suddenly, they realized something. Velen''s earlier disdain for Chaos City''s resources was real¡ªhe truly wasn''t interested in them. They had been treating him like any other rich customer, but they were the fools here! They had just encountered a true tycoon. Without hesitation, the three Ascended Rank powerhouses became even more diligent, ensuring Kidd and Anastasia received the ultimate experience. One Hour Later Kidd''s pass to Chaos City expired, and he was forcibly ejected from the city''s dimensional space¡ªleaving him reluctant to part ways. Shortly after, Velen and Anastasia were also expelled from Chaos City as their time limit ran out. Spatial Shift A familiar sensation of space twisting surrounded Velen. Explore more at My Virtual Library Empire When the environment stabilized, he looked around and froze in surprise. This place¡­ looked familiar. He was sure he had been here before. Thinking back carefully, wasn''t this the planet he ended up on last time after leaving Chaos City? This was the very place where he had met Tarot Order Councilor Kelsey¡ªand also where he had accepted his second disciple, the Saintess of Tarot, Sophia. No wonder it seemed so familiar. This time, after being forced out of Chaos City, he had once again arrived here. And this time, he landed right in the middle of a crowded street. Strangely enough, the bystanders seemed completely unfazed by his sudden appearance. "¡­Forget it. I should just find a trade caravan and head back." Unlike last time, when he was a bit disoriented, Velen now had experience dealing with Chaos City''s spatial shifts. Just as he was about to head toward the commercial district in search of an interstellar fleet, he spotted two familiar figures. "Velen!" At the same moment, the two people also noticed him. "Velen, we meet again! Looks like fate keeps bringing us together!" The elderly Councilor Kelsey from the Tarot Order initially froze in surprise upon seeing Velen. Then, his expression quickly turned into smug satisfaction. Last time, he and Velen had competed for the Saintess of Tarot, Sophia. In the end, he had won, securing Sophia under the Tarot Order''s control. He still felt superior to Velen over that victory. Beside him, Sophia glanced at Velen with curious eyes. "Councilor Kelsey, do you know this person?" Velen almost burst out laughing. Sophia''s expression was perfect¡ªas if she didn''t recognize him at all but was mildly curious. The irony? Sophia was already his mentee. She was playing dumb¡ªright in front of Kelsey! This was hilarious. But Kelsey had no idea. He simply smiled and said, "I met him once before. He left an impression." Velen smirked and asked, "Councilor Kelsey, you''re a busy man. What brings you back here?" In theory, Kelsey and Sophia should have been at the Tarot Order headquarters. Although Velen had some guesses, he doubted Kelsey would be honest. Kelsey hesitated before offering a vague excuse. "We''re just revisiting an old place. No particular reason." Velen knew he was lying. But before he could press further, Kelsey suddenly turned on him. "Velen, why are you following us?" Velen rolled his eyes. "Kelsey, do you own this city''s roads? I can''t walk toward the city center?" Kelsey fumed but couldn''t find a good retort. Furious, he pulled out an Arcane Carpet to conceal their presence. "Sophia, let''s not waste time. We need to leave." Sophia, however, suddenly clutched her forehead, her expression weak and pained. "Councilor Kelsey¡­ my head¡­ hurts so much. Maybe¡­ let''s not use the Arcane Carpet¡­" Chapter117-The Grand Physical Brawl Now that she had finally encountered Mentor Velen here, Sophia had no intention of parting ways with him so soon. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Upon hearing this, Councilor Kelsey looked at Sophia in shock. Dizzy? She had traveled for days on an arcane carpet from the Tarot Order without any issues, and now she was feeling dizzy? Seeing Councilor Kelsey take out the arcane carpet, Velen''s eyes immediately lit up. He spoke up: "Councilor Kelsey, this arcane carpet is an excellent mode of travel. Where are you heading next? I need to return to Uranus Star''s fortress. We''re all familiar faces¡ªwhy not take me along? Saves me the trouble of looking for an interstellar fleet." The current location was still quite a distance from Uranus Star. And since Kelsey was a councilor of the Tarot Order, he should have no trouble determining his destination coordinates. If they were heading in the same direction, taking him along would be ideal. Councilor Kelsey snorted softly. His destination was the Level 9 Forge of the Maple Leaf Alchemy Society, which was located on this very planet. He had no intention of making a detour for Velen. Just as he was about to refuse, a sharp whistling sound cut through the air. An elderly man, tall and thin, appeared before Councilor Kelsey. His face, covered in wrinkles like tree bark, was filled with hesitation. Seeing this expression on the head of the Maple Leaf Alchemy Society, Kelsey''s heart sank. Before coming here, he had confirmed with this head that the Level 9 Forge was available. Could something have gone wrong? "Head, where''s the Level 9 Forge?" Councilor Kelsey pressed. The head of the Maple Leaf Alchemy Society scratched his head awkwardly and said: "Councilor Kelsey, I''m terribly sorry. Originally, through our connections, we had managed to borrow the item you needed from Uranus Star. But an unexpected incident occurred, and for now, we''re unable to lend it to you. I sincerely apologize for this!" Hearing this, Kelsey, despite having a bad feeling about it, still felt his heart sink further. The Level 9 Forge was crucial to the saintess'' future. If they couldn''t borrow it, the impact on the Tarot Order would be immense. "Wait a moment, Uranus Star?" "You''re saying that your Alchemy Society borrowed the forge from Uranus Star?" Kelsey''s eyes widened in shock. The head of the Maple Leaf Alchemy Society didn''t understand why Councilor Kelsey was suddenly so agitated, but he still nodded. "Yes. I had dealings with Master Alchemist Robert in the past, so I thought I could borrow it for a bit. He originally agreed, but later, he said he had to go fight, so he never sent it over." Kelsey frowned. As expected, just like the divination predicted, this matter was full of twists and turns¡ªnothing was going smoothly. Then, his gaze shifted toward Velen, and a faint smile appeared on his face. "Velen, since you''re from Uranus Star, you must know Master Alchemist Robert, right?" If he was truly an alchemist of such high caliber, he must be a well-known figure. Velen might know a great deal about him. After all, Uranus Star was just a remote, minor planet. "Robert? Alchemy master? Yeah, I know him. We''re on good terms." Velen nodded. He could guess that Kelsey was inquiring about Robert, but he also needed a ride on the arcane carpet to return quickly to the fortress. "Councilor Kelsey, since Velen is from Uranus Star and we''ve coincidentally run into him, isn''t that a sign from above? If we bring him to Uranus Star, there''s a chance we can borrow the forge." At this moment, Sophia spoke up. Kelsey pondered for a moment. Indeed, having Velen as a guide would be advantageous. However, just as he was about to nod, he suddenly realized something and shook his head. "Saintess, taking him along isn''t an issue. But weren''t you feeling dizzy? We should rest a bit first." Sophia firmly shook her head. "Councilor Kelsey, as long as we complete this mission, a little suffering is nothing. I am the saintess of the Tarot Order¡ªI''m not that fragile." Kelsey twitched slightly at her words. He distinctly remembered her saying something quite different earlier! But at this point, there was no other choice. The longer they delayed, the greater the risks. Securing the Level 9 Forge as soon as possible was the top priority. After all, Level 9 Forges were incredibly rare¡ªeven across multiple star systems, they were hard to come by. Thus, at Kelsey''s enthusiastic invitation, Velen boarded the arcane carpet. With the arcane carpet''s space-folding capabilities, they reached the outskirts of Uranus Star in just a single day. Along the journey, through subtle questioning of Kelsey, and combined with the statements from the Maple Leaf Alchemy Society, Velen had already figured out their intentions¡ª They were here to borrow a Level 9 Forge. And coincidentally, he had extra Level 9 Forges. With his relationship with Sophia, he wouldn''t even mind giving it to them. However, if he handed it over now, knowing Kelsey, the man would most likely refuse to take him back to Uranus Star. Find exclusive stories on My Virtual Library Empire Thus, along the way, Velen repeatedly assured Kelsey: "Councilor Kelsey, don''t worry. As long as you take me to Uranus Star, with my relationship with Senator Robert, I can definitely help you borrow the forge!" Seeing Velen speak so confidently, Kelsey was skeptical. After all, Velen''s level was quite mediocre, while Robert was an esteemed master alchemist. How could he possibly influence such a figure? Sensing Kelsey''s doubt, Velen chuckled. "Robert is currently a guest senator of the fortress. And I am the deputy under the fortress lord. Trust me, this won''t be a problem." Hearing this, Kelsey was shocked. "You and Robert are both part of the fortress?" If that were true, then borrowing the Level 9 Forge would be significantly easier. "Velen, I''m not joking. If you truly help us secure Robert''s Level 9 Forge, our Tarot Order will remember your kindness. In the future, if you ever need help, I will not refuse!" Kelsey''s tone was solemn. He had always suspected Velen wasn''t ordinary. And now, it seemed he really had the means to help. Time passed quietly. The arcane carpet soared through space, arriving at Uranus Star. In the distance stood a half-constructed, seemingly abandoned fortress. As Velen stepped off the flying carpet, he began pondering whose Level 9 Forge he should lend to Kelsey. Meanwhile, Sophia scrutinized the barren, desolate fortress. Though it appeared unremarkable, she wasn''t the least bit careless¡ªafter all, this was the mentor''s dwelling place. It had to be extraordinary. At the same time, Kelsey, stepping off the arcane carpet, trembled as he sensed the terrifying auras emanating from the fortress. Two Ascended Rank Level 3s! An Ascended Rank Level 4! And even the presence of a spellbeast! The sheer power of the warriors here sent shivers down his spine. "Velen, you''re finally back!" At that moment, Senator William rushed out of the fortress, ignoring everyone else and staring eagerly at Velen. "Velen, you know I''m friends with Corner and Aiden, right? But they each have a Level 9 Forge¡ªand I don''t. How is that fair?" Hearing this, Kelsey was completely dumbfounded. What? Using Level 9 Forges as weapons to fight each other? Chapter118-Clash of the Lv9 Forges Upon hearing this, Velen frowned. "Grand Senator, how did Corner get a Level 9 Forge?" If he remembered correctly, Corner didn''t have a Lv9 Forge. At Velen''s words, William immediately fumed with rage. "Velen, you won''t believe it! That guy has no shame when it comes to treasure. He actually dismantled the toilet you built! The Lv9 Forge in his hands is the one from the incinerator in the restroom!" "He said he wanted to test its power. I refused, so we ended up fighting!" Everyone present was stunned upon hearing William''s words. Meanwhile, Sophia gazed at Velen with admiration shining in her eyes. "As expected of mentor! His way of thinking is truly beyond ordinary people. And the sheer number of treasures he possesses¡ªthere''s no way the Tarot Order could compare!" A Lv9 Forge was incredibly rare, almost extinct across the Titan Galaxy. If it weren''t, the Tarot Order wouldn''t have to borrow from other factions. It was simply too scarce. Yet Velen, as if it were nothing, used it as an incinerator in a restroom! Even she, someone who had seen many tycoons, was completely shaken by his level of extravagance. Kelsey, on the other hand, was utterly dumbfounded. A small fortress possessing a single Lv9 Forge was already astonishing. But not only did they not treasure it, they used it as a weapon for fights, and even as a toilet incinerator! This was outrageous! The Tarot Order had schemed for years and still failed to obtain even one. And yet here, they wasted it in the most absurd ways possible! "This is bad. That Lv9 Forge was used as a restroom incinerator. Even though it burns everything to absolute nothingness, the thought of it¡­" Kelsey''s face turned green. This Lv9 Forge was supposed to craft potions for the future Saintess of the Tarot Order. Could they really use something that had been contaminated with filth? Even if they could, the psychological impact would never go away. The more he thought about it, the more his head hurt. He immediately massaged his forehead, forcing himself not to dwell on it further¡ªor else he feared he might go insane. "Grand Senator, you''re still barehanded? Haven''t you borrowed a Lv9 Forge yet?" As Velen was asking, two figures suddenly rushed toward them. The leader was a humanoid Ironback Centipede, and behind him stood Aiden. Both of them firmly clutched a Lv9 Forge, their aura surging with power. The very air around them warped and twisted due to the overwhelming heat. "Senator William, is your Lv9 Forge ready? The free-for-all battle is about to start!" Aiden urged impatiently. Having regained his composure, Kelsey stared at the Lv9 Forges in Ironback Centipede and Aiden''s hands, his eyes widening in shock. Another two Lv9 Forges appeared! Something was wrong! According to the Tarot Order''s divination, the entire Titan Galaxy should have only five of these Lv9 Forges. How could this tiny fortress have so many? And what did Aiden mean by a free-for-all battle? Were they actually using Lv9 Forges as weapons? At that moment, Ironback Centipede respectfully turned to Velen and said: "Master, Senator William, if you don''t have a suitable Lv9 Forge at the moment, you could borrow Alan''s. He isn''t using it right now anyway." He knew Velen had plenty of Lv9 Forges, but since he hadn''t handed one to Senator William immediately, there must be a reason. So he proactively offered a suggestion. Hearing this, Kelsey was completely stunned. What did he just hear? There were even more Lv9 Forges in this fortress? This fortress wasn''t that big¡ªhow could it have so many? Could it be that Lv9 Forges were a local specialty here? Kelsey''s heartbeat quickened. His face alternated between pale and flushed. He had previously promised Velen that if he helped secure a Lv9 Forge, he would owe him a massive favor. But now, Lv9 Forges seemed to be as common as bricks in this fortress! His promise was a complete and utter loss! "Ahem! Velen, what the hell is going on here?" Kelsey took a deep breath, his face full of confusion. Velen glanced at him and said indifferently, "Looks like the senators of the fortress are bored and looking for some fun. But honestly, I quite enjoy this kind of entertainment!" With that, Velen casually pulled out a Lv9 Forge from his storage bag and handed it to William. "Grand Senator, consider this my sponsorship. If you can knock out all the other senators, this Lv9 Forge is yours as a gift!" William''s eyes immediately sparkled with excitement. "Velen, are you serious?" "Would I joke about this?" Velen chuckled. "Good, good, good!" William knew Velen well. Since he had given his word, it must be true. Without hesitation, he rushed toward the fortress. BOOM! At that moment, a deafening explosion echoed from the distance. Even from afar, the ground beneath them trembled violently, as if an earthquake had struck. Corner, Ethan, Robert, Clinton, and Kevin¡ªthe five guest senators of the fortress¡ªeach gripped a Lv9 Forge, descending like divine warriors, engaging in a fierce melee battle. The terrifying shockwaves generated from their clashes shook the very fabric of space. Seeing this, Ironback Centipede and Aiden were thrilled, gripping their own Lv9 Forges tightly as they charged into battle. "Velen, just sit back and watch! I''m going to crush them all and show them the strength of the Grand Senator!" Fueled by Velen''s encouragement, William, holding his Lv9 Forge, was fired up and dove into the chaos. The entire battlefield turned into a violent clash of raw physical power, with elemental forces infused into the Lv9 Forges, creating impact after impact akin to meteors crashing into each other. The devastating energy from each collision shattered the ground and distorted the surrounding space-time. Explore more at My Virtual Library Empire It was primitive, savage, and awe-inspiring¡ªa monumental clash of raw strength. Velen was utterly captivated by the scene. These warriors were already among the strongest in the world, and now, armed with Lv9 Forges, their battle had an indescribable brutal beauty. Unlike Velen, who was enjoying the spectacle, Kelsey felt his very soul being crushed every time a Lv9 Forge clashed. Such a precious artifact, revered by any other faction, was being treated like a disposable club here! "Councilor Kelsey, are you alright?" Beside him, Sophia noticed Kelsey''s rapid breathing, throbbing veins, and inability to control his emotions, and she asked with concern. Kelsey trembled with rage. "Unbelievable! Everyone in this fortress is insane! Do they not understand the value of a Lv9 Forge?! If one gets damaged, that would be a catastrophic loss!" "Where is this fortress''s lord?! Why hasn''t she stepped in to stop this madness?!" Almost as soon as he finished speaking, a sharp gust of wind tore through space. Then, Anastasia, wielding a Lv9 Forge, descended like a meteor and joined the battle. "Since you senators are having so much fun, count me in!" For Anastasia, these senators were battle-hardened veterans. Fighting them would greatly benefit her combat experience and future advancements! With her joining the fray, the chaotic battlefield finally saw somewhat of a balance. However, to accommodate her, the senators had to suppress their power to Hero Rank Lv9. "Wait¡ªanother fighter? And she has a Lv9 Forge too?!" Seeing Anastasia enter the battle, Kelsey was even more shocked. He quickly turned to Velen. "Velen, what the hell is going on?!" Velen responded calmly: "Councilor Kelsey, this is the lord of our fortress, Anastasia." Hearing this, Kelsey shook his head in disbelief. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Velen, are you messing with me?!" Chapter119-Triggering Flaunting Behavior To Kelsey, how could Anastasia possibly be the lord of this fortress? The senators of this fortress were almost all top-tier powerhouses at the Ascended Rank. Such mighty figures¡ªhow could they possibly serve a young girl as their lord? This was a world of the strong preying on the weak, a place where only the fittest survived¡ªit wasn''t some child''s play! Velen saw this but didn''t bother explaining. Instead, he simply pointed to the chaotic battlefield and said with a smile: "Councilor Kelsey, as a councilor of the Tarot Order and a top-tier awakener, would you like to give it a try?" Hearing this, Kelsey immediately turned to look at Velen. "You don''t have an Lv9 Forge anymore, do you?" Velen shook his head and said, "I don''t have one at the moment, but there are plenty of forges inside the fortress." "You mean the Lv9 Forge that Alan placed in the courtyard?" Kelsey asked. Ironback Centipede had mentioned this before, and Kelsey had kept it in mind. Velen thought for a moment and said, "The forge he left in the courtyard may have been taken by Senator Clinton, but I raised a rabbit, and that rabbit used a forge to build its nest. If you want to join the battle, I can ask the rabbit to lend it to you." Clinton didn''t own an Lv9 Forge, yet he was now wielding one¡ªclearly, it had come from someone else in the fortress. Using an Lv9 Forge as a rabbit''s nest? Kelsey was speechless. Just who exactly was this Velen? This level of wealth was simply tycoon-tier! Such a precious artifact, given to a mere rabbit¡ªit was an absolute waste! He had traveled across many star systems and had never seen a forge of this caliber! Suddenly, he felt like he had lived most of his life for nothing¡ªhe wasn''t even as fortunate as a rabbit! "Congratulations, host! Star Hunt has ended early. You placed second and completed the mission. Rewards: 100,000 luxury points and 10 pieces of Soul Stone Essence [advanced version of Soul Stone]." Hearing the system notification, Velen was momentarily stunned. He still hadn''t used up the Soul Stones from previous rewards, and now he was directly getting Soul Stone Essence? "Completing this mission actually rewarded me with 100,000 luxury points¡ªnot bad! Now my luxury points have reached 940,000, enough to break through to Elite Rank!" After making up his mind, Velen immediately prepared to advance. His last breakthrough had shaken the entire region, but since it had been in a remote mountain, only two corpses had been present as witnesses. He found that unsatisfactory. Now, with everyone gathered here, he thought¡ªwhy not let them bear witness this time? "Velen, um¡­ about that Lv9 Forge your rabbit used as a nest¡­ can I borrow it for a while?" After an internal struggle, Kelsey finally decided to join the battle. For one, these were all Ascended Rank powerhouses¡ªmissing this opportunity meant he might never encounter such a battle again. For another, Lv9 Forges were incredibly rare. Yet here, they were everywhere he looked. Weapons of this caliber clashing against each other¡ªsuch a sight was something he''d likely never witness again if he let it slip away today. So, even though he found William and the others'' extravagant behavior unbearable, this was a once-in-a-lifetime chance, and he was determined to seize it. "Councilor Kelsey, no rush. With their strength, this battle will last quite a while before a winner is decided. I need to break through first¡ªonce I''m done, I''ll get you that Lv9 Forge." "Don''t worry. Everyone in the fortress knows my breakthrough speed¡ªit''s unusually fast." ?? Kelsey and Sophia were both stunned by Velen''s words. Velen was currently Expert Rank Lv9, but breaking straight into Elite Rank wasn''t an easy feat. Many people spent their entire lives stuck at this bottleneck. Even if one sensed an advancement opportunity, wouldn''t it be better to find a secluded place, away from any disturbances, to ensure a smooth breakthrough? Here, violent battle waves raged all around¡ªa single mistake could result in a failed advancement, leading to serious damage. Just as Kelsey was about to remind Velen, a surge of elemental energy erupted from him¡ªan unusual fluctuation that only appeared during breakthroughs. He''s already breaking through?! Kelsey''s eyes widened. Wasn''t this process a bit too smooth? Under Kelsey and Sophia''s astonished gazes, Velen''s aura exploded in an instant¡ªElite Rank Lv1! Feeling the surge of elemental energy around Velen, Kelsey''s mind went blank. Velen had mentioned his fast upgrade speed before¡ªbut this fast?! At this moment, as Velen''s energy fluctuations spread out, everyone engaged in battle within the fortress abruptly turned their attention toward him. "Velen only just advanced to Expert Rank not long ago¡ªhow is he breaking through again?" Anastasia steadied her elegant figure, blinking in astonishment as she stared at Velen. His advancement speed was something she had rarely seen in her lifetime. Moreover, unlike other awakeners, he didn''t level up one rank at a time, or at most two or three ranks per breakthrough. No¡ªwhen Velen advanced, it was always nine levels at once! "Velen''s rank has always been low¡ªI thought he just didn''t care about it. But now it seems he was merely waiting for the right moment." Kevin, watching Velen''s rising aura, seemed to realize something. His face showed an expression of eager anticipation. Newly arrived senators in the fortress might not know just how terrifying Velen''s advancement speed was, but Kevin had been by Anastasia''s side for a long time¡ªhe knew very well. Still, could Velen really pull off another nine-rank leap this time? Discover exclusive content at My Virtual Library Empire At higher ranks, leveling up became exponentially harder. Advancing even one level was already a massive feat, let alone two or three levels¡ªlet alone nine. Even though Kevin had faith in Velen, he wasn''t entirely sure¡ªit simply defied all logic! Under everyone''s stunned gazes, Velen''s aura surged rapidly! Elite Rank Lv2 Elite Rank Lv3 ¡­ When Velen''s power skyrocketed to Elite Rank Lv9, the entire fortress fell into absolute silence. One by one, their eyes locked onto him¡ªunable to look away. Did we see that correctly?! Velen had just leaped nine full levels in one go! This was unheard of! His advancement speed completely shattered their understanding of power progression. Compared to Velen, they were all recognized as top talents across the star systems, but the best they had ever done was break through three levels at once. Even that had been a legendary feat in their youth. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Yet now, Velen had just¡­ done this. From the moment he had declared his intention to break through, to now¡ªhow much time had passed? About one minute. An absolute monster. No wonder previous divinations about Velen''s fate had been so strange¡ªhe completely defied common sense. Kelsey had only come here to borrow an Lv9 Forge, yet he had ended up suffering repeated mental blows from Velen. "As expected of my mentor¡ªalways extraordinary! This is incredible!" Sophia kept a calm exterior, but inside, she was overwhelmed by a raging storm of emotions. She had known from the beginning that Velen was no ordinary person. But this level of insane advancement speed¡ªit still shocked her to the core. Her mentor¡­ seemed capable of anything. "Random mission triggered: Within one month, acquire enough passes and take all fortress members to Chaos City for a luxurious experience. Completion rewards: massive luxury points!" As everyone stared at Velen as if he were an alien species, the system''s voice echoed in his mind. Velen pondered for a moment and asked: "System, you know how rare passes are. Can I exchange points for them?" If he had to search for them, even at high prices, it would take too long to gather enough. But since the system had issued this mission, there had to be a way to complete it. "Host can acquire Chaos City passes by triggering flaunting behavior!" Hearing this, Velen''s eyes instantly lit up. Chapter120-Rewarded with a Large Number of Passes! As expected, when the system issued a mission, there was always a high chance of completing it! Velen immediately felt relieved. At the same time, he understood why the system had suddenly given him this task¡ªit must be because he hadn''t triggered any flaunting behavior for a long time, and the system was encouraging him to do so. Not long after. Once Kelsey had joined the battle wielding the Lv9 Forge he had borrowed from the rabbit, Velen gradually shifted his attention to Sophia. "Sophia, has anyone in the Tarot Order bullied you during your time there?" Sophia smiled and shook her head. "Mentor, I am the saintess of the Tarot Order, and they all treat me very well. Especially Councilor Kelsey, he''s always been by my side, taking care of me." Discover exclusive content at My Virtual Library Empire Hearing this, Velen nodded while communicating silently with the system. "Since Kelsey has been taking such good care of my mentee, giving him an Lv9 Forge as a reward is completely reasonable, right?" To Velen, this was a perfect flaunting opportunity! The system was silent for a moment before responding: "Based on system analysis, it would be best if the host gifted two Lv9 Forges this time." ?? A flash of confusion passed through Velen''s eyes. From what he knew, the system was always extremely precise. But now, it was actively suggesting that he give away an extra Lv9 Forge? Was the system getting excited at the thought of him flaunting his wealth? Coughing lightly, Velen said, "Sophia, since you think Kelsey has treated you well, and you know I''m not a stingy person¡ªif he''s so interested in Lv9 Forges, then I''ll just give him two later. You can take them to him yourself." Sophia''s face was full of shock. She knew her mentor was rich¡ªfilthy rich¡ªand she was also aware of his bad habit of flaunting wealth. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But Lv9 Forges were rare even across the star systems. How could he just give them away so casually? And not just one, but two! "Mentor, I know you''re wealthy, and I know you mean well, but one Lv9 Forge is already enough." Sophia understood that Velen was only willing to give away something so valuable because he cared about her. But considering Kelsey''s role in the Tarot Order, she added: "Councilor Kelsey is indeed curious about the Lv9 Forge, but more out of fascination than actual need. From what I''ve observed, he lacks a suitable magic weapon." The Tarot Order was a divination-based faction¡ªthey weren''t the type to engage in direct combat. Just picturing Councilor Kelsey charging into battle wielding a huge forge was downright ridiculous. If the other Tarot Order councilors found out Kelsey had obtained an Lv9 Forge only to use it as a weapon, they would die laughing. So, Sophia suggested that instead of another Lv9 Forge, Velen should gift him a more suitable magical item. After all, for diviners like them, finding useful magical tools was extremely difficult. Boom! About an hour later, the battle that had erupted in the fortress''s central square finally came to an end. Cheshire, holding an Lv9 Forge, was drenched in sweat, his blood pumping, and feeling utterly refreshed. Returning to Velen''s side, he dropped the forge heavily onto the ground, causing countless cracks and debris to scatter. "Not bad, not bad! I haven''t had such an exhilarating battle in years!" Kelsey was thrilled. As a member of Tarot, he rarely participated in combat himself. Having the chance to stretch his muscles today was an experience he wouldn''t have easily come by. More importantly, he was now holding an Lv9 Forge in his hands. This artifact truly lived up to its star-system-wide reputation. It was incredibly durable, radiating raging flames, and felt as indestructible as a meteorite. Moreover, if given to high-level alchemists, they could use it to craft countless potions¡ªsomething every powerful faction sought after. Yet such a rare, priceless treasure had just been casually handed to him to swing around as a weapon. The arrogance and reckless luxury of this action gave him an unparalleled sense of satisfaction! "Councilor Kelsey, since you value the Lv9 Forge so much, from now on, this Lv9 Forge belongs to you!" At that moment, Velen retrieved two brand-new Lv9 Forges from his storage bag and placed them in front of Kelsey. "No need to ask why¡ªjust accept it. The answer is simple: I''m rich and I do whatever I want!" Kelsey had just been about to ask something when he heard Velen''s words¡ªand was instantly speechless. This was an artifact that major factions across the galaxy fought over. Even the Tarot Order, a top-tier organization, treated it as an extreme rarity. Yet Velen was casually handing out two¡ªthis level of extravagance shook Kelsey to his core! "Velen, I know you''re wealthy, I know you''re a super tycoon, but this is too much! Our Tarot Order cannot be so greedy¡ªone Lv9 Forge is already more than enough!" "Councilor Kelsey, no need to be polite¡ªjust take them." Velen was a little surprised at Kelsey''s reluctance, but giving away two Lv9 Forges was a key part of his flaunting plan, so there was no room for negotiation. Kelsey hesitated. He was genuinely interested in the Lv9 Forge. Seeing this, Sophia spoke up, "Councilor Kelsey, why not just accept them? Velen gave you two¡ªone to use as a weapon." Hearing this, Kelsey finally stopped refusing. His favorability toward Velen skyrocketed¡ªhe now saw him as an old friend at first sight. "Velen, if you ever need me, I''ll be there¡ªeven if I have to go through fire and water!" Even as he spoke, Kelsey''s hands were already in motion, quickly storing away both Lv9 Forges, as if afraid Velen would change his mind. After experiencing that battle, he had fallen in love with this feeling of overwhelming power! Seeing how much Kelsey''s attitude toward Velen had changed, Sophia realized something. So this is the power of the "Tycoon Club"¡­? She had a strong premonition that if Kelsey came here a few more times, and if Velen continued buying him over, he might completely side with her and Velen in the future. "Congratulations, host! Successful flaunting! Reward: 100,000 luxury points!" The system notification rang in Velen''s ears the moment Kelsey accepted the two Lv9 Forges. 100,000 luxury points?! Velen was momentarily stunned. That was an insane amount of points! Compared to previous rewards, this was significantly more generous. "It must be because my rank has increased significantly¡­" Velen quickly realized. After all, breaking through from Elite Rank Lv9 to Titan Rank Lv9 required a whopping 9 million luxury points! At first, he had thought it would take forever to gather that many. But now, it seemed¡­ not so impossible. All he had to do was keep triggering system rewards. Having obtained his Lv9 Forge, Kelsey soon announced his departure. "Velen, everyone, I originally brought the saintess here for an Lv9 Forge¡ªnow that we have it, we won''t disturb you further." Crafting potions for the saintess was crucial to the Tarot Order''s future¡ªhe couldn''t afford any delays. Velen didn''t insist on keeping them. He simply waved and wished them a safe journey, knowing they would meet again. As Kelsey and Sophia left, Anastasia and the others exchanged glances¡ªbefore suddenly bursting into laughter. They were all bruised and battered, hair disheveled, looking like actual beggars. But Velen, seeing this scene, had an idea. "System, they''ve been training their combat skills to better protect me and the sect. Shouldn''t I reward them with some healing potions?" The system hesitated for a moment before asking, "Host, are you sure they are honing their combat skills and not just playing around?" Velen''s eyelid twitched slightly, but he maintained a serious expression and replied with utmost sincerity, "System, they are clearly improving their battle techniques¡ªI am absolutely certain of this. As a tycoon, encouraging them with proper rewards is only natural. What''s wrong with that?" Velen originally had over 100,000 luxury points, which was more than enough to draw some healing potions from the system. But if he could exploit the system''s generosity and get even more for free, that would be ideal. Unfortunately, it seemed that the system wasn''t so easily fooled. Just as Velen was entertaining this thought, the system''s voice suddenly rang out: "Host''s actions qualify as flaunting. Reward: 30,000 bottles of Life Potion!" "Reminder: These potions have been pre-allocated to all participants of the battle and must be fully consumed within one day!" Chapter121-The Generous Velen 30,000 bottles of Life Potion! Hearing the system''s announcement, Velen was utterly stunned. From what he knew about the system, it never handed out rewards so freely. And now it had suddenly given him 30,000 bottles¡ªcompletely catching him off guard! Even with so many people in the fortress, there was no way they could use up this many potions. The sheer quantity was overwhelming! However, one thing became increasingly clear to Velen¡ªthe system fully approved of his flaunting behavior. It seemed the system was escalating things on its own! At the same time, Robert and the others who had just finished their battle were slumped across the fortress''s central plaza, completely exhausted. Every single one of them was panting heavily, covered in various wounds and bruises. Robert, scanning the battered warriors around him, grinned proudly and declared: "Everyone, today''s battle was truly exhilarating! This here is a bottle of my personally crafted Mid-Tier Life Potion¡ªit can rapidly heal injuries. Outside, this would cost hundreds of thousands of mana crystals per bottle! But since I''m in a good mood today, I''ll let each of you have a sip to experience its effects!" As he spoke, he dramatically pulled out a potion bottle, its contents crystal clear like spring water, and placed it in front of everyone. A Mid-Tier Life Potion?! The moment Robert revealed the potion, the exhausted warriors instantly perked up, their breathing turning rapid and excited. Everyone here knew about Life Potions, but they were incredibly difficult to craft. Not only were the materials extremely rare, but even for highly skilled alchemists, successfully brewing one was no easy feat. These potions were incredibly valuable, especially in major star systems, where they were immediately bought out by those who could afford them. Such opportunities were one in a million! Under their eager gazes, Robert uncorked the bottle and took a sip. The bruises covering his body and the burnt patches on his skin from earlier began healing at a speed visible to the naked eye! The recovery speed was shocking! Even for Ascended Rank awakeners, recovering from such injuries would normally take days or even months! "Robert, are you serious?! A Mid-Tier Life Potion is so incredibly rare, and yet you''re casually drinking it right now? Looks like you''ve been infected by Velen''s flaunting behavior!" "Exactly! For us body refinement warriors, this potion is basically a second life!" Aiden stared at Robert, his expression twitching, visibly pained by the wasteful extravagance. Meanwhile, Ethan and Victoria exchanged frustrated glances before glaring at Robert. It was one thing for Velen to flaunt his wealth in front of them. But now, even Robert, a renowned alchemist and merchant, was doing the same?! Crafting a Mid-Tier Life Potion required extremely rare materials, and even with everything prepped, the failure rate was still high. For Robert, brewing just one was already a major challenge¡ªand yet, here he was, wasting it! Seeing everyone glaring at him, Robert suddenly understood Velen''s joy in flaunting wealth. And he couldn''t help but burst into laughter. Read new chapters at My Virtual Library Empire "Life Potions are indeed valuable, but using them for healing isn''t a waste, is it?" Hearing this, Kevin immediately coughed lightly and warned him: "Robert, you might want to think this through carefully¡­" Robert scoffed and retorted, "Kevin, you''re being unreasonable. This Life Potion was crafted by me! I can use it however I please¡ª" But before he could finish, he saw Anastasia walking over. The Lord. The moment he saw Anastasia, Robert''s smug expression froze. Because he knew that Anastasia absolutely despised wasteful extravagance. Flaunting in front of the lord? Not a good idea! Before Robert could explain himself, Velen''s voice suddenly rang out: "Honored Senators, I understand that you have been training hard to hone your combat skills and further develop the fortress. Although I may not be able to contribute much, I do have some Advanced Life Potions that will be extremely beneficial for your injuries¡­" However, as Velen spoke, his gaze landed on the potion bottle clutched in Robert''s hand. "System, Robert has already used a Life Potion. Even though it''s only a Mid-Tier one, his injuries are healed. What now?" The system quickly responded: "The 30,000 bottles of Life Potion have been pre-allocated. In order for the flaunting to be valid, they must be used to heal injuries. Please plan accordingly, Host." Velen''s expression changed instantly. The system was messing with him! Because based on this logic, they would need to get injured again¡ªwhich basically meant the system was encouraging more fighting! At that moment, as Velen spoke, everyone''s attention shifted toward him. The moment they saw the literal mountain of Advanced Life Potions he had pulled out, their pupils shrank in shock. Mid-Tier Life Potions were already extremely rare and had an astonishing recovery effect. But Velen had just casually taken out tens of thousands of Advanced Life Potions. What kind of absurd wealth was this?! Robert, stunned beyond belief, suddenly felt deep regret. Compared to the ridiculous amount of Advanced Life Potions Velen had just revealed, his one bottle of Mid-Tier Life Potion was utterly worthless. He had accidentally tried to flaunt his wealth in front of the real expert, and in his own domain no less! To make matters worse, Anastasia had seen everything, meaning he had already made a bad impression. So, in a desperate attempt to save face, Robert quickly shook his head and refused: "Uh¡­ Velen, my injuries are already healed thanks to the Mid-Tier Life Potion. You should save these Advanced Life Potions for the others." Although he really wanted to try one, now was not the time. However, Velen simply smiled and replied: "Senator Robert, I don''t think you''re fully healed yet. These Advanced Life Potions will be very beneficial for you!" Before Robert could react, the surrounding senators picked up their Lv9 Forges and closed in on him. "Senator Robert, we agree¡ªyou definitely haven''t fully recovered. Let us help you with that!" They all grinned maliciously. After all, Robert had flaunted his wealth in front of them first. "Wait, wait, wait! Not my handsome face!" BAM! Before he could finish, Kevin punched him directly in the eye! The beating lasted for several minutes before finally ending. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Everyone else eagerly grabbed a bottle of Advanced Life Potion from Velen and drank it immediately. Meanwhile, Robert, now thoroughly bruised, stumbled toward Velen with tears in his eyes. "Velen¡­ This isn''t fair¡­ Why did you all gang up on an old man in his seventies?! Where''s your sense of morality?" Velen scratched his head and seriously replied: "Well, Robert, everyone else used my Life Potions to heal, but if you don''t, you''d be out of place¡ªand it''d look like I was playing favorites!" Robert: ¡­ The entire group burst into laughter. But their laughter quickly faded as Velen continued handing out more potions. Wait¡ªwhy was he giving them so many? A single bottle was more than enough to heal their wounds¡­ Seeing this, Kevin suddenly panicked. If Velen insisted on them using up all 30,000 bottles, things could get ugly. At that moment, seeing that Velen was still relentlessly handing out Life Potions, Anastasia suddenly had a bad feeling and quickly spoke up: "Velen, there''s no way we can finish all these potions, and besides, our injuries are already healed. Why don''t you leave some for the rabbit? It hasn''t had anything nice to eat in a long time." Upon hearing this, the others nodded furiously. Right now, they were suddenly grateful that the rabbit existed¡ªat least they had something to shift the burden onto! However, Velen simply shook his head seriously and replied: "Lord Anastasia, these Life Potions were specifically prepared for all of you to recover. The rabbit doesn''t need them." "No need to pretend. No need to save them for me. Your injuries aren''t fully healed yet¡ªso drink up. By tomorrow, I expect all 30,000 bottles to be completely finished." The entire group: "???" This¡­ this was basically forcing them to drink! Chapter122-The Collapsing Crowd! Seeing Velen with his "it''s for your own good" attitude, everyone felt an overwhelming sense of collapse. The Advanced Life Potion was indeed a great item, but they had drunk so many potions before that they were sick of them¡ªliterally. One or two bottles were fine, but drinking too much? That was unbearable. Their past experiences, like the sharpest daggers, stabbed into their hearts, making them extremely uncomfortable. Velen''s kindness did not take their feelings into account at all! The Advanced Life Potion was certainly valuable, but giving them so much at once was beyond their limit! "Velen, I think¡­ it''s best if we don''t drink this potion," Ethan swallowed hard and braced himself to speak to Velen. Velen, however, did not respond. Instead, he simply smiled and covered one of his eyes. Ethan''s scalp immediately went numb. The image of that one-eyed red-haired man surfaced in his mind, making his face instantly pale. The overwhelming power of that mysterious man made it impossible for him to resist in the slightest. The others present, including Kevin, also recalled the red-haired man, and their faces turned just as pale. The last time Velen handed out potions in the Fortress''s great hall, he had threatened them in the same manner. They knew what was happening, and they didn''t want to obey, but they had no choice. After all, that mysterious man''s strength was terrifying beyond measure. Even if they all joined forces, they wouldn''t stand a chance against him. Realizing that resistance was futile, there was only one option left¡ªcompliance. Ethan, who had been the most vocal in opposition earlier, was the first to grab the Life Potion in front of him and gulp it down. Seeing this, Kevin and the others could only accept their fate and quickly downed their own potions as well. Anastasia, after drinking for a while, felt her stomach churning violently. Feeling utterly miserable, she angrily set a new rule on the spot: "From now on, Fortress prohibits all combat sparring! Anyone who dares to instigate a fight will be kicked out of Fortress!" Meanwhile, Velen Arrives at Alan''s Courtyard While he had already begun collecting Luxury Points from the others, there were still a few like Alan who had yet to receive his "care." He certainly wouldn''t forget them. As soon as Velen stepped into the courtyard, Alan immediately noticed him and rushed forward. "Velen! You''re finally back!" "Yeah, I''m back. Alan, how''s the transition to being a mixologist? Any issues adjusting?" Velen asked as he looked at Alan''s excited expression. Alan grinned with pure joy. "Velen, I never realized how much more fun bartending is compared to alchemy!" "The costs are low, the drinks I mix sell for a high price, and the taste is fantastic. I''m absolutely loving it!" Huh? Velen widened his eyes in surprise. He had assumed Alan would have complaints about this career change. Who would have thought¡­ that he actually liked it? Could it be that he had accidentally steered him toward his true passion? "You''re enjoying it? Does that mean you have a talent for it?" Velen asked curiously. Alan shook his head. "I don''t know. My mentor only taught me some basic techniques and processes. I experimented with mixing drinks myself, and the flavors and effects always turned out great. Maybe it''s talent, or maybe it''s because I was an alchemist before." At that, Alan looked at Velen gratefully. "Either way, Velen, I owe you big time. If not for your keen eye, I might have missed out on my life''s true passion." "Before, I thought you were just a tycoon, but I didn''t expect you to have such sharp insight!" ?? Velen was full of question marks. He had just wanted to flaunt his wealth¡ªwho knew Alan would turn out to be a genius? The Unexpected Visitor "Alan, are you making drinks? Need some help?" At that moment, a voice interrupted. The muscle-bound loli, Victoria, had entered the courtyard. Velen immediately turned to Alan. "Tsk, tsk. I didn''t take you for a romantic. How far have things progressed between you two?" "Let me remind you¡ªVictoria might look fierce, but she''s actually a pure-hearted girl. You better not mess around and leave her heartbroken!" Alan: "¡­" "What nonsense are you talking about? She''s always coming to me, but not because she likes me. She''s just obsessed with my cocktails, bar snacks, and desserts!" Velen was momentarily stunned but quickly realized it made sense. As far as he knew, romance wasn''t exactly Victoria''s priority¡ªfood and drinks, however, absolutely were. A New Task for Victoria "Velen? What are you doing here?" Victoria, who had initially come to ask Alan about food and drinks for the evening, was startled to see Velen. Ever since she had encountered the one-armed red-haired man, she had held a deep sense of reverence for Velen and preferred not to be around him¡ªperhaps even feared him. "Well, if it isn''t Victoria," Velen said with a smirk, finally noticing her presence. From what he remembered, Victoria never seemed to have anything urgent to do¡ªshe always seemed to be wandering around Fortress. And now, with the large number of Soul Stones he had acquired, he had a perfect task for her. "Since you''re always running around Fortress with nothing to do, I have a task for you." Hearing this, Victoria instantly became wary and whispered cautiously, "Velen, I''m Lord Anastasia''s friend. And for the record, I''m not just aimlessly wandering around¡ªI supervise the young elites in their training!" Despite her internal fear, she forced herself to push back, worried that Velen might assign her some horrible job. "They''re all inside the barrier training right now. They don''t need supervision. Just focus on burning incense in Fortress from now on." "I''ll even set up a dedicated incense-burning courtyard. All Fortress senators and disciples will have to spend time there regularly." "Oh, and one more thing¡ªwhen burning the Soul Stone incense, make sure Senator Clinton stays far away." Clinton was already on the verge of ascension. If he were exposed to the incense''s power, he might ascend on the spot, which would be a huge problem. But Victoria didn''t know this. She simply assumed Velen was playing favorites, so she asked, "Why? Senator Clinton has always been good to us." "If you want him to stay alive, do as I say," Velen replied seriously, offering no further explanation. Hearing this, even Alan was taken aback, not understanding what Velen meant. The Shocking Display At that moment, Velen retrieved massive Soul Stones, each the size of a house, from his system space and placed them in the courtyard. "Velen, are you serious? Grinding these into incense?" Alan''s jaw dropped in disbelief. Victoria was equally stunned as she stared at the enormous Soul Stones. "Velen, these stones contain an incredibly vast soul energy¡­ and you want to burn them as incense?" "Of course. Don''t be stingy. If you need more, just ask¡ªI have plenty!" Burning Soul Stones would greatly benefit the soul. He had way too many of them, and his plan was to use everything up before heading to the Upper Plane Universe. S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. In this world, these items were precious. But in the Upper Plane Universe, they were nothing special. The road to flaunting his wealth had only just begun! Meanwhile, in a Vast Starfield¡­ A massive fleet was approaching Uranus Fortress. "We''re about to arrive at Uranus Fortress! Everyone, tidy up your appearance! We must not leave a bad impression on Lord Velen. Prepare to express our gratitude to him!" Continue your saga on My Virtual Library Empire Inside the fleet, the Aurora Trade Guild''s Head swept a serious gaze over everyone. The closer they got to Fortress, the more excited he became. His face was filled with anticipation. The legendary tycoon, Velen¡ªhe had waited long enough to meet him. Chapter123-Rules Are Rules For Aurora Trade Guild Head Sylure, meeting the great tycoon Velen was an incredibly important event. However, even more crucial was negotiating the profit distribution for the Dragon Blood Potion with Fortress. After all, the profits from Dragon Blood Potion were astronomical¡ªit was an exclusive, monopoly-driven fortune. This collaboration was vital to the future of their guild. He had already made up his mind. To show their sincerity, they would hand over all profits from the sale of Dragon Blood Potion to Fortress for the next ten years. After ten years, they would split the profits 50-50. Arrival at Fortress Soon, their fleet arrived at Fortress''s gates. As Sylure, Daniel, Bruce, and the others adjusted their clothing and stepped out of their ships, an overwhelming pressure suddenly descended from above. The sheer force of it made them freeze in place. Their bones cracked and popped under the strain, like beans roasting in a pan. "Head, there are many terrifying presences inside Fortress! Even at Ascended Rank Lv4, I feel an overwhelming sense of dread!" Bruce struggled to breathe as he blinked in shock and turned to Sylure. Then, he noticed that Sylure looked even more horrified. The man was completely dazed, his expression frozen in disbelief. "Bruce, this doesn''t make sense. You''re Ascended Rank Lv4, while I''m only Ascended Rank Lv1¡­ How is Fortress this terrifying? This is nothing like what you described before!" Sylure''s lips trembled. The powerful auras emanating from Fortress completely crushed him. It was as if multiple top-tier Ascended Rank powerhouses were gathered inside, forming a vortex of pressure that made it impossible to approach. Bruce, just as shocked, stammered, "Head, when I tracked this place before, the strongest creature here was just that Ironback Centipede! "Kevin, Robert, Aiden¡­ Their levels were similar to mine! But now, all these terrifying presences¡ªwhere did they come from?!" This situation was completely beyond his expectations. A Voice of Relief "Everyone, they''re not enemies. They''re friends of Aurora Trade Guild!" At that moment, Anastasia''s calm voice rang out from Fortress. The instant she spoke, the oppressive force vanished as if it had never existed. Experience exclusive tales on My Virtual Library Empire Sylure and his group finally exhaled in relief. Then, they saw Anastasia and several others rushing toward them¡ªeach carrying a bundle of potion bottles, stopping every so often to take a sip as they moved. The scene was bizarre. "Lord Anastasia, Head Sylure has personally come today. We apologize for the intrusion, but we are here to¡ª" Bruce had just begun introducing Sylure and their purpose when Sylure suddenly stepped forward, stopping him. "Lord Anastasia, our guild happened to be passing by, so we decided to drop in. We''ll visit again once our business is settled. For now, we must take our leave." Without another word, Sylure turned around, taking the confused Daniel and Bruce with him, and immediately boarded their fleet, departing swiftly. As they watched Sylure and his group leave, Anastasia and the others exchanged puzzled glances. "Aurora Trade Guild is quite a reputable organization. They must have had a reason for coming here, but if they don''t want to say anything, then so be it. Let''s just keep drinking our potions!" Though Anastasia sensed something odd, she didn''t dwell on it¡ªshe was already on the verge of being driven insane by all the Life Potion she had to drink. The Guild''s Shock Inside the fleet, as Uranus faded into the distance, Daniel and Bruce frowned, turning to Sylure. "Head, what was that about? Wasn''t our main purpose here to discuss the Dragon Blood Potion collaboration?" Sylure let out a bitter laugh. "Negotiate? What''s there to negotiate? Didn''t you notice?" "They were all drinking Advanced Life Potions!" "Advanced Life Potion! Any one of those could be auctioned for an astronomical price!" "But they were drinking them like water¡­ and they looked like they didn''t even want to!" "What?!" Daniel and Bruce were stunned. They had noticed Anastasia and the others drinking potions earlier, but they hadn''t dared to assume they were Advanced Life Potions. Now that Sylure pointed it out, they realized it was true! Just how wealthy was this Fortress?! "Daniel, I used to think you were excessively extravagant. Now I see that I was simply ignorant." "Given their level of extravagance, offering them ten years'' worth of Dragon Blood Potion profits might actually be an insult." "Which means¡­ we need to reconsider our approach. Simply handing over the profits would make us seem insincere." Daniel and Bruce exchanged glances, finally understanding why their Head had suddenly decided to leave. Moments later, their expressions became complicated. Velen had merely provided the Dragon Blood Potion formula, while Aurora Trade Guild had to pay for all the ingredients and production costs. Essentially, they were working for Fortress for free for ten years. What originally seemed like an incredibly generous deal was now being reconsidered after just a short visit. Now, the Head was thinking of offering even more benefits to Fortress. Normally, this would have been unthinkable¡ªthey were merchants, not philanthropists. But upon reflection, they understood why. Ultimately, it all came down to one fact¡ª Velen¡­ and Fortress¡­ were far more unfathomable than they had ever imagined. Still, no matter what, Velen had granted Daniel the Fenrir Bloodline. To Sylure, that was a debt that could never be repaid. Even if it meant handing over ten years of profits, he would gladly do so. Fortress''s Endless Torment Time passed quickly. As the starry sky stretched across the heavens, the people of Fortress, after nearly a full day of drinking Life Potions, finally finished them all. By now, Anastasia and the others were at the point where just seeing a potion bottle made them want to gag. "This place is becoming unbearable," Clinton muttered. "When I first arrived, I was nearly struck down by ascension lightning¡­" "Now, I''ve nearly died from drinking too many potions! I can''t believe I''m actually starting to miss the peaceful days of being sealed away." Tears almost welled in Clinton''s eyes. Despite having enjoyed his time in Fortress, today had been too much. "Wait¡­ what is that smell?" Suddenly, just as he was complaining, Clinton caught a scent drifting through the air. It was intoxicating. His very soul seemed to stir in response. Following the scent, he turned toward a courtyard¡ªwhere he saw Victoria, carefully grinding Soul Stone powder for incense. Immediately, he rushed toward the courtyard. After everything he had endured today, this divine fragrance was just what he needed to relax. By now, he was familiar with everyone in Fortress and knew that Victoria was Ethan''s treasured mentee. Just as he was about to push open the courtyard gate, however¡ª Victoria, who had been calmly grinding the Soul Stones, suddenly tensed. She sprang to her feet and slammed the gate shut. "Senator Clinton, you can''t come in!" In that instant, she remembered Velen''s warning. Everyone else could enjoy the incense¡ªbut Clinton absolutely could not. "Why not?" Clinton frowned. Victoria quickly shook her head. "You just can''t. Everyone else can come in, but not you. It''s for your own good!" Hearing that, Clinton''s face darkened. He was a Senator of Fortress! Why was he being singled out? If she didn''t give him a good reason, he wasn''t going to just let this go. He was Ascended Rank Lv9, a top-tier powerhouse! When had he ever been treated like this?! "Senator Clinton, it''s not personal. These are the rules. I have to follow them¡­ And don''t bother going to Lord Anastasia¡ªshe won''t be able to change it." S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter124-Absorbing It Means Death?（Dont buy next 3 chapters)） "This rule was set by Velen. You know as well as I do that even Lord Anastasia can''t control him." The pressure radiating from Clinton was overwhelming, but Victoria had no other option¡ªshe could only use Velen as a shield. "Velen?" Clinton was momentarily stunned. He knew Velen had many eccentric and unconventional habits. But he couldn''t understand¡ªwhy was Velen specifically targeting him? In his impression, Velen wasn''t that kind of person. "What right does he have to stop me from entering?" Although his tone was still questioning, the moment he realized it was Velen''s decision, his initial anger was somewhat subdued. Velen was far too enigmatic. And the powerful figures behind him¡ªsuch as the red-haired one-eyed man¡ªwere existences beyond Clinton''s comprehension. Despite his frustration, he still had a sense of fear toward Velen. Seeing Clinton''s persistence, Victoria sighed and said seriously: "Velen said that if you absorb the incense¡­ you''ll die." Clinton scoffed in disdain, not believing a word of it. "Die? Do you know who I am? I''m an Ascended Rank Lv9 Awakener! There''s no one in this realm capable of killing me!" However, just as he finished speaking, his expression suddenly shifted. As if realizing something, his eyes widened in shock, and his voice turned urgent: "Victoria¡­ what exactly are you burning as incense?" He was at Ascended Rank Lv9. If he advanced any further and ascended to the Upper Plane Universe, he might truly face immediate death! After all, the Sunlord''s power was beyond imagination. The mere thought of facing such an entity was terrifying. A single thought from the Sunlord could obliterate him. Normally, ascending required other rare and valuable materials to aid in the transition. Such materials were exceedingly scarce¡ªhe had spent years searching, yet found nothing. But then he thought about it¡­ To others, such resources might be unimaginably rare. But to Velen? Velen was someone who could pull out treasures at will. Even Owen had once mentioned Soul Stones! If Velen had explicitly warned Victoria to keep Clinton away, then there was a high probability that the incense was made from Soul Stones! The realization sent a shiver down Clinton''s spine. Confirmation of His Worst Fear Without hesitation, Clinton unleashed his powerful soul force. Like a gust of wind sweeping through fallen leaves, his spiritual perception instantly enveloped the courtyard, taking in everything inside. What he saw left him utterly stunned. "It''s really a Soul Stone!" Although he had never personally seen one before, he had read about them in historical records. Comparing the powder Victoria was grinding to those descriptions, there was no doubt¡ªthis was indeed Soul Stone ground into dust! "No wonder Velen won''t let me near it¡­" Confirming that the fragrance stimulating his soul was from Soul Stone, Clinton''s expression grew even more solemn. For most people, Soul Stones could aid in soul transformation and potential ascension. But for him, it wasn''t good news at all! "Victoria, this stuff is incredibly valuable. You should absorb as much of it as you can, and let the others in Fortress do the same. But as for me¡­ I''ll pass, for now." He sighed deeply, his face conflicted. As long as the Sunlord reigned in the Upper Plane Universe, he had no desire to ascend. Ascension would be suicide! Victoria''s Confusion "Senator Clinton, is this stuff really that valuable?" Victoria''s brows furrowed in confusion. After all, the Soul Stone Velen had given her was so massive, practically the size of a house. It didn''t seem rare at all! Faced with her question, Clinton was momentarily speechless. Soul Stone! This was Soul Stone! For Awakeners seeking ascension, Soul Stones were priceless treasures¡ªworth any cost! Having one greatly increased the chance of ascending to the Upper Plane Universe! Even if one failed to ascend, absorbing a Soul Stone would significantly strengthen the soul, improving the chances of a future ascension. This was common knowledge among Ascended Rank Awakeners. It was understandable that Victoria didn''t know¡ªshe hadn''t reached the Ascended Rank yet and had likely never encountered a Soul Stone before. Even he was seeing one for the first time in reality. Victoria respected Clinton''s judgment, but she simply couldn''t see how the Soul Stone was anything special. After all, the one she had was¡­ enormous. To prove her point, she casually retrieved the Soul Stone Essence that Velen had given her from her storage bag. A Soul-Crushing Revelation Boom! A heavy Soul Stone Essence crashed onto the courtyard floor with a deep, resonant thud. The sound was so intense that it seemed to shake Clinton''s very soul. His breath hitched. The massive object before him¡­ was really a Soul Stone?! sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Clinton felt an existential crisis creeping in. From what he knew, Soul Stones were supposed to be about the size of a palm. But this? This house-sized Soul Stone was beyond comprehension! Yet the longer he looked at it, the more he felt his soul being refined¡ªjust by being near it. Experience tales at My Virtual Library Empire His entire body felt numb. Without another word, he turned and walked away. Victoria watched his retreating figure in confusion. What just happened? Why did Senator Clinton suddenly look like he had suffered a major blow? She hadn''t said anything offensive¡­ had she? "Forget it. I''ll just keep burning the incense. Clinton said it''s beneficial for all of us, and I can feel my soul growing stronger. "It''s like¡­ I''m getting smarter!" With that thought, Victoria went back to grinding the Soul Stone into powder and feeding it into the incense burner. The Perspective of an Outsider "How powerful is this Fortress¡­ and how terrifying is Velen? "A Soul Stone this massive¡­ how did he even get it?" Clinton had barely left when Ethan¡ªshort and with hands clasped behind his back¡ªwalked into the courtyard. The moment he arrived, a rich, intoxicating fragrance filled his senses. "What an incredible scent! Victoria, what kind of incense is this? I never knew you had such skills!" Victoria grinned. "Mentor, I just found a fun new hobby!" "If you like it, you can stay here and relax. It''s great for clearing the mind." Ethan nodded. After consuming far too many potions today, he really needed to unwind. He settled into a lounge chair in the courtyard, breathing in the soothing aroma. But moments later, his eyes widened in shock. His gaze locked onto the incense burner. "No wonder this incense is so calming¡­ it''s made from Soul Stone!" Ethan was utterly speechless. As a Master Blacksmith, he had encountered countless rare materials¡ªSoul Stone being among them. Not only was it invaluable to Awakeners, but it was also immensely useful for forgers and alchemists. A strengthened soul meant heightened efficiency in everything! But Soul Stones were meant to be absorbed slowly, bit by bit. Burning them as incense? That barely retained one-tenth of their essence¡ªit was insanely wasteful! "This is truly a legendary Soul Stone¡­" "Just inhaling its aroma brings immense benefits. If we bask in it long-term, our souls might undergo complete transformation." "This came from Velen, didn''t it? Only a super-tycoon like him would have something this rare¡­ and then waste it like this!" Ethan sighed. Sometimes, the world just wasn''t fair. Countless people desperately sought after Soul Stones, but to some¡­ they were disposable luxuries. Meanwhile, Clinton, who had walked some distance away, hesitated. He gritted his teeth and turned back¡ªhe needed to convince Victoria to stop wasting this treasure. But before he could speak, he heard Ethan muttering: "Well, whatever. It''s wasteful, sure, but doesn''t this extravagance suit Velen perfectly?" Chapter 125 Wrong Chapter， Do Not Purchaseï¼ To Kelsey, how could Anastasia possibly be the lord of this fortress? The senators of this fortress were almost all top-tier Ascended Rank powerhouses. Such formidable individuals serving a young girl as their lord? This was a world where the strong preyed on the weak, where survival of the fittest reigned supreme¡ªit wasn''t child''s play! Velen, seeing Kelsey''s skepticism, did not explain. Instead, he pointed at the chaotic battlefield and chuckled: "Councilor Kelsey, as a councilor of the Tarot Order and a top-tier awakener, do you want to give it a try?" Hearing this, Kelsey immediately turned to look at Velen. "Don''t you no longer have an Lv9 Forge?" Velen shook his head and replied, "I don''t have one on me at the moment, but there are plenty of forges inside the fortress." "Are you talking about the Lv9 Forge Alan placed in the courtyard?" Kelsey asked. The Ironback Centipede had mentioned this before, and Kelsey had kept it in mind. Velen thought for a moment and said, "The forge in the courtyard was probably taken by Senator Clinton. But I have a pet rabbit, and that rabbit used a forge to make its nest. If you want to join the battle, I can have the rabbit lend it to you." Clinton didn''t have an Lv9 Forge in his possession, yet he was now wielding one. Clearly, it had come from someone else in the fortress. Using an Lv9 Forge as a rabbit''s nest? Kelsey was at a loss for words. Just who was this Velen? This level of extravagance was beyond reason! Giving such a priceless treasure to a rabbit was sheer wastefulness. He had traveled across many galaxies and had never even seen a forge of this caliber! Suddenly, he felt as though he had lived for decades, yet he wasn''t even as privileged as a rabbit! "Congratulations, Host! The Star Hunt has ended early. You''ve secured second place, completed the mission, and earned a reward of 100,000 luxury points along with 10 pieces of Essence of Soul Stone [Advanced Soul Stone]." Hearing the system notification, Velen froze. The soul stones he had received previously hadn''t even been used up, and now the system was directly giving him Essence of Soul Stones? "I actually got 100,000 luxury points for this mission? Not bad. Now my luxury points total 940,000¡ªenough to break through to Elite Rank!" With his decision made, Velen immediately prepared for his breakthrough. His last breakthrough, which had shaken the world, had been done in the remote mountains with only two corpses as witnesses. That was something he found unsatisfactory. But now, with everyone gathered here, he thought¡ªwhy not let them bear witness this time? "Velen¡­ about that rabbit of yours¡­ the one using an Lv9 Forge as a nest¡­ could you lend it to me for a bit?" After some internal struggle, Kelsey finally made up his mind. Firstly, all the combatants were top-tier Ascended Rank powerhouses. If he missed this chance, it would be rare to encounter such an opportunity again. Secondly, Lv9 Forges were incredibly scarce, yet now they were everywhere in sight. A battle fought with weapons of this level was something he might never witness again. Although he found William and the others'' extravagant behavior hard to stomach, such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity couldn''t be wasted. "Councilor Kelsey, no rush. With their strength, this battle will last for a while before a winner is determined. I need to break through first. Once I''m done, I''ll get you that Lv9 Forge." "Don''t worry. Everyone in the fortress knows how fast my breakthroughs are¡ªsurprisingly fast." ?? Kelsey and Sophia were both stunned and confused by Velen''s words. Although Velen was currently an Expert Rank Lv9, advancing to Elite Rank wasn''t an easy feat. Many people spent their entire lives stuck at this bottleneck. Even if he truly sensed an opportunity for advancement, shouldn''t he find a secluded place where no one could disturb him? The battlefield was filled with William and the others'' chaotic battle energy. A single mistake could lead to failure, potentially causing severe repercussions to his body. Just as Kelsey was about to warn Velen, an intense elemental surge spread out from Velen''s body¡ªan unmistakable sign of a breakthrough. He''s already starting? Kelsey''s eyes widened. Wasn''t this breakthrough a little too smooth? Find your next read at My Virtual Library Empire Under the watchful eyes of Kelsey and Sophia, Velen''s aura erupted, soaring straight to Elite Rank Lv1! The elemental surge around him intensified, swirling wildly. Kelsey''s mind went blank. Sure, Velen had always claimed that he leveled up quickly, but this was absurd! At that moment, as Velen''s overwhelming aura swept through the fortress, all those caught in the frenzied battle stopped and turned their attention to him. "Velen just reached Expert Rank not long ago¡ªhow is he already breaking through again?" Anastasia, maintaining her elegant stance, blinked her long eyelashes and stared at Velen in astonishment. Velen''s rapid ascension was unlike anything she had ever seen. Others would level up steadily, one rank at a time, maybe two or three levels at most. But Velen? He shot up nine levels in a single breakthrough! "Velen''s level has never been high, so I thought he didn''t care much about it. But now, it seems he was just waiting for the right moment." Kevin, seeing Velen''s explosive growth, suddenly seemed to understand something. His expression showed a hint of anticipation. The other senators who had joined the fortress later weren''t aware of Velen''s insane leveling speed. But Kevin, who had been by Anastasia''s side all along, knew all too well. Would he really ascend nine levels again? Advancing in the later stages became exponentially harder. Even gaining a single level was an incredible feat, let alone two or three. Even though he had faith in Velen, he still found it hard to believe. If Velen could break through like before, it would be utterly terrifying! Under the gazes of Kevin and the others, Velen''s aura continued to soar! Elite Rank Lv2. Elite Rank Lv3. ¡­ When Velen''s aura skyrocketed to Elite Rank Lv9, the entire fortress fell into stunned silence. Everyone''s eyes were glued to him, unable to look away. Did they see that correctly? Velen had just leaped nine levels in one go! This was unprecedented! His rapid, incomprehensible advancement shattered their understanding of reality. They were considered top-tier geniuses across various star systems, but even at their peak, the most they had ever achieved was a three-level jump. Even that had earned them immense prestige in their youth. Yet from the moment Velen had announced his breakthrough to now, how much time had passed? Barely a minute! This was beyond monstrous! No wonder the divinations regarding Velen''s fate had always been so cryptic¡ªhe defied all conventional logic. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Kelsey had simply come to borrow an Lv9 Forge. Instead, he ended up experiencing an existential crisis. "As expected of my mentor, always standing out from the rest!" Sophia''s face remained composed, but internally, she was in turmoil. Even though she had long known Velen was no ordinary person, witnessing his speed of ascension firsthand still shook her to the core. Her mentor seemed capable of achieving anything! "Random Mission Triggered: Within one month, acquire enough passes to take everyone in the fortress to Chaos City for a luxurious vacation. Completion will grant a large number of luxury points!" As everyone gawked at Velen as if he were an alien, his system suddenly chimed in. Velen thought for a moment and asked, "System, you know how rare those passes are. Can I exchange them here?" Finding enough passes in such a short time would be difficult, even with money. But since the system issued the task, it must be possible to complete it. He had to confirm. "Host can obtain Chaos City passes through flaunting behavior!" Hearing this, Velen''s eyes lit up. Chapter 126 Wrong Chapter， Do Not Purchaseï¼ Your next read awaits at My Virtual Library Empire As expected, tasks issued by the system always had a high chance of being completed! Velen immediately felt relieved. At the same time, he understood why the system had suddenly given him this task¡ªit had likely been too long since he last triggered a flaunting behavior, and the system was encouraging him to do so again. Not long after, as Kelsey joined the battle wielding the rabbit''s Lv9 Forge, Velen gradually shifted his attention to Sophia. "Sophia, has anyone in the Tarot Order bullied you?" Sophia shook her head with a smile. "Mentor, I am the saintess of the Tarot Order. Everyone treats me well, especially Councilor Kelsey¡ªhe''s always by my side, looking after me." Hearing this, Velen nodded while silently communicating with the system. "Kelsey has been taking care of my mentee so well. Giving him an Lv9 Forge as a reward is completely reasonable, right?" S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. To Velen, this was a perfect opportunity to flaunt his wealth! The system fell silent for a brief moment before responding: "Based on system analysis, it would be best for the host to gift him two Lv9 Forges this time." Huh? A hint of confusion flashed through Velen''s eyes. As far as he knew, the system was always strict and calculated in its decisions. Yet now, it was proactively suggesting that he give away an extra Lv9 Forge? Was the system getting excited at the thought of him flaunting his wealth? Clearing his throat, Velen said, "Sophia, since you think Kelsey has treated you well, and you know I''m not a stingy person, I''ll just give him two Lv9 Forges since he''s so interested in them. You can take them to him later." Sophia''s delicate face was filled with shock. She knew her mentor was rich¡ªinsanely rich. She also knew he had a bad habit of flaunting his wealth. But Lv9 Forges were legendary treasures across all star systems. They weren''t something one could just give away so easily! And he was handing out two?! "Mentor, I know you''re rich, and I know you mean well, but just one Lv9 Forge would be enough." Sophia understood that Velen was only doing this because he valued her. Considering Kelsey''s position in the Tarot Order, she added: "Councilor Kelsey is indeed interested in the Lv9 Forge, but it''s more out of curiosity than a desire to own one. From what I''ve observed, he actually lacks a suitable magical artifact." The Tarot Order was a faction centered around divination, not combat. The thought of Kelsey¡ªa councilor¡ªcharging into battle wielding a giant forge was¡­ bizarre. If the other Tarot Order councilors learned that Kelsey had obtained an Lv9 Forge and was using it as a weapon, they''d probably die laughing. So, she suggested that Velen gift him a more suitable magical artifact instead. After all, as a diviner, artifacts that could actually enhance his abilities were extremely rare. One Hour Later¡­ The battle in the fortress''s central plaza had finally come to an end. Cheshire, drenched in sweat, hoisted his Lv9 Forge onto his shoulder, his entire body radiating with exhilaration. Returning to Velen''s side, he slammed the forge onto the ground, causing cracks to spread across the stone pavement. "Not bad! It''s been years since I''ve had such an exhilarating fight!" Kelsey was equally excited. As a member of the Tarot Order, he rarely engaged in battle, so today had been a rare chance to loosen up. But what truly excited him was the Lv9 Forge in his hands. This wasn''t just some rare item¡ªit was a recognized treasure across all star systems. Its body was indestructible, enveloped in roaring flames, resembling an unbreakable meteor. And if handed over to the high-level alchemists, they could use it to create potent potions¡ªa treasure among treasures. Yet here he was, swinging it around as a weapon. The sheer luxury and rule-breaking indulgence of it was a completely new experience for him. "Councilor Kelsey, since you value the Lv9 Forge so much, then from now on, this Lv9 Forge belongs to you!" At that moment, Velen casually took out two brand-new Lv9 Forges and placed them in front of Kelsey. "No need to ask why. The reason? I''m rich and reckless!" Kelsey had just opened his mouth to ask when he heard this¡ªand was instantly speechless. This was one of the most sought-after treasures across all factions. Even Tarot Order, a top-tier organization, craved them. And Velen had just¡­ handed over two of them like they were worthless trinkets?! "Velen, I know you''re wealthy. I know you''re a tycoon. But this is too much! Even Tarot Order wouldn''t dare to be greedy for something this valuable¡ªjust one is already more than enough!" "Councilor Kelsey, no need to be modest. Just take them." Velen was slightly surprised at Kelsey''s refusal. But these two Lv9 Forges were part of his grand flaunting plan¡ªthere was no room for negotiation. Kelsey hesitated. He really did want an Lv9 Forge¡­ Sophia then spoke up, "Councilor Kelsey, you should just accept them. Velen gave you two¡ªone for combat, and the other as a keepsake." At her words, Kelsey stopped hesitating. His favorability toward Velen skyrocketed¡ªit felt like they were long-lost best friends. "Velen, if you ever need me, I will march through fire and water for you!" As he spoke, he swiftly stored the two Lv9 Forges in his storage bag, as if afraid Velen would change his mind. After experiencing battle with the forge, he had become completely addicted to this overwhelming power! Flaunting Success! Sophia, observing the drastic change in Kelsey''s attitude toward her mentor, felt as though she had learned something important. Was this the true power of the Tycoon Club? She had a strong feeling that if Kelsey stayed here a few more times, and if Velen bribed him a little more, he might end up completely devoted to him, potentially even becoming her ally. At that moment, the system notification rang in Velen''s ears: "Congratulations, Host! Flaunting success! Reward: 100,000 Luxury Points!" 100,000 luxury points?! Velen was momentarily stunned. This was a massive sum! Far greater than any previous system rewards. "It must be because my rank has increased significantly¡­" He quickly realized the reason¡ªbreaking through from Elite Rank Lv9 to Titan Rank Lv9 required a staggering 9 million luxury points! He had previously thought it would take forever to gather that much, but now it seemed completely doable¡ªas long as he kept triggering system rewards. Having obtained his Lv9 Forges, Kelsey prepared to leave. "Velen, my friends, I came here with Saintess Sophia originally for an Lv9 Forge. Now that I have them, I won''t impose any longer!" Creating a proper potion for Sophia was crucial to Tarot Order''s future¡ªhe didn''t want to delay any further. Velen didn''t insist on keeping them. He simply waved them off, saying they''d meet again soon. Anastasia and the others also watched them depart. Then, they exchanged glances¡ªand burst into laughter. After the intense battle, they all looked completely wrecked¡ªbruised faces, messy hair, like a gang of homeless vagabonds. Velen, however, saw an opportunity. "System, these senators fought to sharpen their combat skills¡ªto better protect me and the sect. It''s only right that I reward them with healing potions, don''t you think?" The system hesitated before asking, "Are you sure they fought to train¡­ and not just for fun?" Velen''s eyelid twitched. But with a serious face, he declared, "System, they were definitely honing their skills! As a tycoon, it''s my duty to reward them!" "Flaunting behavior detected! Reward: 30,000 bottles of Life Potion!" "Note: These potions are locked to the fighters and must be used within 24 hours!" Chapter 127 Wrong Chapter， Do Not Purchaseï¼ 30,000 bottles of Life Potion! Hearing the system notification, Velen was utterly stunned. Based on his understanding of the system, it normally wouldn''t be so generous with its rewards. Yet now, it had directly handed him 30,000 bottles¡ªleaving him completely unprepared! Even with all the people present, there was no way they could use up such a ridiculous quantity! It was simply too much! However, one thing became increasingly clear to Velen¡ªhis active flaunting behavior had received the system''s approval, and now the system was going all out! At the same time, Robert and the others, who had just finished their battle, sat slumped on the fortress''s central dam, gasping for breath. Each of them was exhausted, and most bore various injuries. "Everyone, today''s battle was truly exhilarating! This is an Intermediate Life Potion that I personally crafted. It can rapidly heal injuries, and on the market, each bottle is worth at least tens of thousands of mana crystals. But since I''m in a good mood today, everyone can have a sip to experience it!" Robert surveyed the crowd with a boastful smile as he spoke. As he finished, he pulled out a crystal-clear bottle from his pocket and set it down in front of everyone. Intermediate Life Potion! The moment they saw the potion bottle, the crowd''s breathing grew heavy and eager. They had all heard of Life Potions, but such potions were extremely difficult to concoct. Not only were the ingredients incredibly rare, but they also required a highly skilled alchemist to refine. Furthermore, these potions were highly sought-after across all major star systems. Whenever Life Potions were put up for sale, awakeners who caught wind of it would immediately snatch them up. They were truly priceless treasures! As everyone stared in anticipation, Robert took a sip of the potion. Instantly, the bruises covering his body and the burns from the forge began healing at a visible rate. The speed of his recovery was astonishing! Even as Ascended Rank awakeners, they would normally require days or even a full month to completely heal! "Robert, you''re really willing to splurge, huh? Intermediate Life Potions are incredibly rare, and yet you''re just drinking it casually? Looks like Velen''s flaunting behavior has influenced you quite a bit!" "Exactly! For us warriors who rely on our bodies, a potion like this is no different from a second life!" Aiden stared at Robert, his face twitching with distress. Meanwhile, Ethan and Victoria exchanged glances, then turned their furious gazes toward Robert. It was bad enough that Velen was constantly flaunting his wealth in front of them. But now Robert, a renowned alchemist and merchant, was following in his footsteps?! Even with all the resources Robert had, crafting an Intermediate Life Potion wasn''t easy¡ªit had a significant failure rate. Yet he had wasted one just like that! As the others glared daggers at him, Robert suddenly understood the thrill of flaunting wealth¡ªand he couldn''t help but burst into laughter. "Life Potions are indeed rare, but using them to heal myself is completely justified! How is that a waste?" As soon as Robert finished speaking, Kevin cleared his throat and warned: "Robert, I suggest you think this through." "Kevin, that''s where you''re wrong. This is my own potion¡ªI can use it however I want¡­" Before Robert could finish his smug statement, Anastasia suddenly approached. Lord Anastasia! The moment he saw her, Robert''s smile froze. He knew that Lord Anastasia hated extravagance and wastefulness. Showing off like this in front of her? Not good! But before Robert could explain himself, Velen''s voice rang out. "Honored senators, I understand that you''ve been pushing yourselves to sharpen your skills and strengthen the fortress. While I may not be able to contribute much, I do have some Advanced Life Potions that will greatly help with your injuries¡­" Velen''s voice trailed off as his eyes landed on the potion bottle still clutched in Robert''s hands. "System, Robert has already taken a Life Potion. Even though it was only an intermediate version, his injuries have already healed. What do I do now?" The system quickly responded: "The 30,000 bottles of Life Potion have been locked onto their targets. To count as flaunting behavior, they must be used for injury recovery. Please allocate them accordingly." Reading the system''s response, Velen''s expression subtly changed. This system was really stirring up trouble! According to this logic, in order to use up all the Life Potions¡­ they needed to get injured again! In other words, the system was encouraging them to continue fighting! Meanwhile, as Velen spoke, everyone''s attention turned toward him. The moment they saw the mountain of Advanced Life Potions he had taken out, their eyes widened in disbelief. Intermediate Life Potions were already incredibly rare and valuable. Yet Velen had casually pulled out tens of thousands of Advanced Life Potions?! Did these things cost him nothing?! Robert, who was still in shock, now felt utterly humiliated. Compared to Velen''s enormous display of wealth, his Intermediate Life Potion was worthless! He had tried to flaunt his wealth, but had accidentally done it in Velen''s domain¡ªand now he looked like a complete fool! Worse still, Lord Anastasia had witnessed his failed attempt at showing off. Your next read is at My Virtual Library Empire Determined to salvage some dignity, Robert quickly shook his head and declined. "Velen, my injuries have already healed with the Intermediate Life Potion. These Advanced Life Potions should go to the others instead." Even though he was dying to try one, he knew this wasn''t the time. But Velen merely smiled. "Senator Robert, I believe your injuries haven''t fully healed. You still need these Advanced Life Potions!" Robert was momentarily dazed. The next second, the other senators¡ªall wielding Lv9 Forges¡ªsurrounded him. "Senator Robert, we also think you haven''t fully recovered. Let us help you!" Their faces were filled with mischievous grins. Who told Robert to show off earlier? "Hey, hey, hey! Go easy on me! My handsome face¡ªdon''t ruin it!" S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. BAM! Before Robert could finish, Kevin punched him square in the eye. The beating lasted only a few minutes. Once it was over, the other senators each took a bottle of Advanced Life Potion from Velen to heal their wounds. Meanwhile, Robert, now sporting a swollen black eye, stood before Velen with a tearful expression. "Velen, this is ridiculous! I''m an old man pushing 80! Have you people no mercy?!" Velen scratched his head and replied seriously: "I just felt that everyone else used my Life Potions to recover. If you didn''t use one, it would seem¡­ out of place. Also, it would make me look biased." Robert: ¡­ The rest of the group burst into laughter. However, their laughter didn''t last long. As Velen kept distributing Life Potions, they suddenly froze in shock. What the hell?! A single bottle was more than enough to heal their injuries. Why was he handing out so many?! Realizing what might happen next, Kevin, who had fought the hardest, began to panic. If Velen forced them to use up all 30,000 bottles, things would go very, very wrong! Sensing danger, Anastasia quickly spoke up: "Velen, this is way too much! Our injuries are already healed! Maybe you should save some for your rabbit¡ªit hasn''t had anything good in a long time." The others nodded frantically in agreement. But Velen firmly shook his head. "Lord Anastasia, these Life Potions are meant for all of you. The rabbit doesn''t need them." "No need to hold back¡ªfinish all 30,000 bottles by tomorrow!" Chapter125-Maxs Attack Clinton gazed at Ethan, who now carried an air of Velen''s extravagance, and suddenly felt that if he stayed in the fortress any longer, he would eventually become just like them¡ªreckless and wasteful. He had known Ethan and Victoria for a long time. They weren''t like this before. But now, after spending time with Velen, they had become indifferent to such blatant extravagance¡ªeven finding it justified. Clinton felt he had to warn them. But just as he was about to speak, a sudden disturbance in the air sent chills down his spine. That presence¡­ Clinton''s pupils shrank, and without hesitation, he bolted toward the fortress gates. "Ethan, Victoria! Don''t let Velen corrupt you! And tell him this¡ªI, Clinton, will never return to the fortress again!" Ethan and Victoria were shocked by Clinton''s sudden outburst, but when they heard his last words, their hearts tensed. What was happening? Why was Clinton suddenly leaving the fortress? Sure, Velen was a bit excessive with his spending, but it was his own wealth. And honestly, they had already gotten used to it. Leaving just because of this? That didn''t seem right. "Max Has Arrived." Suddenly, a system notification rang in Velen''s mind. Emergency alert: Clinton''s position has been locked. Max has arrived. To avoid bringing trouble to the fortress, Clinton has left and cut ties with you. Warning: Max''s combat strength far surpasses Clinton. Clinton is in grave danger. Velen''s brows furrowed slightly, a hint of surprise in his eyes. Max? Wasn''t he Clinton''s old enemy from centuries ago? All those years ago, Max had relied on the Sunlord''s power to seal Clinton away. It had been hundreds of years since then. With Max''s talent, background, and strength, he should have ascended to the upper plane universe long ago. In Velen''s mind, Max was already an upper-plane being¡ªbut to his surprise, he was still here! "Since he''s a fortress senator, then he''ll always be a fortress senator." Velen''s expression darkened as he sent a mental command. "Ironback Centipede, come to me. Now." Max was indeed powerful, but Clinton was still Ascended Rank Lv9¡ªnot someone who could be easily defeated. Even if Clinton couldn''t win, he could stall for time¡ªlong enough for Velen to arrive! Moments later, Ironback Centipede rushed forward, bowing respectfully before Velen. "Master, what are your orders?" "Take me to Clinton. Fast." In an instant, Ironback Centipede reverted to its massive form, allowing Velen to leap onto its back before soaring out of the fortress. Anastasia''s Concern Back in the main hall, Anastasia looked up at the retreating figure of Velen and Ironback Centipede, her expression puzzled. "Where is he going in such a hurry?" For some reason, she felt an ominous premonition. "Don''t tell me¡­ he''s about to bring back another senator?" A Duel Among the Stars In the depths of an asteroid belt, a black streak of light came to an abrupt halt on a dust-colored asteroid. Clinton stood there, his expression grim. He had just stopped when a blazing golden light streaked through the void¡ªlike a miniature sun, radiating intense heat. The light crashed down in front of him, materializing into a towering, imposing figure. His cold, arrogant gaze locked onto Clinton. "Didn''t think you''d break free from the Sunlord''s seal. How¡­ amusing." Before Max could say another word, Clinton shot forward like a black comet. "Max! If not for the Sunlord''s intervention, you''d already be dead! But now¡­ it''s not too late!" He knew Max was a vengeful and ruthless person. Once he had his sights set on someone, he never let them go. There was no need for talk¡ªthis would only end with one of them dead! Clinton''s decisiveness caught Max off guard, but only for a moment. Then, a dark rage flickered in Max''s eyes. Back then, he had lost to Clinton. S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. That humiliation had burned in his heart for centuries. But after two hundred years of training, he had grown far stronger. This time¡ªClinton would be the one crushed! "Clinton¡­ do you still think I''m the same as I was two hundred years ago?" Max''s fiery aura surged, and the searing flames surrounding him condensed into massive fireballs, launching toward Clinton with terrifying heat. The sheer temperature of the flames melted the void itself, leaving behind black scorch marks in space. Clinton''s soul energy surged forth in shadowy waves, but as soon as it made contact with the fireballs, it began to dissipate. His very soul essence was being burned away. The backlash hit him instantly. His body shuddered, his face turning deathly pale. One move. One move was all it took for Clinton to be completely overpowered. Max''s laughter rang through the void. "**I have surpassed anything you can comprehend, Clinton. If you beg for mercy, I''ll grant you a quick death. Otherwise, I''ll make sure your soul is burned to ashes!" As a mentee of the Sunlord, Max was prideful beyond measure. Experience new stories on My Virtual Library Empire The thrill of revenge sent an almost ecstatic pleasure surging through his body. He extended his hand, and pure soul energy erupted around him. From above, a crystal-clear Soul Crystal materialized, exuding a pressure that distorted the space around it. This was the essence of his soul, something he had meticulously cultivated over centuries. "Clinton! You''ve been sealed for two hundred years¡ªyou should have refined your own Soul Crystal by now. "Come! Let''s see who is superior!" With that, Max''s Soul Crystal came crashing down toward Clinton. Clinton had been on the verge of despair¡ªMax''s power was simply too overwhelming. But then¡ª He saw Max''s Soul Crystal. And suddenly¡­ He smirked. Max''s Soul Crystal was large. But after seeing Velen''s absurd stash, Clinton couldn''t take it seriously anymore. Seeing Clinton smirking instead of panicking, Max''s fury ignited. Without hesitation, he hurled the Soul Crystal forward, aiming to crush Clinton completely. "This is the finest Soul Crystal ever refined in the lower plane universe! Even someone with a powerful soul like you could never match it!" "In the end, you''ll die by the very power I spent centuries forging just for you!" In the lower plane universe, condensing a Soul Crystal to the size of a fist was already an incredible feat. In Max''s mind, Clinton''s Soul Crystal couldn''t possibly compare. He was already relishing the image of Clinton''s horror-stricken face. But¡ª Just as Max was about to revel in his victory, he saw something that shattered his confidence instantly. Clinton''s smirk widened as he reached into his storage bag¡­ And pulled out two Soul Crystals of the same size as Max''s. Each radiated an aura just as strong. "This¡­ this is impossible!" Max''s eyes widened in sheer disbelief. His breath hitched. "No! This has to be fake!" Max''s pupils constricted sharply as he stared at Clinton, who now held a Soul Crystal in each hand, each radiating an aura no weaker than his own. His breath hitched, as if the very air had been sucked from his lungs. He knew the difficulty of condensing a Soul Crystal. Even with the Flame of Sun granted by the Sunlord, he had spent two centuries refining a single one¡ªa Soul Crystal he believed to be the strongest in the lower plane universe. Yet now¡ª The treasured masterpiece he had painstakingly refined, the weapon he had prepared solely to crush Clinton''s spirit, had been reduced to a joke in an instant. "Impossible!" His voice trembled with disbelief. "I know your soul! You may have some strength, but there''s absolutely no way you could reach this level! "I had the Sunlord''s power! I relied on his divine flame to forge mine! "But you¡ªyou have no background, no patron, no god behind you! "This must be fake!" Chapter126-Flame of Sun Despite the overwhelmingly real aura emanating from the Soul Crystal in Max''s hand, the impact of this revelation was simply too immense for him. After all, a Soul Crystal of this level practically did not exist in the lower plane universe¡ªit was only by breaking the limits with the Flame of Sun that it could be condensed! He refused to believe that any so-called prodigy in the lower plane universe could surpass his bloodline talent and background! As for Clinton before him, he was not even worth a single strand of hair! Gazing at Max, who had fallen into a daze, as if experiencing a crushing defeat and teetering on the brink of collapse, Clinton clicked his tongue and sighed: "What an arrogant fool. Have you ever heard the saying: anything is possible?" "Two hundred years ago, I defeated you with my own effort." "Then, you relied on external power to turn the tables. Did you really think I would never have my own fortuitous encounters or meet any powerful figures?" "Let me tell you the truth¡ªyou can''t even begin to imagine the opportunities I''ve come across!" "And you don''t need to question it. Today, I''ll prove it with facts¡ªyour so-called Soul Crystal is nothing but garbage!" As he spoke, Clinton, brimming with confidence, directly absorbed two soul orbs into his body, treating them as disposable power sources! "You only have a single Soul Crystal, but mine¡­ I have more than you could ever imagine!" In an instant, after absorbing the two soul orbs, Clinton threw a punch directly at Max without hesitation. "Soul Shattering Fist!" His thunderous roar shook the void. The soul energy disturbance rippled like a raging tide, propelling the ethereal phantom fist he had condensed, crashing toward Max. Max had already sensed an overwhelming sense of danger and instinctively began absorbing the vast power contained within his Soul Crystal, while simultaneously channeling the Flame of Sun, forming an impenetrable wall of fire before him. Explore more at My Virtual Library Empire Boom! The massive ten-story-high fist imprint completely locked onto Max. As it collided with the fire barrier, it immediately erupted into visible spatial ripples, shattering the surrounding asteroid belt into pieces! After their first clash, an even more terrifying soul shockwave spread out, obliterating every asteroid within thousands of meters into dust! "So this is the terror of the soul master profession?!" "Just their soul clashes alone have caused such massive changes to the battlefield¡ªif anyone were caught in this fight, their very soul would be shattered on the spot!" Velen had just arrived at the chaotic asteroid field, led by the Ironback Centipede, and immediately witnessed this intense confrontation. Seeing Velen speak, Ironback Centipede squinted its eyes and chuckled obsequiously: "Master, Senator Clinton''s aura and rank are far inferior to that of his opponent. However, he has an endless supply of Soul Crystals to replenish his power and enhance his attacks. As long as this battle continues, Max is bound to lose!" As a spellbeast, its perception was sharper than that of humans. This was a battle fought in the purest soul confrontation unique to soul masters. Because of its straightforward nature, Ironback Centipede could make an immediate judgment. "That guy is no ordinary foe." Velen shook his head. "Even though Senator Clinton holds the upper hand for now, it''s still too soon to celebrate!" Velen was well aware of Max''s exceptional bloodline, as well as his upper plane universe background¡ªhe was connected to Sunlord himself. He must not be underestimated. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Moreover, when Senator Clinton left earlier, the system had directly issued a warning: Senator Clinton is in grave danger. Velen had absolute faith in the system''s judgment. As he and Ironback Centipede observed, both combatants suddenly trembled after nearly ten minutes of soul clashes. For Clinton, maintaining high-intensity soul output was an extreme burden on his body. If this continued, his physical form might collapse entirely. Max, too, trembled slightly¡ªbut not from exhaustion. It was because his heart ached to the point of suffocation! His Soul Crystal was incredibly valuable, painstakingly refined over two centuries. And yet, in less than thirty minutes, he had already consumed over half of it! This was a devastating humiliation. He had every advantage¡ªhis rank, his body, and the magnitude of his soul energy completely crushed Clinton''s. Yet even with such an overwhelming superiority, he still hadn''t defeated him! Moreover, as the fight dragged on, he noticed something bizarre¡ªClinton''s Soul Crystal reserves were depleting at a far greater rate than his own. Yet instead of showing any distress, Clinton grew more exhilarated by the second! This unnatural reaction drove Max to the brink of madness. "Fine, fine! I admit, I underestimated you earlier!" "But this ends now!" Max could not let this continue. If his Soul Crystals were completely exhausted, it would mean his two centuries of effort were wasted! Clinton must die. He had to find out where Clinton was getting so many Soul Crystals! As Max''s killing intent surged, the void above him split apart¡ª From within, a blazing crimson sun emerged, unleashing golden beams of densely concentrated light that instantly illuminated the pitch-black void! Feeling the soul-piercing force radiating from the golden beams, Clinton''s expression twisted in horror. A dreadful premonition surged through him: If he remained under this golden radiance, not only would his soul be riddled with holes, but it might ignite instantly, burning him to ashes! "Under this Soul Sun, tremble and burn!" With his ultimate attack unleashed, Max''s face twisted in madness, veins bulging across his forehead like writhing serpents. This technique was an unstoppable execution move for any Ascended Rank Awakener! At that moment, Clinton, sensing imminent doom, could only frantically absorb Soul Crystals and shift to pure defense, summoning black mist around him to block the golden radiance. However¡ª The pitch-black mist barely took shape before it was instantly burned away. Like blood exposed to the scorching sun, it evaporated instantly! Clinton''s pupils contracted sharply¡ª And then¡ª He saw the golden radiance burst through his body from the inside out! In an instant, his form resembled a punctured porcupine, countless golden beams piercing through him! Yet strangely¡ª Despite the gaping wounds, not a single drop of blood flowed. "It only damages the soul? What an unusual technique!" Velen''s eyes widened in astonishment. He had never expected Max''s attack to be so refined that Clinton had no way to resist. Clinton had been utterly defeated. This pure soul-targeting ability rendered physical defenses completely useless. "Clinton, I told you¡ªyou''re no match for me!" Coldly sweeping his gaze over Clinton, now little more than a walking corpse, Max sneered. He reached out, intent on seizing Clinton''s soul to uncover the source of his Soul Crystals. But just then¡ª A tear in the void opened nearby. "Velen! Iron Cub!" Clinton''s eyes trembled as he saw figures rushing toward them. Yet Max merely smirked cruelly. "Perfect. I didn''t expect you to have allies!" "But they''re pathetically weak!" Gazing at Velen and Ironback Centipede, Max''s contempt was absolute. "Clinton, I have two questions for you." "Answer them well, and I''ll grant you a swift death." "Otherwise, I''ll turn your friends into puppets¡ªand you''ll beg for death!" Chapter127-The Sun Bracelet Shattered in One Move "The seal set by Sunlord is not something you¡ªor even any awakener of this plane¡ªcan shake. How exactly did you break it?" Max''s eyes were locked onto Clinton, his gaze sharp and unrelenting. Back when Clinton first emerged from the seal, Max had dismissed it as an illusion. After all, this was an array personally set by his mentor. Someone of that caliber, even with a mere flick of their hand, could leave behind a seal that no one on this plane should be able to break. As soon as his voice fell, he suddenly noticed that the young man sitting atop the Ironback Centipede had stepped forward, standing right in front of Clinton and scrutinizing him up and down. "That so-called array you''re talking about? It wasn''t much. I walked Clinton right out without any trouble. Why are you barking like a dog here?" Velen had zero respect for Max. The guy didn''t even act like a genius¡ªhe couldn''t beat Clinton in a fight, so he immediately called in reinforcements to suppress him. And now that Clinton had finally escaped the seal, Max was standing here, smugly mocking him. Such a petty move. Hearing Velen''s taunting, Max''s face darkened as he glared at him. Discover more content at My Virtual Library Empire "What an ignorant fool! The seal set by Sunlord is something you couldn''t break even if you spent your entire life on it. You really think this is the place to be running your mouth?" Velen''s aura was weak¡ªhe wasn''t even an Ascended Rank awakener. Someone like him? There was simply no way he had the power to breach the seal. Max let out a loud laugh at the very idea. But Velen merely snorted. "Doubting me? Anyone who truly knows me never dares to doubt me. Since you''re so short-sighted, I''ll make sure you open your eyes wide today!" S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Since there was nothing urgent at the moment, Velen figured he might as well give Max a proper lesson. His attention shifted to the golden bracelet on Max''s wrist. The bracelet emitted an unusual aura¡ªit clearly contained Sunlord''s power. The space around it warped, melting under the terrifying heat. From it, Velen sensed a force not belonging to this plane. Clearly, this was a treasure bestowed upon Max by Sunlord. Seeing Velen''s gaze fixated on his bracelet, Max snorted. "Country bumpkin. Never seen a treasure of this quality before, have you? This is a supreme artifact gifted by Sunlord from the upper plane universe! With the Sun Bracelet protecting me, I am invincible in this lower plane universe!" His eyes gleamed with the arrogance of someone looking down on a peasant. "You dare talk about opening my eyes? Do you even deserve it? Do you have anything this valuable? You''re just some lowly creature from this lower plane universe!" Max''s blatant flaunting made Clinton, who was still heavily injured, suddenly burst into laughter¡ªtears nearly spilling from his eyes. The Ironback Centipede frowned and asked, "Senator Clinton, are you alright? What''s so funny?" Clinton glanced at him and replied, "I''m laughing at Max''s ignorance, at his stupidity. He actually thinks he can flaunt his wealth in front of Velen. But the funniest part? He doesn''t realize that his beloved treasure is about to be destroyed. Just imagining him bawling over it makes my stomach hurt from laughter." Hearing this, Ironback Centipede couldn''t help but feel a bit of sympathy for Max. Flaunting wealth in front of others was one thing. But doing it in front of Velen? That was straight-up suicidal. At that moment, Velen chuckled as he looked at the bracelet that Max had intentionally exposed for him to admire. "This thing you treasure so much? To me, it''s nothing special. If this is the source of your arrogance, then I can only pity you. You must not have seen many real treasures in your lifetime." The trio''s mocking gazes bore down on Max, making him suddenly feel like he had made a fool of himself. But no! This Sun Bracelet was a divine artifact bestowed by Sunlord himself! Even in the upper plane universe, it was a rare and priceless treasure, let alone in this lower plane. And these nobodies dared to ridicule him? They were courting death! In an instant, Max channeled his overwhelming elemental energy and domineering soul power, forming a torrent of black and red that surged into the flaming bracelet on his wrist. As his power flowed in, the once palm-sized bracelet expanded rapidly. The fiery-red bracelet flared up, igniting a blazing inferno that engulfed Velen and the others in an instant. The scorching heat spread outward, burning the air itself, producing a relentless sizzling sound. Inside the bracelet''s realm, it was like a high-pressure furnace, filled with a terrifying temperature. "This bracelet contains the true power of Sunlord! Today, I''ll show you what divine power truly means!" Max roared, and the gigantic Sun Bracelet, which had surrounded Velen and the others, began to contract rapidly like a tightened rubber band, aiming to incinerate them on the spot. But just as his voice fell¡ª Velen''s deep eyes flickered with an eerie light, and an extreme darkness surged forth. A gray-black radiance shot from his pupils¡ª Eye of Annihilation! The moment this ominous energy spread out, everything in its path was veiled in shadow. The Sun Bracelet, which had been burning asteroids and tearing through space, suddenly lost its color, turning gray. Then¡ª "Crack!" With a single shattering sound, the once brilliant, fiery bracelet crumbled into dust. The dim fragments fell from the air¡ªjust like Max''s shattered heart. His eyes widened in shock, his body frozen in disbelief. This bracelet¡­ This treasure personally gifted by Sunlord¡­ Had just disintegrated in an instant, as if it were nothing more than fragile clay. As the Sun Bracelet shattered, Max''s soul was violently shaken. He coughed up a mouthful of blood as he was sent flying backward, smashing through several asteroids before barely stabilizing himself. The Sun Bracelet was destroyed. Once shattered, it could never be restored. And now, his ultimate trump card in the lower plane universe was gone. The more he thought about his previous boastful words, the more he felt his face burn in humiliation. The real clown¡­ was him. But his embarrassment wasn''t the worst part. This bracelet had been personally granted by Sunlord. And now, it had been obliterated in a single moment. This was an outright slap in Sunlord''s face! Realizing this, Max wiped the blood from his lips, and a phantasmal god mark began to emerge on his forehead. Nearby, Clinton''s face instantly turned pale. "Velen, we need to leave now! Max is calling for reinforcements! If Sunlord''s avatar arrives, we''ll be in serious trouble!" Seeing the divine god mark flicker on Max''s forehead, Clinton immediately sensed danger. The last time he fought Max, it was this exact move that summoned Sunlord''s avatar to descend upon this plane. His urgent voice reached Velen''s ears. But Velen remained calm and composed. "Clinton, you''ve always avoided ascending to the upper plane universe because you feared Sunlord, haven''t you? But since Max is summoning him now¡­ how about we give him a proper beating first?" "From now on, just stay in the fortress as a Senator. When we ascend together, we''ll still be friends¡ªand we can have some real fun up there." Hearing Velen casually talking about beating up Sunlord, Clinton''s eyelids twitched. That was Sunlord. Even in the upper plane universe, Sunlord was a terrifyingly powerful figure. All who knew his name feared and respected him. But Velen? He was already talking about thrashing him. Unbelievable. But thinking about who Velen was¡ªthinking about the monstrous background he had hidden¡ªit suddenly didn''t seem so impossible. And as this wild thought took root, Clinton held his breath. Perhaps today¡ª He was about to witness another miracle. At that moment, Velen turned toward the system and calmly commanded: "System, don''t send reinforcements just yet. I want to see exactly how strong this so-called Sunlord really is." Chapter128-Sunlord, Is That All? Upon hearing Velen''s request, the system quickly responded: "Reminder to the host: The system has a more powerful Tycoon Guard available. This guard can use Sunlord''s avatar to forcibly pull his true body down from the upper plane universe. How you wish to deal with him afterward is entirely up to you!" Velen was momentarily stunned by the message. Who the hell was this Tycoon Guard? How could they be this powerful? As far as he knew, while an avatar was connected to its main body, forcibly affecting the main body through an avatar was incredibly difficult. After all, if anything went wrong, the true body could simply sever its connection with the avatar. Moreover, this was the lower plane universe, a place where true entities from the upper plane universe were almost completely unable to descend due to the dual rejection of both dimensions. Yet, this Tycoon Guard the system mentioned could forcefully drag Sunlord''s true body down? That was insane! Curious, Velen asked, "This Sunlord sounds pretty strong. In the upper plane universe, how does he compare to Anastasia''s past-life mentor?" After a brief pause, the system displayed a bold, red message: "Sunlord alone can annihilate an entire world. Anastasia''s past-life mentor is not even worth a single move against him." Velen sucked in a cold breath. No wonder Max had been so arrogant before¡ªSunlord really was that powerful! An entire world could be wiped out by him alone? That kind of combat power was beyond anything Velen could currently imagine. But then, another thought sent a chill down his spine. Holy crap! Even this ridiculously powerful figure wasn''t a match for the Tycoon Guard?! The system''s Tycoon Guard was beyond broken! Then, another system notification appeared: "Reminder to the host: There is always someone stronger. The upper plane universe is nothing more than a ''lower plane universe'' in the eyes of even higher beings. However, even those ultimate, terrifying existences would only make the Tycoon Guard take things more seriously." "Furthermore, your future displays of wealth will allow the Tycoon Guard to receive additional power boosts!" Velen''s eyes widened. So just by flexing his wealth, his guards would grow stronger?! This was incredible! In other words, as long as he kept flaunting, the already absurdly strong Tycoon Guardians would keep growing in power? For the first time, Velen felt that he hadn''t wasted enough money before. If he had been more extravagant, how much stronger would his Tycoon Guardians be by now?! He was starting to get excited. Sunlord Descends As Velen envisioned his future, a towering figure appeared atop a fire dragon, emerging as though he had melted through space itself. Dressed in flaming red armor, his very presence distorted the air around him, creating an invisible inferno that scorched the very fabric of reality. The moment he arrived, his blazing, sun-like eyes immediately locked onto Velen, Clinton, and Ironback Centipede. "Who dares destroy my Sun Bracelet? Who dares to show such disrespect to their elder?" His booming voice rippled through space, causing the void to tremble. The surrounding temperature skyrocketed, making it feel as though they had been dropped into a blistering desert, parched and suffocating. "Mentor, I have always followed your teachings, carving my invincible path from this lower plane universe!" "Two hundred years ago, I lost to Clinton, but today, I have finally won. Yet now, this person has destroyed the precious Sun Bracelet you gifted me. I have disappointed you!" Before Sunlord''s avatar, Max was no longer the arrogant, untouchable figure from before. He bowed deeply, his expression full of guilt¡ªhis previous arrogance was completely gone. Sunlord gazed at the now-disheveled Max, and a trace of disappointment flashed in his eyes. He had high hopes for this disciple. Even though Max had suffered a major defeat two centuries ago, he had considered it an accident. But now, barely after achieving his revenge, Max had been crushed again. This guy really was hopeless. Still, as pathetic as he was, Max was his disciple¡ªand Sunlord''s divine prestige was at stake. Thus, he turned his attention toward Velen and the others. Max, feeling the overwhelming pressure from Sunlord''s gaze shift away from him, hurriedly pointed at Velen. "Mentor, it was this man! Not only is he arrogant, but he has absolutely no respect for you!" "He''s the one who shattered the bracelet you bestowed upon me!" "And he''s also the reason Clinton was able to escape your seal!" Desperate to save face, Max exaggerated everything, his voice full of rage and resentment. Sunlord''s expression remained unmoved. To him, Max''s complaints were irrelevant. The only thing that mattered was that Velen had shattered his Sun Bracelet¡ª And that was an unforgivable insult. "A mere insignificant insect dares to speak such arrogance? Die!" Sunlord''s palm ignited, unleashing an endless sea of fire¡ªa hellish inferno that surged forward like a tidal wave, aiming to incinerate Velen and the others. Death would be too easy. Sunlord wanted them to suffer, their bodies and souls scorched, until they understood what it meant to fear the divine. The Turning Point As Sunlord''s immense divine pressure bore down, Velen narrowed his eyes. It was no wonder that Sunlord was considered so terrifying¡ªeven just an avatar of his had power beyond countless awakeners. His divine presence alone could make people freeze in fear, their bodies refusing to move, as if waiting for inevitable death. But at that moment¡ª The space in front of Velen suddenly split open. A deep, commanding voice echoed throughout the realm: "A mere flickering firefly¡­ dares to act against my lord? Laughable!" The moment the voice rang out¡ª Sunlord''s divine pressure shattered. Like a broken dam, his oppressive presence collapsed in an instant, dispersing into nothingness. The suffocating force that had been pressing down on Velen and the others vanished completely. Velen''s eyes glinted with curiosity. sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Which Tycoon Guard would appear this time? Then, a brilliant golden radiance burst forth, illuminating the void. A towering figure emerged, their face and form gradually becoming clearer. When Velen finally saw the figure, he froze for a moment. This guy looked really familiar¡­ The moment the figure fully materialized, they bowed deeply toward Velen, a broad smile on their face. "Victor-1, greets my Lord!" The words struck like thunder. Sunlord''s pupils contracted sharply, his expression turning into one of pure shock. Even though this was only his avatar, he could feel the terrifying power surging within this new arrival. Not just now¡ªbut even if he descended in his true form, he wasn''t sure he could win! But the most terrifying part? This unfathomably powerful being had bowed before Velen, showing absolute respect and loyalty! "Who is this man?!" "What kind of terrifying background does he have?!" While Sunlord was shaken to his core, Max was equally stunned. He had never imagined that Velen had such a monstrous backer. And from Sunlord''s reaction, it was clear¡ª Even he was intimidated. "Max¡­ who are these people?! What kind of mess have you dragged me into?!" For the first time, Sunlord felt regret¡ª Regret that he had ever taken Max as a disciple. "If you keep trying to deny it, go ahead. But today¡­ I was too reckless. From now on¡ª" "You are no longer my disciple." Chapter129-The Considerate Velen For Sunlord, maintaining his dignity was crucial, yet the golden-armored youth before him exuded a presence so terrifying that even he¡ªa being of the upper plane universe¡ªfelt fear. This was an overwhelming force, one that he instinctively knew might have the power to annihilate him completely. From the moment this youth appeared, Sunlord''s true body, even while sitting safely in the upper plane universe, had felt an inexplicable sense of dread. This was an opponent he absolutely could not fight. Self-destruction was the only option. Without hesitation, Sunlord''s avatar began disturbing the surrounding void, causing ripples to spread across space¡ªthe telltale sign of imminent self-destruction. While crafting an avatar required considerable time and energy, it was nothing compared to the risk of facing this golden-armored terror head-on. However, just as Sunlord was about to sever his connection to this plane, Velen shook his head slightly and spoke in a tone tinged with annoyance: "Sunlord, weren''t you acting all high and mighty just now? And now you want to run? Stay right here." Then, Velen''s expression darkened slightly as he commanded: "Victor, pull down his real body!" The moment Velen gave the order, Victor-1''s gaze locked onto Sunlord''s avatar, his cold and merciless eyes freezing the very space around them. All violent energy within Sunlord came to a sudden halt. Frozen. "To act so arrogantly before my Lord¡­ I must commend your courage." Victor-1''s voice carried a chilling murderous intent. Then, without hesitation, he reached out, grasping at the fabric of space as if it were a thin veil, and tore it apart¡ªsplitting open a black rift in the void. From the other side, a strange, kaleidoscopic world was faintly visible. In the Solar Temple At that very moment, within the upper plane universe, seated upon his golden throne, Sunlord''s true body suddenly snapped his eyes open¡ªhis usually unshakable expression now showing undisguised shock. "Impossible!" His voice trembled with disbelief. Before he could even process what was happening, the space before him was forcibly ripped open. A profound sense of danger coiled around his heart, refusing to dissipate. Victor-1 had torn through the time-space barrier of the upper plane universe itself. For the first time, Sunlord felt genuine terror. Realizing the implications, he tried to retreat¡ªdesperately attempting to distance himself from the ominous rift that had violated his sanctum. But before he could even take a full step back¡ª A hand shot out from the void. A massive, golden hand. It grabbed him by the collar and wrenched him forward. "Since you love interfering so much, why not come down to the lower plane yourself? Why let an avatar do your dirty work?" Victor-1''s icy voice rang out. And then¡ª He yanked. Hard. Before Sunlord could resist, he felt his elemental power collapse, his body dragged forward helplessly, sucked into the black void¡ª Into the lower plane universe. Sunlord''s Arrival A deafening roar of displaced air echoed through the asteroid belt as Sunlord''s true form materialized in the lower plane universe. The moment he fully arrived, the very space around him ignited in searing golden flames. The heat was so intense that asteroids and space itself began to melt and warp. But¡ª As a being not originally from this universe, Sunlord''s very presence was an anomaly. And anomalies do not go unpunished. The sky rumbled, and above his head¡ª Countless thunderbolts began gathering. Not just any lightning¡ª Doom Thunder. The will of the lower plane universe itself had deemed Sunlord a violation, and now it sought to erase him from existence. The sheer pressure of the unleashed divine wrath sent shivers through even the strongest of awakeners. This was world-ending lightning. Even just a single strand could wipe out civilizations. Yet¡ª "This is none of your concern." Victor-1 merely glanced at the sky¡ª Then casually swung his hand. With a single motion, a colossal hurricane erupted¡ª And Doom Thunder was swept away like dust. Gone. As though it had never existed. The Aftermath Clinton stared, mouth agape. "So this is Velen''s hidden master¡­ No wonder he never took Sunlord seriously!" That was Sunlord. Sunlord. Yet, he was just dragged out of the upper plane universe like a helpless child? And that Doom Thunder, an unstoppable force of the world itself, had been erased in an instant?! Clinton felt like he was dreaming. Meanwhile, Max had gone completely numb. He had reached Ascended Rank Level 9, standing at the pinnacle of power in this world. Yet Doom Thunder, something that could annihilate entire civilizations, was effortlessly dismissed. Victor-1 made it look like anyone could do it. But Max knew¡ª He himself would be vaporized by even a single bolt of that lightning. Yet, in Victor-1''s presence, it wasn''t even a threat. Velen Makes a Decision While everyone else was paralyzed in shock, Victor-1 turned toward Velen, bowing slightly. "My Lord, Sunlord is here. How would you like to handle him and Max?" Velen glanced at Max, then shook his head. "That guy? He''s worthless. And he abuses his power. Just kill him." Max''s heart stopped. No. No, no, no, no¡ª Before he could even beg for his life, Victor-1''s blade flashed. A single tear through space¡ª And Max was gone. His entire existence erased as though he had never been there. No corpse. No remains. Just nothingness. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. What to Do With Sunlord? Victor-1 tightened his grip on his battle blade, his eyes locking onto Sunlord. "Shall I kill him too, My Lord?" Even Sunlord, who had weathered countless battles, shuddered at those words. For the first time, he felt his own death approaching. In the upper plane universe, he was a supreme deity. He dictated who lived and who died. But here¡ª His own fate lay in someone else''s hands. At that moment, Velen turned to Clinton and spoke thoughtfully: "Senator Clinton, Sunlord sealed you for over two centuries, forcing you to suppress your growth out of fear. How do you wish to deal with him?" "I have two suggestions." "First, we kill him outright. Simple revenge¡ªquick and clean." "Second, since he imprisoned you for over two hundred years, we make him your slave for two hundred years to repay his debt." "Of course, if you''d rather torture him for the same amount of time, that''s an option too. The main goal is to remove any lingering fear or trauma you have toward him." "You''ll be ascending with me to the upper plane universe soon, and I won''t have any of my people carrying baggage." "So whatever helps you move on¡ªdo it." Hearing Velen''s words, Clinton felt a lump in his throat. He had suffered in silence for centuries, but Velen saw it instantly¡ªand was actively helping him overcome it. "Who says Velen only knows how to flaunt his wealth?!" "He''s actually the most considerate person ever!" Chapter130-Enslaving Sunlord Clinton took a deep breath, his expression unusually serious. "Velen, you saved me from that seal, and now you''re even thinking so deeply about what''s best for me¡­ From this moment on, if you ever need anything, just say the word. My life is yours!" The kindness Velen had shown him was beyond anything he could ever repay. The only thing he could offer in return was his strength. Hearing these words, Sunlord''s expression twitched violently. What the hell was this? Why was Velen using him to win over allies?! And Clinton¡ªwasn''t he supposed to be a proud and noble Headmaster? Now, he was practically groveling at Velen''s feet! The sheer absurdity of the situation made Sunlord feel lightheaded. Meanwhile, Ironback Centipede was enjoying the show. "Master Velen truly lives up to his reputation as a tycoon!" Even the life of a godlike being was nothing more than a bargaining chip to him. To pull Clinton into his fold, Velen was using Sunlord himself. "How extravagant! Truly, this is the essence of our Lord¡ªunpredictable, yet so¡­ beautifully ''humble'' in its extravagance." He turned to Clinton, wondering what choice he would ultimately make. Clinton, on the other hand, was staring down at Sunlord, his voice filled with a cold and unshakable resolve: "Velen, this man has cost me over two hundred years of my life. If we just kill him, that would be too merciful. If possible, I want to enslave him forever. Even after my death, I want him buried with me!" His voice wasn''t loud, but every word carried an unshakable weight. Hearing this, Velen finally understood just how deep Clinton''s hatred ran. And frankly¡ª It was reasonable. A talented and ambitious young man had his entire future stolen from him just because he defeated someone with connections. Had Velen not appeared, Clinton would have likely been trapped in that seal until he died, or worse¡ªkilled by Max the moment he ascended. To be physically and mentally tormented for centuries¡ª No one could just let that go. Velen nodded slightly, then glanced at Victor-1. Victor understood immediately. A mystical rune emerged on his forehead, slowly materializing into an ancient contract. Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The moment the contract fully formed, it shot into Sunlord''s forehead, sealing a vast majority of his strength. "Sunlord''s power has been sealed," Victor-1 declared. "I have also left a mark on his soul. From now on, he is your slave." Then, he added with a slight warning: "However, once he ascends back to the upper plane universe, his strength will return to its original level. The soul mark, however, will remain, binding him under Clinton''s command." "Only if he surpasses my power will the contract break¡­ But honestly? That''s practically impossible." Then, Victor-1 turned to Velen, his tone as respectful as ever. "My Lord, my strength has advanced greatly, and I have also suppressed this world''s will. If you ever need anything, just call upon me." "If there is nothing else, I shall take my leave." With a polite bow, Victor-1 vanished. Watching his departure, Velen nodded in satisfaction. Victor wasn''t just strong¡ªhe was smart. His growth rate was terrifyingly fast, and it seemed that, in time, he could even become a competent secretary. With that settled, Velen''s gaze shifted to Sunlord. "Clinton, how strong is Sunlord in his current state?" Clinton closed his eyes, briefly sensing the energy before responding. "He''s also Ascended Rank Level 9¡­ but even if a hundred of me fought together, we wouldn''t stand a chance against him." It made sense. Sunlord wasn''t just powerful¡ªhis combat experience, elemental control, and overall mastery of magic far surpassed Clinton''s. Clinton knew his limits and wasn''t foolish enough to overestimate himself. "Alright then," Velen said, nodding slightly. "We should head back. And remember¡ªSunlord''s identity must remain a secret for now. No one else can know about this." Clinton nodded immediately. Of course. Sunlord was a legend even in the upper plane universe¡ªa top-tier awakener with godlike status. Yet, somehow¡­ He was now Clinton''s personal slave. Who would believe such a thing? Meanwhile, Sunlord himself was experiencing the exact same disbelief. He had spent centuries building his reputation, reigning supreme among the awakeners of the upper plane universe. And now? He was someone''s servant. It was unthinkable. He clenched his teeth in rage. It was all Max''s fault. If not for that idiot, he never would have crossed paths with Clinton¡ªmuch less Velen. Fortress Entrance Anastasia stood at the gates, her sharp eyes locked on the distant figures approaching. Velen, Clinton, and Ironback Centipede. And behind them¡ª A mysterious, middle-aged man exuding an unfathomable aura. Her brows furrowed. "Velen, what kind of trouble did you get into this time?" Velen had never been an obedient person. If he and Clinton left secretly, it meant they were definitely up to something. Now that they were sneaking back, she had a bad feeling about it. When she saw them, she immediately rushed forward, blocking their path. "Velen! Who is this man?" "I''ve never seen him before. You''re not planning to make him a Senator, are you?!" The fortress already had too many Senators. Every time Velen brought someone back, it became her problem to manage them. If he kept this up, she''d lose her mind. Velen laughed, eyes twinkling with amusement. "Anastasia, you have a sharp eye! Yes, I am bringing him into the fortress¡­ but don''t worry¡ªhe''s not a Senator." "Then what is he?" she asked, frowning. Velen grinned. "A servant. Just someone to help out." Anastasia froze. "A¡­ servant?" Why did that sound off? The fortress didn''t need servants. The Senators and disciples were more than capable of taking care of themselves. "Velen, forget it. We don''t need servants. Besides, the fortress doesn''t accept useless people. If he''s joining, he needs to be at least Ascended Rank level." This was the perfect excuse. If she set Ascended Rank as the minimum requirement, Velen couldn''t argue. But when Sunlord heard this¡ª His eyes twitched violently. Ascended Rank? Just to be a servant?! This place¡­ What kind of insane fortress was this?! Chapter131-How Were You Bribed? Velen looked at Anastasia, who had a serious expression, and nodded in agreement: "Lord Anastasia, I fully support your idea. Even if they are just servants, they must be held to strict standards!" Hearing Velen''s words, Anastasia was momentarily stunned. What kind of statement was that? Wasn''t Velen trying to recruit people into the fortress? Why was he raising the requirements instead? Could it be that this unassuming man was actually an Ascended Rank powerhouse? Velen glanced at Sunlord and continued, "I think the minimum requirement of Ascended Rank you mentioned is still too low!" "Lord Anastasia, let me formally introduce you. This is Apollo. Like Senator Clinton, he is a top-tier Ascended Rank powerhouse on the verge of entering the upper plane universe!" "Since the fortress already has a large population, we must now strive for excellence. Even for servants, the standards should be high. Only an Ascended Rank Level 9 Awakener like him meets the fortress''s current entry requirements!" Hearing this, Anastasia couldn''t believe her ears. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Good heavens! No wonder she had sensed an aura of dignity from this man, whose presence felt incredibly obscure¡ªhe turned out to be a top-tier Ascended Rank Level 9 powerhouse! But such a high-level figure would receive immense respect and status in any force. Why would he willingly become a servant of the fortress? If the other senators found out, they would surely feel enormous pressure. After all, if even a mere servant in the fortress surpassed them in strength, wouldn''t that mean they were inferior even to the lowest servants if they didn''t work harder? Seeing Anastasia, a woman of special status, looking astonished, Sunlord immediately sensed an opportunity! Clearly, something was off about how a powerhouse like himself ended up joining the fortress in this manner. If Anastasia questioned it, he could use the chance to prove his loyalty and gain her favor. Discover exclusive content at My Virtual Library Empire From what he had observed, Anastasia held considerable influence¡ªeven the unfathomable Velen was affected by her. As long as he could win her over, he might one day rise again! He was Sunlord, after all, someone who had risen from nothing. Even though he had now fallen into ruin, he prided himself on his resilience. These hardships wouldn''t defeat him¡ªon the contrary, he would seize an opportunity even in the direst of circumstances. And now, wasn''t such an opportunity presenting itself? However, just as he eagerly awaited Anastasia''s response, she only glanced at him before refocusing on Velen. "Velen, tell me¡ªhow much mana crystal did you spend to deceive such a powerhouse into coming here?" Sunlord''s mouth hung open in shock. What did she mean? Even if his true identity as Sunlord remained hidden, he was at least an Ascended Rank Level 9 powerhouse. Could someone at this level really be ''deceived'' into coming here? What on earth was wrong with this Anastasia? Sunlord suddenly sensed that something was off. But he couldn''t quite put his finger on it. He could only stare blankly at Velen and Anastasia. Had he lived in the upper plane universe for so long that his thinking had become completely disconnected from these lower-plane people? Regardless, he knew he had to act now¡ªotherwise, he might not get another chance. At once, he turned to Anastasia and quickly said, "Lord Anastasia, I was not lured here by mana crystals. I became a servant of the fortress because¡ª" Before he could finish, Anastasia interrupted him. "Alright, Apollo, I know Velen must have given you benefits to make you speak on his behalf. That''s understandable. But what I don''t understand is¡ªyou''re a top-tier Ascended Rank Level 9 powerhouse! In the Titan Galaxy and other star systems, you would be one of the most powerful Awakeners. Why would you willingly become a servant? How much did Velen offer you?" "But I''m not someone who pries into secrets. Since you voluntarily chose to join the fortress as a servant, that''s between you and Velen. I won''t interfere. Your strength is sufficient, and the fortress welcomes you." After finishing her words, Anastasia turned and left. Meanwhile, Sunlord Apollo was completely dumbfounded. What "immense benefits" from Velen? He had received no benefits at all! On the contrary, he had been forcibly enslaved by Velen''s subordinates! To think that he, a godly being, was now being mocked by a young girl like Anastasia¡ªit was utterly humiliating. A godlike being, reduced to such a state¡ªsurely, in all of history, he was the only one! "You''ve had a long day. It''s time to rest," Velen yawned, stretching. "Senator Clinton, Apollo has just become your servant. Let him serve you tonight. Once he gets used to his surroundings, we''ll assign him proper duties." With that, Velen walked into the fortress, and Ironback Centipede obediently followed at his side. Watching their retreating figures, Senator Clinton turned a sinister gaze toward Apollo. "Sunlord, you ruled with an iron fist in the upper plane universe, never expecting to fall to such depths, did you?" Clinton truly despised Sunlord Apollo. "Don''t worry, I am a fair man. Back then, you sealed me away for over two hundred years, robbing me of my prime. Now, you will serve me here to atone for your sins. If you perform well, I might consider releasing you in a few hundred years." Though filled with hatred, Clinton''s centuries-long confinement had granted him clarity. At the very least, his heart had found peace. Even when facing his most hated enemy, he regained his composure after a brief surge of emotion. Seeing Clinton''s shift in demeanor, Apollo''s resistance gradually turned into a more complicated expression. Sometime later¡­ Following closely behind Clinton, Apollo entered the fortress and immediately saw the floating courtyard suspended in mid-air. A mana planet! At first glance, Apollo was absolutely certain¡ªthe entire floating courtyard was built from mana planets! Mana planets were incredibly rare even in the upper plane universe, yet in the fortress, they were being used as building materials! As Apollo struggled to process this revelation, Clinton shot him a glance and commanded, "Stand guard beneath the floating courtyard. Tomorrow, we will assign you a residence and determine your specific duties." After speaking, Clinton entered his luxurious floating estate, leaving Apollo standing there, completely stunned. He distinctly recalled that Max had once fought Clinton over a mana planet. But he remembered clearly¡ªthat mana planet had been no larger than a person''s head, and it was still considered incredibly valuable. Yet here, Clinton was living in an estate made entirely of mana planets?! If Clinton had possessed so many mana planets, why had he fought Max for one? Was he just toying with them all along? Realizing this, Apollo felt utterly defeated. Meanwhile¡­ Dark Eye Galaxy, Holy Light Temple, Sword Saint Plaza. When Kidd finally rushed back, he was shocked to find both Mark and the Grand Senator waiting for him. Their icy gazes sent a shiver down his spine. Clearly, sneaking into Chaos City to avoid their training had truly enraged them. But Kidd''s panic lasted only a moment before he quickly regained his composure. He was a Great Swordsman now¡ªfar stronger than before. What was there to fear? Taking a deep breath, he strutted toward them with an air of arrogant defiance. Seeing this unusual behavior, both Mark and the Grand Senator were taken aback. They knew Kidd inside and out¡ªwhen had he ever dared act so brashly in front of them? Something was definitely off. "How could his attitude change so drastically in such a short time?" Staring at Kidd''s smug face, the Grand Senator''s eye twitched. "I really, really want to beat him up." Chapter132-The Arrogant Kidd "It''s time to teach him a proper lesson. If we keep indulging him, he''ll keep wasting time, wasting our energy, and squandering such an incredible talent!" Mark chimed in with agreement. "Besides, this time he left and didn''t learn anything useful. Instead, he picked up all sorts of strange and useless things¡ªcompletely undisciplined!" The more he spoke, the more agitated Mark became. After all, in his eyes, Kidd was a once-in-a-millennium sword prodigy, yet not only did he fail to cherish his talent, but he also actively resisted it. He simply couldn''t understand what was going through Kidd''s head! Perhaps they had spoiled him too much. Mark made up his mind¡ªhe needed to teach Kidd a lesson to make him realize the true path to success! With that decision, Mark didn''t waste any more words. In a flash, he appeared in front of Kidd, raised his right hand, and swung it fiercely toward Kidd''s face¡ªa slap so swift that it howled through the air! Feeling the chilling wind rushing toward him, Kidd, who had long been prepared, instantly released his Judgment Sword Qi! In an instant, an overwhelming and oppressive sword aura erupted from him, spreading in all directions with him at the center. "This is¡­" The Grand Senator, being the most sensitive to sword energy, narrowed his eyes as he sensed the aura bursting from Kidd''s body. Then, his eyes suddenly lit up. A Great Swordsman! Kidd had actually become a Great Swordsman! Smack! Just as Mark''s slap was about to land on Kidd''s face, a crisp slap rang out first¡ªonly it wasn''t Kidd who was hit. Instead, Mark was sent flying! "Step aside! Kidd is clearly a diligent and hardworking child. He doesn''t need punishment¡ªhe needs encouragement!" After sending Mark flying with a single slap, the Grand Senator immediately rushed to Kidd''s side, fussing over him with great concern. Meanwhile, Mark, who had landed on the ground, stared at the Grand Senator with a face full of grievance. A moment ago, the Grand Senator had been the most enthusiastic about teaching Kidd a lesson. And now, all of a sudden, he was the one in the wrong? A short while later. The three of them sat inside the hall, where Kidd had already laid out a pile of glowing stones on the table. The entire hall was bathed in a soft, radiant white light. Starry Stones! A massive amount of Starry Stones! Neither Mark nor the Grand Senator could believe their eyes. After all, Starry Stones were incredibly rare treasures. To obtain even one was considered an extraordinary stroke of luck. Find adventures on My Virtual Library Empire Yet now, Kidd had casually taken out a pile of them as if they were nothing more than roadside pebbles. No matter how they looked at it, it was completely unbelievable! "Kidd, where did you get all these Starry Stones?" "Since when were Starry Stones so common? And what exactly do you plan to do with so many?" Both men stared at Kidd, trying to read his expression. Sweeping a guilty glance at the two, Kidd hesitated before answering: "Grand Senator, Mark, I plan to use these Starry Stones¡­ to build a toilet." The hall fell into a brief but absolute silence. Kidd gulped, finally breaking the eerie stillness. Mark and the Grand Senator were utterly speechless. Good heavens! Unbelievable! Had Kidd lost his mind? Such priceless Starry Stones, and he wanted to use them to build a toilet? Was his brain malfunctioning? The two exchanged glances and came to a silent agreement¡ªKidd needed urgent medical attention! Under their intense, unkind gazes, Kidd suddenly felt a chill down his spine. "Kidd," Mark said solemnly, "the Grand Senator and I both agree that you''re sick. And not just a little sick¡ªa lot!" "But don''t worry, we have a cure. It''ll just hurt a bit, so bear with it!" Before Kidd could react, the two of them each punched him in the eye. What followed was a merciless round of punches and kicks. The Next Morning When Velen woke up from his slumber, the first thing he did was check the system interface. Today''s Special Product: 1000 Tempered Soul Stones. Tempered Soul Stones: Containing a vast amount of pure soul energy, these flames can refine the soul, enhancing both its level and purity. After reading the description, Velen shook his head slightly. Although these would be valuable to other Awakeners, he already had plenty of Soul Stone Essence that he hadn''t even finished flaunting. Now, with these Tempered Soul Stones, which served the same purpose of refining the soul, it felt redundant. His resources were already overflowing¡ªno matter how precious they were, they were useless to him. Stretching lazily, Velen stepped out of his courtyard and unexpectedly saw William and Corner sitting at his doorstep. Especially William¡ªhe was wearing ragged, beggar-like clothing and looked absolutely miserable. However, despite his sorry appearance, Grand Senator William seemed completely indifferent to the world''s judgment. To Velen, this only reinforced his impression that William had an incredibly stable and powerful inner will, immune to any mental corruption. Sensing this, Velen couldn''t help but acknowledge that Grand Senator William was truly unfathomable¡ªwilling to embrace such a bizarre and non-mainstream artistic act just to temper his mind. "System," Velen suddenly thought of something, "can I use Fate''s Trojan to confirm if my actions count as flaunting wealth?" "Fate''s Trojan can observe both past and future. Determining whether an action qualifies as flaunting wealth is well within its capabilities." The system''s response made Velen''s heart burn with excitement. Fate''s Trojan was far more powerful than he had imagined! Now that he had the system''s confirmation, Velen exhaled in relief before directly consulting Fate''s Trojan: "If I give these Tempered Soul Stones to Senator William, would that be considered flaunting wealth?" To keep things simple, Velen deliberately kept his question straightforward. "At present, William has fully embraced his role as a wanderer, experiencing the joy of being unrestrained and free in the world. Giving him Tempered Soul Stones would absolutely count as flaunting wealth." Hearing the system''s response, Velen''s mouth twitched slightly. He hadn''t expected the strict and disciplined Grand Senator William to have such a hidden side. But it also proved just how resolute William truly was. To increase his power, he was even willing to endure such an embarrassing ordeal! With such determination, was there anything he couldn''t achieve? Without hesitation, Velen placed all the Tempered Soul Stones from his system inventory in front of Grand Senator William before heading toward Alan''s courtyard. Clang, clang, clang! The sound of Tempered Soul Stones clattering against the ground echoed through the air, catching Corner''s attention. His ears twitched as he turned toward the source of the noise. When he saw the mountain of grayish Tempered Soul Stones, his entire being was consumed with jealousy. My god! These are Tempered Soul Stones! Even one of these could fetch an astronomical price at an auction! Yet here, there were at least a thousand of them! He had known that Velen was generous, but this level of generosity was beyond imagination! As Corner stared in envy, William slowly opened his eyes, scooping up all the Tempered Soul Stones in his hands with an expression of pure ecstasy and pride. He knew it¡ª As long as he stayed close to Velen, he would reap enormous rewards! S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "So many Tempered Soul Stones¡­ I don''t even know how to use them all!" William glanced at Corner with a smug smile before bursting into laughter and walking away. His actions only made Corner''s rage boil over. "I need to get back at him! I must find a way to pray to Velen before anyone else notices!" With that thought, Corner immediately rushed off in the direction Velen had gone. As Corner continued forward, he suddenly stopped a few steps ahead, his gaze fixating curiously on a broad-shouldered, aura-laden figure¡ªSunlord Apollo. He didn''t recognize Apollo, but the presence emanating from him left him feeling uncertain and perplexed. What was this man''s true strength? "I am Corner, a consecrated senator of the fortress. And you are?" Hearing Corner''s inquiry, Apollo briefly curved his lips into a professional smile before introducing himself: "I am Apollo. I just joined the fortress yesterday. Currently, I am... a servant of the fortress." Chapter133-Inferno Planet, The Systems New Mission To Apollo, everyone in the fortress held a status far above his own. Being under their roof, he had no choice but to lower his head for now. Corner sized up Apollo from head to toe before nodding thoughtfully. "A servant? While we aren''t too fond of being waited on, the fortress is now a gathering place for the strongest. It would be unreasonable not to have any servants." "Being able to join the fortress as a servant¡­ this is an opportunity beyond your imagination. Work hard here, and I guarantee you''ll enjoy endless wealth and glory in the future." "By the way, what level are you? When you have free time, the fortress senators can give you some guidance." Apollo''s expression turned a bit strange, but he still nodded and replied, "Then I''ll thank you in advance, Senator. As for my level¡­ I am currently Ascended Rank Level 9, just one step away from entering the upper plane universe." ?? Corner''s face was full of question marks. An Ascended Rank Level 9 powerhouse? As a servant in the fortress? He could hardly believe it, but as he carefully sensed Apollo''s aura, he realized it was deep and immeasurable, even giving him a suffocating sense of pressure. "What the hell¡­ How many resources and benefits did Velen give you?!" After his initial shock, Corner stared at Apollo with an envious expression. They had all received great benefits from Velen upon becoming fortress senators. But making a top-tier Ascended Rank Level 9 Awakener serve as a mere servant¡ªjust how high was the price for that? Considering Velen''s extravagant generosity and the pride of an Ascended Rank Level 9 Awakener, the cost must have been frighteningly enormous. Moreover, in Corner''s eyes, serving Velen was an incredible privilege! Apollo had originally planned to complain about his suffering, but after seeing how Corner was practically drooling with envy, he suddenly didn''t know what to say. "Is everyone in this fortress insane?" Apollo simply couldn''t comprehend what was happening. Why were these people''s thoughts so bizarre? "Senator Corner, why did you come looking for me this early?" As Apollo struggled to process his emotions, Clinton descended from his floating courtyard and curiously looked at Corner. Corner glanced at Clinton, then grinned and asked, "Senator Clinton, do you still have that beggar outfit?" Clinton was momentarily stunned before nodding. A short while later. Apollo watched in utter disbelief as Corner excitedly walked away in rags, grinning from ear to ear. He was completely speechless. What kind of fortress was this?! Why did everyone behave so unpredictably? He had spent countless years struggling in the upper plane universe, and yet, everything about this place defied common sense! Clinton was equally baffled. He had no idea why someone would willingly choose to wear the tattered clothes he had worn for two hundred years. Was he deliberately looking for suffering? sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Forget it. Just come with me to the Lord''s Hall." Shaking off his confusion, Clinton quickly refocused and led Apollo toward the fortress''s core. As they approached the Lord''s Hall, Apollo suddenly sensed a familiar aura, and his pupils shrank in shock. "This formation¡­ It feels so familiar¡­!" "Glacial Age Formation, an ancient formation said to freeze everything! It''s one of the Celestial Hall''s super formations from the upper plane universe¡ªwhy is it here?!" Apollo knew that this formation was terrifyingly powerful. Only a few people in the Celestial Hall could set up and control it¡ªthe Hall Master, core senators, and the Saintess! But this was the lower plane universe. How could any of them be here? Suppressing his confusion, Apollo followed Clinton into the grand hall. The moment he stepped inside, Apollo''s gaze was immediately drawn to the figure at the center¡ªAnastasia. At this moment, a strange and unique energy fluctuation radiated from her. "Divine Codex?!" "The supreme skill of the Celestial Hall¡ªonly the Hall Master and Saintess are qualified to learn it!" But this raised a huge question. The Celestial Hall had always been extremely strict in selecting its members, and they would never recruit from the lower plane universe. So how was this happening? Unless¡­ Unless the Saintess of the Celestial Hall had met with some disaster and was reborn into the lower plane universe?! As crazy as it sounded, it was the only possible explanation Apollo could think of! Otherwise, nothing about this situation made sense. "Senator Clinton, Apollo is now under your command. Arrange his daily duties." Anastasia gave the two a brief glance before closing her eyes again, continuing to absorb the surrounding elemental energy to further increase her level. As the fortress grew stronger, her responsibilities also became greater. She had no time to slack off. Clinton, understanding her obsession with leveling up, bowed slightly and quickly led Apollo out of the hall. Only after they left did Apollo finally let out a breath of relief. "If my guess is correct, Anastasia is actually the Celestial Hall''s Saintess. If I use my Sunlord abilities, she might recognize something suspicious!" Velen had already instructed him to keep his identity hidden to avoid unnecessary complications, so he remained highly cautious. If Anastasia discovered his secret, his identity would be exposed, and he had no idea how Velen would react. But judging by Velen''s terrifying ruthlessness, it was definitely not going to be anything good. Thankfully, now that he had confirmed Anastasia''s identity, he knew he would have to disguise himself if he ever acted. He absolutely couldn''t let Anastasia figure out who he really was. Meanwhile¡­ Experience more on My Virtual Library Empire "Velen, I was just looking for you!" On the way to Alan''s courtyard, Velen unexpectedly ran into Alan, who seemed eager to speak with him. Alan looked at Velen with a pleading expression and said, "Velen, my mentor contacted me recently. I was just about to discuss this with you¡ªI need to go to Inferno Planet, and I want you to come with me!" "Your mentor?" "You have a mentor?" Although Velen had suspicions, hearing Alan confirm it still surprised him. "I became an alchemist because I was mentored by her. She taught me everything I know about alchemy." Alan''s face was filled with pride as he spoke. Velen coughed and asked, "Does your mentor know you''ve switched to mixology?" Alan sighed, "That''s exactly why I need you to come with me." Huh? Velen instantly understood. So Alan wanted him to come along to take the blame?! Did he look like some kind of scapegoat?! "Velen, you don''t understand. My mentor is extremely strict. If she finds out I''ve switched professions, she''ll beat me half to death and force me to change back!" Alan''s face was filled with despair. "Random Mission Triggered!" "Mission: Accompany Alan to Inferno Planet for the Alchemy Conference. No ranking requirement¡ªjust provide the system''s materials and resources. Reward: 1,000,000 Luxury Points!" Hearing the system''s notification, Velen''s face instantly lit up with excitement. For 1,000,000 luxury points¡ªno, for Alan''s sake, he had to help! And, to be fair, he was partly responsible for Alan''s career switch¡­ "Alan, don''t worry! You''ve changed professions, so I have to support you! Let''s go!" "We''ll inform Lord Anastasia, and then we''ll depart immediately!" As Velen enthusiastically dragged Alan toward the Lord''s Hall, Alan felt deeply confused. Just a moment ago, Velen had been completely unwilling. Why had he suddenly become so eager? Something wasn''t right! Sure enough, the moment they entered the hall and Velen explained the situation, Anastasia immediately exploded in anger. "You just got back to the fortress, and now you''re leaving again?!" Chapter134-The Alchemist Convention Every time Velen left and then returned to the fortress, he always seemed to bring back some bizarre occurrences and strange individuals. It was endless. So the moment she heard that Velen was going out again, Anastasia had a bad feeling. But could she stop Velen from leaving? Even if she could stop him temporarily, she couldn''t restrain him for a lifetime. Taking a deep breath and suppressing her fluctuating emotions, Anastasia spoke seriously: "Velen, you can go wherever you want, that''s not a problem. But since you''re leaving with Alan, the two of you must return together. That is my only request for now." Velen casually nodded and said, "Don''t worry, Lord! That''s not even an issue! I''ll definitely protect Alan and make sure he doesn''t get bullied outside!" "Also, to be on the safe side, and since the journey is long, let''s take the Ironback Centipede with us." Hearing this, Alan was also quite touched as he looked at Anastasia. "Lord, I will take good care of myself. And with Velen around, we will definitely return safely, so please don''t worry!" Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Anastasia stared blankly at Velen and Alan. Did these two really not understand, or were they just pretending not to? That wasn''t what she meant at all. She wasn''t worried about their safety¡ªshe just wanted them to stop bringing people back to the fortress! But seeing the two of them looking at her with such heartfelt gratitude, Anastasia found it hard to say anything more. She could only wave her hand, telling them to go and return soon. Watching Velen and Alan depart, Anastasia''s expression became somewhat heavy. Continue reading at My Virtual Library Empire "Why do I have a bad feeling about this? I just hope they behave this time and don''t bring anyone else back to the fortress." Not long after, Velen and Alan, riding on the Ironback Centipede''s back, swiftly set off from Uranus Star. "Velen, Lord Anastasia really cares about us. This is just a regular trip, yet she''s so concerned," Alan commented. Velen nodded. "Of course, Lord Anastasia is beautiful and kind, and she cares about us a lot. Especially you¡ªdidn''t you see how she couldn''t take her eyes off us when we left?" Alan agreed wholeheartedly. After all, he knew that Velen had feelings for the Lord. And now, it seemed like the Lord might have feelings for Velen as well! Such a level of concern for a simple journey¡ªshe must be afraid that something might happen to him. If Anastasia had known what they were discussing, she probably would have coughed up blood in rage. "Wait a minute, Iron Cub, do you know where Inferno Planet is?" Suddenly, Velen asked out of curiosity. The Ironback Centipede shook its head. "No idea." "...Then why are you flying so fast and so confidently?" Velen''s mouth twitched. He turned to Alan, who scratched the back of his head awkwardly. He only knew the name "Inferno Planet," not the exact coordinates. Seeing the Ironback Centipede and Alan both fall silent, Velen was utterly speechless. Luckily, he had Fate''s Trojan, which provided the exact coordinates upon inquiry. "We need to head back first. Inferno Planet is quite far from here. If we borrow Senator Ethan''s arcane carpet, we can travel much faster!" So, they quickly returned to the fortress, borrowed the arcane carpet, and after setting the coordinates, they took off again at high speed. Inside the fortress, William watched Velen leave and sighed. "Ah, who knows when Velen will be back this time?" "In the meantime, I should return for a bit. Otherwise, the other four senators might start getting restless." William patted the storage bag in his arms, which contained the Lv9 Forge and Tempered Soul Stone that Velen had given him¡ªboth extremely valuable items. With such an abundant harvest, he was already more than satisfied! "Iron Cub, go full speed ahead! If your elemental energy runs dry, use high-grade mana crystals to keep the arcane carpet moving at full power. I want us to reach Inferno Planet by early morning!" Though the distance was great, both the arcane carpet and the Ironback Centipede were extraordinary. Velen believed they could reach their destination quickly. Ironback Centipede gave Velen a surprised look. Based on what it knew about Velen, he rarely rushed things like this. Normally, he would rest at night. Yet now, he was insisting on traveling straight through the night. Alan, on the other hand, felt even more touched. Velen was really going all out for his sake. Meeting Velen in this lifetime was the greatest fortune he could ask for! As they both stared at him with different emotions, Velen looked back at them, confused. "What? Why are you looking at me like that? I know I''m handsome, but we''re all men here!" Seeing Velen sink into narcissism, Alan cleared his throat and said, "Velen, aren''t you going to rest tonight? There''s really no need to rush." "It''s fine. Iron Cub is the one driving the arcane carpet anyway. We just need to rest well so we have enough energy for tomorrow." Ironback Centipede''s mouth twitched. Good grief, this trip really made it nothing more than a tool! Meanwhile, as the arcane carpet sped through the starry sky, a desolate, barren planet was gathering a group of space pirates. "A high-quality arcane carpet like that is rare. If we can take it, we''ll make a fortune!" "Boss, I think we can do it. There are only three people on board. Two of them are small fries¡ªone''s an Adept Rank Lv9, the other''s an Elite Rank Lv9. No real threat at all." "The one piloting the arcane carpet doesn''t seem to have any detectable aura, so they can''t be strong either!" The leading pirates exchanged greedy glances. "Heh, but can you even catch up with that high-grade arcane carpet''s speed?" "From the looks of it, they''re pushing the arcane carpet to its limits. You''d just be eating dust if you tried to follow them." Along the way, Velen and his group encountered various awakeners and fleets, as well as a variety of dazzling starships. Many people cast envious glances at their arcane carpet. After all, high-grade arcane carpets were incredibly rare, boasting speeds that surpassed most flying devices. Whether for travel or escape, they were unparalleled. At the same time, such an advanced arcane carpet wasn''t easy to operate. If an awakener wasn''t powerful enough, they had to rely on high-grade mana crystals to fuel it. For many, obtaining one was already difficult, let alone maintaining it. In interstellar travel, those who relied on arcane carpets were either exceptionally strong¡ªor incredibly rich. At full speed, the arcane carpet reached its destination by early morning. Ahead of them loomed a massive, fiery planet. This planet was at least ten times larger than Uranus Star, covered in volcanic craters and lava flows. From a distance, it glowed a deep crimson, radiating waves of heat. "Inferno Planet¡ªhere we are!" Ironback Centipede, nearly out of breath, panted. Hearing this, Velen drowsily opened his eyes. "That was fast." Ironback Centipede, already on the verge of exhaustion, nearly collapsed. To maximize speed while keeping the two sleeping passengers comfortable, it had spent the entire night on high alert, draining almost all of its energy. And all it got in return was a casual comment. "Since we''ve arrived, Alan, you go find your mentor first. I have some business to take care of. We''ll meet up later!" With that, Velen separated from Alan and charged into Inferno Planet with Ironback Centipede. He needed to find the Alchemist Convention mentioned in his system quest! Upon landing, Velen immediately spotted numerous people wearing alchemist robes. They carried an air of arrogance, as if the whole world owed them money. After all, alchemists were highly sought after everywhere, so Velen could understand their attitude. Though they came from different regions, they were all heading toward the central area. From their discussions, Velen learned something surprising. "You actually have to pass a test to participate in the Alchemist Convention?" Chapter135-Amandas Shock Velen had initially planned to muddle through the event. After all, the system''s task wasn''t particularly difficult¡ªhe just needed to participate in the Alchemist Convention. But he hadn''t expected there to be an entry requirement! "Isn''t this Alchemist Convention open to everyone? Why do we need to pass an entry test?" Velen turned to a woman wearing a Convention Staff badge and asked. The woman raised an eyebrow at him before replying coldly: "You don''t look like an alchemist at all. The Alchemist Convention is a grand event in Titan Galaxy, attracting a vast number of alchemists every year. If there were no entry barriers, how long do you think the competition would last?" "I can tell you this¡ªonly the top hundred alchemists in each ranking tier will make it to the final stage of the Alchemist Convention, where they''ll compete for this year''s rankings!" "If you can''t even pass the entrance exam, then you might as well just be a spectator. That suits you much better!" After saying that, the woman ignored Velen and went back to maintaining order. Velen let out a frustrated sigh. He wasn''t an alchemist. He had no idea how to prepare potions. Now, he couldn''t even sneak his way in! One million luxury points were right in front of him¡ªwas he really just going to give up like this? Although he was reluctant, there was no feasible way around it. He could only accept that this million luxury points was not meant for him. After thinking for a long time and still failing to find a solution, Velen had no choice but to give up. However, just as he was about to turn and leave, a woman in a fiery red dress, with a stunning figure, approached him. "Friend, you seem quite determined to participate in this Alchemist Convention. If you truly want to join, come with me for an initial test." Before Velen could respond, the woman who had just spoken to him coldly earlier suddenly froze, as if she had seen an inconceivable figure. She was about to bow and greet the newcomer when the red-dressed woman simply shook her head. The staff member immediately covered her mouth with both hands, suppressing her shock, her eyes filled with envy as she looked at Velen. The red-dressed woman standing here was a Master Alchemist! The entry tests were normally conducted under the supervision of a Mid-tier Alchemist¡ªbut now, a Master Alchemist, Amanda, had personally invited Velen for testing! If she hadn''t witnessed it with her own eyes, she would never have believed it! Many young alchemists had come to this Alchemist Convention just to meet Amanda, hoping to impress her with their skills. Yet now, this man¡ªwho didn''t even look like an alchemist¡ªhad somehow caught Amanda''s attention? Inside a lavish skyscraper, Amanda, in her eye-catching red dress, led Velen and a middle-aged man, who was actually the Ironback Centipede in human form, to the top floor. "You''re an interesting one. From the moment you arrived, I felt you were unusual. Everyone who comes to the Alchemist Convention wears professional attire, yet you don''t. This must be your first time here, and you don''t know the rules, do you?" She gestured toward a section of the room. Read latest stories on My Virtual Library Empire Velen followed her indication and saw a collection of high-quality alchemist tools, meticulously arranged. "Come on, let''s begin the test here. No need to be nervous¡ªjust perform as you normally would." Amanda spoke with great interest. What had drawn her attention to Velen in the first place wasn''t him, but the Ironback Centipede by his side. The Ironback Centipede was an Ascended Rank Spellbeast. In an era where spellbeasts were notoriously prideful, finding one willing to act as a guard for a human was nearly unheard of. Especially at the Ascended Rank¡ªno spellbeast at that level would normally serve a human. Yet, this seemingly unimpressive young man had an Ascended Rank Spellbeast following him willingly. This suggested he must be extraordinary¡ªperhaps backed by a Master Alchemist. So naturally, she was curious about Velen''s alchemy skills. Alchemy? Me? Seeing Amanda''s intrigued expression, Velen was utterly confused. He had never studied alchemy. Not even the most basic principles. How was he supposed to begin? But just as he was about to refuse, a familiar system notification rang in his ears. Random Mission Issued: Use system-provided materials to perform alchemy. Success or failure does not matter. Reward: 500,000 Luxury Points! S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Velen was just about to decline, but upon seeing the system reward, he immediately stopped. 500,000 Luxury Points! The system was being very generous this time! This mission was practically free points! A smile spread across Velen''s face. "You''re a staff member of this convention, right? I''ll begin right away¡ªbut I''ll be using my own furnace and materials. I tend to cough when using unfamiliar equipment." Velen casually made up an excuse. Amanda didn''t mind, nodding. "Suit yourself. While I am technically part of the convention''s staff, I prefer when people just call me by my name¡ªAmanda." As she spoke, Amanda''s lips curled into a knowing smile, her long eyelashes fluttering with amusement. Her name was famous among alchemists, and she was eager to see Velen''s reaction upon realizing who she was. But to her surprise, Velen simply nodded casually. ??? Amanda''s smile froze. She was Amanda, a renowned Master Alchemist¡ªyet Velen''s reaction was so indifferent? Did he not realize how prestigious she was? That was impossible! As she was inwardly questioning herself, Velen pulled a massive Dragon Flame Forge out of his storage bag. As the furnace landed heavily on the ground, the entire floor trembled slightly. The flaming dragon coiling around the furnace stirred to life, exuding a scorching, terrifying heat that instantly filled the room. The sudden burst of heatwaves made Amanda''s face turn pale with shock. "Supreme Forge?!" She stared in utter disbelief. Even an Lv9 Forge was enough to make alchemists drool with desire. A Supreme Forge¡ªa tier beyond Lv9¡ªwas a dream come true for any alchemist! Even she, a Master Alchemist, had never seen one in person before¡ªonly read about it in books or seen it in records. And yet, this young man just casually owned one?! It was beyond belief! But before Amanda could process this, Velen suddenly shook his head and turned to Ironback Centipede. "Iron Cub, lend me your furnace." The Ironback Centipede was confused. "Why? You already have the Dragon Flame Forge." "Well, I was going to use it, but I''ve decided to save it for cooking. Can''t risk contaminating it with alchemy residue¡ªit might mess with the taste when I make barbecue later." Velen said seriously. Alchemy residue could remain in the furnace, which might cause unexpected side effects when cooking. Since Dragon Flame Forge was his designated cooking pot, he refused to let it be used for alchemy. Ironback Centipede hesitated but reluctantly pulled out his Lv9 Forge, placing it in front of Velen. Velen immediately stored away the Supreme Forge and waved at Ironback Centipede. "Alright, you can go now. I need silence." Meanwhile, Amanda was completely stunned. A Supreme Forge for cooking? An Lv9 Forge for combat? What kind of insane logic was this?! Today, Amanda was convinced¡ªshe had met an absolute madman. Chapter136-Velens First Alchemy Experience Inside the top-floor chamber. The Lv9 Forge roared with intense flames, resembling a sun that had fallen into the room, turning the air crimson with heat. Amanda stood with her arms crossed, unintentionally emphasizing her perfect figure. However, she paid no attention to that¡ªall her focus was on Velen, who stood at the center of the room. Velen appeared somewhat nervous, which only made Amanda even more tense and expectant. After all, he had completely disregarded the Supreme Forge earlier, and even his spellbeast companion treated a Lv9 Forge as a weapon. Clearly, this man had an extraordinary background. The alchemical potion he was about to create would undoubtedly be astonishing. As Amanda pursed her red lips in nervous anticipation, Velen took a deep breath, seemingly calming himself down. Then, he began channeling his mana into the forge. Fwoosh! The already raging flames of the Lv9 Forge flared even stronger, as though someone had poured oil onto them. "Impressive. The way he started the fire is incredibly fast¡ªhis rank is definitely not as simple as it seems..." Amanda murmured to herself, watching him even more intently. The first step had already exceeded expectations. Next, Velen needed to burn and refine the necessary ingredients, merging them together to create a potion. "Everbloom¡ªalthough only a Tier-1 herb, it''s extremely rare. Among all Tier-1 materials, it''s one of the most valuable." Amanda took a deep breath. If Velen was using Everbloom, then he was most likely trying to craft a Life Essence Potion¡ªa powerful healing elixir. Despite being a Tier-1 potion, it was incredibly difficult to make. Even Tier-2 and Tier-3 alchemists found it challenging. Only mid-tier alchemists above Tier-3 could attempt it with confidence. The difficulty lay in the fact that the Life Essence Potion had four distinct layers, each with a different color. These layers had to be refined separately, using different temperatures and techniques¡­ Amanda was mentally recalling the process of crafting a Life Essence Potion when she suddenly froze. She watched in shock as Velen casually threw the entire Everbloom into the forge¡ªcompletely disregarding the proper procedure. That would destroy the Everbloom! Amanda was about to stop him when she saw him take out another Everbloom and throw it in. What the hell?! sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Amanda nearly lost her mind. Everbloom was rare, even if it was only a Tier-1 ingredient. And this guy was burning them like firewood?! Fwoosh! Then came the third Everbloom. The fourth¡­ The fifth¡­ Velen continued tossing Everblooms into the fire until there were over thirty inside the forge! Amanda''s entire face turned red. Wasteful! This was an absolutely appalling waste! "Wait¡­ that''s a Three-Hundred-Year Fig?!" Amanda''s eyes widened again. One fig¡­ Two figs¡­ Velen kept throwing them into the forge¡ªnot stopping until he had burned fifty of them! Even then, he wasn''t done. He took out something even rarer: Crimson Dragonfruit. One¡­ Two¡­ Three¡­ Every ingredient Velen pulled out was so rare and expensive that even if every alchemist at the convention pooled their wealth together, they still wouldn''t have as much as he was casually throwing into the fire. Amanda forced herself to calm down and analyze the situation rationally. Just because an ingredient was powerful didn''t mean mixing many of them together would make a good potion. If the combination wasn''t carefully balanced, it would inevitably result in an explosive failure. And then¡ª BOOM! The Lv9 Forge trembled violently, emitting a heavy rumbling sound. It exploded. If it weren''t for the Lv9 Forge''s durability, this kind of uncontrolled energy surge would have shattered a lower-grade forge¡ªand likely blown everyone in the room to pieces. Even though Amanda had half-expected this outcome, she was still so furious that she was trembling. Was this guy making a potion or just throwing everything into a giant stew pot?! At first, she thought Velen was completely ignorant about alchemy. But that didn''t seem right¡ªhe had gathered so many top-tier alchemical ingredients, and even had a Supreme Forge and a Lv9 Forge. There was no way someone with access to such resources knew nothing about alchemy. And yet, the result of his so-called "alchemy" was this¡ªa massive explosion from a potion that was supposed to be gentle and restorative! At the same time, Velen himself was also shocked by the explosion. Why did it explode? Was this supposed to happen? He wasn''t sure. But then, he received another system notification. "Congratulations, Host! Mission completed. Reward: 500,000 Luxury Points!" Just as Velen was celebrating his reward, another notification appeared. "This mission can be repeatedly completed. The system will continuously provide ingredients until Amanda either approves or disapproves of your potion." Velen froze. Wait¡­ I can keep doing this? And every time he did, he would earn another 500,000 Luxury Points?! This was insane! If Amanda never gave a final decision, he could farm Luxury Points indefinitely¡ªeventually using them to make a massive breakthrough and become a Titan Rank Lv9 Awakener! Thinking about it, Velen even considered abandoning the Alchemist Convention entirely¡ªit made more sense to stay here and keep grinding the system for points. Velen turned to Amanda with a serious expression. "Amanda, this is my first time performing alchemy in front of a master like you. I was nervous, and I failed¡ªbut I''m sure I''ll succeed next time!" Amanda frowned slightly. Velen''s previous reckless actions had completely shocked her. She still hadn''t fully recovered from the absurdity of it all. However, now that Velen was looking at her with such sincerity, she couldn''t bring herself to reject him outright. After a brief silence, she sighed and said sternly, "Fine. I''ll give you another chance. But don''t you dare blow up the forge again." Your adventure continues at My Virtual Library Empire Even though Velen seemed more composed, Amanda had a nagging feeling this was far from over. Fwoosh! As Amanda glanced at Velen again, he was already back at the forge. The fire roared even stronger, its flames filling the room with warmth. And then¡ª Velen continued throwing countless rare ingredients into the fire. The room filled with dense mana fluctuations, but the moment the ingredients entered the forge, they were instantly burned to ashes¡ªcompletely losing their medicinal value. Amanda let out a deep sigh. She had known from the start that expecting Velen to suddenly become competent at alchemy was wishful thinking. Resigned, she turned away. She couldn''t bear to watch anymore. Chapter137-The Threshold to Join Fortress Bang! Bang! Not long after, the all-too-familiar explosion of the furnace resounded once again, shaking the entire floor and echoing endlessly. Amanda''s stunningly bewitching face was now contorted in frustration and near madness. Her fingers, veins bulging, clenched tightly in an effort to restrain herself. If not for the Ascended Rank spellbeast guarding the door and Velen''s unusual status, she would have long since kicked him out with a single strike. These alchemical ingredients were rare and invaluable treasures¡ªnow utterly wasted by Velen''s reckless actions. For a grandmaster alchemist like her, this was no less than the cruelest form of torture! As the explosions from the room continued unabated, the Ironback Centipede huddled in a corner, covering its ears in grievance. The Lv9 Forge was his most prized possession, yet Velen was tormenting it so mercilessly that the poor creature could hardly breathe from the distress. All it could do was stare at the room with the eyes of a forsaken soul, praying that Velen would finish quickly. But in Velen''s mind, there was only one thing¡ªluxury points. "Amanda, the potion will be ready soon! Just hang in there a little longer!" "Trust me, I''m about to complete it. Come on, it''s just a mere entry assessment¡ªhow hard could it be?" For the sake of earning system rewards and luxury points, Velen was giving it his all. He consoled Amanda, whose bloodshot eyes were on the verge of collapse, while simultaneously tossing the precious ingredients into the furnace at an even faster rate. "Stop burning them!" "Stop! I''ll count you as having passed, alright?!" Hearing that Velen was about to continue, Amanda''s mental defenses crumbled entirely. She clutched her smooth forehead, speaking in a hurried voice. It was just an entry qualification¡ªwas it really worth wasting so many priceless ingredients? Though these materials weren''t of the highest grade, they were all exceptionally rare. Every major faction viewed them as irreplaceable, each use depleting an already dwindling supply! She simply couldn''t bear to watch any longer! Besides, she had a strong hunch¡ªif she didn''t approve Velen here, he would just go find another alchemist responsible for the assessment. Instead of dragging this out, she might as well pass him outright. Yet, just as Velen was at the peak of his enthusiasm, Amanda''s words felt like a bucket of cold water poured over his head. Passed already? But he hadn''t even earned his luxury points yet! "Amanda, this year''s Alchemist Convention is a prestigious event, watched by all. How could we not enforce strict standards?" "Besides, aren''t you a high-ranking alchemist yourself? How could you set an example by engaging in favoritism?" "An alchemist must possess an unyielding spirit! I can feel it¡ªI''m just about to succeed!" Velen firmly rejected her decision, speaking with righteous indignation. Amanda: "..." "If you''re so close to success, then I believe in you. There''s no need for further testing. You''ve passed! Focus on preparing for tomorrow¡ªthe official start of the convention. I have high hopes for you." Without waiting for Velen''s response, Amanda turned and left immediately, unwilling to continue this farcical conversation. As she walked away, a wave of regret washed over her. For once, she had been genuinely curious about Velen¡ªonly to be backstabbed by him! Even now, she still wasn''t sure whether Velen was truly an alchemist or not. "Supreme Forge, and even a Lv9 Forge¡­ That kid can just casually bring those out? His background must be incredibly deep. I can''t ignore this¡ªI might need to discuss it with Pamela." Glancing at the towering Alchemist Convention Headquarters, Amanda picked up her pace and hurried inside. Inside the Headquarters'' Luxurious Chamber In an opulent chamber, Pamela sat cross-legged on a golden chair, exuding an air of cool dominance. Yet, at this moment, she was staring dazedly at the furnace before her. sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Intricate, ancient runes glowed faintly across its surface. But instead of blazing flames inside, an unexpected sight greeted her¡ªtranquil flowing water. "Lv9 Forge?" Pamela rubbed her cold, piercing eyes in disbelief. As a grandmaster alchemist, she understood all too well the rarity of a Lv9 Forge. She had scoured entire star systems and had only ever found rumors of their existence, never a real one. After all, throughout the entire galaxy, there were only about five Lv9 Forges in total, with some lost to the river of time. And yet, a disciple from an ordinary background somehow had one? "Alan, is this furnace really yours? And why is there so much water inside?" Her sharp gaze shifted to Alan, standing beside the forge, as she questioned him in puzzlement. Alan gave it a passing glance. "I was in a rush and forgot to drain it completely. It was left outside in the courtyard for too long." Pamela''s brows furrowed. A Lv9 Forge was an invaluable treasure for an alchemist¡ªhow could it be so casually neglected, to the point of accumulating water? "Alan, you''ve changed a lot from before." She studied Alan carefully, as if seeing him for the first time. Previously, Alan had been a dedicated student, immensely talented and hardworking. He had always diligently absorbed her teachings, showing promise as the next great alchemist. Your adventure continues at My Virtual Library Empire But now, despite possessing an item so crucial to an alchemist, he seemed indifferent¡ªsomething completely out of character for someone serious about alchemy. Hearing this, Alan was momentarily surprised. His mentor could already sense such a drastic change in him, despite him having just arrived? "Alan, you were once such a hardworking and promising student. But ever since you joined Fortress, you''ve fallen so far?" Pamela reprimanded him sternly. Instead of being upset, Alan actually felt relieved. "Mentor, I came here today mainly to give this Lv9 Forge to you." During his journey here, Alan had mentioned this to Velen, who had agreed. So now, he was eager to present this gift to his mentor¡ªhoping it would soften her growing frustration. "You''re giving me¡­ a Lv9 Forge?" Pamela''s heart skipped a beat. Then, a warm sense of gratitude surfaced. "Although you''ve changed, at least you still respect your mentor. That hasn''t changed¡ªI''m proud of you." As she spoke, her full attention was already locked onto the Lv9 Forge before her. As a grandmaster alchemist, she had never been this close to one before. "There are only five Lv9 Forges in the entire Titan Galaxy. And one of them mysteriously disappeared because of Clinton¡­" Feeling the forge''s surging power, Pamela''s thoughts drifted to an old acquaintance. Back then, she had been willing to pay any price to borrow his Lv9 Forge, yet he had adamantly refused. That grudge had lingered in her heart for years. She had long believed she would never see a Lv9 Forge again¡ªyet now, here it was! "Clinton?" Hearing this familiar name, Alan immediately asked, "Mentor, are you talking about Clinton, the Soul Master? The one who was sealed away?" Pamela nodded, somewhat surprised. "How do you know that? This was all centuries ago." A shadow of Clinton''s figure flickered through Alan''s mind. He replied slowly: "Senator Clinton is no longer sealed. He''s now a Senatorial Advisor for Fortress." "And he''s at the same level as you¡ªAscended Rank Lv9 Peak. He could step into the Upper Plane Universe at any time." Pamela''s pupils shrank. Clinton? A Senatorial Advisor? She knew Clinton''s arrogance well. Back then, he had seen no one as his equal. Now, at the pinnacle of Ascended Rank Lv9, why would he willingly join Fortress as just an advisor? Something was off. Even if Ducal Manor was behind Fortress, that alone wouldn''t be enough to make Clinton bow his head. As Pamela pondered deeply, Alan coughed lightly. "Mentor¡­ don''t tell me you''re considering joining Fortress, too?" "The entry threshold has just been raised. When we left, even an Ascended Rank Lv9 powerhouse was told they could only enter as a mere servant." Chapter 1 - Chapter1-The Great Tycoon in a Magical World Titan Galaxy, Solar System #999, Star Uranus. "No wonder he''s the renowned genius awakener of Uranus, detected with an S-rank mana core!" "With that talent, Oneal will surely become a member of the Watchers'' Legion after this planetary fortress is established!" "So envious! He''s already exceptionally talented, and once he joins the Watchers'' Legion, he''ll have access to abundant resources. His future is bound to skyrocket, becoming an unimaginable big shot!" Under the bright sunlight, a crowd of young men and women gathered in the plaza, chattering as they looked at the proud young man with admiration. The establishment of the fortress and the selection for the Watchers'' Legion¡ªbecoming a member of a prominent family''s ranks¡ªwas a paramount event for all awakeners, attracting countless young talents to this place. After all, becoming a member of the Watchers'' Legion was a ticket to the pinnacle of this planet''s hierarchy. Not only would they receive immense resource support, but their status would also rise to unprecedented heights. Amidst the envious gazes of the crowd, the black-robed elder responsible for testing talent nodded slightly and said to Oneal: "S-rank mana core. Among all the awakeners tested so far, your talent ranks first!" Hearing this, the already confident Oneal smiled even more proudly. It seemed that joining the Watchers'' Legion this time was a foregone conclusion! But at that moment¡ª The plaza trembled lightly, and everyone seemed to be enveloped in a layer of dazzling white light. Suddenly, a radiant white pillar of light descended in the center of the plaza! Following that, a white-haired maiden holding a sword emerged from the circle of light. Her skin was as white as snow, her figure tall and graceful, like a meticulously sculpted work of art, flawless in every aspect. When Oneal saw her, a flicker of amazement flashed in his eyes. He immediately stepped forward confidently, extending a hand, "Miss, you''re also here for the selection, aren''t you? My name is Oneal, S-rank mana core. How about we become friends?" The maiden glanced at him. "S-rank mana core?" Oneal''s lips curled into a smile. "An S-rank fire mana core. If we team up, I''ll even share a portion of the rewards with you." The maiden sighed. "Still not good enough." Oneal froze for a moment, stunned by the girl''s dismissive remark. His expression twisted in anger as he burst into laughter, fury evident in his voice: "Such an arrogant little beauty! I''ve never met one as feisty as you. I wonder if you''re just as fiery in bed!" The maiden''s face turned icy. Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, she appeared before Oneal in an instant! What incredible speed! Oneal''s heart skipped a beat. He was just about to channel his mana when he saw the maiden''s snow-white hand, carrying a gale-like force, rapidly magnifying in his vision. Smack! Her palm landed on his cheek, sending him flying with a spurt of blood! The sight of Oneal coughing up blood and being sent hurtling backward left the crowd below in an uproar. Oneal, the most talented awakener among them, with physical strength capable of withstanding tier-2 spellbeasts, was heavily injured with just one slap? This maiden was terrifying! At that moment, they saw the black-haired elder responsible for talent detection rush toward the maiden with astonishing speed! After all, this was the crucial selection period for the Watchers'' Legion. The House of von Michelstein would never allow anyone to cause trouble here! As this thought crossed their minds, the black-haired elder suddenly skidded to a halt before the maiden, bowing deeply and respectfully saying: "My Lady, you''ve finally returned!" My Lady?! Hearing these words, the crowd was utterly shocked. The envoy from the House of von Michelstein was already an untouchable figure in their eyes. And to their knowledge, the only one he would address as "My Lady" was the famed prodigy of the star system. Oneal, who had just spoken so brazenly to the maiden, felt his heart pounding wildly! The maiden, however, paid no attention to their reactions and said indifferently: "I''ve already surveyed this planet over the past few days. There''s not a single talent worth noticing. No point wasting time." The envoy rubbed his temples, looking somewhat troubled. "My Lady, the Duke has already given the order. You must establish a fortress on this planet, and the Watchers'' Legion to guard it is indispensable. Without recruiting anyone, it''ll be impossible to accomplish¡­" He knew his lady''s excellence. At just 17 years old, she had reached Hero Rank. Her talent was among the top in the entire star system. But his lady had no interest in family affairs, caring only about her own strength. To train this daughter, the Duke had assigned her to develop this new star, providing only the most basic resources. The aim was to have her gradually take responsibility and develop her abilities in managing family matters. The white-haired maiden glanced at the envoy her father had sent and shook her head. "The legion is the foundation of the fortress. The requirements must be strict. Mediocre and unremarkable individuals have no right to join the Watchers'' Legion. Bringing in the weak would only waste the family''s resources. If there''s an invasion of extraterrestrial creatures, I alone am enough." The envoy quickly replied, "My Lady, that may be true, but what will you say when the Duke arrives? A fortress without a Watchers'' Legion is no fortress. Do you plan to guard this place for the rest of your life?" The maiden froze for a moment. Indeed, with her strength, protecting this planet was no challenge. But this was not what her father wanted! She had to recruit some personnel. Only then could she leave quickly! With that thought, she strode to the center of the plaza, plunged her sword into the ground, and swept her sharp gaze over the crowd. "On behalf of Duke Michelstein, I am now recruiting members for the Watchers'' Legion. If you have what it takes, come challenge me. Last one move against me, and you''ll become a member of the Watchers'' Legion, with access to the family''s resources!" The crowd hesitated, tempted by the offer. But remembering how the talented Oneal was severely injured with just one slap, they quickly lost their courage. The maiden sighed in disappointment. "These people¡­ Not only are their talents pathetic, but they lack even a shred of spirit!" "No one dares to challenge me?" Her overwhelming aura made everyone avert their gazes, retreating in fear. In the crowd, a dazed young man named Velen, still processing his surroundings, suddenly stood out under the maiden''s scrutiny. The maiden glanced at the delicate-looking youth with interest and said, word by word: "You, do you want to challenge me?" Velen''s heart skipped a beat. Memories from his original host began to flood his mind. Interstellar exploration¡­ Extraterrestrial races¡­ Awakening¡­ Duke Michelstein¡­ Watchers'' Legion¡­ The young lady¡­ Family trial¡­ Lack of gold coins¡­ Scenes played like a movie in his mind. It didn''t take long for him to realize¡ª He had transmigrated! And he had been mistaken as a challenger by this terrifyingly powerful maiden! Recalling Oneal''s earlier humiliation, and realizing he hadn''t even awakened a mana core, Velen knew he wouldn''t even know how he died! Instinctively stepping back, a cold, mechanical female voice suddenly echoed in his mind. "Congratulations, Host, you have activated the Infinity Money System!" "Infinity Money System? This¡­ this doesn''t feel right." Velen''s eyes widened. This was an incredibly dangerous magical world! As if sensing his doubts, text appeared on the translucent system interface before him: "This Infinity Money System grants the host unlimited currency. The host may use it without restriction. Proper usage will generate luxury points; improper usage will result in deductions." S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Luxury points can enhance skills and levels!" After reading this, a personal status panel appeared before Velen. [Name: Velen Talent: None Bloodline: None Level: Unawakened Luxury Points: 0 Special Item: Tier-1 Lv9 High-Explosion Scroll ¡Á 99,999] "Daily items refresh. Flaunt your wealth wisely to earn luxury points. Improper flaunting will deduct luxury points!" Seeing this, Velen was ecstatic. With money, anything was possible! Unlimited currency meant unlimited resources! For an awakener, the most crucial things were talent and resources! Who said he couldn''t be a tycoon in a magical world?! "Congratulations, Host, for triggering a mission: Join the Watchers'' Legion. Mission success rewards 100 luxury points. Mission failure deducts 100 luxury points." "Do you accept the mission?" Without hesitation, Velen accepted! He calmed himself, composed his thoughts, and began walking toward the maiden with steady steps and a calm gaze, showing no signs of fear. The maiden was surprised that this delicate-looking youth dared to step forward. Coldly, she asked: "You don''t look like an awakener. Where do you get the confidence to challenge me?" Velen smiled. "I can give you what you need." The maiden clearly didn''t believe him. "You? From this backwater place? Do you even know what I need the most?" "Money!" Velen declared confidently. "To build a fortress, what you need most is money. With money, you can buy all the resources this planet has to offer!" "And do you know how much money I need?" the maiden asked, raising an eyebrow. Velen nodded. "Naturally. On this planet, building a fortress would require at least 10,000 gold coins!" 10,000 gold coins! Gasps of shock echoed through the crowd. To them, one gold coin was enough to sustain a year''s livelihood. Even working tirelessly for an entire year, they could only earn two or three gold coins at best. 10,000 gold coins was an astronomical figure! Looking around the planet, there was hardly anyone who could produce such an amount all at once! The maiden stared at him and said, "Since you know how short I am on gold coins, if you can produce 10,000 gold coins to prove your value to the Watchers'' Legion, I''ll make an exception and let you join the fortress." "This is the only value you hold for me. Otherwise, leave and stop wasting my time." Her words were followed by a collective gasp from the crowd. 10,000 gold coins! It would take them a thousand years of hard work without eating or drinking to accumulate such a sum! And even those who could amass such wealth wouldn''t necessarily join the Watchers'' Legion! Wasn''t this an impossible demand? Velen''s expression didn''t change. Calmly, he said: "For a regular fortress, 10,000 gold coins would suffice. But I believe an ordinary fortress doesn''t match the stature of someone like you, My Lady. A super fortress worth 100,000 gold coins would be more fitting for your status!" Chapter 2 - Chapter2-I’ll Give You Ten Times! 100,000 gold coins! The moment Velen''s words fell, everyone present gasped audibly. Such an astronomical amount of gold coins¡ªthey wouldn''t even dare to dream of it. Could this young man actually produce such a sum? The white-haired maiden stared at Velen skeptically, her tone mocking: "Heh, 100,000 gold coins? You think it''s that easy to just run your mouth? If you can truly produce it, what harm is there in letting you join the Watchers'' Legion?" As soon as she finished speaking, she saw Velen''s lips curl into a faint smile. He reached into his pocket, pulled out a storage pouch, and handed it over directly. "100,000 gold coins, please verify." His confident demeanor and calm action left the white-haired maiden momentarily stunned. Disbelieving, she took the pouch and immediately infused it with her mana to inspect. Gold coins! Inside the pouch, an enormous pile of gold coins was stacked like a small mountain! A quick probe revealed it to be no less than 100,000 gold coins¡ªall of excellent quality! "100,000 gold coins? You really have 100,000 gold coins?!" The white-haired maiden''s eyes widened in shock, unable to suppress her exclamation. She had seen such wealth before, but Velen¡ªaside from being handsome¡ªseemed utterly ordinary. How could he produce such an immense sum at once? Everyone else present, hearing her words, turned their gazes toward Velen in unison. Could this person really produce 100,000 gold coins? There had been no rumors of such a hidden tycoon in their midst! Had they encountered a secret magnate?! After a brief moment of astonishment, the white-haired maiden suddenly felt a jolt in her heart. This is bad! Just now, she had publicly promised that if Velen could produce 100,000 gold coins, she would let him join the Watchers'' Legion. Now that he had actually done it, was she really going to let him join? But the Legion only accepted elites. Adding someone as unremarkable as him would waste precious resources meant for the Legion. Worse still, she would become a laughingstock among the other family prodigies. She absolutely could not allow this person to join! Thinking this, the white-haired maiden glanced at Velen and shook her head slightly. "The fortress is still in its infancy. There''s nothing here yet. You should reconsider whether you really want to join¡­" Velen decisively interrupted, "If 100,000 gold coins isn''t enough to establish the fortress, I can provide additional funding to speed up its development!" Joining the Watchers'' Legion was tied to his system mission and his future; Velen had no intention of giving up so easily. "But you''re joining the Legion for access to resources, right? The fortress isn''t established yet, so there are no resources at the moment, and the future isn''t guaranteed either." "That''s fine. Resources can be bought with gold coins. If it''s a matter of money, then there''s no problem at all!" Velen replied earnestly. The white-haired maiden: "¡­" So, you''re rich? Does having money make you invincible? She had already been reluctant to recruit anyone, and now this random upstart was using his wealth to humiliate her! The white-haired maiden snorted coldly, her eyes narrowing as a sly smile appeared on her face. Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Fine. From this moment on, you are a member of the Watchers'' Legion." Hearing this, Velen sensed something off about her smile, but the system''s notification promptly chimed in: "Congratulations, Host, for completing the mission. Reward: 100 luxury points!" "Congratulations, Host, for reasonably flaunting 100,000 gold coins. Reward: 100 luxury points!" "Current luxury points: 200. [Luxury points can be used to upgrade ranks and draw rewards, including potions, skills, bloodlines, artifacts, etc. Additionally, flaunting items from the system''s reward pool can yield more luxury points!] Reading the system prompt, Velen''s eyes sparkled with excitement. These luxury points were incredibly versatile! However, with only 200 points, he still had too few. At that moment, the white-haired maiden chuckled softly and said, "Since you''re so wealthy and now part of the Legion, come with me to the Stellar Auction." Stellar Auction? The name sounded familiar to Velen. A moment of recollection brought clarity. The Stellar Auction was a famous chain auction under the Stellar Commerce League, renowned across the Titan Galaxy. It was also the largest auction house on Uranus, offering an unparalleled variety and quality of items. The only downside? Everything was outrageously expensive. Curious about the Stellar Auction, Velen nodded in agreement. ... Stellar Auction. As a frequent destination for Uranus''s elite, the venue was resplendent, bustling with activity, and lively as ever. The grand auction hall was especially impressive, filled with prominent figures engaged in animated discussions as they awaited the upcoming event. "The Crystal Suite has been opened. Did some big shot arrive today? Why wasn''t there any prior notice?" "No idea. I heard the general manager personally arranged it!" "Tsk, tsk. It''s rare for the general manager to make an appearance." "Who cares who it is? At an auction, the highest bidder wins!" In the Crystal Suite on the second floor, under the watchful gazes of the crowd below, the white-haired maiden sat on a plush beast-skin sofa with Velen and the envoy. Through a one-way crystal screen, they observed the auction items on display. As the daughter of a Duke, Anastasia held a special status. Even though she had been dispatched to this remote, untamed planet, the auction house''s general manager dared not neglect her, promptly arranging for her group to occupy the most central Crystal Suite. After watching for a while, Anastasia pointed at a sharp-looking sword in the auction hall and said, "Velen, since you''re not an awakener, you wouldn''t know how expensive resources for awakeners are. See that first sword? The starting bid alone is 10,000 gold coins. The world of awakeners and ordinary people are entirely different worlds!" Velen gazed at the sword in surprise. Even though he wasn''t yet an awakener, the sword''s sharp aura stung his eyes. He couldn''t imagine how terrifying its unleashed power would be! However, a starting bid of 10,000 gold coins seemed¡­ too cheap. Recovering quickly, Velen calmly nodded and responded with a simple, "Oh." Anastasia, seeing his changing expressions, assumed he was overwhelmed by the auction''s grandeur and merely trying to feign composure. She chuckled lightly. "No need to put on a brave face. Since you''ve joined the Watchers'' Legion, I won''t treat you poorly." With that, she handed Velen a white scroll. "This is a Light Shield Scroll. It can only be used once, but in a critical moment, it could save your life." Hearing this, Velen felt a bit touched. Though Anastasia seemed difficult to get along with, her gesture of concern wasn''t bad at all. Just as he was about to accept, the system suddenly issued a warning. "As a tycoon, you should spend lavishly. How can you accept something for free? Accepting this will result in a deduction of 100 luxury points!" Seeing the blood-red system prompt, Velen''s eyelid twitched. Although the scroll seemed valuable, luxury points were undoubtedly more enticing. He immediately declined with firm conviction: "Miss, please keep the scroll. I already have too many of them to use." Anastasia: "¡­" Is this guy for real? The envoy laughed and said, "Velen, the Light Shield Scroll is no ordinary item. It''s one of the young lady''s prized possessions, a rare defensive tool. The starting bid alone would be 30,000 gold coins! In most fortresses, it would be treated as a trump card. If not for the fact that you haven''t awakened yet, the young lady wouldn''t have offered you such a precious item." Looking at Anastasia, Velen realized she was probably someone with a cold exterior but a kind heart. Noticing Velen''s complicated gaze, Anastasia said indifferently, "Don''t overthink it. I just don''t want the first person I recruited to die for no reason." Velen smiled and suddenly asked, "If I were to buy out everything at this auction, how much would it benefit the fortress?" The envoy pondered and replied, "With so many valuable items, it would likely accelerate the Watchers'' Legion''s development by 50 years!" "Do you have something in mind?" Anastasia asked, raising her gaze to Velen. "If you really can buy out everything, I''ll personally recommend you to the mother planet''s Legion when the time comes." Understanding that Anastasia, as the fortress''s leader and mentor, had the authority to recommend ordinary watchers for advanced training on the mother planet¡ªa dream opportunity for countless awakeners¡ªVelen made up his mind. He pressed the red button on the armrest without hesitation. "Honored guest, confirming once again: Pressing this button will reserve the entire auction, purchasing all items at five times their starting prices." Five times the starting prices! The Stellar Auction''s appraisal standards were extremely high. Most items sold for no more than three times their starting bids. But to buy out the entire auction would cost five times the starting prices! Scanning the text flashing on the crystal screen, Velen clicked Confirm without hesitation. Chapter 3 - Chapter3-The Auction? I’ll Take Everything! At the front row of the auction hall sat over a dozen imposing young men. Clad in finely crafted azure battle armor forged from sturdy blue ironstone, their gear was engraved with flowing runic inscriptions, greatly enhancing its defensive capabilities. It could withstand the full-force attack of an Elite Rank awakener and was worth an astronomical sum. Each of them wore a winged emblem on their chest, faintly glowing with a soft light. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The crowd in the auction hall cast awe-filled glances at them. "The House of Violet¡­ They''re a renowned alchemy family, famous for their scroll-making, and filthy rich. What are they doing here?" "I heard they''re planning to establish a fortress here. They''ve brought quite a few people." The murmurs from various corners of the auction hall reached the ears of the young man leading the group from the House of Violet. He snorted disdainfully, his tone filled with contempt: "A bunch of bumpkins!" Sweeping his gaze over the array of rare resources displayed in the auction hall, a satisfied smile finally appeared on his face. "This planet may be remote, but at least it has the Stellar Auction. If we can win these items, the fortress''s establishment will progress much faster." Noah spoke softly, already envisioning his glorious future. As long as the fortress was successfully established, he would become a key contributor to the House of Violet''s expansion and gain the family''s favor! With this in mind, he slowly rose from his seat, turning to survey the audience. A domineering aura radiated from him, sweeping through the hall like a tempest. "Ladies and gentlemen, the House of Violet is establishing a fortress here, which is a blessing for all of you. I ask for your cooperation¡ªwhen the auction begins, refrain from bidding. My House of Violet will be taking everything!" His words plunged the auction hall into a dead silence. What kind of statement was that? This auction featured numerous valuable items and resources, and many had spent considerable time preparing for it. For him to demand they step aside with a single sentence was outrageous and tyrannical! Almost everyone glared at Noah with anger. Yet most of them were too intimidated to speak out. Noah''s aura was terrifying, and the dozen young men standing beside him exuded a storm of oppressive pressure. It was clear that anyone who dared to oppose him would be immediately silenced. The crowd''s silence made the smile on Noah''s face even more pronounced. At this moment, the host of the auction, a woman in a red dress, gracefully stepped into the center of the hall. Her brows furrowed slightly as she said: "Lord Noah, if you wish to claim all the items, you can arrange for a private buyout at five times the starting price. There''s no need to intimidate others." Though the House of Violet was powerful, the Stellar Auction had its own formidable backing, and the woman in the red dress showed no fear. "Intimidate?" Noah turned to her, shrugging indifferently. "And what if I am intimidating? These people are giving me face willingly. What business is it of yours?" The red-dressed woman''s expression darkened. The auction''s participants didn''t have the Stellar Auction''s backing and were afraid to provoke the House of Violet. Was Noah really going to walk away with all the items at the lowest prices? This wouldn''t just damage the auction''s reputation but also make her, as the auctioneer, bear significant responsibility. At that moment¡ª The walls of the auction hall suddenly lit up with dazzling radiance, like a display of magnificent fireworks. The Crystal Suite on the second floor was enveloped in shimmering lights, becoming the focus of all attention. "What''s going on?" "No way¡­ Could it be that someone has arranged for a private buyout at this auction?" "I heard that when a buyout is confirmed, this phenomenon occurs. But I''ve never actually seen it before." "This auction''s items are worth at least 20,000 gold coins. If it''s a buyout, at five times the price, wouldn''t that cost around 100,000 gold coins?" The crowd erupted into a commotion. Many turned to the woman in the red dress, seeking confirmation. The woman froze momentarily before snapping to her senses, her stunning face filled with disbelief. Such light effects meant only one thing¡ªa buyout! A buyout! Even with her years of experience as an auctioneer at the Stellar Auction, this was her first time witnessing such an event. A radiant smile spread across her face as she announced excitedly, "Congratulations to the distinguished guest in the Crystal Suite for arranging a private buyout of this auction!" Her words sent shockwaves through the hall. Everyone turned their gaze to the Crystal Suite, which was bathed in dazzling light. A buyout? How outrageously wealthy! Who exactly was the guest in the Crystal Suite? Inside the Crystal Suite, Anastasia and the old envoy stared at Velen with wide eyes, utterly stunned. They had thought Velen was joking earlier, but he had actually gone through with the buyout! Anastasia pursed her lips, trying to suppress the turmoil in her heart. The amount required for a buyout was astronomical. Even as the Duke''s daughter, she couldn''t produce such a sum right now! On the entire planet of Uranus, perhaps only businesses with enormous cash flows could manage it. The aged envoy couldn''t help but scrutinize Velen from head to toe. Velen appeared so ordinary, yet his confidence was overwhelming¡ªas if making such a decision was the simplest thing in the world. "Velen, do you even understand what a buyout entails? We only have the 100,000 gold coins you gave earlier!" Anastasia''s tone was laced with urgency. She had brought Velen here to broaden his horizons, temper his arrogance, and mold his character¡ªnot to cause such a commotion. Seeing both Anastasia and the envoy visibly agitated, Velen looked puzzled and said, "Aren''t you the Duke''s daughter? Why are you so surprised by something like this¡­" Before he could finish, Anastasia interrupted, her emotions heightened: "If I could mobilize the family''s resources, the fortress would''ve been built long ago! Do you think we''d still be waiting?" To her, Velen must have assumed she could leverage her status as the Duke''s daughter to resolve the situation. That had to be why he made such a rash decision. A failed buyout¡ªunable to pay the corresponding gold coins¡ªwould have severe consequences. Even as the Duke''s daughter, the Stellar Auction wouldn''t let it slide! Hearing her words, Velen realized Anastasia had misunderstood. As a Duke''s daughter, hadn''t she seen enough gold coins to not be this shocked? At that moment, Noah, the young man in azure armor, bellowed aggressively from the auction hall below: "A buyout? Do you think you''re qualified? If you can''t pay up, don''t blame me for being ruthless!" As he spoke, he and the dozen youths by his side unleashed a terrifying aura that rippled through the air. His words caused the crowd to tense. Though many were eager to see Noah put in his place, the House of Violet was notoriously ruthless. What would the distinguished guest in the Crystal Suite do? As the crowd held their breath, a lazy voice drifted from the Crystal Suite: "Auctioneer, calculate it. How much does the buyout cost this time?" The woman in the red dress immediately responded respectfully, "Honored guest, this auction features eight items in total. Including the fees, the total comes to¡­ one million gold coins!" One million gold coins! The hall fell deathly silent. Even though some had anticipated the amount, hearing the figure spoken aloud still sent a shiver down their spines. Even the most prominent figures on Uranus couldn''t produce a million gold coins all at once! Inside the suite, Anastasia''s expression grew grim as she glanced at Velen. "You should leave. I''ll stay here and try to buy us some time¡­" "Why leave?" Velen asked, puzzled. Under Anastasia''s watchful gaze, he casually pulled out a storage pouch from his pocket and tossed it down to the woman in the red dress. "Count it carefully. Deliver the items promptly!" Hearing Velen''s confident tone, the woman infused her mana into the pouch with utmost seriousness. The moment her senses probed inside, her cheeks flushed red with excitement. Her mana perception revealed an ocean of gold coins¡ªcountless, gleaming, and of the highest quality! The others, noticing her reaction, couldn''t resist inspecting the pouch with their own mana. And then¡ªeveryone gasped in shock. It really was a million gold coins! And all of the finest quality! Even Noah, who had been poised to stir trouble, froze in disbelief after sensing the contents. As the young master of the House of Violet, he had only brought 90,000 gold coins for this fortress project! Who exactly was the person in that suite?! Chapter 4 - Chapter4-You Think You Can Steal From Me? "What now, Young Master?" The other members of the House of Violet surrounding Noah asked anxiously. None of them had expected the guest in the Crystal Suite to actually produce so many gold coins! Noah''s face was dark as a storm cloud as he asked coldly, "Mentor, who are those blind fools exactly?" The Crystal Suite was shielded by a special barrier, making it impossible for ordinary awakeners to see inside. The elderly man next to Noah, leaning on a dragon-headed staff, slowly opened his eyes, his tone filled with malice as he said, "The Lady of the House of von Michelstein, her mentor, and¡­ a waste who hasn''t even awakened his mana core!" Hearing this, Noah''s eyes glinted with even greater killing intent. "The House of von Michelstein? What a coincidence to run into them here!" The House of Violet and the House of von Michelstein were longstanding rivals, locked in bitter conflict for years. Knowing that the House of von Michelstein had set their sights on this unclaimed planet, the House of Violet had dispatched Noah to establish a fortress and vie for control. "If it''s just the three of them¡­ Mentor, we can''t act within the Stellar Auction. Keep an eye on them and make sure they don''t escape!" "Honored guests, here are the items you''ve purchased with the buyout. Please inspect them!" Inside the Crystal Suite, the monocle-wearing general manager entered respectfully, leading a group of elegant attendants who carefully presented the auction items before Velen and his two companions. The general manager''s gaze lingered on Anastasia, clearly assuming that the buyer was the Lady of the House of von Michelstein. Looking at the array of precious auction items before her, Anastasia''s heart burned with excitement. However, she quickly regained her composure and turned to Velen. "The items are here; they''re yours to inspect." Though Velen was now part of the fortress team, the items were, after all, purchased with his gold coins. Hearing her words, the general manager shifted his attention to Velen. His pupils shrank slightly in surprise. This young man was the buyer? He looked like he hadn''t even awakened his mana core! Yet, not only had this youth produced so many gold coins, but he was also seated alongside Anastasia, implying a close relationship. Could he be an important figure the general manager hadn''t heard of? As the general manager''s gaze grew more reverent, Velen was immersed in the system''s notifications. "Congratulations, Host, on spending 1 million gold coins! Reward: 200 luxury points!" 200 luxury points, just like that! Not bad at all! Delighted, Velen noticed the general manager waiting for his response. With a casual wave, he said, "Just pack everything up and send it to the fortress." Velen''s nonchalant attitude toward the expensive items made the general manager regard him as even more unfathomable. Without delay, the general manager had the items stored in a spatial pouch, respectfully handed it to Velen, and left quietly with his attendants. "Miss, we''re being followed." Not long after leaving the Stellar Auction, the elderly mentor suddenly glanced toward a patch of empty space and spoke softly. Anastasia remained calm. "House of Violet pests. Go deal with them." The mentor nodded. His frail frame blurred into a streak of light as he swiftly disappeared from sight. Velen watched the mentor''s ghostly movements with growing curiosity about awakeners. After all, in this age of interstellar exploration, awakeners were the leading figures. The names of powerful awakeners echoed across the stars, revered by countless people. Some legendary awakeners were said to have lived for over ten thousand years! Boom! Not long after the mentor left, a deafening explosion erupted in the distance. The violent mana fluctuations shook the very ground and sky. It was clear the mentor had engaged the pursuers in battle. Velen glanced at Anastasia, noting her composed expression, and exhaled in relief. But just as he was about to continue following Anastasia, a figure appeared behind him. It was a young man with a cold smile on his face. "Lady Anastasia, we meet again!" "Noah, are you trying to stop me?" Anastasia asked indifferently, her gaze steady. She had recognized him back at the auction hall but chose to ignore him. Though Noah was the young master of the House of Violet and, at 19, already an Apprentice Rank Level 9¡ªa prodigious talent¡ªhe was no match for her. She hadn''t expected him to make such a bold move. Seeing Anastasia''s haughty demeanor, Noah sneered, "Anastasia, hand over the items you bought at the auction. Considering you''re the Lady of the House of von Michelstein, I''ll make your death swift!" Anastasia replied coolly, "You think you can stop me? Or are you counting on those dozen Novice Rank awakeners behind you?" As her words fell, powerful mana waves surged from all directions, encircling Anastasia and Velen. It was the group of young men from the auction, all Novice Rank Level 9 awakeners. Their chaotic mana fluctuations caused the surrounding grass and trees to burst apart. Velen glanced around at the hostile awakeners. From what he knew, awakeners were ranked as follows: Novice Rank, Apprentice Rank, Adept Rank, Expert Rank, Elite Rank, Titan Rank, Heroic Rank, Supreme Rank, Ascended Rank, Divine Rank, Constellation Rank, Demigod Rank, God Rank¡­ Each rank had Levels 1 through 9. Reaching Novice Rank Level 9 was already quite an achievement, granting significant strength and status above ordinary people. Though Velen knew Anastasia was powerful, the House of Violet was an alchemy family, known for their expertise in potions and scrolls. Alchemy families typically focused on crafting items rather than personal combat prowess, yet their tools often allowed them to challenge foes 2 to 3 ranks above their own. But here were more than a dozen of them! Not to mention, they came from a renowned alchemy family. As Velen thought about the House of Violet''s reputation for scroll-making and glanced at his own inventory of scrolls, he couldn''t help but grin. He stepped forward and said coldly, "I heard you have a lot of scrolls?" Noah glanced at Velen and chuckled. "A waste who hasn''t even awakened his mana core, playing the hero? Know your place!" One of Noah''s companions whispered, "Young Master, I think he''s the one who brought out a million gold coins at the auction!" Hearing this, Noah''s expression darkened. "So, it was you who ruined my plans?" Velen shook his head. "Ruined your plans? The auction follows simple rules: the highest bidder wins. If you can''t afford the gold coins, don''t blame me. Maybe get your head checked." Noah''s eyes flared with anger, but a cruel smile soon replaced his fury. "If you''ve got a million gold coins, you must be quite the golden goose. Anastasia, you''ve picked yourself a fine piggy bank, but he''s mine now!" With a wave of his hand, Noah ordered, "Seize him first!" Immediately, the dozen Novice Rank awakeners surged toward Velen, their faces cold and determined. Anastasia was about to step in and resolve the situation when she noticed Velen pulling out a gleaming scroll crackling with lightning. He looked at the advancing group and asked, "Are you sure you want to do this?" Sensing the dangerous mana emanating from the scroll, the alchemist awakeners quickly recognized it. "A Tier-1 Level 9 High-Explosion Scroll?" Their faces showed brief hesitation. A Tier-1 Level 1 scroll was enough to fatally wound a Novice Rank awakener. A Level 9 High-Explosion Scroll, the pinnacle of Tier-1, was worth thousands of gold coins! Their hesitation lasted only a moment. With their durable armor, they believed they could survive the scroll''s explosion with minor injuries. Afterward, Velen would have no cards left to play. Anastasia raised an eyebrow at the High-Explosion Scroll. No wonder Velen had refused the Light Shield Scroll earlier¡ªhe had come prepared. But a single scroll wouldn''t change the tide of battle¡­ Just as this thought crossed her mind, Velen pulled out an entire stack of High-Explosion Scrolls and slammed them onto the ground in front of him. "If one scroll isn''t enough, how about a hundred?" As Velen''s voice rang out, a growing pile of High-Explosion Scrolls emanating chaotic mana waves began to stack before him. Anastasia''s shock deepened with every scroll he pulled out. S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A single High-Explosion Scroll might not have been a game-changer against the dozen Novice Rank awakeners, but dozens¡ªhundreds¡ªof them? The resulting explosion could rival an attack from an Elite Rank awakener! Velen, when did you prepare such an absurd arsenal of scrolls? The advancing awakeners froze in their tracks, staring in horror at the mountain of High-Explosion Scrolls. Their charge ground to an abrupt halt. Chapter 5 - Chapter5-Are 1,000 Scrolls Enough? So many High-Explosion Scrolls¡ªwas he dreaming? Even the youths from the House of Violet, an esteemed alchemy family, were utterly shocked, cold sweat dripping from their foreheads. They knew all too well the devastating power of these High-Explosion Scrolls. For a moment, the valley was filled with the sound of people swallowing hard. Many turned to the young man beside them, their faces filled with fear. "Young master, maybe we should call it a day¡­" "Young master, with so many High-Explosion Scrolls, I think we should show him some respect!" As these voices reached Noah''s ears, his fists clenched tightly. To ensure he could secure Anastasia, he had brought over a dozen of the most talented youths from his family, intending to win her over in one decisive move. But unexpectedly, everything was disrupted by this good-for-nothing who hadn''t even awakened his mana core! Even as an Apprentice Rank awakener, Noah found his lips twitching as he watched Velen pull out not just dozens but hundreds of scrolls¡ªand still more. If Velen had only taken out ten or so High-Explosion Scrolls, Noah might have risked it. But there were far too many. "Fine! You win!" Finally, Noah could only leave a harsh retort before signaling his group to retreat quickly. Yet, Velen''s icy voice rang out, stopping them in their tracks. "Trying to leave now? A little too late!" The cold and cutting voice pierced their ears like a freezing wind. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A violent wave of mana surged toward Noah and his group. With a snap, Velen unfolded a single High-Explosion Scroll. The thunder rune inscribed on it streaked through the air like a meteor, exploding in front of them with a deafening roar. Lightning burst forth in a dazzling spectacle, arcs of silver electricity dancing wildly as a sharp, crackling noise filled the air. Those nearest to the explosion, youths from the House of Violet, were instantly engulfed by the searing arcs of lightning. Their once-sturdy ironstone armor bore charred black marks, and their bodies trembled uncontrollably, struggling to stay upright. The ground beneath them had turned into a scorched wasteland, grass reduced to ash. Without the protection of their armor, a single High-Explosion Scroll would have been enough to cripple them! "You wretch! What do you think you''re doing?!" Noah glared at Velen with seething anger, feeling humiliated. How dare this waste make a move against them! "Do you really think a few scrolls make you qualified to stand against us? Do you even know what the House of Violet is capable of?" Before he could finish his rant, Velen unfolded another series of High-Explosion Scrolls. Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Multiple thunder runes shot out like a dazzling meteor shower, blanketing Noah and his group. Their faces contorted with fear. Panicked, they unleashed their strongest techniques. The chaotic mana distorted the very air around them. Boom! Boom! The thunderous explosion of the High-Explosion Scrolls created shockwaves that rippled across dozens of meters. The destructive power far exceeded the earlier single scroll¡ªby more than tenfold! The furious mana clashed with the protective spells and abilities of the Violet youths, but their defenses dissolved like sand before a tidal wave, swallowed up by the relentless barrage of lightning. Those caught within the storm of raging thunder, even the awakeners from the House of Violet, suffered broken bones, charred skin, and smoldering black smoke rising from their bodies. Their agonized screams filled the air. "Ah! My hand! My hand is gone!" "Help! I can''t hear anything!" "My leg¡­ I want my mom¡­" Their ironstone armor was battered and pockmarked with craters. Without it, they would have been reduced to nothing but bone fragments. Even so, most of them were left maimed, missing limbs, or critically injured. Their terrified gazes locked onto Velen, now filled with both awe and fear. Some, glancing at the severed limbs scattered across the ground, broke down entirely. "Big brother, please spare us! We were wrong, and we swear it won''t happen again!" "Big brother, we''ll follow your lead from now on! If you tell us to steal chickens, we won''t dare touch dogs!" The once-arrogant youths now groveled, nearly crawling to Velen''s feet. But Velen shook his head calmly. "If you dare mess with me, you better be prepared to never go back!" Saying this, he pulled out another large stack of High-Explosion Scrolls, ready to unfold them. The strongest among them, Noah, wiped the soot from his face, a glint of madness flashing in his eyes. "Kid, you''re too arrogant! Do you really think the House of Violet is so easily bullied?" "This trump card was meant for an Adept Rank awakener, but since you insist on courting death, don''t blame me!" Noah''s voice dripped with murderous intent as he pulled out a blood-red scroll. He bit into his finger, letting drops of heart''s blood fall onto it. The scroll''s seal broke instantly, and Noah slowly unfurled it. "Dying at the hands of the Magma Giant is your destiny¡ªand your privilege!" As his crazed voice rang out, the air grew hotter, a fiery breeze sweeping through the valley. From the scroll emerged a giant blood-red hand, tearing through the parchment. A massive figure followed, stepping into the devastated valley. It was a three-meter-tall magma giant, molten lava coursing through its body. Its mere presence caused the air temperature to spike, igniting nearby dry grass and trees. Anastasia''s expression turned grim. The magma giant was Adept Rank¡ªa power leagues beyond Apprentice Rank! Even dozens of High-Explosion Scrolls might not be enough to harm it. This was a true monster. "Kid, do you really think your tier-1 level 9 scrolls give you free rein?" Noah sneered. "Against the Magma Giant, your scrolls are nothing but toys!" Noah''s voice was tinged with bitterness. That tier-3 scroll had been his ultimate trump card, an invaluable treasure from his family. Using it on this worthless nobody felt like a colossal waste. But before Noah could revel in his supposed victory, Velen unleashed a barrage of thunder runes from over a hundred scrolls. Boom! Boom! Boom! Explosions resounded, debris flying everywhere. The valley shook violently, sinking several meters. The Magma Giant, however, stood firm, an unyielding fortress of flames. Though its glow dimmed, it remained mostly unscathed. Noah''s sneer deepened. "Out of scrolls, are you? Now I''ll show you what true cruelty looks like!" Velen cracked his knuckles, turning to Anastasia and handing her a storage pouch. "I''m too slow unfolding these by myself. Help me out." Anastasia froze. He''d already used over a hundred scrolls¡ªhow could he still have more? Surely, there couldn''t be that many left, right? But when she peeked inside the storage pouch, her jaw nearly dropped. Inside were countless High-Explosion Scrolls, neatly stacked. A rough estimate put them at over a thousand. Over a thousand High-Explosion Scrolls! Even as the esteemed young lady of the House of von Michelstein, Anastasia was utterly floored by Velen''s extravagance. A single High-Explosion Scroll could fetch over a thousand gold coins at auction. Over a thousand scrolls meant a fortune worth millions of gold coins! This was pure, unbridled luxury. "Are you really going to use them all?" Anastasia asked, her mind struggling to keep up. Velen nodded. "Of course. Hurry up. If this isn''t enough, I''ve got another thousand!" These people wanted his life. He''d make sure they understood the meaning of terror. Biting her lip, Anastasia activated her mana and simultaneously unfurled hundreds of scrolls. In an instant, the air warped under the chaotic power of thunder. Hundreds of thunder runes merged into a dazzling storm of lightning. Noah''s smug expression froze. Chapter 6 - Chapter6- Come Help Me Burn Some Money To Noah, the sight of Velen pulling out over a hundred High-Explosion Scrolls was already beyond belief. After all, what kind of sane awakener would buy and carry so many High-Explosion Scrolls? Boom! In Noah''s moment of distraction, the thunder runes formed by the hundred High-Explosion Scrolls unleashed by Anastasia struck the Magma Giant like grinding millstones. Even with its incredibly durable body, the Magma Giant was battered to the point of cracking under the dazzling lightning. Its scorching, thick frame now bore several fissures. Meanwhile, the rocky ground surrounding the Magma Giant was riddled with deep craters and grooves, a chaotic mess resembling a plowed field. Seeing the Magma Giant injured, Noah and the others gasped sharply. This was a mana beast formed by a tier-3 scroll, yet it was now riddled with cracks, as fragile as shattered porcelain. It seemed as though a single more powerful blow would utterly destroy it! "This monster''s pretty tough. Let''s keep going!" A glimmer of surprise flashed in Velen''s eyes, but it was quickly replaced by excitement. After all, he had been racking his brain on how to burn through all the scrolls provided by the system in a show of wealth. This monster was clearly the perfect target! Seeing Velen enthusiastically unfurling more scrolls, Anastasia quickened her pace as well. In no time, thousands of thunder runes gathered in front of them. The sheer oppressive force radiating from the scrolls alone caused some of the House of Violet youths to faint out of sheer terror. There''s just too many! They simply couldn''t endure it! "If all these scrolls go off, this entire valley will be leveled," Anastasia murmured to herself. She turned her head slightly to glance at Velen. This guy wasn''t just an unfathomably wealthy tycoon¡ªhe was downright ruthless. Throwing down so many scrolls would grind these people into dust! She had to admit, though, that she kind of liked his personality. Boom! The entire valley began to quake violently, as if an earth dragon had stirred beneath it. Everything within the valley was obliterated by the terrifying thunderstorm, reduced to black ash that surged into the sky. The overwhelming force could be felt clearly even dozens of miles away. Anastasia''s mentor, an elderly envoy wielding a dragon-headed staff, had just finished dealing with another matter when he turned his horrified gaze toward the valley. Such power was enough to obliterate an Adept Rank mage. What on earth was happening there? More importantly, his prot¨¦g¨¦, Anastasia, and Velen were still there! With worry etched on his face, the old man rushed toward the valley as quickly as possible. The closer he got, the more grave his expression became. From the chaotic mana fluctuations, he could sense a faint trace of dread. "High-Explosion Scroll waves¡­ and very chaotic ones at that. Who unleashed so many scrolls here? Judging by the power, there must have been at least a thousand of them!" His words trailed off as disbelief took over. Even the House of Violet, with all its wealth as an alchemy family, wouldn''t squander resources like this. When he arrived at the edge of the valley, what he saw left him utterly dumbfounded. In the valley, Velen was urging Anastasia to unfold scrolls faster. At a glance, the two of them had simultaneously unleashed at least a hundred High-Explosion Scrolls! "Miss Anastasia, how do you have so many High-Explosion Scrolls? And how can you waste them like this? A single High-Explosion Scroll is worth thousands of gold coins!" Although he didn''t know what had happened, the old man stepped forward with a pained expression, trying to stop them. "Perfect timing, senior. My mentor and I are a bit tired. Come help me unfold these scrolls," Velen said, handing the old man a storage pouch. The old man instinctively took the pouch and peeked inside. What he saw made his entire face flush with shock. Five thousand High-Explosion Scrolls! Was he dreaming? "Velen, using all these scrolls is too wasteful. There are five thousand of them! Even just unfolding them would exhaust anyone¡­" The old man tried to dissuade Velen from being so reckless. After all, gold coins didn''t just fall from the sky. Velen nodded thoughtfully. "True, it''s quite tiring to activate so many scrolls. Here''s 100,000 gold coins as compensation for your trouble. Please accept it, senior!" The old man''s eyes widened in disbelief, wondering if he had misheard. That wasn''t what he meant at all! "Is there a problem?" Velen asked, curious at the old man''s dazed expression. "Or do you think the gold coins aren''t enough?" Hearing the jingle of gold coins colliding within the pouch, the old man hurriedly waved his hands. "No, no, Velen, I have no problem at all. In fact, this task is quite challenging and suits me perfectly!" Without another word, he eagerly opened the storage pouch and began deftly unfolding the scrolls, his movements fluid and efficient. "How''s my speed, Velen?" he asked with a hint of pride. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Before Velen could respond, the system''s notification sounded in his mind. "Congratulations, host, for successfully flaunting your wealth. You have earned 100 luxury points!" Velen was momentarily stunned. He had only wanted to burn through the scrolls quickly, but now there was an unexpected bonus! Anastasia, on the other hand, was utterly speechless. The old man was one of the protectors of the House of von Michelstein, yet his attitude shifted far too quickly. Soon, under the combined efforts of the three, all the High-Explosion Scrolls provided by the system were finally used up. The old man and Anastasia flexed their sore hands, their expressions complicated as they looked at Velen. "To think that one day I''d exhaust myself unfolding scrolls¡­" Velen chuckled, and the system''s voice rang in his ears once more. "Congratulations, host, for successfully flaunting all of today''s resources. You have earned 1,000 luxury points!" Hearing this, Velen''s eyes lit up with excitement. Glancing at his total luxury points¡ª1,500 in all¡ªhe nodded in satisfaction. According to the system: Advancing one sub-rank in Novice Rank required 10 luxury points.Advancing one sub-rank in Apprentice Rank required 100 luxury points.Advancing one sub-rank in Adept Rank required 1,000 luxury points! After some thought, Velen decided to first use the points to reach Novice Rank Level 9. In this strength-driven world, wealth without power would make him nothing more than a treasure trove for others. With 510 luxury points remaining, he planned to test his luck with the system''s lottery feature. Channeling 990 luxury points into the system, Velen suddenly felt a peculiar pull radiating from his body. Like an invisible black hole, his body rapidly absorbed mana from the surroundings, creating ripples in the air. Anastasia and the old man immediately noticed the sudden change. "Is he¡­ awakening his mana core?" The two exchanged bewildered glances. In this era, mana core awakening wasn''t unusual. But Velen''s awakening was¡­ different. Typically, mana surged outward during awakening, emanating from within. But for Velen, mana was converging inward, drawn from the world around him. It was like the stars themselves were aligning in his favor. As time passed, the phenomenon grew increasingly astonishing. Velen''s body began levitating as countless specks of mana coalesced into dazzling light, resembling a swarm of fireflies pouring into him. The surge of mana formed a towering storm that pierced the heavens. Even Anastasia and the old man felt their own mana being forcibly drawn toward him. The old man squinted, his expression filled with nostalgia and astonishment. "This grand and eerie phenomenon¡­ it''s a hundred times more magnificent than the young lady''s awakening!" Anastasia, meanwhile, stared fixedly at Velen''s heart. Her stunning face was filled with disbelief. She couldn''t sense a mana core within him. No mana core¡ªhow could he awaken? And yet, Velen''s body continued to draw in mana, undergoing an unimaginable transformation. This was awakening, but on a scale far beyond anything she had ever encountered. As she focused more intently, Anastasia was shocked to discover that while there was no mana core in Velen''s heart, a mysterious mana pattern was beginning to take shape, unleashing a terrifying tidal wave of mana! Chapter 7 - Chapter7-Awakening! Why Is Your Awakening Different? Awakening without a mana core? Anastasia''s mind went blank as her eyes widened in shock. As the heiress of the House of von Michelstein, she had witnessed countless awakenings, including those of top-tier prodigies. Without exception, all of them awakened their mana core. But now, someone was awakening without a mana core? This was the first time she had ever seen such a thing! What''s more, the phenomenon surrounding Velen''s awakening was nothing short of extraordinary. The mana around him surged wildly for hundreds¡ªno, thousands¡ªof meters, as if drawn by an invisible magnet, pouring into his body. The mana condensed and compressed continuously, forming thick, intricate mana patterns across his skin that ran through his limbs like bold lines. From these thick patterns, an intricate web of vein-like mana patterns extended outward, radiating a faint, leaf-like structure. Each delicate mana pattern emitted an overwhelming wave of mana. "What a complex mana pattern! What''s going on with this Velen?" The old man standing nearby, a seasoned protector of the House of von Michelstein, gazed at Velen with a face full of astonishment. It wasn''t uncommon for complex mana patterns to emerge on a mana core, but Velen didn''t even have a mana core. Yet, these complex patterns were emerging as if to mock conventional wisdom. As an experienced elder, he had never encountered anything like this in his lifetime. Even Anastasia, widely regarded as the House of von Michelstein''s most gifted prodigy, only managed to generate a phenomenon spanning several hundred meters during her mana core awakening. Her mana patterns were far simpler compared to the ones now forming on Velen. The old man rubbed his eyes vigorously and scanned Velen''s body again. Still, no sign of a mana core. Suddenly, a thought crossed his mind, and he held his breath, murmuring curiously: "I wonder¡­ just how far Velen''s awakening will go?" Awakening a mana core was a critical milestone for any awakener. The more levels they broke through in one go, the greater their innate talent and potential. For the vast majority of awakeners, reaching Novice Rank lv1 during awakening was already remarkable. The renowned S-rank mana core awakener Oneal, for instance, had broken through to Novice Rank lv5 during his awakening and became one of Uranus''s most celebrated prodigies. Anastasia pondered for a moment, her beautiful eyes narrowing. "Although I don''t know what''s going on with him, given the magnitude of this phenomenon, it''s possible he''ll break through to Novice Rank lv9 in one go!" "Novice Rank lv9?!" The old man was taken aback, astonished by her estimation. "How could he¡­ how could he possibly compare to you, my lady?!" Years ago, Anastasia had awakened her mana core, breaking through to Novice Rank lv9, a feat that shook the House of von Michelstein and drew the duke''s personal attention. Only the rarest prodigies across the Titan Galaxy could achieve such heights during awakening, their futures limitless. Although Velen''s awakening phenomenon was impressive, the old man still doubted that Velen''s talent could rival Anastasia''s. At that moment, the mana fluctuations radiating from Velen''s body became even more domineering. Novice Rank lv1! Novice Rank lv2! ¡­ Novice Rank lv8! Novice Rank lv9! A surge of pure mana pressure rippled outward, rolling like a tide. He had reached Novice Rank lv9 in one breath! The old man''s heart pounded. He had only ever witnessed such a feat in Anastasia and in historical records. Yet now, it was happening right in front of him¡ªwith Velen! Novice Rank lv9. Anastasia was so stunned that she couldn''t speak. While she had suspected Velen might surprise her, she never imagined he would truly break through to Novice Rank lv9. Her own awakening to Novice Rank lv9 had been possible because she was originally from an upper-plane universe and an undisputed prodigy there. However, during a trial in the upper-plane universe, she had been betrayed and ambushed, forcing her to reincarnate into this lower-plane universe, becoming the heiress of the House of von Michelstein. The betrayal left her deeply scarred, teaching her that strength was paramount and nothing else mattered. To secure resources and rise quickly, she revealed her overwhelming talent during her awakening, shocking her family by reaching Novice Rank lv9. But Velen¡ªthis local with no mana core¡ªsomehow rivaled her talent? The more she thought about it, the more uneasy Anastasia felt. Her gaze at Velen grew increasingly curious. As Velen absorbed mana on a massive scale, Anastasia furrowed her brow slightly. This completely unique awakening method felt vaguely familiar, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn''t recall why. "Congratulations, host, for breaking through to Novice Rank lv9!" The system''s voice echoed in Velen''s mind. Velen felt an incredible comfort, as though he had just soaked in a rejuvenating hot spring. His body felt immensely stronger¡ªhe was confident he could punch through a wall or take down a bull with ease. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. His perception of the world around him had sharpened drastically. Anastasia and the old man, meanwhile, were staring at him as if they had seen a ghost. The speed of his breakthrough was absurdly fast! As the mana storm subsided, Velen slowly opened his eyes and found the two of them staring at him intently. He coughed awkwardly. "Why are you looking at me like that? Do I have a bug on my face?" Anastasia snapped out of her daze. She still couldn''t fully comprehend Velen''s transformation but decided not to pry further. Instead, she scrutinized him and said slowly: "Breaking through to Novice Rank lv9 right after awakening¡­ we underestimated you. We''ve really found a treasure. But remember, advancing as an awakener requires consistent effort. Don''t slack off in the future." The old man, still astounded by Velen''s talent, nodded in agreement. "Advancing in rank is like rowing upstream. If you don''t move forward, you''ll be left behind. When we return to the fortress, don''t forget to focus on cultivating. Novice Rank is just the beginning. Only by reaching Apprentice Rank will you have the power to protect yourself." Velen smiled and nodded. Time would take care of the rest. Just then, Anastasia''s expression turned cold as she stared into the nearby forest. "Come out. Stop hiding¡ªwhat do you want?" Velen blinked and followed her gaze toward the bushes. From the underbrush emerged a young man clad in armor. He was strikingly handsome and carried an air of nobility. Most notably, the emblem on his chest matched those worn by Noah and his companions. He was from the House of Violet. "Are you here to avenge Noah and the others?" Anastasia asked, her tone wary. Though the man''s rank wasn''t high, he gave her a faint sense of danger. The young man paused briefly, surveying Anastasia and the others before stepping forward and shaking his head. "My name is Alan. I heard that Lady Anastasia is establishing a fortress and forming a Watchers'' Legion. Though I am from the House of Violet, I wish to join you." Anastasia froze. An enemy of the House of Violet wanted to join her? What was going on? Then, Alan''s name struck a familiar chord, and she blurted, "You''re the Alan who was stripped of his inheritance and ostracized by the other prodigies in your family?" Alan''s smile faltered, but he nodded. Hearing this, Velen''s pupils shrank as he noticed the plain ring on Alan''s finger. Oh, wow! Velen almost laughed aloud. Buffs maxed out! This guy was the archetypal male protagonist! "Lady Anastasia, you know my situation. Though I belong to the House of Violet, I''m at odds with them. You''ve killed Noah and his group, which pleases me greatly. I sincerely hope to join your ranks!" Anastasia shook her head decisively. "The Watchers'' Legion is fine with just Velen and me. You should find someone else." Chapter 8 - Chapter8-I Like This Kid! Anastasia''s decisive rejection left Alan somewhat stunned. After all, he was an Adept Rank awakener and a tier-3 alchemist. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. With such strength and a prestigious alchemy background, many factions on this planet would eagerly vie for his loyalty. Yet Anastasia wore an expression of utter disdain. "Lady Anastasia, won''t you reconsider?" Alan pressed, unwilling to give up. "My ultimate goal aligns with the House of von Michelstein¡ªto destroy the House of Violet¡­" The old man, seeing Alan''s potential and alchemical expertise, privately transmitted his thoughts to Anastasia: "Miss, this Alan has extraordinary talent and is absolutely qualified to join the Watchers'' Legion. His alchemist skills could be invaluable for the fortress''s development." Even so, Anastasia firmly shook her head. She had no intention of recruiting anyone else. Dealing with Velen alone was already enough of a headache. Her attention and energy were divided between monitoring and fostering his growth. Adding another person would only disrupt her own progress in rank advancement¡ªa priority in her quest to ascend to the upper-plane universe and exact her revenge. Being rejected twice by Anastasia left Alan, a man of high pride, feeling as though his dignity had been trampled. You ignore me today, but tomorrow, I''ll be out of your reach! As he prepared to leave in a huff, the ring on his index finger briefly emitted a faint and barely perceptible glow. "Stay calm," a voice resonated within the ring. "Anastasia is no ordinary person. Following her could greatly aid your future revenge." Hearing this transmission, Alan suppressed his indignation. His journey to becoming a tier-3 alchemist and reaching Adept Rank before the age of 17 was all thanks to the mentor within the ring¡ªa once-great figure who now guided him. He had never doubted her advice, and this time was no exception. Reluctantly, he turned back and asked earnestly, "Lady Anastasia, if I don''t currently meet the qualifications to join the Watchers'' Legion, what would I need to do to be accepted?" Anastasia frowned slightly. Why do I keep running into these stubborn types? With a cold smirk, she replied, "It''s not impossible for you to join. The fortress is in dire need of resources. See that guy over there? He paid 100,000 gold coins to get in. If you can offer the same, you''ll be welcome." She didn''t believe for a second she''d encounter two desperate fools in one day. "100,000 gold coins?" Alan''s eyes widened. Even as an alchemist, he didn''t have that kind of wealth on hand. And this was outright extortion! Building a fortress and forming the Watchers'' Legion should be about talent and qualifications for awakeners, not about paying gold coins¡ªespecially such an exorbitant amount! Anastasia seemed ridiculously money-hungry. Working for someone like her was insane! As these thoughts raced through his mind, the ring transmitted another mental wave. Alan sighed deeply, suppressing his emotions, and spoke again. "Lady Anastasia, I swear my sincerity in joining the fortress is as clear as the sun and moon! If 100,000 gold coins is truly required, could I perhaps write an IOU and pay it back slowly through my alchemy work?" Anastasia: "¡­" Could this kid not see she was intentionally trying to reject him? Still, Alan''s determination left her no choice but to add another condition, hoping to dissuade him entirely. "You might not fully understand the current state of the fortress. It''s still under construction and likely won''t be able to provide sufficient resources for rank advancement." Alan dismissed her concerns with unwavering resolve. "Lady Anastasia, as long as I can join the fortress and serve you, I don''t need any resources!" Another one who doesn''t need resources?! Anastasia felt a strange sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu and glanced at Velen. Velen, noticing Alan''s determination, coughed lightly and said, "Mentor, I think this kid has potential!" Come on now. Targeted within his family, stripped of his inheritance, and carrying an ancient ring with an immortal mentor inside? This was textbook protagonist material! The sheer potential luxury points he could gain just by flaunting wealth in front of this guy was too tempting to pass up. Anastasia was surprised by Velen''s sudden support for Alan. During the earlier battle against the House of Violet, Velen had shown no such sympathy. Alan, too, found himself intrigued by this stranger who seemed to hold a special relationship with Anastasia. "Well then, there''s no need for an IOU," Velen said, smiling. "I''ll cover the 100,000 gold coins for you!" With that, he handed a storage pouch to Anastasia. Alan was stunned. This was their first meeting, and Velen was willing to spend 100,000 gold coins on him? Had he encountered some absurdly wealthy benefactor? Anastasia was equally shocked. Why was Velen so eager to recommend Alan? Even if Alan had potential, wasn''t Velen worried that Alan''s addition might threaten his own position? But it was too late to protest now. Anastasia found herself holding a storage pouch brimming with gold coins. With no legitimate reason to refuse, she sighed and relented. "Since you''re so insistent on joining, fine. But remember this: if I catch even a hint of you conspiring with the House of Violet, don''t blame me for being ruthless!" Her words carried a chilling intent, shaking the valley. Alan nodded seriously but felt puzzled. He hadn''t done anything to provoke her, so why did she harbor such hostility toward him? At that moment, Velen''s system notification chimed in his mind. "Congratulations, host, for successfully flaunting wealth. You have earned 500 luxury points!" Velen froze for a moment. He had only intended to befriend Alan, the chosen one, but receiving such a hefty reward was an unexpected bonus. As expected of a chosen one! Velen couldn''t help but grin as he regarded Alan with the predatory gaze of someone eyeing a prized resource. This guy is going to be very useful. "You take them back to the fortress," Anastasia said curtly, clearly tired of the two of them. "I need some time alone. I''ll officially begin your training in a few days." Without sparing another glance at Velen and Alan, she turned and left. If not for the old protector''s insistence, she wouldn''t have accepted any recruits. Now, she had not one but two clingy newcomers she couldn''t shake off. The old man, however, was delighted, nodding approvingly at Velen and Alan. "With your addition, the Watchers'' Legion can now officially be considered established!" Velen''s talent and financial resources made him a standout prospect. Alan, despite his tarnished reputation in the House of Violet, was clearly no less exceptional in skill and potential¡ªlikely a victim of the family''s internal strife. As they followed the old man, Alan approached Velen and said gratefully, "Thank you for helping me just now. I''ll work hard to repay the 100,000 gold coins!" Velen waved it off with a smile. "We''re all members of the Watchers'' Legion now¡ªcomrades who will share life and death together. Let''s not let money get in the way of our friendship. It''s just 100,000 gold coins." From the system''s reward, Velen was more convinced than ever that Alan was special. Strengthening their bond would be crucial. Alan was moved by Velen''s generosity but couldn''t shake the feeling that this seemingly kind benefactor was far from simple. Despite being only Novice Rank lv9, two ranks below him, Velen''s effortless generosity was extraordinary. He must be some kind of rich young master with secrets of his own. Chapter 9 - Chapter9-Such Precious Materials… You’re Using Them as Incense? Alan, noticing that Velen seemed like a wealthy young master, naturally wanted to strike up a conversation. "I''m Alan, an Adept Rank awakener and a tier-3 alchemist!" As he spoke, pride flickered across his face. At his age, reaching such a level of both awakening and alchemy was nothing short of extraordinary. "I''m Velen," Velen replied calmly. Alan frowned slightly at Velen''s lack of reaction. With his rank and status, he was accustomed to being highly regarded on this planet. Being dismissed by Anastasia earlier was one thing¡ªafter all, she was a prodigy respected even by the mentor in his ring, with immeasurable strength and talent. But Velen? Though rich, this young man showed no sign of respect. Alan was a 16-year-old prodigy who had reached Adept Rank and tier-3 alchemy, an unparalleled talent even the House of Violet had gone to great lengths to suppress. And yet, within five minutes, he had been ignored twice! "By the way," Velen suddenly spoke, "since you''re an alchemist, do you know of any good items for enhancing rank advancement?" Alan, slightly taken aback, replied seriously, "You could use Starmetal Shards or the horn of an earth dragon to craft a special Starmetal Stone. Consuming one improves mana absorption efficiency and refines the body. But Starmetal Stones are incredibly rare and expensive. Even with vast wealth, they''re almost impossible to obtain." Although Alan knew how to craft Starmetal Stones, the materials required were so rare that he couldn''t gather them on his own. Velen nodded thoughtfully, then accessed the ethereal interface visible only to him. He customized the lottery pool, setting Starmetal Stones as the target item. After confirming the pool, the system displayed the required luxury points for each draw: 100 luxury points per draw, with a high probability of obtaining the selected item. With 1,200 luxury points remaining, Velen decided to start with two single draws. "Congratulations, host! You''ve obtained 2 Starmetal Stones!" The system notification sounded. Velen nodded in satisfaction¡ªthe odds seemed favorable. Both single draws hit the target. Encouraged, he tried a 10-draw next. "Thank you for participating. Better luck next time!" "Congratulations, host! You''ve obtained 1 Starmetal Stone!" "Congratulations, host! You''ve obtained 1 Starmetal Stone!" "Thank you for participating. Better luck next time!" ¡­ At the end of the 10-draw, three attempts yielded nothing, but he still secured seven more Starmetal Stones, bringing his total to nine¡ªincluding the two from earlier. Having used 1,200 luxury points, Velen considered nine Starmetal Stones a good haul. As Velen finished his lottery spree, Alan said gravely, "Big brother, there''s no need to think too far ahead. Your current rank is too low. Even if Starmetal Shards were right in front of you, you couldn''t safely consume them. The mana inside is too volatile and could harm your body." "Besides, Starmetal Stones are so rare and expensive that hardly anyone sells them. When they do, the price is astronomical!" Alan''s warning was cut short as the old man stopped walking and gestured to the desolate fortress in the distance. "We''ve arrived. For now, this place is ours alone. Find a room to settle in temporarily." Velen and Alan nodded, choosing adjacent courtyards. After settling into his courtyard, Alan decided to bring Velen some basic supplies. The courtyards were rudimentary at best, with many essential items missing. But as Alan pushed open Velen''s door, a rich, intoxicating aroma greeted him. This smell¡­ it seems familiar. Muttering to himself, Alan stepped inside and froze. In the courtyard, Velen was busily crushing several crystalline purple stones on a table. The enchanting aroma emanated from these stones. Starmetal Stones! The scent and appearance left no doubt in Alan''s mind. His nose twitched instinctively, confirming his judgment. Then his eyes fell on the pile of crushed stones¡ªat least five Starmetal Stones, ground into powder. Velen showed no sign of stopping, continuing to crush more stones. Alan''s heart nearly shattered. Even for an Adept Rank awakener, a single Starmetal Stone was a treasure of immeasurable value. Yet Velen was destroying them so casually! As Velen reached for another stone, Alan could no longer contain himself. He dashed forward, grabbing Velen''s wrist and pleading: "Big brother, stop! These Starmetal Stones are priceless treasures! Don''t waste them like this. Save them for when you reach Adept Rank¡ªthey''ll be far more useful then!" Unperturbed, Velen gently pulled his hand away and continued crushing the stones. "Don''t worry, little brother. I''ve got plenty more. Besides, I can''t absorb them at my current rank, so I thought we''d use them to celebrate joining the fortress." Alan: "¡­" He was on the verge of spitting blood. As an alchemist, nothing infuriated Alan more than waste¡ªespecially when it involved such precious materials! "Congratulations, host! You''ve successfully flaunted wealth in front of Alan and earned 1,500 luxury points!" The system notification brought a broad smile to Velen''s face. Not bad at all! Earning 1,500 luxury points so easily was a huge win. Smiling, he said, "Don''t feel too bad about it. Once they''re crushed, the potency dissipates, which makes it safer for someone at my level to absorb. See? It''s actually a good thing." Alan''s mind blanked. Velen''s logic made no sense, yet it was delivered with such conviction that Alan couldn''t refute it. Feeling his blood pressure spike, Alan clutched his chest and retreated from the courtyard, unwilling to witness any more of this madness. But as he walked away, a thought struck him. While Starmetal Stones were valuable, consuming too many could have side effects. Rushing back to Velen''s courtyard, Alan flung open the door¡ªand froze again. The courtyard was shrouded in thick, aromatic smoke. At its center, Velen sat cross-legged amidst a cluster of incense burners, all releasing streams of Starmetal Stone fumes. "Big brother¡­ what are you doing?" Alan''s voice trembled, his pupils contracting sharply. Velen inhaled deeply, savoring the aroma. "I tried eating a piece earlier, but it tasted awful. So I figured, if it doesn''t taste good, why not burn it? Turns out it smells much better this way, and the absorption efficiency is even higher!" S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Alan''s mouth twitched violently. Swallowing Starmetal Stones was the best way to maximize their benefits. But Velen? He deemed them too unpalatable and decided to burn them as incense. With ten incense burners, no less! This is madness! "Congratulations, host! You''ve earned 1,500 luxury points!" As Alan grew increasingly agitated, Velen''s system chimed again, adding to his delight. But before he could bask in his success, his skin suddenly darkened, as if he had just emerged from a coal mine. What just happened? Velen froze, utterly bewildered. Chapter 10 - Chapter10-What? You Thought I’d Level Up Slowly? "Consumes 1,000 luxury points to eliminate the side effects caused by excessive absorption of starmetal stone!" The system notification sounded. Velen instantly understood. His level was too low; even with incense to mitigate the drug''s effects, his body couldn''t handle the overcompensation. Still, this incense had a fantastic aroma and atmosphere. After all, life should be enjoyed. He had a long future ahead of him, and luxury points would always be obtainable! He didn''t want to blindly chase after luxury points and forget about life''s pleasures! At that moment, Alan looked at Velen, whose skin had turned a bit black, feeling an immense sense of satisfaction. "Serves you right for wasting resources. Now you''ve got your comeuppance!" However, he quickly spoke up, "Big brother, while starmetal stone is excellent, absorbing too much at once will cause your skin to blacken, and it may even start to decay and stink!" Hearing this, Velen simply smiled confidently, then clicked confirm on the system interface. In an instant, his pitch-black skin rapidly turned smooth and fair, shining as though the previous blackness was nothing but an illusion. How was that possible? Alan''s eyes widened in astonishment upon witnessing this. Starmetal stone, a highly specialized alchemical product, came with stubborn side effects that were notoriously difficult to eradicate! Even he, as a Tier-3 Alchemist, would have to spend considerable time and effort to completely eliminate them. How had Velen recovered in an instant, as if nothing had happened? After recovering, Velen ignored Alan''s shocked expression, took a deep breath, and inhaled the smoke lingering around him. The incense from the burning starmetal stone was refreshing, like standing in a garden after a rainstorm, with a bouquet of soothing fragrances wafting through the air! The scent seemed to elevate his spirit, relaxing his entire body in an indescribable way! "Ah, so comfortable!" Velen was deeply satisfied. This feeling only made him more addicted to the experience. "By the way, system, can luxury points be used to dispel the side effects for others?" Glancing at the dumbfounded Alan, Velen asked the system. "Consuming luxury points can accomplish this," the system confirmed. Without hesitation, Velen waved at Alan. "Alan, come enjoy the starmetal stone incense with me. It''s really great!" Alan frantically shook his head in terror. If his whole body turned black and stinky, how would he face anyone afterward? He was someone who cared a lot about appearances, after all! "Big brother, you enjoy it by yourself!" Saying this, Alan hurriedly left Velen''s small courtyard. "Does Miss Anastasia know that Velen is this extravagant?" After leaving the courtyard, Alan glanced back at Velen''s location, hesitation flashing across his face. But soon, he shook his head. Although Velen''s actions were absurdly wasteful, practically throwing money around, it had nothing to do with him. He needed to focus on leveling up quickly. Maybe when he reached a higher level, he could be as extravagant as Velen! ¡­ "Consume 1,000 luxury points to eliminate the side effects!" Continuing to enjoy the comforting effects of the incense, Velen once again operated the system to turn his pitch-black skin back to a fair, radiant state. At the same time, the ongoing enhancement from the starmetal stone incense increased his physical strength further. His suppressed level began to emit strong mana fluctuations, which were constantly stabilized by the incense. At this moment, in the central hall of the fortress: "Have you found anything? What''s Velen''s background?" Anastasia asked the elderly man who had just arrived, her curiosity evident. The old man shook his head. "Nothing for now. But now that he''s part of the Watchers'' Legion, spending time with him will surely reveal more about him." Anastasia nodded thoughtfully. "True. There''s not much excitement on this planet, so his identity can be a source of entertainment." Seeing her response, the old man said nothing more. He was becoming increasingly satisfied with Velen! Not only was Velen exceptionally talented, but he also had access to vast resources and was incredibly enigmatic. Most importantly, the young lady had taken an interest in him! Back at the Duke''s mansion, the young lady had shown an obsessive fixation on leveling up, with no interest in anything else whatsoever. Her interest in Velen marked a significant breakthrough. Anastasia massaged her temples, slightly exasperated. "That guy has a unique talent and endless gold coins. He''s clearly not lacking resources for leveling up, so why join the Watchers'' Legion? Could it be that fate sent him to torment me?" Anastasia couldn''t figure it out, the thought frustrating her. "It would have been fine if it was just Velen. But now there''s Alan too! These two oddballs are definitely going to slow down my leveling speed! Why won''t they leave me alone?" Anastasia sighed. She had originally wanted to work alone, yet now she had two companions who insisted on tagging along! Boom! Suddenly, a surge of incredible mana tides erupted! Someone was breaking through! Anastasia and the old man''s expressions immediately turned curious. This energy was coming from the outer fortress, and it felt somewhat familiar to them. "Velen! He just advanced to Novice Rank Lv. 9, and now he''s breaking through again?" The old man was shocked. After awakening one''s mana core, it usually took a long time to build up reserves. Consecutive breakthroughs were rare. What''s more, Velen was advancing into the Apprentice Rank, a major rank. Every major rank was a milestone, and many awakeners were stuck at these bottlenecks, unable to advance further! Anastasia also turned her gaze toward Velen''s courtyard, her expression growing increasingly serious. When her mana core had awakened, she had rushed to Novice Rank Lv. 9, but it had taken her an entire month to gather enough foundation to break into Apprentice Rank Lv. 1. Yet Velen had broken through again in such a short time. His talent was astounding! Boom! Boom! Boom! Even more terrifying mana fluctuations surged outward, gathering into a massive cyclone connecting heaven and earth! This phenomenon lasted a full ten minutes before gradually subsiding. Anastasia and the old man exchanged looks, both seeing the disbelief in each other''s eyes. Apprentice Rank Lv. 9! Not only had Velen broken through a major rank, but he had also skyrocketed directly to Apprentice Rank Lv. 9! This rocket-like ascent left them utterly stunned, frozen like statues! "Velen! Who exactly is this guy?" The old man narrowed his eyes, his curiosity about Velen burning brighter than ever. "Before, I thought he was just boasting. But now, he truly seems to need no resources or guidance for leveling up¡­" Anastasia took a deep breath, her mind flashing back to Velen''s confident demeanor. She found him increasingly mysterious. Then, she looked at the old man. "If Velen continues at this pace, won''t it be long before he surpasses me?" The old man thought for a moment and shook his head earnestly. "Unlikely!" "At higher levels, regardless of talent or resources, breakthroughs are never easy. If the foundation isn''t solid, future advancements will require even more resources. Miss, your talent is extraordinary, and you''ve accumulated significant resources. Your level is miles ahead of Velen''s." While Velen was undeniably gifted, the old man, having observed Anastasia''s rigorous efforts, knew how much she had sacrificed to level up quickly. In the Novice Rank, Apprentice Rank, and even Adept Rank, rapid breakthroughs weren''t unheard of. But once one reached the Expert Rank, progress would inevitably slow down! Surely, Velen would be no exception! However, if Velen were here, he''d mock the old man for not understanding the system. Such rules only applied to ordinary awakeners. He had cheats! Meanwhile, outside Velen''s courtyard: Alan stared at the dissipating mana storm above Velen''s courtyard, his jaw nearly hitting the ground. When Velen awakened his mana core earlier, Alan had sensed it from a distance. Back then, he thought Velen had merely advanced from Novice Rank Lv. 8 to Lv. 9, with the breakthrough phenomenon being a bit excessive. But now, he could clearly sense that Velen''s aura had surged from Novice Rank Lv. 9 to Apprentice Rank Lv. 9 in one go! Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It was now evident that the earlier phenomenon had likely been Velen awakening his mana core and jumping straight to Novice Rank Lv. 9 in one leap! Chapter 11 - Chapter11-How Do You Have Such a Potion? Breakthrough nine levels in one go! This breakthrough speed was completely beyond reason, even beyond Alan''s imagination. For an Awakener, breaking through two minor levels at once was already an exceptionally rare feat. Even now, feeling Velen''s changes in aura firsthand, Alan couldn''t believe his own senses. "This big brother is way too ridiculous!" Alan rubbed his eyes. He considered himself exceptionally gifted, excelling in both leveling and alchemy. In the entire galaxy, there were very few who could compare to him. But before he could take pride in his talents, Velen completely outshone him. Compared to Velen, he felt like a novice among novices! "This might not be a bad thing. At least there''s a rival to keep things interesting in the fortress. I''m even looking forward to the days ahead!" Alan grinned, full of anticipation, as he returned to his room. Meanwhile, Velen, surrounded by the fragrance of starmetal stone, was having a sweet dream, transforming into a noble prince dancing gracefully with princesses from all nations! The next morning. At the crack of dawn, Velen got up early, stretching lazily with his entire body feeling refreshed. His bones cracked and popped audibly, as if in harmonious resonance, producing an ear-shattering sound. After a night of absorbing the medicinal power of the starmetal stone, his physical body had become even stronger. Velen smiled and then opened the system interface before him. Name: Velen Talent: None Bloodline: None Level: Apprentice Rank lv9 Luxury Points: 1210 Special Item: Tier-3 Fortifying Potion (Master Version) ¡ª 9999 bottles! Velen was quite satisfied; his stockpile of items for showing off had been refreshed! But what was this Tier-3 Fortifying Potion? And what did the golden-glowing Master Version mean? Since Velen wasn''t an alchemist, he didn''t know much about these things. So, he immediately walked toward Alan''s courtyard. Alan, as not only the chosen one but also a Tier-3 alchemist from the House of Violet, would surely know the answer. Velen had already planned in his mind: he would rely on these potions to show off again and earn some rewards! However, upon reaching the courtyard, Velen found that Alan wasn''t there. "Velen, are you looking for Alan?" an old man''s voice suddenly sounded. Velen followed the sound and saw the old man stepping out from the courtyard. "The young lady intends for Alan, this Tier-3 alchemist, to refine some potions and resources to quickly increase your levels," the old man explained. "He has gone nearby to procure the necessary materials." Velen nodded to show his understanding and then asked, "Could you take me along to have a look?" The old man, who held a good impression of Velen, did not refuse. "In that case, come with me. They shouldn''t be gone for too long." While speaking, the old man unfurled a magic carpet, gesturing for Velen to step on. Then, he carried him forward at a speed akin to a swift gale. On the magic carpet, feeling bored, Velen suddenly asked: "Elder, do you know about starmetal stone?" The old man nodded. "Of course I do. It''s very beneficial for level enhancement, though it''s quite troublesome to refine and extremely expensive, always in high demand but rarely available!" Hearing this, Velen nodded thoughtfully. "No wonder Alan reacted so strongly when I used starmetal stone as incense. It seems like it truly is a rare and valuable item." The old man froze as if he''d just heard something unbelievable. The magic carpet came to an abrupt halt midair as he hurriedly asked: "You really burned starmetal stone as incense?" Velen nodded. "Why do you and Alan make the same face? What''s wrong with using it as incense? It smells amazing and is quite addictive, though you can''t burn too much at once, or it may cause some side effects." The old man: "¡­" Was this even human talk? Starmetal stone was extraordinarily expensive. Getting just one piece was considered fortunate; owning several was a sign of exceptional luck! Once acquired, every Awakener would carefully store it or consume it meticulously. Burning it as incense? That was sheer wastefulness! After a brief moment of shock, the old man quickly regained his composure. With a warm smile, he said: "Velen, if you ever come across more starmetal stone, do save one for me. I''ll pay a high price for it!" After an hour of travel, The old man brought Velen to a tall and majestic city. The city was extremely grand. Although not as bustling and towering as the city where the Stellar Auction took place, it was still lively and extraordinary. "Velen, you may wander around here for a bit. I have some matters to attend to." The old man suddenly turned and left, as if sensing something. Seeing this, Velen had no choice but to roam the streets alone. The city streets were bustling, with shops lining both sides and many pedestrians coming and going. There were plenty of places selling weapons and resources for leveling up. Naturally, there were also luxurious bars, where women with fair skin, long legs, and scanty clothing stood outside, beckoning to passersby. Their legitimacy remained questionable. However, Velen''s attention was quickly captured by a luxurious auction venue. Mercenary Auction House! Upon seeing the sign, Velen felt a wave of menacing energy rushing toward him. If the Stellar Auction was the foremost on the surface, then the Mercenary Auction House was undoubtedly the foremost underground. In many cities, mercenaries were ruthless and formidable forces. If one were to show off wealth in such a place, they''d surely draw the attention of many. As this thought flashed through Velen''s mind, the system seemed to understand and immediately sounded its mechanical voice: "If the host encounters a life-threatening crisis while showing off, the system will provide guards to eliminate enemies threatening the host." With the system''s guarantee, Velen''s heart settled. Since his safety was assured, the auction house naturally became the ideal place to earn Luxury Points! Unable to locate Alan for now, he decided to visit the auction house. Upon entering, a well-dressed woman quickly approached, speaking in a gentle voice: "Dear guest, do you require a guide?" Velen glanced at her. "I have some potions here that I''d like to auction. How about it?" "If the potions are of high enough quality, we do offer consignment services with discounted fees," the woman explained, giving Velen a brief overview of the auction house''s services before leading him into a room for potion appraisal. Inside, Velen met a bald middle-aged man. His ten fingers were long and slender, his sharp gaze resembling a hawk''s, and his demeanor was arrogant. "What grade is the potion you want appraised and auctioned?" The appraiser asked bluntly. Velen directly took out a bottle of potion and handed it to the man. "This is the Fortifying Potion I intend to auction. It''s a Tier-3 potion, I suppose." Hearing this, the appraiser was somewhat surprised. Tier-3 potions were considered relatively rare resources. Moreover, Fortifying Potion, which could enhance talent and aptitude, was a standout among Tier-3 potions, making it exceedingly rare! He promptly put on white gloves and placed a monocle over his eye, carefully examining the potion. "It really is a Tier-3 Fortifying Potion!" After a brief inspection, the appraiser couldn''t help but exclaim! "And this craftsmanship and efficacy¡­ It''s undoubtedly a Master Rank creation!" Seeing the appraiser''s excitement, Velen immediately asked: "Is this potion very valuable?" The appraiser''s face flushed with excitement. "Though Fortifying Potions are Tier-3, those capable of altering bloodlines and improving physical constitution are exceedingly rare, already considered treasures! And the potion you brought, sir, was crafted by a master alchemist¡­" Worried that Velen might not fully grasp the value, he elaborated: "Potions are highly beneficial to Awakeners, but the same potion, if crafted by a Master Rank alchemist, achieves far superior results and greatly enhances the chances of altering bloodlines!" "If auctioned, this potion could fetch at least 100,000 gold coins!" Hearing this, Velen was equally astonished. "A single bottle of Tier-3 potion could fetch 100,000 gold coins?" S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. What do you mean by ''just a single bottle of Tier-3 potion''? The appraiser couldn''t help but roll his eyes internally. However, considering the potion, he quickly replied: "There will be an auction soon! This Tier-3 potion is absolutely fit for the spotlight!" Chapter 12 - Chapter12-You Actually Used Such an Expensive Potion to Feed a Rabbit? "Then let''s put it up for auction. I''ve got another bottle here; let''s auction them together!" Velen didn''t take out too many at once¡ªrarity increases value. He planned to test the waters to see if the potion was as sought-after as the auctioneer claimed. "Spending 100,000 gold coins on a single potion¡ªonly a lunatic would do that," Velen murmured softly. He was well aware of the purchasing power of 100,000 gold coins. If it were other high-quality potions, it might make sense, but a single Tier-3 potion shouldn''t fetch such a price. Surely the auction house was exaggerating. Though Velen''s voice was low, Kevin, being not only a Tier-6 alchemist but also a Titan Rank Awakener, still heard him. While this Tier-3 potion wasn''t the highest quality, its effects were incredibly unique. Most importantly, it was crafted by a Master Rank alchemist, making its efficacy far superior to ordinary Tier-3 potions. How could the buyers possibly be lunatics? However, considering that Velen had brought out a Master Rank Tier-3 Fortifying Potion, Kevin didn''t say much. He simply watched Velen''s retreating figure with a complicated expression. This guy was definitely no ordinary person! After leaving the Mercenary Auction House, Velen thought for a moment and directly pulled out a bottle of Tier-3 Fortifying Potion, gulping it down. The appraiser had spoken so highly of it; he decided to try it himself. After drinking it, he indeed felt his body strengthening slightly, with a warm sensation spreading throughout, as though he were in a furnace. However, the improvement didn''t seem significant. "Well, I''ve got plenty of these potions. Might as well drink them like spring water." Just as Velen was about to leave, he suddenly noticed a white figure dashing toward him at great speed. Bang! Velen stood unmoving, while the white figure that collided with him was sent flying backward. A rabbit? Velen glanced down to see a panicked red-eyed rabbit. Its white fur was somewhat dirty, and its large ears quivered slightly, as though it was utterly terrified. The rabbit''s adorable appearance caught Velen''s eye, and his gaze brightened. He had a weakness for fluffy things. Seeing that it was injured, he took out a bottle of Fortifying Potion, opened it, crouched down, and said: "If you drink my potion, you''ll be my rabbit from now on." The rabbit looked at Velen with its red eyes. At first, there seemed to be two flames burning within them. Then, its nose twitched, and it slowly walked up to Velen, gently sipping the Fortifying Potion. S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After drinking, its wounds seemed to heal a bit. It then affectionately nuzzled Velen''s hand, its fur soft and warm. Velen couldn''t help but laugh. Without hesitation, he pulled out several more bottles of Fortifying Potion, opened them, and fed them to the eager little white rabbit. "Using a 100,000-gold-coin potion to feed a rabbit¡ªif the fool who bought this potion found out, would they come at me with a knife?" Velen rubbed his chin as this thought crossed his mind. "Whatever. I''ve got plenty of potions. Later, I''ll give some to Anastasia, Alan, and the elder. Otherwise, I won''t be able to show off all these potions." With that, Velen cradled the obedient little rabbit and chuckled softly: "Let''s give you a nice bath first, and then you can keep drinking for me!" The big white rabbit looked up at Velen, feeling a bit unnerved by its owner''s final smile. It immediately shrank back into Velen''s arms. "Excuse me, sir, this is a high-end hotel. Pets and personal food are not allowed. It''s our policy!" As Velen carried the dirty rabbit into a luxurious hotel, he was stopped by a hostess at the door. Her face bore a professional smile. "Policy? How much is this policy worth? Name a price. I insist on bringing my precious rabbit in to bathe and rest." Velen glanced at her. "Sir, the policy is non-negotiable and has nothing to do with money. This is a three-star high-end hotel¡­" Before she could finish, Velen pulled out a storage pouch from his arms. "This is 10,000 gold coins. Book your best suite for me and consider the rest compensation for breaking the rules." Velen didn''t argue further, letting the gold coins speak for themselves. The hostess checked the pouch and immediately felt her legs go weak. She had never seen so many gold coins before¡ª10,000 pieces! The hotel had never encountered such a bold customer. "Please come in, esteemed guest!" Her voice instantly turned seductive, and her gaze toward Velen practically sparkled. However, Velen paid her no mind and went straight to his room. Once inside, Velen looked at the rabbit, now soaking in the basin. His gaze carried a hint of surprise. Spending 10,000 gold coins to show off for a rabbit hadn''t earned him any Luxury Points. Clearly, the rabbit was currently of no value. "Alright, little rabbit, after your bath, it''s time to get to work!" As he spoke, Velen kept pulling bottles of Fortifying Potion from his system space, pouring them into a basin before the rabbit. The rich fragrance of the potion made the rabbit visibly excited. Though it lacked intelligence, its instincts told it that this potion was highly beneficial. Its red eyes glowed as it drank bottle after bottle, not stopping even when its belly bulged. Velen''s gaze grew softer as he watched. After all, a person could only drink so much, but this rabbit had downed over a hundred bottles without pausing. It was a natural asset for showing off his wealth. He had truly struck gold with this rabbit. However, after an hour of drinking, the rabbit''s belly swelled like a balloon, with veins and blood vessels visibly stretching across it. And then, the rabbit stopped drinking! With human-like behavior, it pushed the basin away and tilted its head, its long ears twitching. "Only a thousand bottles, and you''re done?" Velen poked its head. "You seemed to love drinking earlier. I''ve still got plenty¡­ Hey, don''t sleep yet! Drink more before you sleep!" No matter how Velen shook it, the rabbit showed no signs of waking up, the only sound coming from the sloshing liquid in its belly. Seeing this, Velen sighed and placed the rabbit on the floor, letting it sleep. "Fine, we''ll continue once you wake up." Velen shook his head and lay down on the luxurious bed, quickly falling asleep. Meanwhile, as Velen slept, tremendous changes were taking place within the rabbit''s body. Its fur became snow-white and crystalline, like white crystal. Its long ears grew even more elegant. With each breath, the mana in the air was drawn into its body, nourishing it continuously. At the same time, in the Mercenary Auction House: "Who would''ve thought that while out procuring materials, we''d come across two bottles of Fortifying Potion, both at the Master Rank level!" Seated in the main seat, Anastasia squinted slightly as she gazed at the two potions on the auction stage. Next to her, Alan''s eyes glimmered with intense desire. As an Adept Rank Awakener, he could now consume Tier-3 Fortifying Potions. It was as if the heavens had prepared these for him. After all, potions capable of enhancing bloodlines were exceedingly rare, monopolized by major powers. For other Awakeners, even catching a whiff of such potions was nearly impossible. But now, there were two life-changing potions before them, crafted by a Master Rank alchemist, their value immeasurable. If he could consume them, his bloodline would receive a significant boost, paving the way for future advancements. However, Alan also noticed that everyone else in the auction room was eyeing the two Fortifying Potions with bloodshot eyes. The final auction for the Fortifying Potions was bound to spark fierce competition! "Don''t worry. These potions will greatly benefit the two of you. As long as you''re with me, you won''t lose out. I''m determined to get them!" Elsewhere, on a picturesque mountain peak, a white-haired elder sipped fine wine, gazing at the scenery with a look of contentment. "Enjoying wine amidst nature with good friends¡ªtruly one of life''s great joys!" The white-haired elder remarked, prompting a slight smile from the older man beside him. "You sure know how to take it easy. I''ve already become the young lady''s protector. I don''t have the leisure you do. Once she establishes a fortress here, you old rascal better take good care of things." Chapter 13 - Chapter13-This Can Awaken a Bloodline Too?! "Oh?" The white-haired elder seemed to have thought of something and suddenly said, "Perfect timing. My Mercenary Auction House recently received two bottles of Fortifying Potion. These will surely help your lady in forming the Watchers'' Legion!" "Fortifying Potion!" The elder was momentarily stunned, then said in astonishment, "This type of special Tier-3 potion is incredibly rare. Your auction house actually has some?" The white-haired elder chuckled. "It was just good fortune¡ªsomeone brought them to the auction house not long ago!" The elder pondered briefly, then looked at the white-haired elder with a serious expression. "This Fortifying Potion that even a Tier-9 alchemist like you values highly¡ªit must be extraordinary, right? The effects must be remarkable?" Although Fortifying Potion was rare, such news wouldn''t typically reach his ears. The white-haired elder nodded with a smile. "Correct! These two bottles were crafted by a Master Alchemist. The effects and quality are extraordinarily powerful!" What?! Master Rank Fortifying Potion! The elder was shocked to his core. He had lived a long life, yet had never seen a potion of such caliber! Afterward, something seemed to occur to him. "Wait, the Mercenary Auction House is not as prestigious as the Stellar Auction. How could such rare and valuable potions end up at your place?" The white-haired elder shook his head slightly. "I''m not sure. I specifically looked into the matter. The person who left these two potions was a rather handsome young man." "Oh? A handsome young man?" The image of Velen inexplicably appeared in the elder''s mind. "That''s all the information I have. The young man casually left the two potions at the auction house and then left." Hearing this, the elder frowned. "Such precious potions, left so casually at an auction house¡ªhow reckless!" The white-haired elder speculated, "It''s likely a scion of an ancient family or a young lord from another galaxy. After the auction, we might be able to meet him." At this point, the white-haired elder noticed a contemplative look on the elder''s face. The more the elder thought about it, the more he believed the young man was likely Velen. Among the people he knew, only Velen had the wealth and mystery to match such actions! "Robert, I might know who that young man is!" The elder''s expression turned peculiar. "Who?" The white-haired elder, Robert, was immediately intrigued. Master Rank potions were enticing even to alchemists like him! "Come with me, and you''ll find out!" The elder''s heart stirred as he led Robert away from the scene. Not long after, the elder brought Robert to the luxurious guestroom. "He''s in there." Sensing Velen''s aura, the elder smiled. "Who is this person?" Robert asked, curious. "His name is Velen. He was the first to join the Watchers'' Legion, and even the young lady holds him in high regard. He''s immensely wealthy!" The elder gave a brief introduction. "Wealthy?" Robert was unimpressed. As a Tier-9 alchemist with numerous businesses under his belt, few dared to claim they were wealthy in front of him. But knowing the elder''s steady character, Robert figured he wouldn''t exaggerate. He was curious to see just how wealthy this Velen was. The guestroom door was tightly shut, but for the elder and Robert, this was no obstacle. They easily opened it. Inside, Velen was still sound asleep, much to the elder''s annoyance. Such prime years¡ªhow could they be wasted on sleep?! However, as the elder stepped into the room, Velen groggily sat up, rubbing his sleepy eyes. Both the elder and Robert were suddenly taken aback. In the middle of the guestroom lay a white-furred rabbit with a bloated belly. Next to it was a pile of potions. Just the scent wafting from those potions left them frozen like statues. Fortifying Potion! All the glass bottles were filled with Fortifying Potion! "Elder, are you done with your errands? Why are you here?" Velen rubbed his eyes, looking curiously at the elder who had suddenly appeared in his room. Then, glancing at the pile of potions on the floor and the sleeping white rabbit beside them, Velen scolded in annoyance: "Little Rabbit, why aren''t you behaving? There are still so many potions you haven''t drunk!" Hearing Velen''s voice, the little rabbit opened its red eyes, first casting a rather aggrieved look at Velen. Then, with a very human-like motion, it used its head to push all the Fortifying Potion bottles aside. The rabbit''s face displayed an unmistakable expression of disdain, as if it was utterly sick of drinking them and couldn''t stomach any more. "What on earth is going on here?" Robert clutched his head in shock, unable to believe what he was seeing. As a Tier-9 alchemist, he could tell at a glance that these potions were genuine! Moreover, their scent was identical to the two Fortifying Potion bottles reported from the auction! S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Such precious potions¡ªI haven''t even had one myself! And this damn rabbit drank so many¡ªwhat a waste! This is outrageous!" Robert was beside himself, beating his chest in frustration, on the verge of losing his mind. While Robert''s emotions ran wild, the elder suddenly noticed something unusual about the seemingly harmless white rabbit. "Robert, this rabbit is extraordinary. The mana around it is circulating into its body!" "Although the mana is still sparse for now, given some time, it will definitely develop into something significant!" The elder''s face was full of astonishment. The little white rabbit was just ordinary prey and didn''t possess a mana-controlling bloodline. Yet, this rabbit was undergoing a transformation! Hearing this, Robert shifted his focus from the potions to the rabbit. His face quickly mirrored the elder''s shock. "How is this possible? How is its bloodline transforming?!" "But it shouldn''t have a spellbeast bloodline!" "From an ordinary animal evolving into a spellbeast¡ªthis¡­ this is unbelievable!" Even with Robert''s vast experience, he was astounded to witness such a phenomenon firsthand. He glanced at the scattered Fortifying Potion bottles on the floor and seemed to piece things together. With a pained look, he turned to Velen. "You¡­ How many of these potions did you feed this rabbit?!" To Robert, a single bottle of Fortifying Potion was invaluable. Judging by the rabbit''s state, it must have consumed a significant amount to cause such changes. Under Robert''s intense gaze, Velen thought for a moment and replied casually: "Not that many, just close to 2,000 bottles. The rabbit couldn''t drink anymore, so I let it take a break. But now it''s gotten picky and refuses to drink! This rabbit has no gratitude!" Hearing this, both Robert and the elder widened their eyes, staring at Velen in utter disbelief. This guy was outrageously extravagant! Nearly 2,000 bottles of Fortifying Potion! That quantity was an unimaginable blow to them! For Robert, an alchemist, the shock was even greater. Veins bulged visibly on his forehead, and he looked as though he wanted to kill Velen on the spot. "Kevin! Is this how the Ducal Manor teaches people to squander resources?!" "Such rare and precious potions¡ªused to feed a rabbit?! What were you thinking?!" To Robert, seeing such precious potions wasted was more painful than death! "This is beyond control. That''s just how he is¡ªhe has plenty of gold coins. Even I sometimes follow his arrangements to get things done for him!" Kevin sighed helplessly, a resigned look on his face. Hearing this, Robert stared at Kevin in disbelief. He knew Kevin''s background and strength well. As one of the Ducal Manor''s esteemed retainers and a top-tier Ascended Rank powerhouse, how could someone like him take orders from a fledgling? Yet these words had come straight from Kevin''s mouth! At that moment, Velen seemed to think of something. Turning to Kevin, he smiled slightly. "Elder, I could use some help with these potions. Of course, I wouldn''t ask you to do it for free¡ªthis time, let''s say, 100,000 gold coins!" While Robert''s face was still frozen in shock, Velen spoke up cheerfully. Chapter 14 - Chapter14-Who’s the Fool That Spent So Much on the Potion? More gold coins to earn? Kevin''s eyes lit up instantly! Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, he swallowed nervously, a wild idea forming in his mind. He couldn''t help but ask: "Velen, don''t tell me you want me to help you drink these Fortifying Potions?" Velen nodded seriously, confirming his suspicions. There were nearly 10,000 bottles of Fortifying Potion in total, but the little rabbit had only managed to drink 2,000 so far. That left about 8,000 bottles, all of which had to be consumed before sunset to maximize the luxury points! "How many bottles do you have left?" Kevin pressed. "Close to 8,000. They must all be finished before dusk. Can your stomach handle it, Elder?" Velen looked at Kevin with a hint of doubt. Kevin confidently patted his chest. "You''ve never seen me drink in my youth¡ªI could handle however much I was served!" With Kevin''s reassurance, Velen breathed a sigh of relief and immediately began piling up bottles of Fortifying Potion in front of him. Even though Kevin was used to Velen''s extravagance, he couldn''t help but feel a flash of amazement at the sight. But soon, he took a deep breath and began chugging bottle after bottle! Nearby, Robert watched as Kevin guzzled down potion after potion. The sight left him utterly dumbfounded, his shock rendering him almost numb. And Kevin only drank faster. Though the potion''s effects were minimal for someone of his level, the cumulative benefit was still substantial! Seeing Kevin drinking with such enthusiasm, the little rabbit couldn''t resist casting a disdainful glance at him, its expression even showing a trace of schadenfreude. Velen caught sight of the rabbit''s smug look and promptly kicked it lightly. "Little Rabbit, finish off the potions you left behind, or I''ll turn you into spicy rabbit stew tonight!" The little white rabbit seemed to understand Velen''s threat. Its expression froze, and it hesitated briefly before hopping reluctantly toward the potions. After a moment of mental preparation, it closed its red eyes and began swallowing the potions as though taking medicine. Witnessing Kevin and the rabbit''s actions, Robert was deeply shaken! He had met many extravagant individuals, and he considered himself a wealthy man. But compared to Velen, he realized he was no more than a pauper! After all, each of these potions could fetch an astronomical price at auction! Yet here was Velen, wasting such a massive number of potions. The sight made Robert feel like his heart was about to stop. "Not bad, not bad. Smooth going down, and the potion''s flavor has a certain tea-like charm. Such a pity¡ªI never encountered Fortifying Potions of this quality in my youth¡­" Kevin sighed as he drank, tears suddenly welling up in his eyes as if he''d recalled something sad. Velen and Robert stared at him in astonishment, completely baffled. Kevin sighed again. "Ah, fate plays cruel tricks. Back then, I spent all my hard-earned gold coins over many years just to buy a single ordinary Fortifying Potion. Now, when my talent can no longer be improved, I''m given so many Master Rank Fortifying Potions¡­" His talent had originally been quite decent, and the single potion he''d used back then had enhanced it further. But even so, he still couldn''t compare to the top prodigies. If he had consumed these Master Rank potions back then, he was certain his talent would have undergone a drastic transformation! He wouldn''t have been stuck at Ascended Rank for so long. Hearing this, Robert finally understood why his old friend was tearing up. Robert, too, found himself reflecting on his own situation. Like Kevin, he had also reached Ascended Rank. Though this was already a formidable level of power, he had been stuck at this rank for a long time. If he couldn''t break through, he would eventually die of old age. Yet attempting a breakthrough carried its own risks. Without sufficient talent, the calamities that arose during advancement could lead to utter annihilation. He was truly caught between a rock and a hard place. Velen glanced at Robert and, sensing his immense strength, spoke sincerely: "I still have plenty of Fortifying Potions. If Elder doesn''t mind, would you help as well?" "Like Elder Kevin, if you''re willing to help, the payment is 100,000 gold coins!" Velen figured this white-haired elder would be a great asset to speed things up. Robert froze. In all his years, this was the first time anyone had made such an outlandish request of him. But he couldn''t find a reason to refuse. After all, 100,000 gold coins was no small sum! And besides, Master Rank Fortifying Potions were incredibly rare. He had never had the chance to try one before! Without much hesitation, Robert quickly joined the potion-drinking effort. As he felt the mana flowing within him, Robert could hardly believe his luck. This was beyond incredible! Watching the two of them gulp down potions, Velen still felt their pace was too slow. At this rate, they wouldn''t finish until nightfall. If only Miss Anastasia and Alan were here, they could significantly speed things up! Velen couldn''t help but miss them a little. At that moment, Robert, his belly full of potion, wobbled slightly as he asked Velen: "Velen, are the two bottles of potion in the Mercenary Auction House yours?" Velen nodded. "Yeah, I just wanted to ask about the price. But the auctioneer said they might fetch 100,000 gold coins. I''m curious¡ªwho would be foolish enough to buy something so ordinary?" Robert and Kevin both stared at him, feeling deeply insulted. After all, they had both desperately wanted to buy such potions themselves in the past. And to call these potions "ordinary"? If they could go back in time, they would have sold everything they owned, even taken out loans, to buy them at any cost! These potions could truly change their destiny! A price of 100,000 gold coins was far from excessive! At that moment, Anastasia locked onto Velen and Kevin''s location using her heightened senses and arrived at the hotel. Alan followed closely behind, his face filled with excitement and gratitude. "Following the Ducal Manor''s young lady truly has boundless prospects!" Alan muttered to himself before eagerly heading to Velen''s room. "Big brother! Big brother! Great news!" Bursting into the room, Alan excitedly pulled out two exquisite boxes and declared: Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Miss and I just found something incredibly rare at the auction. You''ll never guess what it is!" Anastasia followed Alan into the room, a trace of pain in her eyes. To purchase these two potions, she had dipped into her private funds, spending a total of one million gold coins to secure them! Although it had been a costly endeavor, she was eager to see Velen''s reaction. Velen might have money, but money wasn''t everything! Many things couldn''t be bought with gold coins alone. Luck and timing were crucial. No amount of money could buy what fate didn''t provide. But as Anastasia and Alan took in the room''s interior, they both fell into stunned silence. Because before their very eyes lay countless bottles of Fortifying Potion, each worth 500,000 gold coins at auction! And Kevin and Robert were still guzzling them down! Their dazed expressions made them feel as though they were hallucinating from overexcitement. Yet everything before them was painfully real. Clatter! The boxes fell from Alan''s hands, revealing the two Fortifying Potions inside. Velen, seeing the potions Alan and Anastasia had brought, suddenly felt a sinking feeling. The fool! He never would have guessed that the ones who bought his potions at such an exorbitant price were none other than Anastasia and Alan! Moments later, when the situation became clear, Anastasia and Alan both blacked out, especially Anastasia, who felt as though fate had played a cruel joke on her. The potions Velen had put up for auction had been purchased by none other than their own leader¡ªat an enormous cost! Chapter 15 - Chapter15-Massive System Rewards Alan, after a brief moment of shock, stared intently at the countless bottles of Fortifying Potion on the table. With such a large quantity, if he could consume more, it would be immensely beneficial to him! "Big brother, can I drink some of these potions?" His voice was filled with excitement and anticipation. Velen, of course, was more than happy. "Drink as much as you want! As much as you can handle!" He had been hoping Anastasia and Alan would help with the potions, so Alan''s eagerness was a win-win situation. With Velen''s approval, Alan froze for a moment before dashing over to Kevin and Robert, grabbing bottles with both hands and pouring them into his mouth like a parched desert survivor quenching his thirst. However, his frantic actions caused several bottles to fall to the ground with a "clink," their stoppers popping off and releasing a rich fragrance. "Hey, hey! You can''t drink that!" Suddenly, Alan noticed the white-furred rabbit squatting next to the spilled potions. Alarmed, he quickly shouted to stop it. The Fortifying Potion was incredibly precious; wasting even a drop was an unforgivable crime! But before he could finish, the rabbit seemed to recall some unpleasant memory, gagged dramatically, and kicked the potions away. Watching this, Robert turned to Anastasia and said: "Miss Anastasia, I know it''s not my place to say this, but Velen is far too extravagant. He''s fed nearly 2,000 bottles of these priceless potions to this rabbit. It''s outrageous! You need to rein him in¡ªno matter how wealthy he is, this kind of waste is unacceptable!" Alan, who had just picked up the rabbit-kicked bottles, froze. Hearing this, it felt like the sky was collapsing on him! His eyes locked onto the white rabbit in disbelief. What kind of world was this? He had prided himself on being able to drink even a single bottle of Fortifying Potion, and yet he was no better than a rabbit? Anastasia, shocked, stared at Velen. Was he really so rich that he didn''t know how to spend his money? Each bottle of this potion had cost her 500,000 gold coins! What''s more, Master Rank Fortifying Potions were priceless and never available on the open market. Even Kevin had never seen one before! Not long after, Kevin, Robert, and Alan were sprawled on the ground, much like the red-eyed rabbit, clutching their bloated stomachs. They couldn''t drink another drop. The Fortifying Potion, especially being Master Rank, contained an abundance of potent medicinal properties. Consuming so much had left them with indigestion. Velen glanced at the table, noticing there were still around 2,000 bottles left. His gaze quickly shifted to Anastasia. Since her arrival, she hadn''t consumed a single Fortifying Potion yet! Given her bloodline and rank, she should be able to drink all of these! Under Velen''s expectant gaze, Anastasia immediately realized what he was thinking and coldly refused: "No way! I''m not that kind of person¡ªyou won''t get me to drink!" "But these Fortifying Potions are incredibly valuable. I''ll buy them all!" Anastasia knew these potions wouldn''t benefit her much, but if she brought them back to the Ducal Manor, they could help her father produce a new generation of geniuses, earning her more resources and favor in return. However, Velen shook his head firmly at her offer. "Miss Anastasia, do you think I''m short on money?" From his understanding of the system, selling the potions to Anastasia like this would likely result in a significant deduction of luxury points and could even impact future system tasks. It simply wasn''t worth it. Anastasia was unwilling to give up. "I can contact my father to offer you the highest price!" Although she didn''t have enough gold coins on her, her father, a star duke, could mobilize vast amounts of gold and resources to purchase all of them! But as she finished speaking, she sighed dejectedly. For other Awakeners, gold coins meant resources, which meant rapid leveling and increased power and status. But for Velen, they were utterly meaningless. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After spending time with him, she had confirmed that Velen was truly not short on money! The way he squandered wealth made it seem like he was the young master of the Ducal Manor! "Miss, just give it a try. The potion tastes quite nice!" Velen picked up a bottle and offered it to Anastasia again. If she refused, he''d have to find some wild animal to help finish them off. Seeing this, Anastasia finally gritted her teeth and drank the potion Velen handed her. If she couldn''t buy them, she might as well drink them all herself. If Velen wasted them any further, her heart might break. Before long, thanks to Anastasia''s help, the remaining 2,000 bottles were quickly consumed, and everyone let out a satisfied burp. "Congratulations to the host for successfully hiring Kevin to complete the task. Reward: 100 luxury points!" "Congratulations to the host for successfully hiring Robert to complete the task. Reward: 100 luxury points!" "Congratulations to the host for successfully showcasing today''s special items. Reward: 1,000 luxury points, 3 millennial afterlife flowers, and 5 pieces of Tier-9 Starry Stone!" [System rewards can be used freely but will not grant luxury points.] Velen looked at the system notifications with delight. Not only had he earned luxury points, but he had also received additional items! Meanwhile, Anastasia, now full, suddenly murmured in disbelief: "Kevin, I''m starting to think being the head of the family isn''t all that fulfilling." Kevin looked at her in brief silence before turning his gaze to Velen. Velen''s very existence had overturned everything he knew. He didn''t need guidance or assistance to level up. He didn''t require external resources; instead, he provided a vast amount of resources for others! Since Velen joined them, they had only grown wealthier. Both Anastasia and Kevin felt a sense of disillusionment. Ever since Velen joined, they''d felt like they were serving a tycoon! A tycoon who spent money as if it were water. A tycoon who truly didn''t care about wealth! "Elder Robert, as a Tier-9 alchemist, do you know about millennial afterlife flowers?" Velen didn''t know the purpose of these system rewards and wanted to understand their value. "Millennial afterlife flower?" Robert pondered for a moment before replying: "As far as I know, the afterlife flower is a mythical plant said to grow by absorbing the souls of the deceased. I''ve never even seen a century-old afterlife flower, let alone a millennial one. Furthermore, red afterlife flowers are considered the highest grade among them." "This spiritual herb is renowned for its ability to restore souls. If refined into a Revive Token, it could restore the soul of someone who''s been dead for up to three days!" "Of course, this is just its use for ordinary people. For us Awakeners, it''s even more valuable, especially for Ascended Rank Awakeners like us. Ascension is fraught with calamities¡ªfailure means certain death!" "But with the Revive Token, even if the attempt fails, it can preserve the soul, allowing the person to find a new body and revive!" Robert''s voice was filled with awe as he explained, his eyes brimming with longing. For someone as powerful and accomplished as him, longevity and ascension were the two insurmountable challenges he faced. Based on his research, the afterlife flower might be his only hope to overcome them. Hearing this, Kevin''s eyes lit up, his whole demeanor turning excited. Though he hadn''t spent much time with Velen, he knew that if Velen didn''t possess something, he wouldn''t bother asking about it. Since Velen had asked, it likely meant he had this legendary herb! Taking a deep breath, Kevin turned to Robert with a serious expression. "Robert, do you know about starmetal stone?" Robert nodded. "It''s a high-quality alchemical product that can significantly enhance one''s level. I''ve personally refined it, but its materials are scarce, and I''ve only managed to create a small amount. Nowadays, it''s a rare treasure among major powers." Kevin replied earnestly, "But Velen has been using starmetal stone as incense!" What?! Robert''s eyes widened in disbelief. The materials for starmetal stone were rare, and its refinement required high-level techniques. Even the smallest quantity was considered invaluable by major powers, reserved only for critical moments. And he used it as incense?! Chapter 16 - Chapter16-The Duke Arrives – A Mana Core-less “Wasteâ€? "Velen, stop hiding it. You must have millennial afterlife flowers!" Kevin quickly stepped in front of Velen, speaking earnestly: "This mythical spiritual herb must be treasured. You absolutely can''t just use it as incense!" "No worries. I have three millennial afterlife flowers. Using one as incense shouldn''t be a problem, right?" Velen replied casually. After learning about the effects of the millennial afterlife flower, he thought lighting one as incense would surely be an incredible experience! The rarer something was, the more tempting it was to try! "Velen, you really have three millennial afterlife flowers?" Robert couldn''t sit still any longer. He rushed to Velen''s side, his face full of longing. "Can you sell them all to me? No matter the cost, I''m willing to pay!" The millennial afterlife flower was crucial for his advancement. It could preserve his soul from destruction! As a Tier-9 alchemist, Robert also couldn''t stand the thought of Velen wasting such a precious herb. But Velen simply shook his head and turned to Anastasia. "Since I''m now part of the Watchers'' Legion, and Miss Anastasia is the captain, this millennial afterlife flower is a gift to you!" "The second afterlife flower I must light as incense to enjoy its fragrance¡ªno one can stop me!" "As for the third afterlife flower, I don''t have any particular use for it. If Elder Kevin helps me more in the future, I might consider giving it to him." With that, Velen allocated the three millennial afterlife flowers. "Velen¡­ this gift is too precious!" Anastasia looked at the red afterlife flower in her hand, her face flushing with excitement. Velen was far too generous to her. First, he had given her 100,000 gold coins, then invited her to join the Watchers'' Legion, and now he was gifting her this priceless millennial afterlife flower. With Velen''s extravagant style, she suspected she''d receive even more treasures from him in the future! At this rate, she almost felt as though Velen were supporting her. But she was supposed to be the mentor, the captain of the fortress, providing benefits to Velen and his team¡ªnot the other way around! She instinctively wanted to return the afterlife flower to Velen, but thinking about how critical it could be for her future advancement, she hesitated. At the same time, Robert stared intently at the afterlife flowers in front of Velen, his mind racing. "Velen, I can help you too. If I perform well, could I get this afterlife flower?" Kevin, hearing this, bristled with anger. "Robert, is this how you treat your friends? That millennial afterlife flower is already reserved for me!" He needed the afterlife flower just as much! "Velen only said he''s considering giving it to you. Giving it to me isn''t out of the question. Can''t you yield to an old friend?" The two began arguing. Meanwhile, Alan paid no attention to the commotion. The only thought in his mind was figuring out how to sneak a whiff when Velen lit the afterlife flower as incense. "Miss Anastasia, the fortress still needs people, right? Could I join as an elder?" Ultimately, Robert, being a civilized man, couldn''t outargue the crafty Kevin. He shifted strategies, aiming to stay close to Velen through Anastasia. Anastasia''s eyes widened. "Elder Robert, are you seriously considering joining the fortress?" She knew Robert well. Not only was he an Ascended Rank powerhouse and a Tier-9 alchemist, but his influence extended across many regions! Having someone like him join the fortress was an unimaginable boon. "Of course, I''m serious! I held your father when he was a child¡ªhe even peed on me! If you won''t allow it, I''ll take this up with him directly!" Seeing her hesitation, Robert grew anxious. Though he didn''t know much about Velen yet, anyone who could casually bring out three millennial afterlife flowers and distribute them so nonchalantly was undoubtedly someone with unimaginable power and connections. Missing this opportunity to get closer to him would be a lifelong regret! Seeing Robert''s eagerness, Anastasia nodded quickly. "The fortress would, of course, welcome Elder Robert! But don''t you still have many businesses to manage?" "I''ll leave all that to my juniors." Robert waved dismissively. With a bigshot like Velen around, all other matters could wait. His priority was figuring out how to win his favor! "Kevin, let''s settle this¡ªwhoever performs better gets the afterlife flower!" Kevin hadn''t expected Robert to be so ruthless, but he wasn''t about to back down. "Fine, let''s see who''s better!" Anastasia, watching the scene unfold, suddenly felt a bit dazed. Wait, what was going on? Why was there another person in the fortress? She hadn''t planned on recruiting anyone initially. Now, in addition to Velen and Alan, there was also an elder! All she had wanted was to quietly level up and prepare for her revenge in the upper plane universe! "By the way, do you all know about Tier-9 Starry Stones?" Velen glanced at Robert and the others, asking curiously. At his words, everyone''s heads buzzed, and they immediately surrounded him. "You have Tier-9 Starry Stones?!" Their eyes widened, burning with intensity, and the air seemed to heat up from their excitement. Seeing their reactions, Velen realized that Tier-9 Starry Stones might be even more valuable than the afterlife flowers! He quickly cleared his throat. "I was just asking." But his denial didn''t fool Robert and the others. They all stared at Velen with complex expressions, knowing he must possess such a priceless treasure. Even Alan, after a moment of silence, looked at Velen with unwavering conviction and admiration. "Big brother, oh big brother! Where exactly did you come from, you tycoon young master?!" As everyone was caught up in their excitement, Anastasia''s bracelet suddenly vibrated. Kevin''s expression immediately turned serious. Anastasia glanced toward the fortress, her expression growing complicated. "Let''s go. My father has arrived¡ªprobably to inspect my progress in establishing the fortress." Not long after. With Anastasia leading them, Velen and the others¡ªalong with the white rabbit¡ªreturned to the fortress. Hovering in the sky above the fortress stood a dignified man, his hands behind his back. The sheer pressure he exuded caused the surrounding space to warp slightly. Seeing their arrival, the middle-aged man turned toward Anastasia, his eyes carrying a hint of reproach. "Anastasia, where are the Watchers'' Legion members you recruited? Didn''t I tell you not to fight alone anymore?" He had already scanned the area and found it empty of Awakeners. It was clear Anastasia hadn''t followed his instructions, leaving him deeply displeased. Anastasia quickly stepped forward to explain. "Father, these two are the members I recruited for the Watchers'' Legion! This is Velen, my vice-captain!" Though there were only two people, it was enough to barely meet expectations. Before her reincarnation in the upper plane universe, Anastasia had been an orphan. Now, reborn as the Ducal Manor''s eldest daughter, cherished by her parents, she greatly respected them. Hearing this, Duke Anthony Michelstein''s expression softened slightly. He knew Anastasia well¡ªshe rarely cared about anything. Not only had she recruited two people, but she had also appointed a vice-captain. She seemed to value this one highly. Curious, he asked: "What''s his mana core rank?" S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Does he have a bloodline talent?" "What level has he reached?" A barrage of questions poured out. Anastasia rolled her eyes but knew this was her father''s way of testing her. She answered earnestly: "No mana core. No bloodline talent¡­" Hearing this, Duke Michelstein''s mouth twitched. "Isn''t that just a complete waste?" "And this is the vice-captain you appointed?!" Velen stepped forward confidently and introduced himself: "Duke Michelstein, my name is Velen. I provided Miss Anastasia with some gold coins and resources and was just promoted to vice-captain!" Though Duke Michelstein held a high position, Velen, bolstered by his system, showed no hint of intimidation. ?? Duke Michelstein was utterly baffled. His face darkened as he glared at Anastasia. "Anastasia, what are you doing? How could you sell a spot in the Watchers'' Legion?" "And you even gave him such an important position as vice-captain?!" Chapter 17 - Chapter17-The Rabbit with the Eye of Hell This assignment for Anastasia to hone herself here, Anthony thought, should help her grow. But he hadn''t expected this level of absurdity! The Watchers'' Legion was such a critical matter, yet she treated it as a joke! At this moment, Robert saw his chance to impress. Activating his mana, he conjured an earthy yellow throne for Velen. "Velen, take a seat and rest for now. I''ll explain everything to Duke Michelstein!" He walked over to Velen, his face full of reassurance. Kevin, noticing this, twitched at the corners of his mouth and angrily shouted: "Robert, what''s the meaning of this?" With a glance at Velen, he snapped his fingers, summoning rolling flames that coiled around the throne, making it warm and inviting. "Velen, the throne is heated now. Please, sit down and relax!" Anthony could hardly believe his eyes. Kevin was an elder of the Ducal Manor, yet he was fawning over someone he considered a waste? And Robert¡ªhe was the instigator of this whole affair. What was he even doing here? "Father, let me explain¡­" "Duke, please hear me out¡­" "Anthony, Velen is my close friend¡­" The three surrounded Anthony, giving him a concise explanation of Velen''s situation. After hearing them out, Anthony felt like he was dreaming. Using starmetal stone as incense? Feeding 2,000 bottles of Fortifying Potion to a rabbit? Possessing mythical afterlife flowers? This Velen was an unimaginably extravagant tycoon! Even he, a star duke, couldn''t compare to Velen''s wealth¡ªnot even to his rabbit! It was outrageous! "Ahem. Anastasia, as long as everything with the fortress is proceeding smoothly, I''m reassured." Anthony coughed lightly, calming his turbulent emotions. He then chatted briefly with Anastasia about the state of the Ducal Manor, his tone entirely different from his earlier questioning. Meanwhile, Velen and the others returned to their quarters without interrupting the father-daughter conversation. "Big brother, I have an excellent incense burner here¡ªperfect for burning aromatic herbs!" Alan shuffled in shyly, carrying the burner. "You want to experience the scent of the afterlife flower burning?" Velen chuckled at Alan''s awkward demeanor. Alan scratched his head sheepishly. "Big brother, I''ll just sit nearby and sniff. I won''t disturb you!" Velen laughed. "Since you''re my little brother and I''m now the vice-captain, of course, I''ll look out for you. Sit next to me, and we''ll enjoy it together." In the room, Robert and Kevin exchanged glances, feeling utterly hopeless as they watched Velen place the afterlife flower in the burning incense burner. They had thought Velen wouldn''t actually be so extravagant. But he was serious! Gentle wisps of smoke filled the air. A day passed in the blink of an eye. After sleeping for an entire day, Velen woke up feeling refreshed and stretched with vigor. The world seemed calmer and more serene. "As expected of an afterlife flower that grows by absorbing souls. Burning it as incense truly benefits the soul!" Velen exclaimed in admiration. Even though he had only absorbed a fraction of its effects through the incense, his soul had undergone significant enhancement. In high spirits, Velen checked the system. "Current luxury points: 2,410." "Today''s special item: Eye of Hell (Damaged Version) ¨C 9,999 available!" After reading this, Velen froze. "A damaged Eye of Hell?" He had no idea what it was! Curious, he summoned one. A small, jet-black orb the size of a marble appeared in his hand. It resembled a blurry eye, veined with cracks and exuding a deathly aura of destruction. Merely holding it gave Velen the unsettling feeling of being locked onto by some terrifying creature, making his scalp tingle. "Little White!" Unsure of the orb''s nature, Velen decided to test it on the rabbit. The white rabbit twitched its large ears and eagerly hopped to Velen''s side, its red eyes filled with anticipation, thinking it was about to receive a treat. Velen placed the Eye of Hell fragment on the rabbit''s forehead. Instantly, the orb dissolved into a black light and merged into the rabbit''s forehead, disappearing into its crimson eyes. A wave of corrosive, destructive energy emanated briefly from the rabbit''s gaze before vanishing as quickly as it had appeared. The rabbit''s eyes grew vacant for a moment. It sensed something new within its vision but couldn''t comprehend it. "What happens if these special items aren''t used through ostentatious means?" Velen suddenly asked. He had a strong sense that the rabbit''s eyes had changed, and based on his experience, anything with such an imposing name must be extraordinary! The system displayed a red warning: "Significant luxury points will be deducted!" Velen immediately grew cautious. Luxury points were hard-earned and incredibly useful. He couldn''t afford to lose them unnecessarily. "Fine, I''ll keep this just between us. The rabbit will absorb all of it." Velen decided that, knowing Robert and Kevin, they''d likely hoard such treasures instead of using them immediately¡ªsomething that could cause trouble. Looking down at the rabbit, he said, "Guess it''s up to you." "Anastasia, those two aren''t ordinary. Have you considered sending them to the Singularity Battlefield for training?" Duke Michelstein pondered for a moment before asking. "The Singularity Battlefield?" Anastasia thought for a moment and replied, "It''s not impossible. They don''t need me to guide their leveling. Velen is unfathomable, so I''m not worried about him. Alan, however, might face danger. But if they go together, I''d feel more reassured." Although she hadn''t spent much time with Velen and Alan, Anastasia had already taken them under her wing. "Have a Ducal Manor Adept Rank Level 9 guard accompany them," Duke Michelstein suggested, then asked, "Velen''s level isn''t as high as Alan''s. Why are you not worried about him?" Though Velen had many treasures, the Singularity Battlefield ultimately required strength and rank! After all, even the weakest beings in the first zone of the Singularity Battlefield were on par with Novice Rank Awakeners. A mana core-less person like Velen would be easily crushed! Anastasia thought for a moment and said slowly, "Velen may not have a mana core, but he''s not a waste. He''s already at Apprentice Rank Level 9, so he should be assigned to the second zone." "How can someone without a mana core reach any rank?" Anthony shook his head repeatedly. Without a mana core, it was impossible to level up¡ªthis was a universal truth! Most ordinary people lacked mana cores and were destined to be enslaved. Anastasia knew this well but responded with a calm and profound expression: "He broke the universal truth. I saw it with my own eyes. His mana patterns far exceed mine by several dozen times." She herself had been astonished at first, but facts were facts. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "More mana patterns than you?" Anthony''s eyes widened in disbelief. "When you awakened your mana core, you instantly reached Novice Rank Level 9. The mana patterns from your core were so intricate that even the dormant ancestors of the Ducal Manor were awakened. For someone without a mana core to surpass you? Impossible!" To Duke Michelstein, Anastasia was the most remarkable figure in the family''s history. Velen couldn''t possibly compare to her! But Anastasia remained calm throughout, leaving Anthony questioning his certainty. Anastasia never joked, especially not about serious matters. Before Anthony could press for details, a terrifying black light suddenly shot into the sky, forming ripples of destruction that spread across miles! Everyone¡ªAnastasia, Anthony, Kevin, Robert, and Alan¡ªfelt the disturbance and rushed toward it. As they neared the towering pillar of black light, their expressions grew more horrified. The destructive aura emanating from the pillar sent chills down their spines, as if they were witnessing the universe''s end. "A rabbit?" Upon getting closer, Anthony and the others froze in astonishment! Chapter 18 - Chapter18-No Mana Core? No Limit! A pure white rabbit stood there, its eyes wide open. Its previously blood-red pupils seemed as if they were soaked in thick ink, now pitch black and eerily ominous. The aura of destruction everyone had felt was emanating from this rabbit¡ªVelen''s rabbit! Anthony and the others exchanged glances, seeing the disbelief mirrored in each other''s eyes. "What are you all doing in my courtyard?" Velen looked at the group who had stormed into his courtyard and asked, puzzled. Their gazes were fixated on the rabbit, their expressions laced with dread. "Velen, what''s going on with this rabbit of yours? Why is it radiating such a terrifying aura of destruction? Has it evolved into a spellbeast?" Velen shook his head. "How could a mere rabbit transform into a spellbeast? I just happened to have some Eye of Hell fragments, so I used them on it." He genuinely wasn''t sure if the Eye of Hell fragments were from the current era. "Eye of Hell fragments?" The crowd stared at Velen in horror, unable to believe what they were hearing. Their gazes then shifted to the rabbit, now filled with envy and jealousy. "The Eye of Hell is a terrifying spellbeast. Legends say its gaze alone can destroy entire universes. Its ocular abilities are incredibly formidable. Even in the Singularity Battlefield, comprehending such abilities is immensely difficult. And you¡­ you gave it to a rabbit?!" Anastasia was so furious she was trembling slightly. However, Velen noticed her mention of the Singularity Battlefield and asked, surprised: "Singularity Battlefield?" He had never heard of such a place before, but if it contained Eye of Hell fragments, it had to be extraordinary. "I was planning to send you and Alan to the Singularity Battlefield for training. Since you brought it up, let me explain it now," Anastasia said, glancing at Velen and Alan. "You should know that our Uranus Star is just one of many unremarkable stars in the vast universe, located on the edge of the downer plane universe. "All plane universes are connected to the Singularity Battlefield. "No one knows how the Singularity Battlefield came to be, but it is filled with resources for leveling up, including fragments of universal laws, spiritual herbs, ancient ruins, and legacies of great powerhouses. "Of course, while the Singularity Battlefield holds countless treasures, it is also extremely dangerous. Those who enter face not only attacks from other competitors but also threats from the battlefield''s spellbeasts. Many perish inside." Hearing this, Velen grew even more intrigued by the Singularity Battlefield. At that moment, the system''s voice sounded in his mind: "Congratulations, host. You have triggered a mission. Enter the second zone of the Singularity Battlefield and eliminate 100 Apprentice Rank Level 9 spellbeasts." "Mission Success: Luxury points will be awarded. Mission Failure: Luxury points will be deducted." Velen was slightly taken aback. This time, the system hadn''t specified how many luxury points would be rewarded, suggesting the amount would depend on his performance. Velen already understood the immense value of luxury points. Faced with an opportunity to earn more, he wasn''t about to let it slip away. Although he currently lacked offensive awakener skills, he figured he could find a way to compensate. "Velen, why does this rabbit have such a dense aura of destruction? How many Eye of Hell fragments did you use on it?" Duke Michelstein asked curiously. Mastering even a sliver of law-like fluctuations was enough to elevate someone to the rank of a true powerhouse. From the rabbit, Anthony could detect incredibly dense law-like fluctuations, even though the rabbit had yet to fully grasp them. It was still astounding! Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Not too many, just about 10,000 Eye of Hell fragments," Velen replied nonchalantly. What?! Hearing this, Anthony and the others were utterly shaken. They stared at Velen, their expressions incredulous. 10,000 Eye of Hell fragments! Each fragment was unimaginably precious. If they had even a fraction of what Velen had, they would be confident in comprehending the true abilities of the Eye of Hell. Yet these priceless fragments had been given to a rabbit! The rabbit was living a life far more luxurious than theirs. Even though they already knew Velen was extraordinarily wealthy, they hadn''t expected this level of extravagance. Seeing the others glare at the rabbit as if they wanted to devour it, Velen realized his earlier decision to keep the fragments for the rabbit alone had been absolutely correct. "Father, you should send Velen and Alan to the Singularity Battlefield as soon as possible. I can''t stand his wastefulness anymore!" Anastasia took a deep breath, feeling that sending them off might be the best course of action. At least she wouldn''t have to deal with Velen''s antics and risk losing her temper. Anthony nodded seriously. "Fine. Once they return from the Singularity Battlefield, I''ll send them back to you!" Even Anthony couldn''t tolerate Velen''s actions any longer. He had to let them¡ªespecially Velen¡ªexperience some hardships. Only then might he learn not to squander so recklessly. He promptly took Velen and Alan away from the fortress. "Duke, where are we headed now?" Velen and Alan exchanged a glance before looking curiously at Anthony. Anthony glanced at the vast void and replied, "We''ll first return to the Ducal Manor. From there, you''ll join the Manor''s elite prodigies and enter the Singularity Battlefield together. It''ll ensure you have some support." Velen nodded thoughtfully. "Duke, is this how you usually travel? I''ve heard some ancient families use powerful spellbeasts to traverse starfields!" "Duke, do you need me to sponsor anything?" "Duke, shouldn''t I provide some resources for the Manor''s young talents?" "¡­" Anthony was left speechless by Velen''s barrage of questions. "If the House of von Michelstein were that inadequate, how could we have survived this long? "From now on, focus on your own preparations. The Singularity Battlefield is no joke¡ªit''s a place where people die!" Under Anthony''s guidance, the group boarded a luxurious spaceboat emblazoned with the Ducal Manor''s family crest. "Rest here. It''ll take about a day to reach the Ducal Manor''s home star." A day later, the spaceboat stopped at a relay star to replenish energy. Waking from his sleep pod, Velen immediately checked the system interface: [Name: Velen Bloodline: None Level: Apprentice Rank Level 9 Luxury Points: 3,410 Special Items: Mana Stones ¨C 99,999!] "Almost 100,000 mana stones¡­" Velen was surprised. Mana stones contained pure mana, useful for leveling up, and were a common currency among awakeners with significant purchasing power. Looking at them, Velen couldn''t resist the urge to flaunt his wealth. His attention turned to the system''s lottery feature. "System, lock onto offensive skills. E-rank high-tier. Keep drawing until I get the desired skill!" Velen knew skills were ranked from F to S, with further divisions into low-tier, mid-tier, and high-tier. E-rank corresponded to Apprentice Rank awakeners, and an E-rank high-tier skill was perfect for him. Such skills were incredibly rare and valuable in the outside world. After setting the conditions, he began a ten-draw sequence. "Congratulations, host. You have spent 100 luxury points and obtained the E-rank high-tier skill: Meteor Fist!" The system''s voice echoed as a flood of insights about Meteor Fist filled Velen''s mind. However, after assimilating the insights, Velen was stunned. "Does it really require an earth-element or light-element mana core to activate?" "I don''t even have a mana core¡ªthis is bad." Velen furrowed his brows, feeling as if fate were playing a massive joke on him. He had hit the jackpot on his first try, but he couldn''t use it! The thought lingered briefly before he calmed himself and focused, activating the mana patterns within his body. Since he lacked a mana core, didn''t that mean he was free from the restrictions of mana attributes? Chapter 19 - Chapter19-Journey to the House of von Michelstein’s Stronghold! With this thought in mind, Velen attempted to transform his attribute-less mana into earth-elemental mana, followed by converting it into light-elemental mana. Each transformation was effortless, and his smile grew brighter with every success. It worked! His attribute-less mana could transform at will, entirely under his control! After several more attempts, Velen decided to try using Meteor Fist. But before he could, Duke Michelstein''s voice called out from outside the cabin. "Get over here and eat! Don''t be late!" Velen hurried to the dining area of the spaceship. The ship''s dining area boasted impressive views, with large windows and glass walls providing a panoramic view of the surroundings. After a simple breakfast, Anthony noticed something unusual about Velen. Instead of leaving, Velen opened one of the spaceship''s windows and began throwing mana stones down onto the planet below. Anthony was utterly dumbfounded. Mana stones were extremely valuable to awakeners, both as a source of energy and a form of currency. Yet, Velen was tossing them away as if handing out freebies on the relay star below! Meanwhile, the factions on the relay star looked up at the glowing lights falling from the sky, their faces filled with disbelief. "Are those¡­ mana stones?" "Why are mana stones falling from the sky? And so many of them?!" As the glowing objects drew closer, their suspicions were confirmed¡ªit was raining mana stones! "Holy crap! It must be from that spaceship!" "Who cares who it''s from? They''re ours now!" "Hey, slow down! I haven''t grabbed any yet!" Back on the spaceship, Anthony watched the chaos below and was utterly speechless. Sure, he knew Velen was wealthy, but this was beyond comprehension. How much money must one have to literally throw it away like this? "Velen, I know you have plenty of mana stones and gold coins, but if you keep squandering them like this, you''ll run out someday! And when you do, you''ll regret it!" Anthony tried to reason with him. Velen glanced at Anthony and sighed. "Do you know what the greatest pain in life is for me, Duke?" Anthony studied Velen and hesitantly guessed, "Not having a mana core?" Velen shook his head. "Not being famous across the universe?" Velen shook his head again. "Not being with the one you love?" Still, Velen shook his head. "Then what is it?" Anthony asked, genuinely curious. Velen looked at Anthony seriously and said, "My greatest pain is¡­ being alive while my money remains unspent!" Anthony: "¡­" By dusk, the spaceship had arrived at a vast blue planet stretching as far as the eye could see. "This is the home planet of the House of von Michelstein?" Velen curiously observed the view as the spaceship doors opened. Before them lay an ancient white estate surrounded by towering trees, its luxurious pavilions and terraces faintly visible through the greenery. What stood out most to Velen was the ambient mana, which was several times denser than that of Uranus Star. Shortly after the spaceship docked, a bespectacled middle-aged man with a scholarly demeanor approached respectfully. "Second Steward, this is Velen, a friend of Anastasia''s. He''ll be joining Ducal Manor''s other prodigies to enter the Singularity Battlefield. Take care of him for the next couple of days," Anthony instructed. He then glanced at Velen and added, "Don''t draw too much attention to yourself. You''ll leave for the Singularity Battlefield in two days." With that, Anthony departed, leaving to attend to other matters. "Second Steward! Pleased to meet you. Sorry to trouble you over the next few days," Velen greeted proactively, knowing the stewards of ancient noble families were never simple characters. The assistant steward, wearing white gloves, bowed respectfully and extended his hand. "Lord Velen, you''re too kind. Please don''t hesitate to ask if you need anything." Regardless of Velen''s mysterious origins, being both a guest brought personally by Duke Michelstein and a friend of Anastasia meant the assistant steward had to treat him with utmost respect. Suddenly, Velen noticed a commotion in the distance and asked curiously, "Second Steward, is something happening over there? It sounds quite lively." The assistant steward smiled. "Oh, that''s the Duke''s monthly challenge tournament. Outer family members can challenge core members. If you''re interested, Lord Velen, feel free to take a look." Before Velen could respond, the system''s notification rang in his mind: "Random mission triggered: Challenge 100 members of the Duke''s family and emerge victorious. Success will earn 600 luxury points." Hearing this, Velen glanced at his system interface. Current luxury points: 4,310. "Not bad. Completing this will bring me close to 5,000. Once I reach 9,000, I can go for another major upgrade!" With a determined smile, Velen headed toward the arena. When Velen arrived at the arena, the tournament hadn''t officially begun. Some of the stages were still empty. As Velen stepped onto one of the platforms, many people turned their attention to him. "Who is this guy? He doesn''t look familiar." "Judging by his clothes, he''s not from Ducal Manor." Amid the whispers, Velen scanned the crowd below and announced, "Everyone, my name is Velen, vice-captain of Anastasia''s Watchers'' Legion. I''d like to spar with you all!" His declaration left the men and women in the crowd stunned. "Isn''t the lady currently training on some remote star? With her pride, this Velen must be someone extraordinary!" "I don''t know why she chose him, but being her second-in-command is enviable!" The crowd''s expressions revealed their admiration. Anastasia was a legend within the House of von Michelstein, both an idol and a goddess to many. Her brilliance shone in every field. "Velen, is it? Let me test your strength!" Soon, a young man with bronze skin and a physique resembling a humanoid tyrannosaurus stepped onto the stage. Gasps spread through the audience. "It''s George! He''s a prodigy who practices a relentless style. He''s already reached Apprentice Rank Level 9!" "Not only is his body incredibly strong, but his offensive skills are also formidable, reaching D-rank intermediate. That''s a skill level reserved for seasoned awakeners!" "George has a well-known crush on Lady Anastasia. He''s always acted like her guardian. Velen''s in trouble now!" As the atmosphere grew more heated, Velen turned to George with a hint of surprise. "So, George, you seem to be one of the Manor''s prodigies with both talent and strength." sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. George, as stoic as a towering bear, replied arrogantly, "Nothing compared to the lady, but I did break through to Novice Rank Level 7 when I awakened my mana core. What about you, Velen? What level did you reach during your awakening?" Clearly intending to dominate Velen in every way, George wasn''t in a hurry to attack. Velen scratched his head and replied, "I don''t have a mana core, but I broke through to Novice Rank Level 9 upon awakening." Hearing that Velen lacked a mana core, the crowd was momentarily stunned, ready to ridicule him¡ªuntil they processed the second part of his statement. The arena fell into dead silence. No mana core, yet he broke through to Novice Rank Level 9? That couldn''t be true. It had to be nonsense! "Velen''s got to be joking. Does he take us for fools?" "Exactly! Without a mana core, you''re just a nobody. Breaking through to Level 9? Who does he think he is, Lady Anastasia?" "If what he said is true, I''ll do a handstand and¡­ yeah, right!" The shock quickly gave way to a wave of mocking laughter, as no one believed Velen''s claims. Chapter 20 - Chapter20-One Against Two Hundred George glared at Velen and said coldly, "Your words sound impressive, but is your level and strength equally so?" With that, he took a step forward, leaving a trail of illusory afterimages in his wake. "D-level Low, Phantom Step!" After activating his movement skill, George''s speed surged. The ten-meter gap between him and Velen was closed in an instant! The spectators below the arena couldn''t help but exclaim in surprise. Seeing George charging at him with great momentum, the dense mana patterns within Velen''s body lit up rapidly, seemingly stimulated. A vast wave of mana surged throughout his body. Meteor Fist! As he punched out, the void trembled. Earth elements spiraled around his fist, growing explosively, like a massive meteor descending from the heavens, hurtling directly toward George! The fierce gale accompanying the punch blew George''s long hair back, completely filling his vision and suppressing the mana surging within his body. "How is this move so terrifying?" George''s heart trembled. This domineering force gave him a sense of utter helplessness! The awakeners watching the battle all showed expressions of shock. The oppressive aura emanating from this skill left them short of breath! If they faced this move themselves, they would undoubtedly suffer severe injuries¡ªor worse, annihilation! "What a ferocious skill! This guy is no ordinary opponent!" As Velen''s meteor-sized fist approached, George felt an extreme sense of danger. He quickly countered with a punch of his own, his fist wrapped in golden light and tearing through the air. This was his signature D-level Low skill: Golden Fist! A technique powerful enough to threaten Adept Rank awakeners. Bang! The two fists collided head-on, causing the arena beneath them to sink slightly. George''s seemingly golden fist dimmed abruptly, and his body staggered backward uncontrollably. In contrast, Velen appeared unscathed. He continued channeling his condensed mana and launched another powerful punch! "Meteor Fist!" "Meteor Fist!" "Meteor Fist!" Velen''s offensive was ferocious, his mana surging like an unending river! The oppressive mana-packed fists locked George in completely! As the deathly aura closed in, George''s face turned pale. "What is wrong with this guy? How can he unleash so many skills? How dense is his mana, exactly?" The higher the skill''s level, the greater its power¡ªbut also the higher its mana consumption. The attack skill Velen was using had to be D-level Advanced. Logically, it should be impossible to use it multiple times in such a short period! George was already struggling to fend off one punch, let alone withstand three colossal meteors, each ten meters in diameter. That was a pipe dream! Although Velen was also an Apprentice Rank Lv. 9, the sheer density of his mana completely overwhelmed George¡ªit wasn''t even close. Terrified, George turned and leapt off the arena. Boom! Boom! Boom! The moment he left, the massive fist projections, like meteors, crashed down one after another onto the arena. The ground caved in, debris scattered, and dust clouds billowed into the air. The spectators near the arena felt the ground shake continuously, as if an earthquake had struck! Soon, the dust was dispersed by an invisible wind, revealing the arena, now half-collapsed and littered with rubble. This scene left everyone watching gasping in shock. The arena was specially reinforced, yet it was reduced to such a state. If such an attack landed on them, they couldn''t even begin to imagine the consequences! Amid the horrified stares of the crowd, Velen took a deep breath. The mana surging through his body made him feel indescribably exhilarated. "Not bad! So this is what it feels like to be an awakener?" The powerful mana coursing through his body made Velen feel an addictive sense of thrill. He immediately turned his gaze to the other young men and women around the arena, his face brimming with excitement and provocation. "Come on, all of you! Let''s have a good fight this time!" Velen''s voice, infused with overwhelming mana, boomed in everyone''s ears, making their eardrums tremble. "This guy is so arrogant! Does he really think we''re pushovers?" "No way! He needs to be taught a lesson! The dignity of Ducal Manor will be upheld by us!" The Ducal Manor prodigies standing closest to Velen, never having been so blatantly insulted, glared at him angrily. The young talents of Ducal Manor, allowed to train here, were all exceptionally skilled. At once, their restless mana surged as they charged furiously toward Velen on the arena. The first ones to approach were the elites among the outer circle members, all Apprentice Rank Lv. 9. Determined to subdue Velen quickly, they held nothing back. Multicolored mana waves illuminated the area around the arena, twisting and boiling the air. "Even though they''re only outer circle members, their combined strength would force any Adept Rank awakener to take them seriously!" "Velen is too arrogant!" Many of the Ducal Manor''s core members shook their heads slightly. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But before they could finish their remarks, they saw Velen unleash a series of punches, creating a barrage of fist shadows. The domineering force of his punches tore through the air with piercing sonic booms. The attacks from the group shattered instantly upon contact with Velen''s meteor-like fists, dissolving into mana particles and disappearing. Bang! Bang! Bang! One by one, the awakeners who got close were sent flying by the sheer force of Velen''s punches, coughing up blood and wearing expressions of utter shock. "This¡­ how is this possible¡­?" The awakeners, wiping blood from their mouths, stared at Velen in disbelief. The density of Velen''s mana was unfathomable. Coming into contact with him felt like colliding with a tidal wave¡ªvast, boundless, and impenetrable! The assistant steward narrowed his eyes at Velen, surprised by the depths of Velen''s mana reserves. Among awakeners of the same level, others seemed like mere ants in comparison. Even when the assistant steward extended his spiritual sense into Velen''s body, it was like plunging into the ocean, unable to fathom its depths. "Is that all the strength you''ve got?" Velen looked at the hesitant crowd who dared not advance and became even more fired up. Commanding mana and launching relentless attacks awakened a primal beast within him. Thus, Velen continued taunting, "Come on, all of you! I only want to be defeated¡ªor to defeat you all!" These words further incensed the crowd around the arena. They surged toward Velen like a tidal wave. But just then, the assistant steward''s voice rang out. "Don''t act rashly! Velen isn''t someone any of you can handle alone. Attack together and form a battle formation!" Curious about Velen''s limits, the assistant steward decided to let the crowd test him. The assistant steward held great authority in the Ducal Manor. Though emotions were running high, the crowd instinctively followed his command, channeling mana and forming a formation. From a distance, the sight of over a hundred outer circle members and several dozen core members combining their mana was awe-inspiring. The ground trembled faintly under their power. "This is unprecedented¡ªover two hundred young talents attacking together. If Velen withstands this wave, he''ll definitely earn a spot on the Battleboard!" The assistant steward squinted. Earning a place on the Battleboard was the dream of countless young awakeners. "Once the battle formation is complete, even Adept Rank awakeners would be suppressed. Let''s see how Velen remains arrogant now!" "Attack!" Within the formation''s glowing light, the Ducal Manor prodigies roared as a towering barrier arose, spreading rapidly to envelop Velen, forming a new domain. Sensing the formation''s overwhelming pressure, Velen took a deep breath. If he defeated all two hundred people, his system task would be complete. Thus, he silently commanded in his mind, "System, lock onto D-level Advanced attack skills and extract!" Shwish! Shwish! Light flickered before Velen''s eyes. After seven rapid flashes, a notification appeared in his vision. "Congratulations, Host! You have obtained the D-level Advanced attack skill: Thunderfall!" As the system''s voice echoed, Velen''s mind was flooded with visions of endless thunder crashing down, roaring with destruction, replacing the heavens in an apocalyptic scene. "Indeed, a D-level Advanced skill is extraordinary!" After fully comprehending it, Velen became even more excited and commanded again, "Extract another!" Chapter 21 - Chapter21-Continuous Extractions! New Skills! "Congratulations, Host! You have obtained the D-level Advanced skill, Angelic Light Slash!" "Continue!" "Congratulations, Host! You have obtained the D-level Advanced skill, Frost Dragon''s Breath!" As the system''s notifications echoed, Velen''s mind became filled with casting insights for these skills. Immediately, his gaze toward the formation of hundreds of people grew more determined and eager. "Come on, let me test out my new attack skills on you!" Velen stretched his muscles and formed a hand seal in front of his chest. A strange ripple of thunder spread outward from him. Above his head, silver serpentine lightning began to roar and crackle, striking toward the formation in front of him! Bang! Bang! Bolts of lightning as thick as arms crashed into the barrier, emitting deafening thuds. The formation of over two hundred people began to shake slightly. "Thunder element?!" "He actually wields dual-element mana, and the power of this attack skill¡ªhow can it be so terrifying?" Everyone within the formation was struck with shock. Before they could fully voice their astonishment, they suddenly saw a massive white angelic silhouette appear behind Velen. Its wings gleamed like sharp blades of light, slashing forward and radiating a blinding brilliance. "Light element? How is this possible?" "What kind of monster is this guy? He''s controlling so many types of elemental mana, and these attack skills are insanely powerful!" "Wait, there''s also ice element! He just summoned an ice dragon¡ªit''s so cold!" Velen''s mana surged through his body as he unleashed three D-level Advanced attack skills to their maximum potential: The dense lightning crashing down from above! The radiant slashes from the enormous angel! The colossal frost dragon, as towering as a snow-capped mountain! All of these combined exerted overwhelming pressure on the crowd. The outer-circle members were utterly dumbfounded. Each of Velen''s attack skills exceeded their wildest imaginations! Was this really something an Apprentice Rank Lv. 9 awakener could accomplish? What''s more, Velen had unleashed four entirely different attack skills, each infused with distinct elemental mana. This clearly demonstrated the unparalleled strength of his talent! Additionally, all these skills were high-tier attack abilities, and yet Velen had activated them all at once, showcasing the immense depth of his mana reserves. Other prodigious awakeners lacked the mana reserves to execute so many powerful skills consecutively. Faced with Velen at full power, they finally felt as though they were confronting an insurmountable mountain¡ªendless and unreachable. The pressure on everyone''s hearts was immense. Boom! Boom! Boom! As Velen''s skills simultaneously struck the formation, deafening explosions erupted. Chaotic magical elements surged, creating ripples that swept out in all directions. The strain on those maintaining the formation grew heavier. Many weaker awakeners were already affected, coughing up blood and appearing drained. The radiant barrier of the formation dimmed significantly, and cracks began to spiderweb across its surface. Soon after, more awakeners were overwhelmed and sent flying, spitting blood. In an instant, the formation of over two hundred people shattered like glass. The assistant steward, watching this unfold, widened his eyes in disbelief. While he knew Lady Anastasia''s standards were exceptionally high¡ªrecognizing only a handful of peers even within Ducal Manor¡ªhe hadn''t expected this. For so many talented youths of Ducal Manor to join forces and still be defeated by Velen was utterly inconceivable! How many elements of mana did Velen control? How dense was his mana? Furthermore, the battle skills he had just demonstrated¡ªwhile the others couldn''t fully discern them, the assistant steward saw clearly that three of them were at the D-level Advanced tier. These were skills that even Adept Rank awakeners typically only began to learn. Velen''s level of comprehension was astonishing! Previously, the assistant steward thought that if Velen could endure a single combined attack from the group, he might scrape into the Battleboard rankings. But now, judging by Velen''s performance, he likely already had the qualifications to rank in the top ten! Bang! At that moment, the defeated awakeners crashed to the ground across the plaza, one after another, emitting muffled thuds as if it were raining. Meanwhile, brimming with confidence, Velen stepped forward, scanning the crowd before shouting from the depths of his soul: "Who else?!" As he spoke, silver lightning descended from the sky, the angel of light flapped its wings, and the frost dragon roared into the heavens, breathing icy mist. The domineering sights surrounding Velen, combined with his audacious words, exuded an overwhelming sense of supremacy¡ª"Above all, beneath none." The awakeners who had barely stabilized themselves after falling to the ground stared at him in shock. Despite just engaging in such an intense battle, Velen showed no signs of fatigue. Instead, he seemed to grow stronger as he fought! "Velen truly is a monster!" "If he continues like this, he''ll undoubtedly become a dazzling star on the Battleboard!" At this moment, everyone present looked up at Velen, his invincible figure etched deeply into their minds. Meanwhile. In the central plaza of Ducal Manor, five young figures had gathered. They appeared to be around the same age as Velen, each radiating a formidable presence. At this moment, they exchanged glances, curiosity evident in their eyes. They had been in the middle of normal training when Duke Michelstein suddenly summoned them to convene here. These five individuals were the core of Ducal Manor''s elite. Unless it was a matter of great importance, the Duke would never call them together. "Congratulations to all of you. You''re about to gain an exceptionally talented companion." "Although he''s currently only Apprentice Rank Lv. 9 and may require some extra care from you, having him join your ranks will bring unimaginable benefits!" As Duke Michelstein arrived, he smiled warmly at the five youths before him. These five were the future of Ducal Manor! Hearing this, the five exchanged frowns, puzzled by the Duke''s words. They were all renowned geniuses on the Battleboard, with boundless potential. Why was the Duke suddenly assigning them a companion? And at a level they considered nothing more than a burden! After all, as Battleboard elites, they far surpassed ordinary individuals in every aspect. Still, since this person had been personally recommended by the Duke, Hael, the leader, furrowed his brow and asked: "My lord, the places we go are extremely dangerous. Isn''t it unwise to bring along someone who would drag us down? Does he have any extraordinary talents?" In response to Hael''s question, Duke Michelstein replied seriously: "He has a lot of money!" "A lot of resources!" "And he''s very generous!" Hearing this, the five couldn''t help but wonder if the Duke was joking. How were these qualities extraordinary? Gold coins? While it was true that leveling up required substantial resources, as Battleboard prodigies, their sects and families fully supported them. Gold coins meant little to them. As for cultivation resources, their ties to Ducal Manor ensured they had plenty. And generosity? That just seemed like a joke. Before they could question further, Anthony suddenly spoke, his tone cautious: "Once you become companions, you must maintain a calm mindset. Otherwise, his displays of wealth might make you want to punch him." S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "???" The five young men looked at one another, confusion evident in their expressions. What kind of absurdity was this? Anthony sighed helplessly at their lack of understanding. Some things, he thought, they wouldn''t grasp without experiencing them firsthand. "You won''t understand even if I explain it now. You''ll figure it out later." "Just know this¡ªtreat him well. The things you''ll gain from him could change your futures forever!" Anthony grew increasingly passionate as he spoke. These five were the talents he valued most. If they stayed close to Velen and benefited from his unimaginable resources, their futures would be boundless! The rabbit that had been following Velen was a prime example. Initially, it was utterly ordinary. But now, not only had it evolved toward becoming a spellbeast, it had also mastered the Eye of Hell! Chapter 22 - Chapter22-Hatchling Order The more Anthony praised Velen, the more curious the five became. They were well aware of Duke Michelstein''s personality¡ªhe would never easily praise someone, and this was the first time he had spoken so highly of a young individual. Soon after, under Anthony''s guidance, the group set out to find Velen. On their way, the five Battleboard prodigies grew increasingly astonished, as everyone they passed was discussing Velen¡ªand the content of their discussions was explosive! "He can control four powerful and distinct types of elemental mana! He''s at least an SS-rank bloodline awakener!" "That''s nothing compared to the three D-level Advanced attack skills he displayed! His comprehension ability is monstrous!" "Exactly! He just defeated over 200 Ducal Manor members all by himself. That kind of combat prowess is utterly defying the heavens!" Hearing these comments, Anthony and the five were stunned. From what the crowd was saying, it seemed like they had missed a spectacular show! "My lord, is Velen really just rich and resourceful?" Hael, the leader, furrowed his brow and questioned again. Anthony thought for a moment before replying, "As far as I know, those are indeed his only qualities. In any case, Velen is just ahead. Let''s see for ourselves." Even Duke Michelstein appeared intrigued. He had only been away for a short while¡ªwhat had Velen done to stir up such a commotion? Why was everyone in Ducal Manor talking about him? Seeing Duke Michelstein''s reaction, the five prodigies were even more shocked. It seemed like the Duke didn''t have a deep understanding of Velen, yet he still insisted on bringing him into their group. What made Velen so special to warrant such attention from the Duke? Not long after, when Duke Michelstein and the others arrived at the arena plaza, they were all stunned by what they saw. The entire plaza was in utter chaos, a complete mess devoid of any semblance of order. "What''s going on? Wasn''t this supposed to be a duel tournament? How did it turn into a free-for-all?" The geniuses beside Hael all voiced their confusion. At that moment, the assistant steward rushed over. "My lord!" Seeing the assistant steward, Anthony immediately asked curiously, "What on earth happened here?" Hael and the others also turned their attention to the assistant steward. The assistant steward took a deep breath, his mind flashing back to Velen''s domineering performance, and said with a complex expression, "A genius. An unprecedented genius!" "My lord, Velen singlehandedly injured over 200 members¡ªboth the outer circle and the core!" His voice trembled as he spoke. After all, Velen''s overwhelming display had reignited a long-dormant fire in his heart. Hearing this, Anthony and Hael were in disbelief. It was important to note that becoming an outer-circle member of Ducal Manor already meant standing out as a top-tier genius in smaller regions. And core members were one in a million! Even within the Titan Galaxy, they were considered first-tier prodigies. Moreover, they had a significant numbers advantage! And yet, they had all been defeated by Velen? Amid their shocked expressions, the assistant steward recounted the events that had just transpired, vividly describing every detail. Though he was merely recounting Velen''s actions, he couldn''t help but feel as if he were standing atop a mountain, looking down upon the world. Anthony suddenly remembered something Anastasia had mentioned before. She had said that although Velen lacked a mana core, his mana patterns were unusually intricate¡ªdozens of times more complex than hers! The more mana patterns one had, the greater their capacity to manipulate mana. This meant that Velen''s mana reserves were dozens of times greater than Anastasia''s¡ªand Anastasia''s mana reserves were already dozens of times greater than an ordinary awakener''s! In other words, Velen''s mana reserves were hundreds of times greater than a typical awakener''s! Against others of the same rank, he was completely overwhelming! Hael and the others noticed this detail as well. They frowned, exchanging glances. Could someone''s mana reserves really be nearly infinite? To release so many powerful skills and grow stronger as he fought¡ªthis was beyond anything they could comprehend! Moreover, they noted the variety of mana elements Velen controlled: Earth! Thunder! Light! Ice! And all of them were rare and powerful mana types. For most awakeners, mastering even one of these elements could elevate them into the ranks of top-tier prodigies! Yet Velen had mastered not one, but four. And all of his skills were high-level, reaching D-level Advanced! For Apprentice Rank awakeners, learning even one such skill was a monumental challenge. But Velen had mastered three. It was utterly mind-boggling! Immediately, Hael and the others looked at Duke Michelstein with a sense of being played. Rich! Resourceful! These must have been surface-level qualities. The Duke''s earlier remarks now seemed like a joke to them. Feeling their skeptical gazes, Anthony''s pride was slightly wounded. He asked, "Where''s Velen? Why don''t I see him?" "He''s been arranged to rest in the VIP lounge," the assistant steward replied respectfully. Hael and the five others exchanged glances, each filled with eagerness. "My lord, let us go meet Velen¡ªour new companion!" With that, they darted off in unison. "Companion?" The assistant steward narrowed his eyes and quickly inquired, "My lord, aside from Lady Anastasia, these five are the current members of the Hatchling Order. Are you planning to have Velen join the Hatchling Order as well?" The Hatchling Order represented Ducal Manor''s future. Once inducted, members received extensive resources and nurturing. "Velen is someone Anastasia values greatly. She''s been so focused on leveling up over the years that she hasn''t had many friends. Don''t let the senators find out about this, or they might take him away." The senators were known for their love of young prodigies. As long as someone had exceptional talent, they would go to great lengths to help them advance¡ªbut the process was extremely strict, leaving little freedom. Seeing Anthony''s growing appreciation for Velen, the assistant steward sighed bitterly. "My lord, this matter has already caused a huge stir¡ªit''s spread everywhere. Even if I don''t say anything, they''re bound to hear about it!" Hearing this, Anthony frowned. A talent like Velen was someone Anthony naturally wanted to keep close. With Velen by Anastasia''s side, he would feel much more at ease. There was no way he''d let the senators take him away! Shortly after. At the door to the VIP suite. As Velen opened the door, he was greeted by five figures around his age standing at the entrance. All of them were staring at him curiously, as if inspecting a rare creature. "Velen, from now on, you''re our companion. My name is Hael!" "I''m Audrey, your future companion." "I''m Austin, your future companion!" sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "I''m William, your future companion!" "I''m Jenny, your future companion!" Watching the five introduce themselves, Velen was a bit puzzled. It hadn''t been long¡ªhow had he suddenly gained so many companions? Sensing Velen''s confusion, Hael briefly explained the Hatchling Order. Upon entering the Hatchling Order, they would become companions. Velen nodded. All in all, he had gained a new identity, placing him in the same league as Ducal Manor''s top-tier geniuses! These individuals were clearly extraordinary. Velen glanced at his system and asked: "Since they''ll be my future companions, shouldn''t I provide them with some support?" The system didn''t refuse. Velen''s heart leapt with joy. This was a great opportunity to show off his wealth and build closer bonds with them. With a smile, Velen pulled out five storage bags and handed them to the group, one for each. "You are all truly exceptional¡ªdragons among men¡ªand my role models. Please accept this gift as a token of my respect!" Hael and the others, hearing this, were increasingly pleased with their new little brother. Not only was he strong, but he also seemed well-versed in social etiquette! "Thank you for the gift!" They accepted the bags. But as they opened them, they all froze in place, completely stunned. Chapter 23 - Chapter23-Wait, Who Gives Away This Much Money Right After First Meeting?! Inside the storage pouch, there were a hundred thousand mana stones shining brilliantly! S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. To put this into perspective, a hundred thousand mana stones were an incredibly precious resource, even to these top-tier prodigies accustomed to wealth. Its purchasing power was astonishing! Even though they were somewhat prepared, knowing that Velen was likely quite wealthy, they never expected him to present such an extravagant gift! Giving away a hundred thousand mana stones as a greeting gift¡ªhow rich was Velen, really? They had encountered many wealthy individuals, but none could compare to Velen''s apparent level of wealth! This was undoubtedly a tycoon! As the five of them stared at Velen in utter shock, the system notification suddenly rang out. "Congratulations, Host, for successfully showing off your wealth. You have received 100 SSS Tomes of Skill Experience!" Hearing the notification, Velen''s lips curled into a slight smile. This time, flaunting his wealth had earned him a special item! Looking at the effects of the SSS Tome of Skill Experience, Velen was thrilled. This item could significantly enhance skill proficiency in a short period of time! Moreover, it placed no restrictions on the level of skills; any skill could have its proficiency improved using the SSS Tome of Skill Experience! [System reward items have no usage limitations but do not generate luxury points!] The only regret was the inability to earn luxury points, but at least there were no restrictions on usage! All in all, it was still an incredibly valuable item! Velen glanced at the five exceptionally gifted individuals in front of him and generously took out five SSS Tomes of Skill Experience. The others, seeing the five glowing, rainbow-colored books in Velen''s hands, were curious. "Velen, what''s this? It looks extraordinary!" Hael was the first to ask. Velen waved the five books in his hand. "These are SSS Tomes of Skill Experience. By absorbing them with mana, you can significantly enhance your skill proficiency." Hearing this, Hael and the others stared in shock at the glowing books. They had heard of treasures capable of increasing skill experience, but those were legendary and extremely rare. Could these books really have such an effect? After a brief hesitation, trusting Velen, they each took a book from him and channeled their mana to absorb it. As they absorbed the SSS Tomes of Skill Experience, Hael and the others felt their minds clear, their understanding of skills deepened, and their skill experience skyrocketed! At this moment, Anthony arrived and noticed the top five prodigies surrounded by a peculiar glow. Confused, he was about to ask when Velen stopped him. "Shh, my lord. They''re absorbing SSS Tomes of Skill Experience. Once absorbed, their skill proficiency will greatly improve. Don''t disturb them." "SSS Tomes of Skill Experience? Greatly enhance skill proficiency?" Anthony raised an eyebrow. For awakeners, aside from their level, skill proficiency was a key factor determining their combat strength. To his knowledge, items with such effects were exceedingly rare and precious. Yet Velen had them! Anthony was deeply shocked and quickly asked, "Can any skill''s proficiency be enhanced? Velen, do you have any more? Could you give me a few?" Velen nodded. "Any skill can be enhanced, though the degree of improvement varies." With that, he handed Anthony ten SSS Tomes of Skill Experience and sincerely added, "Duke, I don''t have many SSS Tomes of Skill Experience left. I still need to save some for my little bunny!" Anthony''s lips twitched upon receiving the SSS Tomes of Skill Experience. What skills could a little bunny possibly have? Even if it had some innate bloodline skills, those were low-grade at best. Using such a precious item to enhance them? This¡­ this was sheer extravagance! Anthony''s eyes turned red with envy. Velen, however, remained composed. He knew the SSS Tomes of Skill Experience were incredibly valuable, but since the system granted him full-level skills upon learning, he didn''t need the SSS Tomes himself. More importantly, a tycoon must live up to their status! What was the point of being stingy? Might as well not bother being a tycoon at all! Spending lavishly for a moment of joy was worth it! After all, with infinite money, what couldn''t he obtain? Keeping things unused was simply not his style! Anthony stared at Velen''s calm demeanor, rubbed his hands, and whispered, "Velen, SSS Tomes of Skill Experience are incredibly rare and valuable. If you have more, our Ducal Manor would like to purchase them all! Rest assured, you won''t lose out on the price!" Anthony couldn''t bear to see Velen casually squander such precious items! Velen calmly shook his head. "There''s no need. I''m not interested in money." Not interested in money?! Anthony''s eyelids twitched uncontrollably. Countless awakeners fought tooth and nail for resources and gold coins. Many shed sweat and tears for the sake of wealth and resources. Yet you say you''re not interested in money?! The worst part was, when Velen said it, it sounded completely logical! Feeling a little disappointed, Anthony shook his head. Suddenly, his expression grew serious as he said, "By the way, Velen, the five senators of the Ducal Manor are waiting for you in the grand hall. They want to take you as their student, but the decision is entirely up to you." With that, Anthony led Velen away. Not long after, in an ancient hall in the rear courtyard, five elderly men with white hair and beards appeared before Velen. Seeing Velen, the five senators couldn''t hide their excitement. They had already heard of Velen defeating over 200 peer-level prodigies. What particularly impressed them was Velen''s ability to control four distinct mana elements and his mastery of a D-level advanced attack skill. These traits demonstrated his unparalleled talent, surpassing all the prodigies they had ever encountered. Naturally, they were extremely interested in him. "Greetings, senators!" Anthony respectfully greeted them after escorting Velen inside. The five senators ignored Anthony and approached Velen directly. Their dense spiritual senses swept over him like a tide. Apprentice Rank Lv9! Although this rank seemed average, the mana fluctuations emanating from Velen were vast, like a mighty river! In contrast, most other awakeners at this rank emitted mana fluctuations akin to a small stream. The difference was staggering¡ªlike heaven and earth! Even more astonishing was that Velen''s body lacked any mana core! No mana core?! Despite being experienced high-level powerhouses, this was the first time they had encountered such a phenomenon! "A mana core-less individual controlling four distinct mana elements¡­ How is this possible?" The senators exchanged glances, shock evident in their eyes. The chief senator, William, blinked his clouded eyes in confusion and asked, "Velen, without a mana core, how did you awaken? And why is your mana so abundant?" Scratching his head, Velen replied, "I''m not sure. When I awakened, mana surged uncontrollably into my body, and then I just¡­ awakened!" As he spoke, Velen raised his right hand. In his palm, four distinct mana elements swirled. Heavy earth mana formed stars, exuding the might of the earth. Lightning crackled like silver serpents, echoing the wrath of the skies. A sacred angel folded its hands, radiating pure white light. And an icy dragon roared, sending chills through the air as frost-filled winds howled. These four mana elements were not isolated but rotated continuously in harmony. William and the other senators were utterly stunned. Even as Ascended Rank powerhouses, they couldn''t comprehend the bizarre sight before them. While they were dumbfounded, Velen once again confirmed with the system: "These esteemed senators are highly respected. Since I''m now part of the Ducal Manor, giving them a million mana stones as a greeting gift should be normal, right?" To Velen, this was a prime opportunity to earn luxury points¡ªhe couldn''t let it slip by! "The quantity is too small; it does not match the tycoon identity!" The system''s prompt left Velen momentarily stunned. Was that even a thing? But he quickly understood. To Hael and the others, 100,000 mana stones were an incredible treasure. However, to the five senators, a million mana stones wouldn''t cause much of a ripple in their hearts. Chapter 24 - Chapter24-Everyone Gets a Billion! Velen immediately declared, "If a million mana stones are too few, then let''s multiply that by a hundred¡ªone billion each!" The system did not issue any warnings, which clearly meant it was an acceptable move! Seeing this, Velen swept his gaze across William and the others, smiling as he said: "Five senators, I didn''t come prepared today. Here are five billion mana stones¡ªone billion each. Consider it a token of my appreciation. Please, accept it!" With that, Velen took out five storage pouches and handed them to William and the others. William and the other four exchanged glances, all with stunned expressions, unable to believe what they had just heard. One billion mana stones per person! Could this really come from Velen, an Apprentice Rank Lv9 awakener? Anthony, who was familiar with Velen, had already widened his eyes in disbelief. Since Velen had spoken, it must mean he could actually produce five billion mana stones! The sheer number of mana stones Velen could casually give away left Anthony wondering¡ªhow many mana stones did Velen actually possess? Even the renowned Ducal Manor of Titan Galaxy could only mobilize about one billion mana stones at most. Mobilizing five billion would require approval from the family council! But Velen, without hesitation, handed out five billion mana stones as if it were nothing. This was simply unbelievable! William and the others quickly examined the storage pouches. Their earlier skepticism was replaced entirely with astonishment. Five billion mana stones! That was enough to purchase an entire planet! Velen¡­ was too rich! "Oh, by the way, five senators, here are five SSS Tomes of Skill Experience. They can enhance skill proficiency. Didn''t you mention being stuck at bottlenecks before? Perhaps these can help you." SSS Tome of Skill Experience? William and the others looked puzzled. They had never heard of such a thing. However, since Anthony had handed them over, they decided to give it a try, channeling their mana into the books. At their level, most items and treasures had little effect on them. If these could really enhance skill proficiency, it would significantly improve their combat strength! Soon, as they absorbed the unique energy within the SSS Tomes of Skill Experience, vibrant, rainbow-colored light began to emanate from their bodies. Complex mana fluctuations spread from them, and their auras gradually grew stronger. Moments later, William and the others simultaneously opened their eyes, staring at Anthony with shock written all over their faces! The SSS Tome of Skill Experience had indeed helped them enhance their skill proficiency! This item was too miraculous! "Anthony, how many more SSS Tomes of Skill Experience do you have? Bring them all over! These are immensely valuable to us. This time, you''ve done a great service!" Anthony coughed lightly, glanced at Velen, and chuckled, "The SSS Tomes of Skill Experience were given to me by Velen. He has quite a few left, but he''s planning to use them on his rabbit." Having been betrayed outright by Anthony, Velen''s smile froze. "Duke, is this how you betray your own people?" Anthony replied, "The main issue is that your behavior is too extravagant. You won''t sell them to me, you won''t save them for yourself, and you''re planning to use them on a rabbit. Such tycoon-like behavior must be corrected early!" Velen shook his head repeatedly. "As a tycoon, I''m simply being a little extravagant. What''s wrong with that?" William and the others stared at Velen in disbelief. "Velen, are you seriously planning to use the SSS Tomes of Skill Experience on a rabbit?" "Not to criticize, but while these are yours to do with as you please, they''re far too rare and precious!" "Exactly! If these were auctioned, the entire Titan Galaxy would be shaken!" Seeing the earnest advice from William and the others, Velen pondered for a moment and said: "How about this? I''ll keep thirty SSS Tomes of Skill Experience for myself, and the remaining sixty will go to my rabbit!" ?? William and the others turned red with frustration. After all their persuasion, Velen was still determined to use the SSS Tomes of Skill Experience on his rabbit?! Unable to vent their anger on Velen, they turned their glares toward Anthony. "Anthony, you must curb such extravagance in the Ducal Manor. Everyone here should cultivate the habit of thrift and frugality!" Anthony helplessly nodded. "Everyone else in the Ducal Manor is indeed very frugal. The only exception is Velen¡ªhis extravagance knows no bounds. You wouldn''t believe it." "The Afterlife Flower? He burned it as incense. And the Eye of Hell fragment? Thrown to the rabbit¡­" Hearing Anthony''s words, William and the others were completely dumbfounded. The Afterlife Flower was an incredibly rare treasure, even in the Singularity Battlefield. It was extraordinarily valuable. And Velen burned it as incense? As for the Eye of Hell fragment¡ªthe Eye of Hell itself was a terrifying artifact capable of destroying entire planes. And Velen gave it to a rabbit? They were utterly stunned, staring at the calm expression on Velen''s face. They couldn''t help but feel as though they were too old to understand Velen''s ways. Meanwhile, Velen looked at William and the others with a slightly complicated expression, realizing how much other novels had misled him. The Ducal Manor treated him well. They hadn''t exploited him despite his vast wealth of treasures. Instead, they had shown him kindness. For instance, Miss Anastasia, though she claimed indifference, had not only provided him with a scroll for self-defense but had also later secured a Fortifying Potion for him at auction. Her protector, Kevin, though elderly, was optimistic and treated him kindly. Anthony and the others in the Ducal Manor had shown no hostility either. The entire atmosphere felt like one big family. This sense of belonging allowed Velen to flaunt his wealth without a care in the world. "As a tycoon, I''ll live a carefree life and let them shoulder the burdens for me!" Velen smiled, his resolve to embrace this lifestyle growing stronger. After a brief silence, Anthony spoke in a negotiating tone: "Velen, given how precious the SSS Tomes of Skill Experience are, using them on a rabbit is wasteful. Why not just keep them for future use?" Anthony genuinely liked Velen. With his exceptional talent and kind nature, he was someone worth nurturing. If Velen grew stronger and maintained good relations with the Ducal Manor, it would greatly benefit them. Velen glanced at Anthony and nodded. "Alright then. I''ll give sixty SSS Tomes of Skill Experience to the Ducal Manor and keep thirty for my rabbit!" Anthony and the others, seeing Velen''s decision, could only gratefully accept without further comment. William and the other senators also gazed at Velen with increasingly kind expressions. Having just used the SSS Tomes of Skill Experience to break through their bottlenecks, they now had confidence in advancing further with more tomes! "Anthony, Velen has done a great service to the Ducal Manor. According to our rules, meritorious individuals must be rewarded generously and not left feeling unappreciated." "Exactly! Velen has made a significant contribution to the Ducal Manor. As long as he doesn''t violate our ironclad rules, he can do as he pleases! If we five old men approve, no one has the right to punish him!" The five senators solemnly addressed Anthony. Anthony nodded seriously. He understood that the mana stones and SSS Tomes of Skill Experience provided by Velen were monumental contributions to the Ducal Manor. Moreover, Velen was like a walking god of wealth. Even without the senators'' orders, he would ensure Velen''s safety and well-being. As the others fell silent, Velen stored the SSS Tomes of Skill Experience in a storage pouch and handed it to Anthony. At that moment, a dazzling light flashed, and a brilliant stone fell from Velen''s body¡ªit was a Starry Stone. S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Why did this dumb stone fall out?" Velen muttered, shaking his head as he picked it up and placed it back into his storage pouch. As a top-tier tycoon, it was only natural to carry items that would make others envious. Otherwise, how could he show off his wealth? "Velen, I knew you had a Starry Stone!" Anthony said, his eyes filled with fervent admiration. Chapter 25 - Chapter25-Using a Starry Stone to Make a Toilet? "A worthless rock?" Hearing Velen''s words, Jake, one of the five senators, immediately felt his eyes redden. The Starry Stone was the core left behind by the collapse of an aging star, an indestructible material that served as an unparalleled auxiliary resource for forging weapons! As a veteran blacksmith, Jake had rarely even seen such a forging material in his life! And none of the ones he had seen could compare to the dazzling brilliance of Velen''s Starry Stone. This one might have even reached the legendary Tier-9 level! "Velen, are you willing to sell this Starry Stone? Just name your price, and I''ll do everything in my power to meet your demand!" Jake asked earnestly, his calloused hands rubbing nervously with anticipation. Velen shook his head outright. "I don''t have many Starry Stones at the moment. I plan to use this one to make a toilet, so I can''t sell it to you." "Make a toilet?" Hearing this, Jake''s pupils contracted violently! This was beyond human comprehension! Too extravagant! In his view, this move surpassed all of Velen''s previous displays of wealth. "Velen, the Starry Stone is immensely important for forging. With it, weapons that could shake the entire galaxy can be made!" Jake couldn''t help but try to persuade him. Velen thought for a moment before replying, "My dear lord, all that fighting and killing is so boring. A toilet made of Starry Stone, though¡ªbrilliantly radiant and self-heating¡ªwould ensure a warm seat during winter visits to the bathroom. It would be extremely comfortable!" Jake: ¡­ Anthony and the others were all petrified on the spot. Just to keep warm in the winter while using the toilet, you''d use a Starry Stone to make a toilet? What kind of thought process was that? Indeed, the mind of a tycoon was simply incomprehensible to ordinary people. After a brief moment of speechlessness, Jake''s eyes suddenly lit up. "Velen, I support your wish to make a Starry Stone toilet. But if you ever have any extra Starry Stones, could you sell them to me?" Velen seriously considered this and nodded. "I''ll definitely have plenty in the future. Once I''ve made the toilet, I''ll set aside any extras for you." Hearing this, Jake''s face instantly lit up with excitement. "Alright, it''s good for young people to have dreams. I wholeheartedly support you! When the Starry Stone toilet is completed, could I at least have a look? That would satisfy me!" Velen was momentarily stunned. He hadn''t expected Jake to become so fixated on the Starry Stone. Meanwhile, Anthony and the others stared at Jake, utterly dumbfounded. Something felt off about this situation! William and the others immediately sent a telepathic message to Jake: "Jake, have you lost your mind from all this? That''s a Starry Stone we''re talking about!" Jake chuckled and telepathically replied, "You''re all blinded by concern. Do you even know the greatest use of a Starry Stone?" William frowned slightly. "Isn''t it for forging equipment?" Jake shook his head, his expression profound. "Not at all. The true purpose of a Starry Stone is to weaken the Judgment of Rules. When we ascend beyond the Ascended Rank, sitting on¡ªor beneath¡ªa Starry Stone toilet can help us safely survive the ordeal! Now, tell me, isn''t that comfortable?" The Judgment of Rules referred to the trial imposed by the rules of the universe when an awakener advanced to the Ascended Rank and beyond. Only by passing this judgment could one continue to ascend. Although the idea of using a toilet during such a critical moment sounded odd, the thought of overcoming the life-threatening Judgment of Rules in such a manner filled them with exhilaration. Anthony and the others quickly connected the dots, their faces lighting up with excitement. "If the Starry Stone really can weaken the Judgment of Rules, we could definitely make use of it!" "Sitting on a toilet to break through¡ªwe''d be the first in history!" "Beyond that, if we equip all Ducal Manor members advancing to the Ascended Rank with this method, wouldn''t we double the number of top-tier powerhouses?" Thinking along these lines, their faces filled with eager anticipation. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Previously, they believed the only indirect aid for surviving the Judgment of Rules was the Afterlife Flower, which only offered soul protection and couldn''t guarantee success. If a Starry Stone toilet could achieve this, they wouldn''t even need the Afterlife Flower anymore! As Velen watched them laughing and chatting amongst themselves, he grew curious. Could it be that they also thought his idea of a Starry Stone toilet was brilliant? Shortly thereafter, William and the others held a brief discussion, their expressions growing solemn as they concluded: "Anthony, if Velen goes to the Singularity Battlefield, we must ensure his safety. Gather all apprentice-level members of the Ducal Manor immediately. Should Velen encounter any danger, spare no effort to protect him!" Though they had no objection to Velen training to improve himself, as a top-tier tycoon, his safety had to be guaranteed. Anthony was about to nod when Velen stepped forward and said: "Senators, if I''m accompanied by so many people, how would I train in the Singularity Battlefield? You know my strength. There''s no need to make a big deal out of this. Too much attention could even backfire." Anthony glanced at William and the others. William and the others finally realized their excessive concern. Velen had, after all, defeated over 200 of the family''s younger members. Their worry had clouded their judgment. Moreover, Velen was right¡ªthe Singularity Battlefield was unlike any other place. Traveling in large groups only made them easier targets for spellbeasts or ill-intentioned individuals. "As long as you''re confident, that''s fine. Just remember, the Singularity Battlefield is a hunting ground. Be cautious at all times!" William warned. Velen nodded. Anthony added, "Rest well and make your preparations. In a couple of days, we''ll head to the Singularity Battlefield''s teleportation base." When Velen returned to his room, Hael and the others were already there. Surprised, Velen was about to speak when they eagerly crowded around him. "Velen, um¡­ do you still have any more SSS Tomes of Skill Experience?" Though it felt a bit thick-skinned to ask directly, the benefits of the SSS Tome of Skill Experience were undeniable. One tome had saved them years¡ªperhaps even decades¡ªof painstaking training! Most of their skills'' proficiencies had grown immensely, nearly doubling their combat strength. With such an opportunity before them, they naturally wanted to seize it. Velen glanced at their eager faces and said calmly, "I just gave the Ducal Manor sixty tomes. I only have thirty left." Hearing that he still had some left, Hael and the others immediately asked: "Velen, could you give us just one more?" One of the female geniuses even resorted to using a cutesy voice. Velen felt goosebumps rising and quickly replied, "No way. These thirty tomes are reserved for my rabbit. Not even the Duke has gotten one." Learning that the thirty remaining SSS Tomes of Skill Experience were for the rabbit, Hael and the others were incredulous. This was too extravagant! Why couldn''t they be the rabbit instead?! But this thought passed quickly, and they soon regained their composure. Hael apologized, "Velen, we''ve been too greedy. Receiving even one SSS Tome of Skill Experience from you is already the greatest honor." The others nodded in agreement. However, Hael glanced at the others with an excited look and said: "Velen gave the Duke sixty SSS Tomes of Skill Experience. As the top talents of Ducal Manor, isn''t it fair for us to use one or two?" Hearing this, the others'' eyes lit up, and they immediately dashed toward Anthony''s hall. Watching their enthusiastic departure, Velen shrugged in confusion. "Is this the pain of being a tycoon? They can''t sleep for days from the excitement of getting one SSS Tome of Skill Experience, but I don''t feel a thing?" "Ah, the life of a tycoon is so plain and dull!" After sighing, Velen thought of something and asked the system: "Why didn''t I earn any luxury points from giving the five senators their gifts?" "Because the five senators plan to return the gifts to the host." Seeing the system''s response, Velen was speechless. "They''re even refusing free money?" At that moment, William appeared beside Velen with a big smile. "Velen, I hope I''m not disturbing you by visiting unannounced?" Velen quickly smiled and replied, "Senator, you''re always welcome. It''s no disturbance at all!" "Also, I have plenty of mana stones. Please don''t be polite with me!" Chapter 26 - Chapter26-Enhanced Starlight Array Once a gift is given, there''s no reason to take it back. Hearing these words, William felt at a loss. The purpose of his visit was to return the mana stones to Velen. They had already received far too many benefits from him. Accepting these mana stones would be out of the question. Otherwise, word might spread that the five of them were greedy, insatiable old men. Seeing that William remained silent, Velen sensed an opportunity and continued: "Senator William, the Ducal Manor holds great prestige across the galaxy. This little bit of mana stones I''ve given you is but a drop in the bucket. There''s no need to take it so seriously." "If the Ducal Manor needs more mana stones, just say the word!" As a tycoon, Velen wanted William to understand that he didn''t lack mana stones. If they were truly returned, how would he earn luxury points? Moreover, letting William know he had an abundance of mana stones would ensure the Ducal Manor sought him out if they ever needed more¡ªplanning ahead, as it were. William, after a brief moment of contemplation, said, "Velen, do you happen to have advanced mana stones?" "The planetary defense array is currently lacking some advanced mana stones for maintenance." This was indeed a pressing issue for the Ducal Manor, but it was also a test of sorts for Velen. William wanted to gauge just how many resources Velen truly possessed. If Velen did have advanced mana stones, it would allow the Ducal Manor''s array to continue operating for some time. Though the Ducal Manor was a dominant power within the Titan Galaxy, the galaxy itself was vast, containing billions of planets. There were plenty of forces comparable to the Ducal Manor, some even mortal enemies. Advanced mana stones, sourced from the Singularity Battlefield, contained an exceptionally pure and abundant mana, akin to a wellspring of power. Their versatility and scarcity made them a widely recognized form of high-value currency, sought after by major factions and star-faring races alike. Recently, the Ducal Manor had obtained far fewer advanced mana stones from the Singularity Battlefield, causing issues with the planetary defense array''s operation. It was imperative to resolve this problem quickly. "Advanced mana stones?" Velen murmured, a smile slowly spreading across his face. He knew well that any currency fulfilling the criteria for flaunting wealth could be summoned in infinite quantities by the system! Thus, Velen tentatively asked the system: "System, the Ducal Manor has treated me kindly. Would giving them 10 billion advanced mana stones be reasonable?" System: "¡­" "Advanced mana stones can sustain an array''s operation for a long time. 10 million advanced mana stones is already a staggering amount, capable of powering the array for decades!" Hearing this, Velen smiled. His suggestion of 10 billion advanced mana stones was merely to probe the system''s limits. He understood the immense value of advanced mana stones and the vast mana they contained. 10 million advanced mana stones would indeed suffice. However, judging by the system''s response, even 10 billion advanced mana stones would be no issue, provided it was a reasonable display of wealth! While Velen communicated with the system, William observed his silence and thought it was within expectations. Advanced mana stones were exceedingly rare, primarily sourced from the Singularity Battlefield. It would be normal for Velen to have none. After all, this was just a test. William hadn''t truly expected to acquire advanced mana stones from Velen. "Senator William, here are 10 million advanced mana stones. That should keep the array running for some time." Velen retrieved a storage pouch from his person and handed it to William. Hearing these words, William froze. He had already resolved to return the mana stones and leave. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. 10 million advanced mana stones?! What an astronomical amount of wealth! Even if the Ducal Manor pooled all its resources and sold them at high prices, it wouldn''t come close to amassing so many advanced mana stones! William felt his throat go dry as he struggled to believe it was real. But with the storage pouch right before him, he extended his spiritual senses to examine its contents. What he saw left him completely stunned. The advanced mana stones were stacked like meticulously arranged bricks, forming towering walls. Just a glance was utterly overwhelming! After a brief inspection, William was entirely certain¡ªthese were advanced mana stones, and the quantity truly reached 10 million! 10 million advanced mana stones! William''s mind swam as dizziness overtook him. It wasn''t until Velen placed the storage pouch in his hands that he came back to his senses, his trembling hands clutching the pouch tightly. The advanced mana stones in this pouch alone exceeded the entire value of the Ducal Manor! "Congratulations, Host, for successfully flaunting wealth. You have gained 300 luxury points!" "Congratulations, Host, for successfully flaunting wealth. You have gained 200 luxury points and acquired the Starlight Array [Enhanced]!" As the system notifications echoed in Velen''s mind, his smile deepened. It seemed that both the gift of the mana stones to William and the earlier gesture of meeting gifts had been acknowledged by the system and rewarded. However, the Starlight Array [Enhanced] intrigued him. It didn''t seem like an ordinary reward. "Velen¡­ are you sure you want to give so many advanced mana stones to the Ducal Manor?" William asked again, struggling to process the staggering number of advanced mana stones. Even with his years of experience weathering storms, he couldn''t help but tread cautiously. "Senator William, of course! I told you before¡ªif the Ducal Manor needs anything, I will give my all to support you!" Velen nodded and added, "Besides, these advanced mana stones are nothing. We''re family now. If you ever need more, just come to me." Having now forged deep ties with the Ducal Manor, Velen naturally wanted to see the manor grow stronger. With these advanced mana stones, the Ducal Manor could rest easy for a long time. This was undeniably a good thing! For Velen, luxury points were the ultimate goal. Whether they were ordinary or advanced mana stones, he cared little for them. William was left speechless by Velen''s generosity. After a moment, he said: "Velen, advanced mana stones are extremely rare. Even if you have many, they are difficult to replenish. Be cautious¡ª" Before he could finish, Velen interrupted with a smile: "Senator William, don''t worry. These advanced mana stones are insignificant compared to the contributions you''ve made to the Ducal Manor. This is hardly worth mentioning!" Hearing this, William''s face flushed slightly. 10 million advanced mana stones would be considered an astronomical treasure by any top-tier faction. How could that be considered "nothing"? Though he was a former senator of the Ducal Manor, the resources Velen had contributed were beyond imagination. William''s feelings were complex as he wrestled with Velen''s tycoon-like generosity. Velen, after further persuasion, added: "Rest assured, I have plenty more. If the Ducal Manor ever needs anything, just let me know." Hearing this, a long-lost sense of passion seemed to ignite in William. "With this many advanced mana stones, the Starlight Array on this planet will now operate indefinitely!" Velen was momentarily stunned, as the system had just gifted him the Starlight Array [Enhanced]. He hadn''t yet had a chance to study it. Arrays didn''t particularly interest him, and the enhanced version''s intricate designs made his scalp tingle. With a thought, Velen produced a glowing orb containing a unique energy. "Senator William, I have an enhanced version of the Starlight Array here. Perhaps it might offer some insights?" As soon as Velen spoke, William''s pupils shrank. The Starlight Array was a legacy array of the Ducal Manor, renowned for its immense power and widespread reputation. It had deterred countless threats to the manor over the years. But he had never heard of an enhanced version! However, since it came from Velen, it had to be genuine. This wasn''t just a hunch¡ªit was a certainty the moment William laid eyes on the glowing orb. Chapter 27 - Chapter27-You Want to Make Me a Senator? The waves emanating from the glowing orb gave William an extremely familiar yet far more terrifying sense of an array ripple. His spiritual energy quickly delved into the orb, and his expression turned to one of shock. This Starlight Array was absolutely genuine! Although his inspection was only cursory, he could clearly sense that the enhanced version of the Starlight Array not only had its power increased severalfold but also significantly expanded its range! It was a groundbreaking evolution compared to the previous Starlight Array. William stared at Velen in utter disbelief. How could Velen have something like this? The Starlight Array was already incredibly intricate and ever-changing, created by the first Duke during the founding of the Ducal Manor. Very few awakeners could even identify its flaws, let alone fully enhance it! However, before William could ask, Velen beat him to it: "This is just something I happened to acquire. If you find it useful, that''s all that matters." Naturally, he couldn''t explain that it came from the system. Judging by William''s reaction, this enhanced version of the Starlight Array would indeed serve its purpose, leaving Velen quite satisfied. "Was it really just a coincidence?" William''s sharp gaze fixed on Velen. He found it hard to believe that such a perfect coincidence existed. However, since Velen clearly didn''t intend to elaborate, William respected his decision and refrained from pressing further. Still, given everything Velen had offered¡ªadvanced mana stones and now the enhanced Starlight Array¡ªWilliam felt it necessary to reward him appropriately. Thus, William spoke with solemnity: "Velen, from this moment forward, you shall be an independent senator of the Ducal Manor! Your status will be equal to ours, and even Anthony must address you as Senator!" Understanding that Velen likely lacked interest in material wealth, William decided to offer a spiritual and status-based reward instead. No half-measures, no token titles like "chief watcher." Instead, he granted Velen the highest honor¡ªa position befitting his contributions. For the younger generation of the Ducal Manor, a title like "chief watcher" might be an esteemed role, but for someone like Velen, a mere watcher''s title would be an insult. Only the position of independent senator was worthy of Velen''s contributions. The title of senator in the Ducal Manor carried immense weight, outranking even the Duke and granting participation in the House of von Michelstein''s core decision-making. It was truly a position of supreme authority and influence. However, upon hearing this, Velen refused outright: "Senator William, give the title of independent senator to someone else. I''m really not interested!" For Velen, quietly flaunting his wealth was enough. Holding too high a position might only lead to complications. He didn''t want to be bound by obligations or entangled in additional responsibilities. William, however, took Velen''s refusal seriously and replied earnestly: "Given your contributions, the role of independent senator is more than fitting. Please, don''t decline. If you wish to remain low-profile and avoid disrupting your daily life, that''s simple enough!" "You can still act as a member of the Hatchling Order and stay on Uranus Star, continuing to follow Anastasia. But you will still hold the title of independent senator, and we won''t make this public for now." Seeing William''s resolute attitude and how he had even accounted for his preferences, Velen found it hard to refuse any further. After taking a deep breath, he relented: "Senator William, if the Ducal Manor ever lacks gold coins or mana stones, feel free to come to me. But I won''t be able to help much with anything else." William nodded without objection. At that moment, Anthony suddenly arrived and said: "Velen, since you love rabbits so much, would you like to visit the Forbidden Tower in the Ducal Manor and see the ferocious spellbeasts imprisoned there?" Given the immense contributions of a tycoon like Velen, Anthony naturally wanted to show his appreciation and care. However, upon seeing William already present, Anthony was taken aback. "Anthony! The name Senator Velen is not one you can casually utter!" William scolded sharply. "From now on, in formal settings, it''s acceptable to conceal Senator Velen''s identity. But in private, you must address him as Senator!" Senator Velen? Anthony was utterly dumbfounded. When did Velen become a senator? Wasn''t he just a talented member of the Hatchling Order? Noticing Anthony''s confusion, William explained: "Velen is now an independent senator within the House of von Michelstein. As you know, an independent senator holds equal status to us. Henceforth, you must treat Senator Velen with proper respect and heed his guidance and instructions!" Anthony was completely stunned. Independent senator? Velen?! He felt as if he were hallucinating. The process for appointing an independent senator was exceedingly stringent, requiring monumental, irreplaceable contributions and unanimous approval from all five senators. Anthony didn''t dare question this directly, so he leaned closer and whispered curiously: "Velen becoming an independent senator¡­ isn''t that a bit premature?" "Senator Velen has contributed more to the House of von Michelstein than anyone could imagine! The resources he''s provided are so abundant that even the title of independent senator doesn''t do him justice!" William replied. So many resources?! Had Velen given William something extraordinary? Overcome with curiosity, Anthony looked at Velen and transmitted a private message: "Senator Velen, William is a stickler for rules, yet he broke protocol for you. What exactly did you give him?" Though he didn''t understand the full context, Anthony''s expression carried a mix of curiosity and newfound respect. Velen quickly replied, "Just call me by my name. The title of independent senator was forced on me by William¡ªit''s just a title. I didn''t give him anything special." "Well, apart from 10 million advanced mana stones and the enhanced version of the Starlight Array." 10 million advanced mana stones?! S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Anthony''s jaw dropped, unable to close. Advanced mana stones were a rare commodity that even top-tier factions struggled to amass. A stockpile of thousands or tens of thousands was already considered exceptional. Yet Velen casually handed over an amount that was beyond imagination. And then, as if recalling something, Anthony''s expression shifted again. "Velen, what''s this enhanced version of the Starlight Array?" To ensure their home planet''s safety, the Ducal Manor had long sought ways to strengthen the Starlight Array. However, the array was so intricate that it was beyond their comprehension, let alone systematic enhancement. If what Velen claimed was true, the Ducal Manor''s defenses had silently undergone a massive upgrade. After learning the full story, Anthony''s doubts evaporated, and he looked at Velen with an awe that had never been there before. With the resources Velen had provided, the title of independent senator was a bargain. Seeing Anthony''s excitement, Velen said, "Since I have some free time now, let''s go check out the spellbeasts." After all, he had yet to encounter a spellbeast and was curious about them¡ªespecially since they would be his primary foes in the Singularity Battlefield. When William returned to the grand hall in the rear courtyard of the Ducal Manor, the other four senators immediately asked: "Did you return the mana stones to Velen?" As senior members of the Ducal Manor, they adhered to their principles. However, before they could continue, William shook his head. Jake and the others were momentarily stunned, unsure if they had seen correctly. William had gone specifically to return the mana stones, so how could he have failed? That didn''t make sense! "Five billion mana stones is a lot, but we''re not desperate for them." "Exactly. Velen has already contributed so much." Jake and the others voiced their opinions in unison. But before they could say more, William replied gravely: "Not only did I fail to return the mana stones, but I also accepted even more valuable items from Velen!" "What?!" "I initially planned to decline, but what he offered was so vital that I couldn''t refuse." Confused, Jake and the others stared at William. What could Velen possibly offer that was so indispensable? Under their curious gazes, William retrieved several advanced mana stones from a storage pouch. The moment they saw the advanced mana stones, Jake and the others were left utterly speechless. They knew the Ducal Manor''s stock of advanced mana stones had been nearly depleted. Where had William acquired so many advanced mana stones? Could it really be from Velen? Chapter 28 - Chapter28-Dragon Barbecue "These advanced mana stones were indeed given to me by Velen," William said, nodding as he confirmed to the stunned Jake and the others. "How many mana stones did Velen give you?" William took a deep breath and directly presented the storage pouch containing 10 million advanced mana stones. This was an astronomical amount, and the Ducal Manor was in dire need of them. With so many advanced mana stones, the Starlight Array could operate for decades, if not centuries. The array wouldn''t always be active, nor would it run at full capacity. This meant the mana stones could last even longer. William understood what they were implying and said slowly: "From now on, we''ll operate the array at maximum capacity. As the Ducal Manor, we cannot lose face!" "Velen has assured me that if we need more, he has plenty and told me to just ask." Jake and the others were utterly shocked. If anyone else had made such a claim, they would''ve laughed it off as a joke or exaggeration. But Velen said this¡ªthe same Velen who had already given them 10 million advanced mana stones. Such a staggering amount of mana stones was enough to purchase the entire Ducal Manor! "Additionally, Velen gave me an enhanced version of the Starlight Array. Although it demands more advanced mana stones, its power and range have been significantly enhanced!" "Even a peak Ascended Rank Lv9 powerhouse would find only death if they ventured into the enhanced Starlight Array." Hearing this, Jake and the others were left speechless, their shock reaching new heights. Meanwhile, at the Forbidden Tower within the Ducal Manor. Under Anthony''s guidance, Velen entered the tower. He observed his surroundings, noting the many spellbeasts imprisoned in iron cages, their roars echoing through the air. After watching for a while, Velen asked curiously, "Duke, why not eliminate these spellbeasts instead of going through the trouble of keeping them imprisoned?" Anthony smiled and explained, "The primary purpose of imprisoning them is to prepare trials for others in the Ducal Manor." "Whether traveling among the stars or venturing into the Singularity Battlefield, spellbeasts are an unavoidable presence." "If someone encounters a powerful spellbeast outside the Ducal Manor without sufficient experience, it could easily cost them their life." "That''s why we built the Forbidden Tower, allowing our members to train and gain experience here." After hearing the explanation, Velen nodded thoughtfully. Then, looking at Anthony, he said, "I''ll be entering the Singularity Battlefield soon. Could I test my skills here?" Anthony glanced at Velen and shook his head. "Most of the spellbeasts here were brought back from the Singularity Battlefield. With your strength, defeating them would be as easy as slicing through melons." He knew how terrifying Velen''s combat abilities were. Over 200 of the Ducal Manor''s prodigies had fallen to him. Asking him to fight here would be nothing more than senseless slaughter. Disappointed by the refusal, Velen wondered if he would have to wait until entering the Singularity Battlefield for a true challenge against spellbeasts. Still, since he was already here, Velen asked Anthony earnestly, "I''m curious¡ªwhat is an Apprentice Rank Lv9 spellbeast worth in gold coins or mana stones?" Anthony immediately understood Velen''s intent and chose to ignore him, lest Velen set a price he couldn''t refuse. Anthony wasn''t someone without principles, after all. Seeing this, Velen shook his head slightly. Under Anthony''s guidance, he toured the Forbidden Tower. Although there were many spellbeasts, none piqued Velen''s interest. Feeling a bit disappointed, he returned to his room. Checking his system interface, Velen saw that after drawing various attack skills, he had only 2,810 luxury points remaining. He planned to save up to 9,000 points to advance directly to Adept Rank Lv9. The next morning. After a restful night, Velen opened his eyes and looked at the system interface. Today''s special item: A dark dragon corpse. A dragon corpse? Velen was stunned. He hadn''t expected the system to offer something so unique. Dragons were synonymous with power, no matter where they were. Even as a corpse, it was bound to be extraordinary. But how could he use this to flaunt his wealth? Rubbing his chin thoughtfully, Velen sought out Hael. "You''re asking how to handle a spellbeast corpse?" Hael blinked at Velen''s question before replying slowly. "If it''s a high-level spellbeast, you can have an alchemist extract its blood. This would be incredibly beneficial for berserkers." "Berserkers don''t channel mana into cores or form mana patterns. Instead, they crudely infuse mana into their bodies, becoming living weapons. They''re a fierce bunch, and the extracted blood from a powerful spellbeast is better for them than most natural treasures." Hearing this, Velen nodded. He then asked, "What about just roasting it for food?" At this, Hael paused, considering Velen''s extravagant tendencies, and replied cautiously: "If it''s an ordinary spellbeast, roasting it is fine. But if it''s a high-level spellbeast or one with a special bloodline, it''s better to let an alchemist refine its blood. That would maximize its potential. Eating it directly wouldn''t fully utilize its value." "Got it," Velen said with a nod. "Are there any skilled berserkers in the Ducal Manor?" Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Hael nodded again. "Of course. Senator Jake isn''t just a master blacksmith; he''s also a legendary berserker. One strike of his hammer could shatter a mountain." Hearing this, Hael grew even more convinced that Velen possessed a powerful spellbeast corpse. Knowing Velen''s tycoon-like nature, anything seemed possible. "Great," Velen said. "Please gather everyone in the Ducal Manor. I''m treating them to a barbecue today." "A barbecue?" Hael was stunned. "Velen, there are nearly ten thousand people in the Ducal Manor. Organizing a barbecue for that many¡ª" Before he could finish, a thunderous sound echoed as something massive landed, causing the ground to quake and sink slightly. A colossal dark dragon corpse appeared in the square in front of the Hatchling Order''s dormitory, taking up nearly half the space. As the dark dragon''s corpse materialized, an oppressive dragon''s aura instantly spread through the air! The stone tiles on the ground cracked under an invisible weight, the effect rippling throughout the entire Ducal Manor. Everyone felt the suffocating pressure, struggling to even stand upright. Sensing this aura, everyone instinctively looked toward the square and saw the towering dark dragon corpse. "My god!" "A dragon! A massive dragon!" "Even in death, it radiates such terrifying power. It must have reached maturity! Mature dragons are usually at the Ascended Rank!" "How did this dragon corpse end up here?" The crowd was filled with shock and confusion as they gazed at the dragon corpse, speculating amongst themselves. "Everyone, come on over. Let''s relax today and enjoy some dragon barbecue!" Velen''s voice, infused with mana, spread far and wide. Hearing this, the crowd''s shock deepened. Such a powerful dragon corpse, instead of being refined for its blood, was going to be roasted and eaten? Velen was outrageously extravagant! Yet, their shock quickly turned to excitement. Ordinary people didn''t even get to see dragons, let alone eat one. This was a rare opportunity, and they were ecstatic. However, as they gathered under the immense pressure of the dragon''s aura, they encountered a problem: the dark dragon''s body was covered in impenetrable scales. Swords and knives shattered against its scales. Even targeting its weak points, such as its eyes, proved futile. "Velen, the dragon''s scales are too tough. Even the weak spots are impenetrable!" "What should we do?" The crowd looked at Velen helplessly. The dragon''s corpse was right in front of them, but they couldn''t eat it. This left them on the verge of despair, their hopes pinned entirely on Velen. Velen sighed inwardly and asked the system, "If I can''t eat this dragon, how am I supposed to flaunt my wealth properly?" The system replied: "Dragonslayer Blade temporarily lent to the host. Must be returned after use, or a large number of luxury points will be deducted." Chapter 29 - Chapter29-Heard You’ve Earned a Lot of Advanced Mana Stones Recently? As Velen distributed the blood-red Dragonslayer Blades to the people gathered around, the atmosphere instantly became lively. "Velen, what kind of dagger is this? Why is it so sharp? It cuts through the dark dragon''s corpse as easily as slicing tofu." "Could this be the legendary Dragonslayer Blade?" "No way, who has over a hundred Dragonslayer Blades lying around?" The people of the Ducal Manor discussed this excitedly. As the dark dragon''s corpse was sliced apart, many began setting up roaring fires to grill the meat. The scene turned into a bustling celebration, with the tantalizing aroma of barbecue gradually filling the air. Boom! Suddenly, the bright sky above the Ducal Manor darkened, and a pair of large, calloused hands reached out from the void, tearing it apart as if ripping through paper. A figure bathed in lightning emerged, resembling a humanoid tyrannosaurus. The man with bronzed skin stepped forward, his every movement causing the air to creak under pressure. His gaze quickly landed on the direction of the Ducal Manor. "Anthony, I struck it rich in the Singularity Battlefield this time¡ªover a thousand advanced mana stones! Over a thousand! I can''t wait to see the look on your face!" With that, he stomped heavily on the void, launching himself like a bronze comet, closing in on the Ducal Manor in an instant. As he neared, he noticed that the Starlight Array was operating at full power, and his expression turned serious. Is there an enemy attack? His spiritual senses swept over the outskirts of the Ducal Manor but found no sign of intruders. Only me. "Looks like I''m overthinking this," the man muttered, shaking his head. He then charged into the Starlight Array. "I''ve spent years strengthening my body. Let''s see how long I can withstand the array this time." As Anthony''s old friend, he intended to make a grand entrance by testing the array''s power. Step! The moment he set foot inside the Starlight Array, a sense of impending doom enveloped him. From above, beams of light descended like falling stars, threatening to obliterate everything in their path. Reacting instinctively, his explosively muscular body tensed, and he retreated from the array in an instant. The spot where he had just been standing was consumed by a barrage of light swords, leaving a charred, blackened void filled with thick smoke. "Such terrifying attacks! When did the Starlight Array get upgraded? Its power has increased at least tenfold!" The man''s face was filled with shock. Had he been a second slower in retreating, even his body, honed to its current strength, would have been gravely injured¡ªor worse, destroyed. "Aiden, all these years, and you''re still as impulsive as ever," Anthony''s exasperated voice rang out from within the Ducal Manor. "Didn''t you notice the array is fully activated?" As Anthony quickly approached, Aiden, still shaken, said, "You never mentioned that the array had been upgraded. Its power has increased by at least tenfold!" Anthony gave him a once-over, ensuring he was unharmed before gesturing for him to enter. "Let''s talk inside the Ducal Manor." Following Anthony, Aiden asked curiously, "I don''t see any signs of an enemy attack. Why is the array fully activated?" "We recently acquired a large number of advanced mana stones, so we decided to keep the array running at full power to prevent any stealthy intrusions." "You just experienced its enhanced power¡ªfar beyond what it was before. While it does consume more advanced mana stones, we have enough to sustain it for decades." Anthony spoke with a smug tone, patting his round belly as if exuding the aura of newfound wealth. Aiden rolled his eyes. "Don''t play coy with me. You used to claim you didn''t have enough advanced mana stones when I wanted to use the array to temper my body. So how many did you get this time?" Anthony chuckled. "Not much. Just 10 million advanced mana stones." Aiden: ¡­ He had planned to show off his haul of over a thousand advanced mana stones from the Singularity Battlefield¡ªa rare stroke of luck. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But compared to 10 million, his accomplishment seemed utterly insignificant. Knowing Anthony as a pragmatic man, Aiden was certain he wasn''t exaggerating. If he said 10 million, it was definitely true. With his plans to show off thoroughly quashed, Aiden coughed and said, "I just wanted to catch up and have a drink with you." Anthony didn''t overthink it. Aiden was known for his love of body training and drinking, as well as his loyalty. Suddenly, Aiden sniffed the air and exclaimed, "What''s that amazing smell? Did I arrive just in time for a feast at the Ducal Manor?" Anthony caught the aroma as well and quickly led Aiden toward the source. Following the scent, they arrived at the square in front of the Hatchling Order. As they approached, Aiden''s expression grew increasingly astonished. "This is terrifying! That scent¡ªit has to be coming from a dragon on the verge of breaking into the Ascended Rank. Otherwise, it wouldn''t give me goosebumps like this!" The closer they got, the more shocked Aiden became. Dragons were fearsome spellbeasts, virtually invincible among their peers. How could the Ducal Manor harbor such a powerful dragon? When they finally reached the square, Aiden was utterly stunned by the sight before him. A massive dark dragon corpse, the size of a small hill, dominated half the square. Even in death, its aura was enough to send chills down his spine. In front of the dragon, dozens of Ducal Manor members were using daggers to slice its body for barbecue. The scene was lively and festive. "Anthony, when did your Ducal Manor get so rich? Using a dragon''s corpse for barbecue?!" Aiden''s voice was filled with disbelief. He had initially planned to make Anthony envious, but now he found himself overcome with jealousy. Anthony, too, was flabbergasted. His mouth hung open as he surveyed the square. What''s going on? How had a dragon''s corpse appeared in the square? And why was it being roasted and eaten by the people of the Ducal Manor? Then his gaze landed on Velen, who was among the crowd, cheerfully giving instructions. "Everyone, eat to your heart''s content! Don''t hold back!" "Add more seasoning to the barbecue! Use a strong flame¡ªit tastes better that way!" Velen! This was definitely Velen''s doing! The dark dragon''s corpse contained incredibly potent blood, a rare treasure for berserkers. And Velen was using it for barbecue! Wasteful! Extravagant! Anthony''s body trembled slightly with emotion. Meanwhile, Aiden noticed the daggers being used to carve the dragon''s body. They were extraordinary¡ªdragons'' scales, even in death, were nearly impenetrable. Yet, these daggers sliced through the dragon''s flesh as easily as cutting tofu. What''s going on? Had Ducal Manor undergone some unimaginable transformation in the few years he hadn''t visited? Anthony sent a message to Senator William, his tone incredulous: "William, Velen has just organized a barbecue, roasting an entire dragon for the people of the Ducal Manor. At this rate, if you don''t hurry, even the bones will be gone!" ?? Aiden, overhearing this, was equally baffled. "What? Velen organized this? Why don''t you stop him? At least half the dragon could be preserved! Why wait for the senators?" Anthony sighed helplessly. "It''s not that I don''t want to stop him. Yesterday, Velen gave the Ducal Manor 10 million advanced mana stones and an enhanced version of the Starlight Array. His contributions were so immense that he''s now an independent senator, equal in status to the other senators. I have no authority to stop him." Aiden: ¡­ At the same time, William, having received Anthony''s message, was stunned. His eyes widened in disbelief. "What''s wrong?" Jake and the others asked, noticing William''s strange expression. William looked at Jake and said cautiously, "I''m about to share some news, but you need to stay calm." Jake raised an eyebrow. "Go ahead. I''ve lived for hundreds of years and seen my fair share of storms. What could possibly shock me?" The others also looked at William curiously, puzzled by his warning. Chapter 30 - Chapter30-Feeding Dragon Blood to a Rabbit—Who Does That? "Velen brought out a corpse of an Ascended Rank dragon and is roasting it in the square." As soon as William said this, everyone''s breathing turned heavy. Did they mishear that? An Ascended Rank dragon? Among the four, Jake''s emotions were visibly stirred, and his voice suddenly rose. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "You¡­ you''re not joking, right? A dragon! The corpse of an Ascended Rank dragon?" For a body-strengthening practitioner like him, dragon blood refined from such a corpse was the best supplement! He had been stuck at his current level for years, but with dragon blood, he was confident he could break through to the next rank! "Then why aren''t we stopping Anthony? Dragons are too rare, too powerful¡ªthe value of this dragon corpse is immeasurable!" Jake, snapping back to his senses, urgently urged them. William, seeing Jake''s agitated state, sighed as though he had anticipated this reaction. "Anthony gave me a detailed report. Half of the dragon''s corpse has already been eaten by the members of Ducal Manor under Velen''s orders. What can we even do about it?" Hearing this, Jake and the others finally realized. Right. This kind of extravagant behavior was entirely in line with Velen''s usual style, wasn''t it? After all the benefits they had received from Velen, how could they possibly stop him now? Forcefully seize it? But it was something Velen brought out! And while this method was outrageously wasteful, it was still being consumed by the members of Ducal Manor. The dragon''s blood and flesh, rich in mana essence, were beneficial to them. However, it wasn''t exactly friendly to Jake. After all, the dragon corpse would have been of immense value to him. "Although we can''t stop Velen, the taste of dragon meat must be incredible. Why don''t we go and have a try too?" William suggested after some thought, looking at Jake and the others. The group exchanged glances and reluctantly nodded before rushing toward the square. In the square outside Hatchling Order. The crowd was eating to the point of sweating profusely. Mana waves surged through their bodies like they had been injected with adrenaline. Their faces were flushed, and they were brimming with energy. At this moment, Anthony and Aiden had also joined the feast of the dragon''s corpse. Their levels were quite high, so they ate quickly and, despite sweating, showed no signs of stopping. Dragon blood and flesh not only nourished but also tasted divine. With just some salt and spices, it was delicious enough to make one want to swallow their own tongue. While they were feasting, William, Jake, and the others arrived at the square. Seeing Velen elegantly eating roasted meat with a knife and fork, they greeted him and promptly joined the feast. Two hours later. The members of Ducal Manor were lying on the ground, rubbing their round bellies. Even their burps carried pure mana waves that disturbed the air. This feast had brought significant benefits and improvements to every one of them. And at the center of their attention, the dragon''s corpse had been reduced to nothing but bones. After greeting Velen, Jake eagerly carried the skeleton away, planning to craft dragon-bone artifacts with it! "Independent Senator, this is my old friend, a berserker whose strength is comparable to Ascended Rank Level 4!" Anthony brought Aiden to Velen. Velen, unused to being addressed as "Independent Senator," felt a bit helpless. He glanced at the burly Aiden and humbly said, "You flatter me. I''m just a member of Ducal Manor, not an Independent Senator." Aiden waved his hands repeatedly, saying, "Independent Senator, you''re too modest. I''m just a passerby!" Velen had been unanimously recognized as the Independent Senator by the senators of Ducal Manor. Aiden didn''t dare to overstep. Hearing this, Velen sighed and said, "Let''s just stick to informal titles. Call me Velen." "?" Aiden was momentarily stunned. If everyone used informal titles, wouldn''t that be awkward? Calling Velen by name while Anthony addressed him as "Independent Senator"¡ªwhat should he call himself, then? Just then, a system notification rang in Velen''s ears. "Congratulations, Host, for successfully flaunting wealth with the dragon corpse. Reward: 1,000 luxury points, 200 drops of dark dragon blood." Dark dragon blood as a reward? This was an unexpected delight! Velen already knew from Hael and others how precious dragon blood was. These 200 drops were immensely valuable! "Velen, thank you for today''s dragon feast. I can now say I''ve tasted real dragon meat in my lifetime. However, the blood of this dragon is truly extraordinary. For berserkers like us, it''s the best possible supplement!" Aiden expressed his gratitude but couldn''t help feeling pained over the extravagant barbecue of an entire dragon. "Is this what you call dragon blood?" Velen thought for a moment. A viscous blood droplet, about the size of a walnut, appeared in his palm, and he held it up before Aiden''s eyes. "What intense dragon pressure!" Just one glance made Aiden''s heart race uncontrollably. This aura¡ªit was definitely from that dragon! "Dragon blood, I can give you some. But I need to save some for my rabbit," Velen said casually. For berserkers, dragon blood was immensely beneficial. But for spellbeasts, it was equally valuable. And as Velen''s pet, the rabbit naturally deserved nothing less than the finest. Hearing this, Aiden''s eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. Feeding dragon blood to a rabbit? This was dragon blood¡ªso rare and priceless that it could fetch an astronomical price at an auction! Even Anthony and the others, familiar with Velen''s extravagance, couldn''t help but feel a pang of envy. Their own living standards couldn''t even compare to Velen''s rabbit! Was this the benefit of following the right person? "Aiden, you don''t understand. That rabbit, though ordinary at first, has been transforming into a spellbeast under the Independent Senator''s care." "Previously, it drank over 2,000 bottles of Master Rank Fortifying Potion. Its body is now immaculate, surpassing even the most elite spellbeast cubs in purity!" After listening to Anthony''s envious explanation, Aiden couldn''t help but glance at Velen again. My god! What kind of background does this Velen have? Even a rabbit gets such extravagant treatment? Master Rank Fortifying Potions were rare treasures even in the Titan Galaxy. Yet Velen had fed over 2,000 bottles to a rabbit? As far as Aiden knew, even the most prodigious talents of top factions hadn''t received such nurturing. And now this precious dragon blood¡ªVelen planned to feed it to the rabbit! This¡­ this was pure opulence! Aiden was utterly stunned by Velen''s actions. "Anthony, as old friends, don''t play me like this," Aiden said, his face serious as he looked at Anthony. How could someone possibly be this rich? And squander it to such an extent? Velen glanced at Aiden, finding his reaction entirely within expectations. This was just another uneventful and monotonous day in his life. "You all chat. I''m heading back," Velen yawned. After eating so much dragon meat, he felt a little drowsy. "Aiden, since you''re an old friend, come with me. I''ll offer you another opportunity," Anthony suddenly said. Aiden froze. Another opportunity? "Hey, hey! You haven''t answered my question yet!" Despite his confusion, Aiden followed Anthony and the others. Not long after, they arrived at Anthony''s grand hall. Aiden furrowed his brows when Anthony suddenly produced a glowing book. "This is the opportunity you mentioned?" Aiden couldn''t figure out what Anthony was up to. Anthony smiled and explained, "This is called the SSS Tome of Skill Experience. Absorbing it will enhance your skill proficiency." Hearing this, Aiden stared at Anthony, half-believing. "We''ve been friends for years. Don''t you dare trick me!" Seeing Aiden''s skeptical expression, Anthony shrugged and began putting away the SSS Tome of Skill Experience. "If you don''t believe me, forget it. This is a rare treasure even in Ducal Manor." Chapter 31 - Chapter31-Heading to the Singularity Battlefield Seeing this, Aiden immediately snatched the SSS Tome of Skill Experience, channeled his mana, and absorbed it into his body, afraid that Anthony might really take it back. After absorbing the unique energy contained in the SSS Tome of Skill Experience, Aiden squinted his eyes, feeling a peculiar sensation rise within him. The proficiency of all his skills surged rapidly... Aiden''s heart trembled. Shortly after, he exhaled sharply like an arrow, suddenly opened his eyes, and they turned sharper, like two spears that no one dared to meet. "I don''t have many SSS Tomes of Skill Experience left; all of them were provided by Velen. He still has some, but he plans to use them for that rabbit." Seeing Aiden clearly having a breakthrough and looking excited, Anthony quickly added, "By the way, you know that old guy Robert, right? Velen has already said that as long as someone helps him with some manageable tasks, he might give them the Afterlife Flower. Now Robert has joined the fortress as a venerated member." "Kevin''s also like a lackey, having no objections to assisting my daughter. He''s currently serving her at the fortress." Aiden squinted his eyes, then dashed into the distance at incredible speed. Anthony, puzzled, transmitted a question: "What''s with you leaving in such a hurry? Weren''t you here to relax and have a drink with me?" "No, no. I''m very interested in the fortress your daughter established. It gives me a sense of home. I think I''m very suited for it!" Anthony''s mouth twitched. Interested in the fortress? This was clearly an attempt to get closer to Velen through Anastasia! As expected of an old figure who had roamed the universe¡ªutterly shameless! Previously, Anthony had invited Aiden to join Ducal Manor, but he always declined, saying he loved freedom, enjoyed roaming the universe, and hated being tied down. And now? He was eagerly throwing himself at the fortress, completely disregarding his earlier words. Though he mentally gave Aiden a middle finger, Anthony could understand his actions. If he were in the same situation, he''d likely do the same. In a lavish room. Velen was just about to go to sleep when he heard the door being slammed open. He turned his head to see Hael barging in, looking highly emotional. "You''re a grown man. Why are you so clumsy?" Looking at the shattered door, Velen sighed helplessly. "Velen, do you even realize how precious the dragon corpse you just served was?" Hael, red-faced with excitement, was speaking louder and louder. Out of curiosity, he had just gone to the archives to research dragons. He actually found records of the dark dragon. After carefully reading them, he was even more shocked and awed by Velen''s extravagant behavior. Dark dragons were among the most powerful of their kind. Once they matured, they could almost always ascend successfully. The flesh and blood of such a dragon were incredibly valuable! However, just as he was about to continue speaking, he noticed Velen looking at him with an innocent expression. The countless words Hael had wanted to say suddenly dissipated into thin air. This dark dragon was immensely valuable to them, but to someone like Velen, who could casually produce countless treasures, was it really that precious? All he could do was sigh. The world of tycoons was something he truly couldn''t comprehend. Still, he had to quickly adapt to Velen''s tycoon-style behavior. After all, the Duke had plans for them to follow Velen and accompany Anastasia soon. If they couldn''t adjust to Velen''s extravagance, it would only lead to awkward situations! "Never mind, Velen. I won''t disturb you. Get some rest!" Hael gave Velen a quick farewell and turned to leave. Watching Hael leave after muttering a nonsensical statement, Velen wondered if he had mentally broken down from being overly stimulated. At least Hael was gone, and Velen could finally get some proper rest. According to Duke Anthony''s plan, he would take Velen to the Singularity Battlefield early the next morning. The Singularity Battlefield was full of dangers and opportunities, so Velen needed to rest well and adjust his state of mind. Yawning, Velen was just about to lie down when the door was slammed open again. Looking at the utterly ruined door and the arrival of Jake and four other senators, Velen was a bit speechless. "Uh¡­ well¡­" Seeing Velen look over, Jake and the others calmed down instead, awkwardly rubbing their hands and looking hesitant. Seeing the senators'' bashful demeanor, Velen immediately understood and couldn''t help but find it amusing. A group of old men, each hundreds of years old, suddenly found themselves too embarrassed to speak. S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Senator Jake, here are ten drops of dragon blood. Take them." It was clear that Aiden receiving dragon blood earlier had made them envious. They had likely been too caught up in eating the dragon''s meat to think of it at the time, but now they remembered. "This¡­ this, Velen, thank you so much!" Senator Jake was so moved he was almost in tears. Only he understood how much those drops of dragon blood would help him. William and the other senators also looked at Velen with immense gratitude. With these drops of dragon blood, they owed Velen yet another favor¡ªone they might never be able to repay. After all, everything he gave them was far too valuable! "Velen, get some rest. If you ever need anything, don''t hesitate to ask us." Before leaving, William, Jake, and the others earnestly spoke to Velen. After that, they hurriedly left with the ten drops of dragon blood, completely shattering the already fragile door. The door: "¡­" The next morning. After waking up, Velen''s first task was his routine inspection of special items. Today was the day he would enter the Singularity Battlefield, making it particularly important. Special Item: Tier-2 Imprison Scroll ¨C Quantity: 9,999! Imprison Scroll: Can seal a target in place for an extended duration, preventing them from leaving. After reading this, Velen was very satisfied. Tier-2 scrolls corresponded perfectly to Apprentice Rank awakeners. Since he would be assigned to the Second Zone in the Singularity Battlefield¡ªwhere only Apprentice Rank spellbeasts and awakeners resided¡ªthese scrolls were just right. With these scrolls, he''d have a reliable means of self-defense in the Singularity Battlefield! "Velen, come with me. It should be your first time entering the Singularity Battlefield, so I''ll personally escort you there." Anthony had been waiting outside for a while. Seeing Velen come out, he immediately smiled and spoke. Velen nodded and followed Anthony to board a spaceship, leaving Ducal Manor behind. As Velen departed, the senators William, Jake, and others who had come to see him off couldn''t help but feel a sense of loss. Though their time with Velen had been short, he had left a profound impression. His sudden departure left their hearts empty, as though they''d lost their most precious possession. "Duke, are the spellbeasts in the Singularity Battlefield different from those in the universe?" Lying back in a recliner aboard the spaceship, Velen glanced at Anthony and asked curiously. Anthony''s expression grew solemn. "Spellbeasts in the Singularity Battlefield are affected by its radiation, making them far more terrifying. Coupled with the unique survival-of-the-fittest environment, the spellbeasts there are not only powerful but also possess an intense desire for battle. They''re nothing like the spellbeasts outside." "Generally speaking, a spellbeast from the Singularity Battlefield requires at least three awakeners of the same rank to take it down. You must be extremely careful!" Anthony reminded him seriously. In the Singularity Battlefield, Velen could only rely on himself. Velen nodded, understanding Anthony''s point. However, he had confidence in his own strength, especially with the Tier-2 Imprison Scrolls on hand. Five hours later. "Once we pass this star system, we''ll arrive at the teleportation base managed by the universe." Anthony stood up and stretched but suddenly seemed to sense something. His expression turned cautious. "Velen, it seems we''re being targeted. Stay here¡ªI''ll handle it." With that, he vanished from the spaceship in a flash, heading toward the asteroid belt surrounding the base. Relaxed moments ago, Velen immediately sat upright and looked out toward the front of the spaceship. In the asteroid belt, a massive Ironback Centipede hundreds of meters long slithered through the metallic surface of the asteroids. Its steel-like tentacles scraped the rocks, producing a metallic clanging sound and sending sparks flying like a shower of fire! Chapter 32 - Chapter32-Ascended Rank Spellbeast? "An aberrant spellbeast? Ironback Centipede?!" Upon seeing the Ironback Centipede, Anthony immediately felt an overwhelming sense of pressure emanating from its massive body, causing his face to pale slightly. Ascended Rank Level 9! This spellbeast was absolutely not something he could contend with in his current state! However, it had already set its sights on the spaceship. If Anthony didn''t step forward to stop it, Velen would be in grave danger! No matter what, he had to buy time for Velen to escape! As Anthony charged toward it, the Ironback Centipede''s grotesque mandibles twitched, producing a raspy voice. "Human, I''m in a good mood today. If you can offer me something I fancy, I might just let you and the spaceship go." Anthony frowned. Spellbeasts of this level possessed intelligence comparable to humans¡ªperhaps even harder to predict¡ªmaking them extremely troublesome. Anthony didn''t believe a single word from the Ironback Centipede. Spellbeasts were never trustworthy! Besides, he didn''t have anything on him that could tempt a spellbeast of Ascended Rank Level 9. "We''re merely passing through. We mean no harm. If you insist on this course, fighting will bring no benefit to either of us!" Anthony attempted to reason with it. His strength wasn''t weak, and if a fight broke out, the Ironback Centipede wouldn''t come out unscathed. "Heh, human, you overestimate yourself. Compared to me, you''re nothing but a plaything for my amusement!" As soon as the words fell, the Ironback Centipede''s hundreds of metallic limbs began to writhe. Its massive body transformed into a terrifyingly sharp blade, lunging directly at Anthony. Anthony quickly cast a defensive spell, summoning a thick, earthen-yellow shield before him, as solid as a fortress wall. Yet, under the Ironback Centipede''s assault, the shield shattered instantly. The tremendous impact sent Anthony flying, blood spilling from his mouth. Just as the Ironback Centipede was about to attack again, Velen''s voice suddenly rang out from the spaceship. "You want treasure? I''ve got some right here!" With these words, Velen produced five drops of dragon blood. Each drop emanated an overwhelming mana fluctuation, and an oppressive aura radiated outward, enveloping the surrounding area for miles. The Ironback Centipede''s attention was immediately drawn to the dragon blood. Its perception confirmed the authenticity of the dragon blood as soon as Velen revealed it. Consuming it would undoubtedly provide immense benefits! But the Ironback Centipede was astonished. Dragons were immensely powerful and rare, and even with its current strength, it wouldn''t dare face a dragon of equal rank. Yet Velen, merely an Apprentice Rank awakener, had dragon blood in his possession? Its heart was shaken. Initially, it had been toying with Anthony out of boredom, but now it seemed this encounter had yielded an unexpected bounty! Anthony, witnessing this, shouted urgently: "I''m fine! Don''t give it the dragon blood! Even if you do, it won''t let us go. Just leave while you can!" Spellbeasts could never be trusted! However, Velen shook his head nonchalantly. To him, using these resources to resolve the crisis was a worthwhile trade! As for the deceitful nature of spellbeasts, Velen almost hoped it was true. If he found himself in danger, the mysterious Guardians would surely appear to protect him. And when that happened, dealing with a mere spellbeast would be child''s play! He hadn''t seen the Guardians in action yet and was quite curious about them. Without hesitation, Velen tossed the five drops of dragon blood toward the Ironback Centipede, which immediately swallowed them whole. As the dragon blood coursed through its body, it radiated incredible fluctuations, triggering profound transformations within. The Ironback Centipede greedily fixed its gaze on Velen. It couldn''t comprehend where Velen had acquired the dragon blood, but seeing him remain calm even after giving up five drops made it evident that he must have more! "Kid, hand over the rest of your dragon blood and any other treasures, and I promise to let you go!" The lie slipped effortlessly from its mouth. Velen squinted, his disdain for the spellbeast''s untrustworthiness growing. At that moment, the Ironback Centipede abruptly changed direction and lunged toward Velen. "If you won''t hand it over willingly, don''t blame me for taking it by force!" Its speed was incredible. Seeing this, Anthony immediately turned back, intending to shield Velen and buy him time to escape. Boom! Anthony clashed with the Ironback Centipede once again, the resulting mana shockwaves making the air itself tremble. Anthony was sent flying, crashing into the spaceship. His body was covered in wounds, as if struck by a spinning grinder, with blood flowing freely. "Let him go! I have 55 more drops of dragon blood!" As the Ironback Centipede prepared to deliver the fatal blow to Anthony, Velen''s voice rang out once more. Simultaneously, the unmistakable aura of dragon blood emanated from his palm. Fifty-five drops of dragon blood! The Ironback Centipede grew even more excited. Its earlier suspicions were correct¡ªVelen had far more dragon blood than he initially let on! Anthony''s heart trembled as he saw this. "Velen, this spellbeast''s greed knows no bounds. You''ll never satisfy it. Leave now and don''t worry about me!" Anthony stabilized his injuries and transmitted his urgent plea to Velen. But before he could finish, Velen walked out of the spaceship, carrying the 55 drops of dragon blood, and handed them over to the Ironback Centipede. "This is all the dragon blood I have. Take it and leave." Velen spoke earnestly. The Ironback Centipede took the dragon blood but continued to grin maliciously at Velen. "What about the rest of your treasures? Hand them over too!" Seeing its unrelenting greed, Velen shook his head. "I''ve already given you everything. If you don''t believe me, there''s nothing I can do." Velen''s sudden shift to a firm attitude made the Ironback Centipede sneer coldly. "Then you must have a death wish!" With those words, a flash of icy light appeared in the void as it prepared to sever one of Velen''s arms. Anthony''s pupils shrank as he realized he was too late to save Velen! His heart sank, but at that moment, he noticed the faint smile on Velen''s lips. It seemed¡­ this was intentional! Knowing Velen''s attitude toward his countless treasures, Anthony understood that even if Velen squandered them, he wouldn''t bat an eye. Could this calculated provocation of the Ironback Centipede be deliberate? Whoosh! As Anthony grappled with confusion, the sound of shattering glass echoed across the void. A moment later, a man clad in golden armor descended from the sky, appearing in front of Velen and intercepting the Ironback Centipede''s attack. "Detected danger to the host. A member of the Guardians has been dispatched!" The system''s voice chimed in. Velen was slightly surprised. He hadn''t expected the Guardians to literally descend from the heavens! Anthony was even more shocked. From the moment the golden-armored man appeared to the interception of the Ironback Centipede''s attack, Anthony hadn''t sensed a thing! This golden-armored figure was terrifyingly strong¡ªso much so that Anthony couldn''t even perceive his presence! The Ironback Centipede, however, was the most horrified. From the golden-armored man, it could feel the thick stench of death. This being''s strength far exceeded its own, likely someone from the Upper Plane Universe! Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Descending from the Upper Plane Universe wasn''t easy. What kind of background did Velen have to warrant such protection? As these thoughts churned in the Ironback Centipede''s mind, Velen glanced at the golden-armored man. His imposing figure exuded an unparalleled sense of security. "You came alone? Where are the other Guardians?" Velen looked around curiously, noticing no one else, and asked immediately. Both the Ironback Centipede and Anthony were shocked again. A single golden-armored figure from the Upper Plane Universe was terrifying enough, yet Velen spoke as if there were more, and they were specifically assigned to protect him! "Based on the Guardians'' assessment of the threat level, my presence alone is sufficient," the golden-armored man replied with a bow. Chapter 33 - Chapter33-Be My Pet! "Master, please rest assured. Members of the Guardians are spread across all major plane universes. As long as you encounter danger, someone will come to protect you," the golden-armored man reported respectfully. Hearing this, both Anthony and the Ironback Centipede were utterly shocked. Velen was merely an Apprentice Rank Level 9 awakener¡ªhow could he possibly have such terrifying connections? Not only did he have a powerhouse from the upper plane universe protecting him, but it wasn''t just one; they were everywhere in the cosmos. The Ironback Centipede, in particular, began trembling slightly. If it had known Velen had such terrifying backing, it never would have shown up here! Maybe it wasn''t too late to escape. Its gaze flickered as it prepared to leave, but Velen''s eyes locked onto it. "You have two choices: the first is to be slain here. The second¡­" The Ironback Centipede glanced at the golden-armored man, its rows of large eyes blinking rapidly, before it hastily answered, "I choose the second!" As long as it could stay alive, it would accept anything! Velen hadn''t expected the Ironback Centipede to decide so quickly. He said lightly, "Alright then. From now on, you''ll stay by my side as my mount." A mount?! Cold light shot from the Ironback Centipede''s eyes, suddenly becoming as sharp as knives! It was a mighty Ascended Rank Level 9 spellbeast, an apex predator in this part of the universe. Becoming the mount of a low-level awakener like Velen? Unacceptable! As the mana within it grew more turbulent, the golden-armored man suddenly swung his palm, striking the Ironback Centipede''s face with a resounding metallic crash. Its already flattened head caved in completely, resembling a sheet of paper. However, as a top-tier spellbeast, its vitality was astonishingly strong. It quickly recovered, though its once-cloudy eyes were now much clearer. The golden-armored man had shattered its defenses with a single blow. What terrifying power! A strong instinct told the Ironback Centipede that if Velen hadn''t intended to keep it as a mount, the golden-armored man would have killed it in one strike. Without hesitation, it repaired its head injuries, transformed into a burly man with eight-pack abs, and slid to its knees before Velen. "Master! Master! From now on, I am yours!" Anthony, seeing this, unfolded a special blood-red scroll. "Since you''re willing to become a mount, sign this master-servant contract with your blood." Anthony didn''t trust the promises of spellbeasts. Although Velen''s background was strong enough to deter betrayal, there was always a chance. With a master-servant contract in place, the Ironback Centipede wouldn''t dare stir up trouble. A master-servant contract! The Ironback Centipede felt its scalp tingle. This contract was infamous among spellbeasts, universally loathed because signing it meant eternal loyalty to the other party. "Don''t feel too aggrieved. Do you realize how many benefits you''ll gain by following the independent senator?" Anthony glanced at the Ironback Centipede and said seriously, "How did the dragon blood taste earlier? You probably never had access to it before, right? But for the independent senator, it''s nothing! Just yesterday, we dined on a dark dragon of your level!" "Even a rabbit following the senator has been eating so well that it became a spellbeast!" Hearing this, the Ironback Centipede''s pupils contracted sharply. As a spellbeast, its perception was extraordinary¡ªit could tell Anthony wasn''t lying! Glancing at the golden-armored man from the upper plane universe by Velen''s side, the Ironback Centipede gritted its teeth and sliced its palm open, letting its blood drip onto the contract. Velen also added a drop of his blood to the master-servant contract. Immediately, he felt the presence of the Ironback Centipede''s aura in his mind. It seemed as though he could control its life and death with a single thought! Anthony looked at the Ironback Centipede with a hint of envy. Only after spending time with Velen could one truly understand the extent of his tycoon-like nature. Even the crumbs he let fall from his fingers were unimaginable opportunities and wealth. The Ironback Centipede had grasped a golden opportunity. "Master, now that the crisis has been resolved, I shall take my leave." The golden-armored man bowed to Velen, then tore open the space before him and disappeared. Velen was very satisfied with the golden-armored man''s performance. The system truly lived up to its reputation! Afterward, Velen had the Ironback Centipede transform into its several-hundred-meter-long form and carry him and Anthony to the teleportation base. Sitting on the back of such a top-tier spellbeast was not only stable and impressive but also incredibly fast¡ªnearly twice as quick as the spaceship cruising behind them. By dusk, they had arrived at the teleportation base. Before entering the base, Velen instructed the Ironback Centipede to take human form to avoid causing a commotion. "There are so many people here!" Velen scanned the massive teleportation array built around the planet, noting the large number of people coming and going¡ªof all levels and abilities. Anthony nodded. "Although the Singularity Battlefield is fraught with dangers, the opportunities within make it extremely tempting. Most importantly, the battlefield is divided into zones based on level, giving many people the chance to seek fortunes, legacies, and treasures." Velen, curious about the Singularity Battlefield, observed that it seemed to exist in an independent space. "System, can the Guardians enter the Singularity Battlefield too?" The Singularity Battlefield was clearly complex and mysterious, far from ordinary. "The system transcends all and is unaffected." Impressed by the system''s bold response, Velen silently gave it a thumbs-up. With renewed confidence, Velen turned to the middle-aged form of the Ironback Centipede beside him. "Ironback, you''re fast. Take the duke back first. There''s no need for you to stay here." The Ironback Centipede nodded obediently. "No problem, Master!" Anthony, seeing this, felt a surge of excitement. The Ironback Centipede was an Ascended Rank Level 9 top-tier spellbeast, a rare existence in the universe! Even in Ducal Manor, only Senator William might be able to match it. Having such a powerful spellbeast escort him was something Anthony had never dared to imagine. After watching Velen enter the teleportation base, Anthony quickly returned with the Ironback Centipede. Having this formidable ally was a significant boon for Ducal Manor! Once inside the teleportation base, Velen felt the void around him writhing. A peculiar spatial force enveloped his body. His vision blurred, and when it cleared again, he found himself in another space entirely. Looking up, he saw two suns in the sky! The entire space was scorching hot, with a pervasive stench of decay and blood. Scattered about were bones¡ªboth human and spellbeast¡ªtheir putrid smell wafting from the corpses. Velen frowned slightly, uncomfortable with the atmosphere. "So this is the Singularity Battlefield? Truly bloody and brutal," he muttered as he surveyed his surroundings, his expression growing serious. "Hey, kid, first time here?" A chubby young man with a round belly and an innocent-looking smile approached, his face radiating friendliness. Velen, noting the harmless demeanor, nodded. "Yeah, it''s my first time." The fat youth scratched his head, his thoughts spinning with schemes that immediately crumbled. This guy''s too honest! Did no one tell him to be cautious and never trust strangers in the Singularity Battlefield? But since Velen was so forthright, the youth couldn''t resist trying to scam him¡ªit''d be unprofessional not to! He grinned and asked, "What level have you reached? What mana core attribute did you awaken? I''m an old hand here; I can guide you!" Normally, such information was a closely guarded secret in the Singularity Battlefield. But Velen, confident in his strength and backed by the system, casually replied, "Currently, I''m at Apprentice Rank Level 9." sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Apprentice Rank Level 9?! The fat youth''s heart immediately calmed. In the Second Zone, Apprentice Rank Level 9 was the highest level! At that rank, determining victory or death would come down to whoever had the better trump cards. Chapter 34 - Chapter34-Want to Team Up? Though Velen seemed a bit na?ve, his calm demeanor made it clear that he wasn''t someone easy to exploit. The chubby young man, Kidd, who couldn''t quite figure Velen out, proactively suggested, "My name''s Kidd. Since it''s your first time in the Singularity Battlefield, you''re probably unfamiliar with a lot here. Why don''t we team up? We''ll split all the resources we get fifty-fifty." Combat was the best way to reveal someone''s strength, methods, and trump cards. If Velen truly was na?ve and lacked the strength to back it up, Kidd wouldn''t mind stabbing him in the back when the time came. No one shows kindness without a reason¡ªeither a crook or a schemer! Velen immediately saw through Kidd''s facade. Though he looked innocent, he clearly wasn''t trustworthy. After all, in the harsh environment of the Singularity Battlefield, there was no room for honest people. Still, Kidd seemed like a seasoned veteran who knew the area well. Teaming up with him would be a good way to quickly familiarize himself with the Singularity Battlefield. So, Velen nodded. "Kidd, huh? I''m Velen. Let''s work well together!" Soon, the two set off together. After walking for a while, Kidd, who was in the lead, suddenly stopped and said, "There''s a pack of blood wolves ahead, about 200 of them. They''re around Apprentice Rank Level 5. How about we see who can kill more?" Though these blood wolves weren''t particularly high in rank, their numbers and speed could easily overwhelm an inexperienced newcomer. Kidd wanted to test Velen''s strength and see what cards he had up his sleeve. Velen nodded casually. "Alright, let''s compete." With that, Velen channeled his mana, summoning a stack of Imprison Scrolls before him. Kidd froze for a moment. Weren''t they supposed to compete? What was with all these scrolls? As the sealing energy radiated from the scrolls, Kidd''s heart trembled. If his senses weren''t wrong, these were precious Tier-2 Scrolls! S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Under Kidd''s astonished gaze, Velen activated the scrolls. Chains imbued with a strange energy flew out from the scrolls, instantly binding the 200 blood wolves in place. They could only glare at Velen angrily, unable to move. Velen walked up to the immobilized blood wolves, pulled out two golden knives and forks from his storage bag, and began slicing their throats one by one. Blood spurted out as the blood wolves let out feeble whimpers before collapsing into lifeless heaps on the ground. Kidd was dumbfounded. These blood wolves were only Apprentice Rank Level 5. Was there really a need to use such valuable scrolls? Was Velen so rich he didn''t know how to spend his money? While Kidd stared in disbelief, Velen quickly dispatched all the blood wolves. "They''re all dead. Looks like I win this round!" Velen put away his knives and smiled at Kidd. Kidd''s lips twitched. He had considered stepping in to compete with Velen, but the chains formed by the scrolls were so strong that his attacks couldn''t even make a dent. All he could do was watch Velen perform. It also became clear to Kidd that Velen hadn''t just used the scrolls to restrain the blood wolves¡ªhe''d done it to prevent Kidd from intervening. Using so many scrolls for a simple competition¡­ Kidd''s heart ached. If only those Imprison Scrolls had been given to him instead! The value of those scrolls far exceeded that of the blood wolves. "Let''s go, Kidd. Let''s check out other areas!" After killing the blood wolves, Velen lost interest and prepared to leave. Kidd, however, stayed behind, staring at the pile of spellbeast corpses. Though these corpses weren''t as valuable as the scrolls, they were still worth a decent amount. Was Velen really going to leave them? "Velen, these blood wolves are all yours. Their mana cores and pelts are worth quite a bit of gold coins!" Velen shook his head at Kidd''s persuasion. "If you want them, they''re yours. I''m not interested in gold coins." Kidd: "..." Fine, keep showing off. Let''s see how long you can keep it up! Kidd, who had come to the battlefield to train, wasn''t about to let the blood wolf pelts and mana cores go to waste. He quickly gathered and stored them in his bag. Just as the two were about to leave, an old man carrying a massive blood-red blade appeared, blocking their path. Drawing the blade from his back, he said coldly, "You two kids can''t handle the mana cores and pelts of so many blood wolves. Hand them over, and I might just let you live." With that, he released his mana waves¡ªApprentice Rank Level 9! The aura was saturated with killing intent and the stench of blood! "This guy must be one of the battlefield bandits. These types usually rely on robbing others and have no real skills," Kidd muttered disdainfully, though his expression turned serious. Anyone bold enough to be a bandit here had to have significant strength; otherwise, they wouldn''t survive long. As Kidd was about to warn Velen to be cautious, Velen casually activated an Imprison Scroll. Chains of sealing energy shot out, binding the old man in place. "A single Imprison Scroll won''t stop me!" the old man sneered, slashing with his blade. A flash of blood-red light cleaved the chains apart. Before he could advance further, more chains shot out, binding him again. The old man remained unfazed, slashing through chain after chain with broad, forceful movements. In no time, he had destroyed over ten Imprison Scrolls'' worth of chains. Seeing Velen run out of scrolls, the old man grinned triumphantly. "Out of scrolls, are you? Now it''s my turn!" Just as he finished speaking, his pupils contracted as he saw Velen summon hundreds more Imprison Scrolls. The vicious expression on the old man''s face froze. While he could break through ten scrolls'' chains, the effort had consumed nearly half his mana. Facing this many scrolls, he''d likely exhaust himself to death! Who was this seemingly unassuming young man?! He needed to flee! The old man moved decisively to escape, but Velen activated the scrolls, and chains wrapped around him like a mummy. He couldn''t break free. Velen stepped forward, golden knife and fork in hand, and stabbed the old man in the chest. The old man''s face was filled with terror and disbelief. He never imagined he''d die so miserably here. Kidd, witnessing the scene, broke into a cold sweat. How many Imprison Scrolls did Velen have? It was as if he had an endless supply, using them like they cost nothing! If Kidd had acted rashly against Velen earlier, he''d probably have ended up like the old man. He laughed bitterly at himself for thinking Velen was an easy target. Now it was clear¡ªVelen was the wolf, ready to devour anyone in his way! At the same time, Kidd finally understood why Velen didn''t care about the mana cores or pelts of the blood wolves¡ªhe truly wasn''t short on money! "Kidd, take these scrolls. Use them when you encounter spellbeasts or bandits. They''re simple and efficient, and there''s no need to waste precious time on them." Velen wiped his hands clean and handed Kidd the remaining hundreds of scrolls. Kidd''s eyes widened in disbelief. Was he dreaming? Velen glanced at his system interface. With over 9,000 scrolls remaining and only six hours until the next day, he realized he couldn''t use them all alone. He needed to speed things up! Not long after, Kidd, now very cooperative, began encountering spellbeasts and immediately started with Imprison Scrolls, dramatically increasing his efficiency and minimizing risk. Five hours later. "Congratulations, Host, for successfully flaunting wealth. Reward: 1,000 luxury points and 100 SSS Tomes of Skill Experience!" Lying on a tree branch, Velen smiled at the system''s notification. Watching Kidd, who was now fully engrossed in using the scrolls, he nodded approvingly. "Not bad. Having someone help flaunt wealth really speeds things up." Clearly, Kidd had never fought with such abundant resources before and was enthusiastically using most of the scrolls himself. After finishing off the bound spellbeasts, Kidd stood eagerly by Velen''s side, awaiting his next instructions, having fully embraced Velen as his newfound benefactor. Chapter 35 - Chapter35-Chaos City Velen pulling out over a thousand scrolls at once had deeply shocked Kidd! Just how rich was he?! The key point was that Velen didn''t even seem to care about the scrolls, using them casually! Even those alchemy factions capable of producing such quantities of scrolls wouldn''t dare to use so many at once. Kidd was truly impressed by Velen! "You helped open the scrolls just now. I noticed and appreciate your effort. Here, take this SSS Tome of Skill Experience. It will enhance your skill proficiency and be beneficial to you." Velen glanced at Kidd. Finding such a useful helper wasn''t easy, and Kidd had indeed put in significant effort. Naturally, Velen wouldn''t treat him unfairly. He handed Kidd the SSS Tome of Skill Experience. "Enhance skill proficiency?" Kidd''s pupils contracted sharply. Although he didn''t know what an SSS Tome of Skill Experience was, an item capable of enhancing skill proficiency had to be extremely rare! Velen was just an Apprentice Rank Level 9 awakener. How could he possess something so valuable? And even if he did, why would he hand it over so easily? Looking at the SSS Tome of Skill Experience in Velen''s hand, Kidd hesitated, filled with doubt. The capability sounded too powerful to be real¡ªsomething no one would believe! If the SSS Tome of Skill Experience truly enhanced skill proficiency, it would fetch an astronomical price in the universe! But what if it was real? After all, it was Velen¡ªthe tycoon¡ªwho had brought it out! Kidd raised his head, studying Velen, his eyes flickering with indecision. If it really worked, the benefits would be tremendous! Moreover, if Kidd refused to use it, he didn''t know if Velen might turn against him. Though he hadn''t fought Velen directly, the sheer number of scrolls Velen had casually produced proved he had plenty of tricks up his sleeve. Kidd stood no chance against him! Thinking this through, Kidd stopped hesitating and activated the SSS Tome of Skill Experience with his mana. A unique energy ripple spread out instantly. Kidd''s learned skills and combat experiences surged into his mind like a flood, his thoughts racing, and his skill proficiency soaring! Not long after, Kidd opened his eyes, now brimming with excitement. The enhanced skill proficiency had deepened his mastery of every skill, nearly doubling his overall strength! "Brother Velen, thank you so much! I''ll remember this kindness for the rest of my life. If you ever need my help, I won''t hesitate for a moment!" Kidd stood up and resolutely promised Velen, his tone firm. Velen nodded. A friend was an extra pathway¡ªhe might need Kidd''s help flaunting wealth in the future. He curiously asked, "Which galaxy are you from?" The Singularity Battlefield was vast, with participants from various galaxies. "Brother Velen, I''m from the Dark Eye Galaxy. Are you from there too?" Kidd asked, his eyes wide with hope. "Dark Eye Galaxy? Never heard of it. I''m from Titan Galaxy," Velen replied calmly. Judging by their conversation, their home regions were quite far apart. The Singularity Battlefield was boundless. If they parted ways this time, it was unlikely they''d ever meet again. Feeling slightly melancholic, Kidd continued guiding Velen through the Second Zone. Here, with two suns in the sky, there was no distinction between day and night. After wandering the battlefield for a while, Kidd suddenly stopped in front of a hill and struck it heavily with his fist. Bang! With a muffled sound, dirt and rocks scattered, revealing hidden white crystalline materials beneath. "Brother Velen, we''ve hit the jackpot!" "These are mana stones. Even though they''re low-grade, there must be at least 2,000 of them here once we mine them out!" Kidd was ecstatic. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Though they were ordinary mana stones, each was worth 100 gold coins. Two thousand mana stones could fetch 200,000 gold coins! For an Apprentice Rank awakener, this was a considerable fortune! It could buy them coveted artifacts, potions, armor, and skill books! Despite having ventured into the Singularity Battlefield multiple times, Kidd had never encountered such a large deposit of mana stones. Velen, however, didn''t even glance at the mana stones. Seeing Kidd''s excitement, he smiled and said, "If you like them so much, they''re all yours." Hearing this, Kidd, who had been planning to share the haul with Velen, froze. First, he hadn''t wanted mana cores or wolf skins. Now, he didn''t want mana stones either! Blinking in disbelief, Kidd finally asked, "Brother Velen, if you don''t want any of this, why did you come to the Singularity Battlefield?" "Oh, just for fun. To look around, see the world, have some excitement, and flaunt a bit of wealth. Otherwise, having too much money to spend is such a pain. Can you understand that sorrow?" Kidd: "..." Be a person, will you?! That was the most outrageous bragging Kidd had ever heard! After a moment, something seemed to occur to Kidd, and he suddenly said, "If Brother Velen has so much money and wants to see the world and have fun, I know just the place to recommend!" "What place?" "Chaos City!" "Chaos City? What''s that?" Velen muttered, unfamiliar with the name. Kidd explained seriously, "Chaos City is a special zone in the Singularity Battlefield. There, all awakeners are suppressed, and no fighting occurs." "You can see treasures from all over the universe there! If you can imagine it, Chaos City has it." "You can buy anything there!" "However, Chaos City is a restricted area. You need a pass to enter. I happen to have one, but it''s the lowest-grade pass and only allows a one-day stay." Kidd handed Velen a palm-sized bronze pass. Velen examined it and immediately sensed a faint chaotic aura emanating from it. This pass was extraordinary! Turning it over in his hands, Velen asked curiously, "Where did you get this pass?" Kidd thought for a moment before replying, "I found it in a ruined Land of Legacy here in the Singularity Battlefield. I''ve never used it, but Chaos City is well-known, and all seasoned fighters are aware of it." "Spending money in Chaos City is like pouring water into a sieve. My savings can''t support it, so I''ve been holding onto the pass, hoping for the right opportunity. But now I see¡ªit''s better suited for you!" "This pass is valuable. Take these ten SSS Tomes of Skill Experience in exchange. How about that?" Velen placed ten SSS Tomes of Skill Experience into Kidd''s hands and activated the pass to leave. Watching Velen vanish and then looking at the tomes in his hands, Kidd was thrilled. "Brother Velen never lets me down. These are far more valuable than the pass!" Meanwhile, as the spatial fluctuations subsided, Velen opened his eyes to find himself in a bustling metropolis with a distinctly modern technological vibe. The sights in Chaos City were no different from those of the modern world he remembered before his rebirth! However, Velen''s sudden appearance immediately drew attention. "An Apprentice Rank awakener dares to come to Chaos City? How laughable!" "A place like this isn''t meant for ants like him!" "Exactly. How many mana stones could he possibly have? Isn''t he just wasting a pass?" As Velen admired the modern-tech aesthetic of Chaos City, its inhabitants studied him with disdain etched on their faces. Hearing their comments, Velen shook his head slightly, concluding that they were probably mentally unbalanced and ignoring them as he strolled through the futuristic city. "Hey there, where to? It''s convenient to grab a cab!" Suddenly, a yellow taxi pulled up beside Velen, and a bald, middle-aged driver grinned at him. "I''m a seasoned driver, and it''s just 5 chaos cards!" Curious, Velen asked, "Chaos cards? What are those?" "Newcomer, huh? Don''t even know what chaos cards are. What a waste of my precious time!" With that, the driver floored the gas pedal and sped away. Watching the taxi vanish into the distance, Velen shook his head slightly. The people of Chaos City certainly lacked manners! Chapter 36 - Chapter36-Ascended Rank Awakeners Can Only Work Here Velen quickly adjusted his mindset and continued wandering through Chaos City. Along the way, he saw various buildings and shops: Arena,Alchemy Guild,Forging Association,Scroll Factory,Residential areas, hotels, and more. The city was a dazzling array of everything one could imagine. Whatever Velen could think of, it was all here. After wandering for a while, Velen finally stopped in front of a grand bank. This bank exuded an imposing presence, occupying several square miles. At the entrance, a sign radiating a peculiar energy stood proudly: Chaos Bank. "Welcome, esteemed guest. How may I assist you?" As soon as he stepped into the lobby, a young woman in a business dress approached him with a lively demeanor and a gentle smile. "Do you have chaos cards here?" Velen glanced at her and asked. Since it was a bank, it should have these, right? Hearing his question, the woman''s smile faltered slightly, but she still answered, "In Chaos City, one advanced mana stone can be exchanged for a chaos card. This is the unique currency of Chaos City, and all transactions here must be made using chaos cards." One advanced mana stone for a chaos card! For other awakeners, this was an expensive luxury. But for Velen¡­ wasn''t this too cheap? At the same time, Velen noticed the woman''s ID card pinned to her chest: Name: AnnyGalaxy: Large Magellanic GalaxyRank: Ascended Rank Level 7 Though the information was simple, the fact that an Ascended Rank powerhouse was working at Chaos City to earn a living and serving an Apprentice Rank awakener like him was unimaginable in the outside world! Seeing Velen staring at her ID card, a hint of embarrassment flashed across Anny''s face. "Working here allows us to earn some chaos cards. Plus, working in Chaos City doesn''t consume our pass time, which is a great advantage for us." Velen was intrigued. "Doesn''t this waste your time? How do you find time to level up? Advanced mana stones can only be found in the Singularity Battlefield, right?" Faced with Velen''s barrage of questions, Anny decided he was a complete novice. She didn''t want to waste more time explaining and shook her head. "If you''re not here for business, please don''t disrupt my work." Advanced mana stones were rare resources. Even though they existed in the Singularity Battlefield, acquiring them in large quantities was nearly impossible. The safest and most reliable way was to work here. If she weren''t a Chaos Bank employee bound by regulations, she might have kicked Velen out already. After all, he was just an Apprentice Rank Level 9 newbie¡ªnot worth her time. "This is one billion advanced mana stones. Please exchange them all for chaos cards," Velen said, pulling out a storage bag and handing it to Anny. Anny gasped audibly, her eyes widening as she glanced inside the bag. The bag was filled to the brim with advanced mana stones¡ªone billion of them! In all her years working here, she had never seen anyone capable of producing so many advanced mana stones at once. This was likely unprecedented in Chaos City''s history! Instantly, the disdain in her heart turned into reverence. The smile on her face transformed into one of fawning respect. "Esteemed guest, please have a seat. I will process this for you immediately!" Clutching the storage bag with both hands, Anny hurried to the counter, her tone utterly deferential. While Anny processed the transaction, Velen''s mind drifted back to his experiences on Uranus Star, Ducal Manor, the Singularity Battlefield, and Chaos City. The world truly was fascinating! Now that he understood how chaos cards worked, he thought about obtaining more passes to bring Anastasia and the others here to enjoy it. Before long, Anny returned, sashaying gracefully, her demeanor both charming and respectful. "Esteemed super VIP, here is your crystal card. It contains all the chaos cards you exchanged. When you need to make a purchase, simply swipe it." "If there''s anything else you need or any questions, I''ll provide the best service for you!" To Anny, Velen was now a tycoon of the highest order. If she could gain his favor, even the smallest crumbs he gave her could be life-changing. "You seem busy with your work, so I won''t trouble you further," Velen said, shaking his head and walking away. Anny''s fawning attitude was painfully obvious, and Velen didn''t like people like her. Without another word, Velen left, thinking it was time to indulge a little. Suddenly, the pass in his possession began to glow red and burn. A spatial ripple erupted, engulfing Velen and forcibly teleporting him out of Chaos City. When Velen opened his eyes again, he was back in the Second Zone with its two suns overhead. "Kidd, that bastard! He gave me a defective pass! I was only there for half a day, and my time''s up already?" Velen''s chest heaved with frustration. It felt like dying with unspent wealth in hand¡ªutterly unfair! Looking at the crystal card in his hand, Velen sighed and rubbed his forehead. It seemed his enjoyment would have to wait. "Kidd said the pass was found in a Land of Legacy. Looks like if I want another pass, I''ll need to find one of those places," Velen muttered before quickly composing himself and deciding to search for a Land of Legacy in the Second Zone. Outside Ducal Manor, 100 KM above the sky. An elderly man with pale, vampire-like skin and a melancholic gaze suddenly appeared. His eyes gleamed as he stared at the ever-rotating Starlight Array protecting the manor, his pale face filled with surprise. What was going on? Ducal Manor wasn''t under attack, so why was the array operating at full power? Just then, Senator William appeared in front of him. Seeing the pale-skinned man, William broke into a smile. "It''s been years, you old fossil. What brings you to Ducal Manor?" The pale man sighed, the melancholy on his face fading slightly. He opened his mouth to speak but hesitated, unsure of where to begin. Fifty years. He had spent fifty years working in Chaos City. Years ago, he had stumbled upon a pass in the Singularity Battlefield and entered Chaos City. After painstakingly saving up chaos cards, he finally bought artifacts capable of weakening the Judgement of RULEs. Now that he had returned, only a short time had passed in the outside world. The surreal nature of it all left him dazed, as though an eternity had passed. Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Corner, just tell me what''s going on. We''ve been friends for years!" William said, curious about Corner''s uncharacteristic hesitation. "Forget it. Let''s talk inside Ducal Manor," Corner replied. As William led him past the array, Corner suddenly seemed to remember something and asked in shock, "William, the energy core sustaining your array¡ªare you using advanced mana stones?" William beamed with pride. "Of course! Ducal Manor has plenty of advanced mana stones now. Since you''ve come all this way, I''ll give you some later." Give me some?! Corner''s pupils contracted. Had he misheard? "William, are you insane? Advanced mana stones are incredibly precious. You don''t need to waste them on the array. Ordinary mana stones would suffice!" Seeing Corner''s stunned expression, William couldn''t help but feel a sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu. Wasn''t this what they had tried to tell Velen before? But with the 10,000,000 advanced mana stones Velen had given them, Ducal Manor had enough to last decades. There was no shortage! "These are two Thrones capable of resisting the Judgement of RULEs at Ascended Rank. Each can shield me once, meaning I only have two more Judgements of RULEs to overcome before ascending to the upper plane universe!" "Even so, such precious artifacts only cost me 500,000 advanced mana stones!" As Corner spoke, he manifested two golden Thrones in his palms. William frowned slightly. "Corner, you might''ve been scammed. The artifacts capable of resisting the Judgement of RULEs are well-documented. What on earth are these Thrones?" Chapter 37 - Chapter37-Corner: This Isn’t the Ducal Manor I Remember Seeing William''s skepticism, Corner shook his head repeatedly and explained: "There are things you simply don''t know. In the Singularity Battlefield, there''s a special pass that grants access to the mysterious Chaos City. With enough advanced mana stones, you can buy anything you want there¡ªit''s a paradise for the rich. Even Ascended Rank Level 9 elites would be willing to wash your feet for the right price!" William was stunned, unable to believe what he was hearing. He had entered the Singularity Battlefield before, but he''d never heard of Chaos City or its pass. However, he knew Corner wasn''t one to spout nonsense. The seriousness on his face made it clear he wasn''t joking. "Chaos City? Advanced mana stones are that important?" William murmured. "Exactly! Advanced mana stones are crucial. They''re the only way to exchange for chaos cards, and with chaos cards, you can buy anything and access any service in Chaos City!" Corner explained. "I worked there for fifty years just to save up enough to purchase these two Thrones. The most incredible part? When I returned, only a few days had passed in the outside world!" William''s eyes widened in shock. "Is this¡­ is this real?" "Of course it''s real! If you have a large number of advanced mana stones, don''t waste them!" Corner urged earnestly. William pondered for a moment before suddenly saying, "Then what are we waiting for? Let''s head to this Chaos City you mentioned!" If Corner was telling the truth, their 10,000,000 advanced mana stones could surely buy many valuable treasures. It would significantly boost Ducal Manor''s strength! "You can''t enter Chaos City without a pass," Corner said regretfully. "The pass I had was already difficult enough to obtain!" Passes were extremely rare, and acquiring one was a matter of sheer luck. Suddenly, as if remembering something, Corner asked curiously, "How many advanced mana stones do you have? And where did you get them?" "We have nearly 10,000,000. If I''d known about Chaos City earlier, I would have given you the pass and asked for your help," William replied, a hint of regret in his tone. Corner froze, staring blankly at William. "What did you just say? You have nearly 10,000,000 advanced mana stones?" William nodded. "Yes, all thanks to our independent senator. He''s a tycoon like none we''ve ever seen before!" "The scale of his wealth is unimaginable. He has so many advanced mana stones that he told us to keep the array running permanently. If we run out, he said we can just ask for more." What?! S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Corner was utterly dumbfounded. Where could you possibly find such a generous independent senator? 10,000,000 advanced mana stones? Even with all his collaborations with William in the Singularity Battlefield, they hadn''t found anywhere near that amount. "Can I meet him?" Corner rubbed his hands together eagerly. If this independent senator truly had so many advanced mana stones, entering Chaos City would be the perfect move! "He''s already gone into the Singularity Battlefield," William replied, shaking his head. "And you won''t be able to track him down with your special methods. He''s currently in the Second Zone." "Second Zone? An Apprentice Rank?" Corner''s heart skipped a beat. This had to be a joke! How could an Apprentice Rank individual possibly possess so many advanced mana stones? "You can choose not to believe it, but it''s the truth," William said with a shrug. "When you meet him, you''ll realize his wealth is beyond imagination." "Also, if he gets one of those passes you mentioned, we might all benefit! No one knows how many advanced mana stones he has!" "When he returns, we might witness a miracle!" In the Second Zone Velen had been searching for four hours, but he hadn''t found any trace of a Land of Legacy¡ªor even any living people or spellbeasts. Despite such a lengthy search, he had found nothing. "Damn it!" Velen gritted his teeth. "Kidd, if I see you again, I swear I''ll smack you silly!" The Land of Legacy was nowhere to be found, and the pass was even more elusive. Though he had obtained a pass earlier, Kidd''s misleading advice had caused him to waste so much time. Just as he''d begun to enjoy himself as a tycoon, he was unceremoniously kicked out. The more he thought about it, the angrier he became! "Brother Velen!" A familiar voice suddenly called out in the distance. Turning his head, Velen saw Kidd approaching and immediately stormed toward him. "Kidd! That pass you gave me only lasted half a day! Do you have any idea how much I suffered because of you?" Kidd was stunned by Velen''s words but quickly explained, "Brother, I didn''t tamper with the pass! It must''ve been used by someone else before!" "When I found the pass, it was in the possession of an old man who was gravely injured. He''d been fighting others over some treasure. I took advantage of the situation and questioned him about its use!" Hearing this, Velen studied Kidd for a moment and sensed that he wasn''t lying. If Kidd had intentionally deceived him, he wouldn''t have approached him so openly now; he would have hidden or run away. "Brother, what''s Chaos City like?" Kidd asked curiously. Though he''d found the pass, he had never dared to use it, knowing how expensive everything in Chaos City was. Entering without sufficient funds would''ve been a waste. If he ever amassed enough advanced mana stones and didn''t have a pass to enter, he''d regret it for life. Now that Velen had experienced it firsthand, Kidd was eager to know if the rumors were true. Thinking about the high-tech world of Chaos City, Velen asked, "Do you guys have advanced technology where you''re from?" The galaxies in the universe varied greatly in their technological development. Kidd blinked in confusion and asked, "Technology? What''s that?" Seeing Kidd''s ignorance, Velen shook his head. "If you don''t understand technology, I can''t explain it to you. Just remember this¡ªadvanced mana stones are incredibly important. If you get your hands on them, hold onto them tightly. They''re essential." Kidd nodded earnestly at Velen''s warning. Advanced mana stones were rare even in the Singularity Battlefield. Kidd had only managed to find a few ordinary mana stones, which couldn''t compare to advanced mana stones. At that moment, Velen''s pupils contracted as his system interface updated. Special Item: Sword of Judgement (Fragmented Version) ¨C 9,999 units! Another skill fragment! Velen was familiar with this scenario; he''d encountered the Eye of Hell earlier, which he had given to the rabbit. Distributing these fragments wouldn''t be difficult, but he needed a suitable recipient. Velen glanced at Kidd and asked, "Kidd, are you a swordsman?" "Swordsman? That''s too hard! I tried learning sword techniques before, but I just don''t have the talent," Kidd admitted, puzzled by the sudden question. Too hard? No talent? To Velen, those weren''t problems. If that was the case, he''d help Kidd out! Feeling unsettled by Velen''s intense gaze, Kidd cleared his throat and asked, "Brother Velen, is there something you need me to do?" "You just stand still," Velen said with a gentle smile. "I''m giving you a great opportunity!" A great opportunity? Kidd didn''t understand. Then he saw a strange sword energy radiating from Velen''s hand. Although it was as thin as a strand of hair, it emitted an incredibly dangerous and holy aura, as if a divine arbiter was about to deliver judgment! This was undoubtedly an extraordinarily powerful swordsman skill! As that thought crossed Kidd''s mind, the strand of sword energy entered his forehead. A terrifying Sword of Judgment skill resonated within his mind. Even though Kidd had never formally trained in swordsmanship and only heard of swordsmen, the infusion of this sword energy granted him a deep understanding of several swordsman techniques. Chapter 38 - Chapter38-I Never Wanted to Be a Swordman! Seeing that Kidd could endure fragments of the Sword of Judgement skill, Velen didn''t hold back. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. With a faint smile, he gathered more and more skill fragments into Kidd''s body. Ten! A hundred! A thousand! As the skill fragments surged endlessly through Kidd''s mind, he felt as though he were alone, facing countless hellish demons. Piercing, hoarse wails echoed endlessly in his ears. At a certain moment¡ª A single sword strike! Sword of Judgement! Endless radiance surged like white waves, crashing against the hellish demons, instantly dispersing them completely! The next moment, Kidd snapped awake, eyes wide, gasping for air! "Not bad, not bad! Congratulations! Now you''ve officially entered the realm of a swordman, and you''re only one step away from becoming a Grand Swordman at Adept Rank!" Seeing Kidd awaken, radiating a pure aura of Judgement, Velen smiled and praised him. Hearing this, Kidd was on the verge of tears. He was perfectly fine as an awakener, and now he had somehow become a swordman. Worse, he had even shown signs of advancing to wield sword aura. He didn''t want to be one of those swordmen who charged headfirst into battles. Hiding in the back, scheming, and being the sly opportunist was his true calling! But, to be fair, this Sword of Judgement was absurdly powerful! He had a strong feeling that if he could fully master it, even their Lord of the Holy Light Temple wouldn''t stand a chance against him! And that lord was a top-tier powerhouse at Ascended Rank level 9, a renowned legendary swordman! Precisely because he understood swordmen so well, Kidd felt even more unsuited for this role. After all, swordmen charged into the thick of battle, with no room for retreat. It was far too dangerous! Which swordman didn''t carry countless scars? They called them "marks of honor," but they clearly testified to how much peril they had endured! If the lord sensed the sword aura within him, Kidd was certain of one thing: The lord would undoubtedly force him to become a swordman, perhaps even take him as a saint disciple for personal guidance! Imagining himself having to charge at the forefront, fighting on the frontlines, his mouth twitched involuntarily. Looking at Velen, there was something he wasn''t sure he should say! In the end, he didn''t dare say it out loud and could only stare at Velen with a tearful expression. "Big brother, this swordman skill is so powerful¡ªwhy don''t you learn it yourself?" Velen shook his head and said, "I think I''m fine as I am now. There''s no need for me to become a swordman." Kidd: "¡­" Damn it, you don''t want to be a swordman charging into battle, so you make me one? He thought he was sly enough, but he hadn''t expected someone even slyer! Seeing Kidd''s agitated expression, Velen patted him on the shoulder and said, "No need to get so worked up, and no need to thank me. You''re my friend¡ªhelping friends is the right thing to do!" Kidd almost spat out a mouthful of blood in reverse. This was killing him¡ªboth literally and figuratively! "Congratulations, host, for demonstrating the Sword of Judgement (Broken). You''ve earned 1000 luxury points!" The system''s voice rang out, but this time there were no additional special rewards. Velen glanced at his system interface. Current luxury points: "5810!" Not bad. He wasn''t far from reaching 9000 luxury points! By then, he could instantly level up to Adept Rank level 9! Before entering the Singularity Battlefield, Velen had accepted a system mission: Eliminate one hundred Apprentice Rank level 9 spellbeasts to earn system luxury points. "Well then, it''s time to get to work. In a bit, you''ll be charging ahead, unleashing sword aura while we carve a path through. Don''t let a single Apprentice Rank level 9 spellbeast escape!" As he spoke, a chilling aura emerged above Velen''s head. A ferocious ice dragon materialized, exuding freezing air from its body, causing snowflakes to drift in the surrounding air. "Frostbreath?" Seeing the ferocious and majestic ice dragon above Velen, Kidd couldn''t help but exclaim in shock! Velen tilted his head to look at Kidd, somewhat surprised. "You recognize this skill?" Previously, when he used this skill, even the assistant steward and the duke hadn''t recognized it. They only knew it was an advanced D-level skill. "Isn''t this one of our Holy Light Temple''s obscure yet immensely powerful D-level skills? Big brother, how do you know it?" Although Kidd didn''t know the skill himself, he was quite familiar with the skills of his faction. He and Velen weren''t even from the same galaxy, yet Velen knew a skill from his faction. Clearly, something wasn''t right. Hearing this, Velen gained some insight as he looked at Kidd. Clearly, the system''s draws brought in skills from various galaxies across the universe. Velen didn''t explain much to Kidd and simply gazed ahead. "Let''s go. Time to hunt spellbeasts!" With that, Velen charged forward. As they advanced, they caused a massive stir in the Second Zone. "What a terrifying aura of Judgement! Where on earth is that guy from?" "That icy presence next to him seems even more terrifying. Even from this distance, I can feel my lungs freezing!" "These two must be geniuses from a top-tier faction. We absolutely can''t provoke them!" The aura of Judgement radiating from Kidd affected an area spanning several miles, making it difficult for many awakeners to breathe. Velen, on the other hand, seemed like the god of ice and snow. The ice dragon above his head exuded an overwhelming chill, surrounded by swirling snowflakes. No one dared to block their way or attack them. Even though they rampaged through the Second Zone, slaughtering the spellbeasts they had targeted earlier, no one dared to express anger, choosing instead to endure. For someone like Kidd, who had always preferred to lurk in the shadows, this was his first time experiencing such blatant dominance. Now he felt an exhilarating sensation rising from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head! "So this is the benefit of overwhelming power? No one dares to shout, and everyone behaves so respectfully without a hint of disrespect!" Kidd glanced around, relishing the reverent gazes from all directions, feeling a sense of superiority he had never experienced before. In the past, when he fought and plundered resources in the Singularity Battlefield, he always kept a low profile, at most attacking from the shadows. This was his first time being so openly domineering. "Big brother Velen, why don''t we set a time to enter the Singularity Battlefield together again? That way, I can stay by your side!" Kidd was well aware that his current power came from Velen. Even though his current strength was considered first-tier, if he were besieged, he''d still be done for. But with Velen around, he always had a sense of security. Even in a siege, he knew Velen had his back! "That''s not out of the question. However, the next time I enter the Singularity Battlefield, I''ll probably be heading into the Third Zone." Hearing Velen''s confident words, Kidd''s mouth twitched. "Big brother Velen, you''re way too confident. Are you saying you already feel like you''re about to level up?" "Feel like leveling up? Not quite. But when I do level up, I''ll jump straight to the next major rank. The next time you see me, I''ll probably be an Adept Rank level 9 awakener." Kidd stared wide-eyed at Velen. For awakeners, even advancing one minor level was an immense challenge. Otherwise, there wouldn''t be so many Apprentice Rank level 9 awakeners risking their lives in the dangerous Singularity Battlefield to seek resources. Yet Velen confidently claimed he''d jump nine levels in one go¡ªhow was that possible? Still, considering Velen''s abundant rare resources, perhaps he wasn''t exaggerating after all. In any case, Kidd could only respond with admiration, "Then I''ll wish you success in advance, big brother! No one can rival you!" Not long after, Velen locked onto a group of Apprentice Rank level 9 spellbeasts. "The nine Apprentice Rank level 9 spellbeasts leading the pack are mine. You can handle the rest!" After assigning tasks, Velen charged at the nearest thunder wolf. The Frostbreath above his head unleashed a surge of white, tidal-like cold air! The chill froze the ground dozens of meters ahead, forming crystalline ice! The thunder wolf didn''t even have time to struggle before it was encased in ice, resembling a vivid ice sculpture! As Velen continued to channel Frostbreath, the frozen thunder wolf shattered into icy fragments, vanishing into the wilderness. One move obliterated an Apprentice Rank level 9 thunder wolf! Kidd, standing nearby, was speechless with shock. The spellbeasts in the Singularity Battlefield were known for their ferocious strength. At the same level, they could easily take on three opponents at once. Yet Velen had obliterated one with a single move! Chapter 39 - Chapter39-300 Awakeners in the Shadow Under Kidd''s horrified gaze, Velen continued his assault! The ice dragon above his head was suddenly infused with an immense and overwhelming torrent of mana, and waves of Frostbreath poured out of its mouth one after another. The air temperature plummeted instantly, and a biting cold wind filled the surroundings. The remaining eight Apprentice Rank level 9 spellbeasts finally reacted, each unleashing their own skills to counter the freezing breath! Boom! Boom! A series of collisions erupted, chaotic mana waves rippling outward and causing the barren land to tremble slightly. Kidd''s face was filled with shock and disbelief. One against eight! And these were eight top-tier spellbeasts of the same level! Velen''s confidence was simply beyond comprehension! However, in the next moment, as gusts of icy wind spread out, all eight Apprentice Rank level 9 spellbeasts were forced back. Parts of their bodies were frozen solid in varying degrees. "How can Velen''s combat strength be this terrifying?" Kidd swallowed hard. Previously, Velen had relied on the Imprison Scroll to kill spellbeasts, making it hard to gauge his true strength. But now that Velen was truly fighting, Kidd finally understood just how monstrous Velen''s power was! Whoosh! Whoosh! Another series of Frostbreath attacks spewed from the ice dragon''s mouth, accompanied by even colder winds and a piercing howl. Kidd was utterly dumbfounded. It was common knowledge that the effectiveness of a skill wasn''t solely determined by its level¡ªhigher-level skills consumed far more mana. Frostbreath was an advanced D-level skill. For an ordinary Apprentice Rank level 9 awakener, using it once would almost completely drain their mana reserves, making it a trump card reserved for desperate situations. But Velen had not only cast it almost instantly but had also unleashed over twenty consecutive Frostbreath attacks without showing any signs of fatigue! Just how vast was the mana within Velen''s body? At this point, Kidd couldn''t even begin to fathom how terrifying Velen''s combat abilities truly were. It was far beyond anything he had ever witnessed from other geniuses! Meanwhile, awakeners from various galaxies stared in shock at Velen''s display of power. It was one thing for Velen to kill an Apprentice Rank level 9 spellbeast in one strike, but for him to wound eight such spellbeasts simultaneously and then follow up with a move that wiped them all out¡ªwhat kind of monstrous strength was that? If that Frostbreath had been aimed at them, they would undoubtedly have been frozen into statues, with no chance to resist! After recovering from his initial shock, Kidd quickly adjusted his mindset, realizing the vast disparity between himself and Velen. He then rushed toward the remaining spellbeasts. Although Kidd charged forward, he suddenly concealed himself as he neared his targets, moving like a shadow in the night. Each time he reappeared, several spellbeasts would fall to his blade. "He has such a strong aura of Judgement. Why is he, as a swordman, not using a sword to kill but instead employing assassin-like stealth skills?" Many onlookers were puzzled. "Perhaps these spellbeasts are too weak to warrant his full strength." "I think so too. What an arrogant swordman!" The murmurs of the crowd reached Kidd''s ears, and his expression became increasingly complicated. Stealth assassin skills were his true specialty! Not long after, Kidd turned his frustration into motivation, swiftly eliminating the remaining spellbeasts. Time flew by, and two days passed in the blink of an eye. Under Velen and Kidd''s relentless hunt, they soon completed their mission of killing one hundred Apprentice Rank level 9 spellbeasts. Velen had no interest in the spoils, such as the spellbeasts'' pelts or mana stones, leaving them all behind. Kidd, influenced by Velen''s gift of the SSS Tomes of Skill Experience and Sword of Judgement, had also grown indifferent to such ordinary items. "Congratulations, host, for killing one hundred Apprentice Rank level 9 spellbeasts and completing the system task!" "Reward: 5000 luxury points!" Velen was very satisfied. Adding this to his previous 5000-plus luxury points, he now had over 10,000 luxury points in total! He then turned to Kidd and asked the system, "Kidd has served me well as a follower over the past couple of days. Giving him 200,000 advanced mana stones seems reasonable, doesn''t it?" Kidd''s performance over the past two days had been impeccable, and Velen planned to reward him generously while also using the act to gain some luxury points. "Relationship too shallow. Amount of advanced mana stones excessive." The system''s response didn''t surprise Velen¡ªoffering 200,000 advanced mana stones had merely been a test. "Then how about 100,000 advanced mana stones? That''s not too much, is it?" This time, the system did not respond, which clearly meant it was permissible. It seemed that the amount of mana stones Velen could distribute depended heavily on the recipient''s level and status. "Big brother Velen, I''ve been in the Singularity Battlefield for far too long. I need to head back soon!" At the mention of parting, Kidd''s mood soured. If he didn''t have a faction backing him, he could have stayed here indefinitely. However, he had been here for so long that if he didn''t return soon, his faction would likely assume he had perished in the Singularity Battlefield. Velen roughly understood his situation, as the duke had briefly mentioned it during their journey here. Spending too much time in the Singularity Battlefield without sending any messages could cause others to worry about potential accidents. "We''ll probably meet again in the future. Here''s 100,000 advanced mana stones as a farewell gift." Velen handed Kidd a storage pouch and then waved him off before leaving on his own. "Big brother Velen, we''ll definitely meet again¡ªdefinitely!" Kidd clutched the storage pouch tightly, activated his thoughts, and vanished from the scene. As Kidd disappeared, Velen heard the system notification in his ears. "Congratulations, host, for successfully flaunting wealth. Reward: 200 luxury points. Sword of Judgement (Broken)¡ª9999 fragments." Hearing the system''s voice, Velen was momentarily stunned. Again? After some thought, Velen decided to use the fragments himself. System rewards couldn''t be exchanged for luxury points, after all. Immediately, fragments of the Sword of Judgement skill began to merge into Velen''s body. At the same time, hundreds of awakeners gathered nearby. "That guy with the strong aura of Judgement has left. He must have plenty of valuable treasures on him!" "He was so arrogant earlier. He''s bound to have a lot of good stuff on him. If we all attack together, we''ll split the spoils based on luck. What do you think?" "Good idea. Over the past two days, he''s killed so many spellbeasts. His stamina must be greatly depleted!" The awakeners here were all geniuses who had sensed Velen''s overwhelming power. They were intensely curious about him, convinced he carried countless secrets and treasures. Thus, they had been tailing him all along. Now that the powerful individual by Velen''s side was gone, they believed this was their best chance to take him down! After all, there were 300 awakeners gathered here, with nearly 200 of them at Apprentice Rank level 9! Together, they were an unstoppable force in the Second Zone! "Attack together! We''ve got the advantage with our numbers!" Amid the roars of several individuals, the group began to close in on Velen. At that moment, Velen had absorbed even more fragments of the Sword of Judgement. "So this is the Sword of Judgement? As expected of a system reward¡ªit''s incredible!" After fully absorbing the fragments, Velen suddenly opened his eyes, which now glinted with a cold and ruthless light. He resembled a deity of judgment, gazing down upon the mortals below! "Have they set their sights on me?" As Velen finished absorbing the fragments, he immediately sensed the approaching geniuses converging from all directions, as dense as an impenetrable tide, leaving him no escape route. The chilling auras emanating from them locked onto him from afar. "Perfect timing. Let''s see how powerful the Sword of Judgement truly is!" S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Velen''s expression turned icy as he raised his right hand. A longsword formed purely of radiant light materialized in his grip. The blade''s brilliance was dazzling, and the moment it appeared, Velen''s aura of judgment spread rapidly, enveloping everyone in the vicinity! In an instant, all the awakeners who felt the overwhelming aura had their scalps tingle. A sense of impending death surged within them, growing stronger the closer they got to Velen. Their mana was being suppressed with relentless force. Under the suppression of the aura of Judgement, they were like mortals gazing upon a god. Some of the weaker awakeners even broke down emotionally under the immense pressure. The weight was simply unbearable. Aura of Judgement! The 300-plus awakeners, now suppressed, stared at Velen in shock. They hadn''t expected that this icy figure, who had earlier unleashed the terrifying ice dragon, also wielded such a horrifying aura of Judgement. Those who had charged ahead and reached Velen first were now utterly horrified. Velen''s strength was already evident when he casually wiped out the Apprentice Rank level 9 spellbeasts earlier. Now, with the addition of this devastating aura of Judgement, they felt no hope of victory. In fact, many had a strong intuition that Velen''s displayed abilities were far from his full strength¡ªhe likely had even more terrifying cards to play. This kind of monstrous talent was not someone they could afford to provoke! In an instant, the awakeners whose courage had crumbled began to regret their decisions and sought to flee. "You''ve chosen to attack me, so none of you will leave here alive!" Velen''s gaze remained cold as he spoke. Above his head, the ice dragon let out a furious roar, unleashing another torrent of Frostbreath that froze the approaching awakeners into statues of ice. As the dozens of awakeners at the forefront turned into ice sculptures, the remaining individuals, still under the suppression of the aura of Judgement, finally snapped out of their shock, their faces filled with terror. "All attack together! As strong as he is, we might still stand a chance if we work as one!" "This guy is too brutal! If we don''t unite, we''re all going to die here!" The surviving awakeners were all on edge, their emotions running high. They gathered their mana, resisting the aura of Judgement as best they could, and unleashed their most powerful skills against Velen. However, as the torrents of mana attacks approached within ten meters of Velen¡ª Dense, intricate mana patterns appeared around him, resembling miniature black holes, endlessly devouring the surrounding mana. Moments later, a surging torrent of mana erupted within his body, and pure white sword beams shot out, obliterating all incoming attacks. Even after neutralizing the enemy''s attacks, the sword beams didn''t lose their momentum, surging toward the crowd! Ahhh! Screams of agony rang out ceaselessly. Any awakener struck by the sword beams was instantly sliced into fragments, their bodies disintegrating on the spot. Feeling the surging mana within him, Velen let out a furious roar, activating all his skills at once! Thunder Descent! Angel Slash! Meteor Fist! One terrifying attack after another erupted, turning the area into a chaotic storm of mana! "Another D-level advanced skill!" "What other cards does this guy have up his sleeve?!" "Four different elemental mana attacks! What kind of monstrous mana core is this guy working with?!" As they watched Velen, like a human cannon spewing out skill after skill, the surviving awakeners were utterly stupefied, their hearts filled with despair. The Velen before them wasn''t human. These terrifying skills, combined with the endless mana surges, marked him as a true monster! None of the geniuses they had encountered before could even compare. What fools they were to challenge such a terrifying creature! Boom! Boom! Amid the deafening explosions, the battlefield was left littered with corpses. Velen swept his gaze across the mangled remains strewn across the barren land, his expression indifferent. Survival of the fittest, the law of the jungle. This was the unchanging iron rule. Enemies must be eradicated. Power was the ultimate truth! As Velen prepared to leave, a tall woman in a pure white gown suddenly appeared. A single strand of hair stuck up from her head, giving her an air of innocence and naivety. Looking timid, she asked softly, "Angel Slash¡­ Are you from the Angel Temple?" Velen hadn''t expected someone else to recognize his skill. He turned to look at her and, sensing no hostility, replied coldly, "I am. Who are you?" The woman had a stunning appearance, yet there was an inexplicable air of cluelessness about her. Upon hearing that Velen was from the Angel Temple, the woman''s lips curved into a faint smile. "My name is Belle. I''m from Celestia Academy!" "Celestia Academy?" Velen muttered, then shook his head. "Is that supposed to be famous? Never heard of it." Belle''s smile froze, and she tilted her head in confusion, sizing up Velen. "You''re from the Angel Temple. How can you not know Celestia Academy?" Velen retorted, "Why should I know it?" Belle was momentarily stunned before asking again, "Are you sure you''re from the Angel Temple?" "What''s your name? I''m starting to feel like you''re not really from the temple." Velen ignored her and turned to leave. Watching his departing figure, Belle''s expression grew complicated. Four elemental mana types. Intricate and dense mana patterns. Three D-level advanced skills. And an unfathomable aura of Judgement. This young man was terrifying. If allowed to grow, he would undoubtedly become a legendary figure on the battleboards, perhaps even ranking in the top ten! Maybe even the top five wasn''t out of reach! How could such a heaven-defying genius be allowed to slip through her fingers? Belle smiled and began to chase after Velen. "What''s your name? I already told you mine. Isn''t it rude not to tell me yours?" "If my earlier questions offended you, I apologize." "With your talent, the Singularity Battlefield probably doesn''t offer much benefit to you anymore. If there''s anything you need, just let me know. Maybe I can help!" Walking up beside Velen, Belle spoke softly. Velen turned his head to look at her, his voice cold. "If you don''t leave now, don''t blame me for being rude!" "You can''t kill me, you know," Belle replied confidently, a faint smile on her face. "My level isn''t Hero Rank level 9. It''s sealed by an artifact. If you attack me and I break the seal, I could kill you and still be forcibly teleported out afterward." Chapter 40 - Chapter40-This Guy Is Simply a Monster Velen was momentarily stunned as he listened to Belle''s words, staring at her in disbelief. Belle didn''t seem very old, so how could her level be so terrifying? Unable to believe it, Velen hurriedly asked the system, "Is it true? She''s about the same age as me. How could she be so powerful?" The system replied, "She is indeed Hero Rank level 9, and the sealing artifact is the diamond pendant she wears around her neck." Hearing this, Velen was even more surprised. Belle was truly extraordinarily gifted! At such a young age, to have reached such an awe-inspiring level of power¡ªshe was already on par with Anastasia! "I''m from Uranus Star, part of the Watchers'' Legion. My name is Velen. Never heard of it, have you?" Velen looked at her and added, "Good, you''re not supposed to have heard of it!" With that, he turned and left. "Uranus Star, Watchers'' Legion?" Belle muttered to herself. Indeed, she had never heard of such a place. It must be a small planet, she thought. And as for the name Velen, it was completely unfamiliar to her. "You must be from some remote corner of the galaxy, right? Places like that usually don''t even have teleportation bases. How do you possess such talent and strength?" Belle continued following him, her curiosity about Velen growing deeper. Velen glanced at her chest and said, "If you want to know, hand over the diamond necklace you''re wearing first." At first, Belle thought Velen was a pervert staring at her chest, but she quickly realized he had seen through her disguise! Her expression shifted slightly¡ªshe had underestimated Velen. Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After all, her disguise had never been seen through before. "I''ve never heard of Uranus Star, but you must be from Titan Galaxy, right? Have you heard of the House of von Michelstein?" "The House of von Michelstein is one of the most prestigious forces in Titan Galaxy. If you leave your so-called Watchers'' Legion, I can help you join the House of von Michelstein. It would be greatly beneficial to you!" Belle said confidently. Hearing this, Velen looked at her with a surprised expression. She seemed to have a close connection with the House of von Michelstein. House of von Michelstein? Velen''s expression turned a little odd. While he didn''t know much about other galaxies, there was only one House of von Michelstein in Titan Galaxy! "You know the House of von Michelstein? What''s your relationship with Duke Michelstein?" Velen asked slowly, looking at her. "Duke Michelstein is my father!" Belle crossed her arms and looked down at Velen, as if expecting him to be dumbfounded. After all, in Titan Galaxy, the Ducal Manor was a giant, its fame widespread. Surely Velen, someone from a small corner of Titan Galaxy, would be utterly shocked. Indeed, upon hearing her words, Velen''s face showed genuine astonishment. This person was actually Anthony''s daughter! Now that he looked closely, she did resemble Anthony to some extent. "What''s your relationship with Anastasia?" After his initial shock, Velen quickly asked. Anastasia was also Anthony''s daughter, but she had never mentioned Belle before. "You know my sister?" Belle looked at Velen suspiciously. She was well aware of her sister''s reputation in Titan Galaxy. Few dared to address her by name, as most referred to her respectfully as "the Little Duchess." Sister? Velen''s astonishment grew, and he nodded. "Of course I know her. We''re quite close. The Watchers'' Legion on Uranus Star was established by your sister. She''s the captain, and I''m the vice-captain!" Upon hearing this, Belle was even more taken aback. She knew her sister''s talent and pride. Almost no one could catch her eye, and she was only interested in leveling up. How could she place such importance on Velen? Curious, Belle pressed Velen for more details about his history with Anastasia. When Velen mentioned that he had been recognized as an independent senator by the five senators of the House of von Michelstein, Belle was utterly dumbfounded. She knew very well that while her father, Anthony, held the highest apparent authority in the Ducal Manor, the real power lay with the five senators of the council. If Velen was truly an independent senator, his status was equal to the other senators. Even she would have to address him as "Senator" and bow in his presence! The fact that Velen was also a friend of her sister made it even more complicated. She could casually address him by name as a friend, but as a senator, she couldn''t speak so informally. Once Velen confirmed her identity, he couldn''t help but take a closer look at her and chuckled. "I never expected the House of von Michelstein to have such a talented member. This senator is quite impressed!" Belle''s cheeks turned red with indignation at Velen''s cheeky adoption of his senator identity to take advantage of her. "What kind of senator has such poor decorum?!" Seeing Belle''s annoyed expression, Velen smiled. At the same time, he began pondering what kind of gift would be appropriate for such a talented member of the Ducal Manor. Not only was she Anastasia''s sister, but she was also a top-tier talent from the Ducal Manor. Giving her something like an SSS Tome of Skill Experience seemed too plain and unworthy of his tycoon status. As for the Afterlife Flower, he didn''t have many left, and both Kevin and Robert had been eyeing them for some time. A Starry Stone? That was something he still needed, and Belle probably didn''t have much use for it. What about giving her some dragon blood? After all, from Belle''s aura, he sensed the same suffocating pressure he felt when facing Senator Jake''s powerful physique. "Belle, are you a berserker?" Velen asked. Belle glanced at him in surprise. "How did you know?" She had completely concealed her aura, so other awakeners shouldn''t have been able to discern it. After receiving confirmation from Belle, Velen''s lips twitched. A seemingly frail and delicate young woman was actually a berserker. He could hardly imagine what she''d look like in combat¡ªdid she turn into a humanoid T-Rex? "Although I feel like you''re not lying, the position of independent senator is extremely important. The council wouldn''t grant it lightly. I still need to confirm this with the Ducal Manor. If you''re lying¡­" Belle glared at Velen as if trying to etch his face into her memory. Before she could finish her sentence, Velen opened his palm, revealing a blood-red orb that radiated an intense and pure vitality. A domineering dragon aura emanated from it. Dragon blood! The moment she saw it, Belle instantly recognized it. Her pupils constricted in shock. For berserkers like her, the blood of spellbeasts provided immense benefits. Dragon blood, in particular, was the ultimate elixir! "This is from a dark dragon that reached Ascended Rank level 9. You should know how precious its blood is. Call me Senator Velen, and I''ll give you a drop." "If you doubt my identity and don''t want to say it, then forget it¡­" As he spoke, Velen made a show of withdrawing the blood. Belle''s gaze was already glued to the dragon blood. Seeing Velen about to take it back, she quickly exclaimed, "When did I ever doubt the independent senator? Senator Velen is a member of the Ducal Manor''s council, and of course, I should greet him properly when I see him! Senator Velen is the best¡­" Toward the end, Belle even adopted a playful, coquettish tone, her voice sweet and charming, making Velen''s heartbeat quicken. "Very good! That''s the kind of talent worthy of the Ducal Manor!" Velen said, clearly satisfied, as he handed over ten drops of dragon blood to her. Belle stared at the dragon blood in disbelief, her mouth agape. This was dragon blood! And not just any dragon blood¡ªAscended Rank dragon blood! Velen had just handed it over to her, and not just one drop, but ten! From that moment on, Belle no longer had any doubts about Velen''s identity as a senator. Someone who could casually produce ten drops of dragon blood had no reason to lie to her! Moments earlier, she had thought Velen was just a bumpkin from some backwater planet. Now, it seemed she was the one who looked like an ignorant native! As Belle dazedly accepted the ten drops of dragon blood, Velen chuckled. At the same time, he grew curious. Since Belle was a berserker, could she also be a blacksmith? Many berserkers learned forging skills. After all, blacksmiths, like alchemists, were highly respected and lucrative professions. With that in mind, Velen deliberately tossed a Starry Stone into the air and caught it again. "Starry Stone!?" Belle instantly recognized the item and gasped, her body trembling with excitement. This item was incredibly rare and priceless! "Do you want this Starry Stone?" Belle nodded repeatedly. Who wouldn''t want something so precious? Velen, however, shook his head. "Even if you want it, I''m not planning to give it away right now." Belle: ¡­ If you''re not going to give it away, why flaunt it? What''s the point of showing off? Belle gritted her teeth, glaring at Velen with indignation. Seeing her reaction, Velen burst out laughing. Letting her experience the harsh realities of life early on¡ªhe figured it was a small contribution he could make as a senator for the Ducal Manor. Watching him laugh, Belle clenched her delicate fists. If it had been anyone else, she might have taken action to snatch the item. But Velen was an independent senator, and she couldn''t act recklessly¡ªespecially since he was also her sister''s friend. How could this guy have so many treasures? "Senator Velen, how did you meet my sister?" "And how did you become an independent senator?" Belle eventually suppressed her frustration and voiced her confusion. She knew her sister too well. Since childhood, Anastasia had only cared about leveling up and reaching the upper plane universe. She hated dealing with unnecessary trouble and paid no attention to matters within the Ducal Manor. How could she have become friends with Velen? And as for the Ducal Manor¡ªone of Titan Galaxy''s most prestigious forces¡ªeven the most talented individuals struggled to gain entry. How had someone as young as Velen become a high-ranking independent senator? None of it added up! Velen patted his chest and said, "At the end of the day, it''s because I have just a little too much money." "Becoming your sister''s vice-captain cost me 100,000 gold coins. As for becoming an independent senator, that required 10 million advanced mana stones and an enhanced version of the Starlight Array." Hearing this, Belle frowned. Why did Velen''s explanation sound so unreliable? "Velen, do you really think I''m that gullible?" "Advanced mana stones are incredibly rare. The output across all galaxies is extremely limited. Even in the Singularity Battlefield, they''re hard to come by. The most top-tier factions can produce each year is around 1,000 stones, yet you''re talking about 10 million? That''s absurd!" Chapter 41 - Chapter41-My First Mentee A voice full of authority came from not far away. Shortly after, a curvaceous woman with a pear-shaped figure approached slowly, her eyes coldly fixed on Velen. "Ten million advanced mana stones? Even if you sold the entire House of von Michelstein, you wouldn''t be able to gather that much. Kid, your words are far too arrogant." "Mentor!" Seeing the newcomer, Belle''s face immediately showed a hint of respect. Looking at the defiant woman, Velen shook his head slightly and said, "The universe is vast, full of wonders. Just because you don''t have ten million advanced mana stones doesn''t mean others can''t. That logic doesn''t hold up, does it?" The woman chuckled coldly and said, "I''m the headmaster of Celestia Academy. Across all galaxies, few forces can take out tens of thousands of advanced mana stones at once. And you, an Apprentice Rank level 9 awakener, think you can?" Seeing the conflict brewing between her mentor and Velen, Belle immediately tried to mediate. "Velen, my mentor is a pragmatic person who doesn''t like people who boast. Maybe tone it down a bit?" "I''m only speaking the truth. Your mentor''s vision is far too narrow. I suggest you leave this so-called Celestia Academy. It''s clearly not worth much!" Velen''s tone turned cold, clearly displeased with the headmaster''s attitude. Feeling belittled, Caitlin sneered, "Big words. If you have the ability, show me ten million advanced mana stones. Let me see it with my own eyes." Velen laughed in exasperation and stared at her. "If I really show it to you, what then?" Caitlin snorted. "If you can actually produce that many advanced mana stones, I''ll become your mentee and give you an even more prestigious title. How about that?" "Deal!" Velen glanced at Belle. "Your mentor is so full of herself. Today, I''ll give her a proper lesson!" S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. With that, Velen pulled a storage pouch from his pocket. "These ten million advanced mana stones are my welcome gift to you, my first mentee. Take them." "Congratulations, host, for successfully flaunting wealth. Reward: 10 Starry Stones, 100 drops of dragon blood, and 5 class upgrade books (limited to the swordman class)." Hearing the system''s notification, Velen was quite pleased. Someone dared to boast in front of him, the ultimate tycoon? They needed to be shown their place! At that moment, Caitlin''s breath caught as she looked at the storage pouch Velen handed over. What did she see? Inside the pouch were advanced mana stones stacked neatly, like towering walls! With just one glance, she was certain. The advanced mana stones in this pouch totaled no less than ten million! This man had actually produced ten million advanced mana stones! It was well-known that even with the Celestia Academy''s millennia of accumulated resources, their total advanced mana stones barely reached a million. After all, most advanced mana stones came from the Singularity Battlefield, and acquiring them was incredibly difficult. To purchase advanced mana stones, one couldn''t simply use gold coins or ordinary mana stones¡ªthey had to trade exceptionally rare resources, and even then, few were willing to part with them! "How¡­ how can you possibly have so many advanced mana stones?!" Even after confirming the contents of the pouch, Caitlin couldn''t believe it was real. Celestia Academy spanned several galaxies, a colossal entity far more powerful than the House of von Michelstein. Even they couldn''t produce ten million advanced mana stones! And yet, Velen, a mere Apprentice Rank level 9 awakener, had them. How? Seeing Caitlin''s disbelief, Velen replied calmly, "I told you, the universe is vast, and there''s much you haven''t seen." "Besides these advanced mana stones, let me show you a few other treasures." As he spoke, Velen revealed a Starry Stone, some dragon blood, and an Afterlife Flower. Caitlin''s eyes widened in shock at the sight of these rare treasures. The Starry Stone was already an incredibly precious forging material, and Velen had fifteen of them! The dragon blood radiated an overwhelming draconic pressure, and Velen had over two hundred drops! How many dragons had to be slain to extract so much dragon blood? Then there was the Afterlife Flower¡ªa treasure considered a second life for Ascended Rank awakeners. Many would go to any lengths to obtain just one. Any one of these items could cause a galaxy-wide commotion, yet Velen had them all in abundance! As Caitlin stared in stunned silence at the dazzling array of treasures, Velen pulled out five books emitting a sharp aura. "Right, these are called class upgrade books. They can significantly enhance class experience. You''ve probably never seen one before, have you?" With that, Velen absorbed one of the class upgrade books. Instantly, the aura of judgment around him surged violently. Above his head appeared an angel wielding a pure white longsword, radiating infinite light. The brilliance illuminated everything around them in pure white. Grand Swordman! Seeing this phenomenon, both Caitlin and Belle were left speechless, their mouths agape. They had sensed Velen''s aura earlier and knew he was just a newly initiated swordman. But now, with just one class upgrade book, he had instantly advanced an entire rank, becoming a grand swordman! This was utterly unheard of¡ªnothing like this had ever happened before! Velen''s depth and resources were beyond their comprehension. Caitlin''s expression grew complicated. Though she didn''t want to admit it, the treasures Velen had displayed far exceeded her understanding. Her knowledge truly seemed shallow by comparison. After a moment of internal struggle, Caitlin sighed softly and said with some reluctance, "Today, I was in the wrong. From now on, you''ll be my mentor. However, this is unrelated to the academy¡ªit''s a personal matter." With that, she placed her left hand on her chest and bowed deeply to Velen at a perfect ninety-degree angle, performing a formal mentee''s salute. After roaming the universe for so many years, Caitlin never expected that today she would end up bowing to someone like Velen, an Apprentice Rank awakener! Her new mentor was truly unfathomable! How could this happen?! Seeing this, Belle felt her mind go blank. Just moments ago, she and Velen were peers. Now, she was two levels below him! Her mentor had become Velen''s mentee, which meant¡­ Velen was now her mentor? Turning to look at Velen, Belle suddenly didn''t know how to face him anymore. "Congratulations, host, on acquiring your first mentee. Rewards: 100 Delirium Petals, 100 Wraithwoods, 100 bottles of Soul Potion, and 100 Netherbone Pearls." "As a tycoon, your mentees must also flaunt wealth to the fullest. When your mentees flaunt wealth successfully, the host will also receive rewards!" Hearing the system''s notification, Velen was delighted. He hadn''t expected that taking on mentees would yield rewards and that when his mentees flaunted wealth, he would benefit as well! This system was truly something he had underestimated! Quickly, Velen turned his attention to the system''s rewards. He didn''t recognize any of the items. However, judging by their names, they seemed far from ordinary and likely had dark or sinister properties¡ªcompletely opposite to the light-based attributes of Celestia Academy. "By the way, do you recognize this?" Velen asked as he took out a Delirium Petal from the system space. The Delirium Petal looked like it bore a twisted human face on its surface. Just looking at it brought eerie wailing sounds to their ears. "Delirium Petal?!" Seeing the strange flower in Velen''s hand, both Caitlin and Belle gasped in shock, their eyes widening. As members of Celestia Academy, they were naturally familiar with such dark artifacts. After all, Celestia Academy specialized in purifying corruption to enhance their power. The more sinister the artifact, the greater the potential boost to their abilities. It was said that Delirium Petals only grew in places where ancient deities had fallen. These evil flowers could distort the souls of those who saw them. If purified with holy light, they could significantly strengthen their holy power! Both women stared at Velen with intense excitement. This was something they had always dreamed of obtaining! Seeing their eager expressions, Velen realized that the system''s rewards were indeed extraordinary. Chapter 42 - Chapter42-Tycoon Club! "Delirium Petal may be an extremely evil item that stirs up malice in the hearts of others, but for us at Celestia Academy, it''s a great resource for self-improvement," Caitlin said, her gaze filled with joy as she looked at Velen. She hadn''t expected to receive such a treasure right after becoming his mentee! In the entire history of Celestia Academy, sightings of Delirium Petals could be counted on one hand! Velen glanced at Caitlin. "Caitlin, since you''re my first mentee, I''ll surely have more mentees in the future. There need to be some rules, and you''ll have to set an example." Seeing Velen''s serious expression, Caitlin was taken aback. "Aren''t you a senator of the Ducal Manor? Are you planning to establish another force?" Velen thought for a moment and replied, "It''s not exactly a force. It''s just a group of my mentees who will eventually form the Tycoon Club, with members spread across various galaxies!" This was a bold idea that had suddenly come to Velen''s mind. "Congratulations, host, on successfully forming the Tycoon Club. Rewards: 100,000 luxury points. Arrival and Council functionalities unlocked." Council Functionality: A special communication method for the Tycoon Club. Members can contact the host through the council, and the host can issue orders to members via this feature. Arrival Functionality: As the Tycoon Club''s mentor and head, the host can teleport to a club member''s location, regardless of distance, and return to the original position after one hour. After understanding the system''s rewards, Velen couldn''t suppress the grin spreading across his face. First, there were the 100,000 luxury points. It had taken him significant time and effort to accumulate just 10,000 luxury points, but now the system had rewarded him with 100,000 luxury points all at once! Moreover, the Tycoon Club''s functionalities were incredibly powerful and practical! The council functionality allowed for seamless communication among members, but it was the arrival functionality that was truly game-changing. No matter the distance, he could instantly appear beside a member. This meant that even if the member were located across several galaxies, Velen could reach them immediately! "Not bad, not bad. With these two functions, it''s only a matter of time before the Tycoon Club becomes known throughout the universe!" The more Velen thought about it, the more excited he became. What had once been a plain and simple tycoon''s life was suddenly becoming interesting! Meanwhile, Belle and Caitlin couldn''t help but feel a bit speechless as they noticed Velen''s mysterious smile, especially when he mentioned the "Tycoon Club." Setting aside the club''s purpose, the name itself was far too tacky. It sounded like something from a red-light district. Caitlin, in particular, couldn''t imagine introducing herself as a member of the Tycoon Club without becoming a laughingstock. Just as Caitlin and Belle were contemplating how to dissuade Velen, they saw him suddenly produce a large pile of Delirium Petals! An extremely sinister aura swept through the area, making their mana surge with a hunger for confrontation. "So many Delirium Petals?" Caitlin gulped, unable to believe her eyes. There had to be at least a hundred of them! Delirium Petals were exceedingly rare¡ªencountering just one was already a stroke of luck. And yet, Velen¡ªno, her mentor¡ªhad casually brought out a hundred of them at once! For a brief moment, she seemed to understand why the club was called the Tycoon Club. "Caitlin, now that you''re a member of the Tycoon Club, I''m entrusting these Delirium Petals to you. How would you handle them?" Velen''s sudden question left Caitlin momentarily stunned. What exactly was he asking? But now that she was his mentee, she composed herself, looked at him seriously, and gave her honest opinion. "These are precious items given to me by my mentor. As a mentee, I would safeguard them carefully and only use one in times of absolute necessity. Moreover, since they belong to my mentor and the Tycoon Club, I would ensure they aren''t used by anyone else." To her, this response was completely logical. But the moment she finished speaking, Velen shook his head repeatedly. "If I gave you something, it''s meant to be used. Why are you saving it?!" "We''re the Tycoon Club. Do your actions live up to that name?" Faced with Velen''s scolding, Caitlin was utterly bewildered. She knew the club''s name was Tycoon Club, but was she really supposed to act like some extravagant, nouveau riche spender? Moreover, as someone accustomed to her lofty status, she was used to reprimanding others, not being reprimanded herself! Now, however, she was being scolded by Velen, seemingly without reason. She was indignant! Noticing her displeasure, Velen asked, "The evil power within Delirium Petals won''t affect you, will it?" "Of course not. Celestia Academy specializes in countering such dark artifacts. Purifying Delirium Petals serves as a cleansing process for our minds and mana. Even the emotional impact of their evil power can be a form of catharsis, making our hearts more transparent and pure." As the headmaster of Celestia Academy, Caitlin spoke with absolute confidence about purification. Hearing this, Velen said earnestly, "Since Delirium Petals are so beneficial to you, you should carry some as incense and burn them constantly!" "When you''re upset, burn a Delirium Petal like fireworks to lift your spirits. And when you''re happy, burn even more to celebrate!" At these words, Caitlin felt like she was about to lose her mind. Delirium Petals were so rare and precious that even seeing one was a miracle. Before meeting Velen, she had never even laid eyes on one. How could he suggest using them so frivolously? Seeing Caitlin''s resistance, Velen shook his head in disappointment. It seemed it would take some time for Caitlin to adopt the superior habits of a tycoon like him. "Mentor, even if you have a lot of Delirium Petals, the way you''re suggesting would use them all up in two days!" Caitlin struggled to suppress her frustration as she spoke as calmly as possible. Seeing that her mindset hadn''t changed, Velen immediately took out 100 Wraithwoods, 100 bottles of Soul Potion, and 100 Netherbone Pearls from his system space. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "If you run out of Delirium Petals, so be it. I have plenty of other items like these. There''s nothing worth cherishing!" Caitlin was utterly stunned by the new items Velen had taken out. Wraithwoods, Soul Potions, and Netherbone Pearls¡ªall of them were incredibly rare, sinister artifacts! If purified with holy light, they would undoubtedly elevate the power of the light to unimaginable levels. Celestia Academy had spent enormous amounts of resources offering rewards for these treasures, yet even over centuries, or millennia, they had failed to acquire them. And now, these precious items were casually piled on the ground by Velen! When she realized that Velen intended to use these treasures as freely as the Delirium Petals, her heart ached so much she nearly decided to confiscate them to ensure they were properly preserved. "You don''t need to be so emotional. Since you''re my mentee and the face of the Tycoon Club, I won''t treat you poorly!" "These items are all for you, but you must promise to use them lavishly, just as I''ve described. Don''t be stingy¡ªdon''t embarrass me as your mentor!" Hearing this, Caitlin didn''t know whether to feel happy or sad. These were items she had dreamed of for years! But now, Velen wanted her to squander them all, and she couldn''t help but feel conflicted. "Don''t overthink it. In the Tycoon Club, we act in ways that make others envious of us!" "I''ll be able to provide you with even more of these items in the future, so just use them up now." "And by the way, the ten million advanced mana stones I gave you? Don''t save them. Spend lavishly! Raise the salaries of Celestia Academy''s mentors, mentees, and staff by at least ten times. You''re part of the Tycoon Club now¡ªyou need to live up to that status!" Watching Velen speak so passionately, Caitlin felt her worldview being completely upended. Just how wealthy was this mentor of hers to say such things?! Chapter 43 - Chapter43-Do You Need Me to Teach You How to Spend Money? Seeing Caitlin''s stunned expression, Velen rubbed his forehead. His mentee was clearly intelligent, yet she seemed clumsy when it came to flaunting wealth and extravagance. She was the headmaster of Celestia Academy, a renowned figure across galaxies¡ªher status required the appropriate level of pomp and prestige! However, since Caitlin was his first mentee, Velen didn''t want to press her too much. She would need time to adapt and gradually change her ways. "Take your time and figure it out. Also, let me pass on two things to you," Velen said as he placed a finger on Caitlin''s forehead. He linked her with the system''s Arrival and Council functionalities. Caitlin froze momentarily, then quickly returned to her senses. As she looked at Velen again, her eyes were filled with immense shock. She didn''t know exactly what Velen had done, but a strange feeling suddenly welled up within her. In her mind, she felt as though a spiritual council hall had been constructed, where she could communicate directly with Velen through her mental energy. Moreover, she sensed a unique bond forming between her and Velen. It was as if he could appear by her side with a single thought, becoming her strongest support and protector! She had already found Velen enigmatic, but now he seemed to be shrouded in even more layers of mystery, making him even harder to fathom. After a moment of silence, Caitlin suddenly looked at Velen and asked, "Mentor, is the core principle of our Tycoon Club all about flaunting wealth?" Hearing Caitlin directly point out the club''s core idea, Velen immediately nodded in approval. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Exactly! Flaunt wealth boldly. If you have money but don''t let people know, are you really a tycoon? Let''s flaunt wealth and make everyone else jealous!" "Mentor, I understand. I will follow your instructions and make sure the Tycoon Club''s reputation spreads to every corner of the universe!" Velen''s profound mystery and immense strength only made Caitlin more confident. She concluded that following her mentor''s instructions would never lead to any problems! In fact, just listening to Velen''s ideas about flaunting wealth made her feel inexplicably pleased. Belle, on the other hand, watched as her mentor Caitlin underwent a complete shift in mentality. She didn''t know how to react. Caitlin, who had always been frugal and disciplined, now seemed as though Velen had introduced her to an entirely new world! "Well done, Caitlin. I believe in you. You''ll surely make the Tycoon Club known across the universe!" Velen was delighted. Having such a high-ranking mentee to help flaunt wealth would undoubtedly earn him more luxury points and system rewards! Moreover, he had found his new source of fun¡ªexpanding the Tycoon Club! Of course, while expansion was necessary, only the most exceptional individuals would be chosen to join. Kidd, for example, had shown some potential. However, whether or not he would cross paths with Velen again remained to be seen. If they did meet again, Velen thought it might be fate. He could bring Kidd into the Tycoon Club and make him his mentee¡ªit would surely be an interesting experience! Meanwhile, Belle looked at Velen and Caitlin, both smiling with satisfaction. She felt as though her world was spinning. They both seemed mentally unhinged. One was her sister''s friend, and the other was her mentor! If she stayed with them any longer, Belle feared she might lose her sanity as well. "Belle, here''s ten million advanced mana stones. If you spend them all quickly, I''ll give you ten drops of dragon blood," Velen said, handing her a storage pouch. ?? Belle''s eyes widened in disbelief. Was Velen trying to turn her into someone like him? She didn''t like it. But the ten million advanced mana stones were right in front of her, and completing the task would earn her ten drops of dragon blood! Who could resist such temptation? "Velen, thank you! I''ll make sure to complete the task as quickly as possible!" Belle said, patting her chest in assurance. Velen wasn''t surprised by her response. As his mentee''s mentee, Belle also needed to learn the art of flaunting wealth! "By the way, Mentor, the time limit on the artifacts suppressing Belle''s and my levels is about to run out. We need to leave this place soon," Caitlin said, glancing at the glowing diamond pendant on her chest and looking at Velen apologetically. "If you''re leaving, there''s no point in me staying here either. Let''s leave together," Velen replied. Having gained over a hundred thousand luxury points, he had reaped a substantial harvest. It was time to leave, raise his rank, and explore other battle zones. With a single thought, the space around Velen began to distort, and he was soon ejected from the Singularity Battlefield. After leaving the battlefield, Velen found himself back in Titan Galaxy. However, he wasn''t at the teleportation base he had originally used to enter¡ªit was a random location within the galaxy. This was a common occurrence. Unfamiliar with his surroundings, Velen decided to find a nearby inhabited planet to get his bearings before heading back to Uranus Star. "I wonder how Anastasia has been while I was away. If she hears about everything that''s happened to me recently, I can''t imagine how she''ll react!" Velen chuckled to himself, feeling a bit of anticipation. ¡­ Uranus Star, Fortress. "Uncle Aiden!" Seeing a towering figure approaching from afar, Anastasia called out in surprise. She recognized Aiden, an old friend of her father, Anthony! Though she didn''t know why he had come here, seeing a familiar face in this remote galaxy was an unexpected delight. "Anastasia, it''s been years. You''ve grown more beautiful and powerful. It seems I''m truly getting old!" Standing before her, Aiden looked at the increasingly radiant Anastasia and couldn''t help but sigh. His words were moving, but Anastasia, who knew Aiden well, knew he wasn''t the sentimental type. Nonetheless, she comforted him. "Uncle Aiden, you''re still young. How can you call yourself old? Besides, you''ve already reached Ascended Rank. Who knows how long it''ll take me to catch up to you!" Aiden sighed again. "Ah, I''m getting old and useless. Now I just want to settle down and live a peaceful life. Anastasia, how about letting me stay at your fortress as an honorary advisor?" Anastasia looked at him in shock, wondering if she had misheard. An Ascended Rank awakener like Aiden was still in his prime, far from being considered old. Moreover, to her knowledge, Aiden loved roaming the universe. Why would he suddenly come to the fortress and ask to become an honorary advisor? "Uncle Aiden, with your level of strength, joining our fortress would be beneath you!" Though unsure of his motives, Anastasia tried to dissuade him. She didn''t want her progress in leveling up to be delayed. She already had her hands full with Robert pestering her and managing two other Watchers'' Legion members. Adding Aiden to the mix would only make things harder. At that moment, the clear sky suddenly darkened as ominous clouds gathered. A terrifying aura of a spellbeast descended from the sky, shaking the fortress as if an earthquake had struck. Anastasia, Kevin, Robert, and Aiden all looked up and rushed out of the fortress. The weakest of them, Aiden, could only tremble inside the fortress. At the same time, several top-tier talents from the Ducal Manor appeared. Spotting Anastasia, one of them, Hael, waved excitedly. "Lady Anastasia!" "Hael? What brings you all here?" Anastasia asked curiously. These individuals were the future of the Ducal Manor¡ªwhy had they all come to this remote place? Her gaze then shifted to the man leading the group. He had a cold expression, but his aura was overwhelmingly powerful. The terrifying spellbeast aura from earlier had come from him! "Lady Anastasia, don''t worry. He came with us to join the fortress. From now on, we''re all under your command!" Hael and the others were thrilled. After all, they would soon be living alongside Velen. Knowing Velen''s extravagant nature, with SSS Tomes of Skill Experience and dragon corpses being commonplace, they were certain that following him would bring unimaginable wealth and benefits! Chapter 44 - Chapter44-Who’s the Mentor Here? "You''re all staying at the fortress?" Anastasia looked at Hael and the others, her expression darkening. She was already distressed with Aiden''s arrival, and now, five geniuses from the Ducal Manor were here, completely disrupting her plans to level up! "You''re all talents of the Ducal Manor. What are you doing in a small place like this? There aren''t any good resources here to provide for you, and if a large-scale spellbeast invasion happens, the losses would be more than the Ducal Manor can bear!" Anastasia tried to dissuade them, clearly unhappy with their arrival. Moreover, she was perplexed. Why had Aiden and these five Ducal Manor geniuses suddenly gathered here to join the fortress? She had no interest in managing the fortress! sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Seeing Anastasia''s lack of enthusiasm, Hael and the others were surprised. With their talent and strength, joining any fortress should have been considered a boon for Anastasia. "Miss, we''re here at the Duke''s orders. Wherever Velen is, that''s where we''ll be," Hael said solemnly, looking at Anastasia. "Velen? What does this have to do with Velen?" Anastasia asked, confused. "Miss, you may not know, but after arriving at the Ducal Manor, Velen made a grand display of his power, defeating over two hundred peers among the awakening generation. He''s now a member of the Hatchling Order," Hael explained, his face full of pride, as though Velen''s astonishing achievements were his own. "As for the spellbeast invasion you''re worried about, you can rest assured. With us here, however many spellbeasts come, that''s how many we''ll kill!" At this moment, Ironback Centipede stepped forward with a cold smile, stopping in front of Anastasia. Feeling the terrifying aura emanating from Ironback Centipede, Anastasia''s pupils constricted sharply. From him, she felt a suffocating sense of danger. His strength was undoubtedly at Ascended Rank level 9, and among that rank, he was one of the strongest¡ªperhaps even more powerful than her father, the Duke. "And you are?" Anastasia asked cautiously, though she already had a hint from Hael''s earlier remarks that this spellbeast was here to join the fortress. But since when did the Ducal Manor have such a powerful spellbeast? Facing Anastasia''s serious inquiry, Hael gestured respectfully toward Ironback Centipede and said, "Miss Anastasia, this is Ironback Centipede, a super-strong Ascended Rank level 9 spellbeast. The Duke mentioned that it was subdued by Velen on their way to the teleportation base. With this spellbeast guarding the fortress, it will be as solid as a rock!" It was precisely because of Ironback Centipede''s presence that they felt completely secure. The Ducal Manor had no concerns about their safety here. After all, there were very few beings in the universe capable of threatening Ironback Centipede. Anastasia stared at Ironback Centipede in disbelief. Such a terrifying spellbeast had been subdued by Velen and turned into his mount? She must have misheard, right? Then, as if realizing something, she turned to Aiden. "Uncle Aiden, is your reason for coming to the fortress also related to Velen?" Aiden gave a somewhat awkward laugh. "I haven''t met Velen yet, but I''ve heard a lot about him and was curious." Hearing this, Anastasia rubbed her smooth forehead. As expected, nearly everyone here was because of Velen! Velen had only been gone for a few days, yet he had already attracted so many talents and powerful figures. What exactly had he done? Especially Ironback Centipede, an Ascended Rank level 9 spellbeast¡ªhow had he managed to subdue it as a mount? Though puzzled, Anastasia had no choice but to face this new reality. The fortress, which had previously been home to her, Kevin, Robert, and Alan, would now have a flood of new people! And who knew what Velen might do next after entering the Singularity Battlefield? Would he attract even more people to the fortress? Ever since accepting Velen, her dream of a quiet, focused leveling environment had been completely shattered! She couldn''t even be sure if more awakeners would join in the future. The thought made Anastasia''s gaze turn sharp. When Velen returned, she wouldn''t let him leave again. Otherwise, the fortress would descend into chaos! Seeing Anastasia''s growing frustration, Hael seemed to think of something and quickly sent her a mental transmission. "Miss Anastasia, there''s something I might need to tell you in advance." Anastasia took a deep breath, suppressing her irritation as she curiously looked at Hael. Why was he sending a mental message, avoiding the others? Still, she followed his lead and asked in a neutral tone, "Hael, what''s so important?" Hael hesitated briefly before transmitting, "Miss, you may not know this, but Velen is not just the fortress''s vice-captain or a member of the Hatchling Order. He''s also an independent senator recognized by the senate, holding the same rank as the other senators. Even the Duke must respectfully address him as Senator Velen and follow his directives. So, please don''t hold anything against him." This information had been a closely guarded secret within the Ducal Manor, known only to its higher-ups. But before they departed, the Duke, aware of Anastasia''s temperament, had instructed Hael to inform her of Velen''s status as an independent senator if necessary. Hearing this, Anastasia''s mind spun. For a moment, she looked at Hael in shock. The position of independent senator was the highest honor that could be bestowed upon someone not born into the Ducal Manor. It also made them one of the core members of the senate, capable of influencing the Ducal Manor''s destiny! Previously, there had been no suitable candidate, and the position had remained vacant. After all, becoming an independent senator required immense contributions to the Ducal Manor and unanimous approval from the five existing senators¡ªan almost impossible feat for any genius. How had Velen, an Apprentice Rank level 9 awakener, achieved this? "Hael, this isn''t a funny joke," Anastasia said, glaring at him in disbelief. Hael, though not entirely privy to the details, said earnestly, "Miss, I don''t know how Senator Velen earned this position either. The Duke mentioned only that he provided the sect with a massive number of advanced mana stones. It seems the independent senator position was... purchased." "Purchased?" Anastasia stared at Hael in disbelief. Was it even possible to buy the position of independent senator? But recalling Velen''s extravagant actions when joining the Watchers'' Legion, it seemed plausible. How many advanced mana stones had he offered to convince the senate to unanimously approve him? The five senators were seasoned and knowledgeable figures. To gain their approval, Velen must have provided an unimaginable amount of wealth! While Anastasia was deep in thought, a special letter in her possession suddenly trembled. She pulled it out and saw words appearing on its surface. Belle?! Seeing the pink text, Anastasia smiled for the first time in a while. Ever since Belle had left to study, the sisters hadn''t communicated in a long time. She quickly wrote back on the letter: "Belle, you''ve been away for so long without a word. Do you even remember that you have a sister?" The words had barely disappeared when a playful reply appeared on the letter: "Sis, what should you call your mentor''s mentor?" Anastasia blinked in confusion. Was her sister joking? After all this time, this was what she wanted to discuss? "I''m your sister. Your mentor''s mentor is, naturally, also my mentor. Belle, why are you asking such a strange question all of a sudden?" Anastasia found her sister''s behavior odd. But Belle''s next response left her utterly speechless. "Well, Sis, your vice-captain Velen has taken my mentor as his mentee. So I thought I''d give you a heads-up. Otherwise, when you meet him again, you might be caught off guard." "My mentor, as you know, is Caitlin, the headmaster of Celestia Academy!" "Oh, and he''s started something called the Tycoon Club. He says it''s just a club, not a faction. My mentor is the first member." "When we''re done here, my mentor will bring me to meet our mentor. You''d better prepare in advance!" After this message, the letter dimmed. Chapter 45 - Chapter45-Divination Anastasia stared at the words on the letter, utterly stunned. Belle joining Celestia Academy and becoming Headmaster Caitlin''s mentee was something they all knew. Caitlin was a famously powerful awakener, renowned across multiple galaxies. But just now, Belle had told her that her mentor Caitlin, this top-tier powerhouse, had somehow become Velen''s mentee. Even though Belle herself had shared the news, Anastasia still found it absurd, something that didn''t seem remotely real. However, her younger sister would never joke about her mentor. This news had to be true¡ªCaitlin had, for some reason, really acknowledged Velen as her mentor! Then, as Anastasia thought it over carefully, she felt on the verge of collapse. Independent senator? Mentor? She didn''t even know how she should address Velen the next time they met! Sighing, Anastasia thought that if she hadn''t let Velen join the Watchers'' Legion back then, none of this would be happening now. But things had come this far, and there was no point in regretting it. All she could do now was quickly gather herself and look at Aiden, Hael, and the others before her. "Uncle Aiden, the fortress is practically out of resources. If you''re still willing to stay here, then remain at the fortress." Aiden waved his hand nonchalantly. "You don''t need to worry about me. As long as Velen returns from the Singularity Battlefield, that''s all that matters." He had already sensed the fortress''s conditions earlier¡ªit was quite rudimentary. But as long as Velen was here, nothing else mattered to him. Hael and the others also understood Anastasia''s intention and quickly spoke up. "Miss, we don''t need the fortress''s resources either. As long as Velen is here, that''s enough!" Seeing this, Anastasia breathed a slight sigh of relief and then turned to Kevin. "Arrange rooms for them. Everything else can wait until Velen comes back." ¡­ Meanwhile. After several hours of traveling through the dark expanse of space, Velen finally arrived at an ancient planet with signs of life. It was already the age of interstellar navigation, so despite the unfamiliarity of this planet, Velen didn''t feel much estrangement. Compared to Uranus Star, it was not too different¡ªif anything, it seemed slightly underdeveloped. After asking some locals for information, Velen roughly understood his location¡ªextremely far from Uranus Star. This gave him a bit of a headache. While major planets had been terraformed and humanity had engaged in large-scale interstellar colonization, transportation between planets was still not very convenient. Velen could only head into a bustling city to find a way to return to Uranus Star as quickly as possible. "I am Kelsey, Councilor of the Tarot Order. Tarot divination¡ªsee your past life, see your future!" Just as he entered a lively street, Velen spotted an elderly man dressed in refined attire, wearing a black bowler hat, sitting in a small roadside booth. Before him lay a deck of weathered Tarot cards, and he was calling out energetically. Councilor of the Tarot Order? Velen curiously sized up the old man. The Tarot Order was one of the most renowned organizations in the universe, possessing not only the purest intelligence network but also unparalleled expertise in divination. Nearly every major power treated the Tarot Order with reverence. Of course, because the Tarot Order was so famous, imposters frequently emerged to impersonate them. Nonetheless, Velen was intrigued by Tarot divination. Regardless of whether this man was genuine or fake, it wouldn''t hurt to give it a try. "One divination, ten thousand mana stones!" Seeing the price listed on the sign, Velen immediately understood why the booth was so deserted. Mana stones, more precious than gold coins, were the common currency among awakeners. Ten thousand mana stones could purchase a wealth of materials for upgrades. S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Well, since I''m here, might as well give it a shot!" With that, Velen sat down on the chair across from Kelsey. "A ten-thousand-mana-stone divination? Someone''s actually going for it?!" "Is this guy a shill?" Velen''s actions instantly attracted attention from passersby. After all, the exorbitant fee for a single divination was enough to deter most people. "Pay the ten thousand mana stones first, then draw a card." Seeing Velen sit down, Kelsey''s face, lined with deep wrinkles, remained expressionless as he calmly spoke. Without hesitation, Velen retrieved a storage bag and handed it to Kelsey. When Kelsey saw the ten thousand mana stones inside, a faint smile finally appeared on his face. "You''ll soon find this is worth every bit of it!" With that, his hands moved like a butterfly in flight, shuffling the weathered Tarot deck before spreading it out in front of him. "Pick a card. It will determine your future destiny!" Rubbing his hands together, Velen casually picked a card and was about to flip it over. Suddenly, a voice from his system echoed in his mind. "Warning: A special power is attempting to peer into the host''s destiny. Initiating prevention!" "Prevention successful!" Hearing the system prompt, Velen noticed Kelsey suddenly bleeding from the corner of his mouth, and the monocle over his right eye shattered. Velen froze for a moment. Who would have thought that this roadside diviner was truly a councilor of the Tarot Order?! He genuinely could peer into destinies! Even the system had been forced to activate! Amazing! This ten thousand mana stones was money well spent. At that moment, Kelsey grabbed Velen''s hand, which was poised to flip the Tarot card, and stared at him intently with his murky eyes. Who could have guessed that in such a remote place, someone capable of obstructing his Words of Fate would appear! Though Velen''s level was not high, he was undoubtedly extraordinary. As a Councilor of the Tarot Order, Kelsey couldn''t see through him and had suffered severe backlash instead! He had a strong sense that if Velen really flipped the Tarot card and allowed him to glimpse his destiny, the backlash might kill him on the spot. Immediately, an invisible flame flickered, and the Tarot card turned to black ash, carried away by the wind. Kelsey stared at Velen with a deeply alarmed expression. To think that even with his current strength, he couldn''t discern Velen''s destiny and was instead injured by it! Seeing Kelsey hurt, Velen felt a pang of guilt. He hadn''t expected that asking for a divination would activate his system''s special function and injure the old man so badly. He promptly took out an afterlife flower, radiating a unique aura. "Councilor Kelsey, I''m terribly sorry! I have this afterlife flower, which is excellent for restoring the soul." "An afterlife flower?!" Kelsey''s pupils shrank sharply as he exclaimed in disbelief. "This is far too valuable! Please, take it back! While my soul has been gravely injured, using an afterlife flower to recover would be far too extravagant!" Kelsey waved his hands repeatedly. "If you sold this to an alchemist or an Ascended Rank awakener, the wealth and rewards you''d gain would be astronomical!" He glanced at Velen. "Besides, you''re just an Apprentice Rank Level 9 awakener. If anyone learns you possess such a treasure, you''ll undoubtedly become a target for those who''ll stop at nothing to obtain it." To Kelsey, the afterlife flower''s rarity was indeed extraordinary, but it paled in comparison to Velen, whose destiny was unreadable. Hearing Kelsey''s genuine concern, Velen couldn''t help but feel a bit of goodwill toward him. "Councilor Kelsey, I''m well aware of the afterlife flower''s value and rarity. But I still want you to have it. Otherwise, in a few days, I might use it as incense¡ªI haven''t enjoyed that intoxicating fragrance in a while." As he spoke, Velen handed the afterlife flower to Kelsey without hesitation. Use an afterlife flower as incense? Kelsey stared at Velen in shock, then shook his head with a wry smile. "That joke wasn''t very funny, but I do appreciate the sentiment. Don''t worry about my injury; I''ll recover in a year or two." However, seeing the determination in Velen''s eyes, Kelsey hesitated for a moment before plucking a single petal from the afterlife flower. "A single petal will significantly speed up my recovery. You should keep the rest of the afterlife flower." Just as Velen was about to speak, the system''s voice suddenly echoed in his mind. "Congratulations, host, for unlocking a special system feature. Rewards: 10,000 luxury points, 100 afterlife flowers, 10 SSS-grade Tomes of Skill Experience (exclusive to Words of Fate)." A look of pleasant surprise crossed Velen''s face. He hadn''t expected that triggering the system''s special feature would yield such generous rewards! Chapter 46 - Chapter46-Fate’s Trojan With rewards like this from the system, didn''t it mean there might be other features waiting for him to unlock? And wouldn''t those also come with similarly generous rewards? Velen was already looking forward to it. Soon, his attention shifted to the SSS Tomes of Skill Experience. These ten SSS Tomes of Skill Experience were different from the ones he had encountered before. On the covers of these tomes was a golden eye emitting a unique fluctuation, distorting time and space. The more closely Velen examined them, the more he realized how extraordinary these limited-edition skill books were. "SSS Tomes of Skill Experience for Words of Fate¡­ isn''t this the most renowned skill of the Tarot Order?" Velen muttered to himself. At that moment, Kelsey, who had consumed a single petal of the afterlife flower, began to display heightened soul fluctuations. The cracked golden pupils deep within his eyes gradually healed somewhat under the nourishment of the abundant spiritual energy. Though full recovery would still take some time, the afterlife flower had already saved him half a year of recuperation. "Afterlife flower¡­ it truly lives up to its name. If those guys knew I used such a treasure to heal myself, they''d probably drool with envy!" Kelsey let out a hearty laugh. To him, using an afterlife flower to restore his soul was perhaps the most extravagant thing he had ever done in his life. Seeing that Kelsey''s soul had not yet fully recovered, Velen immediately urged him, "Kelsey Councilor, your injuries are serious. Hurry and use the afterlife flower to recover. If it''s not enough, I''ve got plenty more¡ªenough to go around!" With that, a cheerful Velen placed twenty afterlife flowers on the booth in front of Kelsey. Seeing Velen casually take out twenty afterlife flowers at once, Kelsey was so shocked that he was at a loss for words. Such precious treasures¡ªenough to satisfy everyone? For most people, merely seeing a single flower would be a stroke of incredible luck! ¡­ Shortly after. S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As the sweet fragrance of the incense wafted through the air, both Velen and Kelsey inhaled deeply, their bodies involuntarily trembling slightly as if they had just stepped out of a sauna. They felt a sense of unprecedented clarity and relaxation! "Who cares about what''s precious or not? As long as it''s comfortable, that''s all that matters! If you''ve got money and don''t enjoy it, how are you any different from a salted fish?" Stretching lazily, Velen glanced at Kelsey, who seemed just as content as he was, and smiled with satisfaction. After all, most people disapproved of his actions, thinking them far too extravagant. But Kelsey had quickly accepted it and was even enjoying it alongside him, giving Velen the feeling that he had found a kindred spirit. "I didn''t expect you to be so wealthy, Velen! You''re absolutely right¡ªif you''ve got money but don''t enjoy it, what''s the point of having it?" Kelsey echoed Velen''s sentiment, though his heart was bleeding inside. Earlier, Velen had said that using afterlife flowers as incense could help more comprehensively heal soul injuries. At first, Kelsey thought Velen was joking, but he wasn''t! Watching flower after flower burn right before his eyes left Kelsey feeling as though his heart was being cut to pieces. Too extravagant! Even the wealthiest people he had ever met were nothing compared to Velen''s actions! "Kelsey Councilor, you''re a well-known figure across the galaxies. Why are you running a divination booth in a place like this?" Velen asked curiously, turning his head to look at Kelsey. By now, he was sure of Kelsey''s identity, but the more certain he became, the more curious he was. Someone of Kelsey''s stature shouldn''t be here. "This remote little planet isn''t where I want to be, but it''s part of a mission from the Tarot Order. I have to stay here and wait for the right moment." At this, Kelsey fell silent, unwilling to elaborate further. "The right moment?" Velen asked, intrigued. But seeing Kelsey close his eyes, it was clear he had no intention of revealing the details of his mission. The more Kelsey evaded, the more curious Velen became. He asked, "System, can you find out Kelsey''s mission?" "Fate fluctuation detected. Fate''s Trojan activated!" The system''s voice echoed. Velen''s heart leapt with joy. Another special function had been unlocked! Looking at Kelsey, Velen felt certain that his attempt to peer into Velen''s fate had triggered the system''s changes. Without it, who knew how long it would''ve taken to unlock this feature? Gratitude swelled within Velen toward Kelsey. This councilor of the Tarot Order had indirectly done him a great favor! As a tycoon, how could he be stingy toward someone who had helped him? "Kelsey Councilor, it must be fate that we met here today. These five Words of Fate SSS Tomes of Skill Experience are for you. I hope they''ll be of some help!" Looking at the books radiating a unique energy that Velen handed over, Kelsey stared at him in astonishment. He hadn''t done anything significant for Velen, yet Velen had given him an afterlife flower, let him experience the luxury of afterlife flower incense, and now handed him these rare items. For Kelsey, this was a lifestyle he had never dared imagine. Now, Velen was offering him even more. He hesitated to accept it but soon caught himself. Fixing his gaze on Velen, he asked, "What did you say these books are called?" Velen smiled. "Kelsey Councilor, you heard correctly. These books are called Words of Fate SSS Tomes of Skill Experience. They can enhance the proficiency of the Words of Fate skill, and only that skill." Hearing this, Kelsey''s shock grew even deeper. As a councilor of the Tarot Order, he knew all too well how difficult it was to improve Words of Fate. Even after centuries of rigorous practice, he could only claim to have barely mastered the skill. The gap between his current level and the perfect or transcendent mastery he dreamed of was vast. Yet even with his current Adept Rank proficiency, he could see through the destinies of most awakeners, ranking highly in the Tarot Order. If these tomes could truly enhance the proficiency of Words of Fate as Velen claimed, people from the Tarot Order would go mad over them, sparing no expense to acquire them! But judging from Velen''s demeanor, he seemed to consider these tomes trivial, handing them over as a casual gesture. Velen was becoming increasingly inscrutable to Kelsey. To verify their authenticity, Kelsey immediately picked up one of the SSS Tomes of Skill Experience and activated it with mana. In an instant, golden Words of Fate appeared in Kelsey''s eyes, emitting peculiar fluctuations that rippled through time and space. Kelsey''s expression turned utterly astonished. Velen, noticing his reaction, wasn''t surprised. He simply turned his attention to the system. "System, activate Fate''s Trojan and investigate Kelsey''s mission!" According to the system''s description, Fate''s Trojan could be used three times daily and refreshed every day. "Kelsey''s mission here is to retrieve the Saintess of Tarot under the orders of the Head of the Tarot Order." Hearing this, Velen was slightly surprised. The Saintess of Tarot was the next head of the Tarot Order, holding a status second only to the Head of the Tarot Order! "System mission triggered: Locate the Saintess of Tarot and recruit her into the Tycoon Club. Success will yield a significant luxury point reward. Failure will result in a substantial deduction of luxury points." Listening to the system''s task, Velen couldn''t help but marvel at how interesting it was becoming! He glanced at Kelsey, who was still engrossed in absorbing the SSS Tome of Skill Experience to improve his Words of Fate proficiency. Recruiting the Saintess of Tarot right under this councilor''s nose¡ªit felt like he was stealing from the Tarot Order. But with the system''s rewards and the thought of adding a formidable member to the Tycoon Club, Velen clicked on Fate''s Trojan once more. "Find the Saintess of Tarot''s location and name." Moments later, Kelsey, having fully absorbed the SSS Tome of Skill Experience, suddenly opened his eyes wide and looked at Velen, his excitement palpable. "Velen, how many of these SSS Tomes of Skill Experience do you have? Name your price¡ªhowever many you have, I want them all!" Through his earlier experiment, Kelsey confirmed that these tomes could indeed significantly enhance the proficiency of Words of Fate. The increase was equivalent to over a decade of dedicated practice! The improvement was astonishing! "I do have more of these SSS Tomes of Skill Experience, but they''re not for sale," Velen replied, shaking his head. These special tomes had other uses for him. "Velen, I''ll be honest with you. These are incredibly important to the Tarot Order. Whatever price you ask, we''ll pay it!" Kelsey said with obvious reluctance. Velen still shook his head. "I understand how valuable these are, which is why I''ve saved some specifically for Sophia." Chapter 47 - Chapter47-Saintess of Tarot "You know Sophia?" Kelsey''s gaze instantly turned sharp as a blade, filled with hostility. The name of the Saintess of Tarot was top-secret information, known to fewer than a handful of individuals, and Kelsey himself had only learned it from the head of the order. How could Velen possibly know? "Kelsey Councilor, please don''t be alarmed. I mean no harm," Velen replied, surprised at how highly Kelsey regarded Sophia. However, Velen already had a plan forming in his mind. He spoke slowly: "I actually have a great suggestion. You''ve already experienced the Words of Fate SSS Tomes of Skill Experience. In the future, we can have her join both our sides!" "She can remain the Saintess of Tarot, under your tutelage, while I provide her with the SSS Tomes of Skill Experience free of charge!" As soon as Velen proposed this, Kelsey decisively shook his head in rejection. "Impossible! The Saintess of Tarot is the future of the Tarot Order. She cannot join any other faction!" "No room for negotiation?" "None!" Seeing Kelsey''s firm stance, Velen didn''t push further. Rising to his feet, he said, "Very well then. Whether Sophia joins any faction will depend on our respective abilities." With that, Velen turned and left. Watching Velen''s departing figure, Kelsey suddenly felt a sense of foreboding. What was Velen''s background? Why was he competing with the Tarot Order for the Saintess? Kelsey couldn''t make sense of it. If anyone else had such intentions, Kelsey would have taken immediate action to eliminate them without hesitation, as it concerned the future of the Tarot Order. But this was Velen¡ªa man whose destiny he couldn''t see through at all. A man who casually used the priceless afterlife flower as incense. Kelsey instinctively didn''t dare make a move. "The Saintess should arrive here within the next two days. I must prepare early to prevent Velen from succeeding!" Not daring to delay, Kelsey immediately began making preparations. ¡­ Before long, Velen arrived at the outskirts of the northern district. According to the Fate''s Trojan system prompt, Sophia would be arriving here soon. "No wonder Kelsey is so eager for the Words of Fate SSS Tomes of Skill Experience. His proficiency with Words of Fate must not be very high. Otherwise, he wouldn''t be waiting here for days without locating Sophia." Muttering to himself, Velen felt even more awed by the power of the system. The Tarot Order might be strong, but compared to the system, they were like amateurs. As he waited, Velen suddenly straightened. Amid the bustling crowd, a young woman''s figure stood out, immediately catching his attention. She held a pink parasol that obscured part of her face. But the half of her face that was visible was enough to captivate anyone''s imagination. Especially her strikingly curvaceous figure, which made it impossible to look away. "A pleasing figure and appearance¡ªthis is exactly the kind of person who belongs in the Tycoon Club!" S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Velen murmured, then briefly thought of Kidd''s somewhat rotund figure, deciding that Kidd would never make it onto the club''s candidate list. "Hello, my name is Velen!" With a smile on his face, Velen approached Sophia and greeted her. Sophia glanced at the extraordinary-looking young man before her and asked curiously, "We don''t know each other, do we? What do you want?" "I''m recruiting for the Tycoon Club I founded, and I think you''d be a great fit. Would you like to join?" Velen extended his hand, offering an olive branch. Sophia chuckled lightly, finding Velen amusingly naive. Naming his faction something like that? It exuded a juvenile arrogance that was almost laughable. "Velen, is it? If you''re looking to recruit, I won''t stop you. But have you even considered the difference in our levels? You''re only Apprentice Rank Level 9, while I''m already Expert Rank Level 8!" Sophia spoke mockingly. "Oh," Velen said, shaking his head. "Expert Rank Level 8 is indeed quite low. Compared to my mentee, who is Ascended Rank Level 9, the gap is huge. But I don''t mind. Anyone who joins the Tycoon Club can quickly increase their level." Hearing Velen''s serious reply, Sophia couldn''t help but roll her eyes. What kind of nonsense was this? She was almost two major ranks above him! And an Apprentice Rank awakener having an Ascended Rank mentee? Even a lunatic wouldn''t believe such a thing! Feeling like she was wasting her time with a madman, Sophia turned to walk away from Velen. "Sophia, wouldn''t you reconsider? If you acknowledge me as your mentor, you''ll never run out of gold coins or mana stones again, and you''ll have endless resources for upgrades!" Velen delivered his trump card. For awakeners, resources and mana stones were indispensable, yet hard to come by. If Sophia wanted to grow stronger, she''d have to be tempted. But Sophia only took it as more absurd boasting. Ignoring him, she continued walking away. "Sophia, this is a golden opportunity to change your fate. If you miss it, you might regret it. Why not think it over carefully?" Velen''s persistence caused Sophia''s anger to boil over. She abruptly stopped, glaring coldly at him. "Oh, so you have lots of mana stones, huh? Prove it¡ªproduce a million advanced mana stones, and I''ll join your Tycoon Club!" With that, she saw Velen freeze in place. A smug smile crept onto Sophia''s face. Let''s see you keep spouting nonsense now! "At your level, you''ve probably never even seen advanced mana stones. Watch your mouth next time and stop lying through your teeth," Sophia chided Velen mercilessly. A million advanced mana stones¡ªmost top-tier factions couldn''t come up with such a sum! Sophia was certain Velen couldn''t possibly meet her challenge. But as she observed Velen''s confident expression, tossing a storage bag her way, her smile stiffened. "Take a look. See if there are enough advanced mana stones inside," Velen said calmly. Sophia pursed her lips, ready to expose his bluff. But when she opened the storage bag, what she saw left her stunned. Inside were indeed advanced mana stones, an overwhelming number of them, stacked into a small mountain! One million? No! Ten million advanced mana stones! Sophia''s hand trembled as she clutched the bag, her eyes widening in disbelief. Ten million advanced mana stones¡ªten times the amount she had demanded! How could Velen possibly have so many advanced mana stones? Even in her wildest dreams, she had never dared imagine possessing such wealth. Yet Velen had presented it effortlessly! Should she truly become Velen''s mentee and join this so-called Tycoon Club? No! The thought had barely formed before Sophia forced it away. Her expression hardened, taking on a ruthless edge. With Velen''s level being so low, killing him quickly and fleeing with the mana stones seemed like an ideal solution. But this idea was suppressed just as quickly as it arose. Chapter 48 - Chapter48-Chaos Barrier She was currently at a critical juncture in breaking through her rank. If she were to kill Velen, her heart would never find peace, and it might even leave a permanent scar on her psyche. So eliminating Velen was absolutely not an option. Moreover, she quickly realized that if Velen could easily produce so many advanced mana stones, how could he not have some means of protecting himself? Carefully recalling what Velen had just said, things that initially seemed unreliable now sounded strikingly genuine. The Ascended Rank Level 9 mentee Velen had mentioned was likely real! If she could join the Tycoon Club and become Velen''s mentee, why couldn''t she? Given Velen''s vast wealth of advanced mana stones and the existence of an Ascended Rank Level 9 mentee, it was undoubtedly some kind of extraordinary opportunity! After a moment of thought, Sophia suddenly asked, "Velen, how many advanced mana stones did Caitlin ask for back then?" "The same as I''m giving you¡ªten million advanced mana stones!" Velen replied with a smile. "Honestly, considering her status and position, asking for a hundred million advanced mana stones would''ve been more appropriate. But since she wasn''t originally a member of our Tycoon Club, I guess it''s understandable." "A hundred million advanced mana stones?" Sophia swallowed hard. This was advanced mana stones they were talking about! For an awakener of her rank, even acquiring a few hundred advanced mana stones would be enough to make her ecstatic for days. As for one hundred million¡­ She wasn''t sure if combining all the advanced mana stones held by the top factions in the Titan Galaxy could even reach that number! Yet judging by Velen''s demeanor, producing one hundred million advanced mana stones didn''t seem to be an issue at all. "Velen, if you can really produce one hundred million advanced mana stones, I swear I''ll immediately join your Tycoon Club!" As Sophia''s voice fell, Velen tossed another storage bag her way. Sophia''s throat moved, her expression growing increasingly astonished¡ªcompletely stunned, even. Because inside the storage bag was an overwhelming, densely packed mountain of advanced mana stones. One hundred million! Velen¡­ how could he have so many? Sophia felt like she was dreaming. After a moment of dazed confirmation, she steadied her breathing, closed her parasol, and respectfully bowed to Velen. "Mentor!" Since childhood, she had always honored her word. If Velen could truly fulfill his promises, becoming his disciple was no big deal. After she spoke, she looked at Velen with a peculiar expression, then carefully handed back the storage bag containing the one hundred million advanced mana stones. "Congratulations, host, for completing the mission. Reward: 30,000 luxury points!" "Congratulations, host, on gaining a second mentee. Rewards: 10,000 Words of Fate SSS Tomes of Skill Experience and the Chaos Barrier." Chaos Barrier: Upon use, mitigates some of the side effects from peering into destiny. Seeing the rewards from the system, Velen''s excitement surged. Not to mention the 10,000 SSS Tomes of Skill Experience, which would undoubtedly drive the Tarot Order members mad with desire. The Chaos Barrier was also a delightful surprise! Every awakener who delved into destiny would eventually face erosion by fate, leading to a tragic demise. This was the inherent side effect of peering into destiny. But with the Chaos Barrier, some of these side effects could be neutralized. If the Tarot Order knew about this, they would lose their minds! However, Velen himself didn''t need it. Although Fate''s Trojan also involved peering into destiny, it wasn''t him doing the peering¡ªhis system perfectly nullified the side effects. That said, the Chaos Barrier would be incredibly beneficial for Sophia. With it activated, she could freely use the Words of Fate skill without being as constrained. "Sophia, while you''re now my mentee, the Tycoon Club is a very loose organization. Just remember your identity as part of it¡ªthat''s enough." After his initial excitement, Velen quickly addressed Sophia. He continued, revealing more to her: "The Tarot Order is currently looking for you, claiming you''re the Saintess of Tarot and the future Head of the Tarot Order. I won''t stop you because that''s your destiny." "The Tarot Order is powerful, especially with Words of Fate, which can see into the future. You must study it well." "I have here 10,000 Words of Fate SSS Tomes of Skill Experience. Using them will enhance your proficiency with Words of Fate. Don''t hold back¡ªuse them to improve quickly and come back to me once you''ve mastered it!" Saying this, Velen handed her a storage bag filled with the SSS Tomes of Skill Experience. Next, he pointed at Sophia''s forehead, integrating the Chaos Barrier into her body. "This Chaos Barrier will help you mitigate the backlash from peering into destiny, allowing you to use Words of Fate more frequently without as many restrictions." As Velen finished, Sophia was overwhelmed by the flood of information. She was the Saintess of the Tarot Order? Was that true? Words of Fate was evidently the most famous special skill of the Tarot Order. And these SSS Tomes of Skill Experience¡ªwhat were they exactly? And the Chaos Barrier¡­ Sophia carefully processed all the information she had just learned. Although she didn''t yet fully understand the value of what Velen had given her, knowing he was someone capable of casually producing one hundred million advanced mana stones, she was certain these things were extraordinary. "Mentor, don''t worry. Once I''m in the Tarot Order, I''ll work hard to improve myself. I''ll make sure the Tarot Order becomes a subordinate faction of the Tycoon Club!" Sophia said earnestly, looking directly at Velen. Although Velen hadn''t mentioned it, it was clear to her that he had been meticulously nurturing her so she could eventually take control of the Tarot Order! Hearing this, Velen couldn''t help but twitch his lips. What was she even saying? He had no such intention! What was going on in Sophia''s mind? "Sophia, that''s not what I meant!" Just as Velen was about to explain, Sophia interrupted him, "Mentor, didn''t you say Caitlin was impressive?" Velen nodded. Caitlin''s rank wasn''t just Ascended Rank Level 9; she was also the headmaster of Celestia Academy¡ªa truly formidable figure. Seeing this, Sophia smiled. "Mentor, don''t worry. I won''t let you down! Since you''re so dedicated to nurturing me, I''ll make sure I become your best mentee!" ? Velen widened his eyes. Was this the Saintess of the Tarot Order? Her ambition was off the charts! She was already setting Caitlin as her rival. Sophia had truly found herself a worthy competitor. "By the way, Mentor, where are the Tarot Order members? Why haven''t they arrived yet? Why don''t you take me to them? We can make it look like a chance encounter." "Once I join the Tarot Order, half of your plan will already be a success!" Sophia said seriously, as if she had already made it her goal to lead the Tarot Order under the Tycoon Club. Blinking at her, Velen realized Sophia''s mind was brimming with ideas. But her intentions were simple¡ªto flaunt her mentor''s wealth and bring more luxury points his way. She wasn''t as cunning as she seemed. Realizing this, Velen felt the need to correct her thinking¡ªhis goals weren''t as she imagined. "Sophia, you''re overthinking it. My goals are actually very simple¡ª" "Mentor, you don''t need to comfort me. I know this path is difficult, but I''m confident I can fulfill this monumental task!" Velen: "¡­" Was Sophia secretly a drama queen? At that moment, Velen suddenly looked into the distance and pointed at an elderly man. "That dignified-looking old man is Kelsey, a councilor of the Tarot Order." Feeling it was difficult to communicate with Sophia, Velen felt a bit relieved now that Kelsey had arrived. "A councilor of the Tarot Order?" Sophia murmured, then seemed to think of something. Smiling, she said, Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Mentor, I''ll approach him on my own. He''s sure to recognize me, and then he''ll quickly bring me back to the Tarot Order!" "Mentor, wait here for the good news from your mentee. I promise to complete the task as quickly as possible!" With that, Sophia confidently headed toward Kelsey''s direction. Chapter 49 - Chapter49-Someone Wealthier Than Me "Forget it, let Sophia do whatever she wants!" Watching Sophia''s retreating figure, Velen shook his head slightly, deciding to let the Tarot Order deal with her. At that moment, Kelsey, who had been approaching from afar, glanced at Velen before silently following behind Sophia, his heart filled with caution as they left together. Clearly, Sophia''s act of pretending not to know Velen had misled Kelsey into believing that she and Velen had never interacted. Watching the two leave, each preoccupied with their own thoughts, Velen remained indifferent. For him, the main purpose of contacting Sophia had been the system''s rewards. Whether she would be brainwashed by the Tarot Order and fully embrace their teachings was of no concern to him. Just as he was about to turn and leave, Velen suddenly slapped his forehead. "I think I forgot to explain the council and descent abilities to her." "Next time I see her, I''ll mention it." Considering Sophia''s tendency to overthink, Velen decided that staying away from her for a while might be a good idea. In the City Once Kelsey sensed that Velen had left the area, his face broke into a wide smile. "Hmph, Velen, trying to compete with the Tarot Order for the Saintess? How laughable. The Saintess is already with us and has smoothly joined the Tarot Order!" Standing beside him, Sophia saw the smug look on Kelsey''s face and shook her head slightly. She couldn''t help but internally scoff: So this guy is a senior councilor of the Tarot Order? With skills like this? He was completely outmaneuvered by Mentor and still thinks he''s won without noticing a thing. He even said he''d been waiting for me here for a long time. The Tarot Order isn''t as impressive as Mentor, who not only knew exactly when I''d arrive but also my precise location. Judging from the behavior of both Velen and Kelsey, the difference in capability was clear. Becoming Velen''s mentee felt like the best decision she had ever made. Meanwhile On his way to the capital of the planet, the most prosperous city, Velen glanced at the darkening sky and decided to rest for the night. Looking around, he realized that in his haste to travel, he had ended up in a desolate wilderness. "I should reach the capital tomorrow. Once there, I''ll see if there''s a trade guild offering interstellar travel. That should get me back to Uranus Star." Velen muttered to himself. This planet was quite remote, and only its bustling capital city might have trade caravans capable of interstellar travel. Not long after, Velen stood in a cave, satisfied as he admired the large bed he had constructed by stacking advanced mana stones. Even when camping in the wilderness, as a true tycoon, he needed to maintain his image! After arranging everything, Velen lay down on the glowing bed of advanced mana stones and fell into a deep, comfortable sleep. In the Mountains A plump, sinister-looking young man adjusted his luxurious clothing and angrily punched a tree trunk. "Damn it, I''ve been searching all day and still haven''t found a single powerful spellbeast!" Beside him stood an emaciated old man with sharp eyes and a terrifying mana aura. He glanced at the young man with undisguised disdain but suppressed his emotions and said coldly: "Lyla, if this doesn''t work, let''s head back." If it weren''t for the fact that this man was the youngest son of a count and that the count himself had given the order, the old man wouldn''t have bothered protecting someone like him. This young man, infamous for his indulgence in food, drink, and debauchery, was arrogant and tyrannical, frequently harassing women and even committing brazen robberies in broad daylight. Were it not for his status, he would have died countless times over. "Who asked for your opinion?" Lyla, already in a foul mood, glared coldly at the old man. "If it weren''t for you, old geezer, I''d have found a powerful spellbeast by now. You''re just a jinx!" Hearing this, the old man''s face twitched with anger, but he ultimately suppressed his fury. If he killed Lyla here, he wouldn''t be able to explain it to the count, and the count would never let him off the hook. "A cave! Finally, a decent place to rest for the night." "Bad luck today, but tomorrow I''ll have those top-tier spellbeasts begging at my feet. I, Lyla, am destined for greatness! How dare anyone look down on me? I''ll make them eat their words!" Lyla sneered, feeling a bit better. The old man following behind him rolled his eyes. With your Apprentice Rank Level 5? If you really met a powerful spellbeast, you''d be running for your life. You only survive because of me. Even if you bring back a spellbeast, who''s going to respect you? It''s just self-deception. After venting internally, the old man followed Lyla to the cave. As they neared it, Lyla''s pupils suddenly shrank, his face filled with shock. The old man noticed Lyla''s reaction and curiously glanced inside the cave. His eyelid twitched, and disbelief spread across his face. Inside the cave, advanced mana stones were stacked like bricks, forming a bed that emitted a faint glow. And lying on this extravagant bed was a young man, sound asleep! Clearly, they had encountered someone who indulged in even greater extravagance than themselves. "Tsk, tsk. I thought I was unmatched in flaunting wealth, but there''s always someone better!" Lyla felt as if his worldview had been shattered. Advanced mana stones! Even in the palace, they were incredibly rare and precious, locked away in vaults. Just seeing one was a privilege. Yet here, someone had used them to build a bed! Thinking about the rough terrain he had endured in the mountains recently, sleeping on hard, rocky ground, Lyla''s anger grew. S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "No way! I can''t allow anyone to outdo me in luxury!" Hearing this, the old man''s mouth twitched. Luxury? Flaunting wealth? Of all things, you choose to compete on this? Can''t you aim for something better? "Old man, go kill him for me! That bed made of advanced mana stones is mine now!" Lyla ordered with a wave of his hand. The old man''s expression turned grim. "Lyla, anyone who can casually pile up so many advanced mana stones for a bed isn''t an ordinary person. If we provoke him and his protector appears, things could get very troublesome¡­" Before he could finish, Lyla interrupted angrily, "Why do you talk so much nonsense? You''re scared of some nobody in the middle of nowhere? And you call me talentless? You''re the cowardly useless one!" The old man''s face darkened. He was trying to protect Lyla. Given his confidence in his own strength, he could likely escape even if the person had a protector. But Lyla, with his meager abilities, wouldn''t stand a chance. Still, because of Lyla''s status, the old man suppressed his frustration and said, "I don''t sense any other presences here. This means either the person has no protector or their protector is far stronger than me." His intuition leaned toward the latter. After all, even he couldn''t casually produce so many advanced mana stones. If someone could sleep peacefully atop such a fortune, they must have absolute confidence in their safety. "Old man, that''s an order! Do it now!" Growing more furious at the old man''s hesitation, Lyla slapped him across the face. While the slap was insignificant to the old man, it further fueled his cold resentment. Without another word, the old man charged toward Velen, mana swirling in his hands. But just as he stepped into the cave, a flash of light sliced through the air. In an instant, the sound of flesh being torn echoed. Both the old man and Lyla were bisected by the blade light, blood splattering everywhere. As their consciousness faded, they saw a figure appear before Velen. The man wore golden battle armor, and the mana radiating from him distorted time and space. This was an awakener whose power was beyond comprehension¡ªfar more terrifying than even the most powerful count they had ever known. Chapter 50 - Chapter50-Lava Orb Staring at the two corpses, a trace of ruthlessness flashed across the face of the golden-armored guard. "These two damned fools dared to disturb the master''s sleep¡ªthey truly deserved to die!" After speaking, he seemed to sense something. His eyes turned cold as he stared at Lyla''s lifeless body. A faint, almost imperceptible rune imbued with deathly energy surfaced. "Mourning of the Fallen?" Such a special rune was invisible to low-ranking Awakeners, but to the golden-armored guard, it was perfectly clear. Once someone marked by the Mourning of the Fallen dies, the rune would relay a message back to its origin. Simultaneously, it would silently attach itself to the killer. "Interesting. Whoever''s backing this kid must have some influence. Looks like I might see my master again soon." The golden-armored guard smiled faintly as he saw the rune pass through his body and merge into Velen''s, disappearing without a trace. Time passed swiftly. After a night of restful sleep, Velen stretched lazily and sat up from his large Advanced Mana Stone bed. "Sure, the bed''s big enough, but it''s too hard. Next time, I must bring something softer, like beast pelts." After some grumbling, Velen summoned his System Interface. [Name: Velen. Talent: None. Bloodline: None. Level: Apprentice Rank lv9. Skills: E-level Advanced-Meteor Fist, D-level Advanced-Frostbreath, D-level Advanced-Thunderfall, D-level Advanced-Archangel Slash. Special Class: Grand Swordsman - Sword of Judgment. Luxury Points: 141,010. Inventory: 95 Afterlife Flowers, 120 SSS Tomes of Skill Experience, 15 Starry Stones, 280 drops of Dragon Blood, 95 SSS Words of Fate Tomes, 4 Class Upgrade Books (swordsman class only). Today''s Special Item: Lv6 Lava Orb ¡ª 99,999 units.] After reviewing the System panel, Velen''s focus immediately landed on the special item at the end. "Lv6 Lava Orb¡­ its power could even threaten a Titan-Rank Awakener!" He was quite satisfied with this. Newbie Rank, Apprentice Rank, Adept Rank, Expert Rank, Elite Rank, Titan Rank, Heroic Rank, Supreme Rank, Ascended Rank¡­ Among the various star systems, Titan-Rank Awakeners were considered pivotal figures. Above Titan Rank, Awakeners became increasingly rare, dominating the highest echelons of power across all factions. At Titan Rank, one could already live a very comfortable life anywhere. "With so many Luxury Points saved up, it''s time for an upgrade!" Taking a deep breath, Velen promptly issued a command to the System: "Deduct 9,000 Luxury Points and upgrade to Adept Rank lv9!" As soon as Velen''s voice fell, the dense Mana Patterns within his body emerged once more, resembling greedy mouths that continuously devoured the pure mana within a radius of dozens of miles, channeling it into his body. Very quickly, the mana within him surged, and his level rose at a rocket-like pace: Adept Rank lv1! Adept Rank lv2! Adept Rank lv3! ¡­ Within about ten minutes, Velen''s level stabilized at Adept Rank lv9! With nine consecutive level-ups, Velen felt an overwhelming strength surging through his entire body. Mana roared like an endless ocean, coursing through every cell! "Deduct 90,000 Luxury Points and upgrade to Expert Rank lv9 in one go!" Velen didn''t stop there. He continued commanding the System. Instantly, even more colossal mana began converging! The mana within him, already like a vast ocean, compressed further, becoming increasingly refined, approaching the limit of a solid state. Simultaneously, the dense Mana Patterns on his body grew even more intricate and multiplied rapidly. His entire being resembled a massive black hole composed of countless smaller black holes, pulling in mana from thousands of meters around. Expert Rank lv1! Expert Rank lv2! Expert Rank lv3! ¡­ Finally, he broke through to Expert Rank lv9 in one go! Feeling the leaden, mercury-like density of his mana, Velen was struck with a profound realization. If his previous self were to face the current him, he could crush his former self with a single finger! The rapid, successive breakthroughs left him feeling as though he had ascended from an ordinary man to a towering giant. "This¡­ ascending two major ranks in one go¡ªthere''s no way anyone else could achieve such a feat!" Velen laughed proudly. Yet, a hint of regret crept into his tone. "Such a universe-shaking event, and no one was around to witness it¡­" Just as he spoke, he caught sight of two corpses at the entrance of the cave, causing him to take a step back in surprise. "What the hell? Why are there two bodies here?" Spreading his spiritual senses, Velen probed the two bodies. He quickly shook his head. Both bore the residual, terrifying mana of the golden-armored guard. Clearly, the cave had not been peaceful while he slept last night. After shaking his head again, Velen stashed the Advanced Mana Stone bed into his storage pouch and left the cave without looking back. Not long after stepping outside, Velen raised his head to see fleets of ships streaking across the sky. "Trade fleets!" Recognizing their banners, Velen grew excited. These fleets appeared to be departing the planet. Joining them would be a quick way to return to Uranus Star! Without hesitation, Velen channeled his surging mana and flew towards the fleets. At his newly elevated rank, even without any speed-enhancing skills, Velen moved at an astonishing pace. In no time, he caught up with the ascending fleet. "Kid, who are you? Why are you following our fleet?" At this point, the fleet was still ascending at a moderate speed. Noticing Velen''s approach, the fleet''s captain, Daniel, transmitted his voice to question him. S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Captain, I''d like to join the fleet and travel to¡ª" Before Velen could finish, Daniel shook his head and rejected him outright. "Our fleet is transporting valuable goods. We can''t let an unknown outsider join. You''d best find another fleet!" After speaking, Daniel prepared to accelerate the fleet. However, the richly dressed young man beside Daniel suddenly spoke with interest: "Wait, Daniel. This kid isn''t simple¡ªhis mana is astonishingly abundant. He might be a worthy opponent." Hearing this, Daniel immediately issued new orders: "Fleet, halt and remain vigilant!" Soon, the massive fleet slowed down and hovered like a balloon in the sky. Daniel, accompanied by the young man, flew out to meet Velen. "You want to join the fleet?" Daniel scrutinized Velen. Not understanding why Daniel had suddenly changed his mind, Velen still nodded. This was the only fleet he''d encountered. Joining them was the fastest way to leave, as finding another fleet would waste too much time. Seeing Velen nod, Daniel gestured to the young man beside him. "This is our young master. He''s interested in your strength. Defeat him, and you can join the fleet!" Feeling the surging mana within him, Velen grew interested as well. "Sure!" He had just ascended two ranks and welcomed the opportunity to test himself against a powerful opponent. With confidence in his ability to crush any opponent of the same rank, he made the customary introduction for duels in the universe, cupping his hands in salute: "Velen, Expert Rank lv9!" The young man stepped forward, gazing at Velen with intrigue before introducing himself. "My name is Nikola, Elite Rank lv9!" ? Velen stared at him in disbelief. A whole rank higher¡ªhow was this supposed to be a fair duel? At higher levels, the gap between ranks only grew larger, making the disparity insurmountable. "Don''t say I, Nikola, bullied you. I''ll let you take ten moves. You may use armor, potions, scrolls, formations¡ªanything to enhance your strength!" "How about it?" Nikola declared with supreme confidence. Chapter 51 - Chapter51-God Rank Skill Velen: "..." He had seen shameless people, and he had seen show-offs. But he had never seen someone who was both shameless and desperately trying to show off! He was clearly a whole rank higher than Velen, yet spoke as though he were humbling himself. However, since Nikola had already said as much, Velen decided it was time to teach him a lesson! Without hesitation, Velen took a large handful of Lava Orbs from his system space. As the Lava Orbs appeared in the air, the temperature around them suddenly spiked, as if they had entered a dry desert in an instant. Everyone present immediately felt a sharp tingling sense of danger! "Be careful!" Daniel, who sensed the overwhelming danger first, couldn''t help but shout, rushing forward to shield Nikola. As the captain of a trade fleet, he immediately recognized the Lava Orbs. They were dangerous Lv6 items, and if they exploded, their terrifying shockwaves would be enough to pose a threat to even Titan Rank enemies! Nikola, now just an Elite Rank awakener, would have no chance against the explosive force of a Lava Orb! "Velen, this is just a spar, why are you using such a dangerous Lv6 item with such terrifying power?" Daniel said, eyeing Velen warily. He hadn''t expected Velen to pull out something so dangerous! Velen shrugged, "Your young master said I could freely use any items to enhance my strength." At that moment, Nikola realized what had happened. Hearing Velen''s words, his mouth twitched slightly, and he explained, "My sensory abilities are somewhat extraordinary. Although your mana is restrained, I can still feel it. Your mana fluctuations are almost at the Elite Rank level, so I wanted to spar with you!" The vast mana flowing within Velen had piqued Nikola''s interest. He had traveled to many planets and met many talented individuals. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But none of them had ever given him such an oppressive feeling! Clearly, his rank was lower by a large margin, yet in terms of mana''s vastness and purity, he felt he could not compare to Velen! Now that Velen had pulled out the Lv6 Lava Orb, Nikola was more certain that Velen was no ordinary person. "Having more friends means more options. I think you have great potential, and after testing you, regardless of the outcome, I plan to bring you into the fleet. There''s no need for this," Nikola added. Velen wasn''t sure if he was being truthful, so he quickly consulted his system. Fate''s Trojan glowed briefly and soon provided a response. "His words are true." Upon hearing this, Velen smiled gently, tossed the Lava Orb in his hand, and said, "Actually, I was just joking with you. It''s just a spar. I didn''t plan on using this thing." He then put the Lava Orb back into his storage pouch. Seeing this, both Nikola and Daniel breathed a sigh of relief, but soon, Daniel spoke again. "Velen must come from some major faction. The Lava Orb is worth five million mana stones. You just pulled out ten, worth fifty million mana stones. That must be all your trump cards, right?" He was quite curious about Velen. A young man who could produce so many Lava Orbs was no simple character. If he could learn more about him, maybe they could become friends. Velen shook his head slightly, "These worthless orbs aren''t my trump cards. They''re just toys." Saying that, Velen threw the ten Lava Orbs into the sky. Boom! Boom! Boom! The sky trembled as if a red fire cloud had suddenly risen, engulfing the vast sky before them in a sea of blood-red hues. The deafening roar reverberated for miles! Even from a distance, the mana shockwaves sent through the air made everyone in the fleet stagger, their bodies swaying. At the same time, the air became scorching, burning their lungs. ??? After regaining their balance, Daniel and the others from the fleet stared in shock at Velen, rooted to the spot in disbelief. Fifty million mana stones, right before their eyes, just wasted! Velen really was extravagant! He had detonated so many Lava Orbs just to prove they weren''t his trump cards. He was ridiculously wasteful! At the same time, this scene made them all the more convinced¡ªthese precious, expensive Lava Orbs were truly not his trump cards. In fact, they were just his toys! But a single Lava Orb was worth five million mana stones! Daniel felt an immense pang of heartache. Velen, meanwhile, looked up at the sky. After the Lava Orbs exploded, the scene before him was like a sunset-colored fire, a beautiful sight that made one want to become entranced. "Not bad, not bad. This looks great. It could be used as fireworks," he mused. After admiring it for a moment, Velen looked around at Daniel and the others from the trade fleet, who numbered in the hundreds. "You''re all staring at me. You seem interested in these orbs, right? Then help me share the load. I''ll treat you to a fireworks show!" As he spoke, Velen handed a handful of Lava Orbs to Daniel. This handful wasn''t just thirty or so¡ªthere were more! Daniel''s hands trembled as he took the orbs. This was the first time he''d held something worth hundreds of millions! "Use your mana to activate them. This is my way of thanking you for letting me join the trade fleet," Velen said, continuing to hand out Lava Orbs to Nikola and the others. The rest of the fleet members stared in disbelief at Velen, unable to comprehend how he could casually produce so many precious Lv6 dangerous items. He was even letting them use them as fireworks! Boom! Boom! Boom! Under Velen''s lead, everyone else, stunned beyond belief, instinctively followed suit, activating the Lava Orbs, causing them to explode with deafening roars. From a distance, it looked like lava was erupting, spraying fiery splashes. As they watched the exploding flames, everyone''s faces were filled with shock. In their eyes, each flash of fire that vanished in an instant represented countless mana stones! They couldn''t understand why Velen was doing this, but they were all deeply shaken. At the same time, they were increasingly certain of one thing: Velen was incredibly rich! Even though they carried plenty of life-saving items on them as traveling merchants, none of it could compare to the Lava Orbs Velen had just produced! As Velen watched the fireworks, his smile grew even more pronounced, as if he were seeing a large number of luxury points beckoning to him. Of course, getting them to activate the orbs wasn''t free. After all, he was a tycoon, and his actions had to match his status. Later, he planned to reward them with some mana stones, earning a wave of luxury points in return! "Velen, you''ve activated so many orbs already, is it enough?" Daniel and the others all looked at him. Velen had given them hundreds of orbs, but they hadn''t activated many themselves. They figured that activating this many orbs was enough. There was no need to keep going. "Don''t stop. Didn''t I say? These orbs are fireworks. What are we saving them for?" Velen said, urging them on. Seeing that Velen was serious, Daniel confirmed once more, "Velen, are you sure? Should we really continue?" "Yes, keep going! Don''t stop. If you do it well, there will be a heavy reward for you later!" Velen smiled. At this, everyone reluctantly began activating the orbs again. At the same time, they couldn''t help but wonder what kind of reward Velen would give them. Boom! Boom! Boom! The fiery explosions intensified, and the sky was filled with bright bursts of light for over twenty minutes before finally dying down. "Congratulations, host. After showcasing today''s special items, you''ve earned 1000 luxury points! You''ve earned the god rank skill¡ªDivine Form!" Velen blinked in disbelief as he stared at the virtual system interface before him. A god rank skill¡ªDivine Form! He could hardly believe it. The system had actually rewarded him with a god rank skill! This was something he had never expected, as god rank skills were incredibly rare and difficult to learn. For most awakeners, even if a god rank skill was placed right in front of them, they wouldn''t be able to learn it! At the same time, god rank skills were symbols of power. Even many Ascended Rank awakeners didn''t possess one, and they longed for such skills! Chapter 52 - Chapter52-Dragon Blood Potion Formula And now, he was merely an Expert Rank Awakener, yet he had already mastered a god-rank skill! If word got out, it would definitely shake the entire galaxy! What surprised Velen, though, was that the system didn''t provide an introduction for this god-rank skill. Only by activating it could he fully comprehend the Divine Form. "This time, I''ve really gotten lucky. System, give each of them 10 million mana stones. That''s fair, right?" Velen was so excited after gaining the god-rank skill that he prepared to give these people unimaginable wealth. "10 million is too much. It doesn''t correspond to their efforts," the system responded. Seeing this, Velen immediately began to bargain with the system. In the end, after Velen''s firm negotiations, the amount was settled at 500,000 mana stones per person. Mana stones were ten times more precious than gold coins. 500,000 mana stones were equivalent to 5 million gold coins, which was an enormous fortune for low-level individuals! "My god, the fireworks just now must have cost no less than a hundred billion mana stones! We were not only witnesses, but participants as well!" "Thanks to Velen, when we go back, who will dare say we''ve never seen the world?" "Exactly, they''ll never see a scene like this in their entire lives!" S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Truly, the joy of a tycoon is something we can''t even imagine. Even though we''ve only indirectly experienced a bit of it, I''m already so exhilarated!" Many people looked at the lingering mana fluctuations in the sky, discussing excitedly. This scene had left an unforgettable impression on them! "Captain Daniel, compared to Velen, my usual extravagant actions are nothing. In front of him, I''m simply a nobody!" Nikola remarked, his eyes filled with awe and admiration as he looked at Velen. Daniel, upon hearing this, could only nod in agreement with a sigh, unable to refute it. It seemed that they had just wasted no less than 10,000 Lava Orbs. Each worth 5 million mana stones, that was an astronomical amount of mana stones! Enough to buy countless planets? How many resources could it acquire? They couldn''t even fathom it! "Earlier, we didn''t believe that those things were just his polite refusals. Now, it seems we were all clowns!" "Yeah, Velen is truly extravagant, he really activated so many Lava Orbs!" Looking at Velen in the distance, Daniel and Nikola couldn''t help but feel a little dazed. Who exactly is Velen? He''s just too rich! Even if their entire fleet were sold, it couldn''t compare to the amount of mana stones Velen spent showing off! Under their gaze, Velen casually scanned the crowd, then spoke slowly: "Everyone, thank you for helping me recognize those beads earlier and for arranging this grand fireworks display. Please accept these mana stones as a token of my gratitude!" With that, Velen waved his hand and took out a number of storage bags. "500,000 mana stones?" Upon seeing the storage bags Velen handed out, Daniel''s heart raced, unable to believe his eyes. 500,000 mana stones, that was enough to rival their decades of hard work! After all, mana stones were the hard currency between Awakeners! One person receiving 500,000 was simply unimaginable wealth! "One at a time, each person gets a storage bag!" Velen glanced at them with a light smile. Hearing this, everyone snapped out of their daze and gathered around Velen, receiving the storage bags with deep gratitude, looking at him as if he were a tycoon! This was the first time they had ever seen so many mana stones! The key was that these mana stones were a reward from Velen! "My god, 500,000 mana stones per person, and the fleet has over 400 people. This... What kind of terrifying background does Velen have?" Velen''s actions made them truly experience what it meant to spend money like water! After receiving such a huge sum of mana stones, many crew members, once they expressed their thanks to Velen, immediately resigned from the fleet. "Captain Daniel, with these mana stones, I have enough to level up for the next ten years. The fleet is too dangerous; I must take my leave!" "Captain Daniel, although I feel a bit guilty, the mana stones Velen gave me are enough for my future needs. I''ll no longer risk my life on the ship¡­" Soon, others followed suit, with more and more crew members no longer wanting to take the risk and resigning. Being part of the trade guild''s fleet across the galaxies was extremely dangerous. After all, many intergalactic bandits would target the fleet''s resources. The death rate among crew members was high. Before, they were willing to risk their lives for the large amount of mana stones given by the trade guild. But now, with the massive amount of mana stones from Velen''s reward, there was no longer any need to take such risks! If they continued with the fleet and encountered intergalactic bandits, it could end badly! In just ten minutes, the once-bustling fleet had become eerily quiet. Velen looked around, seeing only Daniel and Nikola left, a faint awkwardness appearing on his face. Mainly because he hadn''t considered things from the perspective of the crew. Daniel, looking at the now-empty fleet, felt a surge of anger rising! Even when he had faced intergalactic bandits before, the crew hadn''t scattered so completely! But Velen was no ordinary person, so Daniel didn''t dare lash out directly. He could only suppress his anger, clenching his fists in frustration. "Congratulations, host, for successfully showing off. Reward: 200 luxury points and the Dragon Blood Potion formula!" "Captain Daniel, they left on their own, it has nothing to do with me, right?" Velen glanced at Daniel, who looked like he might devour him, and coughed awkwardly, speaking confidently. His thoughts were simple: he just wanted to earn luxury points through showing off. He had no intention of dismantling the trade guild fleet. It was simply that the crew had been short-sighted. Upon hearing Velen''s words, Daniel''s face turned red with anger. His forehead veins began to throb as his anger flared up once again! "It''s not related to you?" If it weren''t for you giving them a massive amount of mana stones, would they have left without a care? "Ah, this situation is truly not my fault. I was actually prepared to give them 10 million mana stones each. But since they are so short-sighted, they don''t deserve so much," Velen shook his head, feeling a little relieved. Upon hearing this, Daniel, who had already been calming down, couldn''t hold back and spat out a mouthful of blood, staining his chest. His energy seemed to wane. "Velen, Captain Daniel is on the verge of dying because of your words. Please, keep it to yourself!" Nikola quickly rushed to Daniel''s side, supporting his shaky body, then turned to Velen and spoke. Daniel, now spewing blood, couldn''t speak, but he was also slightly stunned after hearing the words. He didn''t know how to respond. After all, Velen had truly treated the Lava Orbs and the 500,000 mana stones as if they were nothing! He had given them 500,000 mana stones per person! This was a benefit he had given them to help them, and objectively speaking, he hadn''t done anything wrong. As for Velen''s claim of giving them 10 million mana stones per person, though exaggerated, he subconsciously believed it. After all, given Velen''s previous actions, he could very well have taken out such a massive amount of mana stones! And he truly seemed willing to give them away! But even if that were true, Daniel was too furious and didn''t need Velen''s words to further provoke him. With Nikola''s angry gaze on him, Velen felt a bit wronged. He was just speaking the truth! But then he realized Daniel''s severe injury, and since he still needed him to manage the trade guild fleet, and he had caused Daniel to vomit blood, he felt a little responsible. So Velen seriously asked, "Nikola, it seems Captain Daniel''s injury is quite serious. Do you have anything that can help him recover quickly?" As he spoke, Velen began to search through his storage bag. Afterlife Flower! Starry Stone! Dragon Blood! SSS Tomes of Skill Experience¡­ Various items were pulled out by Velen from his storage bag. But after searching through the entire bag, there was nothing that could heal Daniel''s injury. Daniel and Nikola, who were standing nearby, were completely stunned! Most of the items Velen had taken out were rare and legendary items that were only spoken of in legends. But here, they were casually piled up by him like they were nothing! Chapter 53 - Chapter53-Pouring the Dragon Blood Potion The Afterlife Flower¡ªsuch a rare and precious item that it can save the life of an Ascended Rank Awakener during the judgment of RULEs, a treasure that has been the focus of trade guilds for years, yet no one has ever even seen a shadow of it. And now, Velen not only has it, but he has it in large quantities! As for the Starry Stone, this material is irresistible to blacksmiths. It can be forged into magical artifacts imbued with various powerful abilities. There are even rumors that it can withstand the judgment of RULEs. Moreover, there were many items Velen took out from his storage bag that Daniel and Nikola didn''t recognize. However, considering that it was placed together with such rare treasures as the Afterlife Flower and Starry Stone, the rarity and value of these items were undeniable. Daniel and Nikola exchanged glances and saw the shock in each other''s eyes. Was Velen looking for healing items or just showing off his wealth? "It seems my foundation is still too shallow, I don''t even have healing treasures," Velen sighed, shaking his head. With that, he packed everything back into his storage bag. At that moment, Daniel and Nikola''s faces darkened. It was intentional! Velen was definitely showing off! And his words were even more infuriating! Was this how he treated others? Just to provoke them like this? As they were fuming, Velen''s voice rang out, "Captain Daniel, how is your condition? Feel free to tell me what kind of potion can help your injury." Although Velen didn''t have any good healing potions on hand, he had a system that allowed him to extract specific potions at will! When the two of them heard this, they immediately understood¡ªVelen was about to show off again! Was it really necessary to be this direct? Daniel was furious. Wasn''t this just bullying poor folks like them? He glanced at the overly confident Velen and suddenly flashed a sly smile. "Velen, I''ve suffered injuries to my lungs and internal organs. These are not easy to recover from, I need a Dragon Blood Potion to heal quickly." The Dragon Blood Potion¡ªan 8th rank special potion, incredibly rare and extremely effective for healing severe injuries. It was a miracle drug that could heal injuries as long as a person still had a breath left. Of course, such a powerful potion was incredibly valuable and rare, with a high rank¡ªalmost mythical! Since Velen wanted to show off, Daniel couldn''t resist taking the opportunity to embarrass him! Nikola, standing beside Daniel, looked at him in shock. The Dragon Blood Potion was not only extremely rare, but its formula had long been lost in history. This was a big trap for Velen! However, Nikola supported this. Velen had been showing off too much, and now it was time for him to be put in his place. He was eager to see Velen''s face when he couldn''t provide it! "Dragon Blood Potion?" Velen paused for a moment. He had just received the formula for it from the system! However, the formula alone didn''t do him much good at the moment. So, Velen immediately opened his system interface. "Lock Dragon Blood Potion, extract ten bottles!" As soon as Velen issued the command, a glow appeared in the system, and the extraction process began. The chances of obtaining an 8th rank potion were slim, with only a 30% probability, but with nearly 50,000 luxury points, he was sure to get what he wanted! The reason he wanted ten bottles was that rewards obtained from the system''s extraction were different from those directly awarded. Using them would earn a substantial amount of luxury points! Soon, as the system''s roulette spun, ten bottles of Dragon Blood Potion were quickly extracted. "Spent 8000 luxury points, obtained ten bottles of Dragon Blood Potion!" When Velen saw the system''s notification, he smiled in satisfaction. At that moment, Daniel, who had been silent, realized he may have gone too far. Although Velen had shown off excessively, he didn''t mean any harm. It was unfair of him to make things difficult for him. "Velen, I was just joking earlier. The formula for the Dragon Blood Potion has already been lost, it''s perfectly normal for you not to be able to get it." But before he could finish speaking, he saw Velen open his palm, and in it, a blood-red potion, fiery and alive, was held in his hand. The blood-red liquid in the bottle stirred restlessly, occasionally forming a blood dragon that roared to the sky, and at times, turning into a crimson wave crashing relentlessly. "Oh my god!" "Dragon Blood Potion!" "Am I seeing this correctly?" Daniel''s eyes widened in disbelief. Based on his understanding of the Dragon Blood Potion, the vial in Velen''s hand was, without a doubt, the real deal! The liquid exuded a powerful dragon pressure, and its essence couldn''t be mimicked by any other potion. "Here you go, Dragon Blood Potion, Captain Daniel. Drink it quickly, your health is the priority," Velen said, handing him the potion. Since it was specifically used to earn luxury points, it had to be consumed immediately. Daniel swallowed hard. He couldn''t bear to drink such a precious potion, shaking his head. "Velen, I know my body well. It''s nothing serious. It''ll get better in a few days. This Dragon Blood Potion is too rare and valuable, I think it''s better if you keep it." He had only mentioned the injury to provoke Velen earlier. His wounds weren''t that severe. And even if his life depended on it, he would still hesitate before drinking the Dragon Blood Potion. Its value was astronomical¡ªhe could sell himself ten times over and still not afford a bottle! Using it on himself would be a waste! "You should drink it now," Velen said, shaking his head. "This stuff, I can have as much as I want, anytime." Daniel clearly didn''t believe him, thinking that Velen was using the potion as an excuse to heal himself. Still, he stubbornly handed it back to Velen. "Just a potion, what''s the big deal? Isn''t a life more important? These material things are nothing but fleeting clouds," Velen said with a slight shake of his head. He opened the bottle of Dragon Blood Potion, and instantly, a thick wave of energy surged from it, causing Daniel and Nikola to tremble in awe. Even just inhaling the aroma from the potion made their bodies feel stronger, a feeling of deep satisfaction. As they reveled in this sensation, Velen immediately tilted the vial, and the Dragon Blood Potion poured out into the air! ?! Their eyes widened in shock, and they immediately lunged at Velen. "No!" "Don''t!" The Dragon Blood Potion was so precious, just inhaling its aura made them feel like their bodies were transforming. They couldn''t imagine how much greater the benefits would be if they actually drank it. But their reaction was too slow. The potion fell quickly, its crimson liquid blending into the soil and plants below, completely wasted. Daniel and Nikola watched with their hearts bleeding! They had seen people waste mana stones and other resources, but never had they seen someone waste a prestigious item like the Dragon Blood Potion! This was something that even Ascended Rank Awakeners would fight over! And now it was gone? "Successful showoff! Daniel and Nikola''s souls were shocked, reward: 3000 luxury points!" The system''s prompt echoed in Velen''s ears, bringing him great joy. By pouring out just one bottle of Dragon Blood Potion, he had earned 3000 luxury points. If he continued like this, he could make a fortune in luxury points! Without hesitation, Velen opened another vial of Dragon Blood Potion and poured it out. "Velen!" Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Big Brother!" "Nooo!" Daniel and Nikola screamed in horror as they watched the precious potion waste away. Chapter 54 - Chapter54-Collaboration with Daniel "Congratulations, host, on successfully flaunting wealth. Reward: 3000 luxury points!" As Velen poured bottles of dragon blood potion from the air, the system prompt sounded in his ears again. Daniel and Nikola were both on the brink of collapse and madness. This was dragon blood potion! Did he think it was just waste water to pour it out so casually? After pouring out five bottles of dragon blood potion, Velen took out another bottle and waved it in front of Daniel. "Captain Daniel, would you like to drink this bottle of dragon blood potion?" As soon as the words were spoken, Captain Daniel pounced on it like a mad dog, swallowing the dragon blood potion, cork and all, in one gulp. The speed was like a whirlwind. By the time Velen finished speaking, he was left holding an empty glass bottle that had been licked a few times by the tongue. Daniel no longer hesitated. His gaze was firm as if nothing could shake him. After drinking the dragon blood potion, Daniel smacked his lips and furrowed his brow. "What does dragon blood potion taste like? I drank it too fast to taste it¡­" Although he didn''t taste anything, the dragon blood potion that entered his stomach was already tearing through his body, penetrating every inch of his pores. Then, with a foul-smelling black slime, it was expelled from his body, and he underwent a complete transformation. His skin tightened and became more elastic, his muscles seemed to contain explosive power, and his eyes became sharp and fierce, as though a little giant had descended! Feeling his body change, Daniel''s face immediately showed a complex expression, and he muttered to himself, "Daniel, oh Daniel, you''ve fallen. How could you waste so much!" Nikola, hearing this, looked at Velen with a mix of fear in his eyes. Captain Daniel was known as the "Luxury Terminator" in the trade guild, extremely harsh on everyone in the fleet, and notoriously stingy. He liked to call it cost reduction and efficiency improvement. In reality, it was all about satisfying his miserly tendencies. Now, in front of Velen, his usual stinginess and frugality were completely shattered! In such a short time, Velen had completely changed Daniel''s character. It was truly terrifying! "Congratulations, host, on successfully flaunting wealth. Reward: 3000 luxury points. Reward: 1000 dragon blood potions! (Luxury point rewards cannot be obtained.)" Velen smiled, quite pleased. This time, he had triggered the flaunting wealth reward again and received an additional 1000 dragon blood potions! Immediately, Velen looked at Daniel with an even wider smile. "Captain Daniel, how''s your injury? I still have more!" With that, Velen took out more than ten bottles of dragon blood potion from his system space. Seeing this, Nikola, who was standing next to Daniel, was nearly drooling, eyeing Velen eagerly. Dragon blood potion wasn''t just good for healing injuries; it could also strengthen the body! "You want to drink so badly? Here, take them all!" Velen said as he handed the potions to Nikola. Nikola stared in disbelief, his eyes wide. Even Daniel, who had already had his mindset corrected by Velen, was shocked and had his mouth agape. This was more than ten bottles of dragon blood potion! ... Not long later, Velen, Daniel, and Nikola were all sitting on the large sofa of the fleet, wearing broad smiles on their faces. Velen was looking at his rapidly increasing luxury points, feeling that temporarily joining the fleet was a really good choice. Daniel and Nikola were drinking the dragon blood potions Velen had given them like they were beverages, devouring them with great gusto, afraid that Velen might waste the potions like he did earlier. After all, apart from healing effects, dragon blood potion had a significant nourishing and enhancing effect on the body. Drinking as much as they could was no problem. The two of them drank to their heart''s content, though they had only managed to down over two hundred bottles. Mainly, they couldn''t drink any more! "Velen, from now on, I''ll be your little brother! If you need anything, just say the word! I''ll follow you to the mountain of blades and the sea of fire without batting an eye!" Nikola''s face was flushed, as though he was drunk, continuously slapping his chest and making promises to Velen. Velen''s display of flaunting wealth had deeply shocked him, and it had completely reshaped his worldview. Although he had visited many places and met many people in the fleet, even some ancient families with business dealings, the mana stones they offered were still not enough to buy the two hundred plus bottles of dragon blood potion that he and Captain Daniel had just consumed. Dragon blood potion was already incredibly expensive, and after the recipe was lost, its price had skyrocketed to astronomical numbers! "Nikola, when we get back, I''ll definitely have a word with the head. He misunderstood you in the past; your spending was just normal, not wasteful or extravagant at all! It was the head and our narrow-mindedness that was the problem!" Daniel said with a deep sense of regret. After seeing a big tycoon like Velen, he realized how small his own world had been. S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Nikola''s flaunting wasn''t even worth mentioning. Now that Nikola had acknowledged Velen as his big brother, Daniel wholeheartedly welcomed it. To become Velen''s little brother was the luckiest thing that could have happened to him! "Although dragon blood potion is an lv8 potion, you all seem to be well-informed people. Why do you value it so much?" Velen then asked, voicing his confusion. "Remember, the recipe for dragon blood potion has already been lost. Even if you have enough spirit herbs and dragon blood, without knowing the proper ratios and alchemical techniques, you can''t make dragon blood potion." "And the healing effect of dragon blood potion is among the top in the lv8 potions, so its price just keeps going up!" Daniel explained to Velen. Velen nodded, understanding the situation. Then, he scratched his head and took out a book from his chest. "Take a look, is this the recipe for dragon blood potion?" Daniel''s eyes immediately focused on the book that Velen had taken out. He wasn''t an alchemist, nor had he seen the recipe for dragon blood potion before, so he couldn''t identify whether it was real or not. The only way to confirm it was to have an alchemist prepare a batch of dragon blood potion according to the recipe and see for themselves. "Velen, is this recipe real?" Daniel asked, his voice filled with excitement. Velen nodded. "Of course it''s real. If you''re interested, I can give the recipe to you." Daniel looked at Velen in excitement. "Really? Velen?!" Since Velen said it was real, Daniel had no reason to doubt it. After all, Velen had already shown so much dragon blood potion. The key was that Velen was willing to hand over the recipe to them at the trade guild! Dragon blood potion was highly sought after across all the star systems. Whenever dragon blood potion appeared, it would stir up a great deal of turmoil. If others found out that Velen had the recipe, it would surely attract countless alchemical factions to gather around! Given how precious the recipe was, Velen could practically cooperate with any alchemical force that came his way! But Velen had chosen to work with them. This made Daniel feel like it was almost too good to be true. However, for Velen, since he wasn''t an alchemist, keeping the recipe was useless. It would be better to let Daniel and his guild handle it, and he would just take a percentage of the profits. "Now that the fortress has just been established, there''s still a lot we need. I''ve been working so hard for the fortress. Anastasia will be very happy when she finds out, right?" Velen smiled and then looked at Daniel. "Captain Daniel, I''ll give you the recipe. All I ask is for 10% of the profits from selling dragon blood potion to go to the fortress." "Only 10%?" Daniel was stunned for a moment, quickly asking, "Are you serious?" High-grade potions always had huge profit margins, and dragon blood potions, especially, would be their exclusive product. The monopoly profits would be astronomical! For Velen to ask for just 10% was truly unbelievable. "Only 10%. After that, you just need to send the profits to the fortress." Velen nodded. This was Velen''s way of securing a steady stream of income for the fortress. "Okay! Velen, as soon as the recipe is verified, we''ll sign a contract right away!" Daniel said resolutely. Even if Velen took the majority of the dragon blood potion profits, Daniel would agree. After all, without the recipe, the business couldn''t be done! Besides, Velen wasn''t asking for much. "By the way, how much is your fleet worth? I''ll buy it all, then take me to Uranus Star. The fortress is there..." Chapter 55 - Chapter55-Bloodline of Fenrir? "Velen, the cargo on the fleet isn''t worth much, so when we send you to the fortress, we''ll give it all to you as well." Daniel made the decision directly. Velen gave them the recipe for the dragon blood potion, and they had already taken a huge advantage. These goods weren''t worth mentioning. So, Daniel decided to send them all to Velen, leaving a good impression. Clearly, Velen had a lot of valuable items, and there might be opportunities for cooperation in the future. Building a good relationship now was very important. Seeing this, Velen didn''t refuse. In fact, this wasn''t just for him but for the fortress. It was a nice gesture to bring something back for the fortress after being away for so long. "Then let''s set off quickly!" Velen looked at Daniel and nodded. Daniel glanced at the fleet''s navigation system, found Uranus Star, and reported to Velen: "We are quite far from the fortress. It will take us about three days to reach it." "Three days?" Velen murmured, feeling a bit of anticipation rise in his heart. He hoped the system would refresh some good items during this time! After eating and drinking his fill, Velen lay down in the fleet''s guest room to rest. Meanwhile, Daniel, who stayed in the cockpit, looked at Nikola, who had just walked over after reporting to the head, and said happily: "What did the head say? Did he praise my quick thinking?" Nikola replied angrily, "Dad says I''m talking nonsense, my mind is confused, and that when we return, he''ll teach me a lesson." "Also, he says you''ve gone mad with me. After this, he''s going to remove you from the position of fleet captain." Daniel''s face, which had just shown a smile, immediately stiffened. "How could the head say that? How could Velen deceive us? You saw it yourself, Velen is a huge tycoon like we''ve never seen before!" "Father and the others have narrow views. When we return, we''ll make them apologize to us!" Both of them were furious. Velen had given them strong confidence! ... Aurora Trade Guild. "Bruce, immediately go after Nikola''s fleet and see what he''s up to?" "He reported that the cargo wouldn''t be delivered and that the fleet would specifically send Velen back, giving him all the cargo. He even said that we, the trade guild, have gained a huge advantage." "I''m worried he might have been kidnapped by space pirates." The head of the trade guild raised his head and looked at the stars with a serious expression. S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As Nikola''s father, he knew his son all too well¡ªhe was never a source of peace of mind. But this time, Daniel, as the fleet captain, was standing with Nikola. It was hard to say whether they had encountered danger. From Nikola''s tone, it was clear that he highly valued Velen. Bruce frowned slightly. Daniel was his son, known for being thrifty. Now, he was doing something so ridiculous with Nikola. Everything about it felt strange! "Don''t worry, head. I''ll find out the truth as soon as possible. Whoever dares to lay hands on our fleet will be looking for death!" A fierce glint flashed in Bruce''s eyes. Then, he quickly controlled the ship and sped off in the direction of the fleet. ... After a good rest, Velen woke up and immediately checked the special items refreshed by the system. Special Item: Fenrir Bloodline! Fenrir: Fierce and savage, growing stronger with each battle. It possesses a special bloodline ability that evolves during combat. What doesn''t kill me only makes me stronger! Seeing the special item of the day, Velen''s eyes widened in surprise! This time, the system really refreshed something great! Velen knew about Fenrir. It was a legendary spellbeast, rumored to be able to contend with the top gods and even devour them¡ªa terrifying giant wolf. At first, Velen thought it was just a myth, but now he realized it was true! What surprised him even more was how powerful Fenrir''s bloodline was! It evolved in battle and grew stronger the more it fought! Velen was deeply moved! After all, there were so many Awakeners in the galaxy, and no one dared to claim they were invincible in their class. The abilities, attributes, and skills of different Awakeners had mutual countering effects. However, with the ability to evolve infinitely, there were limitless possibilities. With this bloodline, one could truly be invincible! "System, it''s reasonable for me to absorb this bloodline, right?" This bloodline was so powerful, and Velen was deeply tempted. After all, he had no bloodline at all. If he had this bloodline, his combat ability would grow exponentially! He would become a true monster! "Host, if you use it, a large amount of luxury points will be deducted. Please think carefully." "Additionally, while Fenrir''s bloodline is indeed strong, your identity is so noble that this bloodline is unworthy of you." Upon hearing the system''s reminder, Velen had to suppress his excitement. This bloodline was already powerful enough, but from the system''s tone, it seemed there might be an even more extraordinary existence! This made Velen even more excited. If the system said there was something, it definitely existed! The only question was how incredibly powerful it could be. "If I can''t use it, who should I give this bloodline to?" Velen fell into a brief moment of thought. "Velen, breakfast is ready!" At that moment, Nikola''s voice came from outside the door. This voice reminded Velen of Kidd. He didn''t like to be a frontline swordman, preferring to stay in the back. But after giving him the special skill "Sword of Judgement," he probably wouldn''t be able to escape the fate of becoming a swordman. With that thought, Velen stroked his chin with a bit of dark humor. When Velen opened the guest room door, Nikola immediately enthusiastically invited him to the fleet''s dining room, positioning himself as Velen''s subordinate. "Velen, big brother, I''m not sure if these ingredients suit your taste, but they''re very fresh. This steak was just cooked..." After guiding Velen to the dining room, Nikola immediately placed a plate of freshly grilled steak in front of him, and the faint smell of meat wafted through the air. Velen cut a piece with a knife and fork and tasted it. It had a subtle creamy flavor and was quite delicious. "This steak is really good. Do you cook often?" Nikola nodded, embarrassed. "Mostly because I''m afraid of pain. I only engage in friendly sparring; I don''t like life-and-death battles, so I''ve always managed the fleet''s logistics." Seeing that Velen was looking at him more seriously, Nikola added, "Although I don''t often fight space pirates, I''m good at cooking and healing. They''re quite useful!" Daniel sighed from the side, "Actually, it''s not that the young master doesn''t want to go into battle. It''s mainly because his personality and mana core are like his mother''s. He didn''t inherit the head''s special mana core, so his combat ability is pretty average. Rather than that, it''s better to manage logistics." Hearing this, Velen nodded slightly and then asked the system in his mind, "System, are there any requirements for inheriting Fenrir''s bloodline?" The system replied, "As long as they are sentient beings, they can inherit it. There are no special requirements. This bloodline mainly evolves rapidly through combat!" Upon hearing this, Velen nodded. He felt even more amazed by the power of this bloodline. After all, as long as one didn''t die in battle, they would keep evolving. Even if the world collapsed from the start, one could rise up! "Nikola, if there were an opportunity for you to grow stronger, but it required constant fighting and growing in battle, would you accept it?" Hearing Velen''s question, Nikola immediately shook his head and said, "If such an opportunity really existed, I wouldn''t want it. I''m going to be the head of Aurora Trade Guild in the future. Glory and wealth are waiting for me. There''s no need to fight and kill." "Besides, it really hurts!" Daniel looked at Nikola''s cowardly expression and felt embarrassed for him. In the past, Nikola had always bullied the weak, using heavy strikes against Awakeners of lower levels, but when facing those stronger than him, he was docile and submissive. If this opportunity really came to him, he definitely wouldn''t choose it. Young master was the kind of rich second generation who just ate and waited to inherit the family business. Velen smiled slightly, then slowly asked, "I wonder if you''ve ever heard of Fenrir?" Chapter 56 - Chapter56-Chrono-Light Orb Fenrir? Although Nikola felt a bit uncomfortable with the smile on Velen''s face, he still nodded and said: "Of course I know. It''s rumored to be the most brutal spellbeast, infamous for its bloodthirsty nature. They say even the legendary gods were devoured by it!" "Velen, why are you asking about this all of a sudden?" Velen smiled and replied, "I had a dream last night. In the dream, it told me that its bloodline must not be allowed to end. It needs to find someone suitable to inherit it." Nikola scratched his head, curious. "Did it tell you what kind of person is suitable to inherit its bloodline?" Velen nodded. "It said the best candidate would be someone afraid of pain, a spoiled young master." Nikola: "¡­" "Could you be referring to me directly?" "Velen, this dream sounds pretty cool, but it''s just a dream, right? If I really inherited its bloodline, I''d probably be tortured to death." He had heard that Fenrir became the strongest after countless battles between life and death. Its bloodline should have perfectly inherited that brutal process. He thought that if he had to experience such bloody battles, it would be better if they just killed him outright. However, Velen was staring at him, and Nikola suddenly felt uneasy. "Velen, I''m telling you, I''m not really a spoiled young master. I''m not afraid of pain at all!" With that, he grabbed a knife and fork and was about to carve a bleeding wound into his hand. But the moment the utensils touched his skin, his body trembled, and he gave up. He swallowed nervously and cautiously asked: "Velen, you''re not really going to do it, right?" "Have I ever lied to you?" Velen squinted his eyes and said. Nikola: "¡­" At this moment, Daniel suddenly became excited. "If the young master really inherits Fenrir''s bloodline, his future will be limitless!" "The trade guild will benefit immensely from his rise!" "If Velen really has Fenrir''s bloodline, please pass it onto Nikola!" Daniel said with great seriousness. Nikola quickly shook his head. "Velen, don''t you care about my opinion? If I really inherit Fenrir''s bloodline, my father won''t let me off easy. I might die in battle!" Velen didn''t speak but simply smiled as he walked closer. In his palm, a special rune containing Fenrir''s essence blood flickered with a bloodthirsty, savage, and frenzied aura. "Velen, don''t come any closer!" As Nikola sensed the terrifying blood-colored rune, his face instantly turned pale. He quickly turned to flee in panic. But Daniel grabbed him by the arm. "Master, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to change your fate!" "I just want to live a lazy life and wait for death! I don''t want to change my fate!" "No! Master! You''re thinking wrong!" As Nikola screamed in resistance, Velen''s Fenrir bloodline was infused into his body. Minutes passed, and half an hour later, after the bloodline was completely absorbed, blood-red patterns began to spread across Nikola''s body. These patterns resembled huge, mana-like veins, covering every part of his body. At the same time, a savage aura soared from Nikola''s body, shining in the sky like a brilliant red giant star! Standing nearby, Daniel immediately felt an overwhelming pressure from the bloodline, as if in front of Nikola at this moment, he were just an insignificant ant gazing at a mighty dragon! Meanwhile, deep inside Nikola''s mind, he saw a towering giant wolf. The wolf stepped over countless corpses, its body drenched in blood, covered in brutal and intersecting scars. Its ferocious aura turned into a blood-red mist that filled his mental world. Roar! At that moment, the giant wolf howled toward the heavens. The frantic roar shattered the very fabric of space, causing cracks to spread out across the void. The roar even tore through the boundary between illusion and reality. In the presence of Velen and Daniel, they both saw the giant wolf standing before them like a blood-red planet, making them feel as small as dust. The sensation of being looked down upon by such an overwhelming force, as though they could be annihilated with a glance, made Velen and Daniel''s hearts race. Fortunately, this sensation only lasted for a moment before vanishing without a trace! After a brief moment of dizziness, both Velen and Daniel wiped the cold sweat from their foreheads, trying to calm their shocked hearts. "My goodness, Fenrir''s bloodline is truly insane¡­ The system misled me!" Velen cursed inwardly. Just inheriting the bloodline had caused such a massive cosmic phenomenon. It was hard to imagine how far Nikola could evolve through continued battles! Daniel also looked at Nikola in awe. The power of this bloodline was terrifying, far beyond his imagination. "With such a bloodline, if the young master doesn''t train hard, it will be a waste of such a powerful gift!" sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He felt a strong sense that his master didn''t deserve such a powerful bloodline. To use it on him would be a waste! At this point, Nikola, who had just opened his eyes, noticed that Velen and Daniel were staring at him, and a wave of unease hit him. "Congratulations, host, on fully unlocking Fenrir''s bloodline. You have been awarded 1000 luxury points and 3 Level 9 Chrono-Light Orbs!" Chrono-Light Orb: A one-time consumable item. When activated with mana, it creates a phantom space-time that can trap an Ascended Rank lv9 awakener for 10 hours. "True to its level 9 rating, these are powerful items. On our way back to the fortress, I won''t have to worry about being disturbed. I can finally get a good night''s sleep!" Velen was very pleased with this item, as it could trap an Ascended Rank lv9 for 10 hours. If it fell into the hands of another awakener, it would definitely be a trump card. But Velen wasn''t concerned. As a tycoon, being able to sleep without interruptions was an honor for him! "Velen, why do I feel like my body hasn''t changed much?" At this point, Nikola looked down at his body. Aside from being slightly stronger than before, he didn''t notice any significant changes. "The true terror of Fenrir''s bloodline doesn''t lie in instantly increasing your power and level. It''s in the countless bloody battles, purging and perfecting itself. It''s normal that you can''t feel any changes yet." Velen gave him a simple explanation, "Once you get familiar with this special bloodline, you''ll have a deeper understanding." Daniel spoke up at this moment. "Once we get to the trade guild and the head learns about your bloodline, he will definitely train you intensively. I need to remind you, based on the head''s personality, he won''t show any mercy. It''s highly possible you''ll be severely injured or even crippled¡­" Seeing Daniel''s icy demeanor, Nikola couldn''t help but feel that his future was looking dark! "Although I don''t know the head well, it''s highly likely that if you don''t die, he''ll push you to the limit, forcing you to fight to the death and unlock your potential." Velen gave Nikola a hug in advance. "Make sure to cherish your time now." ¡­ Before long, the day passed. During this time, Nikola seemed to understand the gravity of the situation and actively sought Daniel''s guidance on combat and leveling up. This surprised Velen, as it was not like Nikola to act this way. But it was good that he had this awareness. If he fully awakened Fenrir''s bloodline, Nikola''s name might echo across the universe in the future. Velen wasn''t interested in their training. He yawned and returned to his room, activating the starry sky light-shadow orb to avoid any disturbances. After all, the starry sky wasn''t peaceful, and anything could happen. Then, Velen took out some dragon blood potions and placed them by his side, before gradually drifting off to sleep. Meanwhile, in the same starry sky, an old man piloted a spaceship, rapidly approaching their location! Ten minutes later, after reaching the edge of the fleet, the old man didn''t rush in but quickly emitted a mental wave to probe the fleet''s interior. Chapter 57 - Chapter57-Blood Battle Under the spread of his spiritual fluctuations, it didn''t take long for him to silently infiltrate the fleet. At this moment, he suddenly froze, because he saw his son, Daniel, wielding a long sword and ruthlessly charging toward the young master. Across from him, Nikola, for some unknown reason, didn''t choose to dodge but instead took the blow from Daniel''s sword with his body, covered in wounds, blood dripping. Even though this was only sensed through his spiritual fluctuations, he still felt his heart tighten. If this battle continued, even if the young master wasn''t killed by Daniel, he would definitely bleed out and die! "Stop!" "Stop it now!" Bruce''s old face turned slightly red as he let out a thunderous roar, hoping they would calm down and come to their senses. The fleet was definitely in trouble! Daniel and Nikola, who had always had a good relationship, were now fighting to the death within the fleet! It looked like a fight to the death without a hint of reconciliation! However, just as his deafening voice was about to spread throughout the fleet, an invisible ripple suddenly spread, blocking his voice. Bruce furrowed his brows and quickly looked toward the source of the ripple. It came from the VIP room in the center of the fleet. He could sense the presence of a young man from there. That must be Velen, whom the young master had mentioned, right? "It must be this guy controlling Nikola and Daniel, making them fight each other. Such a ruthless heart!" Bruce almost ground his back teeth in anger. He immediately prepared to force his way into the fleet to stop the bloody battle and eliminate Velen, the mastermind! However, as soon as he got close, the previous ripple once again manifested, like an uncertain mist, blocking his way. "The fluctuation of time and space, I''ve actually been isolated into another time and space... When did this happen?" Bruce suddenly looked around, a chill running down his spine! He thought he had been hidden well, but to his shock, he had unknowingly fallen into a trap. Boom! Reacting quickly, Bruce immediately attacked, punching the illusory barrier in front of him. His restless mana gathered into a wild bull, continuously grinding against the barrier, producing a series of loud collisions. However, the barrier was like a flowing skirt, no matter how violently he struck, it didn''t budge in the slightest. Bruce''s brows immediately furrowed tightly. So this is Velen''s method? It was indeed strange to the extreme. He continued to use several skills, trying to break free from this illusory space-time, but to no avail. Whoosh~ Nikola, covered in deep wounds, was breathing heavily, seemingly on the verge of collapse. Then, dragging his exhausted body, he walked toward Velen''s room with an extremely ferocious look in his eyes. Bruce was stunned. Had the young master broken free of Velen''s control? But something didn''t seem right. The young master had always been afraid of pain and was gentle by nature. Yet the look in his eyes now made Bruce feel like he was seeing a savage wolf! It was completely unlike the young master he knew. However, his attention quickly shifted to the bottles of potions placed in the room. Dragon blood potion? Seeing the special potions in the glass bottles, Bruce was momentarily dazed! sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He had once seen a bottle of dragon blood potion, and it looked exactly the same as the ones in this room! But why... Why would Velen have so many dragon blood potions in his room? At a glance, there must be at least a hundred bottles! A hundred bottles of dragon blood potion? Did he think they were cabbages? He could hardly believe his eyes. At that moment, both Nikola and Daniel entered the room and each took a bottle of dragon blood potion and drank it down. Before going to sleep, Velen had told them that if they needed dragon blood potion, they could come to his room to take it, but they had to be quiet and not disturb him. Velen was well aware that in order to awaken Fenrir''s bloodline, they needed to go through extremely brutal battles, and dragon blood potion was an excellent healing agent, so it would be very useful to them. In an instant, the abundant energy within the dragon blood potion rapidly brought Daniel back to his peak, his energy so vigorous it was almost frightening, and his eyes seemed to emit a bloody red light. Though he hadn''t been injured, he had been very careful and precise with his mana and power control to better stimulate Nikola''s Fenrir bloodline, which had already drained a significant amount of his energy. Thus, the dragon blood potion''s main purpose for him was to restore him to his peak state. As for Nikola, the dragon blood potion was like the rarest water in a dry desert. After being nourished by the potion, his injuries rapidly healed, his mana grew, and his physical body quickly recovered and strengthened! The sensation of his body growing stronger and evolving into something even greater made Nikola feel somewhat intoxicated. It was a feeling he had never experienced before! "Captain, continue, I can handle it!" "I can feel my mana and my body rapidly evolving!" Nikola stared at Daniel, filled with excitement. At the start, Daniel had left deep scars on his body with every blow. But as time passed, the wounds became shallower with each strike. His body was rapidly undergoing an astonishing transformation! Especially with the nourishment of the dragon blood potion, the speed of his evolution was astonishing! Daniel nodded and then unleashed even more powerful mana, launching another attack on Nikola! Bruce was completely stunned by the sight! What was going on here? Had they both completely lost their minds? The precious dragon blood potions were being recklessly consumed just to continue the brutal battle. He couldn''t understand it, but he was deeply shocked! The battle continued for another two hours. During that time, Nikola''s gains were enormous¡ªhis skin felt like it was made of indestructible gold and iron. But their battle also grew even more dangerous. "These two are really going too far. They''re wasting so many precious dragon blood potions just to fight like beasts!" Bruce''s lungs felt ready to explode. He wanted to rush into the fleet and slap them both across the face! From the moment he sensed the battle beginning, they had fought over ten rounds. Every time their strength faltered or their injuries were too severe, they simply used the dragon blood potion to recover. He didn''t understand, but he was deeply shaken! Soon, another two hours passed. Velen stretched lazily as he woke up from his bed, sensing the ongoing battle between the two. He was both surprised and slightly confused. Nikola was truly crazy, having trained for so long. After calculating the time in his mind, Velen suddenly looked toward the outside of the fleet. The Chrono-Light Orb was activated, and the moment he woke up, he immediately noticed something, a cold glint flashing across his face. "This old man seems to be planning a sneak attack. Fortunately, I was prepared." Velen didn''t know Bruce, but he found his thin and somewhat suspicious appearance to be a potential threat, so he decided to be cautious. He immediately took out another Chrono-Light Orb from his pocket, replacing the time-altering orbs with it. "Let''s just trap him for now. It won''t be long before we reach the fortress." Velen wasn''t too concerned about Bruce. He decided to wait until Daniel and Nikola finished their fight before dealing with him. From Bruce''s greedy and regretful look, it was obvious he wasn''t a friendly visitor, and likely had some enmity with him! As Velen assessed Bruce, Bruce was also looking at Velen, his brows furrowing tightly. Velen had discovered his presence¡ªthis wasn''t a good sign! "This special restraint can''t last forever. I''ll see just how desperate you''ll be once the time is up!" Bruce spat, his voice filled with venom. Velen, being relatively young, clearly wasn''t a top-tier powerhouse. Without this special restraint, Bruce was confident that he could easily wipe him out. Using his own son and the young master as pawns¡ªhe had to make Velen pay the price! "Daniel, you''ve been fighting for an entire day. Take a good rest now. Rest and work... Chapter 58 - Chapter58-Advertising Dragon Blood Potion? "Now you want to escape? It''s too late!" Bruce, trapped in the illusory time-space, saw the spaceship about to activate again. A cold, ruthless expression appeared on his face. He swiftly charged towards Velen, gripping his double-headed axe tightly. The blade, covered in sharp bone spikes, slashed through the illusory time-space ahead, disrupting the void. However, his strike didn''t tear the time-space apart; there wasn''t even a ripple in its wake. Bruce furrowed his brow. The confinement ability of this illusory time-space was even more troublesome than he''d imagined! "Damn Velen!" Bruce glared at Velen''s retreating figure, his face filled with icy killing intent. Under Bruce''s intense gaze, Velen remained unfazed and even provocatively flipped him the bird! Bruce, already filled with rage from being trapped, was further provoked by Velen''s taunting. His anger flared to the point where he nearly exploded. The great axe in his hands hummed with restless mana, continuously striking the illusory time-space. But it was still nothing more than impotent rage. After attacking for three or four hours, Bruce finally suppressed his fury. At this point, his relentless assaults weren''t achieving anything. The tool Velen had activated was simply too terrifying. He had used his most powerful techniques, but still couldn''t shake this illusory time-space. Meanwhile, Velen glanced at Daniel and Nikola, murmuring to himself: "These two probably don''t know I helped them trap their enemy." That old man''s gaze was incredibly vicious, with a murderous intent almost palpable. If that old man managed to break into the fleet, it would be disastrous. After all, the old guy''s level was terrifying, and he was far beyond what Nikola and Daniel could handle. Velen shook his head, then suddenly noticed a special item refresh in the system interface. Special Item: 9999 Bottles of Dragon Blood Potion. Velen immediately furrowed his brow, clearly surprised by the refresh of this item. He really didn''t need this right now! S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He hadn''t even finished using the 1000 bottles of Dragon Blood Potion the system had awarded him previously! "It looks like the normal usage method can''t possibly use them all up." Velen shook his head. Daniel and Nikola had already drunk too much Dragon Blood Potion. If they were to drink more, they''d probably end up vomiting from it. But, they could at least drink a little more! "Daniel, Nikola, we''ve been at war for so long, you haven''t eaten yet, right?" As he spoke, Velen pulled out several bottles of Dragon Blood Potion and handed them to them. "Here, have this potion as your breakfast. It''s rare for you to make it yourselves." Seeing Velen pull out several hundred bottles of Dragon Blood Potion again, Daniel and Nikola both looked a bit grim. They had already consumed too much Dragon Blood Potion these past few days. Though it tasted decent, drinking so much was still making them feel extremely uncomfortable. However, since Velen had handed it to them, they couldn''t refuse out of politeness. They had no choice but to grit their teeth and drink the potions one by one. After drinking over two hundred bottles, the nausea subsided, and they quickly waved their hands, signaling that they couldn''t drink any more. Seeing this, Velen was a little disappointed. Though he had anticipated this, they had only consumed a little over two hundred bottles. The speed and efficiency were too slow. "Daniel, since you can''t drink these potions, just throw the rest into space later." Velen placed the more than 9000 bottles of Dragon Blood Potion into a storage bag and handed it to Daniel. "Throw them all away?" Daniel, feeling the density of the Dragon Blood Potion in the bag, swallowed nervously and looked at Velen in disbelief. So much Dragon Blood Potion¡ªare we really going to throw it all away? "Velen, these things are so precious. Shouldn''t we keep them? And if so much Dragon Blood Potion flows into the galaxy, won''t it affect our future sales?" Nikola spoke up in a hurry. Velen shook his head. "For the major star systems, this amount of Dragon Blood Potion is nothing. Besides, doing this might actually make your trade guild better off!" Nikola was confused, staring at Velen. How would wasting so much Dragon Blood Potion benefit their sales? "You guys didn''t have Dragon Blood Potion before, so your reputation was too low. Even if you advertise everywhere in the universe, it would still be a huge cost and effort. But, when you scatter these potions, put your trade guild''s label on the glass bottles. Those who pick them up and try the effects will want more. Who do you think they will turn to?" Velen said with confidence. Nikola and Daniel exchanged looks, and it seemed to make sense! "Moreover, once so much Dragon Blood Potion is scattered by your trade guild, it will surely cause a stir. You won''t even need to advertise anymore; countless customers will come to you naturally!" Velen looked at them. Though it seemed like a wasteful display of wealth, this approach would indeed greatly boost the reputation of their trade guild, indirectly helping them with future profits. After Nikola figured it out, he nodded eagerly. "Velen, you''ve made us realize our small thinking. With what you''ve done, our trade guild is going to make a big splash in the universe!" Daniel also stared at Velen with admiration. "A tycoon is a tycoon. The way he thinks is totally different from ours. Though it looks like wasteful spending, it''s actually a smart move." Once this news spreads, the reputation of their trade guild would soar, and their business would benefit immensely. "Alright, alright! Velen, I''ll go do it right now!" Daniel took the storage bag from Velen and immediately entered the fleet''s laser processing plant. There, he marked the guild''s logo and name on the glass bottles. Soon, with Daniel''s extravagant efforts, the Dragon Blood Potions were scattered across the dark starry sky, drifting and spreading. After the dispersal, Velen received a system reward of 1000 luxury points. The only downside was that aside from the luxury points, there were no other rewards. "Keep going." Velen glanced at the two and sat down on the couch in the cockpit. He still had one last Chrono-Light Orb. If that fierce old man came again, he could activate it to ensure the safety of the two. "For you, and for the fortress, I feel like a worried old father¡­" Looking at the two of them, who had fallen back into battle, Velen couldn''t help but sigh. At this moment, as the Chrono-Light Orb''s time ended, Bruce immediately began tracking the fleet''s direction and pursued the spaceship. As he followed, Bruce suddenly noticed that there were many bottles of Dragon Blood Potion floating in the pitch-black void, like small meteors drifting aimlessly. "Dragon Blood Potion! So much Dragon Blood Potion!" Bruce slowed the ship and quickly jumped out to grab a bottle. His eyelid twitched. "The Aurora Trade Guild''s logo¡­ Too extravagant! What is Velen up to?" Bruce''s shock and coldness grew. A rough count of the Dragon Blood Potions floating in the starry sky revealed there were thousands of bottles! Though he had sensed that Velen had quite a few Dragon Blood Potions from before, throwing so many into space was excessive! Bruce immediately opened his storage bag and started collecting all the Dragon Blood Potions along the way... Chapter 59 - Chapter59-S rank skill-Meteor Volcano However, his opinion of Velen was growing increasingly negative. So many precious potions, treated like beans being thrown around? This deeply stimulated his nerves. Such waste! Even though these dragon blood potions were not his own, he still wanted to sentence the culprit of this waste to the most severe punishment. Filled with anger, Bruce accelerated the speed of the spaceship. ¡­ Time passed quickly. The next morning. As soon as Velen got up from the couch in the cockpit, he immediately headed toward the back of the ship to the living room. In the massive living room, Daniel and Nikola were still in the middle of an intense battle. And that fierce-looking old man had still not appeared, which puzzled Velen. At the old man''s speed, he should have arrived by now. Velen decisively used Fate''s Trojan to inquire about the old man''s whereabouts. He didn''t want the sudden appearance of the old man to affect the two of them. After receiving the message from Fate''s Trojan, Velen immediately went to the rear of the fleet. When he arrived, he immediately saw the old man driving a small spaceship. The old man glanced at Velen, furrowing his brows, feeling that Velen was heading straight for him. "Velen! What have you done to my son¡­" The old man started questioning but suddenly noticed that Velen''s hand had once again appeared a translucent white light orb. Velen didn''t give him any time to react and directly manipulated his mana, activating the Chrono-Light Orb. Immediately, the Chrono-Light Orb expanded like a translucent balloon, rapidly enveloping Bruce. Though the two of them seemed to be facing each other, in reality, they were separated by an ancient space-time rift! Even though that space-time was illusory, it was still something Bruce could not cross or break. Seeing all this, Velen clapped his hands and said, "That old man really doesn''t give up. If he has the guts, let him continue chasing!" Velen mocked, then ignored Bruce''s murderous glare and returned to the spaceship. "Velen!" "You damn bastard!" "If I catch you, I''ll break your legs and make you wish you were dead!" Watching Velen''s retreating figure, Bruce''s face flushed red with anger. His mana was stirring, and the terrifying killing intent even distorted the void. "Velen, where did you go just now?" When Velen returned to the fleet''s living room, Daniel and Nikola had already stopped sparring and looked at him curiously. Velen casually waved his hand and asked in return, "Just went out for some fresh air. Why did you two finish so quickly today?" Nikola raised his hands and proudly displayed his muscles, excitedly saying, "Velen, you really are from Fenrir''s bloodline! My body has evolved to be tougher these days. Even if I''m hit hard with an alloy longsword, all it leaves is a white mark on my skin. This bloodline is too strong, really has infinite potential. I''ll definitely cherish it from now on!" The more Nikola experienced Fenrir''s bloodline, the more he realized how terrifying it was. Any attack that caused him harm multiple times would gradually build up resistance, making him stronger until he could eventually withstand the attack. As long as he didn''t die, he would keep getting stronger in battle! Velen nodded, knowing the power of the bloodline. He was happy for Nikola''s progress. "By the way, Velen, we''re now about a day away from Uranus Star. We should arrive early tomorrow morning!" Daniel said slowly. Velen nodded, then nonchalantly glanced behind him. If that old man managed to break free of the confinement and kept chasing, once they reached the fortress, Velen had to show him what cruelty truly was! "Speed up!" Velen glanced at Daniel. Daniel nodded and immediately activated the fleet''s maximum power. At this moment, Velen also glanced at the system. Special Item: S rank skill book - Meteor Volcano! Velen was somewhat surprised to see that the system had given him a skill book. Especially an S rank skill, which was a treasure that many forces would covet! However, after thinking for a while, Velen felt somewhat disdainful. It wasn''t that the S rank skill was bad, but the higher the rank of the skill, the harder it was to learn! Otherwise, why would people like Hael, Councilor of Tarot Order Kelsey, and others be so eager for the SSS Tomes of Skill Experience? S rank skills were too difficult for him to learn at his current level, and even if he did learn them, it would be a waste of time and effort. After all, the skills he obtained through the system were directly at full proficiency, and there was no need to go through the learning process. To others, this was a treasure, but to Velen, it was like a piece of grass. How could he show off with this? Velen pondered for a moment. He had already done similar things before, like throwing things away, but that was too tacky. It didn''t suit his image as a tycoon. Tearing it up didn''t seem much better either. After a while, Velen seemed to have thought of something and suddenly looked at Nikola. "Nikola, do you need to use the toilet?" Nikola didn''t know why Velen asked this question, but he still answered, "No need, Velen, you know, as an awakener, we don''t even need to eat. Even if we do, we can completely digest the food within our bodies, so there''s no need to eliminate impurities." Nikola then smiled and added, "Although I''m not a top-tier awakener, I do have some strength in this area." Velen shook his head and said, "I don''t think you have that ability!" Nikola furrowed his brows and retorted, "But I really do!" "No, you don''t!" Velen firmly shook his head. Nikola was left without confidence, hesitantly asking, "I really don''t have it?" "You don''t!" "Okay, okay, Velen, you''re right. I really don''t have this ability!" Upon hearing this, Velen''s face broke into a mischievous smile. Nikola''s heart skipped a beat. What did Velen mean by this? Could it be that he liked to go behind the scenes? Should he comply, or should he resist? This was a dilemma! After all, Velen had never treated him like an outsider and had given him many benefits! While Nikola was lost in thought, Velen handed him the skill book. "Remember to use this after you''re done in the toilet!" Nikola was stunned, then let out a huge sigh of relief. He had really overthought it! He immediately took the skill book and headed for the bathroom. Seeing this, Velen suddenly thought to himself that he was a genius! Using an S rank skill book as toilet paper was truly a top-tier idea. In the bathroom, Nikola was very puzzled. He remembered that after becoming an awakener, it seemed like he hadn''t used the bathroom. Now, he was being forced to go number two. Just thinking about it made him feel uncomfortable, and he couldn''t even make it happen. To distract himself, he began focusing on the skill book in his hands. The skill book looked very ancient, with molten lava patterns flowing across its surface, emitting faint waves of heat, quite extraordinary in appearance. Nikola only looked at it for a moment, and his mental energy seemed to fall into the flowing patterns, feeling as though he saw countless volcanic eruptions. The lava fell from the sky like rain! S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Suddenly, a destructive aura surged from Nikola''s body! "What''s going on?" Daniel quickly sensed the terrifying aura and immediately looked toward Nikola''s direction. From the aura, it was clear that it was released by Nikola, as if he had entered a special state of mind. Daniel immediately turned to Velen in shock. "Velen, what book did you give the young master just now?" Hearing Daniel''s question, Velen was also somewhat surprised and said, "It''s just an S rank skill book. It''s useless, just a piece of junk. I thought I''d have Nikola use it as toilet paper." Although Daniel didn''t quite understand, he still looked at Velen with immense gratitude. "Velen, I understand your intentions. This kindness, the young master, and the trade guild will never forget!" In his mind, Velen had given such an excellent opportunity to the young master, purely for his good, and didn''t want them to feel any psychological burden, so he deliberately said this! "Velen, you really are the young master''s good big brother. Fenrir''s bloodline should have some other marvelous uses, and you must have known in advance, so you gave him this S rank skill book..." Chapter 60 - Chapter60-The Ancient, Unimaginable Forces Velen had a dazed expression on his face. Daniel''s flattery was too much! He had merely shown off his wealth by giving Nikola a skill book. At this moment, Velen seemed to realize something, and his expression suddenly changed drastically! Oh no! In an instant, Velen urgently activated his power and charged toward the restroom door like a gust of wind, then began to pound on the door. Bang! Bang! Bang! The sound of Velen banging on the door exploded. Inside the restroom, Nikola, who had been captivated by the red fiery patterns, was startled by the loud noise. He quickly opened his eyes. Confused, he blinked and looked at the frantic Velen running to the door. "Velen, what''s wrong? Why are you so worked up? Did something happen?" "Nikola, use that skill book you''re holding as toilet paper, stop dawdling!" Velen''s expression was anxious, and his voice even sounded somewhat harsh. Nikola''s confusion deepened. It was the first time he had seen Velen so focused. But out of absolute trust in Velen, he immediately began tearing a few pages from the skill book. Each time he tore a page, he felt a sharp pain. Only moments ago, under the guidance of the skill book, he had learned about the terrifying power of the lava volcano. This was an S-rank skill that, if placed in the outside world, would be fiercely fought over with bloodshed! If he learned it, it would surely boost his power immensely. But now, it was going to be wasted like this! He felt a bit reluctant, but this was Velen''s order, and even though he was reluctant, he chose to obey. "Special item failed to show off, deducting 50,000 luxury points!" The system''s notification sound suddenly rang out, and immediately, Velen''s expression darkened. He had just sensed a special fluctuation from Nikola and felt that something was wrong. Now it seemed to be true. If a special item wasn''t used in a show-off manner but in a normal way, a large amount of luxury points would be deducted! Velen had just barely managed to accumulate over 60,000 luxury points, and now losing 50,000 was a huge blow! In fact, if Nikola continued learning this skill, his luxury points might not even be enough to cover the deduction, and he might even owe the system luxury points! This was ridiculous! When Nikola came out of the restroom, he saw that Velen''s expression was getting worse. It seemed like he had realized something, and a look of sudden understanding appeared on his face. "Velen, I understand my mistake!" "The Fenrir bloodline needs to constantly evolve and grow through battle. This is the invincible path for someone like me, there''s no need for other skills!" "I am destined to be invincible. Even SSS-rank skills are not as important to me as a glorious battle!" "You gave me this skill book as a test, didn''t you? To guide me?" "Unfortunately, I''m too foolish, and it took your guidance for me to realize this!" "Velen, I''m really sorry!" The more Nikola spoke, the more guilt appeared on his face. Velen had been so good to him, it was like having a brother! But Velen''s face was full of question marks. He was actually quite upset, but not for this reason. This Nikola, how did he turn out like Sophia, who liked to add drama to things? He hadn''t meant to guide him; he had just wanted to show off! Daniel, who had followed behind Velen, looked at him with increasing admiration. When Velen had rushed over to stop the young master earlier, Daniel had actually been a little unhappy. After all, this was the young master''s opportunity. Since Velen had given it to him, how could he suddenly interrupt? But hearing Nikola''s explanation, Daniel finally understood he had been too short-sighted! sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. What he thought was an opportunity nearly ended up hurting Nikola! "Velen, I''m so sorry, I misunderstood you just now. You''re always thinking about the young master''s best interests, you''re our great benefactor. How could I have been so petty in my heart just now?" Saying this, Daniel lowered his head in shame, his face flushed with embarrassment! Velen: "..." He hadn''t expected Nikola to spout such nonsense, but Daniel was someone who had been through great trials in life. How could he follow along with this nonsense? Velen''s intentions had been very simple! He just wanted to show off! But now, being looked at like an idol by these two, Velen didn''t know how to respond. He could only sigh and turn to go back to his room. These two were so blinded by their imaginations that they couldn''t see the truth! He really didn''t want to talk to them anymore. Seeing Velen turning to leave, Nikola immediately looked at Daniel. "Captain Daniel, it seems Velen is really disappointed in us¡­" Daniel didn''t know what to say either and could only sigh. "When Velen passed on the Fenrir bloodline to you, he probably expected this, but he didn''t expect you to get so absorbed in the S-rank skill¡­" "I was absorbed, but I snapped out of it quickly, alright?" Nikola retorted. "Regardless, what you did earlier didn''t align with Velen''s intentions. The immediate priority is to make Velen calm down and forgive us. Ah, it''s all my fault, I shouldn''t have been so narrow-minded like Velen." The two of them, without hiding anything, were both reflecting and sighing. Velen, upon hearing their words, couldn''t help but roll his eyes, his frustration written all over his face. "Enough! You both better act normal. If you keep this up, I''ll really be angry!" Velen stopped in his tracks and glared at them fiercely. If he didn''t stop them, they''d probably talk all night. Nikola immediately approached, his face full of apologies. "Velen, please don''t be angry. It''s not good for your health, and I promise from here on out, I''ll follow your commands without question. You tell me to go east, I''ll never go west!" "Also, Velen, you passed on such a powerful bloodline to me and have guided and helped me so much. In the future, I will lead the Aurora Trade Guild to become the number one trade guild in the universe!" "By then, no matter where you are or what you need, the Aurora Trade Guild and I will spare no effort in supporting and helping you!" Hearing Nikola suddenly spout such grand words, Velen was stunned. What was this sudden ambition? The number one trade guild in the universe? That was quite the bold claim! When he first passed on the Fenrir bloodline to Nikola, he never imagined such a thing! Nikola''s understanding of it was entirely his own imagination! Velen didn''t need Nikola to be the leader of the universe''s number one trade guild; he just wanted to be a carefree tycoon! "The number one trade guild in the universe? That''s too big a claim, I hope he''s just saying it for show¡­" Seeing that Nikola seemed to have found his life''s goal, Velen didn''t want to directly crush his dream. He could only think to himself. Time passed, and soon ten hours had passed. Bruce, who had been trapped in the Chrono-Light Orb, suddenly opened his tightly closed eyes. The special illusory space that had trapped him finally dissipated. "Ten hours! Velen! Do you know how long ten hours feels?!" "You''re finished!" "Even Jesus can''t save you now!" After the illusory space shattered like bubbles, Bruce immediately piloted his ship and rushed toward the direction of the trade guild fleet. This time, he would make Velen pay a heavy price! The cold, terrifying aura he emitted left a long trail in the dark starry sky. Any nearby starships felt an overwhelming sense of dread and dared not approach. In the pitch-black universe, Daniel was piloting the fleet, traveling at maximum speed. The closer they got to Uranus Star, the more tense and curious they felt. After all, Velen''s domineering actions had deeply shaken them. Velen came from a fortress on Uranus Star, and it was unimaginable what kind of terrifying force could have raised someone like Velen. Chapter 61 - Chapter61-Explosive Axeman Bruce! The next day. When the fleet arrived at Uranus Star, both Daniel and Nikola were stunned! The remote, barren planet before them¡ªwas this the fortress that Velen had been so eager about? How could it be so plain and ordinary?! Moreover, the fortress looked newly constructed, and it seemed like a shoddy project. There was no trace of any ancient power whatsoever! Even the aura within the fortress was sparse, leaving the two men feeling confused and questioning whether they had arrived at the wrong place. At that moment, an angry shout suddenly came from within the fortress. Immediately after, Anastasia, Kevin, Robert, Aiden, Hael, and others all rushed out from the fortress. When Daniel and Nikola saw the group gathering, their attention immediately focused on Robert. "Robert!" Aurora Trade Guild had business dealings with several nearby star systems, so they naturally knew this influential figure, who had many auctions under his control. However, their business was always handled by the head of the guild, so Robert didn''t recognize them. They were a bit confused¡ªhow could such a big shot like Robert be in a small place like this fortress? Velen, however, immediately fixed his attention on the enraged Anastasia. "Captain, I''m back!" Then he pointed to Hael and the others. "How did they end up here?" Anastasia rolled her eyes. At this point, how could he still play dumb? Didn''t they all come here because of him? With a huff, she replied, "Velen, you''ve done a good job as the vice captain. You''ve only been gone for a short time, but you''ve already brought so many powerful experts, seniors, and even the geniuses of the Hatchling Order here, not to mention that spellbeast." The more Anastasia spoke, the angrier she became. With all these people delaying her progress, she felt that her level-up speed had slowed down considerably! And the culprit for all this, without a doubt, was Velen! When she finished speaking, her gaze suddenly shifted to Daniel and Nikola, who were standing beside Velen. Her frown deepened. "Velen, are these two also people you brought to join the fortress?" Anastasia''s face was full of questioning. Velen shook his head repeatedly. "Captain Anastasia, they''re not joining the fortress. This is Nikola, the young master of the Aurora Trade Guild, and this is Daniel, the captain of the Aurora Trade Guild. They brought me back this time and also wanted to discuss some business matters with you." Upon hearing this, Anastasia gave Velen a few extra looks. Velen smiled lightly, but Anastasia grew wary. The fortress had only just been built, so what business could they have with them? Upon hearing Velen''s introduction, Robert was finally certain of their identities. Though he had noticed the clothes and the fleet behind them that indicated they were from the Aurora Trade Guild, he wasn''t sure of their exact status. Now that he had heard the introduction, he realized Nikola looked somewhat similar to the head of the Aurora Trade Guild, as he had dealt with the head before. "So, you''re the legendary Velen?" Suddenly, Aiden''s eyes widened as he looked Velen up and down. On the surface, Velen was handsome, but nothing too extraordinary. However, Aiden knew that Velen was a true tycoon with many treasures. If he could make a good impression on him, his future would be set. For top-tier awakeners, advancing further required not only higher talent and potential but also a huge amount of resources! If he could get a few drops of Dragon Blood, it would be immensely beneficial to him. Anastasia, seeing Velen introduce Daniel and Nikola, felt a trace of embarrassment deep in her eyes. The fortress had only just been built, and although it required a lot of resources, she didn''t have any gold coins! Of course, the awkwardness only lasted for a moment before quickly disappearing. "Gentlemen, as you can see, the fortress is newly established and is as poor as can be. We don''t have enough gold coins to purchase resources, so let''s put the cooperation aside for now." Anastasia scanned the two of them and slowly shook her head. Her expression was firm, filled with an unshakable certainty. Nikola and Daniel exchanged bewildered glances. Poor as a church mouse? What was this nonsense? With a tycoon like Velen around, even a small amount of money from him could instantly make them rich. How could they be broke? On their way here, Velen had already tossed out over 9,000 bottles of dragon blood potions. The value was so great that if it were all used to purchase the resources needed for upgrades, it would be enough to sustain the fortress for decades. "Miss Anastasia, you''ve misunderstood. We didn''t come here to discuss that kind of business..." Daniel smiled and casually explained the dragon blood potion recipe to Anastasia. Upon hearing this, Anastasia was completely stunned, as if turned into a statue. The dragon blood potion recipe?! As the young lady of Ducal Manor, Anastasia naturally knew what the dragon blood potion was. It was something even Ducal Manor didn''t have in stock. After all, the recipe for dragon blood potions had been lost for so long that it was impossible to recreate. If Velen could truly provide the recipe to make the dragon blood potion, the potential profits would be unimaginable! She never dreamed that one day she would be involved with the dragon blood potion! If this was true, didn''t that mean the fortress would receive a massive amount of gold coins and mana stones every month? S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. This was an incredible opportunity! Seeing Anastasia in shock, Velen smiled and said, "Captain Anastasia, as the vice captain of the fortress, the strength of the fortress is also a very important matter to me. It''s something I should do." Such a person, who worked so hard for the benefit of his faction, was rare nowadays, wasn''t he? He lifted his head, waiting for Anastasia to praise and reward him. Across the entire universe, there was no one as capable and loyal as him. Seeing Velen''s boastful attitude, Anastasia almost wanted to slap him against the wall. Velen! Only Velen would do something like this! She had been steadily working on her level-up, and not long from now, she would advance to Ascended Rank and move into a higher plane. But now, Velen kept interfering with her plans! Once the fortress was built into an impregnable fortress, the burden on her would only increase! This would be even more detrimental to her level-up progress! At the thought of this, Anastasia''s mindset was on the verge of collapsing. "Reminder to host: The old man chasing after you is about to arrive at Uranus Star!" The system''s prompt suddenly sounded at that moment. Velen had previously set up Fate''s Trojan to alert him when the vicious old man caught up, so he could make some preparations. Now, receiving the system''s prompt, Velen immediately turned to the Ironback Centipede, which had transformed into human form. "Little Iron, there''s an old man chasing us. He''s almost here. Capture him when he arrives. I want to give him a good beating!" The Ironback Centipede immediately flew into the sky, heading straight for the starry sky. Before it flew into space, it didn''t forget to turn back and solemnly say: "Master, don''t worry, I''ll capture him in ten moves!" Velen couldn''t help but roll his eyes at its overly dramatic confidence. It was just a spellbeast, why did it have to act so tough? As the Ironback Centipede flew into the stars, Bruce was also about to arrive at Uranus Star, his face grim as he said: "The fleet will stay here. Velen, this time, you won''t escape!" The closer he got, the more excited Bruce became. The humiliation he had suffered being imprisoned for thirty hours would soon be washed away! "That item is definitely your greatest trump card! If I don''t hang you up and beat you, then I''m not Explosive Axeman Bruce!" Just as he finished speaking, a mocking laughter suddenly rang out from ahead. Chapter 62 - Chapter62-This Fortress Seems Off! "Little Iron, there''s an old man chasing us. He''s almost here. Capture him when he arrives. I want to give him a good beating!" The Ironback Centipede immediately flew into the sky, heading straight for the starry sky. Before it flew into space, it didn''t forget to turn back and solemnly say: "Master, don''t worry, I''ll capture him in ten moves!" Velen couldn''t help but roll his eyes at its overly dramatic confidence. It was just a spellbeast, why did it have to act so tough? As the Ironback Centipede flew into the stars, Bruce was also about to arrive at Uranus Star, his face grim as he said: "The fleet will stay here. Velen, this time, you won''t escape!" The closer he got, the more excited Bruce became. The humiliation he had suffered being imprisoned for thirty hours would soon be washed away! "That item is definitely your greatest trump card! If I don''t hang you up and beat you, then I''m not Explosive Axeman Bruce!" Just as he finished speaking, a mocking laughter suddenly rang out from ahead. "Get lost, young one, don''t piss me off!" The moment Bruce saw the young man charging toward him, his expression immediately turned icy. Ironback Centipede, hearing those words, couldn''t help but shake its head and scrutinize the young man. "I''ve been hunted by your master all the way here. I thought you might be a worthy opponent, but it turns out you''re just a weak Ascended Rank Lv4. How dare you shout at me in my presence?" The young man immediately saw through Bruce''s level, and his expression suddenly turned calm. This young man was definitely no simple foe. After all, his level was suppressed, and it wasn''t something that just anyone could perceive. Even if this young man wasn''t stronger than Bruce, his level was at least comparable. Then, Bruce seemed to sense something and his pupils shrank suddenly. From this young man, he could feel an extremely cold spellbeast aura! Remembering that the young man had just mentioned his master, Bruce was even more certain that this young man was a spellbeast disguised in human form! "Humans dominate the galaxies, and yet a mere spellbeast dares to appear so arrogantly before me? Truly seeking death!" Once Bruce confirmed the young man''s identity as a spellbeast, his expression turned even more ruthless. Although spellbeasts were incredibly powerful, humans were the true rulers of the universe! However, as soon as he finished speaking, the Ironback Centipede''s violent aura, like shattered metal and iron, immediately poured out, crushing the vast black void in front of them! Even though Bruce had been prepared and used his double-edged axe to defend, he was still pushed back repeatedly by the overwhelming mana. His body was under immense pressure, twisting severely, and blood began to trickle from the corners of his mouth! "Impossible, how could your level be so terrifying?" Under the absolute suppression of mana, Bruce was horrified and stunned. He was Ascended Rank Lv4, one of the top experts in Titan Galaxy, but under the Ironback Centipede''s pressure, he couldn''t even move. This was the result of an overwhelming level difference. Ascended Rank Lv8 and above! The level of this spellbeast was too terrifying! But wasn''t it a spellbeast enslaved by Velen? How could such a powerful spellbeast be controlled by a human? How did Velen manage that? As Bruce''s shock grew, Ironback Centipede coldly spoke: "Don''t worry, I won''t kill you unless my master commands it. However, your actions on this journey have displeased my master, which in turn displeases me. So, why don''t you try the taste of my fists?" As it spoke, Ironback Centipede immediately extended countless fists made of its many legs, smashing toward Bruce with immense brutality. Bruce''s face turned white in an instant. With so many limbs, if they all hit him, he''d either be dead or severely disabled! Yet, under Ironback Centipede''s pressure, he had no power to resist and could only let out constant screams! ... Meanwhile, Nikola, who was beside Velen, suddenly sensed something. He quickly pulled a red interstellar receiver from his storage pouch. After a series of harsh buzzing sounds, Nikola''s eyes widened. "Father, what did you say? Senator Bruce arrived with the fleet three days ago? But we haven''t seen him!" "Hmm? Senator Bruce sent you a distress signal, saying he''s being beaten by a spellbeast and is about to be killed?" Upon hearing this, Nikola immediately turned to Velen. "Velen, when Captain Daniel and I were aboard the fleet, we didn''t notice anything unusual outside. Did you see an old man approach? His level was Ascended Rank Lv4." Velen smiled and replied, "Though it''s a bit late for you to notice, it''s no big deal. But remember, always pay attention to hiding your tracks, otherwise, you might not even know how you died if your enemies find out." "You didn''t know? That old man had been following us for three days with a murderous intent so strong it almost turned into a physical presence." ?? Nikola''s pupils shrank suddenly. It turned out that Velen had already noticed Bruce, but there must have been some misunderstanding! Then, he suddenly remembered Velen''s profound methods, as well as the mysterious youth he had just sent out, and quickly explained in anxiety: "Velen, the old man you mentioned isn''t an enemy. He''s a senator from the trade guild, and also Captain Daniel''s father!" Nikola felt that Velen must have misunderstood because of his connection with Daniel. The fact that Bruce was almost killed by the youth sent by Velen was surely a huge misunderstanding! Velen paused for a moment, unable to comprehend. The old man with a fierce expression, the one he had toyed with for three days, was actually Daniel''s father, a senator from the trade guild? Wasn''t this a massive blunder? Meanwhile, Daniel, still immersed in his ideal future, froze when he heard Nikola and Velen''s conversation. What did this mean? His father had been treated like an enemy by Velen, who had even sent someone to almost kill him? Bang! Before Daniel could fully react, a loud crash rang out as a dark shadow landed heavily, and Ironback Centipede, resembling a mighty multi-armed demon, descended from the sky, landing beside the shadow in a grand, imposing stance! "Master, I have fulfilled my mission and brought this man back." Ironback Centipede saluted Velen with pride, waiting for praise. "Father!" At that moment, Daniel saw the bloodied and battered old man lying on the ground. He immediately recognized him and rushed to help him up. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Anastasia, Robert, Hael, and others in the vicinity all looked at Velen in astonishment. They had overheard Velen and Nikola''s conversation clearly. To their surprise, the person Velen had been targeting all this time was actually a senator from the trade guild. Just now, he had ordered Ironback Centipede to beat him up! This... was incredibly awkward. Soon after, Daniel explained the situation to Bruce, who could only weep in frustration. He hadn''t done anything, but Velen had treated him as an enemy, toyed with him for three days, and let his spellbeast beat him to a pulp! But Velen was his son''s and the young master''s friend, even the young master''s sworn elder brother, and had been protecting the two of them. Even though he was enraged to the point of almost spitting blood, he could only swallow his anger. After all, the spellbeast under Velen''s command was so powerful that if Velen had issued a kill order, he would be dead by now! His entire journey had been one of immense frustration. "Ahem, Senator Bruce, my sincere apologies," Velen said, looking at Bruce, who was covered in bruises, trying to stifle his laughter and explaining awkwardly. "I didn''t mean to target you. It''s just that your actions seemed suspicious, and you seemed to harbor deep hostility toward us. You didn''t look like a good person, so to protect Daniel and the others, I had no choice but to act." Bruce thought back to when he approached the fleet. To investigate their abnormalities quietly, he hadn''t warned Daniel and the others in advance. Seeing them fighting, he had naturally glared at Velen, thinking he was behind it. He hadn''t realized that this had led Velen to think he had strong hostility toward them. What a ridiculous loss this was for him. "Senator Bruce, I didn''t expect to meet you here again!" Robert walked over with a smile, not just because he had met an old friend, but because the state his friend was in was truly amusing. "Robert? What are you doing here?" Bruce''s swollen eyes widened, and after seeing Robert''s face through his pained gaze, he was surprised. Robert was a major shareholder in several auction houses and should be busy with business, so why was he in this small place? "Well, I''m temporarily not dealing with auction house matters. I''m currently a priest at the fortress. It''s a nice place, and I think I''ll be living here from now on." Robert smiled as he spoke. Bruce asked... Chapter 63 - Chapter63-Bloodline Inheritance He knew Robert very well¡ªhe was someone who wouldn''t take action unless there was a benefit. If he was willing to give up on the auction, it was because an even greater profit had caught his attention. This fortress must be the key! "Earlier, Daniel and Nikola told me that your trade guild is going to collaborate with our fortress, so we''re considered new partners. Come, let me introduce you!" At this moment, Robert took the initiative to step in front of Bruce and started introducing Anastasia and the others. "She is the current leader of the fortress, the captain of the Watchers'' Legion, and also the daughter of the duke." "These are the geniuses of House von Michelstein, both extremely talented and highly ranked. They''re also people of the fortress." "This is Kevin, Miss Anastasia''s protector." "This is Aiden, a friend of Duke Anthony and currently a senator of the fortress." At this point, Robert''s gaze shifted to Ironback Centipede, and with an awkward expression, he said: "This is Ironback Centipede, Velen''s mount. You''ve seen it earlier." Alan, who wasn''t introduced¡ªor rather, was ignored¡ªwas feeling very displeased. He was the second member to join the fortress. How could they not even give him any recognition? As Alan muttered to himself, Bruce''s face had already turned pale in shock. He had originally thought that the fortress was just another faction, but it turned out not only was it backed by House von Michelstein, but it also had so many Ascended Rank experts! Such a lineup would be considered invincible on Uranus Star. This fortress was indeed no ordinary power! At that moment, an ear-splitting explosion suddenly rang out, and a hill near the fortress was completely obliterated by a burst of black light. "The aura of Eye of Hell!" Bruce, Nikola, and Daniel sensed the terrifying gaze and instantly turned pale in shock. Under their watchful eyes, a white-furred rabbit hopped over, and the deathly Eye of Hell aura was emanating from it. "My god, a rabbit has mastered Eye of Hell?" The three of them couldn''t believe their eyes! After all, Eye of Hell was said to be a world-ending skill, capable of destroying entire star systems. It was an extremely rare skill, and mastering it was no easy feat. Yet now, they were witnessing the terrifying power of Eye of Hell coming from a mere rabbit. Their lips quivered as they revealed intense jealousy. Eye of Hell was a skill none of them had mastered. Meanwhile, Anastasia and the others knew that this rabbit was Velen''s pet, and he had fed it a lot of valuable items, making it a spellbeast now. "Little White Rabbit!" When Velen saw the rabbit hopping over, a smile appeared on his face. He hadn''t seen the rabbit for a while. The little white rabbit, in turn, jumped over to Velen''s side, rubbing its head against his leg in an affectionate manner. After consuming a lot of Fortifying Potions, the rabbit had developed considerable intelligence and saw Velen as a parent. Seeing how cute the rabbit was, Velen immediately took out some SSS Tomes of Skill Experience and handed them to the rabbit. The little rabbit knew that everything Velen gave it was extraordinary. As soon as it saw the SSS Tomes of Skill Experience, it quickly activated its mana and began absorbing them. Soon, the rabbit''s eyes turned as black as the deep starry sky, and a sense of destruction and desolation spread from its gaze. The surrounding area seemed to turn into a dead desert! The rabbit''s proficiency in Eye of Hell shot up rapidly! The people around also felt the increasingly terrifying pressure radiating from the rabbit, their faces turning pale in shock. "I knew it. Velen always has unbelievable treasures!" Daniel and Nikola had seen these SSS Tomes of Skill Experience before when Velen had casually shown them along with Starry Stone and afterlife flowers. They had sensed something unusual back then. Now, as they watched Velen use them on the rabbit, they realized just how extraordinary the SSS Tomes of Skill Experience were. After all, the little rabbit was merely a spellbeast-like animal, but with the SSS Tomes of Skill Experience, its proficiency in Eye of Hell had skyrocketed. It had advanced from beginner to a small success level! The power of Eye of Hell had now undergone a qualitative transformation! Nikola, who was envious and biting his teeth, soon let go of his frustrations. After all, Velen had even given him Fenrir''s bloodline. Using such powerful items on a rabbit wasn''t a big deal for Velen. As long as Velen was happy, that was all that mattered. He truly was an unprecedented tycoon! Watching Velen''s display of wealth, Anastasia couldn''t help but feel her eyelids twitch. She tried to comfort herself mentally, "These things aren''t mine. I must stay calm!" But despite trying to calm herself, she couldn''t help but be shaken. After all, Hael had once told her about the incredible power of the SSS Tomes of Skill Experience, and now that she had witnessed it firsthand, she was even more certain that these were treasures beyond compare. Velen casually handed the books to the rabbit, elevating its Eye of Hell proficiency to the next level. If those SSS Tomes of Skill Experience had been used on the young geniuses in Ducal Manor, their skills would have experienced an explosive improvement. "This guy really is extravagant. I used to think that eating a dragon''s corpse was Velen''s limit, but now I see that''s just his baseline. This just makes me more certain that I''ve come to the right place!" Aiden was equally shaken, but the more he saw, the more he realized that joining the fortress had been the right choice. After all, if even a rabbit following Velen could receive such benefits, then as a living person, all he had to do was serve Velen well, and he would reap huge rewards! Just a little scrap that slipped through Velen''s hands would be enough to make him ecstatic. Meanwhile, Hael and the others, who had already seen Velen''s even grander displays of wealth, remained calm. "This is just Velen''s basic operation. If they saw him going all out, they''d probably faint from excitement," Hael remarked. "None of these guys have seen the world. When you''re with Velen, the first thing you need to do is adjust your mindset!" Hael and the others, being younger, were able to adjust their mentality easily. When facing Velen, they knew not to rely on common sense. He was someone beyond comprehension. Not long after, the goods from the fleet were transferred to the fortress. Bruce and the others declined Anastasia''s invitation to stay and left. Although Bruce still had many questions, he couldn''t ask directly with so many people around. Now, as they left, he was planning to ask them about the nature of the agreement they had with Velen. "You''d better tell me what you''ve agreed with Velen. While we''re still here, I need to know if there''s anything I can do to remedy this. Otherwise, you''ll regret it when you get back to Head!" Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Don''t try to fool me by saying you''ve got the formula for dragon blood potions. That''s been lost for who knows how many years." Back at the fleet, Bruce coldly glared at the two of them and began questioning them. "Velen didn''t even care about such a precious bloodline; do you really think he needed to deceive us?" Daniel added at this moment. "Besides, you don''t know, in Velen''s eyes, an S rank skill is nothing more than toilet paper¡ªjust worthless trash." Bruce was even more shocked. An S rank skill¡ªthat was something they had never sold at their trade guild despite selling so many other things! "S rank skill, toilet paper... what are you even talking about?" Bruce stared at Daniel in confusion. Daniel said indifferently, "Just take it literally. Velen gave that level of skill to Nikola to use as toilet paper." At these words, Bruce''s eyes nearly popped out of their sockets! It was only now that he understood why his son and the young master trusted Velen so much. "Since the dragon blood potion recipe is most likely genuine, once we verify it back home, I''ll come here with Craig, the head, and we''ll renegotiate. A 10% profit share is far too little¡ªat least 20%, or even 30%. The recipe for the dragon blood potion is priceless, and Velen has shown such great sincerity, we can''t afford to shortchange him!" ... At the fortress. Inside the grand hall. "Captain, I do work for the fortress, that''s my duty. You don''t need to single me out..." After Anastasia had personally summoned him to the hall, Velen had initially smiled humbly, his expression showing a hint of awkwardness. However, upon seeing Anastasia''s increasingly serious gaze, he was caught off guard. But he couldn''t think of anything he had done wrong recently. "Velen, it seems I''ve underestimated you all this time. Maybe I should be your vice-captain instead of you being mine." Chapter 64 - Chapter64-Back to the Fortress "You''ve only been gone from the fortress for how long? And already you''ve accumulated so many titles?" "Hatchling Order member!" "Independent senator!" "Even founded the Tycoon Club, and made the headmaster of Celestia Academy your mentee?" "Velen? Independent senator? Should I just call you ''Grandmaster'' now?" Anastasia spoke with a teasing smile. Velen scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "Captain, just call me Velen. These titles were forced onto me, they''re nothing but empty titles!" "The kindness you''ve shown me, Captain, I still haven''t repaid it!" Velen said with a mischievous grin. He needed to build a good rapport with Anastasia. If she kept being so harsh with him, things wouldn''t go well. But if she eventually became his girlfriend... Just thinking about it made him a little excited! Velen knew Anastasia pretty well¡ªcold on the outside, warm on the inside! Though she acted indifferent to him on the surface, he knew she had noticed his contributions to the fortress. Once he fully developed the fortress, she would definitely be moved! After all, he was a tycoon¡ªhe had all the time and money in the world. He believed that with a constant stream of mana stones powering the fortress, it would only get stronger, and one day, Anastasia would surely reveal her soft side to him. Anastasia looked at Velen with sincere feelings, somewhat touched. Despite leaving the fortress and experiencing so much, he still remembered the fortress and her. That was rare. "By the way, Anastasia, the Tycoon Club was just something I mentioned casually. Belle must have told you about it. The headmaster of Celestia Academy joined because he lost a bet, not because he genuinely wanted to be my mentee." "And as for the title of independent senator, they forced it on me!" Velen quickly clarified again, not wanting Anastasia to misunderstand him. Upon hearing this, Anastasia''s expression slowly softened. Although many things had happened around Velen, he was still the same Velen. Nothing had really changed, and that was enough for her! Thinking this, Anastasia stopped dwelling on the past and suddenly spoke, "Velen, since you''ve been to the Singularity Battlefield, do you know of a little-known place there?" Velen thought for a moment, then spoke, "You''re talking about Chaos City, right?" "I was there for half a day once, just long enough to rush through a wave of chaos cards. But when my pass expired, I had to be teleported out." Velen''s face showed regret as he spoke. Anastasia''s expression grew complicated. Chaos City was a secret to most awakeners. She hadn''t expected Velen not only to know about it but to have visited it. This was his first time entering the Singularity Battlefield, yet he already knew about such a hidden place¡ªhe must have learned it from the Senate. "Anastasia, that place is quite interesting..." Seeing Anastasia seemed particularly curious about Chaos City, Velen eagerly began sharing his experiences there. Upon hearing that it was a place with extremely advanced technology, Anastasia grew even more intrigued. "Everyone there is after chaos cards. Chaos cards can buy anything you can imagine¡ªgoods, services, anything!" "When I get my next pass, I''ll definitely take you there. We''ll make those Ascended Rank big shots wash our feet for us!" Velen spoke boastfully. In other galaxies, he might not be able to do this, but in Chaos City, he absolutely could! Anastasia looked at Velen with a deeper, more thoughtful gaze. Velen''s words were sincere, and she could feel the truth in them. Velen had always considered her and the fortress, and having him join was truly a great fortune. Feeling his gaze soften, Velen smiled faintly. Great, Anastasia was indeed cold on the outside but warm on the inside. His efforts seemed to have opened her heart, bringing them closer together. Anastasia, however, quickly came to her senses. Seeing Velen smiling at her, she realized her gaze had been a little too special just now. She quickly suppressed her emotions and awkwardly turned away, "Let''s leave it at that for today. I''ll report your visit to Chaos City to the Senate." Velen nodded understandingly. Anastasia was a strong-willed person. While her attitude toward him had softened, there was still a long way to go! After Velen left the hall, he suddenly saw a muscular old man approaching with a bright smile. "Velen, I''m Aiden, a friend of Duke Anthony and a senator of the fortress. I''m also a berserker. If you need anything, just let me know!" "Kevin and Robert are getting too old, but I, though older, know that hundreds of years are still the prime time to fight!" Velen was about to respond when he saw Kevin and Robert storming over, clearly upset. "Aiden, you''re really something. Weren''t you the one who said no internal competition, that everything should be fair?" Kevin said angrily. Caught in the act, Aiden was a bit embarrassed but knew his goal had been achieved. "Well, I don''t have anything to do today. Let''s see about tomorrow!" Velen understood their intentions¡ªthey wanted the Afterlife Flower and dragon blood. Not wanting things to escalate, he spoke up first. "If anything comes up tomorrow, I''ll definitely need your help." None of them dared get angry in front of Velen, so they all nodded seriously. "Alright, Velen. Call us anytime!" Aiden was the first to speak, then turned and left, his goal already achieved. "We''ll be waiting, Velen. That old man''s too unreliable!" Kevin and Robert said before leaving as well. "Velen!" When Velen returned to his courtyard, Hael, Unum, and Alan were all gathered around him. Looking at the six people surrounding him, Velen couldn''t help but feel a little helpless. Sure enough, wherever a standout person goes, they''re the center of attention! "Velen, you''ve only been gone for a little while, and now you''re already at Expert Rank level 9?" Only then did Hael and the others notice that Velen''s level had already risen dramatically, and they looked at him with great curiosity. "Before entering the Singularity Battlefield, Velen, you were only at Apprentice Rank lv9, right? How did you suddenly leap over two ranks?" Although they knew that there were many great opportunities in the Singularity Battlefield, advancing so many levels at once was truly unbelievable! However, when Alan heard this, he looked at them with a calm expression. When he first saw Velen, he noticed that Velen''s level was skyrocketing, and the speed of his advancement was like riding a rocket. Even with tremendous opportunities, no one could compare to Velen''s speed of growth. So, he directly turned his gaze to Velen and thoughtfully said, "Velen, how long did it take for you to go from Apprentice Rank lv9 to Expert Rank lv9? It must have been a one-time breakthrough, right?" Alan was the second person to join the fortress. Originally, his talent was quite good, but compared to Velen, and later the talents of Hael and the others, there were still some gaps. Now that Velen was back, as one of Velen''s supporters, he planned to use him to gain some attention, otherwise, he would soon be forgotten. After hearing Alan''s words, Hael and the others all stared at him in shock. A one-time leap from Apprentice Rank lv9 to Expert Rank lv9? What kind of joke was that? "Alan, have you been doing too many alchemical experiments and damaged your brain? Even if Velen is exceptionally gifted, there''s never been a case in all the galaxies'' history where someone can break through two ranks at once!" "That''s right, Alan, your over-the-top praise is actually a form of overkill for Velen! Breaking through two levels at once is almost impossible!" Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Each rank represents a huge gap, tens of times bigger than the previous one. Even without hitting a bottleneck, accumulating the foundation for upgrades takes a long time!" "Alan, you''re only at Adept Rank, so maybe you don''t understand much about leveling up. But what you''re saying can only happen in a dream!" Hael and the others spoke one after another. They all knew that Velen''s talent was extraordinary, but what Alan said was too outrageous, something that had never happened before in history! In fact, to them, breaking through a single rank in one go would be enough to make history and shake the galaxy. "Alan truly understands me!" At that moment, Velen, who was somewhat surprised, stared at Alan and slowly said, "I originally thought the only witnesses to my leveling up were the mountains and two corpses, but I didn''t expect Alan to have guessed it. You have no idea, when I broke through, the surge of mana was so sudden and uncontrollable!" As Velen spoke, he seemed to drift back to the moment of his breakthrough, recalling those two corpses. After Velen finished speaking, Hael and the others were instantly stunned. Although they had not believed Alan''s words, hearing Velen himself say it made it far more likely to be true! After all, from their interactions with Velen, he wasn''t someone who spouted nonsense. The key was that there was no reason for him to lie to them. In just a few days, he had gone from Apprentice Rank lv9 to Expert Rank lv9, which was already shocking enough. It was hard to imagine how shocking it would be to leap over two ranks at once! The feeling of having your strength increase dozens, even hundreds of times in an instant¡ªwhat could that possibly feel like? Velen ignored the astonished expressions around him and suddenly looked at Alan, somewhat curious, and said, "Alan, you''ve drunk so many Fortifying Potions and inhaled the afterlife flower''s incense. Your body should have undergone great changes, right? Why haven''t you broken through to Expert Rank yet?" Although Alan seemed insignificant in the eyes of Hael and the others, in Velen''s view, this man had the aura of a chosen one. He was far from simple. Hearing Velen''s words, Hael and the others immediately shifted their attention to Alan. They admitted that they hadn''t paid much attention to Alan before. After all, they were the carefully selected geniuses from Ducal Manor, and they had looked down on someone like Alan, a local native. However, now that Velen had spoken, their curiosity about Alan was piqued. Their gaze once again focused on Alan, now filled with intent to scrutinize him. Why? Why was his body so pure, as if it had just been born, with not even a hint of impurity to be felt? "Fortifying Potion? The potion that enhances physical strength and refines the body?" "But isn''t the effect of that potion quite small? And it''s so rare¡­" Hael and the others exchanged glances, all seeing the confusion in each other''s eyes. Then, they suddenly looked toward Velen, realizing that with him around, anything seemed possible! "Alan, just how many Fortifying Potions have you drunk?" Seeing Hael and the others looking at him with such astonishment, Alan calmly said, "I haven''t drunk that many, just as much as I could hold in my stomach. Also, this wasn''t just any Fortifying Potion. It was a Master Rank lv3 Fortifying Potion. Since I''m only at Adept Rank, I almost missed this opportunity." By the end, his voice lost some of its calmness and gained a touch of pride. Hael and the others were top-tier talents from Ducal Manor, so what? He believed that with his body refined by the Master Rank Fortifying Potion, his natural talent was not inferior to theirs. Compared to them, he was only short on some foundation and time! His future was boundless, and he was completely capable of competing with these top geniuses from Ducal Manor! Hael and the others, hearing this, had expressions of realization on their faces. The Fortifying Potion itself was already a rare and special potion, and Alan had consumed the Master Rank version. The effects were almost fully catalyzed, making it far more powerful than an ordinary Fortifying Potion. The key point was that the fact that Alan had received such a thing clearly pointed to Velen''s involvement! Instantly, they all gazed at Alan with intense envy. If they had encountered such good fortune when they were Alan''s age and level, they were certain their bloodline and other factors would have undergone qualitative changes, and they might have even had the chance to ascend to the upper plane universe and become one of the top powers! Thinking this, they once again looked at Alan with curiosity and reverence, no longer looking at him with the slight disdain they had held before. After enduring the effects of the Master Rank Fortifying Potion, Alan''s body had reached an ultimate purity, and his mana core was refined to its peak. That alone made him incomparable to them. His future might even surpass theirs! After being stared at by Hael and the others in awe, Alan proudly lifted his head and chest, then looked toward Velen, the one who had changed his fate. "Originally, I was planning to level up earlier, but Miss Anastasia asked me to wait for you to return, in case anything unexpected happened." Velen nodded. He understood that this was why Anastasia cared so much about them. Breaking through from Adept Rank to Expert Rank was a major step, and once successful, they would be the backbone of the universe''s forces, leaving behind their origins as lower-tier Awakeners. Velen thought for a moment and realized that he didn''t currently have anything that could help Alan. "I don''t have anything that can help you at the moment. Just wait for now." He wanted to help Alan, but there was truly nothing he could offer at the moment. Upon hearing this, Hael and the others looked at Alan with extreme envy. With Velen''s help, Alan''s body had been refined to an unprecedented level, which was already shocking. If Velen were to assist him in breaking through to Expert Rank, that would be like adding wings to a tiger. His future accomplishments might even surpass theirs due to Velen''s help! Unfortunately, they hadn''t encountered Velen when they were striving for their own Expert Rank breakthroughs. However, upon thinking further, Hael and the others quickly realized. Although they had missed the opportunity to break through to Expert Rank, they had all reached Titan Rank, and breaking through to Heroic Rank was still incredibly important. If they could receive Velen''s help now, it would be a huge boost to them! The higher they advanced, the more critical the assistance they needed! Chapter 65 - Chapter65-Star Hunt, the new task from the system With Velen''s help, they felt like they might break through their own limits. Velen was like a super tycoon, providing them with an unshakable safeguard. "Congratulations, host has triggered a random task: lead the genius members of Ducal Manor to participate in the Star Hunt hosted by Element Academy." "Task requirements: host must win second place in this hunt, and the geniuses from the House of von Michelstein must not take first place." "Task success: gain luxury points. Task failure: lose luxury points." Upon hearing the system''s notification in his mind, Velen''s expression turned somewhat strange. Star Hunt. Second place? It had to be second place. This system was clearly up to something! Although he had no idea what the Star Hunt was about, he figured that since nothing particularly urgent was happening at the moment, it wouldn''t hurt to join. It could be considered a social event with everyone gathering together! But the requirement to get second place actually seemed harder than securing the first! Not allowing Hael and the others to take first place¡ªthis was clearly a patch the system had added. "Hael, do you know anything about the Star Hunt hosted by Element Academy?" Velen decided to figure out the situation first. If Hael and the others had just joined the fortress and didn''t know anything about it, he planned to ask Anastasia¡ªshe might have more information. "Velen, I didn''t know you already knew about it. A few days ago, Element Academy sent us a challenge letter, inviting us to participate in the Star Hunt. But Miss Anastasia seems to have rejected it, so we don''t know much more about it," Hael shared the information he had with Velen. Velen nodded. Hael and the others probably only knew that much. So, Velen went directly to the great hall where Anastasia was. When Velen arrived, Anastasia was absorbing mana from a mana stone, diligently leveling up. Seeing Velen return so quickly, her eyebrows furrowed slightly, but she still asked, "What''s going on?" "I just heard Hael and the others say that Element Academy sent us a challenge letter, asking us to join the Star Hunt. Is that true?" Velen asked directly. Anastasia nodded. "Element Academy is a well-known faction on Uranus Star. This time, they sent challenge letters to more than ten powerful factions around here, hoping to get us to participate in the Star Hunt." "They previously approached me. If we decide to join, we''d need to put a large amount of materials that can help with leveling into the small asteroid where the Star Hunt will take place. Any faction that can grab those materials will keep them." "Although Element Academy seems to have restricted the number of participants to ensure fairness, they are hosting the event on an asteroid they know very well. They already have a huge advantage. Agreeing to join would be a disadvantage." Anastasia spoke faintly, showing no interest in this event. She felt it would waste her valuable time. Moreover, knowing that the other side might use some underhanded tactics, she was even less interested. Velen understood Anastasia''s thoughts, so he took a deep breath and said, "Anastasia, I want to participate in this Star Hunt!" "You want to join? But Fortress doesn''t have enough precious materials¡­" Before she could finish her sentence, she realized that Velen''s expression had become excited. Thinking of Alan, the big tycoon, Anastasia swallowed the second half of her sentence. She knew that once she mentioned that Fortress lacked materials and gold coins to join the Star Hunt, Velen would raise his hand and say that these problems were no issue and would take care of it. As she expected, Velen quickly spoke up with a confident tone. "Captain, leave the materials and gold coins to me! Those are just small problems!" With that, Velen pulled out several priceless treasures from his storage bag. "Captain, you''re familiar with the SSS Tomes of Skill Experience, the rare and valuable things that can only be snatched through hard work. Let''s take out fifty of them!" "Also, I''ve got some Afterlife Flowers here, I''ll take out fifty of them too!" "Here''s some Starry Stones, I''ll painfully part with three of them!" "And, I have 100 drops of dragon blood. This should be enough, right?" Seeing Velen present such rare treasures, Anastasia''s eyes almost went blind. At the same time, a surge of anger began to build in her heart. As usual, Velen was acting extravagantly, bringing out so many rare treasures in advance. If all of these items were thrown into the asteroid for the Star Hunt, it would be a complete waste! The combined wealth of all the factions joining the event couldn''t even compare to the scraps Velen was offering! "Captain, should be enough, right?" Velen didn''t think it was a waste. To him, it was a perfect opportunity to show off his wealth! If other factions saw these treasures, they would be so hyped up they''d be ready to dive into a mad chase for them. He couldn''t wait to make them see what real luxury and indulgence looked like. However, as soon as Velen finished speaking, Anastasia shook her head repeatedly. "Keep all of these treasures in Fortress. Fortress needs them for development." First of all, how could she let these precious things go to waste in the Star Hunt? Even a single one of them being lost would make her faint! Secondly, Velen''s habit of showing off had to be corrected! She quickly thought of a way to address his behavior and smiled to herself. But just as she was smiling, Velen decisively waved his hand and put everything back into his storage bag. He then glared at Anastasia, looking like a bird protecting its food. Anastasia, seeing his swift action, was completely confused. She only wanted to keep the treasures in Fortress for his benefit, worried that Velen, being young and hot-headed, might not handle them well. But how could he take them all back so quickly? Her smile froze. "Captain, these items are for the Star Hunt. They can''t go to Fortress." Velen shook his head firmly. Anastasia was now a bit puzzled. She knew Velen cared about Fortress. Otherwise, he wouldn''t have spent so much effort working with Aurora Trade Guild to create a long-term source of gold coins and mana stones for Fortress. But now, with Velen taking out all these precious items, he seemed unusually determined to not keep them for the fortress. "Captain, if I really give these to you, are you going to leave them in storage and let them gather dust?" Velen looked serious and sternly asked Anastasia. "Unused resources aren''t resources at all. Only when these things are used to help the prodigies of Fortress level up will they have value. You can''t just hoard them like this." To Velen, it wasn''t about the treasures. It was more about Anastasia''s stinginess. If she took them, she would never use them. "If you need mana stones or Afterlife Flowers, I can burn them and send the incense to you. I won''t hold back!" Velen''s words were firm and decisive. Anastasia, hearing this, shook in anger. She knew that if Velen really gave her those treasures, she would indeed keep them safe but would never use them. Velen had anticipated this. After some brief consideration and internal struggle, Anastasia made a concession. "Alright, let''s compromise. I''ll prepare the materials for the Star Hunt, and you can give these to Fortress, but how you use them is up to you." For her, if Velen the show-off actually used these treasures, that would be good. Just as long as a few remained in Fortress''s warehouse, it would be a good thing for the fortress! Seeing Anastasia make a concession, Velen was somewhat surprised. This wasn''t like the strong-willed Anastasia he knew. Her decision indirectly meant she had agreed to his flaunting of wealth. After all, the way he would use these treasures would undoubtedly be extravagant and excessive. Once Anastasia had compromised, there would likely be a second, third time. Eventually, Anastasia might even become a member of the Tycoon Club! After all, once someone experienced the pleasures of being a tycoon, it was hard to forget! Without hesitation, Velen quickly took everything from the storage bag he had just received and placed it all out. "How do you plan to use these 50 SSS Tomes of Skill Experience?" Looking at the items Velen had placed, Anastasia directly asked. Velen thought for a moment and said, "Kevin, Robert, Aiden, Hael, Alan, Ironback Centipede, and you, Captain, each of you will get two books. The rest I''ll give to Little Bunny, since these were originally meant for it." Upon hearing Velen''s distribution plan, even though Anastasia had an inkling of it, she still felt her eyelids twitch with anger. The core members of Fortress only got two SSS Tomes of Skill Experience each, while the rest went to Little Bunny? And he made it sound like they were competing with a rabbit for resources? The more Anastasia thought about it, the angrier she became. But recalling that she had previously stated that the resource allocation was Velen''s decision, she could only force herself to swallow her frustration. She then shifted her focus to the 50 Afterlife Flowers. "What are you planning to do with these Afterlife Flowers?" Velen sniffed the air and replied, "It''s been a long time since I made any aromatherapy. I''ll use all of these Afterlife Flowers to make incense. Whether for upgrading or when sleeping, the fragrance will definitely improve the mood." "Also, after you each take two, the rest can be used to give Little Bunny a nice bath. A clean, fragrant bunny is much cuter." Upon hearing this, Anastasia''s anger flared. A sharp mana fluctuation radiated from her, spreading throughout the hall. Her smooth forehead even started to twitch with visible veins. S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It seemed Velen''s extravagant and wasteful behavior had truly become ingrained in him. Seeing Anastasia was on the verge of exploding, Velen wisely refrained from further provoking her. Instead, he shifted the topic. "Captain, how about we place all these items on Star Hunt..." Anastasia, who had clearly reached her limit, suppressed her rising fury. She gritted her teeth and said, "I think your distribution plan is great!" Putting all these things into Star Hunt? Better to let Velen waste them. Though it made her feel like her heart was being crushed, she managed to force out a smile. "What about these three Starry Stones?" Anastasia took a deep breath and asked with a slight smile, testing her patience. Velen, having already wasted so many valuable resources, should know better by now not to misuse them. "These three Starry Stones are too few. I''ll make some kitchen utensils first. This will help with cooking. If there''s any leftover, I''ll make scissors or other tools to take care of the flowers and plants in Fortress." Velen had his own plan for the Starry Stones and spoke with a serious tone. Upon hearing this, Anastasia felt her temples throbbing painfully. Starry Stones were treasures for crafting magical tools, extremely rare and precious. But Velen was planning to turn them into kitchen utensils? Or scissors for tending to flowers? She couldn''t understand how his mind worked. How could he be so wasteful, so extravagant, yet so confident about it? Anastasia rubbed her temples, then turned her attention to the final 100 drops of Dragon Blood. "How do you plan to handle these?" she asked. "Simple. The area around Fortress is too barren, with sparse vegetation. I''ll use these drops of Dragon Blood to water the plants," Velen started to explain, but then felt a sudden cold, murderous intent in Anastasia''s gaze. The oppressive aura made him freeze. She was staring at him with an expression so chilling, it made his back feel icy. He quickly shut his mouth. "After all this, it''s good that I haven''t exploded yet. Eventually, Anastasia will come to understand the joy of being a tycoon!" Velen thought to himself, before speaking up again. "For the Dragon Blood, I think Fortress lacks proper incentives. If anyone achieves a rank breakthrough or contributes greatly, they can be rewarded with Dragon Blood." Upon hearing this, Anastasia finally let out a breath. She softened her gaze and smiled slightly. "That''s a good idea. Let''s do it as you say." Anastasia agreed quickly. Velen''s idea had given her a sense of relief. Although his character still needed to be molded, she believed that, with time, she could change him. Slowly but surely. "Kevin, have everyone in Fortress gather for a meeting!" Anastasia quickly transmitted the order to Kevin. Then, recalling how Velen, Daniel, and Nikola had spent quite a bit of time aboard the fleet, and considering Velen''s tendency to flaunt his wealth, she couldn''t help but ask out of curiosity. "By the way, what else did you waste while you were on the fleet?" "Captain, you know my personality. Everything''s just a fleeting thing, nothing too wasteful," Velen immediately shook his head. "Well, the Dragon Blood Potion¡ªDaniel and Nikola almost vomited from the smell. They''ll probably gag every time they smell it in the future." "Also, I used the S-rank skill... as toilet paper for Nikola." Anastasia''s slender fingers immediately clenched into fists. An S-rank skill! For a Heroic Rank Awakener, such skills were extremely valuable¡ªDucal Manor didn''t even have many of them. They were worth at least a billion mana stones! And now... such a precious skill had been used as toilet paper!? Anastasia took a deep breath, trying to calm her fast-beating heart. An S-rank skill was rare and powerful, but in the upper plane universe, it was still somewhat common. "Also, I acquired Fenrir''s bloodline. Nikola''s terrified of pain, so I thought it would be perfect for him to inherit it." "You have no idea, but after Nikola received the bloodline, he became incredibly violent. He and Daniel fought to the death aboard the fleet, and Nikola''s progress was rapid." Anastasia''s pupils immediately constricted. She couldn''t help but lean forward, exclaiming, "What did you say? Fenrir''s bloodline?" "You can''t be serious, right?" As someone who had once been a major figure in the upper plane universe, she had seen a Fenrir bloodline inheritor before. That person was a complete lunatic¡ªreckless in battle, growing stronger the more they fought. Even her own mentor, a top-tier decision-maker in the upper plane universe, had been driven into a corner by this individual. And that was with a rank difference! To think that someone with Fenrir''s bloodline could be such a monster! Chapter 66 - Chapter66-Taina Planet Upon hearing this, Anastasia froze, staring blankly at Velen. Fenrir''s bloodline, Velen actually knows about it! When the terrifying being from the upper plane universe fought her mentor, they had clearly told her that without absolute strength, anyone with Fenrir''s bloodline should never be touched, because doing so would only help the other party grow stronger! Now, not only does the upper plane universe have a battle-crazed individual, but there is also one in this plane universe! However, looking at Velen, he seemed to have a strong aversion to this terrifying bloodline! "Velen, Fenrir''s bloodline is not as simple as you think. If you ever face one, you''ll understand the terror of it!" "That''s a monster with no growth limit! From now on, if you meet Nikola again, make sure to maintain a good relationship with him. He will become your strongest support in the future!" The power of Fenrir''s bloodline made Anastasia forget about Velen''s extravagance and wastefulness. She had personally witnessed the terror and potential of this bloodline and only hoped that Velen wouldn''t miss out on this great opportunity! Faced with Anastasia''s excited expression, Velen helplessly scratched his hair. "That Nikola guy kept pestering me, calling me ''Big Brother.'' I''m so sick of him." "He even said he wants to build the strongest trade guild in the universe, and if I ever need help, he''ll follow me through fire and water. I don''t even have a gang here; it''s like he''s treating me like a mafia boss." "Captain, do you think he''s read too many novels?" Upon hearing Velen''s complaints, Anastasia''s face darkened. Velen was doing this on purpose! He was showing off! She had just been trying to get him to build a good relationship with Nikola and get close to him, but instead, Velen had directly become Nikola''s big brother! The tables had turned! Anastasia put a hand to her forehead, feeling like having Velen around might just be pushing her mental state to the brink. "Miss, they''ve all arrived!" At that moment, Kevin''s voice came from outside the hall. Then, he brought everyone into the hall. "Lord Anastasia, is there something urgent?" Aiden looked at Anastasia''s unusual expression and asked curiously. Since Anastasia had established the fortress, she was considered a lord, albeit the lowest level of lord. Naturally, the people working under her had to address her as "Lord." "Ahem, I suddenly feel a bit unwell. I need to go to the restroom. You all chat for now." Seeing Anastasia''s gaze shift towards him, Velen quickly made an excuse and fled the scene. Anastasia sighed helplessly as she watched him disappear. It was impossible to reason with Velen. As much as she wanted to complain, he had a point. After all, Velen was the mascot of the fortress, the big tycoon. He was a huge asset to both her and the fortress. She shook her head, pushing those distracting thoughts away, and turned her attention to the people in front of her. With a calm voice, she said: "I gathered you here today because Velen has contributed a batch of valuable resources to the fortress, and I plan to distribute some of them to you." Everyone froze for a moment, except for the snow-white rabbit, whose ears immediately perked up, showing pure excitement and longing. Anastasia''s mouth twitched. Clearly, the rabbit was just as extravagant as Velen¡ª it was like Velen''s second self! She let out a bitter laugh. It seemed that in terms of enjoyment, these people were no match for a rabbit. "Well, it''s not my stuff anyway. Since the rabbit knows how to enjoy, I shouldn''t be worse than a rabbit, right?" Anastasia thought angrily, not realizing that her mindset was subtly changing without her noticing. "SSS Tomes of Skill Experience, you all should be familiar with these. Their impact on skill proficiency is unparalleled by other treasures. Here are 50 books, and each of you will take two." Saying this, Anastasia took two books and put them into her storage bag. The others followed suit, quickly grabbing their two books. "Lord, you''re so kind to us. Is this an entry gift?" Kevin and the others were all delighted. "By the way, Lord, there are still 28 more SSS Tomes of Skill Experience. Should we distribute them as well?" They all knew the importance of these tomes and hoped to get a few more. "The remaining ones already have owners." Anastasia said, her inner anger rising but she suppressed it before continuing, "Those remaining are for the little white rabbit." The rabbit, as if understanding, eagerly hopped over to the tomes and laid down on top of them, comfortably absorbing mana. Soon, after absorbing all the books, its eyes turned an even darker shade than the night, and an aura of cold, destructive hellish energy seemed to freeze the entire fortress. Kevin and the others were left speechless. This harmless-looking little white rabbit not only possessed the terrifying skill "Eye of Hell," but its proficiency was rapidly increasing with the help of the SSS Tomes of Skill Experience! Just a glance at its eyes sent chills down their spines and goosebumps all over their bodies. "That''s its own, no need to envy." Anastasia hummed coldly, speaking seemingly to the others, but more to herself. "Now, here''s the afterlife flower. As usual, take two each, and leave the rest for the little white rabbit." "Also, a reminder, this is for incense making. Use it properly over the next couple of days. If you don''t, you''ll be expelled from the fortress." With that, Anastasia gritted her teeth and took two afterlife flowers. Seeing this, the others knew this was Velen''s doing. Although reluctant, they could only agree with a tearful nod. "Now, these dragon bloods are a reward from the fortress. Those who have contributed to the sect will be able to receive them. The specific rules will be released in a couple of days, so make sure to read them carefully when the time comes." Anastasia said as she put the dragon blood into her storage bag. Then, she looked at the Starry Stone. This item was invaluable for high-level awakeners. She was planning to use it to make kitchen tools and garden scissors. She decided not to tell them about its real use. If they knew, they''d definitely go crazy. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After Anastasia finished distributing the items, she left the hall, and Kevin and the others immediately fell into a frenzy. Although the SSS Tomes of Skill Experience weren''t many, they would help improve their skill proficiency by a level. As for the afterlife flowers, even though they were extravagant, they could still benefit from them, something they never even dared to dream of before. Now, thanks to Velen, they could actually have them in reality. Among them, the most excited was Aiden. As a berserker, the reason he joined the fortress was to get dragon blood. Now, not long after joining, he saw the hope of obtaining it! Meanwhile, Anastasia, after careful thought, decided to have her good friend help her forge some items. Although she was only a lv7 blacksmith, she could still melt the Starry Stones and use them to craft simple kitchenware and scissors. "I wonder what her reaction will be when she sees these Starry Stones?" Anastasia wondered, "And after knowing their use, I wonder if she''ll go crazy¡­" Anastasia left¡­ Chapter 67 - Chapter67-With Me Here, No One Can Hurt You! Upon seeing Victoria, a loli face with a muscular body, Anastasia''s heart eased slightly. However, her expression remained stern, and she said directly: "Victoria, I''ve come here this time hoping you can help me craft a few things." Victoria, seeing Anastasia''s serious face, shook her head slightly and said, "Anastasia, I really don''t know how you developed this personality. You always look like you have a deep grudge against the world. Can''t you smile more?" "Your personality is just like a boy''s. Only I can tolerate it," Victoria added with a teasing tone. Anastasia didn''t like to smile, and this was something Victoria always found a bit unsettling, as if there were a heavy stone weighing on her heart. She had always wanted to change Anastasia''s character, but she had never succeeded. Seeing the concerned expression on Victoria''s face, Anastasia shook her head, saying, "I''ve gotten used to it. Besides, apart from you, the vice-captain I recruited not long ago can also accept it." As she said this, the image of Velen flashed across Anastasia''s mind. His words and actions proved that he was truly dedicated to the fortress and genuinely wanted to help her. It was clear that he accepted her cold and distant personality. Victoria, growing curious, leaned in closer, her beautiful eyes wide open in a playful manner as she asked, "Anastasia, you just joined here not long ago, and you weren''t demanding much from the guardians, so why did you suddenly appoint a vice-captain? You didn''t even tell me about this!" She and Anastasia had been good friends for many years, and Victoria''s personality was extremely cold. She wouldn''t say a word to strangers, her only focus being on leveling up! Leveling up! She had a kind of innate arrogance toward other awakeners and didn''t think much of them. Now, someone had joined the Guardians and even been appointed as vice-captain, which meant that Anastasia truly recognized him. This piqued Victoria''s curiosity even more! "You didn''t ask about it before, and besides, he... how should I put it? You can think of him as a super tycoon." Anastasia briefly mentioned it, then changed the subject, "Alright, enough gossip. Help me craft some kitchen utensils and large scissors for trimming lawns and fruit trees." She wasn''t sure why, but seeing Victoria so interested in Velen made her feel an inexplicable desire not to talk more about him. Victoria, noticing Anastasia''s odd behavior, didn''t press the issue but spoke regretfully, "Anastasia, I''m sorry, but my mentor needs my help to forge a high-quality magic tool. I won''t have any free time for the next month..." Anastasia, disappointed, was about to leave when suddenly a deep, powerful voice came from the depths of the forge shop. S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "It''s just crafting some simple kitchen tools and scissors, no problem!" The voice sounded, and a short but muscular, bald old dwarf appeared, holding a large black hammer, looking at Anastasia with a kindly expression. "Master Ethan!" Upon seeing the old dwarf, Anastasia''s usually emotionless face showed a rare expression of respect. Ethan looked up at Anastasia and laughed heartily, "It''s been a while since I last saw you. You''ve grown so tall. Looks like I really am getting old!" He sighed, then suddenly asked, "How are those five old men from the Senate doing?" Anastasia smiled faintly and replied, "Master Ethan, thank you for thinking of them. Their health is great. Senator Jake has been wanting to discuss body forging and crafting with you again." "If there''s an opportunity, I''ll definitely visit Ducal Manor again. But today, since you''ve come all the way to my shop, I won''t let you leave empty-handed," Ethan said, adjusting his long beard before turning to Victoria. "Go get some of that fine iron, we have plenty of it here. Crafting kitchen tools and garden scissors won''t take long!" Seeing that Master Ethan himself was stepping in, Anastasia quickly said, "Master Ethan, although these things are simple, there is one special requirement. I need all of them to be infused with something special during the forging process." Ethan, not at all concerned, waved it off and said, "That''s easy! You want alloyed kitchen tools, right? Just bring them over!" Ethan had always been a close friend of Ducal Manor, and since Anastasia was good friends with his mentee, he naturally wanted to make sure she was satisfied. Anastasia nodded and then took three Starry Stones that emitted a colorful glow. Holding them in her hand, the entire forge shop was immediately bathed in dazzling, multicolored light. Ethan and Victoria, both in the midst of the radiance, couldn''t help but stare at the three stones, their faces filled with astonishment. Starry Stones! Three whole Starry Stones! Seeing their shocked reactions, Anastasia felt somewhat helpless. She didn''t want to do this, but it was Velen''s decision, and she had no choice but to comply. "Anastasia, is this really true? You want to use three Starry Stones to craft kitchen tools and scissors?" Victoria asked, her voice incredulous. "You''re not planning to use them to make magic items, are you?" After a brief moment of shock, Victoria looked at Anastasia as if she couldn''t believe her ears. This was the kind of shock and awe that came from someone who was so rich they could squander treasures like Starry Stones. Was this the feeling Velen sought when he indulged in luxury and excess? Anastasia couldn''t help but feel a strange sense of satisfaction, although she quickly suppressed it. Clearing her throat, she said, "It''s just for crafting kitchen tools and scissors for trimming grass. We don''t need to make them into magic items." Before Anastasia could finish speaking, Ethan couldn''t take it anymore. He lifted his hammer and swung it toward Anastasia''s head as if he were going to knock some sense into her. As a rare smith master, he had never seen so many Starry Stones. Forging a magic item with a Starry Stone had been his lifelong dream but was something he had never been able to accomplish. Yet now, Anastasia was using three of them to craft kitchen tools and scissors?! It was such a waste; it felt like dragging his reputation through the dirt! Victoria, knowing her mentor''s hot temper, quickly grabbed his wrist and tried to calm him down. "Victoria, let go of me! Today, I''m going to teach Anastasia a lesson for being so wasteful! Starry Stones aren''t to be used like this!" "Even in the Singularity Battlefield, Starry Stones are extremely rare! Other Ascended Rank awakeners would fight to the death over them! And yet she''s using them to make kitchen tools and scissors?! I''ve never seen anything so wasteful!" As Ethan glared angrily at Anastasia, she quickly realized the gravity of the situation. With some resignation, she explained, "Master Ethan, it''s no use talking to Senator Jake and the others about the Starry Stones. These three were given to me by the independent senator of Ducal Manor, and doing this is his request." Before Ethan could say anything, a murderous aura suddenly filled the room, locking the entire forge shop down! Then, with Ironback Centipede leading the way, Velen stormed into the scene, glaring at Ethan, who was still holding the hammer. "Are you planning to strike Lord Anastasia? You have quite a bit of courage!" Velen''s voice was filled with fury. As he spoke, he stepped in front of Anastasia, his mana flaring up as he checked her body and aura. Seeing that she wasn''t harmed, Velen sighed in relief. "Lord, you''re too careless. You came to this blacksmith''s shop, and if Iron Cub hadn''t brought me here, you would''ve been in danger!" Chapter 68 - Chapter68-Speak and Be Eaten? Seeing Velen as a barrier blocking the wind in front of her, even Anastasia, with a heart as deep as a calm well, couldn''t help but feel a slight ripple. This Velen, really something, when it comes to matters, he''s truly on the frontlines! Although he looks a bit naive. "Velen, things aren''t what you think¡­" She was about to explain, but saw Velen already turning to the Ironback Centipede, giving orders. "Iron Cub, take Lord Anastasia and leave. I''ll handle this!" The moment Anastasia heard Velen''s voice, she felt a vast mana wrap around her, and under the guidance of the Ironback Centipede, she was quickly whisked away from the forge shop. She tried to break free from the Ironback Centipede''s hold, but given her current level, compared to the Ironback Centipede, the gap was still too great. She couldn''t escape. "Iron Cub, let go of me! Master Ethan is not only a smith master, but also an Ascended Rank lv9 being!" She was really worried about Velen. After all, Master Ethan''s strength was terrifying! Although the Ironback Centipede had also reached Ascended Rank lv9, it had only survived two thunder strikes. But Master Ethan had endured five thunder strikes! However, the Ironback Centipede, after sensing this, had already turned back into the forge shop, completely ignoring her words. It had already sensed the old dwarf''s level when it first saw him and knew that he was stronger than it. But standing next to Velen, a mysterious and formidable figure, it remembered how it had been pummeled by that golden-armored man. Who was in danger? That was not for Anastasia to decide. Inside the Forge Shop. After seeing Ironback Centipede take Anastasia away, Velen stared coldly at the old dwarf, his gaze filled with condescension and disdain, "Old dwarf, you''ve got guts! You dare take my stuff, dare bully my¡­ my Lord?" Saying this, Velen stomped on a nearby table, shattering it into splinters! "Are you insulting my mentor?" As Velen grew more insolent, Victoria, with her muscular arms clenched tightly, ready to strike, was stopped by Ethan with a firm grip on her wrist. "You''ve got courage, I haven''t seen many like you," Ethan said, sizing up the arrogant Velen, a trace of admiration appearing on his wrinkled old face. "Mentor, this guy insults you like that and you''re praising him?" Victoria was utterly confused, hands on her hips. Ethan looked at Velen for a moment, then turned to comfort the fuming Victoria with a chuckle, "If you ever have someone like him under your command, someone who will step up without hesitation in a critical moment, no matter how he insults me, I would not be angry, I''d be very pleased!" Victoria paused for a moment before realizing. It seemed this Velen was likely the Vice Captain that Anastasia had just mentioned. To stand up for Anastasia in front of her mentor, no matter how rude he was, it showed he was indeed someone worth respecting. No wonder Anastasia valued him so much; Victoria couldn''t help but feel a little happy for her. Victoria''s gaze softened as she looked at Velen. After a brief silence, Ethan spoke up again, "Who are you? When standing up for someone else, shouldn''t you first check your own rank? Do you really think you can act recklessly just because of that spellbeast?" Although Ethan could feel that the young man in front of him was a friend of Anastasia, he didn''t know their exact relationship or background. Now was a good time to test Velen. After all, Velen gave off an air of someone who didn''t seem to think much of Ethan. Before Velen could respond, Ironback Centipede couldn''t help but laugh. If it followed Velen''s instructions and got beaten up in return for letting off some steam, though it would be humiliating, at least it would save its life. Otherwise, it might not even know how it died. "Old dwarf, you seem to be a terrifying existence with that level. How about we gamble? No matter how hard you strike, you won''t be able to hurt a single hair on my body?" Velen waved his hand provocatively at Ethan, the challenge so strong it almost spilled over. "You''re pretty cocky, young man!" Seeing Velen''s confidence, Ethan grew even more curious. He raised his forge hammer and swung it down at Velen. The air cracked around it, as if smashing through glass. With his own strength at Ascended Rank lv9 and being both a blacksmith and berserker, that hammer strike could flatten a mountain in an instant! Of course, Ethan was confident enough in his skills to stop the blow before it could turn Velen into mush. After all, Velen was only at Expert Rank lv9, and he wouldn''t be able to withstand a blow like this. As the hammer grew closer to Velen, the air in front of him twisted like dough. A force that seemed to tear the heavens apart surged out, freezing time and space for a moment. Then, a red-haired man with a single eye appeared in front of Velen with a crazed laugh. "Finally, a minion who''s barely worth looking at. Now I can descend!" As he spoke, an aura of hellish bloodlust spread from him, turning the air around him a chilling crimson. Madness! Terror! Slaughter! Anyone within this blood-red aura felt an overwhelming sense of impending death, their hearts gripped with anxiety! Even Ethan, the most powerful of them, was momentarily stunned. S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The moment he saw the man''s single eye, memories flooded back of this man''s destructive presence on battlefields, tearing through Awakener after Awakener, blood droplets raining like a bloody storm! This man seemed to revel in killing, and he could bring about endless carnage! As the man''s blood-soaked gaze scanned the room, his hands, dripping with blood from his fingertips, trembled with excitement as he spoke in a hoarse, crazed voice: "Master, let me tear them apart and show you a blood-soaked fireworks display, to vent your anger!" Upon seeing Velen, the man immediately breathed heavily and saluted before impatiently speaking. His voice was both raspy and wild, his body trembling from excitement. Velen looked at the red-haired man, surprised. It was obvious that he was one of his protectors. But why did he feel so different from the others? This one was clearly not like the others who protected him. He seemed like a madman, speaking of slaughtering all life on the planet! Everyone present didn''t feel like he was bluffing; he truly had the power to do it! Velen had no doubt. Even the lowest-ranked members of the Guardians were terrifying beings from the upper planes, capable of eradicating these people with ease. "Old dwarf, did you raise your hand against my master?" The red-haired, one-eyed man licked his lips, his voice dripping with malice. "Don''t worry. I won''t kill you just yet. I want you to watch as I carve your body into a thousand pieces and savor your flesh." Not receiving a direct order from Velen, the one-eyed man did not strike immediately, but spoke coldly. Seeing this, Velen was left speechless. The Guardians were this wild? Who did they recruit? Chapter 69 - Chapter69-The Young Independent Senator The Ironback Centipede glanced warily at the frantic one-eyed, red-haired man. It suddenly felt relieved that this person hadn''t made a move earlier; otherwise, it might have already become jerky meat by now. Quickly leaving the blacksmith''s shop, it saw Anastasia anxiously trying to break through the protective barrier. "Lord Anastasia, the two people inside say they know you. Are they your friends? They weren''t lying, were they?" Anastasia nodded repeatedly upon hearing this, although she didn''t know exactly what had happened inside. "Yes, that''s right. Victoria is my friend, and Master Ethan is an old friend of the Senate." "By the way, what''s the situation with the master? You''re probably no match for Master Ethan, right?" The Ironback Centipede nodded. In a normal duel, even as a spellbeast, it wouldn''t stand a chance against Ethan. However, Ethan was facing the unfathomable Velen. Thinking of how both Victoria and Ethan were friends of Lord Anastasia, and recalling the terrifying red-eyed man, the Ironback Centipede immediately grew anxious. "Lord, you should go check on them; something serious is about to happen!" Inside the blacksmith''s shop. "Master, no matter what, attacking you is a disrespect, and disrespecting you means there''s no need to live anymore!" The one-eyed, red-haired man cruelly licked his lips, preparing to strike at Victoria and Ethan. On one hand, these people had no sense at all, attacking Velen like this. On the other hand, he had come here with the intention of staying longer, using this opportunity to celebrate with bloodshed. Seeing his bloodthirsty nature, Velen immediately asked the system: "System, does the Guardians have no threshold? Can someone who is this murderous become a member of the Guardians?" "The Guardians are complex and unpredictable. It''s not as simple as it seems. I cannot explain it to the host at this time." Velen became even more curious after hearing this. Before he could investigate further, he fixed his cold gaze on the red-haired man, whose emotions were now on edge. "Shut up before I speak!" Seeing Velen''s displeasure, the one-eyed, red-haired man immediately knelt in fear, suddenly feeling as if he was choking to death. To others, they were the reapers of death, but in front of Velen, they didn''t even dare to breathe loudly! The fear in the red-haired man''s eyes made Velen nod with satisfaction. Looking at the Guardians, he felt as if they had entered a master-servant contract with him. In his mind, he could erase them in an instant if he wished. "How many members are there in the Guardians? Tell me everything about them." Hearing Velen''s telepathic inquiry, the red-haired man immediately responded, "Master, as far as I know, there are currently ten members in the Guardians..." He briefly shared everything he knew about the Guardians. After listening, Velen had a clearer understanding of them. The Guardians were selected from various star systems, including the upper plane universe, to protect his safety. Just as he was processing this, he suddenly received a telepathic message from Ironback Centipede, causing his expression to twitch. He quickly waved his hand and said: "Leave immediately; I''m safe for now. I don''t need you." According to the message from Ironback Centipede, what the muscular girl said earlier was true. There had indeed been a big misunderstanding. The red-haired man had no idea what Velen had heard, but when it came to Velen''s orders, he couldn''t dare defy them and quickly left. Once the terrifying presence of the red-haired man was gone, both Victoria and Ethan subconsciously let out a sigh of relief. The man''s rank was incomprehensible, and the crazed energy he emitted made them feel extremely uncomfortable. At that moment, Ethan and Victoria saw Velen take five Starry Stones from his chest and place them on a nearby table. "Here, this was all a misunderstanding. We''re all friends here, no need to make things so awkward. These five Starry Stones are for you." Since these two were close friends of Anastasia, he naturally gave them something to smooth things over. Ethan and Victoria struggled to shift their gazes from the five Starry Stones to Velen. "Who are you, exactly? What''s your relationship with Anastasia? What do you mean by interacting with her like this? Are you after her body?" Victoria fired off a series of questions straight at Velen. His presence felt too strange to her, and she couldn''t help but think of her good friend''s well-being. Ethan, seeing his mentee''s aggressive questioning, quickly grabbed her. "No matter who Velen is, his behavior earlier proves he won''t harm Anastasia." The more mysterious Velen''s power and background were, the more it showed he was genuinely looking out for Anastasia. Seeing her mentor stop her from continuing, Victoria frowned. Perhaps due to her instincts, she felt there was a huge secret about Velen, and if she didn''t investigate thoroughly, it could have a big impact on Anastasia. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. She secretly vowed to get to the bottom of Velen''s motives! And the best way to investigate was to join the fortress and stay close to Velen at all times! Just then, without the mana interference from Ironback Centipede, Anastasia hurried into the blacksmith''s shop and scanned the room, relieved to see that everyone was safe and unharmed. Earlier, in those few short minutes, she had been tormented with worry, anxious for both Velen and her friends, Victoria and Ethan. Thankfully, they hadn''t ended up in a full-blown fight. "Master, what happened here? I felt an extremely terrifying aura suddenly appear. What was going on?" Anastasia curiously looked at Velen and the others. Velen cleared his throat awkwardly. "Uh, it was all a misunderstanding! Just a misunderstanding!" "Now that everything''s clear, there''s no reason to stay. I''ll be leaving now." As he said that, Velen quickly turned to leave. The longer he stayed, the more awkward he felt. After Velen and Ironback Centipede left, Ethan looked at Velen''s retreating figure, his face grim. "Anastasia, I didn''t expect you to encounter someone like Velen here. He''s a real genius, and he''s someone you should definitely befriend." Although they didn''t know Velen''s background yet, with so many cards in hand, anyone guarding Anastasia''s side was a powerful ally. If Victoria also had someone like him by her side, perhaps the old grudges could be resolved, and they''d all live a few more years! Anastasia thought about Velen''s performance today. If it weren''t for the misunderstanding, Velen''s actions were perfect. "Anastasia, you said earlier that the Starry Stones you have were given to you by your independent senator, right? But isn''t it true that Ducal Manor only has five senators?" Ethan, noticing that Velen had given them five Starry Stones, couldn''t help but raise an eyebrow. He was curious about why Velen, so casually, handed out such precious items. "Independent senator?" Anastasia, hearing Ethan''s question, took a more serious tone. She slowly explained: "Actually, this young man, my vice-captain, is the independent senator of Ducal Manor. This was approved by the Senate, and the Starry Stones I gave you earlier were given to me by him." Ethan and Victoria were stunned, their minds struggling to comprehend. Velen, though mysterious, was connected to Ducal Manor, one of the top forces in the Titan Galaxy. How could they possibly make someone like Velen an independent senator? And wasn''t he working under Anastasia? Victoria thought hard about the situation, and her expression grew even more strange. "Anastasia, does that mean you have to call him ''Senator'' now that you''ve seen him?" Anastasia sighed and nodded. She was just as troubled by this situation as everyone else. If Victoria knew that Velen had another identity as a grandmaster, things would probably... get even more complicated. Chapter 70 - Chapter70-Velen brings yet another senator! Hearing Ethan''s question, Anastasia, after organizing the information about Velen, finally spoke firmly: "Tycoon!" "Extravagant!" "Wasteful!" Ethan widened his eyes. What was going on with Anastasia? Why was she emphasizing this so much? Could it be that having money meant gaining the approval of the Senate of House von Michelstein and becoming an independent senator? Anastasia, seeing the confusion in Master Ethan''s eyes, explained: "Velen gave Ducal Manor five billion mana stones, and even had Ducal Manor keep the Starlight Array running, with him fully funding it." The enhanced Starlight Array was still a secret of House von Michelstein, known only to a few. So Anastasia didn''t mention it to Master Ethan. Ethan nodded upon hearing this. He hadn''t thought about it much, but indeed, Velen was quite wealthy. To be able to casually spend so many mana stones at his age meant he must come from a powerful family. But then, after thinking for a moment, he felt something was off. "Anastasia, five billion mana stones is a lot, but House von Michelstein wouldn''t give Velen the position of independent senator just for that, would they?" Anastasia nodded. "I forgot to mention, there''s also ten million advanced mana stones." "Advanced mana stones?" "Ten million?" Ethan and Victoria both gasped in shock. They recognized the terms, but combined, they felt a tremendous impact! How precious are advanced mana stones? In the major star systems of the universe, they are a hard currency! Their purchasing power is astounding, and even the top forces, who have accumulated resources for thousands, even tens of thousands of years, don''t have more than a million advanced mana stones. But Velen... he casually gave ten million! That''s enough to buy the entire Ducal Manor! Thinking about this, Ethan suddenly understood why Velen looked so indifferent about something as rare as Starry Stone, and even used it to make kitchenware and scissors. This man was truly wealthy enough to be careless with money! Ethan, as a smith master, had seen wealthy families and top-tier aristocrats, but none compared to Velen! Suddenly, Ethan, as if realizing something, chuckled: "Anastasia, I''m getting old and just want to find a nice place to retire. Your fortress seems nice; you wouldn''t refuse an old man like me, right?" For Ethan, Velen, this big tycoon, was the hope to further improve his forging skills! After all, whether as a blacksmith, alchemist, or any other class, they all required enormous resources¡ªespecially mana stones¡ªto sustain their work. With his current forging skills, he didn''t lack mana stones, but those rare materials he needed, and the mana stones required for each of them, were all sky-high prices and hard to find. Velen''s appearance had ignited a spark of hope in his heart. Hearing this, Anastasia, thinking about how Aiden, the berserker, and Robert, the level-9 alchemist, had already joined the fortress, felt a bit of a headache. Another big shot wanted to join the fortress? Although he wouldn''t be joining the Guardians, if too many senators joined, would they end up with more senators than regular members? While Anastasia was feeling speechless, Ethan, noticing her hesitation, persuaded: "Anastasia, you''ve only just established the fortress, and aside from Protector Kevin, there aren''t any strong awakeners, right? This place is on the edge of the Titan Galaxy, very dangerous. My strength and connections here will be very helpful!" As a smith master, Ethan had vast networks and was connected to the top forces and strongest individuals! With such a weighty background, he was qualified to join any faction and become a senator. Seeing that Ethan was insistent on joining, Anastasia reluctantly nodded. Anyway, with Aiden and Robert already there, it wouldn''t hurt to let him join as well. And she knew very well that Ethan''s joining was most likely for Velen''s sake. Since that was the case, let Velen deal with it. She wanted to see how Velen, the vice captain, would turn the fortress into something different! Victoria, seeing Anastasia agreeing, also showed a faint smile. As Master Ethan''s mentee, wherever Ethan went, she would naturally follow. Before, she had been hesitant about how to join the fortress and probe Velen''s background, but now, she didn''t have to worry about that anymore. Meanwhile, at the edge of Taina Planet... "Those guys are too arrogant. This is a transit star, with many ships, fleets, and awakeners passing through, and they dare to speed through, recklessly releasing mana fluctuations to probe? They''re looking for death!" "You, an Apprentice Rank nobody, shouldn''t speak too much. Didn''t you see the sun, moon, and star symbols on them? They''re the top awakeners from Triad Sanctum!" "My heavens, Triad Sanctum could become a top-tier force, and they''re sending so many strong awakeners here?" "I don''t know, but I heard that Simon, the lord of Triad Sanctum, survived the first Judgement of RULEs and has entered the Ascended Rank of awakeners!" Many people on Taina Planet were discussing. "Speed up, everyone. We need to investigate thoroughly. The aura of Mourning of the Fallen is on this planet!" "No matter who it is, anyone who dares to harm my son must pay the price in blood!" Simon, the leader, had a cold expression and a murderous aura. Behind him, a group of Triad Sanctum''s strong members had cold eyes and an icy killing intent. As they moved, violent winds followed. Back with Velen... "This planet is so boring." After leaving the forge shop, Velen, led by Ironback Centipede, started wandering. Compared to Chaos City, which he had visited before, these places felt rather primitive and barbaric. There was none of the modern atmosphere or entertainment like in Chaos City. Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. This left Velen somewhat disappointed. Hearing Velen''s complaint, Ironback Centipede didn''t know what to say. For spellbeasts and other awakeners, upgrading and ascending to the upper plane universe was their main goal. They were always busy, never bored. Only someone like Velen, who seemed to have everything, could feel bored. But as Velen''s mount, Ironback Centipede certainly couldn''t complain. The image of that one-eyed red-haired man still lingered in his mind. If he offended Velen, the consequences would be terrible! "If the master is bored, I know a place you might enjoy!" Suddenly, Ironback Centipede looked towards the north of Taina Planet, where there was a bustling area with many commercial streets. By now, he understood Velen; the master seemed to enjoy showing off wealth. The commercial street there seemed like the perfect place to satisfy that need. Velen, hearing this, became a little interested. "Let''s go check it out. If we find something interesting and have the chance to show off, that would be perfect." Since he was idle anyway, why not? So, following Ironback Centipede''s lead, Velen went straight to the bustling commercial street. As soon as they arrived, Velen heard many vendors calling out, selling their goods. "Come, come, take a look! Don''t miss out! I have many rare items from Singularity Battlefield, including some precious treasures!" "Look here, fresh ore from the Fourth Warzone, perfect for forging top-tier magical weapons!" "I have many skill books, all from the Singularity Battlefield ruins. Some are incomplete, but if they came from Singularity Battlefield, they''re certainly high quality!" Velen listened to the calls and looked at the shops and stalls along the street. Here, they sold all kinds of things, many of them materials from Singularity Battlefield. As a transit star, there were also plenty of unique products from other planes, making the street lively and bustling. However, while there was a lot of stuff, most of it was of low quality. Velen... Chapter 71 - Chapter71-The Shopkeeper Who Lost Big Although Velen was a tycoon, he wasn''t a fool. There was no need to waste gold coins and mana stones on such obviously fake items. After strolling around the commercial street for a short while, Velen suddenly heard a system prompt in his ear. "Discovered Chaos City pass!" "Triggered a random task: Buy the ancient beast hide containing a hidden pass. Reward: 100 luxury points. Failure: Deduct 100 luxury points." Velen narrowed his eyes, casually glancing at a shop beside him. The shop was not large, its d¨¦cor old-fashioned, and it seemed very quiet, with almost no customers. However, Velen''s attention was fixed on a piece of yellowing beast hide carelessly placed in a corner. Pass! If it weren''t for the system''s sudden reminder, Velen would never have believed that this beast hide contained a rare pass. Without hesitation, Velen walked into the shop. Inside, there was an elderly man with small eyes, but his sharpness was unmistakable, a glint of wisdom shining through. When the old man saw Velen enter and his gaze fall on the beast hide in the corner, he smiled slyly and walked up to greet him. "Dear guest, what would you like to buy? Our prices are the fairest in town!" Velen glanced at him and pointed at the yellowing beast hide, "How much for this?" As soon as Velen exposed his intentions, the old man''s smile grew wider, feeling he had just found a na?ve customer. "This ancient beast hide comes from the Singularity Battlefield''s Third Zone. It''s truly valuable. For this, an Adept Rank awakener has lost hundreds of men, battling for it in the most brutal conditions¡­" Listening to the old man''s exaggerated talk, Velen shook his head, "Just tell me the price." To him, money was just a number. Buying this would complete the system task, and that was what mattered most. "If you''re interested in this, it''s fate," the old man said with feigned sincerity, "I''ll sell it to you for 5 million mana stones, at a loss!" The old man spoke as if he was making a significant concession. Velen was slightly surprised by the price. A real Chaos City pass was extremely rare, and its price far exceeded 5 million mana stones. He had even prepared to show off, thinking he would make a substantial profit after purchasing it. Seeing Velen''s expression change, the old man wondered if he had asked for too much. 5 million mana stones for a piece of beast hide seemed a bit mismatched. If a knowledgeable buyer were to set a price, it would probably only be worth a few thousand mana stones. This beast hide had been on sale for a long time, but no one had bought it. Had it not come from the Singularity Battlefield, it probably wouldn''t have sold at all. "I know the price is high, but it''s still a fair price. For this beast hide from the Singularity Battlefield, it might even contain some powerful skill or a treasure map!" The old man tried to persuade him further. Selling these types of items was all about convincing the customer. But before the old man could finish, Velen had already taken out a storage pouch and handed it to him. "5 million mana stones. I''ll buy it." With those words, the Ironback Centipede immediately took the ancient beast hide and handed it to Velen. The old man glanced at the storage pouch. Inside, the 5 million mana stones lay silently. No haggling? He actually bought it without question? The old man had expected to bargain, thinking he could make a huge profit even if the price was halved. It was a once-in-a-lifetime deal! But Velen had bought it so decisively that it felt wrong. Could it be that the ancient beast hide held some secret he didn''t know about? They had already checked it, and apart from being sturdy, there was nothing of value. It didn''t contain any skills or treasure maps! Why had Velen paid 5 million mana stones without batting an eye? "Master, the beast hide." At that moment, the Ironback Centipede handed the beast hide to Velen respectfully. Velen nodded, storing it in his pouch and preparing to leave. But just then, the old man called out to him, scratching his head. "Sir, the item is yours now, but could you satisfy my curiosity? What makes this beast hide worth 5 million mana stones?" With the Chaos City pass in hand, Velen was in a good mood and decided to answer. "For you, this may not be worth much, but for me, it''s worth 50 million mana stones, even 500 million mana stones. I would still buy it without hesitation!" With that, Velen turned and left with the Ironback Centipede. The old man was left utterly stunned. Did he just hear that right? 50 million mana stones? 500 million mana stones? What kind of secret was hidden in this beast hide? Its ultimate value must be close to 1 billion mana stones! The old man couldn''t believe what he had just sold. The fool was actually him! Later, with a frown and a grim expression, the old man realized that he had just let go of something priceless. But soon, his mood shifted, a cold, greedy look overtaking his face. For someone in his line of work, relying solely on big customers wasn''t enough to survive. There were always less-than-legal ways to make a living. Meanwhile, as Ironback Centipede and Velen left the shop, the centipede turned to Velen and reminded him, "Master, that old man is keeping his eyes on us." Velen smiled, his expression one of amusement. What he said earlier about paying 500 million mana stones for the beast hide was true. He genuinely thought it was worth that much. But he had also said it on purpose, testing the old man. And the old man had taken the bait! "They''ll be here soon. Wait for them to finish collecting the mana stones, then send them on their way. Don''t forget the order," Velen instructed, his voice calm. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. When Ironback Centipede stared at him, looking somewhat confused, Velen immediately understood his thoughts. However, this decision had been the result of a lot of back-and-forth with the system. There was no way he could explain this to Ironback Centipede, so he decided to leave it unsaid. Chapter 72 - Chapter72-Dragon Forge "They''ll be here soon. Wait for them to finish collecting the mana stones, then send them on their way. Don''t forget the order," Velen instructed, his voice calm. When Ironback Centipede stared at him, looking somewhat confused, Velen immediately understood his thoughts. However, this decision had been the result of a lot of back-and-forth with the system. There was no way he could explain this to Ironback Centipede, so he decided to leave it unsaid. Ironback Centipede didn''t quite understand, but he committed Velen''s orders to memory. The more he thought about it, the more he felt that what his master was doing was simply cruel. To him, Velen''s ruthlessness had already surpassed that of the one-eyed, red-haired maniac. "Is this the place?" A low voice suddenly came from outside the door. Ironback Centipede''s expression grew serious, and he reported, "Master, there are two individuals. One of them is at Hero Rank level 8. This is likely the helper that person hired." Velen nodded and opened the door. The two men, who had been attempting to force their way in, froze when the door swung open. Their faces twisted into cruel smiles as they stormed into the room. When they saw the pile of mana stones, stacked like a small mountain at the doorway, both men were momentarily stunned. The sight before them was astonishing¡ªthere were at least a million mana stones, maybe even more! Their excitement intensified as they realized the enormity of what they were looking at. The five million mana stones Velen had previously given them, along with this massive pile, confirmed that Velen was indeed a wealthy tycoon. "Well, well, you two are the first ones to recognize me as a big-time target. Consider this one million mana stones a token of my appreciation," Velen said, walking over to the pile and pushing it toward the two men. They stared for a moment, then their expressions turned icy. "You think one million mana stones will buy us off, you little brat? Do you take us for beggars?" one of them sneered. "Hand over your storage bags!" the other demanded. "If you cooperate and give us five hundred million mana stones, we might let you go." David couldn''t hold back and spoke first. He had promised his boss five hundred million mana stones, and this one million wasn''t nearly enough¡ªit was practically an insult! Velen sighed inwardly and spoke to the system, "System, didn''t I tell you these guys have huge appetites? They need more mana stones to make it interesting. I want to scare them to death, but now I''m being looked down upon by these two lowlifes. A big tycoon like me is being disrespected!" Velen''s words were dripping with sarcasm as the system hummed, seemingly reluctant to respond. Then, with a sharp tearing sound, a golden-armored guardian appeared, familiar to Ironback Centipede. Seeing that it wasn''t the one-eyed, red-haired man, Ironback Centipede let out a silent breath of relief. Velen, on the other hand, was puzzled. "Why is a Guardian showing up? There''s no danger here." The system''s cold voice echoed, "As the host is a top-tier tycoon, these small-time thugs don''t deserve to rob you. Erase them immediately." Velen shot a sidelong glance. He could tell the system was just making excuses now, using some absurd tactics. Ironback Centipede silently watched as David and his partner were instantly eliminated, not daring to ask any questions. He simply helped Velen pack the one million mana stones into a storage bag. "Ugh, this is so boring," Velen muttered, shaking his head. Just as he was about to leave, the system''s voice rang out again. "System error. Compensation granted to host: 100,000 luxury points, 100 lv9 Angel Wing Barriers, and Dragon Forge." Velen''s previously irritated expression turned into a grin. "Not bad, not bad. A system that can admit when it''s wrong is a good system!" The compensation was indeed generous, and Velen chose to selectively forget the earlier frustrations. Ironback Centipede quickly shrank down to a miniature version of himself, floating Velen as if on a magic carpet. Meanwhile, Velen was busy examining the system''s rewards. Angel Wing Barrier: When activated, countless angel wings can be conjured, devastating any living creature within the barrier''s radius. Dragon Forge: Crafted from the bones of a fire dragon, it can unleash the fire dragon''s flames. A supreme tool for alchemists, capable of refining materials from various star systems! After reading the descriptions, Velen felt a surge of excitement. "The Angel Wing Barrier is incredibly powerful¡ª100 barriers at once! I''ll need to figure out how to get rid of them. I have no use for them anyway." "As for the Dragon Forge, this could be useful. I''ll ask Alan, the alchemist, about it when I get the chance." Soon, Velen arrived back at the fortress, carried by Ironback Centipede. As they entered the central plaza, he noticed a lot of activity. Many people had gathered there. "Skills have varying strengths. A well-practiced low-level skill can often be more useful in battle than a high-level skill just learned. So, don''t be obsessed with high-level skills!" Kevin was lecturing, his gaze stern as he looked at Hael and the others. Hael and his group, on the other hand, were drenched in sweat, their faces flushed and panting. Velen was confused by what was going on and asked, "Kevin, Aiden, Robert¡ªwhat''s going on here?" Instead of answering immediately, the three counselors summoned energy to create comfortable chairs in front of Velen. "Velen, you''ve been away. Rest first!" Kevin said with a warm smile. "This chair is my latest creation. It''s as soft as a cloud. You have to try it out¡ªit''s incredibly comfortable," Robert added eagerly. Aiden, however, seemed shocked. He knew that the other two had been trying hard to curry favor with Velen, but he hadn''t expected it to go this far! But seeing the benefits of flattering Velen, Aiden snorted and kicked the chairs that Robert and Kevin had created, smashing them to pieces. Robert and Kevin froze, dumbfounded. What was Aiden doing? Wasn''t he supposed to be trying to please Velen too? Why stop them? Before they could react, Aiden snapped, "You two are hopeless! Do you think Velen needs to rest right now? Look at him¡ªhe''s just come back from a trip, and all you can offer is a chair?" He then pulled out a bottle of fine wine and a platter of roasted meat from his storage bag and placed it before Velen. "Velen, you must be hungry. Here, try some of this roasted meat. The wine''s been aged for centuries¡ªit''s exquisite!" Everyone watching was left speechless. Especially Hael, Alan, and the others, who nearly spat blood from frustration. They were working themselves to the bone while the counselors treated Velen like royalty. The disparity was impossible to ignore. Just as Hael and the others glared at Aiden in frustration, Aiden glared back at them. "What are you looking at? Have you finished your training tasks? If you keep dawdling, I''ll make you train ten times harder!" Hael and the others could only look away, knowing they had no choice but to endure the situation. The counselors were too powerful to defy. "Remember, this is for your own good. If you suffer now, you''ll bleed less when danger strikes later," Robert and Kevin added. Velen, however, was deep in thought and turned to the system. Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "System, can the Angel Wing Barrier''s power be adjusted?" Since it wasn''t useful for him, he was considering using it to help train Alan and the others. Using a devastating weapon like the Angel Wing Barrier to help them improve their skills¡ªhow is this not flaunting wealth? "This barrier''s power can be adjusted freely, but regardless of its power level, it will dissipate after 12 hours!" "Non-host users need to leave a soul mark beforehand to control the barrier''s power at will." Upon hearing the system''s notification, Velen couldn''t help but feel like a genius! As a look of immense joy appeared on Velen''s face, Hael and the others present instinctively felt something bad was coming. Velen then turned to Aiden and the other two counselors, smiling as he spoke: "Gentlemen, using ordinary methods to improve skill proficiency and combat ability is really slow, and you can''t simulate the chaos of a real battle. I have a much better solution!" As he spoke, a fist-sized, shimmering white light orb appeared in Velen''s hand. "This is a level 9 barrier. Once activated, it covers a large area and creates countless angel wings that attack anything within its range. The power is terrifying and can be adjusted to suit the situation. It''s perfect for improving Hael and the others'' skill proficiency and combat ability!" Upon hearing this, Hael and the others'' eyes widened in shock. Not only is he flaunting his wealth, but they''d been working so hard on their training, and now this? Instead of understanding their struggle, Velen is giving them a weapon that could obliterate everything! This wasn''t a tycoon; this was the "Torture King!" They all glared at Velen. Previously, they had hoped Velen would relieve them from this grueling training, but now the intensity was about to increase. Was he afraid they hadn''t been pushed hard enough? "Velen, a level 9 barrier? That''s a weapon capable of destroying stars! Using it for training¡ªthis is too wasteful!" Kevin and the others twitched their mouths as they looked at Velen. A level 9 barrier could only be deployed by the rarest of the awakeners, and its cost was beyond measure in mana stones! If its full power was unleashed, even the three counselors would be reduced to ash in an instant. But Velen shook his head repeatedly, his face serious as he responded: "Senator Kevin, you''re wrong! There''s no better investment than investing in talent!" "Hael, Alan, and the others are all future geniuses of Fortress and Ducal Manor. Investing in them, helping them grow¡ªanything I give is worth it!" Kevin''s mouth twitched. Though he knew Velen was just flaunting his wealth and spouting nonsense, he couldn''t argue with that logic. "Fine, whatever. It''s just a level 9 barrier. If this tycoon isn''t worried about it, then we shouldn''t be either," Kevin sighed. At Kevin''s words, Hael and the others exploded. "Senator Kevin, how can you say that? This is a level 9 barrier, do you want us to die?!" "If we can''t resist, we might as well prepare for it. Velen may have no conscience, but at least he''s only prepared one barrier. If we endure, it''ll be over!" Hael glanced at the other four elites and Alan, trying to reassure them. They didn''t have the status that Velen did to ignore the counselors'' orders. "Ugh, we''ll have to cooperate. Though it''ll be tough, we should be able to endure. The barrier doesn''t last long, anyway." Alan and the others reluctantly agreed. But before they could finish, they watched as Velen pulled out one barrier after another from his pocket. "I have 99 rare Angel Wing Barriers here for you. They''re enough for 50 days of continuous training. Get to work! I''m doing this for your own good!" Huh?! Taking out all these barriers¡ªwas he trying to kill us, or is this really for our benefit? Hael and the others nearly vomited blood in frustration. Level 9 barriers were being handed out like cheap cabbage to train them¡ªone slip-up and they''d be preparing for a memorial service! Kevin and the other counselors stood frozen, staring at the level 9 barriers. Even though they knew Velen loved to flaunt his wealth, watching him waste such precious barriers made them feel even more shocked by his extravagance. This was truly an example of reckless luxury¡ªa tycoon who was beyond human limits. As everyone stood shocked and terrified, Hael couldn''t take it anymore. He quickly took out a communication device, panicked, and said: "Duke, save us! Velen''s gone mad with wealth in Fortress, and we can''t take it anymore!" They couldn''t even handle one barrier, let alone a hundred! The thought of activating all those barriers was terrifying beyond imagination! Even the three counselors couldn''t resist them. What was worse, they had no idea what strange things Velen would throw at them next. They couldn''t stay there for another minute! In Ducal Manor, Anthony raised an eyebrow as he listened to the urgent message from Hael. "What''s going on at Fortress? Why does Hael want to return so urgently?" He was confused. When Hael had first gone to Fortress, he was full of excitement, but now... something had clearly gone wrong. Just as he was about to reflect, Velen appeared before Hael, suddenly snatching the communication device away. He smiled and said: "Hael, I''ll leave these Angel Wing Barriers to you. As the top genius of Ducal Manor, you should naturally take responsibility for overseeing them." Hael''s face darkened. He wasn''t going to take the fall for this! They were all in this together. Before he could even refuse with conviction, Velen continued: "Of course, I know this task is difficult, so I''ve prepared more than 20 SSS-level Tomes of Skill Experience as a reward for you." Upon seeing the SSS-level Tomes of Skill Experience in Velen''s hand, Hael hesitated for a moment. But soon, a radiant smile appeared on his face as he patted his chest and promised: "Velen, leave this to me. I''ll train them well and improve their combat skills several times over!" Alan and the others watched in disbelief as Hael turned on them so quickly, cursing him under their breath as they hastily tried to leave the area. "Where are you going? Velen is doing this for your own good!" "Your growth will help make Fortress and Ducal Manor famous!" Hael caught the escaping elites one by one and threw them back into the center of the plaza. "Hael, you treacherous traitor!" "Didn''t we agree to stick together?" Alan and the others glared at Hael, but Hael simply shrugged it off, unconcerned, and said: "This is for your own good. You don''t know what''s best for you! Get in the barrier now!" With that, he activated the barrier and kicked them all into it. Velen, watching from the sidelines, nodded in satisfaction. With Hael in charge, they''d surely make great progress. ... Back at Ducal Manor, Anthony frowned as he stared at the now-silent communication device. "Should I bring them back, or should I just leave them there?" After a moment of thought, Anthony''s expression grew serious. Hael had a strong sense of principles. If something wasn''t serious, he wouldn''t have reached out to him. But since Hael was at Fortress, with old friends and Kevin there, he shouldn''t be facing any life-threatening danger. "Well, I don''t know exactly what''s happening, but going to Fortress and seeing Velen again will be a good opportunity!" Soon, Anthony made up his mind. He laughed and decided to inform the Senate, telling them he was heading to Fortress. When William and the other Senate members heard Anthony''s report, they were immediately excited. They quickly changed clothes and rushed to Anthony''s side. Upon seeing their eager faces, Anthony froze, and Corner, who had followed him, was speechless. Could it be that the five grand senators had truly lost their minds? Chapter 73 - Chapter73-The Art of Begging At this moment, the five Grand Senators were all dressed in very old, patched-up clothes, looking like homeless people. These individuals were the face of Ducal Manor and some of the top-tier powerhouses of Titan Galaxy, so how could they be in such a shabby state? Anthony stared at William and the others in shock, his face full of confusion, "Gentlemen, what are you doing?" William looked down and adjusted his "homeless" outfit with a smug look. "Anthony, Velen always said you have a small perspective. I can see now that your perspective is indeed small. You still don''t understand Velen''s character. He''s incredibly generous, and he''s put us in this sorry state on purpose. He''ll surely support us. This is the begging strategy we all agreed on!" Anthony''s mouth dropped open in surprise, but quickly, he snapped his fingers. "Right! How could I not have thought of that?" With Velen, a big tycoon, around, Ducal Manor would never lack resources. They just needed to flatter Velen and beg him for some materials, and they''d be able to send Ducal Manor soaring to new heights! Suppressing his excitement, Anthony was just thinking of where to find a similar set of tattered clothes when Senator William spoke again. "Anthony, let me accompany you this time. Corner is staying in Ducal Manor because he wants to meet Velen. I''ll take him to meet him." Jake and the other four senators turned green with anger. "Senator William, I think I should take Corner instead. You''re getting old, you might not be able to handle it!" All the senators wanted to meet Velen and beg him for some treasures. "Next time, I''ll let you go see Velen. But this time, as the head of the Senate, I''ll lead the way!" William said with confidence, taking Anthony and Corner with him as they quickly left. Jake and the other senators, though furious, could only watch in silence. When Anthony, the Duke, left Ducal Manor, the remaining senators had to stay behind to maintain the manor''s order and prevent outside invasions. "Should we discuss this again? After all, with the enhanced Starlight Array fully activated, even if some foolish people try to attack, it should be enough to keep Ducal Manor safe. Maybe we should all go with them?" Jake said, unwilling to let the opportunity slip by. "Let''s forget it this time, there will be more chances later," said another senator. "Yeah, if it weren''t for Corner telling us about the situation in Chaos City, we wouldn''t even know how serious things are right now." The four senators exchanged glances and shook their heads. Although they now realized why William kept Corner in Ducal Manor, overall, it was still a good thing for them! Meanwhile, on the way to Fortress, Corner, who had figured things out, looked a little uncomfortable. His pale, almost vampire-like face was now full of complex emotions. "William, I knew there was a reason you insisted on keeping me here. It''s all to find an opportunity to go beg Velen. I''ve become your tool!" William didn''t change his expression and said, "I kept you here to take you to meet Velen. You''ve always been a wanderer. Why not rest here in Ducal Manor?" Corner couldn''t argue, considering he''d been eating and drinking with William and the other senators these days, which was far more comfortable than being alone. "Alright, I''ll let this one go. But what''s with this ragged outfit?" Corner suddenly noticed William''s clothes. If he didn''t know William, he would have thought he was a homeless person from some poor village. They were both Senators of Ducal Manor, top-tier beings in Titan Galaxy, so how could they dress like this? Seeing Corner''s questioning gaze, William grinned smugly and said, "You really have a small perspective, just like Anthony. This outfit may be outdated, but don''t forget about the dragon blood you took and the SSS Tomes of Skill Experience." As soon as William mentioned dragon blood and SSS Tomes of Skill Experience, Corner''s face turned serious. He had personally experienced both of these things, especially the dragon blood, which he''d never seen anything like during his time in Singularity Battlefield. "But what does that have to do with your outfit?" Corner asked, confused. "You just don''t get it. Whether it''s the dragon blood, the SSS Tomes of Skill Experience, or other incredible things you''ve never seen, they all came from Velen. He''s our lucky charm, a big tycoon who loves to show off!" "By seeing me in this outfit, he''ll surely get the urge to flaunt his wealth again, and he''ll definitely give us more treasures!" Upon hearing this, Corner was shocked. Could this really work? But seeing the serious look on William''s face, he knew William wasn''t joking. Thinking of all the treasures he had longed for, his heart burned with excitement. "Velen, do you have any more of these homeless clothes? Give me one!" Corner said eagerly, reaching out to snatch the outfit from William. "Corner, don''t get too excited, don''t snatch it! I''ve got one ready for you!" William said, grinning. At the edge of Fortress, Alan looked at Velen with deep gratitude. "Velen, you''re the best!" Just a moment ago, he had endured countless impacts inside the Angel Wing Barrier, feeling sore all over. He was on the verge of fainting from exhaustion. Thankfully, Velen called him over, otherwise, he would have had to struggle like the other four geniuses inside the barrier. The feeling of being trapped in the barrier was something he never wanted to experience again. "Alan, training is unavoidable. But I have something I need your help with. Since you''re an alchemist, I need you to look at it. After that, you''ll need to go back into the barrier for more training," Velen said. Alan''s expression fell as he realized that Velen wasn''t his savior, but was simply using him for something. But since he would get a short break, Alan shrugged and asked, "Velen, what is it? What''s this ''good stuff'' you''re unsure about?" Alan was very curious, especially since everything Velen had given him so far was something truly extraordinary. Just then, Robert suddenly walked over. "Velen, if it''s something related to alchemy, why don''t you let me take a look? Alan''s knowledge in this area is still too shallow." Before Alan could protest, Robert grabbed him and threw him into the barrier. Alan: "¡­" At that moment, Alan was filled with murderous intent. "Alan, I''m doing this for your own good. You''re too low level right now. You need to train and level up. Don''t thank me, I''m just being kind," Velen said, not minding the situation. Thinking that Robert was a Level 9 Alchemist, Velen didn''t say anything further. Instead, he followed Robert to his small courtyard. Once inside, Velen immediately took out the Dragon Forge from his system space. Boom! The Dragon Forge was incredibly heavy, resembling the head of a massive dragon. As it hit the ground, the courtyard floor caved in. The flames surrounding the forge emitted a terrifying heat, instantly causing the plants in the courtyard to dry up and burn to a crisp, leaving the ground blackened like charcoal. The temperature in the air spiked dramatically! At the sight of the Dragon Forge, Robert''s pupils contracted. As an alchemist, he instantly recognized that this was indeed an alchemist''s forge. However, the dragon head design and the terrifying heat emanating from it were things he had never seen before. In fact, as he stared closely, he could even see the rolling flames taking the shape of a massive, lifelike fire dragon. Though it had perished, its will seemed to live on! This was an extremely unusual fluctuation. But that was enough to confirm for Robert that this forge was anything but ordinary. "Velen, where did you get this forge from? It feels like I''ve never seen anything like it before, but it definitely seems extraordinary¡­" Robert muttered, running his hand through his hair, lost in thought. Upon seeing Robert''s reaction, Velen remembered the system''s prompt and slowly said, "I only know that this is the Dragon Forge, made from the bone of a fire dragon. It can unleash the fire dragon''s flame and is capable of smelting medicinal materials from various star systems." Hearing this, Robert chuckled lightly and shook his head, "Velen, there are things you don''t know. Alchemist forges are ranked from level 1 to level 9. To forge various potions, special items, and tools, a forge''s assistance is crucial¡ªespecially for high-quality items and potions. Low-level forges simply cannot smelt high-quality or special materials." "For example, take the Starry Stone you had earlier. Only a special forge of level 7 or above could melt it. A forge below level 7 would have no chance at all." "To smelt the medicinal materials of the various star systems, you need to surpass level 9. That would be the legendary Supreme Forge." "And even my level 8 forge took a huge price to acquire. People call it a Supreme Forge, a level 9 forge. You can hardly find one in the whole universe." After hearing Robert''s explanation, Velen began to understand more about forges. He thought for a moment, then smiled and said, "Senator Robert, I get the feeling this forge might be beyond even the Supreme Forge." Robert was about to refute, but then he paused. He realized that even a level 9 forge wouldn''t have the soul of a dragon like this one. Even the legendary Supreme Forge only had a bit of sentience, far from the overwhelming dragon flame that seemed to encapsulate this forge. Suddenly, he froze. "It couldn''t be¡­" The Supreme Forge was already rare enough. Anything beyond it, like a God-Rank Forge, was said to exist only in myths or in upper plane universes. At that moment, Velen noticed Robert''s hesitation. Without missing a beat, he infused some of his mana into the Dragon Forge. In an instant, the dragon soul formed from the flames erupted with an explosive roar, shooting a massive fire pillar straight into the sky, about ten thousand meters high! S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The fire pillar reached up to the heavens! The intense heat caused the very air around it to burn like steam, making Robert feel a burning sensation in his lungs, as though they were being scorched. Everything around him turned a bright red, almost like molten lava. "My God!" Even the well-traveled Robert couldn''t help but cry out, his face filled with shock. At that moment, everyone in the middle of training, sensing the overwhelming heat and the shocking fire pillar, looked up in awe. It felt as if a wave of molten heat was sweeping toward them, almost making them evaporate. The intense heat made them feel as though they were on the verge of bursting into flames. Even Anastasia, who had just returned to the fortress, gazed at the massive fire pillar and was stunned. Just the residual heat from the flames made her feel the threat of death! The Dragon Soul! Doom Flame! How could such a terrifying thing exist in a lower plane universe? Anastasia''s scalp went numb. This kind of phenomenon was so rare, even in upper plane universes! Seeing the fire dragon soul causing such an uproar, Velen quickly withdrew the fire pillar into the forge. As Velen channeled mana back into the Dragon Forge, the flames slowly receded, and the forge gradually returned to a calm state. Velen, his legs a little weak, staggered backward, staring at the forge with a mix of amazement and awe. "This forge is amazing, but it consumes far too much mana. My mana almost got drained completely just now." And keep in mind, his mana was already hundreds of times more than that of an average awakener! He had barely used the Dragon Forge for a moment and already felt it almost depleting all his mana. If any other awakener tried to power it, they would likely be unable to activate it at all. "Still, it''s not all bad. The firepower is intense. It''ll be so much easier for cooking and grilling in the future!" Velen quickly recovered and smiled. He wasn''t an alchemist, and he didn''t care much about the profession. Charlotte, hearing this, almost had her jaw drop. This Dragon Forge was terrifying beyond belief, and Velen wanted to use it for grilling? What a complete waste! She couldn''t help but want to give Velen a good punch to see what was going on in his mind. "Velen!" "That noise just now, of course it was you causing it!" A strong gust of wind came, and Anastasia rushed into the room, her eyes immediately drawn to the Dragon Forge. She had once been a genius from the upper plane universe, but she had never seen such a powerful forge before. In her eyes, this Dragon Forge was practically an artifact! She immediately tried to activate the forge with her own mana, only to find that she couldn''t get it to work. She stared at Velen in disbelief. "Did you leave a soul mark on this forge?" Such a forge was already rare in the upper plane universe. To leave a soul mark on it, to earn the forge''s approval, was not an easy feat. Velen was still only at Expert Rank 9. Even if he had outstanding talent, how could he, as an awakener, leave a soul mark on this kind of extraordinary forge? After all, the overwhelming destructive power of the forge could dominate the Titan Galaxy. Velen nodded. "Yeah, when I activated it just now, I left the soul mark without thinking. This forge requires so much mana that it nearly drained all mine." Hearing this, Anastasia''s mouth twitched. "This forge is practically an artifact! Even though you only activated it for a brief moment, that alone would be enough to injure an Ascended Rank awakener. If you master it fully, even an Ascended Rank awakener would avoid you out of fear. They wouldn''t stand a chance against the Doom Flame!" "Lord Anastasia, Velen is going too far!" At that moment, Robert, his eyes reddened, glared fiercely at Velen. "You need to control him! He plans to use that forge for grilling! It''s a waste!" "Is this forge meant for grilling? I''m about to explode with anger!" "This kind of extravagant wasteful behavior cannot be allowed to continue!" Robert almost shouted in fury. Even though Anastasia had somewhat expected Velen''s behavior, she was still enraged. This kind of forge, even in the upper plane universe, would stir up countless conflicts among powerful forces. Yet here Velen was, planning to use it for such a trivial purpose. If the five senators or his previous mentors knew, they''d probably be so furious they''d burst a vein! Anastasia knew Velen loved to flaunt his wealth, but she had never imagined he had sunk to such extremes. "Velen, this forge is too powerful and important. With it, you could dominate the star systems. You can''t just waste it like this!" Anastasia quickly persuaded him. "What''s the big deal? It''s just for use. I don''t care about ruling over anyone. I just want to eat well and drink well. That''s what matters!" Velen responded casually. Anastasia: "¡­" "Velen, you should recognize the value of this forge. It''s invaluable to both alchemists and blacksmiths. It would be a huge waste not to make full use of it." Anastasia pressed down her frustration and tried a gentler tone, knowing Velen responded better to soft words. Velen glanced at her. "Don''t worry, I won''t waste it. When we encounter any strange spellbeasts, I''ll throw them into the forge for a big stew. That''ll be delicious!" Hearing this, Anastasia couldn''t take it anymore. Mana surged within her, and a violent wave of energy radiated from her. "Lord Anastasia, please calm down! Velen is the fortress''s lucky charm and a big tycoon. He''s also your deputy!" Seeing Anastasia about to lose her temper, Robert quickly stepped in to stop her. "Senator Robert, get out of my way! I''m going to teach Velen a lesson for his flaunting!" Anastasia was determined to correct Velen''s extravagant ways before it was too late. Velen, sensing the impending storm, coughed and swiftly made an excuse. "I''ll be right back. My stomach''s a little upset. You two can keep talking." Chapter 74 - Chapter74-Kidd on the Verge of Collapse As he spoke, Velen turned and left, carrying the Flame Dragon Furnace, which was burning with roaring flames. In his opinion, Anastasia was acting so irritable probably because she was simply too exhausted these days, leading to a hormonal imbalance. She''d be fine in a couple of days. Had Anastasia known what Velen was thinking at that moment, she definitely wouldn''t have let him leave so easily. She had to teach Velen a proper lesson, making sure he understood exactly why she was angry. Otherwise, he''d remain completely oblivious. After leaving Robert''s courtyard, Velen returned straight to his own residence. He placed the Flame Dragon Furnace in the courtyard before heading into his room and going to sleep. At that moment, he was completely unaware that William senator and the others were rushing toward his location at full speed. By the next morning, they would arrive. As he lay in bed and closed his eyes, a certain figure suddenly appeared in his mind¡ªKidd. "Haven''t heard from Kidd in a while. I wonder how he''s doing now. After all this time, he should have made it back to the Dark Eye Galaxy by now¡­" Muttering to himself, Velen quickly shook off the thought. "Why am I thinking about that guy before falling asleep? I should be spending my dreams deepening my bond with Lord Anastasia instead¡­" Dark Eye Galaxy, Holy Light Temple, Sword Saint Plaza. Before the towering statue of the Sword Saint, wielding a Holy Light Greatsword, Kidd''s plump body knelt trembling on the ground, resembling a quivering ball of fat, unable to lift his head toward the Holy Light Temple Lord seated beneath the statue. After a brief silence, Kidd mustered up the courage to put on a flattering smile, his chubby face squeezing into an obsequious expression. "Mentor, your mentee knows his mistake! But look, I made it back safely, didn''t I?" "I promise, there definitely won''t be a next time!" "A next time?!" The middle-aged man, whose silver hair gleamed like a crescent moon and whose scarred face bore a fearsome intensity, suddenly snapped his eyes open, glaring at Kidd. A chill ran down Kidd''s spine as he met Make''s gaze. In an instant, blinding sword light erupted from Make''s eyes, flooding the entire plaza in a dazzling white radiance. "The Singularity Battlefield is fraught with peril! With your meager abilities, you dared to enter on your own? Do you even know what ''certain death'' means?!" Fuming with rage, Make was just about to slap Kidd across the face, but when he saw Kidd''s ingratiating smile, he could only suppress his anger for the moment. Seeing this, Kidd immediately clung to him like sticky rice, grinning cheekily. "Mentor, I know you''re only concerned about my safety! However you choose to punish me, I fully accept it! Just don''t let your anger hurt your health!" Make sighed, looking at him helplessly. Kidd pulled this trick every time, and every time, Make had no counter for it. With a stern face, Make finally spoke: "Until you reach Adept Rank, you are to remain in the Holy Light Temple and reflect on your actions!" Just as his words fell, a hysterical-looking old man with sparse hair suddenly rushed over, scanning his surroundings with wild eyes. "I felt it!" "I felt the aura of the Judgement Sword!" "Who among you possesses such power? Please, reveal yourself!" Before he had even finished speaking, his attention suddenly locked onto Kidd. He could confirm it¡ªthat faint yet distinct aura of Judgement lingering in the air was radiating from Kidd''s body. At that moment, the elder froze completely, staring at Kidd in utter shock and disbelief. The aura of the Judgement Sword¡­ was coming from him? He knew Kidd''s personality well¡ªa schemer who preferred ambushing from the shadows. How could he possibly wield the Judgement Sword?! After all, Kidd had joined the Holy Light Temple at a very young age, and the elder had a deep impression of him. Judging by Kidd''s temperament, he couldn''t possibly be the type to lead the charge as a swordsman. And yet, here he was, radiating an aura of Judgement Sword so pure it was unmistakable. When had Kidd become a swordsman?! "Grand Senator, why have you suddenly appeared?" Make, looking at the aged yet unfathomably powerful elder, curiously inquired. "And who is this ''great figure'' you speak of? I haven''t sensed anyone at all." The Grand Senator, Lucas, stared at Kidd with wide eyes, his expression filled with astonishment and excitement. "Good heavens¡­ I haven''t seen you for just over a year, and you''ve given me an earth-shattering surprise!" As one of the Holy Light Temple''s Grand Senators, Lucas had always kept a close watch on the temple''s most gifted disciples. He had even tried multiple times to persuade Kidd to become a swordsman. But Kidd had always refused, insisting that he had no interest in leading dangerous charges. And yet, here he was, not only a swordsman but having comprehended the terrifying Sword of Judgement! That technique was powerful enough to slay an Ascended Rank Awakener with ease! Even within the Holy Light Temple, the Sword of Judgement only existed as a recorded legend. "Well, well, Kidd¡­ So the real reason you refused to become a swordsman wasn''t because you were afraid of death¡­ but because we were unworthy of teaching you!" Hearing Lucas'' words, Kidd''s heart sank instantly. Before returning to the Holy Light Temple, he had taken every precaution to hide his abilities. Yet despite all that effort, Grand Senator Lucas had seen right through him! This was bad. Lucas was even more fanatical than the Temple Lord. At this moment, Make finally recovered from his shock, his expression turning serious. "Kidd, explain yourself. Why do you possess the aura of the Judgement Sword?" After Lucas'' exclamation, Make had personally examined Kidd, confirming that the Sword of Judgement''s aura was indeed emanating from his body. This greatly shocked him, making him even more curious about what had happened in the Singularity Battlefield. With both the Temple Lord and the Grand Senator staring him down, Kidd''s psychological defenses completely collapsed. "Grand Senator¡­ Mentor¡­ I swear, I never wanted to become a swordsman! This was all an accident!" With a deep sigh of resignation, Kidd reluctantly released the aura of the Sword of Judgement from his body. At once, a divine radiance resembling the sacred wings of a celestial lion illuminated the space, bringing a soothing presence that accelerated the healing of old injuries. This was the purest form of the Sword of Judgement. Lucas'' entire body trembled with excitement. To witness this legendary technique in Kidd of all people¡­ "Kidd! And you still say you don''t want to be a swordsman?!" Make glared at him. "Didn''t you say, all these years, that you never wanted to be a swordsman?!" "Listen to me!" Seeing both of them interrogating him, Kidd let out a bitter laugh. "Believe it or not¡­ this all started when I ran into a certain ''super tycoon'' in the Singularity Battlefield." "I think he was just so rich that he found joy in throwing money around." "I only learned the Sword of Judgement because he thought it would be funny to force it on me after I told him I didn''t want to be a swordsman!" At this point, Kidd was practically in tears. Sensing the Grand Senator''s suddenly murderous gaze, Kidd hurriedly shrank behind Make for cover. "Mentor, I was just telling the truth! Why is the Grand Senator so angry?" However, Make was even more irritated by Kidd''s plea for help. Without hesitation, he kicked Kidd out from behind him and back into the open. "Kidd, being valued and mentored by the Grand Senator is your fortune!" "From now on, follow the Grand Senator closely¡ªyou are the future Sword Saint of our Holy Light Temple!" As Make spoke, Lucas had already grabbed Kidd''s round, plump body and whisked him away at high speed. A swordsman talent like Kidd had slipped through their fingers once¡ªthey couldn''t afford to let him run wild again! "Kidd, from now on, you will train diligently under me! I will show you why leading the charge is a man''s true romance!" Seeing the fanatic gleam in Lucas'' eyes as he spoke, Kidd suddenly felt like half of his body had already been buried in the ground. He couldn''t help but curse internally: "Big Bro Velen, you''re really the best brother I''ve ever had!" Inside the Fortress As Velen lay comfortably in bed, sleeping soundly, he suddenly felt a chill run down his spine, as if someone was secretly talking about him behind his back. "I''ve always loved helping others. How could anyone be speaking ill of me? Must be my imagination!" With that thought, Velen quickly adjusted his mindset and slept soundly until late morning. By the time the sun was high in the sky, Velen stretched lazily and glanced at his system interface. Special Items: 10 Level 9 Furnaces! ? Velen rubbed his eyes vigorously, wondering if he had seen it wrong. From Robert, he had already learned just how precious Level 9 furnaces were¡ªa priceless treasure for alchemists and blacksmiths across the galaxy. Yet, now the system had casually gifted him ten of them, just for showing off his wealth? These furnaces were even rarer than the corpse of a Dark Dragon! Just as Velen was contemplating how best to flaunt his fortune, he suddenly heard the sound of his front door being kicked open. "Velen! That''s a god-tier furnace! How could you just leave it lying around in the courtyard?!" Storming into the room in a rage, Anastasia glared at Velen. "Lord Anastasia, no matter how impressive the Flame Dragon Furnace is, it''s just a tool. There''s no need to make such a big deal out of it." Velen had assumed that after witnessing his extravagant displays of wealth before, Anastasia would have adjusted her mindset. But apparently, she was still the same as ever. She placed too much importance on resources. If he wanted to change her mindset, he still had a long way to go. "A furnace of this caliber deserves all the reverence it can get!" Anastasia was on the verge of mental collapse from Velen''s indifference. She had tolerated his previous extravagance, even though those items were valuable and rare, they were at least somewhat obtainable in the galaxy. But the Flame Dragon Furnace¡ªeven in the Upper Plane Universe of his past life, this was an absolute treasure of the highest order! Unwilling to let Anastasia dwell on the furnace issue, Velen swiftly changed the topic. "There''s no need to fuss over that furnace, Lord Anastasia. If you like rare furnaces, I actually have ten more Level 9 furnaces that, while not as powerful as the Flame Dragon Furnace, are still quite impressive. Want to see them?" As he spoke, Velen directly summoned all ten Level 9 furnaces before him. Boom! As the ten Level 9 furnaces appeared, the surging waves of heat forced everyone nearby to squint their eyes against the searing air. Even Anastasia, caught off guard, was forced to step back under the intense heat pressure, immediately sensing the dangerous energy radiating from them. "T-Ten Level 9 furnaces?!" After steadying herself, Anastasia stared at the sudden appearance of these legendary furnaces, her expression frozen in utter shock. It was as if her face had been permanently molded in astonishment¡ªno amount of force could pry it off. These were Level 9 furnaces! The top-tier furnaces in the entire galaxy! How had Velen suddenly pulled out so many?! At that moment, Anastasia''s face darkened as a serious thought crossed her mind. "Velen¡­ You''re not planning to flaunt your wealth with these furnaces again, are you?" From what she knew of Velen, ninety percent of the time, whenever he brought something out, it was purely to flex. "You understand me best, Lord Anastasia! Showing off my wealth is my one true passion!" Velen nodded seriously. "If you have any suggestions on how to flaunt it better, I''d love to hear them!" Anastasia: "..." She was utterly speechless. At this point, she didn''t even dare to continue this conversation. Who knew if Velen would pull out even more insane treasures and shatter her sanity completely? So, in the end, she simply sighed, deciding to leave immediately before she lost her mind. After all, she couldn''t control Velen anyway. However, after leaving Velen''s courtyard, Anastasia wasn''t about to ignore the problem entirely. She headed straight to Robert''s courtyard. Velen had brought out far too many Level 9 furnaces this time. If Robert saw them¡ªespecially if he learned that Velen planned to waste them¡ªhe might die of sheer anger on the spot. "No way! I have to get Robert out of here for a while, or things will get messy!" Sighing heavily, Anastasia arrived at Robert''s courtyard and immediately spoke up: "Senator Robert, the fortress is running low on several alchemical materials and resources. You should go purchase some immediately." Hearing this, Robert narrowed his eyes in suspicion. Why was Anastasia suddenly trying to get him out of the fortress? "Lord Anastasia, if we need something, we can simply have it delivered from the auction house." "If it''s something difficult to obtain, I can personally handle it. There''s no need to leave the fortress¡­" As he spoke, Robert suddenly had a realization. "Wait¡­ Lord Anastasia, do you not want me staying in the fortress?" He directly asked: "Can you just tell me the reason outright? No need to be so secretive." Hearing Robert''s direct question, Anastasia was momentarily at a loss for words. She had never dealt with something like this before, and for a moment, she didn''t know how to respond. Glancing in the direction she had just come from, Robert''s expression turned thoughtful. "Wait¡­ Is Velen up to something ridiculous again? And you don''t want me to see it?" Seeing Anastasia''s pupils contract slightly, Robert immediately knew he had hit the mark. He chuckled softly. "Lord Anastasia, you underestimate my mental resilience. No matter how extravagant he gets, I can handle it!" Saying this, Robert''s curiosity was fully piqued. He rushed toward Velen''s courtyard without hesitation. S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "What in the world is Velen doing this time? Just how absurd is it to make Lord Anastasia this nervous?!" Watching Robert''s departing figure, Anastasia sighed deeply, her face filled with concern. Robert only had an 8th-level furnace. If he saw Velen casually wasting Level 9 furnaces, wouldn''t he scream on the spot? Chapter 75 - Chapter75-A Pretty Good Incinerator Meanwhile... Velen, wielding a gardening hoe embedded with Starry Stone, easily sliced through the ground as if cutting tofu, quickly digging out a series of large pits. "Velen, how could we let you do such physical labor yourself? Leave it to us! Your delicate hands aren''t made for this kind of work!" Robert, who had just rushed over, didn''t even know what Velen was up to, but he immediately started flattering him, hoping to win more favor. Seeing Robert enthusiastically offering help, Velen felt a little awkward. The other two enshrined senators weren''t alchemists, so it was fine. But if Robert found out about his plan, he would probably lose his mind on the spot. "Velen, is there some treasure underground?" As he eagerly worked, Robert couldn''t resist asking curiously. He seriously doubted that Velen was just digging holes for fun. Velen didn''t answer directly, instead, he looked at Robert''s sweat-drenched face and said with mild amusement: "Senator Robert, you should use your mana. It''ll be faster that way." "Ah¡­ I''m getting old. If I don''t use mana, I can''t even dig a hole properly anymore." Robert sighed wistfully, pretending to be helpless. In reality, he was doing this on purpose¡ªhoping to attract Velen''s attention, get closer to him, and reap some benefits. Velen, of course, saw right through it. But that was fine¡ªhe got a tool for flaunting his wealth, and Robert got his perks. Mutual benefit. Before long, under Robert''s diligent digging, a massive pit was excavated in the ground. After digging a large pit, Velen looked at its depth and felt it was about right. Then, he casually tossed a furnace into the bottom of the pit. Boom! The furnace crashed to the ground, producing a loud noise as a wave of heat swept over them. Robert''s attention was instantly drawn to the heatwave, his pupils contracting sharply. "A furnace! And a high-quality one at that!" Just by sensing the aura emitted by the furnace, Robert was utterly shocked. This furnace felt far superior in quality to his own level 8 furnace! As he examined it more closely, his expression grew even more horrified. "Level 9! A level 9 furnace?!" Robert couldn''t believe his eyes. In the current star systems, level 9 furnaces were incredibly rare. Even in their massive Titan Galaxy, there were fewer than ten level 9 furnaces in total! And now, Velen had just casually taken one out! Seeing this, he suddenly understood why Lord Anastasia was so eager to send him away. Velen was showing off his wealth again! However, what Robert couldn''t understand was what exactly Velen planned to do. "Velen, why are you putting a level 9 furnace in this pit? Are you planning to build an alchemy cellar?" A bad feeling rose in his heart, and he immediately asked. Velen responded seriously, "I intend to use this furnace as the ultimate machine for promoting ecological recycling. With this thing, the biggest problem in the fortress can be perfectly solved." Robert frowned. "What do you mean?" Velen explained, "To put it in simpler terms, I''m turning this place into a waste disposal station. Otherwise, if garbage in the fortress is just dumped anywhere, it ruins the scenery. With this thing, no matter what kind of trash is thrown in, it''ll all be gone." At this point, Velen seemed to think of something and continued, "Later, I''ll build a restroom on top of this incinerator¡ªone furnace, multiple uses. The air and environment in the fortress will improve significantly." As soon as Velen revealed what he saw as a grand plan, Charlotte nearly lost his mind. Using a level 9 furnace as an incinerator? As a restroom?! Who even thinks of such things?! This was infinitely more outrageous than those golden toilets! Instantly, he glared at Velen, eyes burning with rage. "Velen, today, either you die or I live!" The moment Robert made his move against Velen, Anastasia, who had already anticipated this, appeared, blocking Robert''s path. "Senator Robert, calm down. No matter what, he''s an independent senator of Ducal Manor. Don''t act recklessly!" "Lord Anastasia, don''t stop me! I must make Velen change this outrageous habit today!" Watching the two struggle, Velen felt a strange sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu. Shaking his head, he looked at Robert, who was still fuming. "Lord Anastasia, Senator Robert, I''m leaving first. This incinerator still needs a restroom on top, and some mana-replenishing arrays are missing. I''ll have Alan take care of that later. You better not interfere with my plans for a better fortress." With that, Velen turned and left. He had only squandered one furnace so far, but there were still nine left. He had to think about how to waste them properly. A real headache. "Velen, you''re just inhuman!" Robert roared. "You know Alan is an alchemist, yet you''re making him do this?! Do you realize how much psychological damage this will cause him?!" The fact that Velen was making Alan complete the incinerator and restroom drove Robert to his breaking point. There were plenty of geniuses in the fortress, yet Velen specifically chose Alan, one of the only two alchemists, for this ridiculous task. This was blatant humiliation! "Lord Anastasia, why did you stop me?! The furnace may belong to Velen, but what he''s doing is trampling on the dignity of all alchemists!" Robert''s silver hair nearly stood on end with rage. To alchemists, a furnace was as crucial as mana was to an awakener¡ªit was indispensable. Anastasia smiled faintly. "I recall that when I wanted to teach Velen a lesson before, it was Senator Charlotte who stopped me." Robert''s mouth twitched. That was true. "So you''ve been following me this whole time?" Anastasia nodded. "I knew Senator Charlotte wouldn''t be able to hold back, so I came early." After saying that, Anastasia turned and left. Robert could only sigh. Life truly was an endless cycle. He glanced back at the level 9 furnace in the pit, his face darkening further. Velen''s displays of wealth were getting more and more excessive! If this furnace were revealed to the public, it would cause an enormous stir. But now, Velen was using it as an incinerator. As a restroom. If furnaces had intelligence, this one would probably burn Velen first. Even though he despised Velen''s actions, the furnace belonged to Velen. There was nothing he could do. ¡ª While Robert was lost in thought, Velen arrived at Robert''s courtyard and placed a level 9 furnace inside. Clearly, such a furnace would greatly benefit Robert. And since Velen was showing off his wealth anyway, he might as well give Robert one. After all, Robert''s power boost would also benefit the fortress. After finishing that, Velen left Robert''s courtyard and headed toward Alan''s. Since he had already given Robert a level 9 furnace, he figured he might as well give one to Alan too. Alan had more potential than Robert, so helping him out was a good investment. Velen felt like he was truly working hard for the fortress. What an incredible tycoon he was! ¡ª Not long after Velen left, Alan hurriedly arrived at Robert''s courtyard. Seeing this, Robert''s eyelids twitched violently. "Alan probably doesn''t know about this yet. If he finds out, his youthful spirit might not be able to handle it." Just as Robert was about to speak, Alan spoke first. "Senator Robert, Velen asked me to help set up the restroom. Are you here to assist too?" Robert shook his head. "I was just helping dig the pit. The rest is up to you. But don''t say I didn''t warn you¡ªno matter what you see, stay calm. Your future is long, don''t let material things get to you. It''s not worth it." Robert ultimately decided to warn Alan. After all, Alan was also an alchemist. But Alan remained utterly calm. "Senator Robert, are you talking about how the level 9 furnace is being used as an incinerator? Honestly, Velen''s creativity is amazing. He even found such a niche way to flaunt his wealth. He''s truly a born tycoon!" ??? Robert was completely dumbfounded. Alan already knew?! But if he knew, why was he so calm?! This wasn''t normal! Any true alchemist would lose their mind upon hearing that a level 9 furnace was being used as an incinerator! Why was Alan so calm? Why was he looking at Robert like he was overreacting? Alan scratched the back of his head and explained, "I just came from my courtyard. Velen gave me a level 9 furnace. Like you said, material things are just that¡ªso I set it up as a heater." Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After spending time with Velen, Alan had become completely desensitized. Velen could waste anything, and Alan would simply accept it. The key was to waste things alongside Velen! "Senator Robert, what''s wrong? Why are you clutching your chest? Are you having a heart attack?" Alan looked at Robert in shock and concern. Robert, his hand trembling, pointed a finger at Alan. He almost couldn''t catch his breath from sheer rage. Chapter 76 - Chapter76-The New Use of the Lv9 Incinerator "You truly are birds of a feather, flocking together. Sticking with Velen, you''ve fallen so low!" Robert, his lips turning purple from anger, stared at Alan with deep disappointment. Alan remained unfazed, smiling as he said, "Senator Robert, Velen is different from anyone you''ve ever met¡ªhe is one of a kind. I used to think the same way as you, but now, I''ve come to terms with it." As he spoke, Alan walked into Velen''s courtyard and began constructing a restroom. Seeing Alan speak so highly of Velen, Robert grew even more furious. Especially when he realized that Velen had given Alan an Lv9 furnace, while he himself hadn''t received so much as a shadow of one. Was this blatant discrimination against the elderly? He was merely a young man of nearly a thousand months, after all! Filled with resentment, Robert no longer wished to stay in this place that only brought him heartache. With a casual wave of his hand, he turned and left with a sense of despondency. "It''s a world for the young now... I really am getting old, too conservative in my thinking." Just as he returned to his own courtyard, preparing to drown his sorrows in alcohol, he suddenly saw Master Ethan standing there. "Senator Robert, I truly underestimated you. I never imagined your auction house had amassed such wealth, to the point of casually leaving an Lv9 furnace in the yard!" Seeing Robert return, Ethan looked at him with admiration, his face full of shock. Robert was utterly confused by Ethan''s words. Lv9 furnace? Where the hell did he get an Lv9 furnace?! Just as this thought flashed through his mind, the corner of his eye caught sight of an Lv9 furnace casually placed in his courtyard. He was instantly stunned. The next moment, as he realized what was happening, his aged face was suddenly filled with ecstatic joy. "That Velen! Now that''s what I call impressive!" "Senator Robert, you know, though I''ve ascended to the rank of Master Blacksmith, I have yet to create a truly famous work. I was planning to forge an Lv9 furnace to establish my reputation, but Lv9 furnaces are incredibly rare and always tightly guarded treasures. "If I could properly study this furnace, my success rate in forging would improve drastically!" Ethan''s voice carried a pleading tone. An Lv9 furnace was right before him! How could he, a master blacksmith, not be overwhelmed with excitement?! Thus, despite outranking Robert in both level and prestige, he still had to humble himself and beg. Robert thought for a moment and had no intention of refusing. After all, Ethan wasn''t just a top-tier Ascended Rank Lv9 figure¡ªhe was also a Master Blacksmith. In every aspect, he was far superior. If not for both of them being part of Fortress and holding the same rank of Senatorial Advisor, Robert would have to respectfully call Ethan "Master" anywhere else! At the same time, seeing such a prestigious figure humbling himself before him was deeply satisfying to Robert. It was a dream he never dared to imagine! Immediately, Robert straightened his back, waved his hand grandly, and said: "Master Ethan, take the Lv9 furnace and study it all you like. No need for formalities. I was only using it as a heater anyway." The moment he finished speaking, Robert saw Master Ethan''s mouth fall open, his face full of shock, as if he were seeing him for the first time and having his entire worldview reshaped. Seeing this, Robert felt a sense of bliss wash over him! In that moment, he finally understood why Velen was so generous with his wealth¡ªit felt incredible! The spiritual thrill of flaunting his wealth brought Robert an unparalleled sense of euphoria! Thinking about it now, he realized he had indeed placed far too much importance on the Lv9 furnace before. Seeing Robert so nonchalantly grant him access to the furnace, Ethan was utterly stunned. To any alchemist, an Lv9 furnace was of paramount importance. Others wouldn''t even let someone else look at theirs, guarding it as if it were their own life. Yet Robert had just handed his over so casually! "As Senators of Fortress, it''s only natural that we help each other!" Robert said with conviction. Ethan, deeply moved, replied, "Senator Robert, I won''t say more, but I will remember this kindness. I will repay you in full in the future!" With that, he excitedly carried the Lv9 furnace and left. Watching Ethan''s ecstatic departure, Robert immediately rushed toward Velen''s courtyard. "Improving Fortress''s environment is everyone''s responsibility! How could I not take part in building incinerators and restrooms?" ... "Hahaha! An Lv9 furnace! My life is complete¡ªI actually get to see such a legendary item up close and even study it!" "I must let Victoria join in as well. It will be incredibly beneficial for her future!" "It seems joining Fortress was truly a wise decision!" With the Lv9 furnace slung over his shoulder, Ethan couldn''t stop smiling. Once he fully understood the workings of an Lv9 furnace, his title as a Master Blacksmith would be firmly cemented! Just as he was envisioning a bright future, his eyes happened to glance at Alan''s courtyard. His pupils suddenly contracted. "What the hell? Has Fortress reached such an unfathomable level of wealth? "A mere Lv3 alchemist has an Lv9 furnace?!" He looked at the furnace in his hands. His excitement instantly deflated. What the hell¡ªwasn''t an Lv9 furnace supposed to be rare?! Why did it seem like they were completely worthless in Fortress? Shaking his head, he suppressed his inner turmoil and continued toward his courtyard. He hadn''t walked far before he suddenly stopped in his tracks. Because right in front of Velen... There were seven Lv9 furnaces! Each one emitted an incomparably intense heat! Master Ethan was utterly petrified. He suddenly felt like the Lv9 furnace on his shoulder wasn''t so special anymore. Even his grand plan to forge an Lv9 furnace was now dead on arrival. Lv9 furnaces clearly weren''t rare in Fortress! Velen had them casually scattered around, like items at a street stall. Looking at Velen''s collection of furnaces, and recalling that both Robert and Alan had Lv9 furnaces that looked remarkably similar, he deduced that Velen must have given them out. sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But then... why did the two assassins look so troubled? Could even a tycoon like Velen have worries? Master Ethan was baffled but still walked up to Velen and set down the furnace he was carrying. "Velen, what''s troubling you?" he asked curiously. Velen looked at Ethan and immediately grew excited. "Master Ethan, what do I do with all these Lv9 furnaces? I can''t even use them all! "How is anyone supposed to be a tycoon like this?" Ethan was at a loss for words. He had been worried that Velen was facing some difficulty... but it turned out his "trouble" was that he didn''t know how to spend his wealth! After a long silence, Ethan finally picked up the Lv9 furnace again and said seriously, "Velen, I don''t understand wealth and extravagance. I''m just a blacksmith. But if you need weapons or armor, I can forge them for you." Saying this, he prepared to leave. Velen''s words had struck him like a dagger to the heart, and he wasn''t sure he could take any more. But then, Velen suddenly exclaimed in realization, "Master Ethan, you truly deserve your title! You''ve opened my eyes!" "...Huh?" Ethan was stunned. What had he just said? Did Velen misunderstand something? But Velen, looking absolutely thrilled, pointed at the furnaces and said, "Master Ethan, I owe you for this one¡ªtake your pick!" Ethan was even more confused. What had he done to earn this? Seeing his bewildered expression, Velen grinned and explained, "Master Ethan, don''t hold back! From now on, if someone annoys you, just smash them with a furnace!" "???" Ethan''s mouth twitched. Was this guy even speaking human language?! That was an Lv9 furnace, and he wanted to use it as a throwing weapon?! But then, Ethan''s eyes suddenly lit up. He finally understood¡ªVelen was planning to use Lv9 furnaces as weapons! "Velen, the Lv9 furnace is not meant to be used the way you''re thinking. What I just said was merely from the perspective of my profession as a blacksmith!" Master Ethan, upon realizing what Velen was implying, immediately grew serious and looked at him intently. Velen remained unfazed and countered, "Master Ethan, purely from the perspective of a master blacksmith, isn''t an Lv9 furnace sturdy enough?" Master Ethan instinctively wanted to refute, but he hesitated. Lv9 furnaces were designed to withstand extreme heat and pressure, making them comparable to top-tier armor in durability, even though they lacked special abilities. So, he nodded. "It is sturdy, but¡ª" "Then, do you think this furnace is heavy enough?" "An Lv9 furnace is forged through countless rounds of refinement and fusion of various alloys, so of course, it is heavy, but¡ª" "But what? It''s sturdy enough, heavy enough, and it even has a fire effect¡ªdoesn''t that make it the ultimate offensive and defensive magical weapon?" Velen''s eyes were firm as he stared at Master Ethan. Master Ethan scratched his head. What Velen said actually made sense. But this was an Lv9 furnace¡ªan alchemist''s treasure! Taking a deep breath, he suppressed the strange excitement bubbling up inside him and objected, "Velen, what you say might have some logic, but the amount of mana required to wield an Lv9 furnace is immense. In actual combat, it would be completely impractical." As a master blacksmith and a berserker, he was naturally well-versed in combat. Lv9 furnaces were indeed powerful, but they were unwieldy and consumed too much mana. Against a true expert, they would be nothing more than a joke. Velen, however, remained calm. He lightly tapped the surface of the Lv9 furnace, producing a deep, metallic echo. "Master Ethan, as an Ascended Rank awakener, how long would it take you to destroy an Lv9 furnace?" Master Ethan fell silent for a moment before answering seriously, "With my current strength, even if I went all out, I wouldn''t be able to break through the Lv9 furnace''s defenses¡ªunless I used specialized flames to soften it first." As he finished speaking, his voice grew hoarse, because he had suddenly realized something. An Lv9 furnace was fundamentally beyond the destruction capabilities of an Ascended Rank awakener using conventional means! Which meant¡­ Velen''s idea was actually feasible. Even if it wasn''t the most agile of weapons, it was an unmatched defensive tool! With this realization, Master Ethan slung an Lv9 furnace over his shoulder and walked off. With each step, Fortress seemed to tremble ever so slightly. Having figured out the perfect way to flaunt his wealth, Velen stored the remaining furnaces in his spatial bag. "Senator Robert, thank you!" While passing by Velen''s courtyard, Master Ethan sensed Robert''s presence and immediately approached, carrying two Lv9 furnaces. He placed one of them in front of Robert. "Velen gave me an Lv9 furnace, so I no longer need yours for research, but I still appreciate it!" Master Ethan said with gratitude. As he spoke, he shifted the furnace in his hands, and the veins in his arm bulged instantly from its immense weight. "I finally understand why Velen said this thing could be used as a weapon. I''ve barely held it for a moment, and my arm is already sore." Robert stared at Master Ethan in astonishment. What was he saying? Using an Lv9 furnace as a weapon? Had he misheard? How had Master Ethan, in such a short time, been completely brainwashed by Velen?! Had he too become extravagant and ridiculously imaginative? "An Lv9 furnace is an incredibly rare treasure, so using it as a weapon might sound absurd¡­ but it could actually work as a surprise tactic. After all, who would ever expect someone to be rich enough to use an Lv9 furnace as a weapon?" With that, Master Ethan burst into laughter, clearly enjoying the thought. However, at that moment, his eyes landed on a massive pit behind Robert¡ªwhere an Lv9 furnace was placed. Alan had also built a small structure nearby¡­ Wait¡ªwas that a restroom?! "Robert¡­ what are you doing? Don''t tell me¡­ you''re building a restroom." Master Ethan''s voice trembled slightly as he asked. Robert nodded. "Isn''t it obvious?" The moment those words left Robert''s mouth, Master Ethan''s eye twitched violently. Using an Lv9 furnace as a heater or a weapon¡ªhe could reluctantly accept. But using it as a cremation furnace for a restroom?! He could not accept that! His entire being was on the verge of a mental breakdown! "You¡­ you people are too much!" Master Ethan felt like he was losing his grip on reality. Crafting an Lv9 furnace had once been his ultimate dream¡ªsomething that would cement his name as a legendary blacksmith in the Titan Galaxy. But now, seeing how Velen and the others were desecrating these furnaces, he completely abandoned that dream. From now on, even if he had the ability to forge an Lv9 furnace¡­ He would never do it. Even if it killed him, he would never forge another one! Furious, Master Ethan stormed off. Alan and Robert exchanged bewildered glances. As alchemists, they had long since accepted this reality. Yet, Ethan¡ªa master blacksmith¡ªcouldn''t handle it?! Inside the central hall of Fortress¡ª Anastasia, Kevin, Aiden, Ironback Centipede, and Little White Rabbit all stared in shock at the blazing furnaces before them. "Velen, these furnaces don''t look ordinary¡­ What level are they? And why are you giving them to us? We''re not alchemists." Anastasia was the first to speak, confused. Velen pointed at the furnaces. "These are Lv9 furnaces. They possess immense offensive and defensive capabilities. Imprint your soul marks on them and master their control as soon as possible. "If you use them as weapons, they''ll be devastating¡ªone swing, and you could flatten a mountain!" Anastasia and the others were completely baffled. An Lv9 furnace? These were legendary items they had only ever heard about. In the entire Titan Galaxy, there weren''t even a handful of these high-tier furnaces. Yet Velen casually pulled out five?! And he wanted to use them as weapons?! Was he insane?! Everyone stared at him as if he had lost his mind. But then¡ª Ironback Centipede''s eyes lit up. It manifested multiple massive hands, grabbed an Lv9 furnace, tossed it in the air a few times, then grinned. "Master, this furnace is unbelievably heavy and durable. Even without using mana, just relying on its sheer weight¡ªif swung like a meteor¡ªit would be a devastating force that''s nearly impossible to defend against!" As a spellbeast, Ironback Centipede''s physical strength far exceeded that of most human awakeners. It was having a blast playing with the furnace, completely satisfied with its new "toy." The others swallowed hard. They had known Lv9 furnaces were special, but they hadn''t expected them to be this heavy and powerful. "Velen, I don''t know what your true intentions are¡­ but how do you expect Little White Rabbit to wield an Lv9 furnace? That''s just ridiculous." "Yeah, Velen, what''s a rabbit supposed to do with this thing?" Before Velen could respond, Little White Rabbit glared at the speaker, its long ears standing on end in fury. Velen chuckled, stroking its fluffy ears. "Look¡ªLittle White Rabbit loves the furnace! If nothing else, it makes for a great rabbit den." "Besides, Little White Rabbit is no ordinary rabbit anymore¡ªit''s a spellbeast with boundless potential. "Who knows? Maybe it''ll master the Flying Rabbit Kick and launch the furnace with its feet, unleashing its full power!" At these words, Anastasia and the others all simultaneously envisioned an adorable, chubby rabbit standing upright and drop-kicking an Lv9 furnace at terrifying speeds. The image was so bizarre that they instinctively shook their heads. From now on, they would never look at Little White Rabbit the same way again! Chapter 77 - Chapter77-Avenge My Son "Only one of the ten Lv9 furnaces remains. I''ll just keep it for myself." Velen muttered to himself, feeling relieved that his system''s flaunting task was finally nearing completion. At that moment, an enraged, murderous voice roared from the outskirts of Fortress, shaking the entire stronghold. "Everyone in Fortress, get out here!" "You dare kill my son?! You must pay in blood!" Simon, the Hall Master of Triad Sanctum, stormed in with his forces, surrounding Fortress like an overwhelming black cloud, exuding immense pressure. However, Ethan, upon seeing Simon and his men, merely curled his lips in disdain. "Triad Sanctum? You people think you can cause trouble here? Do you really believe us old folks are easy to bully?" As he spoke, he gripped his furnace tightly by its leg and soared into the sky! "Velen, stay here and enjoy the show¡ªleave the rest to us!" "Fortress has been keeping a low profile for too long. Today, we''ll use their heads to make a statement!" Robert also hoisted up a furnace and shot into the air! "Triad Sanctum? Quite a well-known force, but why did you have to pick a fight with us?" Anastasia''s gaze was sharp and ruthless. She had never feared threats or challenges. In fact, she was itching for a battle after going so long without one! "Lord Anastasia, don''t forget to bring your furnace¡ªsmash them!" Velen reminded her from the sidelines. Meanwhile, Simon''s subordinates, standing around him, glared down at Fortress with murderous intent. "Hall Master, rest assured! Today marks the end of Fortress! They dared to harm our young master¡ªthey''ve sealed their fate!" "Exactly! The young master was such a fine man! How could they bring themselves to harm him? They have no conscience!" "We must make everyone in Fortress pay with their lives!" The lackeys flattered Simon one after another, their expressions filled with bloodlust. Hearing their words, Simon''s face turned even colder. "Simply killing them would be too merciful." "When we''re done, sell all the women in Fortress to those pleasure clubs¡ªlet them live in endless suffering. As for the others, harvest their organs piece by piece." As soon as his cruel words echoed through the air, the men of Triad Sanctum suddenly widened their eyes in shock, pointing down at Fortress. "Hall Master¡­ something about Fortress seems strange!" From their vantage point, they could clearly see that Ethan, Robert, and the others were all carrying absurdly heavy-looking furnaces, an utterly bizarre and ridiculous sight. "Furnaces? Am I seeing things, or are they all carrying furnaces?" "Is this some crazy alchemist faction?" "Even if that''s the case, who charges into battle lugging furnaces?" "They must be lunatics!" The Triad Sanctum troops mocked and jeered. But Simon, their leader, did not laugh. Instead, his expression grew even more serious. Because whether it was Ethan or Robert, the sheer aura they radiated was terrifying. Even he felt an overwhelming sense of danger from them! "Simon, you''re really courting death by daring to lay a hand on Fortress." "If you make a move against us, you will pay the price. Even if your Triad Sanctum''s Grand Senator steps in, he won''t be able to save you today!" Ethan tightened his grip on his furnace, his eyes brimming with killing intent as he glared at Simon. He didn''t even bother asking why Simon was attacking Fortress. It wasn''t important. In the vast galactic territories, the law of the jungle reigns supreme. As long as you are strong enough, no one dares to challenge you! Upon hearing Ethan speak, Simon''s pupils contracted. There was something familiar about this old dwarf. His face turned pale as he hesitantly asked, "Who¡­ who are you? Why do I feel like I''ve seen you before?" "Me? I was once Ethan of Taina Planet. Now, I am a Senatorial Advisor of Fortress." "It''s not surprising that you don''t know me¡ªbut your Grand Senator sure does. After all, he still owes me a massive debt for my forging services!" As he spoke, a torrential surge of mana erupted from Ethan''s body, sweeping through the battlefield like a tidal wave! At the same time, his Bloodline Suppression, honed through body-tempering forging techniques, spread in all directions! In an instant, the entire Triad Sanctum force was engulfed in a double-layered pressure! "Ethan?!" "Are you really Master Ethan?! No way¡ªhow could a legendary figure like you be in a backwater place like Fortress?! Didn''t the Grand Senator say that Master Ethan hates being tied down by factions?!" Simon was utterly horrified. He had finally recognized Ethan. This wasn''t just some random blacksmith¡ªhe was a renowned master craftsman with frightening combat prowess. Just this one man alone was enough to annihilate every single one of them! The gap in level and power was simply too massive. But¡­ why was he here? Realizing the danger, Simon immediately abandoned his arrogance, lowering his head in desperation. "Master Ethan, this is all a misunderstanding!" "My son was killed not long ago, and I used Mourning of the Fallen to track his killer here¡ªI didn''t come here to be your enemy!" However, Ethan merely shook his head repeatedly. "Simon, at this stage, your lies are just pathetic." "Your useless son was constantly protected by strong bodyguards, and you valued him immensely." "Do you really expect me to believe that someone from Fortress could defeat your elite guards?" Ethan then turned toward Ironback Centipede, Anastasia, and the others, who had just arrived. "Tell me¡ªhas anyone here killed a useless young man recently?" Anastasia and the rest shook their heads. They had barely left Fortress lately¡ªlet alone gotten into fights. In fact, they didn''t even know who Simon''s son was. Seeing their predictable reaction, Ethan sneered at Simon. "You might be able to fool others, but you can''t fool me. I know how Triad Sanctum operates¡ªyou people always plunder wherever you go." "This time is no different¡ªyou targeted Fortress." "Too bad for you¡ªyou picked the wrong place!" "In your next life, remember this¡ªnot every force is yours to rob!" With those words, Ethan lunged at Simon and his forces, furnace in hand! BOOM! The sickening sound of a skull shattering echoed through the air. A high-ranking Triad Sanctum officer, who had just been mocking Fortress, didn''t even have time to wipe the smirk off his face before Ethan''s furnace smashed his head to pulp. Blood and brain matter splattered across the surrounding warriors, who froze in terror. They had never imagined that this master blacksmith would be so ruthless, charging into battle wielding a furnace like a warhammer! From afar, Anastasia watched in shock as Ethan rampaged through the battlefield, reducing high-ranking Triad Sanctum members to gory smears with each swing of his furnace. Her eye twitched. "¡­So this is the power of using a furnace as a weapon?" "He''s like a bloody, unstoppable killing machine!" "If anyone in Fortress misbehaves in the future¡­ I might start carrying a furnace too." Meanwhile, Velen arrived and marveled at Ethan''s rampage. "Tsk, tsk. I told you furnaces make great weapons¡ªone swing, one kill!" Seeing Velen''s excited expression, Anastasia''s mouth twitched. Only Velen''s bizarre mind could come up with such a ridiculous combat style. At this moment, Ethan, like a wolf among sheep, had already finished off Simon¡ªthe last standing member of Triad Sanctum¡ªwith a single, decisive strike. "Lord Anastasia, I think they were really coming for me!" Anastasia, who had been about to return to Fortress, paused mid-step, her face full of surprise. Was Simon telling the truth? "Did you really kill his son? Were they actually here for revenge?" She turned to Velen, needing confirmation. Velen might be a habitual show-off, but he rarely actively provoked trouble. So what exactly had happened this time? Was this meant to increase the difficulty for everyone in Fortress? "How did you kill his son?" "When did you two even cross paths?" Anastasia was baffled. She knew that while Velen loved flaunting his wealth, he wasn''t the type to enjoy killing. Velen scratched his head. "I was asleep at the time, so I have no idea what happened. When I woke up, they were already dead." Anastasia''s eyes widened. What the hell? Did he kill people in his sleep? And then, when their allies came seeking revenge, he wiped out all of them too?! "Lord Anastasia, these Triad Sanctum people were scum. They were always committing atrocities¡ªtaking them out only enhances Fortress''s reputation!" Ethan clapped his hands casually, as if he had just finished a chore. Velen chimed in, "Triad Sanctum has long been known for bullying the weak and oppressing the innocent¡ªthey''re an evil organization through and through. Senator Ethan, you''ve done a great deed by eliminating them!" Hearing Velen''s praise, Ethan''s grin stretched ear to ear. This wasn''t just anyone''s praise¡ªthis was Velen''s! After all, Velen never missed an opportunity to mock them, so getting his approval was unexpectedly satisfying. The thrill of being praised was addictive. After all, Velen was a legendary tycoon! Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Receiving his recognition was no small feat. At that moment, Ethan almost wished for more enemies¡ªso he could further prove his strength to Velen! Seeing Ethan completely intoxicated by a single compliment, Anastasia sighed and rubbed her temples. Compared to Velen, her own leadership felt utterly insignificant. He always stole the spotlight. But soon, her expression changed again¡ªher eye twitched violently. Wait, what did Velen just say? Triad Sanctum was a vile organization? That''s not what he said earlier! Shameless! Still, everyone seemed so happy, and she didn''t want to dampen their spirits. So, she swallowed her words, though she felt a deep sense of frustration. Not just for herself, but even for Simon and his men. Finally, she glanced at the bloodied remains of Simon and his forces, then dragged her heavy furnace back into Fortress. "By the way, Lord Anastasia, have you signed up for Star Hunt?" Just as Anastasia was leaving, Velen suddenly called out. This was a system task! It could earn him a massive amount of luxury points! "Star Hunt begins in one week. I''ve already signed you all up¡ªyou just need to show up." Anastasia stopped and turned to face Velen. "For safety, you should have one of the Senators lead the team." After speaking, a rare smile appeared on her stunning face. Having more Senators around was proving to be an advantage¡ªshe no longer needed to handle everything herself. She could finally focus on leveling up. Since Anastasia didn''t want to lead the team, Velen decided to ask the system. "System, what exactly is Anastasia busy with? Why doesn''t she want to come with us?" Fate''s Trojan spun briefly before responding: "Lord Anastasia is the Celestial Hall Saintess from the Upper Plane Universe." "She was ambushed and killed by three enemy factions¡ªthe Dark Church, the Bloodthirsty Insect Emperor, and the Spellbeast Alliance. The divine treasure of her temple protected her, allowing her to reincarnate into the lower world." "Every day, Lord Anastasia is focused on leveling up, hoping to return to the Upper Plane Universe and take revenge." "Whether in her past life or this one, she has had no time for romance¡­" Hearing this, Velen frowned. Was the system¡­ gossiping?! Why did it suddenly drop all this personal history? "A saintess from the Upper Plane Universe?!" "She was hunted down and killed? No wonder she spends every waking moment training and leveling up!" Velen suddenly felt sorry for her. She must have been through hell¡ªand she was still struggling every day. At that moment, he made a silent vow: He would help Fortress''s Senators and disciples ascend to the Upper Plane Universe¡­ and make those bastards pay in blood! The Dark Church, the Bloodthirsty Insect Emperor, the Spellbeast Alliance¡­ They would all regret ever crossing Lord Anastasia! Anastasia was his chosen partner! How dare they bully her?! "Congratulations, Host! You have confirmed your chosen partner! Reward: 1,000,000,000 bottles of Bloodline Upgrade Potion!" Bloodline Upgrade Potion: Gradually enhances the user''s bloodline, improving talent. Minor doses have limited effects, but there is no upper limit to the enhancement. Slightly bitter taste. "¡­ One billion?!" Velen''s eyes widened in disbelief. He carefully counted the zeroes¡ªyep, ten digits. One billion Bloodline Upgrade Potions! This stuff was insanely powerful! It could endlessly enhance bloodline strength! Even if a single dose had limited effects, he had one billion bottles! As for considering Anastasia as his partner¡­ Well, he had been eyeing her since day one¡ªnot for her looks, but for her spiritually compatible soul! (Definitely not because of her body.) In fact, the first time he saw Anastasia, he had already thought of names for their future children! Why else would he treat her so well? Why else would he care so much about Fortress? "If everyone strengthens their bloodline, they''ll be able to absorb mana faster. Their attack power and combat efficiency will increase exponentially. "If they can reach the level of Fenrir Bloodline, then even in the Upper Plane Universe, they''ll be unstoppable!" Velen squinted. This Bloodline Upgrade Potion had come at the perfect time! Immediately, he handed ten bottles to Ironback Centipede. At this, everyone nearby¡ªincluding Robert¡ªbegan breathing heavily. They knew what this meant. Velen was about to show off again! However, none of them knew exactly what this potion did¡ªonly that it was different from the ones before. As Velen took out more potions, he suddenly thought of something. "System, didn''t I already use up today''s special items? Why didn''t I get a notification?" "The other Lv9 furnaces have already been used, but the one in your possession has not been activated yet." Understanding this, Velen retrieved his Lv9 furnace, then poured his mana into it. WHOOSH! Flames erupted like tidal waves, instantly engulfing Simon''s remains. FWOOSH! The ground charred black, bodies reduced to ashes. The spectators were shocked. How could Velen activate an Lv9 furnace so easily? He was nowhere near Ascended Rank! "Congratulations, Host! You have spent today''s special item! Reward: 1,000 luxury points and the Holy Light Set!" Holy Light Set: A luxurious gold-threaded undergarment woven from sacred silk. Emits divine light when viewed, making it impossible to see through. Provides warmth, comfort, and divine protection. ¡­??? Velen stared at the bikini-like Holy Light Set. This is¡­ lingerie for big-chested women¡­ and white tigers?! His entire body stiffened. If he gave this to Anastasia, she would skin him alive! Chapter 78 - Chapter78-I Order You as an Independent Senator! "System, can you be human for once?!" Velen stared at the system''s notification, his mouth twitching involuntarily. Though he was cursing in his heart, the problem still remained before him. Should he accept this mission or not? This was not just a task¡ªit was a declaration about what Anastasia was to him. Was she his companion? His wife? Or just his leader? If he completed the mission, he would be rewarded with 500,000 luxury points! 500,000 luxury points! Compared to the system''s usual stingy rewards of 100 or 200, this was beyond generous! The temptation was overwhelming! Thinking of this, Velen once again took out the Holy Light Set from the system space. To be honest, if he gave this to Anastasia now, he was asking to be killed. But¡­ could he really give up on such a reward? As he wrestled internally, Anastasia, noticing Velen suddenly freeze in place, frowned. "Velen, what are you spacing out for?" Velen looked at Anastasia and, without thinking, blurted out: "Madam, did you call me?" The world fell into complete silence. Anastasia''s eyes widened in absolute shock, as if she had just seen something beyond comprehension. Ethan and the others also turned to stare at Velen, their faces filled with pure disbelief. What¡­ did Velen just call Anastasia? Madam?! Had they actually gotten together?! When did this happen?! Then, their eyes shifted to the item in Velen''s hands¡ªthe Holy Light Set. Ethan and the others were seasoned veterans¡ªjust one glance and they immediately recognized what it was. Connecting that to Velen''s outrageous statement, they instantly imagined an entire series of unspeakable events. "Velen¡­ this guy is unbelievable. He actually won over Anastasia¡ªthis is earth-shattering!" "Heh, have you forgotten who we''re talking about? This is Velen! What can''t he do?" "Anastasia is his superior, and he still managed to make her his woman. And now he''s even holding that? His methods must be godly!" At that moment, Ethan and the others all looked at Velen with admiration. Anastasia had always been an untouchable ice queen¡ªjust getting a single sentence out of her was difficult. And yet, Velen, in just a short time, had completely conquered her?! Kevin was especially shaken. S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After all, he had spent the most time by Anastasia''s side and knew how cold and indifferent she was to anything that wasn''t leveling up. But now¡­ she had fallen for Velen?! That said, Kevin didn''t oppose it. Anastasia had always been too detached. If Velen could make her more human, it was a good thing. So, after his initial shock, he let out a yawn and turned away. "I just remembered I have something to do. I''ll be going now." Ethan and the others also reacted quickly, hoisting their furnaces and leaving the scene at top speed. And so, in just a few seconds, the only ones left were Velen and Anastasia. The moment everyone else was gone, Anastasia could no longer suppress her anger. Her eyes locked onto Velen with deadly intensity. "Velen, what the hell did you just say? Who are you calling ''Madam''?!" Velen coughed awkwardly, scratching his head. "Lord Anastasia, that was just a misunderstanding!" Though Velen did have feelings for Anastasia, this time, it had really just been a slip of the tongue! "A misunderstanding?" Anastasia''s gaze grew even colder, and her frosty eyes shifted to the Holy Light Set in Velen''s hands. "Then explain what that is!" Even Anastasia, despite having seen countless things, had a slight blush on her flawless face. Why the hell did Velen have something like this?! Velen glanced at the Holy Light Set and was at a complete loss for words. "Lord Anastasia, this¡­ this¡­" He stammered for a moment before his eyes hardened with resolve. "Forget it. Since things have already come this far, let''s go all the way!" Having made up his mind, Velen let go of all hesitation and tossed the Holy Light Set to Anastasia. "Madam, this is made of the finest Holy Silkworm silk. Not only is it warm and comfortable, but it also enhances mana absorption and can withstand attacks from an Ascended Rank awakener!" Hearing this, Anastasia had just been about to throw it away¡ªbut then she froze. As someone from the Upper Plane Universe, she immediately understood how precious Holy Silkworm silk was. It was incredibly rare, with exceptional durability and defensive properties. It also greatly enhanced mana absorption. In the Upper Plane Universe, it was considered one of the rarest treasures! Even her mentor in the Upper Plane Universe had only one piece, treating it as a sacred treasure. Even in the Singularity Battlefield of the Lower Plane, this material simply did not exist. Only the higher-tier battlefields of the Upper Plane Universe contained it. And yet¡­ Here it was, in her hands?! Who the hell would waste such precious material on something like this?! But as she carefully examined the Holy Light Set, her shock deepened. "This contains incredibly pure Holy Light!" Holy Light could enhance aptitude and accelerate leveling¡ªits benefits were endless! Instantly, her embarrassment disappeared, and her full attention shifted to the Holy Light Set. "Not only is it made from Holy Silkworm silk, but it also contains special formations that absorb mana at an accelerated rate. "This¡­ is too well-crafted!" If not for its ridiculous design, she would have outright praised Velen. It was exactly what she needed! "¡­Did Velen do this on purpose?" She suddenly gave Velen a suspicious look. This guy loved pulling stunts. If anyone could come up with something like this, it was definitely Velen. But the fact remained¡ªthis was an incredibly valuable item. So, after calming herself, Anastasia gripped the Holy Light Set tightly and finally spoke: "Velen, regardless of whether this was a misunderstanding or not, I will let it slide this time. "But from now on, do not call me ''Madam'' ever again!" For the sake of the Holy Light Set, Anastasia chose to swallow her anger! At the same time, she became even more curious about Velen. He casually threw out treasures like they were worthless. Where did all this wealth come from?! Was he actually some hidden powerhouse from the Upper Plane Universe? After all, even as a saintess, she was nowhere near the top of the hierarchy there. Meanwhile, Velen sighed in relief. But then, his eyes fell on the Holy Light Set still in Anastasia''s grip. If someone like her valued it this much, then the Holy Light Set was clearly far more extraordinary than he had thought! Seizing the chance, Velen grinned and said: "Madam, no matter what you call me, I''ll always call you ''Madam''!" Anastasia''s face flushed red, then immediately turned ice-cold. "Velen, if you dare say that again, I will kick you out of Fortress!" But Velen simply smirked. "Anastasia, as an Independent Senator, I strip you of the authority to expel me!" ¡­?! Even Anastasia, who thought she had prepared for Velen''s shamelessness, was left completely speechless. Chapter 79 - Chapter79-Call Me Whatever You Want! Seeing the mischievous grin on Velen''s face, Anastasia was utterly speechless. She had no way to deal with him. All she could do was turn away and leave in frustration. When it came to Velen and his shameless antics, she had no effective countermeasures. She might as well ignore him altogether. As for Velen insisting on calling her ''Madam'', she decided to just let him be. She knew Kevin and the others too well¡ªonce a misunderstanding like this started, the more she tried to explain, the more they would gossip! Besides, Velen now had too many identities, and she couldn''t control him even if she wanted to. At this point, her only option was to give up and accept it. She needed to focus on leveling up. Once she ascended and left this world, she would finally be free from Velen! Seeing that Anastasia had reluctantly accepted the situation, Velen''s eyes narrowed in excitement. The hardest part is always the beginning! Now that he had made his first breakthrough, all he had to do was keep up the momentum. Eventually, Anastasia wouldn''t just be his ''Madam'' in name¡ªshe would truly become his wife! "Not bad, not bad¡­ After so much effort, there''s finally some progress. "Though¡­ this does feel a bit like a domineering CEO forcibly taking his lover¡­" Velen muttered to himself, but his expression soon turned into one of excitement. "Just a single Holy Light Set was enough to make Anastasia compromise. "If I keep showering her with gifts, her affection for me will skyrocket!" "By then, marriage and a cute little baby will just be the natural next step¡­" As he watched Anastasia''s cold and graceful figure disappear, Velen decided¡ªit was time to start spending extravagantly on Anastasia! After all, she was his future wife. If he didn''t cherish her, who would? "Wait a minute¡­ Everyone''s gone, but I still haven''t handed out the Bloodline Upgrade Potion!" Looking at the potions in his hand, Velen was momentarily stunned. He had been so focused on Anastasia that he had completely forgotten his main task! Shortly after¡­ Velen sent a transmission to Alan. "Alan, gather at the central hall¡ªI have something good for you all!" With that, Velen headed toward Hael and the others, who were training in the square. On his way, Alan''s voice filled with admiration rang in his ears. "Velen, I always thought you were just a rich fool, but the real fool is me! "You actually won over Lord Anastasia and made her your Madam? "I, Alan, have never truly admired anyone before, but from now on, you are my idol! "Seriously, teach me your ways!" Velen: "¡­" How had word spread so fast?! If Alan already knew, then everyone in Fortress probably knew too. Even Ducal Manor might have heard about it! At that thought, Velen''s eye twitched violently. When he finally arrived at the square, Hael and the others were all staring at him as if seeing him for the first time. "Velen, you''re something else! Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Miss Anastasia has never shown interest in anyone before. "She''s always been cold and focused on leveling up¡ªthat''s why she even built Fortress by herself!" "And now, you''ve actually won her over?!" "Velen, from today on, you are our god!" Hael and the others had spent a lot of time around Anastasia and knew her personality well. The fact that she was now ''Madam'' to Velen was so unbelievable that their minds couldn''t process it. Seeing that everyone knew, Velen''s thoughts immediately flashed to Kevin, Ethan, Robert, and Aiden. There''s no way this news spread so fast without those big-mouthed fools! Later, he would force-feed them all the Bloodline Upgrade Potion! Just then, Victoria stormed onto the scene, her muscles tensed and her loli face filled with anger. Her usual friendly demeanor was gone as she glared furiously at Velen. "Ethan, let me go! "Velen, if you don''t explain yourself, I swear I''ll fight you to the death!" "What did you do to Anastasia?!" Victoria was livid. She was one of Anastasia''s few friends, and she had only joined Fortress to investigate Velen and figure out why he was getting close to Anastasia. But before she could even start her investigation¡­ Anastasia was already calling him ''husband''?! Victoria''s mind went wild. Considering Velen''s extravagant spending, the strange people around him, like Ironback Centipede and the one-eyed red-haired man, she worried deeply for Anastasia. Regardless of what had or hadn''t happened between them, She absolutely did not want Anastasia to be with Velen! Velen turned to Ethan and said calmly, "Senator Ethan, bring Victoria to the central hall¡ªI have something for all of you." Victoria''s anger exploded. "Velen, don''t run away! "I don''t want your stupid gifts! "Anastasia is a kind person¡ªyou two are not suited for each other! "I am Anastasia''s strongest shield, and I will not be bought off!" Velen, knowing that Victoria was overthinking things, simply ignored her and walked away. A short while later, in the central hall¡­ Everyone gathered with excitement. Under their expectant gazes, Velen walked in leisurely, holding a white-furred rabbit in his arms. As he gently stroked its fluffy back, the little white rabbit nuzzled against his hand, rubbing its ears against him in pure enjoyment. It looked more seductive than a fox. But Velen doted on this rabbit more than anyone else¡ªit always got the best stuff, and often the biggest share too! Among the gathered crowd, Anastasia and Victoria both glared at him with pure hostility. "Madam, I know I''m the most handsome person here, but you don''t have to stare at me so much. "My heart has always belonged to you." Velen grinned teasingly, completely ignoring Anastasia''s murderous gaze. Her chest rose and fell with anger, but considering Velen''s status, she forced herself to stay calm, simply letting out a cold snort and refusing to engage. The best way to deal with Velen was to completely ignore him! Velen chuckled to himself. He knew that right now, Anastasia only cared about revenge¡ªshe had no interest in anything else. Only when she ascended to the Upper Plane Universe and struggled against her enemies, would he arrive with Fortress''s elite Senators and geniuses¡­ Rescue her heroically. Then, with his overwhelming main-character aura, even her heart of stone would surely melt! Anastasia''s husband? That position was his for the taking! The next moment, Velen waved his hand, and countless bottles of Bloodline Upgrade Potion appeared, stacking up like a small mountain in the hall. Seeing the sheer amount, everyone''s eyes widened in shock! "Velen, what are these potions?!" Alan''s voice trembled with excitement. He still couldn''t forget the Fortifying Potion that had almost made him throw up. But these looked even more miraculous! "This is Bloodline Upgrade Potion¡ªfar superior to the Fortifying Potion. "It can infinitely enhance your bloodline!" The room erupted in excitement! Just as the little white rabbit lunged forward to grab some potions, Alan suddenly kicked it away with a flying strike! "Little bunny, you can''t handle this stuff. "Let me go first!" Chapter 80 - Chapter80-The Triple-Torment Potion Having been kicked away by an overexcited Alan, the little rabbit gazed at Velen with an expression full of grievance. But Velen merely patted its head in comfort. "I have plenty of these potions today. Don''t worry¡ªlet them go first." Kevin and the others were puzzled. Velen had always been exceptionally fond of this little rabbit. Why was he suddenly changing his attitude today? Still, it didn''t matter. This time, they wouldn''t lose out¡ªthey wouldn''t let a mere rabbit beat them! Feeling even more determined, they sped up. The Bloodline Upgrade Potion was a priceless treasure that could change their fates forever. They couldn''t afford to hold back. The moment Alan and Kevin rushed forward, Anastasia also moved in. "Anastasia, how could you drink something from Velen?!" Victoria glared at her, clearly frustrated. "After what he did to you, you can''t just let him buy you off!" But Anastasia remained calm. "Victoria, this time, I can''t listen to you. "The Bloodline Upgrade Potion is too important¡ªit will greatly accelerate my leveling speed!" Seeing this, Victoria bit her lip in anger, then rushed in after her. "If this potion is really so incredible, then I have to test it myself! "I can''t let Anastasia fall into Velen''s trap!" S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Soon, everyone had gathered around the pile of potions, gulping them down in batches of several bottles at a time. Meanwhile, Velen calmly replenished their supply, ensuring no one ran out. Ten minutes passed. Having consumed hundreds of Bloodline Upgrade Potions, the group was now clutching their stomachs and dry-heaving against the walls. The potion was incredibly bitter¡ªand the more they drank, the worse it got. Even though they were seasoned warriors, they could barely endure it. On top of that, they had been competing to drink as much as possible, fearing that others would take more. The combined effects of the overwhelming bitterness and massive intake had left them completely overwhelmed. "Is it really that bitter?" Seeing everyone''s pained expressions, Velen opened a bottle and poured it into the little rabbit''s mouth. The rabbit had been thrilled at first, thinking, "Finally! I get to drink it! "Master still loves me!" But the moment the potion hit its tongue¡­ The little rabbit gagged violently, instantly spitting it out, then stumbled backward in disgust. "You ungrateful rabbit!" Velen''s face darkened. Without hesitation, he raised a fist and delivered a lesson. Seeing Velen discipline the rabbit, the previously miserable crowd suddenly burst into laughter. "Good hit, Velen! "That lazy rabbit does nothing but eat all day! "It''s about time someone taught it a lesson!" "Yeah, we all endured this disgusting potion¡ªwhy should the rabbit be any different?!" Alan and Hael grinned smugly. After all, Velen had always treated the rabbit better than them. After a solid round of discipline, Velen flexed his wrist. The rabbit had grown sturdier¡ªeven with his current strength, he could only make it feel pain rather than inflict serious harm. Having been taught a lesson, the little rabbit''s arrogance faded considerably. It looked noticeably more obedient, its eyes wide and innocent. "Now, drink." Velen handed the potion back to the rabbit. This time, the rabbit didn''t dare refuse. Whimpering softly, it reluctantly gulped down the potion. "That''s more like it. "You really have no idea how special this potion is, do you? "If I wasn''t planning to turn you into the Greatest Rabbit King in the Universe, "I wouldn''t be wasting these potions on you!" Most of the others still looked down on the little rabbit. They didn''t understand why Velen cared so much about it. But to Velen, this rabbit was special. In his past life, he had a pet rabbit¡ªhis only emotional support after coming home from work. So now, in this life, he wanted to help this rabbit become truly powerful. Seeing Velen''s serious gaze, the little rabbit felt deeply moved. It began drinking even more enthusiastically. It didn''t care about anyone else, but for Velen''s sake, it had to try harder! Suddenly, Velen asked the system, "After the Fortifying Potion''s effects, the rabbit''s bloodline has already become highly unique. "How much Bloodline Upgrade Potion would it take for a significant breakthrough?" The system responded immediately. "Every individual has different bloodline foundations, leading to varying results. "However, in general, consuming 100,000 bottles should result in a substantial bloodline transformation." Hearing this, Velen''s eyes widened. "100,000 bottles?!" That was an astronomical number! Not something that could be done overnight. At that moment, Ethan, who had recovered slightly, looked at Velen with a complicated expression. "Velen, I''ve already consumed over 300 bottles. "I can feel the potent energy burning through my body, cleansing impurities and enhancing my bloodline¡­ "But the effect seems pretty slow. "How many bottles do we need to actually trigger a breakthrough?" Alan and the others perked up immediately. They all felt the same way¡ªwhile the potion was working, the effects felt weak and gradual. They wanted to know exactly how much was needed to reach a true transformation. Velen didn''t bother hiding the truth. "About 100,000 bottles. "It doesn''t matter what your bloodline or rank is¡ªit''ll take about 100,000 bottles per person." "100,000?!" Everyone froze in shock. Not only was that an outrageous number, But the thought of drinking 100,000 of these god-awful potions was pure torture! More importantly, the more they drank, the more they realized how disgustingly bitter the potion was. They had tried shutting off their taste and smell, but it didn''t help. The bitterness felt like it seeped into their souls¡ªit was pure torment. But Anastasia''s eyes burned with determination. She understood better than anyone¡ªonce they ascended to the Upper Plane Universe, The difference between those with strong bloodlines and those without was massive. There had once been a madman with Fenrir Bloodline¡ªhis mere presence shook the entire Upper Plane Universe. Countless powerhouses feared him. Without a powerful bloodline, the Upper Plane Universe''s elite factions wouldn''t even acknowledge their existence. If everyone in Fortress could enhance their bloodline, Not only would their leveling speed skyrocket, but they would also become highly sought-after talents! After all, everyone in Fortress and Ducal Manor already had decent bloodlines. If they underwent a bloodline transformation, they could become absolute geniuses in the Upper Plane Universe! This would also greatly strengthen her Celestial Hall. Her mentor would definitely do everything possible to recruit them. Victoria, however, shuddered. "Anastasia, are you serious?! "100,000 bottles of that nasty stuff?! "This is pure torture! "Velen must be doing this on purpose!" Hearing this, many people hesitated. They wanted to improve their bloodline, But 100,000 bottles? Could they really endure such suffering? Seeing their conflicted expressions, Velen suddenly paused. "Wait¡­ just how bitter is this stuff?" Curious, he tilted his head back¡ª And gulped down a bottle himself. Chapter 81 - Chapter81-The Cunning Charles "Ugh!" The moment the potion touched his tongue, Velen''s face twisted in disgust, his expression turning as sour as if he had just swallowed pure misery itself. This potion wasn''t just bitter¡ªit felt like his very soul was tasting a never-ending wave of bitter melon. He felt downright depressed. "System, this is just cruel!" "You told me this stuff just had ''a slightly bad taste''¡ªbut this is worse than drinking piss!" Velen furiously complained to the system, unable to tolerate it any longer. The system gave a calm response. "Host, Bloodline Enhancement will not show significant benefits now. Its true power will only manifest in the Upper Plane Universe. Whether or not to continue enhancing bloodlines is up to you." Hearing this, Velen was stunned. So the real value of Bloodline Power would only be fully realized in the Upper Plane Universe? That was great news for him! At that moment, Aiden and the others saw Velen struggle with just one bottle of the potion. They shook their heads in dismay. "Velen, I think my bloodline is already decent. "Besides, I''m not young anymore¡ªI''ll sit this one out." Ethan was the first to step forward, his expression looking rather conflicted. The others hesitated as well. Sure, the Bloodline Upgrade Potion was incredibly valuable, but they feared that if they drank too much, they''d be permanently depressed from the sheer bitterness. Velen glanced around and immediately saw through their hesitant thoughts. "If you don''t want to participate, fine. "But if you ignore my request, that one-eyed, red-haired madman surely won''t be as forgiving." A dangerous smirk played at Velen''s lips. Ethan had been ready to argue, but the moment he thought about that man, he shuddered violently. That guy''s first words upon meeting them had been about eating people¡ªhe was as cruel as he was terrifying. Most importantly, he was fanatically loyal to Velen. If Velen gave an order, he would execute it without question. Just then, Ironback Centipede was the first to grab a bottle of Bloodline Upgrade Potion. He chugged it down without hesitation, his eyes widening in delight¡ªas if he were savoring a fine delicacy. He understood the true fear that the one-eyed, red-haired man inspired. Just thinking about it made his heart race. Compared to drinking this awful potion, he would much rather endure the bitterness than face that monster''s wrath. Gulp! Gulp! Gulp! Before anyone could react, another person started downing the potion in rapid gulps. To everyone''s shock, it was Victoria! Anastasia and the others stared blankly. What''s going on?! Just moments ago, Victoria had been the most vocal opponent of drinking Velen''s potions. Now she was gulping them down like her life depended on it? Who the hell is that red-haired madman?! Anastasia was even more bewildered. As Victoria''s closest friend, she knew her well¡ªVictoria was just as stubborn as she was. Once she made up her mind, she never changed it. Yet, just hearing Velen mention that man had made her terrified enough to submit instantly! Ethan, who had personally witnessed the red-haired madman, was already shaking in fear. Without another word, he tilted his head back and chugged more potion. "Velen, I''ve already had 303 bottles. Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Just give me the rest in a storage bag¡ªI''ll drink them later. "As a Senatorial Advisor of Fortress, I must set an example!" "And besides, we''re lucky that you''re generous enough to share such valuable potions with us. "How could I possibly refuse?" Ethan''s voice rang out righteously. The others froze. Wait, what?! Who the hell was this one-eyed red-haired guy? Ethan was an Ascended Rank Lv9 Awakener, a Master Blacksmith, and a Berserker. Yet even he feared that man to the core?! Many of them had never seen this so-called madman, but they could already feel the unseen pressure weighing down on them. If even the strongest members of Fortress were terrified, then it was obvious¡ªanyone who refused to drink the potion would suffer the consequences! "Velen¡­ how many secrets are you hiding?" Anastasia felt like she understood him less and less. The more she learned, the more mysterious he became. And judging by Ethan, Ironback Centipede, and Victoria''s reactions, Something major must have happened at the blacksmith shop earlier¡ªsomething she still didn''t know about! After gulping down potion after potion, the group felt like their tongues had gone numb from bitterness. Their stomachs were bloated, and they couldn''t take another sip. Ethan pounded his chest, forcing down the lingering potion in his throat. Then he turned to Velen. "Velen, we killed Simon and the Triad Sanctum members. "That Grand Senator of theirs will find out soon enough. "And knowing his personality, he will come here for revenge!" "Is that Grand Senator really that strong?" Velen asked. Ethan nodded grimly. "That Grand Senator is extremely cunning. "He specializes in poisons¡ªhe''s infamous for using them to wipe out entire bloodlines without leaving a trace. "Among Ascended Rank powerhouses, he''s one of the most feared. "Many people dread him, because he never fights fair. "If he sees he can''t win a direct battle, he''ll poison his enemies from the shadows. "He''s an insidious bastard¡ªa true snake in the grass." Even Ethan, at his level, couldn''t guarantee survival if he got poisoned by Charles. That''s why he was warning Velen now. Velen frowned¡ªthis was going to be tricky. How do you defend against someone you can''t see coming? Just then, the system''s voice chimed in. "Mission Triggered: Lead 10,000 Pre-Guardians and Annihilate Triad Sanctum!" "Mission Success: +300,000 Luxury Points." "Mission Failure: -300,000 Luxury Points." "Mission is optional." Velen blinked in confusion. "10,000 Pre-Guardians?" "System, you once said Guardians are spread across the universe. "But that one-eyed red-haired guy told me there were only ten of them. "Why doesn''t the number match up?" The system responded. "Anyone wearing gold armor is a Pre-Guardian." "Only those who have fully regained their true power can be considered full Guardians." Hearing this, Velen was even more confused. "System, shouldn''t real Guardians be sent to help me if I''m in danger?" "Your current universe is too weak. "Even Pre-Guardians are more than enough to handle all threats." "So whenever you''re in danger, the system randomly assigns someone." Velen''s expression froze. "Wait¡­ you''re telling me my backup is chosen by a RANDOM LOTTERY?!" The system remained silent. Velen felt speechless. But as he checked his status screen, his Luxury Points had already reached 618,210. If he completed the Triad Sanctum mission, he could surpass 900,000 points¡ªbringing him to Elite Rank Lv9! "System, is Triad Sanctum really that dangerous?" "Why send 10,000 Pre-Guardians?" "They''re just bored. They want to go out for some action. "Triad Sanctum is weak." Velen burst out laughing. So this was just a vacation trip for them?! Chapter 82 - Chapter82-Velen’s Ruthless Plan Whether or not they knew he was participating in Star Hunt didn''t matter. As long as he wiped out all the resources on that planet, leaving only a small fraction for some lucky survivor to claim¡­ Then there would only be one first place. And everyone else would be second place! A perfect loophole to meet the system''s mission requirements! Sure, this was borderline villainous, but hey¡ªif they weren''t skilled enough to stop him, that was their problem! A genius plan! Velen was incredibly satisfied with himself. His eyes sparkled with excitement as he turned toward Anastasia. "Wife, I''m heading out with Senator Ethan for a few days¡ªdon''t worry about us!" Before he could finish his sentence, Anastasia had already drawn her sword and pressed it against his throat. "Say that again. I dare you." Her cold, piercing gaze sent a chill down Velen''s spine. The others watching? They didn''t take it seriously at all. To them, this was just another day of witnessing their ''romantic'' banter. They fully believed that if anyone else had said that, Anastasia''s sword would''ve already sliced through their neck. Velen felt the icy blade against his skin and quickly corrected himself. "Ahem¡ªLord Anastasia, I''m just heading out with Senator Ethan to take care of some business¡­" "Good." Anastasia nodded immediately. ¡­Wait. That''s it? Velen blinked in disbelief. She wasn''t even asking where he was going or what he was doing?! That¡­ that was too cold! "Lord Anastasia, I may be just the vice-captain of Fortress, but I''m also your most trusted, closest aide. "Shouldn''t you at least ask about my well-being?!" Anastasia''s lips curved into a smirk. "You''re an Independent Senator. "I''m just a lowly Fortress Lord. "How could I possibly interfere with your affairs?" Velen: "¡­" Damn it. This was payback for how he bullied her earlier with his Senator status! Anastasia never forgot a grudge. Not long after, Velen packed up ten sets of 100,000 bottles of Bloodline Upgrade Potion, giving each person their own storage bag. He reminded them to drink it like water before departing with Ethan. The group stared helplessly at their storage bags. From now on, meals were canceled¡ªthey were only drinking potions. "Velen, where exactly are we going?" Sitting on a special flying carpet, Ethan glanced at Velen curiously. Velen ran his hands over the carpet''s fabric, intrigued. "Senator Ethan, this thing is pretty special. "It''s not just fast¡ªit''s also really comfortable. "What grade is it?" He had seen many spaceships, but lightweight, high-speed flight artifacts like this were rare. "This is a flight artifact I personally crafted. "It can match the speed of starship fleets. "Its advantage is miniaturization¡ªyou can power it with either mana or mana stones. "The more mana you pour in, the faster it flies. "But it burns through mana stones ridiculously fast." Hearing that, Velen''s interest only grew. After all, he was swimming in mana stones! "This flying carpet is just something I made casually¡ªit''s only a Lv3 flight artifact. "It''s not that fast. "But as a Berserker, I usually just fly through space with my bare body¡ªit''s faster and less hassle." Ethan explained proudly. Velen raised a brow. "Can this Lv3 artifact get us to Triad Sanctum within 7 days?" Ethan''s eyes widened in shock. "You want to go to Triad Sanctum?" Charles was extremely dangerous, and Triad Sanctum was full of cutthroat assassins. Their real combat power was likely stronger than Fortress at this stage. Going there on purpose? That was pure madness. "You want to strike first to stop Charles from poisoning us, but¡­" Before Ethan could finish, Velen cut him off. "I just need to know¡ªcan we reach it in 7 days?" Ethan hesitated, then sighed. "If we only use the Lv3 artifact, 7 days won''t be enough¡ªit''s too far away. "But if I go full speed, only stopping at night to rest, we can make it in 6 days." "Good." Velen''s eyes gleamed. "Then, Senator Ethan, I''ll have to trouble you¡­" Ethan''s stomach dropped. The way Velen was looking at him gave him a very bad feeling. A few moments later¡­ Velen sat comfortably on the flying carpet, watching the galaxies blur past on both sides. His smile was practically glowing. "Not bad, not bad! "This Lv3 flight artifact is still far slower than Master Ethan, though!" Behind him¡ªEthan gritted his teeth. Because right now, he was the ''booster rocket'' pushing the carpet forward at full speed! He, a dignified Ascended Rank Awakener, a Master Blacksmith, and a Berserker, was now acting as Velen''s personal jet engine! This was utterly humiliating! S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After ten exhausting hours, Ethan finally found a small planet where they could rest. He knew Velen valued comfort and wasn''t about to fly nonstop. Plus, the longer he stayed with Velen, the more benefits he might receive. So¡­ he wasn''t exactly in a hurry. Velen checked into the most luxurious hotel on the planet. As he lay on the soft, plush bed, he suddenly remembered something. "Right, I have a mentee!" Bloodline Upgrade Potions would definitely benefit Caitlin and Belle. The sooner they took them, the better. Without hesitation, he activated the System''s Teleportation feature. "Locking onto Caitlin¡ªdescending!" A brilliant golden light flashed. Velen vanished from the hotel room. The next moment¡­ White mist surrounded him. A faint, fragrant aroma filled the air. It only took him a second to realize¡ª "Wait¡­ this is¡­ a bathhouse?" Through the hazy steam, he could see a stunningly curvy silhouette¡ª A naked woman bathing. Before he could react¡ª "PERVERT!" "YOU DISGUSTING FREAK!" A furious shriek rang out. Caitlin clutched her chest, rage burning in her eyes. Her shout was so intense that it shattered the mist around them. "Caitlin, wait! It''s not what it looks like!" Velen instinctively tried to explain. "I just wanted to help scrub your back!" Caitlin''s face turned crimson with fury. Her long, toned legs swung straight toward Velen''s crotch¡ª Aiming to kick him straight into the afterlife. But at that moment¡ª A terrifying chill tore through space, freezing the entire bathhouse in an instant. "Master, fear not!" A booming voice echoed from the void. A figure began emerging from a spatial rift¡ª A powerful guardian rushing to defend Velen. "GET LOST!" Before the figure could even step through, Velen kicked him back into the rift. "Understood, Master!" The figure vanished immediately. Caitlin sighed deeply, glaring at Velen. "Mentor, can you at least warn me before teleporting next time?!" Velen nodded furiously. "Yes! Next time, I promise!" ¡­Though honestly, he felt like he''d already been ''rewarded'' with a nice view. Clearing his throat, he handed two storage bags to Caitlin. "Each bag has 100,000 bottles of Bloodline Upgrade Potion. "One for you, one for Belle. "Make sure to drink all of them¡ªit will greatly enhance your bloodlines." Caitlin finally smiled. Her mentor might be unreliable at times¡­ But he truly cared for her. Chapter 83 - Chapter83-The Fire Extinguished by Velen’s Wealth "Oh, by the way, this potion doesn''t taste very good. But for your future, you must persist and drink every last drop." Seeing Caitlin''s excitement, Velen quickly added a warning. Not very good? Caitlin heard this but didn''t take it to heart. As an Ascended Rank Awakener, such minor discomforts were hardly worth considering. "Rest assured, mentor, I will drink all 100,000 bottles of the Bloodline Upgrade Potion without leaving a single one behind." Caitlin responded with firm resolve. She knew that anything Velen offered had to be precious beyond measure. After all, Velen was a super tycoon! And just moments ago, the piercing cold aura that had suddenly descended upon the bathhouse¡ªeven as a Lv9 Ascended Rank Awakener, it had sent chills through her very soul! If that mysterious figure had truly fully manifested, she wouldn''t have stood a chance. It was proof that Velen was far more than just a wealthy man. Her respect for her mentor deepened. Meeting Velen and becoming his mentee¡ªperhaps it was the greatest fortune of her life! As for the mysterious guardian secretly protecting Velen, she had no intention of prying further. If Velen didn''t bring it up himself, she would pretend she had never sensed anything. Velen carried many secrets. But one thing was certain¡ªhe genuinely meant her no harm and was truly helping her. That was all that mattered. Seeing Caitlin''s deep, contemplative gaze, Velen suddenly thought of something and asked: "Caitlin, do you know about Triad Sanctum?" "I plan to wipe them out in the next few days. "If you have any lingering ties with them, you might want to sever them now." "Aside from that, I have nothing else to say. "Just remember to drink the Bloodline Upgrade Potion properly!" With that, the space around Velen shimmered, and he turned to leave. Caitlin watched his departing figure, her expression first puzzled, then gradually turning icy cold. "Triad Sanctum actually dared to provoke my mentor? They''re courting death." Since Velen intended to destroy Triad Sanctum, as his mentee, she naturally had to support him. "Pass down my orders¡ªany Triad Sanctum members causing trouble near the academy¡­ "Eliminate them all. Leave no one alive." As one of the top academies in the galaxy, Celestia Academy had always been aware of Triad Sanctum and their underhanded methods. Previously, Caitlin had avoided getting involved. But now that Triad Sanctum had chosen the path of destruction, she would wipe them out completely! Ten minutes later. "Mentor, what the hell did you give me?! This potion is absolutely disgusting!" Inside Belle''s room, she clutched her stomach, looking miserable. A moment ago, Caitlin had given her a single bottle to try. She drank it in one gulp¡ªand immediately regretted it. Not only was the taste unbearably awful, but her stomach churned violently, making her feel absolutely wretched! "So it really is that bad?" Caitlin murmured, deep in thought. Just one bottle had nearly broken Belle. Clearly, when Velen had warned them about the taste¡­ he had been seriously downplaying it. Thankfully, she had the foresight to let Belle test it first. Still¡­ could it really be that bad? Caitlin hesitated for a moment before taking a sip herself. The instant the liquid touched her tongue, an overwhelming bitterness exploded in her mouth. Her body recoiled, her stomach clenched, and she felt the urge to vomit. But remembering Velen''s instructions, she forced herself to swallow. "You must drink all 100,000 bottles. Not a single drop can be wasted." "Mentor, this potion is so disgusting¡ªjust forget it! You don''t have to force yourself!" Seeing Caitlin struggling, Belle tried to dissuade her. But Caitlin shook her head. "Belle, this is from Velen. It''s invaluable for our bloodlines. "You must drink every last bottle. No excuses." As she spoke, she handed Belle a storage bag. Belle peeked inside¡ª Her eyes went wide with horror. "T-This many?! There must be at least 100,000 bottles!" Her face went pale. The sheer quantity was overwhelming. This wasn''t just a bad-tasting medicine¡ª It was a nightmare in a bottle! "Mentor, have you been tricked by Velen? "This much of such a disgusting potion¡­ "Is he trying to torture us to death?!" Belle grumbled furiously, but Caitlin flushed slightly and quickly refuted her. "What do you mean ''tricked''? Don''t talk nonsense! "Velen is your grandmentor¡ªshow some respect! "And drink all of it. That''s an order." Belle pouted angrily. Fine, if her mentor wouldn''t listen, she would go over her head! She immediately called her sister, Anastasia, prepared to complain about Velen. The call connected. But before Belle could even speak¡­ She heard Anastasia''s voice¡ªgagging and retching in between gulps. "Belle¡­ ugh¡­ what''s up¡­? Gulp, gulp, gulp¡­" Belle: "¡­" "Never mind, sis. Forget I called." She hung up immediately. Then, looking at the storage bag, she sighed in despair. "Guess I have no choice but to drink this nightmare potion too¡­" Suddenly, she remembered something and asked: "Mentor, I heard you ordered an attack on Triad Sanctum?" Triad Sanctum wasn''t just any faction¡ª They were ruthless, known for playing dirty, and once entangled with them, they were like a plague¡ªimpossible to shake off. Even though Celestia Academy was a major power, taking the initiative against such an enemy was unwise. But Caitlin''s expression remained calm. "Velen plans to wipe out Triad Sanctum. "It won''t be long before they cease to exist." Belle''s eyes widened in shock. "Velen is actually planning to destroy Triad Sanctum?!" That was insane! Triad Sanctum wasn''t some small-time gang¡ªthey were notoriously vicious. Did Velen really have the strength to take them on? ¡­ Or had Caitlin misheard? Maybe Velen wasn''t planning to destroy them¡ª Maybe he was planning to buy them out instead?! The Next Morning Velen woke up feeling refreshed. Stretching lazily, he opened his system interface. New Special Item: Forging Mastery Compendium ¡Á9999! Description: Insights from Upper Plane Universe master blacksmiths. "Greatly enhances forging skill proficiency!" Velen''s eyes lit up. This was a rare treasure! For ordinary people, reading one book could instantly make them a low-level blacksmith. For a master like Ethan, the benefits would be tremendous. "Velen, do you need my help with anything today?" Ethan walked in, rubbing his hands eagerly, a flattering smile on his face. He knew Velen spent lavishly every day. And since he was the only one around, if Velen was going to show off his wealth, he''d surely reap the rewards! Velen glanced at him and suddenly thought of something. "Senator Ethan, what is your greatest wish?" Ethan hesitated, then sighed. "To be honest, I''ve always wanted to forge a top-tier artifact of my own. "I once dreamed of forging an Lv9 Furnace. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "But after seeing you casually produce ten of them in one go¡­ "That dream just¡­ lost all meaning." Velen: "¡­" So¡­ my casual flex¡­ actually crushed a master blacksmith''s life goal?! Chapter 84 - Chapter84-I’m a Master Blacksmith, and You Want Me to Forge Pots and Pans?! Velen, after hearing Ethan''s words, casually pulled out more than ten copies of the Forging Mastery Compendium and said slowly, "Since Senator Ethan thinks he''s too old, these things are probably useless to you. "I might as well burn them." As he spoke, Velen retrieved an Lv9 Furnace from his storage bag and tossed it into the flames. Ethan, who had been resigned and indifferent, suddenly had his pupils contract sharply. He had suspected it¡ªbut now he was certain. Velen really had it! Even though it was just a fleeting glance, Ethan could feel the profound aura radiating from the books. These were absolutely Upper Plane Universe''s Forging Mastery Compendiums! And judging by Velen''s attitude, he clearly had a lot of them. The man was holding over ten copies¡ªjust to burn them! Ethan''s eyes turned red instantly. For a blacksmith, this was a priceless treasure! Even in Singularity Battlefield, such knowledge was extremely rare. Ethan had spent years in Singularity Battlefield and had only seen traces of such books, never obtaining one. But now, Velen was literally throwing them into the flames! Just as Ethan''s emotions churned violently, Velen casually pulled out several hundred more copies and tossed them into the furnace. "Senator Ethan, do me a favor. "Even with an Lv9 Furnace, burning all of these books one by one will take too long. "I still have over 9,000 left¡ªhelp me burn them so it goes faster." Watching as more and more Forging Mastery Compendiums were devoured by the fire, Ethan felt as if he himself had been thrown into the furnace. "Velen, I think¡­ I can still be saved!" "My old dreams¡­ are rekindled!" Ethan hurriedly stepped forward, blocking Velen from throwing more books into the flames. If he could absorb all of these¡­ His forging skills would skyrocket! With enough materials, he could easily forge an Lv9 Furnace himself! He might even become Titan Galaxy''s greatest blacksmith! The fire that had been extinguished by Velen''s wealth¡­ ¡­was reignited by Velen''s absurd wastefulness! However, Velen shook his head and sighed. "Forget it, Senator Ethan. "You were right before¡ªyou''re old. "You should just enjoy retirement. "Forging should be left to the younger generation." Ethan nearly slapped himself. He immediately straightened his posture and said urgently, "Velen, I was just joking earlier! "How could a few hundred years make me old? "This is the prime of my career!" Seeing this, Velen nodded. "Alright, then. "If you really believe in yourself, "Once you absorb these compendiums, you''ll become one of the best blacksmiths¡ªcapable of forging artifacts with true sentience." "So in the future, you can be responsible for all of Fortress''s daily necessities¡ªbrooms, shovels, plates, and chopsticks¡ªall forged with sentience!" Ethan, who had been elated just moments before, suddenly froze, his eyes widening in disbelief. "Sentience¡­" Only the most legendary artifacts gained sentience. A sentient artifact was the pinnacle of craftsmanship, the defining achievement of the greatest blacksmiths. Throughout the galaxies, the most famous blacksmiths all owed their reputations to creating sentient artifacts. Once an item gained sentience, it didn''t just become stronger¡ªit became a legend. This was the lifelong dream of every blacksmith! But Velen¡­ ¡­wanted him to forge sentient brooms and kitchen utensils?! If he really did this, it would be the ultimate humiliation. How could a blacksmith of his status waste his talent on household items?! "Velen, these kinds of things¡­ you can just let some random apprentice forge them. "They''re not important¡­" Ethan tried to refuse. But before he could even finish his sentence, Velen cut him off seriously. "These are Fortress''s essential daily tools¡ªthey''re very important. "If you don''t want to do it, that''s fine¡ªI won''t force you." Saying this, Velen threw dozens more Forging Mastery Compendiums into the Lv9 Furnace. FWOOOOSH! The flames roared higher. Dozens of priceless books¡­ turned to ash. Ethan''s eyes went bloodshot, his heart ached, and just as Velen prepared to toss in another hundred copies, Ethan couldn''t take it anymore. "Alright, alright, Velen¡ªI''LL DO IT!" After shouting in frustration, Ethan deflated like a balloon, staring at Velen with resentment, like a bullied child. Velen, feeling a shiver down his spine, quickly handed him the rest of the Forging Mastery Compendiums. "Hurry up and absorb these. "You''re making it look like I''m bullying an old man." Half an hour later. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Ethan, having absorbed all the books, felt an entirely new sensation. It was as if the very fabric of reality moved with his thoughts. His mental power had skyrocketed. His perception of his surroundings had changed. When he opened his eyes, they held a newfound depth and confidence. But then he turned to Velen, frowning slightly. "Velen¡­ I need to warn you. "Forging sentient artifacts is extremely difficult. "Now that my skills have improved, I can attempt it¡ªbut it will bring forth a disaster." "A disaster?" This was the first time Velen had heard of such a thing. Clearly, it was no trivial matter if Ethan was bringing it up so seriously. But then Velen thought about the one-eyed red-haired warrior, about The Guardians backing him¡ª And he stopped worrying. "Don''t worry. "Just forge. "Disasters will be handled." Ethan''s face darkened. "Velen, you''re underestimating this. "Disasters don''t work that way. "If anyone interferes, the calamity only worsens. "Even now, with my new abilities, I have no confidence in resisting it." Seeing Ethan''s growing concern, Velen just smiled. "What if the one-eyed red-haired lunatic intervenes? "Do you think he could handle it?" Ethan''s pupils shrank instantly. He had never fought the red-haired warrior¡ª But the terrifying aura alone had burned itself into his memory. That man wasn''t just strong¡ª He was a menace, even in the Upper Plane Universe. If he was on their side¡­ Ethan realized¡ª He had no more excuses. No matter how he tried to avoid it¡ª Velen had forced him onto this path. He, a master blacksmith capable of forging sentient artifacts, Was now¡­ Destined to create self-aware kitchenware. If word got out, he would become a laughingstock! Ethan wanted to cry. He didn''t even know if his newfound abilities were a blessing or a curse anymore. With a deep sigh, he gazed at Velen, his expression unreadable. Six days remained before they reached Triad Sanctum. And Ethan¡­ Was sure Velen would bring even more surprises. After just one day together, his entire worldview had already been shattered. What else could possibly be in store? After a simple breakfast at a hotel, Ethan resumed flying toward Triad Sanctum with Velen. But after a few hours, Velen suddenly looked toward a peculiar resource planet ahead¡ª A planet teeming with spellbeasts. His eyes gleamed, and he immediately called out¡ª "Senator Ethan, wait a moment!" Chapter 85 - Chapter85-The Divine Skill of Controlling Emotions Ethan was momentarily stunned before following Velen''s gaze toward the planet. As he spotted three young men locked in combat with spellbeasts, his expression became grim. "Thousand Venom Hands! These guys are from Triad Sanctum!" "This technique is one of the deadliest in Triad Sanctum. Their status must be extraordinary!" "Oh?" Velen let out a soft sound of interest, his curiosity piqued. "All three of them, as well as the spellbeasts, are at Expert Rank Lv9," Ethan added. Spellbeasts were typically far stronger than human awakeners of the same level, and despite the three''s ruthless methods, they were still caught in a desperate struggle against the pack. Velen nodded and then rushed straight toward the planet. "Since I''ve come across them, they''ll make perfect test subjects for my newly acquired skill¡­" Velen''s intent was simple: he wanted to test Divine Form, the god-tier skill he had just obtained. A god-tier skill was not something an awakener of his level should even have access to. It was powerful beyond imagination, an ultimate trump card that most people could only dream of possessing. Seeing Velen eagerly dive toward the battlefield, Ethan''s curiosity deepened. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "So Velen is finally going to make a move? "I''ve heard so many people say he''s talented beyond measure, but I''ve never seen it myself. "Now I can finally verify the truth with my own eyes." But was Velen planning to target the spellbeasts¡­ or the Triad Sanctum members? On the Planet The three Triad Sanctum members were fighting desperately, standing back to back as they struggled against the attacking spellbeasts. "Our luck is absolutely rotten. "We just returned from Singularity Battlefield and ended up landing in the middle of a damn spellbeast ambush!" "These spellbeasts are vicious! "If you two keep holding back, we''re gonna die here!" The scar-faced leader snarled at his two subordinates, his face grim. But instead of listening, the other two turned livid with rage. "Captain, are you serious?! "Most of the resources we gathered in Singularity Battlefield are in your hands! "We''ve already burned through all our survival measures¡ªyou''re the one dragging your feet!" "If you don''t start fighting seriously, we''ll drag you down with us!" As the two lashed out at their leader, the five spellbeasts roared violently, their massive jaws snapping closer with deadly intent. The scar-faced captain''s expression darkened, but just as he was about to retaliate against his subordinates¡­ A suffocating pressure descended from above. All three of them froze. They felt a terrifyingly powerful aura plummeting from the sky. The mere presence of this aura made them feel as if death itself had arrived. A moment later, a figure crashed down like a meteor. Mana rippled from his body like tidal waves, forcefully separating the spellbeasts from the three men. A barrier of raw power had formed¡ªone that neither side could cross. "ROOOAARRR!" The five spellbeasts, furious at this sudden interference, bellowed at Velen and charged at him in unison. But the moment they lunged forward, something changed. Velen''s entire body pulsed with radiant energy, and the spellbeasts'' eyes widened in terror. They saw something divine¡ªsomething incomprehensibly powerful. In their shaken minds, Velen became a supreme deity, gazing down upon the world like a god judging the fate of mortals. In the presence of this overwhelming might¡­ They felt like nothing but insects. As the five spellbeasts froze in fear, Ethan¡ªwho had been watching from above¡ªgasped in sheer disbelief. "What the hell is this technique?! "It''s distorting space and time!" Even though Velen''s skill hadn''t been aimed at him, just being near its aura made Ethan''s skin crawl. "This technique¡­ it has to be god-tier!" Ethan had seen many things in his long life, but this? Even in Upper Plane Universe, god-tier skills were exceedingly rare. In the lower planes, they were mere legends. Only in Singularity Battlefield could one, with unfathomable luck, acquire a divine skill. The three Triad Sanctum members, still reeling from shock, stared at Velen in horror. The energy radiating from him made resisting feel impossible. But their fear soon turned into something else. Envy. Greed. "A god-tier skill¡­" "This bastard actually possesses a god-tier skill!" Such a skill was priceless beyond measure. It wasn''t just unparalleled at the same level¡ªit could even turn the tide against stronger opponents. Most importantly, god-tier skills could grow stronger, meaning even Ascended Rank awakeners could wield them to devastating effect. If they could steal this skill¡­ Their power would skyrocket! Their eyes met, and all three instantly understood each other''s intentions. They wanted it. They wanted it desperately. Just as they plotted their betrayal¡­ The five spellbeasts suddenly stopped moving. The killing intent in their eyes vanished entirely. Instead¡­ A new emotion filled the air. A strange, intoxicating atmosphere spread across the battlefield. Before anyone could react¡ª The five spellbeasts turned to each other¡­ And began mating. Right then and there. In broad daylight. And they did it furiously¡ªlike obsessed, tireless beasts driven purely by instinct. Velen, staring at the surreal scene before him, blinked. "Uh¡­ what?" Then, as if a revelation had dawned upon him, he murmured, "So that''s how Divine Form works¡­" "It can manipulate emotions¡ªseizing control of any creature''s desires and instincts." "A truly fascinating ability¡­" Clearly, his control over the skill wasn''t refined yet. Instead of redirecting their bloodlust elsewhere, He had accidentally cranked up their mating instinct. Velen''s mind made sense of the situation¡ª But Ethan and the three Triad Sanctum members? They were utterly dumbfounded. The spellbeasts, who had just been viciously attacking, were now engaged in something far more¡­ explicit. Somehow, one of the beasts even had two partners¡ªone above and one below. The longer they watched, the more disturbed they became. "What the¡­ hell am I looking at?!" "I thought poisoning people was twisted¡­ but this? This is NEXT LEVEL!" At first, the three Triad Sanctum members were shocked and appalled¡ª But seconds later¡­ Their eyes gleamed with greed. "Captain, if we learn this skill, we''ll be able to seduce any woman we want!" "Exactly! All those bitches who ignored us will be begging on their knees!" They wanted this power. They needed this power. But before they could make their move¡­ Velen turned his gaze toward them. Their bodies froze instantly. A terrifying realization sank into their bones¡ª They could no longer move. Then¡ª Their thoughts began to change. "How could I be such scum?" "My whole life, I''ve been cruel and ruthless¡ªI don''t deserve to live!" "I must commit seppuku to atone for my sins!" Moments later¡ª With expressions of deep regret, They pulled out their knives¡­ And gutted themselves, spilling their intestines onto the ground. Chapter 86 - Chapter86-The Strongest Rabbit in the Universe Seeing the three men, who had been filled with greed and malice just moments ago, suddenly commit seppuku, Velen was stunned. "This Divine Form skill that controls emotions¡­ is way too terrifying!" First, the five spellbeasts had died of exhaustion, S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. And now, these three Triad Sanctum members had killed themselves out of guilt. "This skill¡­ truly lives up to being god-tier!" Meanwhile, Ethan, who had witnessed everything, was completely shaken. He had traveled across the universe, encountered countless strange techniques, Yet he had never seen a skill that could manipulate and alter emotions like this. There were some skills that could affect minds, but none of them were even close to what Velen had just demonstrated. He swallowed nervously and muttered, "Velen¡­ they''re already dead¡­ Maybe you should turn off this skill now?" The deathly stillness left behind by Velen''s ability sent chills down his spine. Even though he knew Velen wouldn''t target him, The bizarre and gruesome deaths of the spellbeasts and the three men were horrifying in a way he couldn''t describe. Feeling a lingering unease, Ethan let out a sigh of relief when he saw Velen finally withdraw the aura of Divine Form. Still, when he looked at Velen, he noticed that he seemed to be deep in thought, as if analyzing the experience. "Velen, was this the first time you''ve used this god-tier skill?" Velen nodded. "Yeah. I just got it recently and never had a chance to test it until now. "The effect¡­ was way more bizarre and powerful than I expected." Even with his high standards, Velen had to admit¡ªthis skill was absolutely insane. Anything from the system was bound to be broken. Ethan let out a long breath. "The first time using it, and it''s already this powerful¡­ "If you fully master it, even Ascended Rank awakeners will be nothing more than toys in your hands." He had met many powerful figures, But none had ever possessed a skill this monstrous. Velen nodded in agreement but sighed. "The problem is that Divine Form is way too complex and mysterious. "I still don''t fully understand how it works. Right now, the way I manipulate emotions is¡­ kind of random." Hearing this, Ethan finally understood. So that was why those five spellbeasts¡­ He had thought Velen had some kind of twisted fetish. Now, he realized that Velen wasn''t controlling their emotions deliberately¡ªit had been pure chance. Still, even with that limitation, the skill was insanely strong. "This god-tier skill is incredible. You absolutely need to master it¡ªit''ll be a devastating trump card in battle." Velen nodded. Then, he checked his mana reserves. Two uses¡­ and his mana was already down by two-thirds. For most awakeners, even attempting to cast a god-tier skill once would have completely drained them. "The mana cost is huge¡­ but it''s worth it." Then, suddenly¡ª "Congratulations, Host! You have found a pass!" Velen''s eyes lit up. His gaze snapped to the bodies of the three dead Triad Sanctum members. Ethan saw Velen''s attention shift and warned, "Velen, be careful. "They just came from Singularity Battlefield, and they''re part of Triad Sanctum. "They probably have all sorts of hidden poisons on them. "One mistake, and you could get yourself killed." Even from a distance, Ethan could hear everything clearly. "The scar-faced guy should have all the loot they gathered from Singularity Battlefield." Ethan added another piece of information. Hearing this, Velen''s excitement grew. Originally, he had only planned to test his skill, but he ended up finding a pass¡ªan unexpected jackpot! Now, once Star Hunt ended, he could go to Chaos City and flex his wealth properly. However, after searching through the scar-faced man''s storage pouch, he didn''t find the pass. "It must be on the other two." Velen smirked and checked their bodies as well. Sure enough, these two had a ton of valuable items¡ª Advanced mana stones, potions, artifacts, tools, poisons, hidden weapons¡­ Velen glanced at Ethan. "Master Ethan, didn''t you say all the loot was on the scar-faced guy?" Ethan looked awkward and then glared at the two dead men. "Those bastards! They acted like they gave everything to the captain, but they kept the real treasures for themselves. "Typical thieves'' paranoia¡ªthey were probably afraid of getting robbed." While they talked, Ethan noticed Velen picking up an old-looking scroll. The scroll looked crude, like something drawn by a child, yet Velen seemed strangely interested in it. "Velen, is there something special about that thing?" Velen infused mana into the scroll, slowly crushing it. "This thing is hiding a pass." A pass? Ethan didn''t fully understand, but seeing Velen''s delighted expression, he knew it had to be something incredibly valuable. Still, his curiosity got the better of him. "Is this pass really that rare? What does it do?" Asking this question, Ethan felt a little embarrassed. He was an experienced veteran, yet he kept asking this young man for answers. "It lets you enter Chaos City. "There''s no point explaining¡ªI''ll just take you there one day, and you''ll see for yourself." Velen casually waved him off and put the pass into his storage pouch. "All you need to know is that this pass is the key to Chaos City." "Let''s go. Besides the pass, the rest of this stuff is just garbage." Ethan nearly choked. Garbage?! These were artifacts from Singularity Battlefield, and Velen was tossing them aside like trash. Still, not wanting to waste valuable loot, Ethan quickly stored everything in his own pouch. Then, the two of them resumed their journey toward Triad Sanctum. ¡ª After a while, Ethan asked, "Velen, besides this god-tier skill¡­ "Do you have any other hidden trump cards?" Velen thought for a moment. "Sword of Judgment, I guess. That one''s also pretty strong." "Sword of Judgment?! So you''re a swordsman too?!" Ethan stared at Velen in shock. Becoming a true swordsman was incredibly difficult¡ª It required both talent and years of relentless training. For a tycoon like Velen to also be a swordsman¡­ unbelievable! But Velen laughed and shook his head. "No, no. I''m not a swordsman. "I''m just a ruthless skill book destruction machine." Ethan blinked. That¡­ doesn''t make sense. Then, suddenly, Ethan remembered the skill tomes Velen had casually thrown at him earlier. If Velen could give away nearly ten thousand rare SSS Tomes of Skill Experience, Then his supply of high-level skill books must be absolutely absurd. ¡ª "Senator Ethan, there are plenty of powerful swordsmen in the universe¡­ "But have you ever seen a super OP, hyper-aggressive, and unstoppable little white rabbit before?" "A rabbit? Super OP and unstoppable?" Ethan immediately thought of Velen''s pet rabbit. "That tiny thing? It looks harmless!" Velen chuckled. "That little white rabbit has already mastered ''Eye of Hell.'' "Its bloodline is now completely pure and untainted. "It''s officially the strongest rabbit in the universe. "One day, it won''t just dominate the rabbit kingdom¡ªit''ll dominate the entire cosmos!" Chapter 87 - Chapter87-The Tarot Order’s Premonition A rabbit ruling the universe? Ethan''s eyelid twitched uncontrollably. That idea was just too insane! But then he thought about Velen''s extravagant personality and how much he loved that rabbit¡­ Maybe it really could happen! The thought of being surpassed by a rabbit, or worse, being beaten into the ground by one, made Ethan deeply regret asking in the first place. Why did I even bring this up? He should have just kept his mouth shut and continued pushing Velen forward like a proper toolman. From now on, he swore never to ask unnecessary questions again! ¡ª Aurora Trade Guild Headquarters Inside the training grounds, a young man was fighting fiercely, his eyes filled with unshakable determination. Watching from the sidelines, the head of the Aurora Trade Guild, Sylure, couldn''t believe his own eyes. "Is this really my son?!" The arrogant, weak-willed, and wasteful Nikola, the one who had always been afraid of the strong and bullied the weak¡­ He was now standing tall, pushing himself to the limits, and growing stronger by the second! It was as if he had been completely reborn. What happened while he was away with Captain Daniel?! At that moment, Bruce approached, his expression solemn. "Head, the young master is training hard these days. It would be best if you don''t disturb him." Sylure frowned. "Why? Why has Nikola changed so drastically?" Bruce took a deep breath. "Head, on our way back, the young master told me he wanted to give you a great surprise. "He wants to prove, with real actions, that he is not just a parasite of the trade guild." Bruce paused for a moment, then added: "And¡­ we''ve just confirmed with the trade guild''s alchemists¡ªthe formula for the Dragon Blood Potion is real." Sylure''s eyes widened. "The formula is real?!" This was huge news! But then, his expression darkened. "Senator Bruce, even if the Dragon Blood Potion formula is real, that doesn''t change the fact that Nikola has been a disgrace to our trade guild for years!" Bruce couldn''t help but chuckle bitterly as Velen''s face flashed through his mind. "Head¡­ Before I met Velen, I would have agreed with you completely. "But after seeing Velen with my own eyes¡­ "Let''s just say our definition of ''wasteful'' was too naive. "In comparison to him, the young master isn''t wasteful at all. "In fact, even we don''t measure up to the standard of his pet rabbit." Sylure''s curiosity was piqued. This Velen had been mentioned repeatedly by Bruce, Captain Daniel, and now even Nikola. Who was this person? And just how extravagant was he? Sylure clenched his fists. "If the Dragon Blood Potion formula is real, then I must personally visit the fortress. "Ten percent of the profits is far too little for what he has given us. "He granted my son the Fenrir bloodline¡ªa priceless gift. "Even if we work for him for free, we''re still the ones profiting!" When he first heard that Nikola had obtained the Fenrir bloodline, he had lost control of his emotions completely. It was legendary. A bloodline with limitless potential¡ªNikola could achieve anything he wanted with it. And now, with the Dragon Blood Potion''s formula confirmed, the favor Velen had done for them was immeasurable. He had to make sure Velen and the fortress got their fair share. And more importantly¡ªhe wanted to meet this legendary tycoon in person! "Head, you can meet him, but I must warn you¡­" Bruce''s expression grew serious. "You better mentally prepare yourself. "If you''re not ready, you might just pass out when you see his level of wealth." ¡ª Meanwhile, en route to Triad Sanctum¡­ Ethan suddenly turned to Velen, his expression serious. "Velen, Triad Sanctum''s Grand Senator, Charles, just contacted me." He pulled out a star communicator from his robes. Velen sneered. "If he''s reaching out, that means he already knows what happened at the fortress. "Tell him to sit tight and wait for death." He wasn''t worried in the slightest. One Guardian recruit was enough to crush an Ascended Rank awakener. Even in the entire lower universe, they could roam unchecked. Triad Sanctum might be notorious, but a single Guardian recruit could wipe them out completely. And this time, the system had dispatched ten thousand Guardian recruits. Just imagining them all descending at once¡­ the sheer devastation would be legendary! "Charles, in six days, your Triad Sanctum will be nothing but history. "Prepare your last words¡ªthese are your final days." ¡ª Inside Triad Sanctum¡­ CRACK! The star communicator shattered beneath Charles'' furious stomp. His face twisted with rage, his eyes burned with murderous intent. His voice echoed through the halls of Triad Sanctum like an executioner''s decree. "Summon all our forces! "These fools will have nowhere to run. "Let the name of Triad Sanctum be written in blood!" Triad Sanctum had dominated the underworld for years. For Ethan to speak so arrogantly, as if they were already doomed¡­ Unforgivable! Charles would show them the price of their arrogance! ¡ª Tarot Order Headquarters The councilors of the Tarot Order were gathered around their round table, when a sudden ripple of energy spread across the entire headquarters. At once, they all turned their gazes toward the sacred library at the center. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A massive disturbance was emanating from within¡ªsomething impossible to ignore. They glanced at one another before collectively turning to the Grand Speaker of the Tarot Order. The elderly speaker, clad in a crown and ceremonial robes, lifted his staff and nodded gravely. "Come. Let us see what the Saintess of Tarot has foreseen." They hurried toward the library, arriving before Sophia¡ªthe Saintess of Tarot. Despite their high-ranking status, she regarded them calmly, without the slightest fear or reverence. This was the first time all twelve councilors had gathered before her since she joined the Tarot Order. Sophia hesitated for a moment. She already possessed the skill book for the Eye of Fate, given to her by Velen, which had caused her power to grow at an unprecedented rate. This growth had shocked the entire Tarot Order, but she could tell they still hadn''t fully realized the extent of its significance. Now, she was considering whether to reveal the existence of the Chaos Barrier to them. Only if they understood its importance would they truly prioritize fulfilling Velen''s request. Meanwhile, the Grand Speaker, unaware of her internal deliberation, was already beyond impressed by her. "The Saintess of Tarot grows more formidable by the day!" "She is the hope of our order''s revival!" The councilors were practically beaming with excitement. Just then, one of them spoke up, his face filled with shock. "I just used the Eye of Fate¡­ and it showed me the complete annihilation of Triad Sanctum!" Silence fell. "Triad Sanctum? Wiped out?!" Another councilor frowned. "But they have Charles¡­ How could they fall so quickly?" "I don''t know. All I saw was a future where Triad Sanctum no longer exists." The Grand Speaker''s eyes narrowed. "Their destruction does not concern us. "However, one of our sacred artifacts is still within Triad Sanctum. "We must retrieve it before their annihilation is complete!" Chapter 88 - Chapter88-Velen is Too Powerful! "Who among you is willing to travel to Triad Sanctum and retrieve the sacred artifact?" After the Speaker posed the question, the other councilors exchanged helpless glances. Kelsey, furrowing his brows, spoke up: "Speaker, that artifact was borrowed by the former head of Triad Sanctum, Sergei, at great cost. The agreement was for ten years. "It has only been three years. If we try to reclaim it early, Sergei and his people will certainly refuse. "They might even suspect something is wrong and interrogate the councilor sent there. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "This could be extremely dangerous." Kelsey believed this matter needed careful consideration. The other councilors nodded in agreement. Though the Tarot Order held a high status in the universe, they were not known for direct combat. Among those of similar rank, they were one of the weakest in battle. Sergei, however, was a fearsome individual. Before entering seclusion, he had endured eight waves of Thunder Tribulation, a terrifying feat that placed him on the verge of ascending to the upper plane universe. If he targeted the envoy sent to retrieve the artifact, even the Speaker himself would find it troublesome. But since the artifact was crucial, they couldn''t just ignore the situation. They had to find the right person for the task. After some thought, the Speaker slowly spoke: "Perhaps we should use the Scarlet Tarot." The Scarlet Tarot was one of the Tarot Order''s sacred artifacts, capable of peering deeper into fate and even providing the best course of action. However, activating it would cause one''s destiny to be corroded by fate, leading to a tragic death. This was the unavoidable price of peering into fate. The gifts of destiny always came with a price, marked long before they were granted. Unless absolutely necessary, the Tarot Order avoided using it. After all, the consequences were too severe. Moreover, only the Speaker and the Saintess were qualified to activate it. Even though the Speaker''s health was failing, the artifact was too important to ignore. The Scarlet Tarot had to be used. "Speaker, please reconsider! Your health is already weak¡ªactivating the Scarlet Tarot could kill you!" Kelsey quickly protested. The other councilors also pleaded with concern: "Speaker, that artifact is important, but without you, the Tarot Order cannot function!" Seeing how frail the Speaker was, Sophia suddenly stepped forward and said: "Speaker, esteemed councilors, why don''t I try activating the Scarlet Tarot instead?" "Absolutely not!" "We cannot allow the Saintess to do this!" "Your rank has risen quickly, but the backlash from peering into fate this time will be far too severe¡ªyou won''t be able to withstand it!" Kelsey and the others vehemently opposed the idea. They had already treasured Sophia like a rare gem¡ªhow could they allow her to suffer harm? The Speaker also firmly rejected the idea: "Sophia, your duty is to focus on your studies. Leave this burden to us old men." Sophia was the future of the Tarot Order¡ª they couldn''t risk even the slightest danger to her. "Even though you are qualified to activate it, the backlash of fate would kill you instantly." Sophia wasn''t surprised by their rejection. Taking another step forward, she said firmly: "Speaker, the backlash of the Scarlet Tarot''s fate-weaving magic is indeed terrifying, "but I have this!" As she spoke, Sophia activated her Chaos Barrier! A misty gray fog surged forth, wrapping around her like a veil of shifting silk. "...?" "Chaos Barrier?!" Seeing the phenomenon surrounding Sophia, the councilors were stunned into silence, their minds going blank. At just a single glance, they recognized the Chaos Barrier¡ª A legendary entity! For the Tarot Order, whose members constantly peered into fate, this was the most coveted treasure of all¡ª a shield against fate''s deadly backlash! Seeing their awestruck faces, Sophia secretly sneered. "At least they can recognize the Chaos Barrier. "But compared to Velen¡­ "They are still far too lacking." As Sophia''s thoughts swirled, the Speaker suddenly released his spiritual energy, carefully examining the Chaos Barrier''s effects. "Sophia, allow me to verify its ability to counteract fate''s backlash." Minutes ticked by¡­ Then ten full minutes passed. The Speaker''s expression changed drastically¡ª his eyes widened, his mouth gaping open as if he had seen something unbelievable! "Speaker, how powerful is the Chaos Barrier?" Seeing his reaction, Sophia asked curiously. The Speaker quickly gathered himself and explained: "This isn''t just a matter of power!" "You have no idea what fate''s backlash truly means. "Let me tell you¡ªalmost no Tarot Order member has ever died a natural death. "They all perished because of fate''s counterattack." "In fact, for many¡­ death was a mercy. "The afflictions caused by fate''s retribution are beyond comprehension." "My own life is nearing its end. "Each time I gaze into fate, I shave away what little remains of my lifespan. "But you¡­ you are different. "You have the Chaos Barrier. "It shields you from the vast majority of fate''s retribution. "Sophia, you were born to be the ultimate oracle of the Tarot Order!" With that, he immediately led Sophia to the council chamber, where a deck of blood-red tarot cards lay upon an altar. With unprecedented solemnity, he personally handed the Scarlet Tarot to her. "Since you have the Chaos Barrier, "this will serve as both a trial for you and a means to preserve my own life. "Finding a suitable candidate to retrieve the artifact¡­ "Will now be your responsibility." Then, the Speaker turned to glare at Kelsey and the other councilors. "When it truly matters, it is the Saintess who steps forward. "From today onward, the will of Sophia is my will. "The Tarot Order is fully open to her command. "And you all shall support her unconditionally!" Kelsey and the others immediately agreed. Sophia might still be young, and her rank not yet high, but her mastery of the Eye of Fate was unparalleled, and with the Chaos Barrier, her future was beyond imagination. Sophia glanced around at the councilors, feeling more convinced than ever¡ª Velen is too powerful. Just a single Chaos Barrier¡­ "and they have completely changed their attitude toward me!" Even more amusing¡ª They''re absolutely desperate to possess the Chaos Barrier themselves. And yet, Velen had handed it to her so casually, as if it were a meaningless trinket! "Velen is too generous¡­ and too unfathomable." Under the intense gazes of the council, Sophia''s forehead gleamed¡ª a symbol of the Eye of Fate emerging. At the same time, the Scarlet Tarot began to move¡ª spinning around her like fluttering butterflies. The councilors held their breath. Screech! Suddenly¡ª A horrific, twisted force of fate lashed out! It sought to devour Sophia''s life force¡ª a punishment for daring to defy fate! But¡ª The Chaos Barrier surged forth¡ª And the attack¡­ vanished. Seeing this, the Speaker and the councilors felt relief wash over them. "Normally, we could do nothing but endure fate''s wrath¡­" "But Sophia''s Chaos Barrier¡­ actually repels it!" Minutes passed, until only a single tarot card remained. Sophia opened her eyes. "What did you see?" The Speaker asked immediately. Sophia frowned slightly in thought, then slowly said: "According to the Scarlet Tarot''s guidance¡­ "The most suitable person to retrieve the artifact¡­ "Is me." Chapter 89 - Chapter89-Forging a Starry Stone Toilet "Councilor Kelsey, the Scarlet Tarot has already provided its guidance. The Saintess'' journey will be the safest, and there should be no major issues. You only need to accompany her." The Speaker shook his head, rejecting Kelsey''s proposal. After speaking, he urged Kelsey to take Sophia and depart for Triad Sanctum as soon as possible. Kelsey nodded, "Alright, we''ll return as soon as possible!" As he watched Kelsey and Sophia leave, the Speaker finally let out a sigh of relief and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. The other councilors looked at him with confusion¡ªwhy did he seem so tense? Looking at the group, the Speaker sighed: "Sophia''s Chaos Barrier is far stronger than I imagined. Just now, when activating the Scarlet Tarot, she didn''t just investigate the outcome of her journey to Triad Sanctum¡ªshe also explored other matters!" Hearing this, the councilors'' curiosity was piqued. They couldn''t activate the Scarlet Tarot themselves, but they were well aware of its difficulty. Even an Ascended Rank Level 9 Awakener like the Speaker faced immense backlash each time he used it. So how could Sophia activate it multiple times? "Just now, using the power of the Chaos Barrier, Sophia activated the Scarlet Tarot more than fifty times!" As the Speaker uttered these words, his expression was filled with disbelief. Sophia''s control over fate and the Chaos Barrier''s power far exceeded his expectations. And based on his understanding of the Scarlet Tarot, he could clearly perceive Sophia''s state while she was using it. "Speaker, what was Sophia investigating during all those activations?" The other councilors, equally shocked, asked with great anticipation. "She used the Scarlet Tarot to probe into Councilor Kelsey''s personal affairs, including which massage parlors he visited, how many married women he had affairs with, and all the ridiculous things he did in the past..." Upon hearing this, the councilors'' expressions turned strange. They all knew that Kelsey was infamous for his past escapades, having done many reckless things in his youth. Now, Sophia had uncovered everything¡ªeven his deepest secrets. It seemed their Saintess was a ruthless one! "Speaker, something doesn''t add up. How could she activate the Scarlet Tarot over fifty times and still look completely fine?" "Even with the Chaos Barrier, shouldn''t there be some kind of limit?" "Exactly! Even if the Chaos Barrier can shield against backlash, after so many activations, it should''ve reached its limit, right?" The Speaker listened to the councilors'' concerns, but their words only deepened his despair. After all, he had always feared the consequences of peering into fate and only activated the Scarlet Tarot when absolutely necessary. Every activation was done with extreme caution. But Sophia treated it like a game, using the Scarlet Tarot to gossip and uncover Kelsey''s darkest secrets, without any concern for the consequences! For the Speaker, Sophia''s sheer power was a brutal reality check¡ª A devastating blow to all Tarot Order diviners! This was more than just incredible talent¡ª It was a form of silent, overwhelming flexing! Very soon, the Speaker and the councilors began to feel a deep sense of dread. If Sophia could truly use the Scarlet Tarot without restriction, did that mean none of their secrets were safe? The feeling of being completely exposed¡­ This was the same fear they had once inflicted upon others¡ª Now, Sophia was doing it to them. And they were terrified. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Speaker, you must discipline Sophia! She can''t use the Scarlet Tarot for such trivial nonsense!" "Exactly! Even as the Saintess, she shouldn''t be so reckless!" Hearing the councilors'' complaints, the Speaker could only shake his head helplessly: "Do you think I haven''t tried? She simply doesn''t listen! Just now, she used the Scarlet Tarot fifty times in a row." "We''ll all talk to her together when she returns." Meanwhile, on the journey to Triad Sanctum¡­ Kelsey looked completely defeated, as Sophia relentlessly exposed his past misdeeds. His deepest, most shameful secrets were being spilled one after another. "Councilor Kelsey, how did those witches taste? Were they as good as they say?" "Also, with all those illegitimate children you''ve left scattered across the universe, have any of them ever come looking for you? If they all showed up at once, it''d be an entire army!" "Tsk tsk tsk, I never would''ve guessed that in your youth, you also had... a taste for men." As Sophia grew more smug, Kelsey completely broke down. "Saintess¡ªSaintess! Please, I beg you! You''re my ancestor¡ªjust stop talking!" Kelsey pleaded for mercy. These were his most closely guarded secrets! Then, glaring at her in frustration, he exclaimed: "Hold on! You activated the Scarlet Tarot fifty times... just to spy on me?! That''s completely unethical!" The more Kelsey thought about it, the more furious he became. "The Chaos Barrier may shield against fate''s backlash, but this isn''t how you''re supposed to use it!" To any Tarot Order diviner, the Chaos Barrier was the most precious treasure in existence. If any of them acquired it, they would cherish it dearly¡ª Unlike Sophia, who used it to gossip for fun. "Saintess, you must learn restraint! The Chaos Barrier has its limits! You can''t just waste it like this¡ªwho taught you this reckless behavior?!" Mid-rant, Kelsey suddenly thought of someone¡ª His eyes widened in horror: "Saintess Sophia, do you know Velen?" Sophia blinked innocently and shook her head: "Never heard of him." Hearing this, Kelsey breathed a sigh of relief. "Good. That''s good." Sophia pretended to be curious: "Why?" "It''s just that¡­ in some ways, you and Velen act very alike. "If you ever meet him, stay away¡ªwhatever you do, don''t learn from him!" Kelsey forced a laugh, avoiding further explanation. But Sophia, upon hearing that she and Velen were so similar, grinned with delight. "If I''m anything like him, that''s perfect!" "After all¡­ I''m his mentee." Ding! "Congratulations, Host! Your mentee Sophia has successfully flexed her wealth! Reward: 800 Luxury Points! Bonus: 200 Starry Stones!" Lying on his flying carpet, Velen suddenly perked up. "Sophia flexed her wealth?!" After learning the details, Velen burst into laughter. "Classic Sophia. "She''s already mastered my style!" "Using the Chaos Barrier to pry into gossip¡ªsuch a brilliant, extravagant flex!" Feeling pleased, Velen pulled out 200 Starry Stones and handed them to Ethan. Ethan''s eyes bulged in disbelief: "Velen?! This many Starry Stones¡­ for me?!" Chapter 90 - Chapter90-What Terrifying Being Did the Triad Sanctum Provoke? Seeing Ethan''s strongly disapproving expression, Velen patted his shoulder earnestly. "Master Ethan, you''ve been following me for quite some time now, yet you''re still so rigid?" "Are you telling me that as a great tycoon, I don''t deserve a toilet made of Starry Stone?" "Even the senate of the Ducal Manor highly praises and supports me on this matter!" Hearing this, Ethan shook his head repeatedly. "Velen, the senate are all reasonable people. How could they possibly support you?" Velen shrugged and did not explain further¡ªafter all, he was telling the truth. Ethan couldn''t accept this outcome at all and hurriedly contacted William and the others. After a brief exchange, Ethan was on the verge of a breakdown. "William, Jake, you two are senators! How can you be so ridiculous?" "Forging a toilet out of Starry Stone¡ªeven the top tycoons wouldn''t do something so disrespectful to their ancestors!" Although William and Jake didn''t know how Ethan found out about this matter, they still explained: "Master Ethan, you should have some understanding of independent senators'' temperament by now. For someone with such a grand vision, a Starry Stone toilet is just a minor detail." "Exactly! And you might not know this, but Starry Stone has the ability to resist Thunder Tides. It''s not just for show!" Seeing that the senators of the Ducal Manor were all speaking in Velen''s defense, Ethan was even more shocked. However, it was true that Starry Stone could resist the Judgment of RULEs. When gathered together, its effectiveness in resisting the Judgment of RULEs became even stronger. Although a toilet made of such material seemed inappropriate, as long as it was practical, it wasn''t really a problem. Thinking this through, he looked at Velen again, and his expression changed¡ªhis face lit up with a fawning smile as he nodded. "Alright, when I get back, I''ll personally forge you a Starry Stone toilet!" Seeing Ethan agree so quickly, Velen was a bit puzzled. He wasn''t sure what exactly Senator William and the others had said to Ethan to cause such a drastic shift in attitude. But as long as Ethan accepted it, that was all that mattered. Time flew by. By dusk, Velen found another planet to rest for a while. This planet appeared barren, with little sign of life. Velen directly used advanced mana stone to construct a temporary dwelling in an open forest. Seeing the residence built from advanced mana stone, Ethan followed suit, using mana stone to construct his own house nearby. "One should never stop learning. If we talk about sheer indulgence, I''m nowhere near Velen''s level!" Ethan sighed with admiration, his gaze toward Velen growing increasingly complex. How could someone be this rich and extravagant? After finishing the palace built with advanced mana stone, Velen lay down inside to rest. The strong mana fluctuations emanating from the advanced mana stone made the place pleasantly cool in summer and warm in winter. And because advanced mana stone could absorb mana on its own, there was barely any consumption¡ªpure luxury. Soon, morning arrived. Boom! A deafening roar suddenly resounded from above the planet. A surge of devastating thunder energy instantly jolted Ethan awake from his sleep, his eyes wide with fear. "Thunder Tide!" When he saw the thunderstorm gathering above, his heart was filled with shock. This Thunder Tide had reached the strength of a fifth-wave Thunder Tide! It was the same level he had once endured! It was powerful enough to heavily damage this planet! Yet, there was no sign of human habitation here, nor did anyone seem to be undergoing tribulation. Why would such a terrifying thunderstorm appear? As his confusion deepened, he suddenly noticed Velen in the distance, activating scrolls one after another. Every time a scroll was unfurled, terrifying thunder energy erupted from it! The thunderstorm in the sky seemed to be summoned by Velen! Realizing this, a chill ran down Ethan''s spine! A fifth-wave Thunder Tide was powerful enough to wipe out all life within a hundred miles. It was a force belonging to the heavens, usually only triggered by Ascended Rank awakeners. Yet now, this horrifying force was being manipulated by Velen! Not just once, but repeatedly! In the blink of an eye, a thousand thunderclouds densely packed the sky, covering the entire planet¡ªlike a vast thunder nebula! Was Velen showing off his wealth again? But this time, his display of wealth was too terrifying! sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Just sensing the terrifying thunder energy in the sky made it difficult for Ethan to breathe! This was way too dangerous! A single Thunder Tide was already terrifying enough. Now, there were a thousand of them! He had no doubt this entire planet would be reduced to ashes under the assault of the Thunder Tides! The most horrifying part? He had just witnessed with his own eyes that these Thunder Tides were being summoned by Velen''s scrolls! This was absolutely insane! Even though he knew Velen, as a tycoon, possessed all sorts of unimaginable treasures, he was still utterly shocked! "Velen, you¡­ what are you doing?" He trembled as he approached Velen, completely lacking the composure of an Ascended Rank awakener. The sheer number of Thunder Tides had scared him senseless. "I''m just bored, so I thought I''d put on a little thunder firework show," Velen said casually, gazing at the dense thunderclouds in the sky. In reality, this was a special system-generated product for the day¡ªone thousand Thunder Tide scrolls! The power of these things was immense, and since he had no other use for them, he decided to activate them all at once and enjoy a grand fireworks display! Hearing this, Ethan had no words to describe his emotions. Fear, shock, speechlessness, envy¡­ a mix of countless feelings overwhelmed him. He didn''t know what kind of scrolls Velen was using, but anything capable of summoning Thunder Tides had to be extraordinary. After all, the thing Ascended Rank awakeners feared the most was Thunder Tides! They were catastrophes that could utterly obliterate one''s soul! Just possessing one such scroll could turn the tide of a battle. Yet now, Velen was squandering so many of them as fireworks! "Let''s go. These Thunder Tides are almost ready. We should watch from a distance¡ªit''ll be a truly spectacular display," Velen said with a smile. Ethan shuddered and immediately took Velen away from the planet. Being locked onto by a thousand Thunder Tides¡ªstaying here any longer was suicidal! Even though he had endured five Thunder Tides before, he didn''t dare mess with this. ¡­ Inside the Tarot Order. The crown-wearing Speaker''s face suddenly turned pale. The Eye of Fate on his forehead dimmed, and his expression was filled with horror! "The terrifying being that destroyed the Triad Sanctum¡­ its power is too terrifying! It actually summoned a thousand Thunder Tides¡­ Can such a power even exist in this world?" He had just used the Eye of Fate to peer into the scene and was left with a memory he would never forget! A blurry figure was summoning one Thunder Tide after another. The terrifying thunder energy distorted space-time. Even his brief glimpse had caused him to suffer backlash and injury to his soul! It was unimaginable! The Thunder Tide, a force wielded by the heavens, was now being controlled by another being¡ªone who could summon a thousand of them at once! What kind of terrifying existence had the Triad Sanctum provoked? ¡­ At that moment, as Ethan took Velen away from the planet, the fully charged thunder energy finally erupted. With a deafening explosion, a mountain range on the planet was instantly reduced to blackened dust. Countless silver lightning bolts crackled wildly. The mountain collapsed, forming a massive abyss thousands of meters wide! And as the first strike fell, the rest followed like a torrential storm. In an instant, the planet was engulfed in a cataclysm of explosions, fire, and lightning! The massive planet shattered into pieces, bursting like a brilliant firework in the dark void of space! Even from vast distances away, the dazzling light was clearly visible, turning the pitch-black universe as bright as day! "Not bad, not bad!" Velen clapped his hands in satisfaction. Chapter 91 - Chapter91-Where the Army Passes, Not Even Grass Remains Soon, the third day passed. Velen used all 1,000 special item enhancement runes generated by the system to strengthen his magic carpet, greatly enhancing its speed and defense to an unprecedented level! On the fourth day, Velen directly merged the 100 crystal ore veins refreshed by the system into a barren planet they passed by. These crystal ore veins were extremely special. Given enough time, they could continuously produce mana stones and gradually alter the surrounding environment. For any major power in the universe, such resources were an invaluable foundation. Ethan watched Velen''s actions with a bleeding heart. Crystal ore veins could absorb mana on their own and were essentially mana sources. Even the most powerful factions in many star systems did not have crystal ore veins as their foundation. Yet now, Velen was squandering them in this manner. After Ethan''s desperate pleading, Velen finally agreed to leave him one. By the fifth day, Ethan was on the verge of a complete breakdown. Because he witnessed Velen scattering a thousand A-rank or higher skill books onto a primitive tribal planet, causing the inhabitants to revere him as a god! "Velen is too extravagant! It has only been five days, yet the resources he has squandered¡­ If measured in mana stones, even the top forces of ten star systems combined couldn''t afford it!" "What kind of unfathomable background does he have?" Ethan increasingly felt that Velen was beyond comprehension. At the same time, he was beginning to understand why the five senators of the Ducal Manor had been so supportive of Velen''s previous extravagant actions. The truth was simply that Velen was too rich. So rich that treasures rare even in the vast universe were as common as cabbages in his hands! "Sigh, we should be arriving at the Triad Sanctum tomorrow. I wonder what other treasures he''ll squander¡­" Mentally shattered by Velen''s constant displays of wealth, Ethan glanced at the peacefully sleeping Velen with a look of curiosity. He finally understood¡ªVelen, this supreme account, simply couldn''t go a day without wasting something. It was as if his body would itch if he didn''t. Inside the Triad Sanctum. "Sophia Saintess, the time is almost up. We should start figuring out how to take that special treasure away. Otherwise, the calamity that will soon destroy the Triad Sanctum might drag us down with it." Kelsey anxiously approached Sophia. Ever since Sophia had arrived at the Triad Sanctum, she hadn''t been in a hurry to seek out the special treasure. Instead, she had been leisurely vacationing and sightseeing as if she were on holiday. Kelsey couldn''t make sense of it, and his worry only grew. "I don''t care if I die here, but you are the hope of our Tarot Order. You absolutely cannot afford to be harmed!" Seeing Kelsey''s grim expression, Sophia adjusted her sunglasses and replied indifferently: "Councilor Kelsey, no need to be so anxious. When I activated the Blood Tarot Cards, I actually received two revelations. There''s still one more!" Hearing her serious tone, Kelsey suppressed his impatience and asked, "What''s the other revelation?" "Timing! The best timing for us to take the treasure!" Sophia narrowed her eyes. "If we try to claim the treasure before the Triad Sanctum''s destruction, we will almost certainly die. The Triad Sanctum will never hand over the treasure willingly¡ªin fact, they might even try to kill us." "The optimal time is actually when the Triad Sanctum is on the brink of annihilation. That will be our best chance to take the treasure and bring it back!" When Sophia first received this revelation, she had been equally shocked. After all, it defied logic! The Triad Sanctum''s impending doom was undoubtedly a terrifying event. They were a formidable force with powerful means, and when faced with existential crisis, they would likely become desperate and slaughter everyone indiscriminately. From what she knew of the Triad Sanctum, this was entirely possible. Moreover, the force capable of annihilating the Triad Sanctum must be extraordinarily powerful. Once the Triad Sanctum was destroyed, the Tarot Order''s treasure would inevitably fall into their hands, making it nearly impossible to reclaim. No matter how one looked at it, staying here was incredibly dangerous and unrealistic. Yet, the Blood Tarot Cards had made it clear¡ªstaying was their best chance. She didn''t fully understand why, but she trusted the guidance of the Blood Tarot Cards. So, she simply relaxed and waited comfortably. ¡­ As the sixth day arrived, Ethan, pushing the magic carpet forward at an accelerated pace, froze when he saw the storage pouch Velen handed him. "One hundred thousand 1st-level spellbeast mana crystals? And you want me to throw them away?" Although 1st-level spellbeast mana crystals were worth only a few hundred mana stones each, a total of 100,000 meant a fortune of several million mana stones! For the vast majority of awakeners, this was an astronomical sum. However, upon further reflection, compared to the resources Velen had squandered before, these 100,000 mana crystals seemed insignificant. Thus, Ethan swallowed his reluctance and began tossing the 1st-level mana crystals along the way. By midday, he had finally finished scattering all of them. Since Velen had wasted so many previous resources, these mana crystals¡ªworth millions¡ªnow seemed to Ethan like an example of extreme frugality. "Velen, the very center of the valley ahead is the headquarters of the Triad Sanctum!" Suddenly, Ethan stepped in front of Velen, his expression grave. The Triad Sanctum had many powerful awakeners, and, more importantly, they were ruthless. Even top factions held a degree of apprehension toward them. Now, with just the two of them approaching, they needed to be extremely cautious. After all, they were here to annihilate the Triad Sanctum. Ethan didn''t know what kind of trump card Velen had, but after witnessing his extravagant waste along the way, he understood one thing¡ª The Triad Sanctum had provoked the wrong person! No matter what ruthless methods or hidden cards they possessed, there was no escaping their destruction at Velen''s hands! "So, we''ve finally arrived." Velen stood up from the magic carpet, stretched his body, and then took out a gleaming suit of armor from his storage pouch, putting it on. The dazzling golden armor radiated a powerful aura, making him look like a battle-hardened general. However, behind him, Ethan rubbed his forehead in exasperation. This was the armor Velen had forced him to forge from Starry Stone during their journey. Originally, Ethan could have crafted something imposing and majestic. But for some inexplicable reason, Velen insisted it be golden and shimmering¡ªturning what was meant to be a mighty suit of armor into something that reeked of nouveau riche vulgarity. It was the ultimate insult to Ethan''s craftsmanship! The only silver lining was that this armor had consumed so much Starry Stone that the previously planned Starry Stone toilet had to be postponed. "Senator Ethan, didn''t you ask me before why I wanted golden armor? Now, I''ll give you the answer!" With that, Velen raised his golden longsword high and shouted, "Come forth, Tycoon Guardian!" At that moment, the surrounding space fell into an eerie silence. Then, thunderclouds began to churn violently across the sky. Bolts of lightning, thick as bowls, flickered and crackled, tearing through the heavens. Standing beneath the surging lightning, Ethan felt his legs go weak. He nearly collapsed to the ground. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Though he didn''t know exactly what was happening, the terrifying aura in the sky was suffocating him! This thunder was far more powerful than anything he had ever faced! From within its raging depths, he could even sense the wrath of the heavens. What in the world had Velen done to enrage the heavens so? Just as his thoughts were in turmoil, a massive black rift, tens of thousands of meters long, suddenly split open in the void before Velen. One after another, towering, formidable figures emerged in perfect formation from the fissure. Each was clad in golden armor that gleamed brilliantly, exuding an indescribable aura of dominance! The aura of every single figure was unimaginably powerful¡ªso much so that Ethan could barely breathe. As these terrifying warriors appeared, the thunderclouds above churned even more violently, crackling with divine wrath. Yet, despite the fury of the heavens, the guardians remained indifferent. Instead, they exuded an overwhelming killing intent¡ªready to clash head-on with the heavens themselves! Chapter 92 - Chapter92-Sergei’s Fear Ethan nearly wet himself upon witnessing the heavens'' wrathful thunder being suppressed and forced back by an endless wave of blood-colored killing intent! Each and every one of these guards was stronger than himself¡ªnot only in power but in their sheer disregard for the heavens. Their contempt was something he could never hope to match! The roaring of the heavens meant nothing to them, as if they were merely watching a rabid stray dog barking in futile rage. "Velen, the commotion you''re making is way too big! I have a weak heart¡ªdon''t scare me like this!" Ethan''s breath came in rapid gasps, his legs trembling as he stared at Velen in disbelief. Although he had never doubted Velen''s ability to annihilate the Triad Sanctum, any one of these guards gave him the impression that they alone could wipe out the entire faction. And yet¡­ Velen brought ten thousand of them?! Was there even a shred of fairness left?! ¡­ Compared to Ethan''s shock, the members of the Triad Sanctum were utterly terrified as they gazed at the churning thunderclouds above. "Even the will of the heavens has been alarmed? What on earth is happening?" "This thunder¡­ it''s terrifying. It could easily obliterate our planet dozens of times over!" "It seems to be drawn to that dazzling golden light. What in the world could provoke such fury from the heavens?" "What the hell?! Why is something like this happening on our planet?!" At the forefront stood the Great Senator Charles, his face dark as iron as he stared at the endless sea of lightning clouds. This thunderstorm was far too terrifying¡ªeven he wouldn''t dare to touch a single bolt for fear of being instantly obliterated. Who was the damned fool that had enraged the heavens here? If they wanted to seek their own death, fine¡ªbut why drag the rest of them down with them? Did they have no shame? No sense of responsibility?! Charles seethed with fury. As ruthless and unscrupulous as he was, even he couldn''t compare to someone who would dare provoke the wrath of the heavens itself. If that fury truly descended upon them, no matter how hard the Triad Sanctum fought, it would all be for nothing. They would be erased from existence. As Charles stood there, his expression growing darker, he suddenly noticed a figure emerging from the back mountain. The previous Grand Master Sergei had arrived, tightly gripping a skeletal staff as he rushed to the scene. The gathered members of the Triad Sanctum let out a collective sigh of relief upon seeing Sergei. But Charles'' expression only grew colder. Because he noticed¡ªSergei''s five skeletal fingers were clutching the staff so tightly that his knuckles had turned white. Clearly, he, too, feared the sudden eruption of the Judgment of RULEs! And Sergei''s strength far surpassed his own. If even Sergei was this wary, then the Triad Sanctum was in extreme danger! At that moment, Sergei''s cold gaze suddenly locked onto Charles. Then, in an emotionless tone, he questioned him icily, "Charles, tell me the truth¡ªwhat have you done recently? Who have you offended? Why has such a catastrophe descended upon the Triad Sanctum?" Under Sergei''s aura, Charles felt an enormous pressure weigh down on him. He had no idea why he was suddenly being questioned. He had been inside the Triad Sanctum this entire time, focused on advancing his power¡ªhe hadn''t provoked anyone! His utterly bewildered expression only infuriated Sergei further. But now wasn''t the time to point fingers. S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Sweeping his gaze across everyone present, Sergei quickly issued a command: "All of you¡ªprepare yourselves! Whoever is approaching is not friendly. Whether it be the dense thunderclouds or that blinding golden light, they are closing in on us!" "If you wish to survive, do not hold back¡ªotherwise, we will all die here!" Sergei''s expression was grim to the extreme. "You should all be able to feel it clearly¡ªjust one attack from either that thunder or the golden light would be enough to annihilate every single one of us!" Despite Sergei''s dire warning, some of the Triad Sanctum''s powerhouses remained unconvinced. "Grand Master, I admit that the wrath of the heavens and that golden light are terrifying¡ªbut we are not weak either. If we work together, we may not need to fear whoever provoked this divine anger!" "Exactly! The one who provoked the heavens still has to deal with them. We can wait for the right moment to strike!" Unlike Sergei''s growing fear, most of the senators of the Triad Sanctum remained calm, barely taking the situation seriously. Sergei let out a cold, furious laugh. "I told you all to focus on improving yourselves, but none of you ever listened. Now, you can''t even grasp the true danger right in front of you! How utterly disgraceful!" His icy gaze swept across the assembled Triad Sanctum elites. "Do you fools have any idea why the wrath of the heavens has been gathering for so long but hasn''t fallen yet?" "Do you think it''s still building up power?" "Wrong! It does not dare to fall!" "Even the heavens itself fears the being who stands beneath its fury!" Impossible! At those words, disbelief flashed through the minds of the Triad Sanctum''s powerhouses. The heavens were the most terrifying existence across all star systems. No awakener, no matter how powerful, could ever stand against it. All were forced to submit to its will. How could there possibly be an existence in this star system that even the heavens feared?! It was completely illogical! Yet, as they gazed at Sergei''s trembling, near-desperate expression, they knew¡­ He was not lying. Panic rapidly spread across their faces. If even the heavens are afraid¡­ then just how terrifying is this being?! ¡­ "Master, shall we proceed with the attack on the Triad Sanctum?" Now gathered in perfect formation, ten thousand elite Guardians stood beside Velen, awaiting his command. As for the thunderclouds raging above? They knew it was nothing but a paper tiger. Not even worth mentioning. Velen surveyed the assembled Guardians with satisfaction before nodding. "Good. Move out¡ªflatten the Triad Sanctum!" "Those who perform exceptionally well today will have the chance to become true Guardians!" The moment the Guardians-in-training heard this, their eyes blazed with fervor. This was their greatest dream! Now, the opportunity had finally arrived. They were ready. "Master, rest assured! When we strike, we never disappoint!" The golden-armored commander at the front spoke with unwavering conviction. Velen nodded, then turned to Ethan, who was still reeling from shock. "Master Ethan, lead the way." "We need to wipe out the Triad Sanctum as quickly as possible¡ªI have other matters to attend to." "With the Guardians protecting you, you don''t need to worry about anything. Just go for it!" Hearing this, Ethan felt a surge of confidence. While he was a top powerhouse in his star system, he still lacked the absolute strength to command at will. But with the Guardians-in-training backing him¡­ he had nothing to fear. Still, he hesitated. "Velen¡­ will they really listen to our commands?" After all, these warriors were leagues beyond his own strength. Even with Velen, he couldn''t help but feel intimidated. Velen chuckled knowingly. "Don''t worry. With my command, they will obey you." "If you order someone to be wiped out, they''ll be wiped out¡ªno questions asked." Ethan had always been cooperative with Velen''s plans, so Velen decided to let him enjoy himself. To truly understand what it meant to wield absolute power. "Alright, alright! No problem, Velen¡ªthis time, the Triad Sanctum will learn to fear us!" Laughing boldly, Ethan led the vast army toward the Triad Sanctum. ¡­ Meanwhile, at the Triad Sanctum''s perimeter, every senator and disciple had gathered, standing guard with solemn expressions. "Alert! Alert! An unidentified force is rapidly approaching!" "Who dares to defy the wrath of the heavens?!" At someone''s sudden shout, every eye turned toward the horizon. There, the clash of dark thunderclouds and blinding golden killing intent surged forward at terrifying speed. Charles'' expression grew grim. Sergei tightened his grip on his staff. They could all feel it. An overwhelming pressure bearing down on them. They were not the enemy''s match. But surrender without a fight? Never. Chapter 93 - Chapter93-Defying the Heavens, the Speechless Firmament "Charles, long time no see!" As the members of the Triad Sanctum stared at the thunderclouds in the distance, Ethan''s deafening roar suddenly rang out from not far away. Immediately, everyone present turned their attention to the source of the voice¡ªonly for their faces to turn deathly pale in unison. Not far away, an army of towering figures clad in golden armor approached, each one exuding an aura of invincible gods descending upon the mortal world. As this army drew near, the Triad Sanctum''s members felt an overwhelming sense of dread. The mana within their bodies was severely suppressed! The pressure these warriors exerted was even greater than that of former Grand Master Sergei, the most powerful figure they knew! Every single one of these golden-armored awakener warriors was stronger than Sergei! The pupils of the Triad Sanctum members shrank violently, unable to believe what they were seeing. Only after this initial shock did they finally shift their attention to the seemingly insignificant Ethan. In their memories, Ethan had always been a formidable powerhouse¡ªyet now, standing amidst this golden tidal wave of warriors, he looked utterly insignificant. But what caught their attention even more was the man standing beside Ethan¡ªa golden-clad leader whose sheer presence alone exuded an indomitable aura that made it hard to breathe. "Brothers, that guy¡ªand him, that fat one¡ªthey all mocked me before!" At that moment, Ethan swept his gaze across Charles and the others, calling them out by name. Whoosh! Whoosh! The moment his words fell, a series of piercing wind howls erupted¡ªslicing through the void and locking onto the targets Ethan had pointed out. In the blink of an eye, before they could even react, their bodies were torn apart, blood splattering everywhere. Those standing beside them were instantly drenched in fresh blood, their bodies trembling uncontrollably from terror. After all, the fallen had been just as strong as they were. If these mysterious golden-armored beings could slaughter them in an instant, then they could just as easily be next! For a moment, the Triad Sanctum fell into a deathly silence. "Ahh, that was satisfying!" Seeing his long-time tormentors eliminated so effortlessly, Ethan felt a wave of euphoria wash over him. This absolute control over life and death intoxicated him¡ªit was the taste of power he had never known before. He understood all too well¡ªif not for Velen, he could never have commanded these terrifying golden-armored guards, each of whom far surpassed him in strength! After dealing with those he loathed, Ethan immediately retreated behind Velen. Seeing this, Velen smiled slightly, then swept his gaze across Charles, Sergei, and the rest. The Triad Sanctum was far stronger than rumors suggested. Each of its members exuded an unusual energy, clearly having cultivated forbidden techniques distinct from those of normal awakeners. "Today marks the end of the Triad Sanctum¡ªkill them all!" Velen waved his hand, issuing the command. At his side, a particularly burly golden-armored guard hesitated for a moment before leaning in and whispering: "Master, how would you like us to exterminate them?" Hearing this question, Velen instinctively replied, "Kill them however you want. There''s no need to ask me." The burly guard grinned upon hearing this and suggested, "Master, since our arrival has disrupted the balance of this star system and drawn the wrath of the heavens, why not use that wrath to annihilate the Triad Sanctum?" To these golden-armored guards, the Triad Sanctum was nothing more than a trivial faction they could wipe out with a single hand. However, since this was their chance to demonstrate their loyalty, they naturally wanted to show off their ingenuity before Velen. Hearing this, Velen was impressed. After all, the wrath of the heavens was a force feared by nearly all factions in the star system¡ªa power none dared to defy. Yet this golden-armored guard intended to harness it for their own use¡ªutterly disregarding the heavens'' authority! Such arrogance, such defiance of the divine¡ªVelen loved it. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Since he was now in a world where strength reigned supreme, there was no reason to fear the heavens! "Good, good! You''re thinking the right way. We awakeners exist to defy the heavens!" "Rebelling against fate¡ªthat is our true calling!" Hearing this, Velen felt even more emboldened. Why should he give the heavens any respect? The heavens were not something to revere¡ªthey were meant to be trampled underfoot! "Go ahead and use the heavens'' wrath to wipe out the Triad Sanctum!" "Those in the Triad Sanctum have all walked the path of corruption¡ªtheir sins are unforgivable. What better way to send them to hell than with the very lightning they fear?!" Just as he finished speaking, a system prompt suddenly appeared before his eyes: "Reminder: Your mentee Sophia is still inside the Triad Sanctum. Take care not to harm her!" Velen quickly added, "Make sure to protect my mentee!" "Understood, Master!" With that, the terrifying golden-armored guards swiftly dispersed, positioning themselves across various points in the Triad Sanctum. They then forcibly seized control of the thunderbolts in the sky, condensing them into thick, bowl-sized lightning spears, before hurling them down at the Triad Sanctum below. The already terrified members of the Triad Sanctum were completely paralyzed with fear as the golden-armored guards began their assault. Yet, as the overwhelming presence of death settled over them, their faces twisted with desperation and madness. "Fight! Even if we can''t win, we''ll take a piece of their flesh with us!" Realizing they were outmatched, the Triad Sanctum''s warriors unleashed their deadliest, most forbidden techniques. In an instant¡ª Venomous insects, mummies, spellbeasts, and cursed relics tainted with dark energy erupted from within the Triad Sanctum. From a distance, the entire Triad Sanctum seemed to transform into a nightmarish, poison-ridden abyss, filled with the vilest dark arts the star system had ever known. Even the Triad Sanctum''s own members shuddered at the sheer malevolence of the battlefield. However¡ª Just as their forbidden arsenal reached its peak, the golden-armored guards'' lightning descended from the heavens. BOOM! The sky tore apart as lightning obliterated the dark mist, instantly eradicating countless venomous creatures and spellbeasts, reducing much of the Triad Sanctum to ashes. In the face of the relentless lightning assault, the forbidden arts of the Triad Sanctum were utterly destroyed in mere moments. Within just a few breaths, the once-expanding corrupt mist was completely purged by divine thunder, and most of the Triad Sanctum''s members were reduced to nothing but charred remains. Standing beside Velen, Ethan trembled uncontrollably at the sight. On the journey here, he had tried to imagine how Velen would obliterate the Triad Sanctum¡ªbut witnessing it firsthand, he realized¡­ His imagination had been too limited. Velen''s methods were beyond comprehension! Even the wrath of the heavens was nothing more than his plaything. "Following Velen truly opens one''s eyes to the real world¡­" Ethan couldn''t help but mutter in awe. Velen, meanwhile, watched the destruction unfold with great interest. At this moment, the wrath of the heavens was no longer free to act¡ªthe golden-armored guards had enslaved it, using it as a mere battery to fuel their relentless lightning onslaught. They were like divine envoys of thunder, bringing apocalyptic judgment upon the Triad Sanctum. Chapter 94 - Chapter94-The Guidance of the Blood Tarot Cards Kelsey''s heart was in turmoil as he looked at the ever-composed Sophia, feeling even more anxious. Given the current situation, how could Sophia Saintess remain so calm, leisurely sipping wine as if nothing was happening? He was on the verge of a breakdown. "Relax. According to the guidance of the Blood Tarot Cards, we won''t be in any danger. All we need to do is stay put." Seeing Kelsey''s face filled with worry, Sophia handed him a glass of red wine, smiling softly. Kelsey, however, had no interest in drinking. "Sophia Saintess, you stay here¡ªI have to go out and see what''s happening!" The chaotic energy outside made it impossible for Kelsey to sit still. He had to find out what was going on. Without another word, he hurriedly pushed open the door. But the moment the door swung open, his pupils contracted sharply, his face filled with horror and shock. He saw thousands upon thousands of lightning bolts crashing down from the sky, densely raining down upon the Triad Sanctum, reducing the entire land to scorched devastation¡ªnothing survived! At that instant, only one thought filled Kelsey''s mind: I acted too rashly! With a loud creak, he quickly shut the door again. Just sensing the heavenly lightning''s power made his scalp tingle. If one of those bolts struck him, he was certain he would be vaporized instantly! "What''s the matter, Councilor Kelsey? Weren''t you going out to investigate? Why aren''t you leaving?" Sophia took another sip of wine, smiling as she spoke. Kelsey coughed awkwardly, then hastily made an excuse: "Ah, well¡­ I was just worried about Sophia Saintess'' safety! At such a critical moment, I must stay by your side to protect you!" Sophia simply nodded, saying nothing more. She had clearly noticed the terror on Kelsey''s face¡ªit was obvious that the outside world had already become a living hell. Though she had expected this outcome¡ªafter all, the Blood Tarot Cards had clearly foretold that the Triad Sanctum would be annihilated today, leaving no survivors¡ªshe was still astonished. After spending several days inside the Triad Sanctum, she had come to fully grasp its strength. The Triad Sanctum had hidden a great deal of power and secret techniques¡ªthey were easily on par with the true top factions. Even if multiple top factions joined forces, they might not be able to completely destroy the Triad Sanctum. Yet, the Blood Tarot Cards had predicted that the Triad Sanctum would undoubtedly be erased today, and that staying here was the safest course of action. Furthermore, they had indicated that the Tarot Order''s sacred treasure would be delivered to her. She had no idea why, but she trusted the guidance of the Blood Tarot Cards completely. All her questions would soon be answered. In fact, Sophia couldn''t help but feel that the reason the Blood Tarot Cards had chosen her as the most suitable recipient was connected to the next revelation. Otherwise, she might have perished here like the others. "Why was my fate altered? Why didn''t I die here?" Sophia was puzzled. Meanwhile, as countless lightning bolts rained down, most of the Triad Sanctum''s members had been reduced to ashes. Amidst the relentless storm, former Grand Master Sergei glared furiously at Charles, his eyes burning with rage. If it hadn''t been for Charles provoking an unimaginable enemy, the Triad Sanctum wouldn''t have ended up in this catastrophic situation! Under Sergei''s furious gaze, Charles felt nothing but grievance. He never expected Ethan to bring such a terrifying force to back him up! "The other members of the Triad Sanctum have been eliminated¡ªit''s time to send these two on their way as well." Velen observed for a moment before deciding to end it all. However, just as he was about to give the command, a system notification suddenly sounded in his ears. "Reminder: The former Grand Master Sergei possesses a sacred treasure of the Tarot Order that your mentee, Sophia, requires!" Hearing this, Velen''s gaze turned cold as he looked at Sergei. "You old geezer¡­ why do you have something my mentee needs?" The moment he spoke, two golden-armored guards locked their fierce gazes on Sergei. With a single kick each, they sent Sergei flying to the ground before Velen''s feet. "The Master asked you a question¡ªanswer properly!" Sergei groaned in pain, his entire body aching from the forceful kicks. Then, under Velen''s sharp scrutiny, he was utterly dumbfounded. Mentee? Who?! Sergei''s eyes widened. He had been inside the Triad Sanctum all this time¡ªhe had never left. How could he possibly have something that belonged to Velen''s mentee?! Then, realization dawned¡ªthis must be a fabricated accusation! This demon wanted an excuse to torture him further! This man was too ruthless¡ªnot only did he want to torment his body, but he was now toying with his mind as well! Though Sergei had committed many atrocities in the past, he had behaved himself for the last few years. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Taking a deep breath to suppress his anger, he immediately pleaded with Velen: "Big brother, I don''t know what I did to offend you, but please¡ªlook at how sincere I am in admitting my mistakes! Spare my life!" A man under the eaves must bow his head. Velen was too mysterious, and Sergei knew that his only chance was to beg for forgiveness. As long as he survived, there was still hope. However, in Velen''s eyes, this was nothing more than Sergei refusing to admit his guilt and holding onto the treasure. Trying to fool me when the system already confirmed it? "You haven''t suffered enough¡ªbeat him!" Velen''s expression darkened as he gave the order. Without hesitation, the golden-armored guards unleashed a ruthless beating on Sergei. Even without using mana, their bodies were as tough as legendary artifacts, making their attacks unbearable for Sergei. As blows rained down, he howled in agony. Watching this, Ethan couldn''t help but feel that Sergei was lucky¡ªat least Velen hadn''t summoned the one-eyed red-haired warrior. If that guy had shown up, this would have been far worse than a simple beating. For ten full minutes, they beat Sergei mercilessly. Yet, seeing that he still refused to hand over the treasure, Velen sneered. "Didn''t expect you to have such a backbone¡ªI like that." Hearing this, the golden-armored guards intensified their attacks. Previously, they had held back for fear of accidentally killing him, but now that they saw how tough he was, they struck even harder. After another ten minutes of relentless beating, Sergei still didn''t speak. Velen laughed in amusement. "Still won''t hand it over? Fine¡ªkeep going! Let''s see how long he can hold out!" Seeing how durable Sergei was, the golden-armored guards became even more excited¡ªthey were thrilled to have something to play with. At this point, Sergei was completely broken. Struggling to speak through his swollen face, he croaked out: "Big brother¡­ if you want me to hand over your mentee''s item¡­ could you at least tell me who your mentee is? And what the item even is?" After all, he had committed so many crimes in his lifetime, he had no idea what Velen was talking about. Seeing that Sergei was finally yielding, Velen declared: "The item¡­ I don''t actually know what it is." Sergei: "¡­" For a moment, he wanted to curse out loud. Was Velen just playing with him this whole time?! This man was a demon! Chapter 95 - Chapter95-Meeting Sophia Again If Velen had truly attacked the Triad Sanctum just for this matter, wouldn''t that be an unimaginable injustice? And if Velen had falsely accused them just as an excuse to act, wouldn''t that be an even greater injustice?! Sergei''s heart bled at the thought. But what could he do? Velen was simply too powerful. In this world where the strong devoured the weak, he could only swallow his grievances and accept reality. With trembling hands, he quickly retrieved an ancient chessboard from his robes and handed it over to Velen, his voice quivering. "Big brother¡­ is this what you were looking for? This is the W¨¤n Gu¨® Chessboard, the sacred treasure of the Tarot Order, which I borrowed!" Ethan, seeing this, suddenly felt a bit awkward. He quickly transmitted a message to Velen: "Velen, I think we may have¡­ wrongly accused him." "This item is a sacred relic of the Tarot Order. When it was borrowed all those years ago, it caused quite a stir." As a master forger, Ethan was extremely knowledgeable about such legendary artifacts. However, Velen remained unfazed. "Senator Ethan, I gave him a chance earlier. If he had handed it over sooner, would he have needed to suffer like this?" "Besides, this is a trivial matter. The Triad Sanctum has been wreaking havoc for years. You all have been angry but afraid to act¡ªso today, I''m delivering justice in your stead!" Velen didn''t feel the slightest bit of regret. With a calm expression, he continued, "Besides, we''ve already become enemies with the Triad Sanctum. Should we just leave them be and let them plot against us later?" Upon learning about the Triad Sanctum''s heinous deeds, Velen had already passed judgment on them. "They''re nothing but a bunch of clowns¡ªbut I don''t want distractions at critical moments. The lives of my people are worth far more than every single member of the Triad Sanctum combined!" "And besides¡ªmy guards rarely get to come out and have fun. They should enjoy themselves!" Hearing these words, the golden-armored guards were deeply moved. Each of them placed their right hand over their heart and solemnly vowed: "Master, we swear our eternal loyalty¡ªwe will never betray you!" Their combined voices shook the heavens. Watching this unfold, Sergei nearly lost his mind. He, an Ascended Rank Level 9 awakener, who had survived seven waves of the Thunder Tides¡ª Was now being used as a mere stepping stone to win over Velen''s subordinates?! This was pure cruelty! "Fine! If you won''t let me live, then don''t blame me for what happens next!" A furious Sergei burst into laughter, then forcefully compressed his mana core, preparing to self-destruct. "Velen! He''s going to self-destruct!" Sensing the chaotic energy within Sergei, Ethan''s face paled with panic. At Sergei''s level, a self-destruction of his mana core would annihilate everything within dozens of miles. And with them standing so close, the impact would be disastrous! Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. However¡ª Just as Ethan finished speaking, one of the towering golden-armored guards beside Velen casually slapped Sergei away. With a single slap, he sent Sergei flying, instantly disrupting the unstable compression of mana in his core. The self-destruction was completely neutralized. Ethan sucked in a sharp breath. Sergei''s explosion had been imminent. Yet, this golden-armored guard had casually slapped him away and forcefully dispersed the mana buildup?! What kind of monstrous reaction speed and strength was this?! Even self-destruction wasn''t an option before Velen?! Sergei, dizzy from the slap, was utterly shocked to his core. Even though he was injured, he was still a top-tier awakener. But now, one of Velen''s ordinary guards had easily overpowered him?! Despair filled his heart. Even if he had successfully self-destructed, he doubted it would have harmed Velen or his people at all. How could they be this strong?! Having roamed the star systems for years, Sergei''s entire worldview was collapsing. Meanwhile, Velen turned to the burly golden-armored guard who had struck Sergei, a pleased expression on his face. "What''s your name?" "Master, everything I am belongs to you! Please bestow a name upon me!" The burly guard responded with excitement. Velen, though knowing he was flattering him, still found his words pleasing. Thinking for a moment, he said: "You''re quick with your words and even quicker with your hands. From now on, you will be called Victor One." "You are the first I''ve named¡ªdon''t disappoint me." Hearing this, the burly golden-armored guard''s face flushed with excitement. He pounded his chest hard, his voice full of determination. "Victor One will never disappoint you, Master!" The surrounding guards all clenched their fists in frustration. Such an incredible opportunity had just slipped through their fingers! However, after a moment of disappointment, they became excited again¡ª Since Victor One had received a name, it meant that they also had a chance! Having a name was the greatest honor they could receive! "He''s a natural-born leader¡­ He has endless ways to win people over." Watching all this unfold, Sergei couldn''t help but feel a mix of admiration and dread. Even though they were enemies, he couldn''t deny that Velen was a truly terrifying figure. But just as he sighed in admiration, Velen turned to look at him again. "Send them on their way. It''s time to head back." Sergei''s face froze. He had just praised Velen¡ªand this was how he was repaid?! And if they were going to kill him anyway, then why stop him from self-destructing earlier?! The realization struck him like lightning¡ª After a lifetime of manipulating others¡­ he was now being played with himself. How ironic. Just as the thought crossed his mind, countless attacks rained down on him in an instant. Before he could react¡ª His body evaporated into nothingness. Not even a trace remained. Watching Sergei and Charles vanish into ashes, Ethan felt dazed. These were figures even he had feared¡ªrenowned awakeners across the star system. Yet before Velen, they had ceased to exist with just a word. The sheer shock and awe of this realization left an unshakable imprint on his soul. Velen lightly patted Ethan''s shoulder. "Let''s go, Senator Ethan. Time to deliver this to my mentee." Hearing this, Ethan snapped back to reality. One thought dominated his mind¡ª For the rest of his life, he had only one goal: to cling tightly to Velen''s thigh! As Velen and Ethan departed, the golden-armored guards reluctantly stepped into the void, one after another, disappearing. Inside the only remaining hall amid the scorched ruins¡­ Sophia looked at Kelsey, who had fainted from shock, her expression twitching. Hadn''t he just said he would protect her? How did he faint at the crucial moment?! Sophia sighed, then suddenly saw the closed doors slowly push open. A figure clad in golden armor strode into the hall. A powerful, invisible aura filled the air. Behind him, a sturdy dwarf followed. Sophia''s expression turned serious. But just as she was about to speak, the golden-armored man removed his golden mask. "Sophia, how have you been? Did you miss me?" At that familiar voice¡ª Sophia gasped in shock. "Mentor?!" Recognizing Velen''s smiling face, she leaped forward excitedly and threw herself into his arms. "Mentor! What are you doing here? I missed you so much!" Behind Velen, Ethan stood frozen, utterly dumbfounded. Chapter 96 - Chapter96-Eye of Annihilation Velen had previously mentioned that Sophia was his mentee, but Ethan still had some doubts. After all, Velen had also said that Sophia was the saintess of the Tarot Order. The saintess of the Tarot Order¡ªher status and strength were both extraordinary. How could she possibly be Velen''s mentee? But now, Sophia had personally admitted it! Clearly, she truly was Velen''s mentee! Velen was simply incredible! Within the Titan Galaxy, the strongest faction had never been definitively identified. After all, for so many years, internal conflicts within Titan Galaxy were rare, and top forces had always concealed part of their strength. Thus, the true dominant force in Titan Galaxy remained uncertain. However, if one were to name the most arrogant and influential faction, It would undoubtedly be the Tarot Order! Because of their ability to peer into fate, they had always held themselves above others and never regarded other factions as equals. Yet now, the saintess of the Tarot Order had actually become Velen''s mentee. Considering what Ethan knew about the councilors of the Tarot Order, if they found out, they would be absolutely furious! Velen''s methods were truly remarkable! After all, if nothing unexpected happened, the saintess of the Tarot Order would one day become its Speaker, leading the entire Tarot Order! And now, as Velen''s mentee and having such a close relationship with him, wouldn''t that mean that the Tarot Order itself might one day fall under Velen''s influence? Thinking of this, Ethan felt his scalp tingle. For the first time, he felt that knowing too much was not necessarily a good thing! At this moment, Velen took out the World Chessboard and handed it to Sophia. "This is what you came here for, right? Take it. Deliver it to the Tarot Order." Velen spoke casually. Seeing the World Chessboard in Velen''s hands, Sophia was slightly surprised. She had already realized¡ª The one who had caused such a massive disturbance and annihilated the Triad Sanctum from behind the scenes was actually her own mentor! Then, Sophia blinked her large eyes and earnestly asked, "Mentor, since no one else is around, can you tell me why you destroyed the Triad Sanctum?" Velen hadn''t expected Sophia to ask such a question and was momentarily unsure how to respond. His reason for destroying the Triad Sanctum was simple: he didn''t want them to affect the fortress, and he also wanted to give the pre-guards a chance to stretch their legs. Other than that, he had no particular motive. But what was Sophia imagining now? Seeing that Velen didn''t answer, Sophia didn''t press further. Instead, she declared fiercely, "The Triad Sanctum actually dared to obstruct mentor, getting in the way of your grand plan¡ªthey were seeking their own doom!" Saying this, Sophia clutched the World Chessboard in her hand and solemnly vowed, "Mentor, don''t worry! I have already received unprecedented recognition from the Tarot Order. With this World Chessboard, my status will rise even further. Before long, I should be able to take full control of the Tarot Order!" "And with the Chaos Barrier you granted me, I can negate the side effects of peering into fate. Using the Tarot Order''s most sacred treasures, I can now assist you as well!" "I will not be weaker than that senior sister of mine!" Velen massaged his temple as the veins throbbed on his forehead. Good grief, how long had it been since they last met? His mentee, the Queen of Overthinking, seemed to have gotten even worse. He really didn''t have any of those bizarre, devious schemes in mind! These words were practically slander against his character! At that moment, Ethan suddenly dropped to his knees, swearing, "Velen, I heard nothing just now! If a single word of today''s conversation ever leaks, may I die a horrible death¡­" Ethan made a solemn oath on the spot! Sophia''s words had utterly shaken him. He never expected Velen, who usually seemed so harmless, to be so ruthless behind the scenes! And to have such an earth-shattering plan! Hearing all this, he was afraid he might be silenced! Seeing Ethan suddenly kneel and swear an oath, Velen was completely dumbfounded. "Senator Ethan, what are you doing?" He could understand Sophia, the Queen of Overthinking, indulging in her wild fantasies¡ªbut Ethan? A renowned master forger? How could he also start spewing nonsense? Something that was originally simple¡ªhow had they managed to make it so complicated? "Velen, I understand the rules. Don''t worry, from now on, I am yours! I will never betray you, ever!" Ethan spoke with unwavering determination. "Senator Ethan, you are seriously overthinking this. It''s all just nonsense from Sophia¡ªnone of it is true!" Velen prided himself on being a straightforward person. He had no desire to be seen as some kind of scheming mastermind. Ethan nodded repeatedly, "Right, right, right! It''s not true! I was too stupid earlier and failed to grasp your deeper meaning, Velen!" S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Velen: "¡­" Is it really so hard to just be a simple person? Seeing that there was no way to correct their misunderstanding, Velen sighed deeply and then suddenly adopted a serious expression: "Since you already know, then as you said¡ªtoday''s events must be kept absolutely secret. Not a word is to be leaked!" Since there was no way to fix their misunderstanding, he might as well roll with it. Ethan immediately covered his mouth and nodded furiously, relieved at his own quick thinking. That was definitely a test from Velen just now. Fortunately, he had reacted in time! Velen truly was a man with grand ambitions¡ªhe was merely biding his time, making his moves in secret! Seeing Ethan''s "I knew it" expression, Velen didn''t know what to say. Since Ethan was beyond reasoning with, Velen could only turn to Sophia. "You have to explain things clearly to Ethan later. Don''t let him keep misunderstanding me!" Sophia playfully stuck out her tongue. "Don''t worry, mentor! I''ll be sure to explain it properly!" Hearing this, Velen felt slightly more at ease. After hesitating briefly, he decided to take Ethan and leave this place. He did not pass on the abilities of Descent and Council to Sophia. After all, seeing her like this¡ªif he gave her those abilities, she would definitely pester him endlessly. "Congratulations, host, for completing the Annihilation of Triad Sanctum mission. You have been awarded 300,000 luxury points and the Ghost Box!" Ghost Box: A special magical artifact containing tens of thousands of bloodthirsty spirits. Once released, they form an unstoppable spectral army, attacking the souls of their targets. By feeding it your own blood, you can continuously strengthen these spirits. The artifact can grow indefinitely! Reading the Ghost Box description, Velen''s eyes immediately lit up. This was a fantastic item! Soul-attacking artifacts were already rare to begin with. The fact that this one could grow indefinitely¡ªonly requiring his own blood as nourishment¡ªwas incredible! Though a bit sinister, its power and potential were simply undeniable! Seeing how much Velen valued the Ghost Box, the system''s voice suddenly chimed in: "Host, you are a super tycoon¡ªhow could you be impressed by such an item?" Velen snorted. "System, you call this garbage? Then tell me, what counts as a good item? Don''t just dangle vague promises¡ªI don''t fall for that." Previously, it had dismissed the Fenrir bloodline as trash. Now, it was saying the Ghost Box was worthless, too. Velen was really curious¡ªjust how godly did an item have to be to meet the system''s standards? "Congratulations, host, for obtaining the Eye of Annihilation!" Eye of Annihilation: Nothing is indestructible! The stars and galaxies lie within your gaze¡ªdestruction and creation are but a thought away. (Due to the host''s low level, it can only be used once per day.) Reading the description, Velen suddenly felt as if something terrifying had fused into his eyes. Rubbing them, he opened them again¡ªonly to find that the entire world suddenly seemed far smaller. At the same time, an eerie, annihilating energy surged within his pupils, as if a single thought could obliterate everything. Velen instantly grew excited¡ªthis was definitely a treasure! Although he hadn''t used it yet, since it was something the system gave to slap him in the face, it had to be extraordinary. He could feel the overwhelming power contained within his gaze! Thinking this, Velen decided to test the Eye of Annihilation. "Velen, is something wrong?" Ethan asked nervously, noticing Velen suddenly pause. Velen said nothing. His gaze swept over the landscape before locking onto a towering mountain in the distance. "A ten-thousand-meter-high mountain¡­ should be a good test target." With that thought, he channeled all his mana into his eyes. He narrowed his gaze, beginning to charge the terrifying Annihilation Light¡ª Chapter 97 - Chapter97-Star Hunt At the moment Velen reopened his eyes, an extremely terrifying aura of destruction surged forth, resembling a special death wave of the undead that engulfed everything. In an instant, within Ethan''s perception, the entire world fell into boundless darkness the moment Velen''s eyes fully opened. His senses were instantly stripped away. By the time he suddenly snapped back to reality, he felt as though the sensation just now was merely a fleeting illusion! What was going on? Was that just his own illusion? Ethan furrowed his brows, but in the next second, he jumped up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, his hairs standing on end. He suddenly saw that, not far ahead, the towering ten-thousand-meter-high mountain range was dissolving like an illusion at a speed visible to the naked eye! That colossal mountain, like a giant beast, had been completely leveled under the pitch-black radiance that Velen''s eyes had just unleashed¡ªwithout a sound, without anyone noticing! Ethan rubbed his eyes in disbelief, yet the scene before him remained unchanged. The mountain had already been annihilated! Just now, the mountains had truly been destroyed. How could Velen possibly possess such terrifying power? A strong feeling gripped Ethan¡ªif he had been standing before that mountain, he would have been instantly obliterated! That destructive power was simply too terrifying! The more he thought about it, the more unfathomable Velen appeared to be! His reverence toward Velen grew even deeper. Not to mention the tens of thousands of lightning guards he had once toyed with. Then there was that one-eyed, red-haired man who always appeared whenever Velen was in danger. The Saintess of the Tarot Order, who schemed alongside Velen, and that other, even more mysterious mentee. And now, this eerie ocular technique. Velen was undoubtedly someone who had been concealing his strength, biding his time for a grand endeavor. As Ethan''s gaze toward Velen grew increasingly reverent, Velen, having fully experienced the might of the Eye of Annihilation, was in an exceptionally good mood. Indeed, his knowledge was still too limited! Without hesitation, Velen retrieved the Ghost Box from his system inventory and handed it to Ethan. "Ethan, Senator, you''ve put in a lot of effort traveling all the way from the fortress. Take this Ghost Box as a token of appreciation for your hard work!" With the power and limitless potential of the Eye of Annihilation, Velen no longer had any interest in the Ghost Box. Seeing Velen offer the Ghost Box, Ethan''s expression suddenly changed. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As a Master Forger, he had an acute perception of special artifacts. The moment Velen took it out, he had already sensed its extraordinary nature. Now that it was placed in front of him, he was utterly astonished. "Velen, if I''m not mistaken, this should be an extremely rare growth-type artifact, right?" He had only heard of such artifacts in legend. Their rarity was comparable to those relics passed down from the Upper Plane Universe. But now, Velen was actually giving such a priceless artifact to him! This reward was too generous! He could hardly believe it! If other factions learned of this artifact, they would stop at nothing to seize it. "It''s yours. Just take it." Seeing Ethan''s disbelief, Velen directly placed the Ghost Box into his hands. The moment it touched his skin, an overwhelming spiritual shock surged into Ethan''s mind. For a brief moment, he saw countless ghosts howling and echoing, threatening to tear his soul apart. Even as an Ascended Rank master forger, possessing a strong soul with a natural suppression over such artifacts, he was still being overwhelmed by the spirits. The power of this artifact exceeded even Velen''s expectations! Huff¡ªhuff¡ª Ethan gasped for breath, abruptly opening his eyes. The eerie visions in his mind dissipated, replaced by a unique bond forming between him and the Ghost Box. At the same time, information about the artifact surged into his consciousness. Upon understanding its special cultivation method, he took a sharp breath. The countless spirits alone were already unsettling enough. Feeding it with his own blood¡ªhow was this different from those sinister sacrificial artifacts? Although he had never forged such artifacts himself, as a forger, he knew plenty about them. They were all extremely ominous. "Ethan, Senator, you should have sensed these ghosts by now, right?" "They are all terrifying entities. While they may attack one''s mind, they are bound and controlled by the Ghost Box. Unlike other artifacts, it has no backlash, and it possesses immense growth potential¡­" Velen smiled as he introduced the Ghost Box. Though it appeared ominous, in reality, it simply required blood to sustain it¡ªwithout any risk of backlash. Upon hearing this, Ethan nodded, a hint of fanaticism flashing across his face. As a Master Forger, his body was brimming with lifeblood¡ªnurturing these spirits would not be a problem. The sheer terror exuded by the spirits within was more than satisfactory. Even in its current undeveloped state, it could already threaten an Ascended Rank Awakener. Who could imagine how powerful it would become with proper cultivation? This was a true weapon of destruction! After familiarizing himself with the Ghost Box, Velen looked at Ethan and said: "I have other matters to attend to. You should return first." Ethan looked at Velen in surprise, unsure of his intentions, but he chose to obey without question. "Velen, I''m leaving then. Be careful on your own!" Saying this, Ethan toyed with the Ghost Box in his hands and swiftly departed. Meanwhile, Velen turned to his system interface. "System, take me to the hunting planet." However, the system advised, "Surveillance shows major factions are deploying resources. I suggest the host departs tonight." Upon hearing the system''s suggestion, Velen found a quiet spot to rest. Element Academy On the vast plaza, as Element Academy''s headmaster, Cor swept his gaze across the crowd. Seeing that all preparations were in order, he turned to the elder beside him and slowly asked: "Are the supplies and personnel ready?" "Headmaster, everything has been arranged according to plan. Once they finish setting up and inspecting the hunting planet, we will use our pre-arranged trackers to locate their scattered supplies and move them to the planet''s core." Beside Cor, the Grand Mentor''s veins bulged with excitement, his wrinkled face brimming with fervor. "We have prepared for this day for hundreds of years. This time, we will finally unseal the old Headmaster!" "Once the old Headmaster is freed, it will be the moment for our Element Academy to rise. By then, whether it be the forces on Ulalos or the surrounding factions, they will either submit completely¡ªor perish!" "All shall bow beneath Element Academy!" Seeing the Grand Mentor''s excitement, Cor nodded with a smile. "It is all thanks to your meticulous planning, deceiving all these factions. They think they can obtain resources from us? What a ridiculous fantasy!" This Star Hunt was never about forging alliances. It was a trap to collect resources and release the long-sealed old Headmaster! For this day, they had been preparing for centuries¡­ At dusk. On the grand plaza of Element Academy, all the mentors and core members of the academy had gathered. Meanwhile, the guest rooms surrounding the plaza were packed with geniuses from various factions who had come to participate in Star Hunt. At this moment, inside a room at the fortress¡ª Hael frowned as he looked at Alan and the other geniuses. "I really don''t understand what Velen and Miss Anastasia are thinking. For the other factions, this Star Hunt is a frenzied battle for resources, but all those supplies combined aren''t even worth a single bottle of dragon blood potion that Velen casually throws out!" "Exactly! Those so-called resources are nothing but junk. Why are they making such a big deal out of it, fighting over trash?" Alan and the others nodded in agreement. After being influenced by Velen, they had completely lost interest in such ordinary resources. Compared to what Velen casually took out, the supplies scattered on the hunting planet were nothing but worthless garbage! The one leading them here, Ironback Centipede, let out a helpless sigh and said: "I know how you all feel. I don''t want to be here either, but this is an order from Velen and Miss Anastasia. Otherwise, wouldn''t it be way more comfortable just lying around in the fortress?" Chapter 98 - Chapter98-Soul Crystal Thinking about that little white rabbit in the fortress, eating well, drinking well, just like a shut-in loser. His heart became even more unbalanced! Even those senators found the matter boring, so they sent him, a spellbeast, to act as a guardian here and bring them over. "Sigh, at this point, let''s just treat it as entertainment. I wonder if Velen can make it back tomorrow?" Hael asked curiously. Triad Sanctum was an extremely long distance from here. "If Velen said he''s participating in this Star Hunt, then he will definitely come. When the time comes, we won''t even bother to make a move. Let''s just find a quiet place and keep drinking our potions. I still have tens of thousands of them!" Alan thought for a moment and said. Since Velen said he would come, no matter how far the distance, he would definitely arrive. The other prodigies all nodded upon hearing this. Compared to this Star Hunt, they felt that consuming potions was far more important. "Sigh! When will Master return? The fortress is just too boring!" Ironback Centipede shook his head and sighed. At least the others had daily training to pass the time, but he truly had nothing to do. ¡­ Time flew by. In the blink of an eye, it was the next day. Velen, still in a deep sleep, felt someone pushing his body. He slowly opened his eyes. "Master! It''s time to depart!" Standing beside Velen, Victor No.1 spoke respectfully. "Oh, it''s already the second day?" Velen rubbed his eyes and looked at Victor No.1. "Alright then, take me into the secret realm!" Victor No.1 nodded, raised his long sword, and slashed through the air. Instantly, a rift in space appeared, forming a bizarre and colorful passage. "Master, through this passage, you can enter the hunting planet." Velen nodded, then stepped into the spatial passage. Watching Velen''s departing figure, Victor No.1 narrowed his eyes, sensing something. "This planet doesn''t seem simple. There''s a rather strong presence here, full of resentment. It could pose a danger to Master. Perhaps I should make some preparations in advance!" Victor No.1 murmured to himself. Ever since Velen granted him a name, it was as if his thoughts had been unlocked. Although Velen hadn''t encountered any dangers yet, this planet still harbored hidden threats. This was undoubtedly a great opportunity! If he seized it, he could definitely deepen his bond with Master! After stepping into the spatial passage, Velen''s attention immediately shifted to his system interface. "A special item has refreshed. I actually slept straight through the night." Velen stretched lazily, then curiously looked at today''s special item. 200 Soul Crystals. Soul Crystals provided immense benefits to alchemists, puppeteers, vengeful spirits, and evil awakeners, as they contained vast amounts of pure soul energy. Seeing the effects of the Soul Crystals, Velen immediately understood. Soul energy was filled with infinite mysteries, and even many soul masters dedicated to its study couldn''t fully grasp its intricacies. Soul-based attacks were nearly impossible to defend against, eerie and unpredictable. This thing actually contained a massive amount of pure soul energy! It was an incredibly rare treasure. "Soul energy can not only erupt in an instant to form terrifying soul storms, but it can also be gradually released to restore consumed soul energy. It''s extremely beneficial to certain special classes like alchemists." At this moment, the system added another explanation. Velen nodded. As expected, it was just as he had thought. This item was immensely useful for soul-based classes and could even counter them. "Fate''s Trojan, where are most of the resources on this planet located?" The main reason he was participating in this Star Hunt was to complete his system mission, so he naturally needed to prepare in advance. Fate''s Trojan quickly provided an answer, "They are mainly concentrated in one place." Hearing this, Velen was momentarily stunned. Good grief, Element Academy''s goal in this event was indeed not simple! But this was good too¡ªhe wouldn''t need to scour the planet searching for resources. "Where exactly are they concentrated?" Velen continued asking. "Deep within the cave ahead of you," Fate''s Trojan replied. Velen narrowed his eyes. Being teleported here was obviously no coincidence. Victor No.1 must have sensed something and prepared in advance. "Victor No.1¡­ looks like I underestimated these prospective guards¡­" Velen murmured to himself, growing even more satisfied with Victor No.1. "If everything is inside this cave, then perfect!" Without hesitation, Velen dashed straight into the pitch-black cave. He had barely entered when suddenly, a system prompt echoed in his ears. "Detecting a special force attempting to erode the host''s soul¡­" Velen halted his steps. So, Element Academy gathering all the resources here wasn''t just about hoarding them for themselves. "The erosion is intensifying. Purification function activated!" As Velen was contemplating whether to continue deeper, the system''s voice sounded again. This immediately reminded him of how, previously, when Kelsey attempted to peer into his fate, it also triggered the system, resulting in severe injuries for Kelsey instead. His system was so domineering that it surpassed both fate and the heavens. Thinking of this, Velen chuckled, then quickly ventured deeper into the cave. With the system protecting him, any force attempting to erode his soul was nothing more than a pathetic clown. It might even trigger new system functions, which made him look forward to it! As Velen delved deeper, he gradually realized that this seemingly narrow cave entrance seemed to lead directly to the planet''s core. The further he went, the darker and more eerie it became! At the same time, deep within the hollow core of the planet, a disheveled old man in black sat cross-legged like a beggar. In front of him, countless strands of soul energy swirled like mist. "Excellent!" "Excellent!" "As long as I refine all these resources, combined with the foundation I''ve accumulated over centuries, I''ll be able to condense two hundred Soul Crystals. Then, breaking free from this seal will be effortless!" Thinking about how he would soon escape this imprisonment, gaining immense power and breaking through to a higher realm, the black-robed old man couldn''t help but laugh maniacally. His voice was hoarse and ear-piercing, echoing throughout the hollow core. But before his laughter could spread far, a puzzled voice suddenly rang out from the distance. "Why is there someone down here in the planet''s core?" Hearing this voice, the black-robed old man''s pupils shrank suddenly. This was his sealed domain! For centuries, he had been the only one here. How could there suddenly be someone else? Whipping his head toward the voice, he saw a handsome young man walking over. How did this kid get in? sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The old man rubbed his eyes forcefully, unable to believe what he was seeing. The sealing formation imprisoning him was terrifyingly powerful. He couldn''t escape, and no one else could enter. Even approaching it would trigger its attacks. So how did this young man¡ªwho looked so weak¡ªfind this place and pass through the formation? He himself had endured nine waves of thunder tides and was on the verge of ascending to the Upper Plane Universe as a top-tier powerhouse. If not for this seal forcibly suppressing him, he could have entered the Upper Plane Universe long ago! Even with his strength, he couldn''t break the formation, only slowly wear it down over time. Yet this low-level kid had waltzed in effortlessly? "Who are you? How did you get here?" Unable to comprehend, the black-robed old man asked grimly. Velen glanced at him indifferently. "I just walked in." "Walked in? Do you take me for a fool?" The old man''s face darkened. "The seal¡ªhow did you bypass it?" Velen had no idea what he was talking about. He hadn''t encountered any so-called seal at all. Seeing the confusion on Velen''s face, the old man''s heart began to race. The seal must have completely faded away over time! It had to be! With that realization, he flashed toward the passage Velen had entered from and shouted ecstatically: "Freedom! I''m finally free!" Chapter 99 - Chapter99-The Sealed Old Headmaster Seeing the black-robed old man acting all crazy, Velen was momentarily stunned, then recalled the system prompt he had received when venturing deeper into this place. Could that have been the so-called seal? As this thought flashed through his mind, the black-robed old man, who had rushed toward the passage at extreme speed, suddenly seemed to suffer a heavy blow. His entire body was sent flying backward, crashing heavily to the ground before Velen, blood trickling from his nose and mouth, looking utterly wretched. "Brat, that seal hasn''t failed at all! You tricked an old man who''s been around for centuries! Have you no decency?!" The black-robed old man rolled on the ground before getting up, glaring at Velen in rage. Had he not reacted in time with his defenses just now, that soul impact would have been enough to wipe him out completely! Velen speechlessly stared at the old man. He had never said the seal was broken¡ªthis old guy had just celebrated too soon. "Fate''s Trojan, who is this guy?" Although he still didn''t understand what the seal was all about, the fact that it had triggered the system meant it was definitely not something simple. And someone who had been sealed here was certainly no ordinary person either. "This man is Clinton, the founding headmaster of Element Academy. He is a special type of soul master, who has endured nine waves of thunder tides and was once a top-tier awakener capable of ascending to the upper plane universe at any moment." "However, over three hundred years ago, Clinton provoked Max, a disciple of the Sunlord from the upper plane universe, and was subsequently sealed here by the Sunlord''s representative in the lower plane universe, forever barred from ascending to the upper plane universe." Hearing the system''s explanation, Velen was a little surprised. So this crazy old man actually had such a remarkable background! A soul master who had survived nine thunder tides! Soul masters were an incredibly rare and powerful class. But that was just perfect¡ªsince he was a renowned soul master, then the Soul Crystals he had just obtained would make for a perfect opportunity to flaunt his wealth. This guy could be a great tool! "Old Headmaster, do you know about Soul Crystals?" Velen grinned as he looked at Clinton. Hearing Velen bring up his area of expertise, Clinton immediately raised his head proudly. "Of course I do! These things are extremely precious. I happen to have quite a few myself!" Saying this, he deliberately took one out and placed it in his palm as if showing off. He still had no idea how Velen had gotten in here, but since the boy was only an Expert Rank awakener, he posed no threat to Clinton at all. Having been sealed here for so long, he was quite eager to have someone to talk to, especially about a subject he excelled in! "Soul Crystal?!" Seeing the object in Clinton''s hand, Velen recognized it immediately and suddenly found himself in a dilemma. Since Clinton was a soul master and possessed Soul Crystals himself, it didn''t seem like the best opportunity to show off. However, after studying it for a few moments, Velen''s lips curled into a smirk. "Old Headmaster, do you think what I have here is also a Soul Crystal?" Saying this, Velen directly retrieved a head-sized Soul Crystal from his system inventory. Clinton had been wearing an expression of pride, but the moment he saw the massive crystal in Velen''s hands, he completely froze. My god! How could a Soul Crystal be this gigantic?! He knew that the larger a Soul Crystal, the higher the soul power required to condense it. Even though he had reached the peak of the soul master class, the Soul Crystals he could form were only thumb-sized at best. And that was already his absolute limit! Even after spending centuries, he had barely managed to condense just over two hundred pieces. Yet, even if he combined all of them, they still wouldn''t measure up to the one Velen was holding! Where had Velen gotten this from? Clinton was utterly dumbfounded! The sheer size of Velen''s Soul Crystal was a dimensional suppression on him! The psychological impact was simply overwhelming! Seeing Clinton frozen like a statue, Velen couldn''t help but smile. For a moment, it had almost been Clinton showing off in front of him instead. But that''s impossible! He was the ultimate tycoon here¡ªthere was only room for him to flaunt his wealth, never for others to show off in front of him! Then, under Clinton''s nearly petrified gaze, Velen crushed the Soul Crystal in his hands into dust. The black powder slipped through his fingers like grains of sand, scattering onto the ground. The rich soul energy hidden within the crystal quickly dissipated into the surroundings like mist. "This lunatic!" Seeing this, Clinton''s eyes instantly turned bloodshot! How much pure soul energy had been contained in that giant Soul Crystal?! It was the culmination of countless years of effort for any soul master! Yet, Velen had just crushed it¡ªwasting it all! "Scoundrel! You''re an absolute scoundrel! Do you have any idea how precious Soul Crystals are?! Do you understand that you just destroyed a soul master''s life''s work?!" He glared at Velen with fury, itching to kill him on the spot as an offering to the heavens. Seeing Clinton this agitated, Velen''s grin only grew wider. "Old Headmaster, what does it matter how rare a Soul Crystal is? Trapped in this place, no matter how valuable something is, it''s meaningless." "To tell you the truth, I also offended Max and got sealed here by the Sunlord''s representative. These things, no matter how rare, are all pointless now!" Velen shook his head and sighed, smoothly starting to deceive the old headmaster. He had nothing better to do anyway, so why not mess around a little? S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Clinton, who had been raging just moments ago, suddenly froze when he heard Velen''s words. His bloodshot eyes stared at him intensely. "What did you say?" "You were sealed here because of Max too?" "No wonder¡­ no wonder you could pass through the seal! I thought the seal had failed¡­ That bastard isn''t human, but his power and background are too strong. We powerless nobodies from the lower plane universe could never oppose him¡­" Hearing Velen mention Max and Sunlord, Clinton immediately believed him. After all, very few people knew about this incident, and Velen being able to enter this place proved his words were true! "If he sealed you as well, then it means he still hasn''t ascended yet. That damn bastard! If we ever get out of here, we must make him pay in blood!" Clinton''s expression turned murderous as he spoke, his killing intent nearly materializing into reality. "There''s no point talking about that now. We should focus on the present instead." Velen said calmly. Hearing this, Clinton could only nod dejectedly. It was true¡ªhe had been trapped here for so long, unable to break free. Talking about revenge against Max was nothing but wishful thinking. "Old Headmaster, you''ve been sealed here for way too long. How about we play a game to pass the time?" Seeing Clinton settle down, Velen suddenly suggested. Clinton frowned. "We''re both trapped in here¡ªwhat can we even play¡­" Before he could finish, he saw Velen manipulating mana to conjure a basketball hoop on the ground. Then, Velen retrieved a basketball-sized Soul Crystal. "This is called basketball. Whoever scores the most points wins. What do you think?" Hearing Velen explain the rules, Clinton, who had been sealed for centuries, found himself quite interested. But when he saw Velen spinning a Soul Crystal on his finger like a ball, his mouth twitched. This kid is using Soul Crystals as toys?! "Shouldn''t we¡­ use something else?" he asked hesitantly. Velen shook his head. "Relax, Old Headmaster! I still have 199 Soul Crystals left¡ªwe have plenty to play with!" Saying this, Velen immediately started dribbling and shooting! As a basketball master with two and a half years of practice, he naturally started scoring quickly. But Clinton, being highly talented, picked up the game fast¡ªespecially his shoulder charge, which soon surpassed Velen''s. "Haha, Velen! I scored!" "Again!" "Again!" The more he played, the more excited Clinton became. This brand-new sport was helping him release all his pent-up frustration! As for the Soul Crystals? At this point, he didn''t even care anymore. Several hours later¡­ Both were drenched in sweat. And all the Soul Crystals Velen had taken out had been reduced to dust. "Congratulations, Host, for successfully flaunting your wealth. Reward: 1,000 Luxury Points. Additional reward: 10,000 Soul Crystals (Luxury Points will no longer be awarded!)." Hearing the system prompt, Velen froze for a moment. Another huge reward?! Chapter 100 - Chapter100-The Unbreakable Seal? Velen had no intention of squandering the Soul Crystals rewarded by the system anymore. After using up so many, he was honestly exhausted from all the extravagance. Clinton glanced at the score carved into the stone wall¡ªhe was still far behind Velen. But judging by his current mastery of basketball, as long as they continued playing, he was confident that he could overtake Velen! But now, there were no more Soul Crystals! "Velen, have we really used up all the Soul Crystals?" Clinton asked unwillingly. He had already glimpsed the dawn of victory. If the game ended like this, it would leave an unbearable feeling stuck in his throat. "You don''t have any Soul Crystals left, but I do!" Saying this, Clinton generously handed over his thumb-sized Soul Crystals to Velen. "See if you can come up with another game using these Soul Crystals." Velen was stunned as he looked at Clinton. He had been using up Soul Crystals only to gain Luxury Points. This Clinton, however, was clearly just completely hooked on the games now. But Velen could understand¡ªit had been over three hundred years since Clinton had been sealed in here. If it were any other awakener, they might have already suffered soul collapse and turned into a complete lunatic. Looking at the thumb-sized Soul Crystals Clinton handed over, Velen had an idea and said: "How about this¡ªwe play badminton?" Considering the size of the Soul Crystal, Velen used mana to simulate feathered edges on the crystal''s tail, then condensed a racket in his hand. "Badminton?" Clinton had no idea what Velen was doing, but he immediately mimicked Velen''s actions, also conjuring a racket in his hand. Smack! As Velen suddenly served the shuttlecock, he briefly explained the rules. Clinton listened intently, then, filled with anticipation, started playing against Velen. "So this is badminton? Interesting! I''ve never played such an amusing game before¡­" Clinton grinned with excitement, his eyes burning with competitive spirit. "Velen, this time, you''re definitely going to lose to me!" With confidence, he engaged in a fierce rally with Velen, thoroughly enjoying the game. They played with great enthusiasm. Several more hours passed. By the time all of Clinton''s Soul Crystals had been shattered from impact, their badminton match also came to an end. The final score was tied. Even though he didn''t win, Clinton had never felt so refreshed before¡ªdrenched in sweat, yet utterly exhilarated. Even though he had lost all of the Soul Crystals he had painstakingly gathered, his face was still filled with exhilaration. "For over three hundred years, I haven''t felt this happy!" "Velen, I really have to thank you this time!" Clinton looked at Velen with genuine gratitude in his eyes. "You were right. Soul Crystals may be precious, but since we''re sealed here and can''t leave, we might as well enjoy the moment!" "Nothing is more valuable than happiness!" However, as he spoke, Clinton''s excitement faded a little, and he sighed. "Even though this was fun¡­ the seal is extremely powerful. Every few decades, there''s only a brief moment of weakness, allowing my disciples to transfer resources here without a life signature. This kind of happiness¡­ we won''t get to experience again for another dozen decades." He let out a deep sigh, looking slightly dejected, though no longer as insane as before. At least this time, he wasn''t alone. "You have no idea. I was once the headmaster, but because I offended the wrong person, I ended up in this miserable state. Fortunately, my disciples had some conscience and tried to rescue me by sending me resources." "But they don''t realize that even with all these resources, it''s nearly impossible to break this seal. I can only disappoint them again and again." He sighed again. He had once completely given up on escaping. But when his former disciples managed to track him down, it rekindled his desire to leave. However, despite all their help, after attempting an escape just earlier, he realized he had underestimated the Sunlord''s representative. The moment this seal was cast, it was never meant to let him leave alive¡ªhe was meant to remain imprisoned here until his soul was completely erased. Hearing this, Velen was slightly stunned. Originally, he had assumed Element Academy''s actions were Clinton''s orders. But they weren''t¡ªhis former disciples truly valued their old headmaster and had orchestrated this plan on their own. "Old Headmaster, if you could escape, would you return to the academy?" Velen asked curiously. Clinton quickly shook his head. "At this point, all I want is to leave this seal and enjoy life, to make up for all the time I''ve lost! Why would I go back to some academy?" Hearing this, Velen seemed to think of something and suddenly asked: "Old Headmaster, you''ve been trapped here for so long¡ªare you absolutely sure there''s no way to break the seal?" Clinton sighed deeply. "It''s not that there''s no way at all¡­ Based on my years of testing, the only way to break the seal is to destroy its core!" As he spoke, he pointed to a black crystal embedded in the wall. "This black crystal is the core of the seal. I''ve spent over three centuries trying everything, but nothing can even scratch it. It''s definitely something they left here on purpose, just to mock me." Clinton was furious, but at the same time, helpless. The solution was right in front of him, but because he lacked the strength, he could only stare at it in frustration. That was even more cruel than just imprisoning him¡ªit was psychological torture. Velen followed Clinton''s gaze and looked at the black crystal embedded in the wall. His expression turned serious. Although he wasn''t a forgemaster and didn''t recognize the material, the aura emanating from it was beyond this universe. This black crystal was definitely made of some upper plane universe material! "Don''t bother looking at it. The greater your hope, the greater your disappointment. This thing doesn''t exist in the Titan Galaxy. The more you try to break it, the more you''re falling into their trap!" Seeing Velen staring at the black crystal, Clinton quickly warned him. During his first hundred years of imprisonment, he had been obsessed with breaking free. He had wasted countless resources and energy, only to fail completely. He had been a fool. Velen had left a good impression on him. He didn''t want Velen to turn into a fool too. But upon hearing this, Velen suddenly said: "Maybe¡­ I can try destroying it." S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Clinton shook his head. "Velen, I appreciate your optimism, but you should know that this black crystal was left by the Sunlord''s representative. If we could break it, they wouldn''t have just left it in plain sight." But before he could finish speaking¡ª Velen had already activated the Eye of Annihilation! If the system had given him this ability, then surely, it could destroy the black crystal! With that thought, Velen poured nearly all of his mana into his pupils, unleashing a blinding annihilation beam toward the black crystal. Wherever the black light passed, everything seemed to fade into nothingness. As the destructive beam struck the black crystal, the entire wall it was embedded in vanished into thin air, as if it had never existed. Clinton''s jaw nearly hit the floor. For centuries, he had tried everything, failed repeatedly, and completely given up. Yet this Expert Rank awakener had easily done what he never could?! Something was definitely wrong here. Clinton frantically touched the wall, trying to confirm that the black crystal was truly gone. The moment he realized it was really destroyed, his heart raced, and he bolted toward the exit. As Clinton crossed the seal, he felt utterly unreal. He was really free. The Sunlord''s representative''s seal had truly been broken¡ªby Velen! Chapter 101 - Chapter101-Clinton’s Shock—How Can Someone Like This Exist? "You¡­ how did you do that?" "That was a rare artifact from the upper plane universe¡ªin our galaxy, it''s supposed to be indestructible!" Clinton was shocked beyond words, staring at Velen in utter disbelief as he questioned him. Before Velen could even respond, the excitement on Clinton''s face suddenly vanished, replaced by bloodshot eyes glaring at Velen. "Velen, you knew all along that you could break the seal, didn''t you?" "If you were so confident that you could do it, then why didn''t you say so earlier? My Soul Crystals¡ª!" The moment Clinton realized that, under Velen''s manipulation, he had squandered hundreds of years'' worth of painstakingly condensed Soul Crystals, his good mood instantly soured. "You never asked me before!" Velen shrugged indifferently, completely unbothered. "Besides, what''s done is done¡ªdwelling on the past is meaningless. Just be happy¡ªthat''s what really matters!" Hearing this, Clinton was so furious that he was practically grinding his teeth, but he had no way to argue against it. After all, those Soul Crystals¡ªhe had given them away willingly. ¡­ Meanwhile, as the seal was broken¡ª Inside the Solar Temple of the upper plane universe, the temple lord, Sunlord, rubbed the sun-shaped sigil on his forehead, narrowing his eyes in mild surprise. "Interesting¡­ In the barren lower plane universe, someone actually managed to break the seal I left behind." "A genius¡­ finally, something entertaining has appeared again!" Sunlord burst into laughter, his amusement echoing through the grand temple. ¡­ At the same time, in an isolated cosmic region of Titan Galaxy¡ª Max was seated cross-legged atop a planet radiating immense stellar energy. Though it was called a planet, in reality, it was merely the size of a house¡ªa celestial body that had been compressed through countless refinements, making it unbelievably dense! The planet contained mana condensed to its absolute limits, offering tremendous benefits for leveling up and purifying mana. At that moment, Max sensed something, his gaze shifting toward the now-destroyed seal. "To think that after hundreds of years, you''d actually break free¡­ Looks like I underestimated you after all¡­" "But it''s too late." Max smirked. "I am no longer the same Max from back then." "With this compressed planet, my mana has been refined to the point of being as dense as liquid¡ªno awakener at the same level could ever compare to me now!" As he spoke, Max realized¡ªClinton breaking free might not be a bad thing. "Our grudge¡­ is finally coming to an end!" Max snorted coldly, his killing intent surging. Back then, he had been young and weak, unable to defeat Clinton. But now, the situation had reversed. It was time for revenge! ¡­ Meanwhile, after hearing Clinton''s story about his deadly feud with Max, Velen was surprised. "So¡­ the whole reason you and Max had such a massive conflict was because you discovered a Mana Planet first, and Max wanted to steal it?" "But since he couldn''t defeat you, he ended up humiliated and empty-handed¡ªso he got Sunlord''s representative to intervene?" After listening to the full account of Clinton and Max''s feud, Velen nodded, feeling a strong sense of familiarity. "Beat the weaker one, then the stronger boss shows up¡ªclassic!" Clinton had expected Velen to be intimidated upon hearing Max''s name. Instead, he got this¡­? ''Classic''? So what, being sealed for three hundred years was just a normal event now? That hurts, man. If he hadn''t been a soul master, if he didn''t have Soul Crystals to pass the time, he probably would''ve gone completely insane. Speaking of Soul Crystals¡ªClinton suddenly felt like coughing up blood again. If he still had all the Soul Crystals he had painstakingly condensed over the centuries, he would be filthy rich! He could''ve lived like a king! But now? Without them, he was just a wandering beggar, completely broke! "This Velen¡­ what kind of scam artist is he?! Too cruel!" The more he thought about it, the more pissed off he became. Finally, he couldn''t hold back and asked¡ª "Velen, which faction do you belong to?" Velen had actually been considering how to recruit this top-tier powerhouse into Fortress¡ªbut to his surprise, Clinton asked first! With a grin, he replied: "I come from Fortress on Uranus Star. It''s not a huge power right now, but the people are great!" Since he didn''t know if Clinton was willing to join, he kept his introduction brief. Hearing that Fortress wasn''t a major force, Clinton simply nodded. "This time, I only managed to escape the seal thanks to you. With my level as a top-tier awakener, I assume I can become a Guest Elder Senator at Fortress?" Clinton''s words startled Velen. "Old Headmaster, now that you''re free, don''t you want revenge against Max?" "Besides, with your level, you could enter the upper plane universe at any time, right?" Hearing Velen''s direct questions, Clinton''s eyes widened in shock. "We really are kindred spirits¡ªyou guessed exactly what I was thinking!" Back when he was still sealed, he had definitely wanted revenge against Max. After all, it was because of Max that he had been imprisoned for so long. But now that he was actually free¡­ That hatred had begun to fade. He had spent so long trapped, there were so many things he still wanted to experience¡ªwhy waste time on revenge? Sure, he was strong¡ªbut he had no background. He was no match for Sunlord. Going after Max was asking for death. If it weren''t for Velen, he would''ve been imprisoned until he died! "Forget revenge¡ªI''m too old for that kind of hot-blooded nonsense." "As for entering the upper plane universe?" Clinton shook his head. "Sunlord is already watching me. If I go up, I''ll just die faster." "Besides, here in the lower planes, I''m one of the strongest. If I enter the upper plane universe, I''ll be at the bottom. I have zero interest in that." His answer was frank and honest. Velen respected that logic. At that moment, he contacted the system¡ª "System, Clinton is a big deal. Shouldn''t we welcome him properly? How about a million Advanced Mana Crystals as a gift?" Clinton was someone who could enter the upper plane universe anytime. Fortress needed powerhouses like him. Velen was already planning for when Anastasia ascended, to take Fortress with him¡ªthe more strong allies, the better! After a brief pause, the system responded¡ª "Approved¡ªthis falls within reasonable wealth-flaunting limits." Velen expected that answer. After all, when he had gifted the Senate ten million Advanced Mana Crystals, they had immediately given him a Guest Elder Senator position. Now, gifting Clinton one million Advanced Mana Crystals seemed just right! Taking out a storage bag, he handed it to Clinton. "Since you''re joining Fortress, as the Vice Captain, I welcome you! This is just a little gift¡ªconsider it a signing bonus!" Clinton curiously examined the bag¡ªhe had always felt that Velen was an enigma. But when he peeked inside¡­ His entire body froze. "Velen¡­ is this real?! A million Advanced Mana Crystals?!" S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Even with his powerful soul, he almost couldn''t believe it. This was beyond extravagant! "You bet it''s real. And don''t worry¡ªonce you join Fortress, I have an even bigger surprise for you!" Velen grinned. He had already planned it out¡ªsince Clinton loved Mana Planets, he would rig the system lottery and get tons of Mana Planets to decorate his estate! Chapter 102 - Chapter102-What Kind of Fortress Is This? "You''re telling me your Fortress was just recently established on a remote planet, and yet you''re handing out a million Advanced Mana Crystals as a welcome gift?" Clinton was an old veteran of the universe, having seen countless great forces across the cosmos. But none had ever been as extravagant as Velen. A million Advanced Mana Crystals¡ª Even he had never seen so many before! This felt too good to be true, and instead of excitement, Clinton felt uneasy. After all, Velen''s generosity was too overwhelming¡ªit just didn''t feel realistic. Could this guy actually be scheming against his body? He had heard about many twisted organizations that liked to refine powerful Awakeners into mummies, or worse, harvest their organs for transplantation¡ªhorrific acts beyond imagination. And now, Velen had offered him such massive benefits right from the start¡­ It was too suspicious! Even though he was one of the strongest beings in the galaxy, Clinton decided to be cautious against this unpredictable character. Thus, Clinton smiled and said: "Velen, you know, I''ve been sealed away for centuries, and all I really want now is to travel, relax, and make up for lost time¡­ So about joining your Fortress, let''s discuss it later¡­" Before he could finish speaking, Velen suddenly pulled out dozens of head-sized Soul Crystals from his storage. Clinton was just about to refuse¡ªbut when he saw the enormous pile of Soul Crystals, his words got stuck in his throat. Velen could casually take out so many of these priceless treasures¡ªeven if Clinton sold himself ten times over, he wouldn''t be able to trade for that much wealth! Instantly, he grinned ingratiatingly and said: "Velen, I think your Fortress is actually a great fit for me! I mean, I am getting older, and I''d really love a place to settle down." Seeing this, Velen didn''t hesitate¡ªhe immediately handed over 1,000 Soul Crystals to Clinton. "Old Headmaster, these Soul Crystals are for you. As a Soul Master, you can maximize their potential far better than anyone else. If you ever face a powerful enemy, don''t hesitate¡ªeither unleash your strongest soul abilities or just detonate them all to create a soul storm! Use them freely! If you run out, just come to me for more!" As Clinton stared at the massive pile of Soul Crystals, he felt like he was dreaming. A thousand Soul Crystals?! Even if he wasted them constantly, it would still take ages to use them up¡ªhe might not even finish them before he died! At that moment, Clinton''s excitement soared. With this many Soul Crystals, he had nothing to fear! After all, as a Soul Master, as long as he had enough soul energy, he could continuously unleash terrifying soul abilities¡ªeven taking on multiple enemies at once wouldn''t be an issue! For a brief moment, Clinton even hoped that a deadly battle would break out immediately¡ªwith these Soul Crystals backing him, he felt invincible! "Congratulations, Host, on successfully flaunting your wealth. Reward: 300 Luxury Points. Additional reward: 100 Soul Stones." [Soul Stone: Greatly enhances soul quality and elevates soul level.] Hearing the system prompt, Velen immediately asked: "System, why are you only giving me rewards now for Clinton''s gift? Did he hesitate to accept before?" After looking at the Soul Stone''s effects, Velen realized¡ªthis would be a huge help to Clinton! So, he turned to Clinton and tested the waters: "Clinton Senator, have you ever heard of Soul Stones?" "Soul Stones?" Clinton looked at Velen in surprise. "You''re not even a Soul Master, so how do you know about Soul Stones? Their value and importance to us Soul Masters surpass even Soul Crystals!" "Soul Crystals can only expand the vastness of our soul power¡ªthe breadth of the soul. But Soul Stones refine our soul impurities, making the soul purer and sharper¡ªenhancing soul precision, which is much harder to achieve. "For a Soul Master, that''s far more valuable!" Velen nodded in understanding. "I''ve seen Soul Stones before, but only in the Singularity Battlefield. Outside of that, they''re almost impossible to find¡ªthey''re too rare." Even though he didn''t know why Velen was asking, Clinton still seriously explained the details. "If I gave you a Soul Stone, would you ascend to the Upper Plane Universe immediately?" Velen asked. "Of course!" Clinton nodded. "Technically, I could ascend right now, but I''d rather stay hidden for a while. The Sunlord is watching me¡ªif I go up now, I''m dead for sure." Although Clinton desired the Soul Stone, he wouldn''t use it immediately. Once absorbed, suppressing his soul energy to avoid ascending would be impossible. Seeing this, Velen decided not to push further. Instead, he made up his mind¡ªwhen the time came for Fortress to ascend together, he would hand over the Soul Stone to Clinton then. Now was not the time for Clinton to go up alone¡ªand clearly, he didn''t want to either. ¡­ A short while later¡ª Velen retrieved a mana crystal from Clinton''s storage bag¡ªan item belonging to this Star Hunt event¡ªand placed it on a prominent mountain peak before preparing to leave with Clinton. Seeing this, Clinton was completely confused. Velen didn''t bother explaining. As long as someone picked up that Mana Crystal, they would automatically be crowned Champion of the Star Hunt. After all, every other resource had already been taken by Clinton. Everyone else would be second place at best. With this, Velen would have completed his system quest! Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Looks like not too much time has passed," Velen observed, glancing at the sky above the planet. "Velen, where is your Fortress? I''ll take you there." Now that he had officially joined Fortress, Clinton naturally wanted to see for himself what this mysterious force was all about. After all, if Velen, just a Vice Captain, was this ridiculously powerful, then the entire Fortress had to be even more terrifying! Velen was just about to respond, but suddenly¡ª He sensed a familiar aura rapidly approaching! "Clinton Senator, hold on for a moment." The moment Velen spoke, Clinton also felt it¡ªa fearsome presence rapidly closing in! Though it wasn''t as strong as him, it was still nothing to take lightly! "Who dares attack my master?!" A furious roar echoed¡ª Ironback Centipede descended like a war god, wielding a Level 9 Forge, swinging it straight for Clinton''s head! Seeing Ironback Centipede attack without warning, Clinton immediately gripped his Soul Crystals, preparing to fight. Now that he had Soul Crystals, he feared no one! As the atmosphere grew tense, on the verge of battle¡ª Velen quickly intervened: "Stop! We''re all on the same side!" ¡­? Clinton''s gaze shifted to Ironback Centipede, his expression shifting to one of shock. A Spellbeast?! And not just any Spellbeast¡ªone that had survived two Thunder Tides! How could this be a "same side" situation?! Noticing Clinton''s confusion, Velen clarified: "Clinton Senator, this is my mount¡ªhe also belongs to Fortress." Mount?! Clinton stared at Velen in pure disbelief. This was an Ascended Rank Spellbeast¡ªone of the strongest beings across various galaxies. And it was Velen''s mount?! Just how powerful was Fortress?! Then, Clinton''s gaze locked onto what Ironback Centipede was holding¡ª His pupils shrank in shock. "Wait¡­ Is that a Level 9 Forge?!" He couldn''t help but exclaim¡ª That was a treasured artifact that would drive Alchemists insane¡­ And yet, in Ironback Centipede''s hands¡ª It looked like just another weapon?! At that moment, Ironback Centipede withdrew his killing intent and smiled warmly. "My apologies, Clinton Senator¡ªI was too hasty!" Chapter 103 - Chapter103-Witnessing the Unbelievable Ironback Centipede swung the Level 9 Forge beside Clinton, laughing as he said, "This thing? In Fortress, pretty much everyone has one¡ªit''s not that rare." "It''s heavy enough, and smashing people with it feels amazing!" Ironback Centipede adored his Level 9 Forge. For a Spellbeast like him, with both a strong physique and powerful mana, there was simply no better weapon. Clinton stood there, completely dumbfounded. A Level 9 Forge. One of the rarest treasures across all major galaxies, with fewer than a handful in existence¡ª And here in Fortress, everyone had one? What kind of insane background did this Fortress have?! Or¡­ had he just been sealed for so long that the entire universe had changed without him realizing it? Even so¡ªusing such a high-tier artifact as a blunt weapon? These people¡­ something is seriously wrong with their heads! Seeing Ironback Centipede being so friendly toward Clinton, Velen found himself a little surprised. This Spellbeast was not the friendly type. "Clinton Senator, you''ve just joined Fortress, haven''t you? You''ll soon notice that our Fortress is quite different from other factions!" As he spoke, Ironback Centipede enthusiastically pulled Clinton along, introducing him to Fortress. Previously, Ironback Centipede had been the only Spellbeast in Fortress. Even with his strong combat ability, he was still excluded at times. And now, a new Senator with considerable strength had arrived¡ª This was the perfect opportunity to build an ally for himself! Clinton silently nodded, genuinely curious about Fortress. And as Ironback Centipede provided a brief overview, he gradually understood. The Level 9 Forges were not exactly common¡ª They were just something Velen personally gave to everyone! And the people of Fortress all treated their Level 9 Forges differently. Some used them as weapons. Some used them as heaters. Some used them as nests for pet rabbits. And Velen? He used his as a cremation furnace. The more Clinton heard, the more shocked and furious he became. How could a faction be this ridiculously extravagant?! This was beyond reckless¡ªit was just sheer insanity! Just hearing about it was unbearable. These Level 9 Forges, if sold, would command astronomical prices, enough to make Fortress a dominant force. Yet, they were being wasted like this?! This was a crime against nature! Seeing Clinton''s face redden in frustration, Ironback Centipede simply shrugged and said, "Clinton Senator, you still don''t understand our Master well enough. Compared to his other acts of extravagance, this kind of wastefulness is just a drop in the ocean." Clinton took a deep breath. At this point, he was starting to understand. After all, when Velen welcomed him into Fortress, he casually handed him a million Advanced Mana Crystals¡ª That was completely beyond comprehension for any other faction. And that wasn''t even counting the 1,000 Soul Crystals Velen had given him! This level of extravagance¡ªVelen must have seen it as nothing more than a casual gesture. Looking back¡­ How ridiculous was it that he had tried flaunting his wealth in front of Velen?! Now that he thought about it, his three centuries of accumulating Soul Crystals¡ª In Velen''s eyes, that must have been a complete joke! At that moment, Clinton felt so embarrassed, he didn''t even know where to put his feet. "Clinton Senator is a peak Ascended Rank Level 9 powerhouse, and yet¡­ he can''t even handle this much shock?" "If he finds out about the rabbit''s treatment in Fortress, he might just get so angry he has a stroke!" Ironback Centipede sighed internally, worried about whether Clinton could even handle the level of extravagance he was about to witness in Fortress. "Iron Cub, just have Hael and the others scout the planet for show and head back quickly¡ªthere''s nothing left here." Seeing that Ironback Centipede was still explaining, Velen patted his shoulder and said this casually. Ironback Centipede quickly nodded and left to notify Hael. Though they didn''t understand why all the resources here were gone, it didn''t matter. They had come here just for show anyway¡ªmost of them were just focused on taking bloodline-enhancing potions. They didn''t care about the planet''s resources at all. Once Ironback Centipede left, Velen turned back to Clinton and said: "Clinton Senator, the atmosphere in Fortress is great¡ªwe should head back now." Hearing this, Clinton swallowed hard. At this point, he wasn''t even sure if he wanted to step into Fortress. This place was just too excessive, too terrifying. Even as someone who had seen countless great powers, he was getting cold feet. But then, he thought about everything Velen had given him¡ª And how he was already considered a Senator. So, he forced himself to nod. "¡­No matter what kind of place Fortress is, I have to see it for myself today!" Clinton took a deep breath, suppressed all the doubts and fears in his heart, and followed Velen toward Fortress. ¡­ Time passed quickly. By morning, they finally arrived at Fortress. "What¡­ terrifying infernal energy!" Suddenly, Clinton halted, his body tensing up as he warily gazed at Fortress. As a Soul Master, his sensitivity was far greater than that of normal Awakeners¡ª Even from a distance, he could feel the bone-chilling Hellish aura¡ª It was so oppressive, it was almost suffocating! "Velen¡­ does our Fortress have a Hell-born Spellbeast inside?" Hearing this, Velen scowled and grumbled, "That damn rabbit must be messing around again!" "If it''s not sleeping or drinking potions, it''s just randomly unleashing Hell energy¡ªwhat kind of nonsense is this?!" Velen had no idea why the rabbit was doing this. But he knew one thing¡ªits intelligence was growing, and it was definitely at that mischievous stage. Soon, they reached the Fortress plaza, where the Hellish aura was the strongest. There¡ª A small white rabbit stood in the center, its dark eyes wide open, continuously blasting the mountains ahead. Its attacks were no longer just instinctual¡ª It was actively training, trying to master a rhythm and technique. The entire mountain range in front of it was riddled with massive craters, thick Hell energy seeping out. Seeing the Hellish aura was actually coming from a tiny white rabbit, Clinton felt like his entire worldview had just shattered. And then¡ª He realized what the rabbit was doing¡ª sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It was practicing techniques for Eye of Hell! Clinton suddenly felt lightheaded. "I was sealed for a long time¡­ but surely the entire world hasn''t changed THIS much, right?!" But before he could process it, he heard a voice¡ª "Velen!" Kevin approached and greeted him. "The rabbit finished all its potions, and its bloodline has undergone significant changes¡ªit''s currently trying to upgrade the power of Eye of Hell." "Since it has no experience with skills, Lady Anastasia had me supervise its training." Kevin looked exhausted as he spoke. He was one of Anastasia''s most trusted subordinates¡ªyet here he was, babysitting a rabbit. "Who would ever believe this?!" Hearing this, Velen nodded in satisfaction. "Kevin Senator, you''ve done well. From now on, the rabbit is your responsibility!" Kevin''s face turned pale. He had come to complain¡ªnot get permanently assigned to the rabbit! Meanwhile, Clinton was still in shock. And so, he unleashed his soul perception, silently scanning the entire Fortress¡ª He needed to know just how deep this madness went! Chapter 104 - Chapter104-Mental Distress Compensation As Clinton''s soul perception spread out, the situation within the fortress quickly surfaced in his mind. Two Heroic Rank female Awakeners. And two Ascended Rank Awakeners! Sensing the presence of those in the fortress, Clinton was utterly shocked. The fortress indeed had a considerable number of people, but all of them were elites! Leaving aside the three Ascended Rank Awakeners he had already detected, those two Heroic Rank female Awakeners¡ªthough young¡ªhad already reached such a level. Even top-tier forces would struggle to produce such supreme prodigies! Moreover, there was that Ironback Centipede, a spellbeast that had survived two waves of Thunder Tide! And that rabbit with an extremely peculiar aura! This fortress was too extraordinary! It was far too powerful! It completely exceeded Clinton''s previous expectations. "No, this place is too dangerous. I need to leave immediately!" After careful consideration, Clinton concluded that this was a place beyond his comprehension! However, at that moment, an extremely eerie and chilling aura swept over from afar. Everyone''s souls trembled slightly, sensing an immense and terrifying danger! Immediately, Robert, Aiden, Anastasia, and Victoria all rushed over from different directions, fully alert. Under their watchful eyes, a figure wrapped in a fearsome aura charged into the area. "Finally, I''m back!" Ethan stopped before the fortress, standing on a Level 9 Forge, holding a Ghost Box in his hands. The bone-chilling aura that unsettled their souls was emanating from it. Seeing that the berserker Ethan had suddenly acquired such a bizarre aura, everyone was startled. Especially Clinton, who immediately recognized the abnormalities in Ethan. Particularly, the Level 9 Forge beneath his feet and the Ghost Box in his hand. He looked like an unrivaled menace. "Senator Ethan, where did you get that evil artifact in your hand?" "You haven''t been corrupted into a dark cultivator, have you?" Anastasia and the others all focused their attention on the Ghost Box. The aura emanating from it gave them an immense sense of oppression. Upon hearing this, Clinton, who had been quietly remaining vigilant, was even more taken aback. Such a terrifying individual was also a senator of this fortress?! What else was there in this fortress that he didn''t know about? "Velen, how did you return before me?" Seeing Velen already present, Ethan''s face flashed with surprise. He had managed to return so quickly only because he used a special secret technique. But how did Velen get back even faster than him? Then, his gaze shifted to Clinton standing beside Velen. "Velen, don''t tell me this guy is another senator you brought back to the fortress?" The aura radiating from Clinton was rather unique, exuding a powerful sense of oppression, clearly distinguishing him from ordinary Awakeners. At this moment, Anastasia and the others also shifted their focus onto Clinton. Velen glanced at Anastasia and introduced him with a smile, "Lord Anastasia, this is Clinton. He is a Soul Master who has survived nine waves of Thunder Tide. From now on, he will be a senator of the fortress." Upon hearing this, Anastasia and the others were utterly astonished. Did they hear that right? A Soul Master who had survived nine waves of Thunder Tide?! Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. That statement was difficult for them to comprehend. Logically speaking, someone of Clinton''s level should have long since entered the Upper Plane Universe! And Soul Masters were an incredibly rare and powerful class. With both factors combined, Clinton was undoubtedly one of the most extraordinary Awakeners in the galaxy! Yet Velen had managed to recruit such a powerful figure into the fortress! They could hardly believe their eyes. But the unfathomable aura surrounding Clinton made them wary nonetheless. Under the shocked and slightly reverent gazes of Anastasia and the others, Clinton suddenly felt a sense of elation. It seemed that despite being sealed for over three hundred years, the world hadn''t changed much. Strength was still the ultimate determinant, and during his years of being sealed, he had already become one of the strongest. The admiration and respect directed at him after his long solitude felt immensely satisfying. Suddenly, he started to feel that joining this fortress might not be such a bad idea. At that moment, Velen opened his system interface and prepared to draw a lottery! "System, lock onto Mana Planet and don''t stop until I''ve drawn a hundred of them!" This was a great opportunity to acquire Luxury Points through Clinton, and since Velen had a favorable impression of him, he was planning to give him a real spectacle! "The probability of drawing a Mana Planet is 15%. Beginning extraction!" As the system prompt sounded, the lottery wheel began spinning rapidly, like a little windmill. Before long, as the system continued to provide notifications, the wheel gradually came to a stop. "Congratulations, Host! You have spent 83,000 Luxury Points and obtained one hundred Mana Planets!" Hearing the system prompt, Velen nodded in satisfaction. Then, he turned to the gathered senators. "Senator Robert, take Senator Clinton around the fortress to familiarize him with the environment!" "Senator Aiden, Senator Ethan, come with me. I have something I need your help with." Following Velen''s orders, the three senators immediately took action. Meanwhile, Anastasia watched Velen and the others leave in astonishment. Good heavens, Velen was the leader of the fortress, wasn''t he? Or was he her fortress''s leader now? But upon second thought, this might not be a bad thing. Under Velen''s leadership, the fortress was thriving like never before. "I never intended to establish a fortress!" Suddenly, realizing this, Anastasia felt a wave of frustration! But in the end, she could only sigh helplessly. Since Velen had entered the fortress, it had transformed from a barren wasteland into an entity capable of rivaling top-tier forces. And now, they had even recruited a powerhouse capable of breaking through space-time barriers and entering the Upper Plane Universe. Anastasia couldn''t even imagine how shocked Duke Anthony would be upon hearing this news. Or what Velen would ultimately turn the fortress into. She was finding Velen harder and harder to decipher! "However, this won''t last forever. Once I enter the Upper Plane Universe, I can finally focus on leveling up and enacting my revenge!" Taking a deep breath, Anastasia suppressed her emotions and returned to her courtyard, resuming her daily grind of leveling up. As the gathering dispersed, Kevin glanced at the small white rabbit left behind and couldn''t help but sigh. "Even though you''re just an ordinary little white rabbit, gaining Velen''s favor might be a greater fortune than being born as one of those top-tier spellbeasts. Now, even an old man like me has to become your mentor." "Velen wants you to become the number one spellbeast in the galaxy. Let me help him gradually realize that goal!" Since he had nothing else to do and no mentees, tutoring this little rabbit wasn''t a bad choice. After all, its bloodline and mana had been greatly enhanced by the various potions Velen provided! Calling it a promising candidate wasn''t an exaggeration. Under Kevin''s intense gaze, the little white rabbit suddenly had a bad feeling. Kevin had previously been so dismissive of it, so why had his expression changed now? As its bloodline and level improved, so too did its intelligence, making it exceptionally adept at reading people. Could Kevin actually believe Velen''s nonsense about making it the number one spellbeast in the galaxy? That was just something Velen said offhand! All it wanted was to cling to a powerful backer and enjoy an easy life! ... "This will be Clinton Senator''s new residence. But before that, tear it down!" After bringing Aiden and Ethan to an unoccupied senator''s courtyard, Velen immediately issued his command. Aiden and Ethan had assumed Velen had a grand task for them and had been gearing up to showcase their skills to earn rewards. They never expected Velen to order them to demolish a courtyard?! But why tear it down when it was perfectly fine? "Velen, are you preparing a residence for the newly awakened Senator Clinton? Even if this courtyard isn''t aesthetically pleasing, there''s no need to demolish it. It could just be renovated." As a master blacksmith, Ethan looked at Velen in confusion. Velen didn''t respond immediately. Instead, he communicated with the system. "If I''m making two Ascended Rank senators do the work of ordinary Awakeners, I should at least compensate them with some hardship pay and mental distress compensation, right?" Chapter 105 - Chapter105-The Floating Courtyard The system responded: "This action is befitting of a great tycoon''s status!" Seeing the system''s approval, Velen was not surprised. He smiled faintly and looked at Ethan and Aiden. "Two senators, I just feel that this place is unworthy of Senator Clinton. Feel free to demolish it boldly. Of course, I won''t have you do this for nothing. Once you complete this task, I will compensate you with some labor fees!" Upon hearing the words "labor fees" from Velen, both Ethan and Aiden became visibly excited. After all, the labor fees from Velen were bound to be unimaginably generous! And indeed, as they got excited¡ª Velen continued, "I don''t know what you both prefer, so here''s the deal. If you help me demolish and rebuild this courtyard, I''ll give you ten bottles of the potion of your choice!" Hiss! The sound of sharp inhaling came simultaneously from Ethan and Aiden. Extravagant! Luxurious! But they loved it! Ten bottles of their preferred potion! For them, the temptation was maxed out! Although their levels were high, they had no absolute confidence in surviving future Thunder Tides and ascending. With the potions they desired, their chances of success would increase dramatically! Velen was truly Velen! As generous as ever! In an instant, both of them, fueled by excitement, turned into human bulldozers, crashing straight into the courtyard walls, shattering them into dust! They didn''t even use mana. Since Velen had given them so much, they felt they had to put in extra effort to deserve such benefits! Otherwise, they would feel guilty for accepting Velen''s generosity! Velen watched them rampage through the small courtyard like human wrecking balls, his eyes widening in astonishment. "Senator Ethan, your speed isn''t cutting it! I''ve already leveled the foundation!" "Senator Aiden, since Velen said to completely demolish the courtyard, we need to utterly pulverize it. Speed alone isn''t enough!" The two competed against each other, increasing their efficiency, demolishing every building in the courtyard. Within just a few dozen breaths, the entire area was flattened, as if no courtyard had ever existed there! Seeing this, Velen immediately took out the Mana Planets he had drawn from the lottery. Seeing the Mana Planets suddenly appear in Velen''s hands, Aiden and Ethan were puzzled and curiously asked, "Velen, what are these things?" They didn''t recognize the Mana Planets, but from them, they could sense an incredibly dense mana fluctuation and exceptionally pure stellar energy! "These are Mana Planets. Senator Clinton likes them very much. Use them to reconstruct the courtyard. And remember, don''t leave a single one behind." Velen instructed. "Alright!" Although they felt these Mana Planets were highly unusual and extremely valuable, considering Velen''s usual extravagant nature, it wasn''t surprising for him to use them so casually. "Velen, don''t worry. Leave it to us. We''ll make sure it turns out great!" As a master forger, Ethan confidently declared. After all, it was just a courtyard. He could build one effortlessly. Even if he had to use these special Mana Planets, it wouldn''t be a problem! Velen had full confidence in the two of them, so he nodded and said, "Then I''ll be waiting for good news from you!" After saying that, Velen turned and left. Watching Velen''s departing figure, Aiden turned to Ethan and said, "Senator Ethan, these Mana Planets are highly unique. They can naturally gather mana and earth elements. If we use them to construct a small courtyard, we might not even use them all!" His keen perception allowed him to clearly sense the special fluctuations emanating from the Mana Planets. Just one of these could build an extraordinary structure. "Using them all might be difficult, but ten bottles of potion don''t come easy." Ethan naturally understood this, and after a brief contemplation, he had an idea. "How about this¡ªlet''s just build a floating island and use the extra Mana Planets as the foundation!" Hearing this, Aiden''s eyes immediately lit up. "Great idea! A floating courtyard made of Mana Planets¡ªsomething like this has never existed in any galaxy!" Ethan said proudly, "Of course! Since Velen has given us such a grand reward, we have to make it the best. Let''s get started!" ¡­ Meanwhile, Clinton was following Robert around the fortress, familiarizing himself with the environment. "Ducal Manor?" "You''re saying this fortress was built by Anastasia, the daughter of Ducal Manor?" After listening to Robert''s introduction, Clinton was utterly bewildered. After all, Ducal Manor was no small force¡ªit had existed in the Titan Galaxy for many years. Given Anastasia''s background, how could this fortress be considered a small faction?! The fortress already had so many powerful senators, and with Ducal Manor as its strongest backing, This fortress had become a colossal force! Clinton narrowed his eyes, growing even more intrigued by the fortress. But soon, he noticed Robert tilting his head back and drinking a potion, his expression somewhat complicated. "By the way, Senator Robert, you''ve been drinking that potion all along. I sense some rather special effects from it." He had noticed that Robert''s expression soured every time he drank the potion, clearly indicating it wasn''t pleasant. Yet, Robert kept drinking it. Robert did not immediately respond but instead asked, "Senator Clinton, since you''re a Soul Master, you must have a unique bloodline, correct?" Although Clinton wasn''t sure why Robert was asking this, he still nodded. "Yes, that''s right. I do possess a unique bloodline, and I have already reached the highest level possible within the Lower Plane Universe. Only by entering the Upper Plane Universe can my bloodline continue to evolve." Upon hearing this, Robert smirked mysteriously. "What if I told you that you could break the limit and continue upgrading your bloodline even within the Lower Plane Universe?" "That''s impossible!" Clinton shook his head repeatedly. "Senator Robert, the Lower Plane Universe is restricted by the higher realms. Bloodline upgrades beyond a certain level are exponentially harder¡­" Yet, just as he said that, a certain figure suddenly flashed through his mind¡ªVelen. If it were anywhere else, it might truly be impossible, but with Velen, perhaps it was possible! Immediately, his eyes widened as he stared at the empty potion bottle in Robert''s hand, his face full of disbelief. "Senator Robert, don''t tell me¡­ this potion can upgrade my bloodline?" Robert nodded. "That''s right. Velen gave me this bloodline-enhancing potion. It significantly boosts bloodline potential, but it tastes horrible. And¡­ it takes 100,000 bottles to trigger a true transformation!" S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Before long, you''ll be just like us, drinking these potions every day." At this point, Robert didn''t say any more. After all, only by experiencing it firsthand could one truly understand. Hearing how serious Robert was, Clinton subconsciously believed it to be true. He grew even more expectant of the fortress. After all, if he could break his bloodline limits, his combat power would skyrocket! As for the terrible taste? He didn''t think it could be that bad. Suddenly, Clinton pointed curiously at a restroom in the distance. "Senator Robert, at our level, we no longer need restrooms, right? Why is there one here, and in such a central location?" "Oh, that? Velen had it built recently," Robert glanced at it, his expression turning complex. He wasn''t sure whether to be amazed or exasperated. After all, this restroom was anything but ordinary! Velen had poured countless precious resources into it! Hearing that this was Velen''s facility, Clinton suddenly recalled something the Ironback Centipede had told him. "Senator Robert, before I arrived, I heard that Velen used a Level 9 Forge as an incinerator. Is that true?" Robert looked at Clinton in surprise. "Didn''t expect you to be so well-informed. Yeah, he not only placed a Level 9 Forge beneath the restroom, but he''s also planning to build a Starry Stone toilet to withstand the Thunder Tide!" "For those of us who haven''t fully endured the Thunder Tide yet, that Starry Stone toilet is a godsend!" Chapter 106 - Chapter106-Is This How Big Shots Are Treated in the Fortress? Hearing Robert''s words, Clinton was completely dumbfounded. He knew what Starry Stone was¡ªone of the best forging materials in the Lower Plane Universe. It was indeed extremely useful for resisting Thunder Tide. However, it required an immense amount of Starry Stone to be effective, which was why this function was largely unknown to most people. Even if someone knew about it, it wouldn''t matter¡ªno one could gather enough Starry Stone to withstand Thunder Tide! But now, Velen actually had this idea¡ªand more importantly, he planned to forge it into a toilet! What kind of insane idea was this? Clinton completely failed to understand! Back in the day, he had struggled desperately to survive each Thunder Tide, exhausting countless resources and mental effort. Every step was a life-and-death battle, and only through sheer perseverance had he succeeded. If Velen really managed to forge a Starry Stone toilet, Wouldn''t that mean future Thunder Tides would be as effortless as sitting on the toilet? Thinking about it like that, all his past struggles felt like a complete joke! Ever since he entered the fortress, Clinton had realized that he had nothing to brag about. Instead, he had been repeatedly humbled by Velen''s extravagance and recklessness! However, when he imagined future senators breaking through while either sitting on a toilet or carrying a toilet on their backs, he felt a lot better. The scene would definitely be hilarious! At that moment, Robert pulled out a glowing book from his coat and handed it to Clinton. "Senator Clinton, since you''ve just arrived at the fortress, take this Skill Tome of Experience as a welcome gift. I was reluctant to use it myself before." The SSS Skill Tome of Experience was a precious item. Before, Robert would have never been willing to part with it. But with Anastasia''s fortress rules now in place, as long as one contributed to the fortress, they could earn Contribution Points. Contribution Points could be used to exchange for rare resources such as SSS Skill Tomes, Dragon Blood, and more. Now that he had a steady supply, Robert didn''t mind using one to build rapport with this soon-to-ascend powerhouse. Clinton looked at the glowing book in Robert''s hand. "SSS Skill Tome of Experience? What is this?" Clinton was confused. He had never heard of such an item before. But from Robert''s expression, it was clearly extremely valuable. "You''ll understand once you try it." Robert smiled. Clinton, still skeptical, channeled mana into the SSS Skill Tome of Experience. At that moment, a dazzling light burst forth. Immediately, Clinton felt all of his skills surging in proficiency! Sensing the transformation in his body, Clinton''s face filled with utter shock. His skill proficiency was skyrocketing! He knew that his current skill proficiency had already reached a bottleneck, making further progress extremely difficult. Yet this SSS Skill Tome of Experience was actually boosting his proficiency effortlessly! After fully absorbing the SSS Skill Tome of Experience, Clinton slowly opened his eyes, his gaze burning with excitement as he stared at Robert. "This skill experience¡­ is also from Velen?" From his perspective, only someone as mysterious as Velen could possess such an unbelievable item. Robert nodded. "That''s right. Velen gave these to us. We don''t have many left, though, because Velen gave most of them to that rabbit." Hearing this, Clinton''s eyes widened in disbelief. He had seen the little white rabbit before, but¡­ Velen gave most of the SSS Skill Tomes of Experience to a rabbit?! S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He couldn''t accept this! Immediately, he spoke anxiously: "Velen may be a great tycoon, but isn''t this too wasteful? Why aren''t you all saying anything to him?" "We don''t have the right to question him," Robert chuckled. "Senator Clinton, you''re still lacking in social experience. Why do you think so many senators have gathered here?" "Isn''t it all because of the resources Velen provides?" "Aren''t you here for the same reason?" Faced with Robert''s straightforward question, Clinton immediately snapped back to reality. That''s right! The only reason he had joined the fortress was because Velen gave him Advanced Mana Crystals and Soul Crystals. He had no argument. "Uh¡­ I''m just interested in the fortress¡­" Clinton weakly defended himself. "Senator Clinton, it''s just the two of us here. You don''t need to pretend." "We all have the same thoughts. Everyone is drawn by Velen''s resources." "As long as we work hard for the fortress¡ªas long as we work for Velen¡ªVelen will never let us suffer." Robert smiled knowingly, completely seeing through Clinton''s excuse. He then shifted the conversation, looking toward a nearby courtyard. "You''ll understand everything in time. For now, just find a place to settle in." Clinton nodded. Judging from everything he had seen so far, the fortress was an excellent place to stay. No other faction could match the fortress''s extravagance. As they continued deeper into the fortress, Clinton suddenly sensed an overwhelming mana fluctuation. Turning his gaze toward the source, his mind nearly collapsed. Because what he saw was Ethan and Aiden actively embedding Mana Planets into the ground and stonework! "What are you doing?!" "That''s Mana Planet! Why are you embedding it randomly into the walls?!" Clinton was furious, rushing over to stop them. "Do you have any idea how long it takes for a single Mana Planet to form? How could you waste them like this?" This was Mana Planet! He had been sealed for over 300 years because of a single Mana Planet! But now, Ethan and Aiden were casually using them to build a house?! This was madness! As a senator of the fortress, he couldn''t allow such reckless extravagance! "Senator Clinton, you came just in time! Your courtyard is almost finished. Take a look¡ªwhat do you think?" Ethan grinned at Clinton. Clinton, who had been burning with fury, suddenly froze. What? This luxurious courtyard made from so many Mana Planets was for him?! Had he misheard? "Y-you¡­ this is too wastefu¡ª I mean¡­ y-you''ve worked hard! I love it!" Clinton instantly changed his tone. He didn''t know exactly how many Mana Planets had been used, But just from the aura emanating from the courtyard, he was completely intoxicated! Most importantly¡ªhe now owned 100 Mana Planets! If Max, the one who had once stolen his Mana Planet, found out about this, He''d probably cough up blood from sheer rage! Something Max had once treasured beyond measure was now just building material in Clinton''s eyes! He had to rub this fact in Max''s face! Meanwhile, Robert, Ethan, and Aiden all looked enviously at the floating courtyard above them. This courtyard was leagues above their own! Even at their level, they could feel just how beneficial it was to live here. With mana so dense, one probably didn''t even need to meditate to advance¡ªjust living here was enough to level up! Chapter 107 - Chapter107-The Sneaky Duo This courtyard was simply too comfortable! Ethan and the others were all green with envy. "I think Velen built such a luxurious courtyard for Clinton on purpose¡ªjust to push us to level up faster!" "I think so too! We''re all long-time members of the fortress, yet Velen didn''t upgrade our courtyards. Instead, he built such an extravagant residence for Clinton, who''s about to enter the Upper Plane Universe. It must be to motivate us!" "We have indeed been slacking off compared to Hael and the others." "No way, we have to work harder! Only by leveling up can we gain more privileges and get Velen''s attention!" After a brief exchange, Robert, Ethan, and Aiden all saw the determination in each other''s eyes. They were convinced they had figured out the truth behind this situation! Meanwhile, Clinton looked at them and couldn''t help but think they had completely misunderstood. An outsider sees more clearly than those involved. Velen''s behavior had nothing to do with motivating them¡ªhe was simply showing off his wealth. After all, Velen had casually taken out 100 Mana Planets. It was clear he wasn''t lacking such things, so there was no hidden message urging them to level up. Velen''s goal was simple and direct! At that moment, the system''s voice suddenly rang in Velen''s ears: "All Mana Planets have been used. Show-off attempt failed. No reward." Velen froze. What? He had gone through so much effort to show off his wealth, and yet there was no reward?! Building a house with 100 Mana Planets¡ªif that''s not showing off, what is?! "The host''s flaunting attempt failed because the target characters actively participated in the construction. Since they believed it was within the host''s capabilities, it did not trigger a reward." Velen suddenly realized: "So¡­ I didn''t show off enough?" Hearing the system''s explanation, Velen finally understood. Clinton had been sealed for 300 years¡ªhe was probably mentally scarred from it. I miscalculated! Shaking his head, Velen decided to forget about it and just went to sleep. ¡­ Time passed quickly. Late at night. Two figures silently slipped into the fortress. "Senator William, you''re from Ducal Manor. Do you really need to sneak around like this?" Corner looked at William in confusion. As a righteous man, he didn''t like this sneaky behavior. William, however, shook his head seriously. "Corner, look at the time. It''s already late. They''re probably either asleep or, like Miss Anastasia, busy leveling up. We shouldn''t disturb them. Let''s just wait until morning." Corner considered his words and found them reasonable. After all, the fortress had become the true gathering place of Ducal Manor''s top talents. It was only right to show some respect to these geniuses. Especially Velen¡ªwho loved to sleep¡ªhe must not be disturbed. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. However, as they continued sneaking deeper into the fortress, Ethan and Clinton immediately sensed their presence, their expressions turning serious. "Enemies?" At the same time, William and Corner¡ªunfamiliar with the layout of the fortress¡ªwere wandering around aimlessly. "There''s Velen''s presence here. This must be where the fortress geniuses rest. Let''s find another area." Just as they left Velen''s courtyard, Corner suddenly stiffened. "Ascended Rank Lv3!" "Ascended Rank Lv4!" "And another Ascended Rank Awakener!" "The three you mentioned should be Kevin, Robert, and Aiden," Velen replied casually. He was very familiar with their auras. This confirmed it¡ªthey had found the senators'' quarters. "Senator William! Corner!" At that moment, Ethan¡ªwho had been approaching¡ªrecognized their auras and suddenly got an idea for a little prank. They wanted to sneak in to surprise them? He''d surprise them first! "A floating courtyard? What''s going on?" As they ventured deeper, William and Corner''s pupils shrank sharply! They had seen floating islands before, but this courtyard¡­ The immense mana fluctuations emanating from it¡­ It was like a mana fountain! Both of them were dumbfounded! "A senator''s personal courtyard¡­ this is way too extravagant! How many Mana Planets were used for this? Three?" Corner couldn''t help but exclaim in shock. Velen''s expression turned serious, and he shook his head repeatedly. "Three? Impossible." "Mana Planets gather mana naturally. If only three were used, it couldn''t have created such a dense mana field. At least ten were used!" Then, a horrified expression crossed Velen''s face as he realized something. "I think it''s far more than ten. Mana Planets are extremely rare, and even one would cause a war over ownership." "The only person who would use them to build a house is Velen." "So¡­ judging by this floating courtyard, I''d say at least 100 Mana Planets were used!" Hearing this, Corner stared at Velen in disbelief. No way. 100 Mana Planets?! Even if you gathered all the Mana Planets in Titan Galaxy and the neighboring star systems, it wouldn''t total 100! At the same time, William''s expression grew extremely serious. This meant that¡ªon some level¡ªhe believed Velen actually could take out 100 Mana Planets! "William, we''re old friends, right?" Corner suddenly asked. "Be honest with me¡ªdoes your fortress need a mixologist?" Velen''s extravagance had shattered his perception of reality. He had spent decades grinding in Chaos City, yet even that couldn''t compare to a single brick of this courtyard! If he could just stay close to Velen, it would be a million times better than slaving away in Chaos City! William immediately understood what was going through Corner''s mind. After all¡ªanyone who had seen Velen''s lavish lifestyle had thought about becoming his loyal servant. But¡­ This was Corner. A man who once considered himself too noble to mix drinks. Yet now¡ªhe was begging to be Velen''s bartender? The world truly is unpredictable. That said, William knew one thing¡ªif Corner shamelessly clung to Velen, he might actually become the fortress''s mixologist! Though Corner had a good chance, William wasn''t going to let him off easily. He''d make sure to tease him a little first before giving him a real answer. Meanwhile, Clinton¡ªwho had been hiding in the shadows¡ªlet out a sigh of relief. Seeing their behavior, it was clear they weren''t enemies of the fortress¡ªrather, they were trying to join the fortress and follow Velen. The fortress was already powerful beyond belief, and yet more strong figures were gathering. Just how terrifying would the fortress become in the future? Thinking this, Clinton stepped out of the darkness. "Since you''re friends of the fortress, rest in my courtyard for now. We''ll talk when Velen wakes up." As Clinton revealed himself, William and Corner''s pupils shrank! They had remained highly alert, yet hadn''t sensed his presence at all. But judging by his words, he had been watching them for a while¡ªhe knew everything they had said. If this old man had wanted to kill them, they would have died on the spot! Just how terrifying was his strength?! More importantly¡ªhe looked like a complete hobo. Compared to them, his disguise was far more convincing. The two exchanged a glance¡ªand saw the competitive pressure in each other''s eyes. They had merely pretended to be sneaky¡ªthis old man had mastered it! Seeing their hesitation, Clinton smiled and said: "You must have just escaped from a seal too, right? Don''t be nervous. I was also recently unsealed. I understand your feelings." ?? William and Corner were utterly confused. Before they could react, Ethan''s loud voice rang out from a distance. "Senators William and Corner, you''re both friends of the fortress. Why are you sneaking around like thieves? I don''t get it!" As Ethan''s words echoed, William and Corner''s faces turned dark¡ªbut they knew Ethan was just messing with them. Chapter 108 - Chapter108-That Was My Past Wish After a burst of laughter, Ethan turned his attention to Clinton, his expression becoming a bit more restrained. Even though they were all senators of the fortress, Clinton was, after all, an almost-ascended powerhouse about to enter the Upper Plane Universe. Instinctively, Ethan held some reverence toward him and didn''t dare act too casually. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Since you''re here, Senator Clinton, let''s all get to know each other!" Saying this, Ethan walked over to William, eyeing his tattered, vagabond-like outfit and grinning. "This is Senator William, the Grand Senator of Ducal Manor, and an old friend of mine!" Hearing this, Clinton looked at William in disbelief. Ducal Manor was one of the most powerful factions in the galaxy, and their Grand Senator looked this impoverished? He looked no different from a beggar, almost as ragged as Clinton himself after being sealed for 300 years! However, Clinton knew Ethan had no reason to lie. And from William''s presence alone, Clinton could clearly feel his formidable strength! Even though William was not as strong as himself, he was still a force to be reckoned with! "As for Corner, he is a renowned mixologist. Many Awakeners with a taste for fine liquor spend fortunes just to have a single cocktail crafted by him!" After Ethan''s introduction, Clinton nodded in greeting, showing goodwill toward the two. Although he still couldn''t understand why they were dressed in such rags, their strength was undeniable. William and Corner both awkwardly nodded in response. At this moment, Ethan turned to Clinton and introduced him to William and Corner. "This is Clinton¡ªa Soul Master who has survived nine waves of Thunder Tide and is about to enter the Upper Plane Universe as a top-tier powerhouse!" Hiss! William and Corner both inhaled sharply. Although they had already sensed that Clinton was unusual, They never imagined that this man¡ªwho looked like a true vagabond¡ªwas actually this powerful! Surviving nine waves of Thunder Tide meant that his entry into the Upper Plane Universe was practically guaranteed! Such an individual would stand at the very peak, overlooking the entire Lower Plane Universe. Even though they were both Ascended Rank Awakeners, compared to Clinton, They were far from his level! When had Anastasia managed to recruit such a top-tier powerhouse?! A being of such immense strength would be famous across the Titan Galaxy¡ªrecruiting someone like him should have been near-impossible! William couldn''t fathom how Anastasia had accomplished this. With Clinton as a senator, along with the other powerful senators gathered here, The fortress was showing signs of surpassing Ducal Manor! Yet, the fortress was originally created just to test and temper Anastasia! How long had it been? And already, Anastasia had grown it into such a formidable force?! At this rate, surpassing Ducal Manor would be as simple as breathing! Thinking this, William suddenly felt a strong urge to stay here! Meanwhile, beside him, Corner''s eyes were also gleaming with excitement. Although he had yet to meet Velen, the great tycoon, The fortress had so many powerful figures gathered in one place¡ªthis was no ordinary faction! The thought of staying here had completely taken root in his heart! With Clinton as the powerhouse protecting the fortress, its safety was unquestionable. And with Velen¡ªthe great tycoon¡ªpresent, Why would he go back to working in Chaos City? Working was impossible! With Velen here, spending some time in the fortress would definitely turn him into a wealthy man, able to indulge in luxury and excess! "This fortress is the perfect place for a mixologist like me!" Corner became more resolute in his decision. "Master Ethan, what are you doing here?" William had known Ethan for a long time but had never expected to find him here. Corner, too, was stunned to see Ethan. Ethan had always been a free-spirited master forger, never affiliating with any faction. So why was he here in the fortress? And why did he seem so familiar with everything here? Being questioned by both of them, Ethan coughed lightly and said: "Well, you both know I''m a forger, so I joined the fortress a while back¡­ mainly to forge things like bowls and scissors for them!" Hearing this, Corner and William were utterly shocked. They both knew Ethan well¡ªhe was an ambitious forger with grand aspirations! "Master Ethan, you must be joking! You were once a madman for forging, utterly obsessed with your craft!" Corner nodded in agreement. "Exactly! You once told me you wanted to become the God of Forging, crafting a legendary Level 9 Forge that would be known throughout the galaxy¡­" The Ethan standing before them was completely different from the one in their memories. If not for his unchanged aura, they would have doubted whether he was really Ethan at all! Under their intense gazes, Ethan sighed and said: "That was my past wish." "After meeting Velen, I finally opened my eyes and saw the world properly." "Now, my only goal is to stay by Velen''s side and forge daily necessities for him!" "Don''t argue¡ªeven everyday items need to be crafted with absolute precision so that they develop spirituality!" Hearing Ethan''s praise of Velen, William immediately grasped what had happened and asked directly: "Ethan, we''re old friends. Just tell me¡ªhow much did Velen give you?" Ethan waved his hand dismissively. "Not much¡ªjust a Forging Mastery Skill Tome." "With that skill book, I''ve taken my first solid step toward becoming the greatest forger in the galaxy." "From now on, the things I forge will naturally develop spirituality." William, Corner, and Clinton all stared at Ethan in disbelief. With their understanding of forging, they knew how difficult it was to craft weapons or tools that developed spirituality. What kind of god-tier skill book had Velen given him?! After the initial shock, Corner became extremely excited. Since Velen had recruited Ethan, a master forger, into the fortress, Then surely accepting a mixologist like himself wouldn''t be a problem! "Ethan, you joined the fortress first, so that makes you my senior. I''ll be counting on your guidance!" Corner spoke earnestly. Ethan was momentarily stunned. "Corner¡­ don''t tell me¡­ you want to join the fortress too?!" "Of course! Why else would I be here?" Corner huffed and nodded. Seeing this, Ethan grew excited. "Great! With a master mixologist like you here, we''ll never run out of fine drinks!" Getting a cocktail from Corner used to be incredibly difficult, But now¡­ With Velen''s countless resources, there was a good chance they''d create legendary drinks never seen before! For most Awakeners, food was optional¡ªbut alcohol was essential! Hearing their conversation, Clinton swallowed hard. He had been sealed for 300 years, and he was passionate about food and fine liquor. Staying in the fortress, living in a Mana Planet-forged floating house, and drinking legendary cocktails¡­ That was true paradise! At that moment, Clinton''s desire to stay in the fortress became firmer than ever! Even William''s eyes flickered with contemplation. As Corner''s old friend, William knew his drinks weren''t just delicious¡ªthey also enhanced cultivation! Thinking about this, even William felt tempted to stay. Tomorrow morning, he would talk to Anastasia about staying here for a while! Before long, after some casual chatter, Ethan returned to his own courtyard. Meanwhile, William and Corner entered Clinton''s floating courtyard to rest. That night, many were too excited to sleep. Chapter 109 - Chapter109-The New Mixologist A few hours later, as the sky began to brighten. Having barely rested, Senator William made his way to Anastasia''s hall early in the morning. Seeing Senator William suddenly appear, Anastasia was visibly puzzled. "Senator William, what brings you here?" Unless there was a major event, the senators typically remained in Ducal Manor and would not leave easily. Moreover, Senator William was the foremost figure in the senate. His every move would attract attention, so coming here must mean something significant was at hand. William did not immediately respond to Anastasia''s question. Instead, he looked extremely serious and asked: "Anastasia, tell me the truth¡ªwhat would you say if I left the senate and became a consecrated senator in your fortress?" When Anastasia heard these words, her first reaction was to suspect that someone was impersonating William. He was the Grand Senator of Ducal Manor! His level and influence were immense¡ªwhy would he suddenly ask such an absurd question? "Senator William, whether you''re serious or just joking, this is absolutely impossible!" Anastasia immediately shook her head and refused. Although she had no idea what had happened to make Senator William think this way, She had a strong feeling that it was definitely related to Velen! If she opened this door, then the other senators of Ducal Manor would surely start flocking here. Wouldn''t that mean the fortress would effectively become the new headquarters of Ducal Manor?! That would be tantamount to splitting Ducal Manor! This was a responsibility Anastasia could not bear! "Senator William, you are one of Ducal Manor''s pillars. If you leave, wouldn''t Ducal Manor fall into chaos? I think you should return as soon as possible!" A sudden realization hit her¡ªif Senator William defected, then other members of Ducal Manor would surely follow. That would turn into a nightmare scenario! To prevent that from happening, Anastasia spoke her mind frankly, explaining everything to Senator William. Hearing her reasoning, William''s expectation and excitement instantly vanished. Because he knew she was right. He understood all too well how the other senators of Ducal Manor would react! At least four other senators would immediately want to join the fortress. If that happened, Ducal Manor''s internal structure would be thrown into complete chaos! ¡­ Meanwhile, in his quarters, Velen was fast asleep. However, when he opened his door, he was met with a surprising sight¡ª A rather aged man, pushing a small serving cart, stood outside his door, grinning obsequiously at him. "Velen, I''m the new mixologist. Just call me Corner. I''ve prepared some fine drinks and pastries for you¡ªplease have a taste!" As he spoke, Corner opened the serving cart. Immediately, a rich aroma of fine liquor wafted through the air. At the same time, the beautifully crafted pastries emitted a faint, sweet fragrance. Seeing how Corner truly looked like a mixologist, Velen was astonished. Since when did the fortress have a mixologist?! And he was even personally recommended by Anastasia?! Though a bit confused, the exquisite scent of the cocktails and pastries was so enticing that Velen''s anticipation grew. Without hesitation, Velen gestured for Corner to push the cart into his courtyard. Once inside, Velen, unable to resist any longer, picked up a tall glass. Inside, the seven-colored liquid glowed softly. Taking a sip, Velen was instantly overwhelmed by an ethereal sensation, as if he were floating in the air! His entire being felt weightless, exuding a unique mana fluctuation! "What kind of cocktail is this?!" After a brief moment, Velen abruptly opened his eyes and asked. Corner smiled proudly and replied: "This is my Rainbow Series, specially blended for you, Velen¡ªI hope you like it!" Velen took another sip, and his smile grew even wider. Even though he wasn''t a mixologist, he had heard enough to know¡ª This cocktail surpassed anything he had ever tasted! "Velen, I also prepared some pastries¡ªhave some to balance out the alcohol." Corner reminded him considerately. At that moment, Velen''s attention shifted to the pastries. He had heard that top-tier mixologists were also often master pastry chefs. Given how amazing Corner''s cocktails were, his pastries were surely just as extraordinary! And indeed¡ª When Velen bit into a delicate, snow-white pastry, he felt a surge of clarity in his mind. A complex explosion of flavors erupted like a volcanic eruption in his senses! For someone like Velen, who had gone so long without truly fine food and drink, This was a divine blessing! After all, Anastasia was too focused on training and refused to cook. And Alan''s cooking¡­ well, it was better than Bloodline Enhancement Potions, but only slightly. "Corner¡­ are you perhaps some kind of legendary mixologist?!" After briefly indulging in his feast, Velen looked at Corner with astonishment. Hearing Velen''s praise, Corner was overjoyed and proudly introduced himself. "Indeed! I was once a master mixologist, but my skills have improved even further. The cocktail you just drank was infused with the power of seven different spellbeasts, refined through special techniques!" Then, Corner confidently declared: "There is no one else who can mix a cocktail of this caliber!" "Velen, you''ve had a taste¡ªwhat do you think?" At that moment, Velen was too focused on his feast to respond. Only after finishing his drink and polishing off the pastries did he pat his slightly rounded stomach and grin. "Not bad, not bad!" "Anastasia really brought in a good one this time¡ªwe''re in for a treat from now on!" Eating and drinking while getting stronger¡­ isn''t that everyone''s dream? Just then, Velen''s attention shifted to his system interface. Special Item of the Day: Nine Dragon Goblets! Nine Dragon Goblets¡ªa special creation of a grandmaster forger from the Upper Plane Universe. A set of nine unique crystal goblets, meticulously crafted from different rare materials, infused with the souls of ancient dragons. Each goblet was linked to a different dragon element: Thunder Dragon, Ice Dragon, Gold Dragon, Earth Dragon, Wood Dragon¡­ Reading the system''s description, Velen immediately recognized the goblets'' extraordinary value. However, another problem arose. How should he show them off? This puzzled Velen for a moment¡ª But soon, a perfect candidate popped into his mind. Alan. If he gifted these goblets to Alan, he would definitely earn a ton of luxury points! Although Alan had no use for the Nine Dragon Goblets, that was precisely why it would be the ultimate flex! Now, the only question was¡ªhow to make Alan accept them. Velen already had a plan. "Corner, your mixing skills are amazing. Have you ever thought about training mentees and founding your own school?" Corner shook his head immediately. "Train mentees? Forget it. Most Awakeners don''t care about mixology¡ªthey see it as a waste of time." "Besides, I have very high standards. If they don''t meet my expectations, I won''t waste my time on them." Hearing this, Velen thought of Alan¡ªthe ''Chosen One''. Alan would be the perfect mentee! "Don''t worry, we''re friends, aren''t we? I''ll recommend someone perfect for you!" "Oh? Who is it?" Corner asked curiously. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "He''s only a Level 3 Alchemist, but he''s very obedient and extremely talented. I''m certain he can become a top-tier mixologist!" Velen patted his chest confidently. However, upon hearing this, Corner immediately felt something was off. A Level 3 Alchemist¡­? That meant he had never touched mixology before! How could an alchemist become a mixologist? This was practically an insult to his profession! But since the offer came from Velen, he figured¡­ Maybe it was worth meeting this so-called mentee. Chapter 110 - Chapter110-The Calamity Triggered by the Nine Dragons Cup Before long, under Velen''s guidance, Corner arrived at the courtyard where Alan was staying. At that moment, Alan was resting in his room. Seeing Velen bringing along a mysterious person he had never met before, he was slightly startled but still got up to greet them. "Velen, is something the matter?" Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He couldn''t shake the feeling that the mysterious old man was looking at him strangely. The way he was being scrutinized made him inexplicably uneasy. "Alan, you were the first person I brought into Fortress, and I care deeply about your future!" Velen lightly patted Alan on the shoulder. Hearing these words, Alan was instantly thrilled. Being valued by Velen¡ªthis was something he had long dreamed of! After all, with Velen''s tycoon status, gaining his favor could mean a meteoric rise¡ªan incredible opportunity! "Velen, you really do treat me like a brother!" Alan''s eyes turned red with emotion. He had been in Fortress for quite some time, yet every other genius who had joined far outshone him in almost every aspect. This had placed a great deal of pressure on him. But there was little he could do¡ªHael and the others not only possessed exceptional talent but also had powerful backgrounds, something he could never compete with. Fortunately, Velen had remembered him now¡ªhis chance had arrived! "Velen, whatever you need me to do, just say the word! I''ll work myself to the bone if I have to!" Alan pounded his chest, making his pledge. Seeing this, Velen nodded and turned toward Corner. "Alan, this is Corner, our newly joined senator in Fortress. He is also a Ascended Rank powerhouse!" A flicker of confusion flashed through Alan''s eyes. He didn''t understand why Velen was introducing Corner at this moment. Still, Corner was an Ascended Rank awakener, so Alan held a certain level of respect for him. He quickly bowed in greeting. Velen smiled and said, "From now on, he will be your mentor. You must follow him and learn the art of mixology. Strive to become the greatest bartender in the galaxy!" "Mentor? Mixology?" Alan was baffled. Had Velen misspoken, or had he misheard? Velen assigning him an Ascended Rank mentor¡ªhe was delighted. But learning to mix drinks? That, he could not accept. He was a Tier 3 Alchemist! How could he possibly switch to learning mixology? Although he wasn''t the most talented, he still believed himself to have potential. If he were to become a bartender, wouldn''t that mean he was no better than a failure? "Velen, I think I''m still salvageable!" Being labeled a failure was something Alan absolutely could not accept¡ªnot even if the person before him was an Ascended Rank powerhouse! But before he could say another word, Velen had already pulled out the Nine Dragons Cup from his coat. "As a mixologist, how can you not have your own mixing tools? This Nine Dragons Cup is my gift to you!" Velen knew that forcing Alan to become a mixologist would certainly provoke resistance, so before Alan could explode in anger, he had already placed the Nine Dragons Cup into his hands. Corner, as a top-tier awakener, was strong in all aspects. And with the added blessing of the Nine Dragons Cup, Velen was convinced that Alan''s future would be limitless. He had always wanted to give Alan, the first person he had recruited into Fortress, a boost. Now, he had finally found the perfect opportunity. Alan stared at the nine dragon-shaped cups that had suddenly appeared before him, his face filled with shock and astonishment. Each of the Nine Dragons Cup was unique in form and radiated an immensely terrifying mana aura. As an alchemist, Alan had a sharp eye for magical artifacts. He could tell instantly that the Nine Dragons Cup was an artifact of the highest quality! At that moment, as the Nine Dragons Cup appeared, the dragon-shaped cups suddenly began to tremble. From them, different elemental dragons burst forth! A Thunder Dragon! An Ice Dragon! A Flame Dragon! ¡­ Nine dragons in total soared into the sky, each carrying wild and violent mana surges, sending powerful waves rippling through the surroundings! Alan was completely dumbfounded. The power of the Nine Dragons Cup far exceeded his imagination! It had even developed sentience! That was a characteristic found only in artifacts from the Upper Plane Universe! At the very moment when the nine fierce dragons soared into the sky, a terrifying dragon''s might spread, sweeping across the land. Everyone within Fortress was stunned as the overwhelming dragon''s might pressed down on them. Even they felt their hearts racing in terror! Then, their pupils shrank even further as they gazed in horror at the dark clouds suddenly gathering in the sky. Countless black clouds roiled like ink, exuding an unbearably oppressive aura! This thunderous storm seemed capable of annihilating everything below! Calamity! A thunder calamity triggered by a powerful artifact! At that moment, Ethan and the others trembled, staring in disbelief at the raging storm of lightning above. They had heard rumors before¡ªwhenever a powerful artifact emerged, it would attract the attention of the heavens, which would then attempt to destroy it! This, in turn, would unleash a disaster even more terrifying than the Thunder Tide! But¡­ that was just a rumor! They had never actually seen it happen before. After all, the kind of blacksmiths capable of forging artifacts that could provoke a calamity were almost nonexistent in the galaxy! Creating such an artifact required not only an exceptional blacksmith but also extremely rare materials. Yet now, they were witnessing it with their own eyes! Clinton, too, was utterly stunned. Even when he had faced the ninth wave of the Thunder Tide, powerful enough to obliterate dozens of miles of mountains, he had never felt such horror as he did now in the face of this storm! Even with his current strength, there was no way he could withstand this lightning strike! "What kind of artifact triggered this thunder calamity? It''s like the end of the world!" "This Fortress is truly extraordinary. I''ve only been here for a day, and already I''ve encountered something like this!" Clinton''s heart pounded in fear. He was certain that if this Thunder Calamity spread unchecked, the entire Fortress would be affected! Unlike the others, who were filled with dread, Corner''s eyes were wide with shock and envy. The closer he examined the Nine Dragons Cup, the more he realized its uniqueness¡ªit was simply the perfect creation of the heavens! If he could obtain it, even if he died in the Thunder Calamity, he would have no regrets! "Velen actually handed such a precious artifact to Alan¡­ If only it were mine!" Corner was practically drooling with desire. At the same time, he became even more determined to stay in Fortress and cling to Velen''s support. If Velen could casually hand out such a treasure, then anything else he might offer¡ªeven if not as extraordinary as the Nine Dragons Cup¡ªwould still be immensely valuable! Meanwhile, Alan''s eyes welled up with gratitude. Velen! A true brother! An artifact capable of triggering a Thunder Calamity¡ªin any galaxy, such an item would be fought over by countless awakeners and factions! It was priceless! Yet Velen had given it to him without hesitation. He had once thought that Velen had given up on him, but now he realized¡ªhe had simply been thinking too small! Velen''s regard for him was far greater than he had imagined! Perhaps¡­ becoming a mixologist wasn''t such a bad choice after all! But¡­ this Thunder Calamity was far too terrifying¡ªhe had no way of stopping it. Unlike the others, who were filled with dread, Velen remained calm. Even though this Thunder Calamity was immensely powerful, he wasn''t the least bit worried. After all, he had yet to use the Eye of Annihilation. With its ability to erase everything, even if the calamity were ten times worse, he could still obliterate it effortlessly. However, since he had a group of tycoon guards standing by with nothing to do, he decided to give them a chance to prove themselves. Whoever arrived first¡ªit would all depend on luck! Just as Velen made this decision, the Thunder Calamity in the sky reached its most terrifying peak! Boom! The earth trembled as terrifying lightning bolts danced wildly like silver serpents, falling in dense torrents from the sky. The once-darkened sky, shrouded in storm clouds, was instantly illuminated as bright as day! A deluge of lightning rained down, like an overturned black ocean in the sky, pressing down so heavily that Clinton and the others could barely breathe. A suffocating sense of death loomed over them. They knew¡ªno matter how hard they fought, there was no way they could withstand this devastating lightning strike! Chapter 111 - Chapter111-The One-Eyed Man—A True Man’s Romance As Clinton and the others sank into utter despair, unable to muster the courage to resist the incoming lightning, a blood-red figure suddenly appeared in the void, illuminated to a blinding whiteness. With the emergence of this figure, Clinton and the others felt as if space-time itself had been warped. The pure white surroundings seemed to be dyed crimson, transforming into a blood-red sunset! Anastasia, Ethan, and Victoria instinctively stepped back in fear! They immediately recognized the one-eyed, red-haired man. The last time he had appeared, he had given them an overwhelming sense of oppression, leaving an unforgettable impression! Now, in the face of Fortress''s impending destruction, the one-eyed, red-haired man had appeared once more! Then, before their very eyes, the man with only a single eye unleashed a torrent of twisted, blood-red mana from his body, which coalesced into an irregularly shaped, blood-red scythe in his hands. The moment the scythe materialized, his figure vanished from its original position. All that remained was a blinding, wild blood-red slash that tore through the sky, shredding the void and reversing the descent of the lightning. In an instant, all the incoming lightning was obliterated! One strike. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Heaven and earth laid to waste. The sight made everyone tremble from head to toe. Just how terrifying was this one-eyed, red-haired man''s strength? With just a single move, he had wiped away a thunderstorm that could have destroyed Fortress a thousand times over! Even the thick thunderclouds that had gathered in the sky began to disperse at an astonishing speed! It was as if they feared the one-eyed, red-haired man and dared not unleash their calamity upon him! "This guy is way too monstrous!" Ethan swallowed hard. He suddenly felt that the phrase "the gap between people is even greater than that between a man and a dog" had become a painfully vivid reality. Victoria''s jaw dropped, her face filled with shock. She had always considered herself an extremely proud and gifted individual. But compared to this red-haired, one-eyed man, she was nothing but a mere beginner! "We both have two hands and two legs¡ªhow can the gap be this huge? Could it be because he only has one eye? With one less eye, does that mean he has half as many enemies and is twice as ferocious?" Victoria flexed her burly physique, and on her petite, doll-like face, there suddenly appeared an expression of enlightenment! Meanwhile, the other members of Fortress, who had never encountered the one-eyed, red-haired man before, were terrified beyond words. Who was this man? His combat strength was beyond imagination, shattering everything they thought they knew! Dominating. Overpowering. Cold-blooded to the extreme. Just looking at his back made their senses feel distorted. Anastasia stared at the one-eyed, red-haired man, her expression turning grim. She had no idea who he was, but his overwhelming strength and crazed aura reminded her of that madman with the Fenrir bloodline! Both of them belonged to the kind of terrifying lunatics who struck fear into the hearts of all. Yet, from this one-eyed, red-haired man, she felt an even more suffocating sense of terror and despair! Even in the Upper Plane Universe, this man would be a force to be reckoned with¡ªa tyrant who walked unchallenged! She had been reincarnated into the Lower Plane Universe, so why was she encountering someone even more terrifying than the madman from the Upper Plane Universe? Her mind reeled, completely unable to comprehend it! "At least they know their place. Otherwise, they would have learned firsthand what the heavens taste like today." As the last of the thunderclouds dispersed, The one-eyed, red-haired man licked his lips, suppressing the bloodthirsty urge within him, and stepped back to stand beside Velen. His speed was unparalleled, but what struck fear into everyone''s hearts the most was what he had just said. Almost involuntarily, the others took several steps back in terror! Who was this man? Not only did he hold no regard for the Heavens, but he was even thinking of eating the Heavens?! This was insanity beyond comprehension! Before long, Anastasia glanced at the gathered senators and members of Fortress, a complicated expression flickering in her eyes. Originally, Fortress had only been composed of her and Kevin. But now, it had truly begun to resemble a top-tier faction. Her gaze quickly shifted to Velen. All of these changes had happened after Velen joined! Especially today¡ªwhen that terrifying anomaly had taken place, she herself had felt a moment of utter despair! "Velen, everyone''s here now. What just happened? Where did those dragon souls come from?" As Anastasia''s words fell, everyone''s eyes immediately turned to Velen. Many of them still had no idea what had just transpired. But it was obvious that the artifact capable of triggering such a disaster had come from Velen. Only Velen, the unfathomable tycoon, could possess something so rare and precious! At that moment, Alan stepped forward. "Lord Anastasia, the calamity was caused by the Nine Dragons Cup." "Nine Dragons Cup?" All eyes turned to the artifact in Alan''s hands. That terrifying phenomenon¡­ was caused by a set of drinking cups?! They could hardly believe their own eyes. "This was a gift from Velen. I''m not suited to being an Alchemist, so he gave it to me as a present for transitioning to Mixology." Alan could see their confusion and took the initiative to explain. Hearing this, Robert and the others were dumbfounded. Not suited to Alchemy? Alan was still young, yet he had already reached Tier 3 Alchemist. That was absolutely top-tier alchemy talent¡ªhow could he not be suited? "Alan, the Nine Dragons Cup is indeed remarkable, but your talent may be better suited for Alchemy. Don''t let certain people lead you astray!" Anastasia glanced meaningfully at Velen. Velen simply ignored her, acting as if she weren''t talking about him at all. Alan, however, responded earnestly, "Lord Anastasia, I think Velen is right¡ªresources are the key to growth. Whether I have a bloodline talent or not doesn''t matter!" "Velen gave me the Nine Dragons Cup, which is perfect for both Mixology and combat. I''ve already gained a lot of insight into Mixology and new skills from it¡ªI think I''m now a Tier 4 Mixologist!" ??? Anastasia, Clinton, William, and Corner were all left speechless. Corner had spent countless years honing his craft to become a Mixology master! Yet Alan, after switching to Mixology just recently, had already reached Tier 4?! No bloodline talent, no problem¡ªjust brute-forcing it with resources? Only now did they truly understand why Alan had said resources are the most important thing! With Velen as a backer, even someone with zero talent could be forcefully turned into a genius! Alan was living proof! Realizing this, Corner felt like crying. Why hadn''t he met Velen sooner?! Meanwhile, Anastasia and the others turned their attention to Velen once more. To be honest, Velen''s actions didn''t seem like something a sane person would do. Alchemy was far superior in every way to the niche profession of Mixology. Yet Velen had single-handedly flipped that logic upside down! "It''s not too late. I''ve only just met Velen. As long as I serve him well, I can soar to the top just like Alan!" Corner took a deep breath, already envisioning his glorious future. At that moment, Anastasia looked at Corner. "Corner, I heard from the senior senators that you plan to become Fortress''s Mixologist? Did Velen, our vice-captain, have anything to do with this decision?" Velen blinked in confusion. What? He had never even met Corner before! Corner had been recruited by Senator William¡ªhow was this related to him? Don''t randomly give me credit! Velen didn''t think he was that influential! But after a brief hesitation, Corner nodded seriously and said, "I won''t deny it¡ªit was precisely because I saw Velen''s potential that I decided to join Fortress!" Velen stared at Corner in disbelief. What the hell? He actually joined because of me?! But¡­ he had never invited Corner! Hearing this, Anastasia''s expression darkened. This had gone too far¡ªVelen needed to answer for himself. "Everyone, leave. I have something to discuss with Velen." Sensing Anastasia''s anger, the others obediently left. After all, everyone knew¡ªVelen and Anastasia''s relationship was anything but ordinary. Chapter 112 - Chapter112-He Is My Guard! The crowd quickly left the grand hall, leaving only Velen and Anastasia behind. "Velen, I know you have many secrets, things that no one else knows. We all do. That''s why I never questioned you about the Flame Dragon Furnace or the Nine Dragons Cup when you brought them out." "But today, I must ask¡ªwho exactly is that one-eyed, red-haired man to you?" Anastasia''s gaze was sharp and unwavering, as if she were trying to see right through Velen. Velen, however, remained unfazed by her scrutiny, meeting her gaze head-on. Anastasia, whose temperament was more reserved, was the first to falter and look away. Velen smiled faintly and nodded. "Actually, he''s my guard." Not a chance! Anastasia refused to believe it. That one-eyed, red-haired man was unimaginably powerful¡ªhow could he possibly be just a guard for Velen? Even in the Upper Plane Universe, that man would be an apex existence. Why would someone like him lower himself to serve as Velen''s guard? However, Anastasia didn''t press the matter further. Instead, her expression grew solemn as she stared at Velen and asked, "Why did you approach me? What''s your true purpose?" She spoke seriously. The more special Velen proved to be, the more she felt that his closeness to her had to serve some hidden agenda. Hearing her sudden question, Velen was momentarily stunned. "Purpose?" "What purpose could I have? I''ve helped you build Fortress¡ªaside from getting closer to you, what other evil schemes could I possibly have?" Velen countered with a smirk. Anastasia rolled her eyes. This man talks way too much! "Velen, be serious. This isn''t a time for jokes," Anastasia pressed. She was convinced that Velen was trying to avoid the topic. S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Madam, do you really want to know?" Velen''s eyes twinkled mischievously as he asked. Anastasia hesitated for a moment but then shook her head. She still didn''t know why Velen had approached her in the first place. However, based on everything so far, Velen had been nothing but good to her. He had shown no ill intent toward Fortress or the Ducal Manor. If he truly bore no malicious intent, then prying too deeply into his secrets might not be a good idea. "If you don''t want to say, then forget it. No matter what, I''ll always consider you a friend." Always a friend? Velen''s expression twitched. Was she giving him a "good person" card?! No way! He didn''t want to be just friends with Anastasia. A sly smile crept onto his face as he suddenly asked, "Madam, have you heard of Celestial Hall?" Anastasia, who had just started to relax, suddenly froze, her pupils constricting. "Celestial Hall?" She muttered, making sure she hadn''t misheard. She was from the Upper Plane Universe, formerly the Saintess of Celestial Hall. Of course, she knew what it was. But Velen was from the Lower Plane Universe¡ªhow could he know about one of the most elite factions of the Upper Plane Universe? Moreover, his tone wasn''t one of mere curiosity¡ªit was certain. Given what she knew of Velen, he never asked about something unless he already had some knowledge of it. Anastasia''s curiosity was piqued, but at the same time, a faint anxiety crept in. Did Velen know her true identity? If he really knew¡­ As she watched him anxiously, Velen, in contrast, remained utterly calm. He couldn''t read her mind, but the way she was staring at him told him that she was anything but at ease. "Ahem, Velen, Lord Anastasia, I''m coming in." At that moment, Corner stepped inside, carrying a tray with a freshly mixed cocktail and some steaming appetizers. "Hope I''m not interrupting. I just mixed this cocktail and made some snacks¡ªI''m sure they pair well. I''ll take my leave now." Corner gave them a brief glance, stated his reason for coming, and promptly turned around to leave. But from the way Anastasia had been staring so intently at Velen just now¡­ Could it be that Anastasia was the one pursuing Velen?! Just like the rumors suggested¡ªthey did have something going on! Feeling rather clever, Corner had deliberately chosen a red rose-themed cocktail, a symbol of romance and ambiguity. With this, sparks of love would surely fly between them! When they got together, he would be the one responsible for their love story! As Corner made his swift exit, Anastasia caught a glimpse of the peculiar look in his eyes. He had obviously misunderstood her relationship with Velen! But Anastasia knew that trying to explain things to the senators would be pointless. The best way to handle rumors was to let them die out naturally. Sometimes, not explaining was better than explaining. Meanwhile, Velen, intrigued by the cocktail''s rich fragrance, picked up a glass and took a sip. For someone who rarely drank, he was curious about what a master mixologist could create. The fiery red liquor went down smoothly¡ªsilky and rich, with a pleasant burn at the throat. Even as someone who didn''t typically drink, he had to admit¡ªit was delicious. A masterpiece worthy of a mixology master! As Velen savored the drink, Anastasia furrowed her brows, deep in thought. She had a feeling that since Velen had deliberately mentioned Celestial Hall, he would eventually bring it up again. If she pressed him now, she might just walk into whatever trap he was setting. Velen, on the other hand, was surprised that Anastasia managed to hold back. She had restrained her curiosity¡ªfor now. But he knew her well. She wouldn''t last long. And sure enough, after a moment, Anastasia unconsciously leaned closer to Velen, picking up a glass of the red cocktail. She sipped quietly, suppressing the turmoil in her heart. Celestial Hall meant a lot to her. After hesitating for a long while, she finally looked at Velen and whispered, "Velen¡­ about Celestial Hall¡­" Seeing that she had finally taken the bait, Velen''s lips curled into a victorious smile. He had found Anastasia''s weakness. Now, taking control of the conversation¡ªand her¡ªwould be all too easy. Of course, he had no intention of revealing her secrets. Instead, he casually pulled out two special passes from his coat and waved them in front of her. "Anastasia, I have two Chaos City passes. How about you accompany me there?" Now, he just had to bide his time¡ªsoon, he would have Anastasia completely in the palm of his hand. Anastasia was smart. The moment Velen dodged her question and changed the topic, she immediately saw through him. She wanted to know the truth, but pushing further now would only play into Velen''s hands. So, she followed his lead instead. "Chaos City¡ªthe special zone you mentioned inside the Singularity Battlefield?" Velen nodded. "Last time, I got kicked out because my pass expired. But now, with these two passes, we can finally go on a real spending spree!" Excitement flashed across his face. Not being able to splurge last time had left him seriously unsatisfied. "But Singularity Battlefield is far from here. Isn''t it a waste of time to travel all the way there?" Anastasia asked. She was very interested in Chaos City, but the round trip would take too long and disrupt her training. "This pass should allow us to go directly to Chaos City. We don''t have to enter through the Singularity Battlefield." Velen handed her one of the passes. "Let''s test it out!" After a brief moment of thought, Anastasia nodded. If Chaos City was as special as Velen said, then the pass must have unique properties as well. As the two infused their mana into the passes, a peculiar spatial ripple spread outward like water, engulfing them both. Under the power of the spatial distortion, they vanished from sight. When Velen opened his eyes again, he found himself back in the ultra-modern Chaos City, surrounded by towering high-tech buildings. Even in daylight, neon lights shimmered across the cityscape, making it feel like a dreamlike metropolis. He was thrilled¡ªhe had finally made it inside without needing to trek through the battlefield! But as he scanned the area, his expression darkened. Anastasia was nowhere to be found. Chapter 113 - Chapter113-The Dazzling Chaos City "Hey, brother, need a ride?" A bright yellow taxi pulled up in front of Velen, looking all too familiar. Velen squinted. Wasn''t this the same snobby taxi driver he had encountered during his first visit to Chaos City? "Base fare is 10 Chaos Cards. Within five kilometers. After that, it''s 5 Chaos Cards per kilometer. I can also give you a tour of Chaos City!" The driver, noticing Velen''s relatively low level, immediately lost interest. His voice turned cold, and he was about to step on the gas and drive away. "Find someone for me." Velen opened the car door and got in without hesitation. He knew these drivers were extremely well-connected in Chaos City. "Who are you looking for? Finding people costs extra. Can you even afford it?" The driver shot Velen a skeptical look through the rearview mirror. Chaos Cards were extremely valuable¡ªthis low-level nobody probably couldn''t even afford the fare. Without a word, Velen casually waved his Chaos Card in front of the driver. "Find her for me, and I''ll pay you 100,000 Chaos Cards." The driver was about to mock him for boasting, but then his eyes landed on Velen''s Chaos Card and the long string of digits displayed on it. His jaw nearly hit the floor as he rubbed his eyes frantically. "One¡­ two¡­ three¡­ four¡­ Holy crap¡ªa hundred million Chaos Cards?!" The driver practically jumped out of his seat. In all his years driving in Chaos City, customers who could drop 100,000 Chaos Cards were rare. A million? Never seen it. A hundred million? Not even in his wildest dreams! "Sir! My dear VIP! Who are you looking for?" The driver instantly transformed, wiping the drool from his mouth, his expression fawning like a well-trained pet. "Her name is Anastasia. She was teleported into Chaos City at the same time as me." Velen paused and added, "She''s young. Beautiful." The driver''s enthusiasm deflated slightly as he sighed regretfully. "Sir, to be honest, teleportation into Chaos City is almost completely random. And Chaos City is massive. Finding someone here in a short time is nearly impossible!" Velen frowned and quickly pulled up his system interface. "System, can Fate''s Trojan determine Anastasia''s location?" Since this was Chaos City, he wasn''t entirely sure if the system would work. "Host, the system transcends all. It remains fully functional within Chaos City and will not be detected by any entity." Hearing this, Velen relaxed and immediately activated Fate''s Trojan. He still had three uses left for the day, so why not? "District D, Commercial Street!" After getting the precise coordinates from Fate''s Trojan, Velen wasted no time giving the order. "Understood, VIP! It''ll take about four hours to reach District D!" With that, the taxi sped off, accelerating to full speed. Meanwhile, in District D, Chaos City Anastasia, dressed in a simple yet elegant long dress, wandered through the unfamiliar streets of Chaos City, utterly stunned by the sheer opulence surrounding her. Just casually passing by a shop, she noticed mana planets being sold! Mana planets! These celestial bodies contained highly concentrated mana, making them incredible resources for awakeners, essential for leveling up. In most star systems, these were extremely rare treasures. Yet here? They were readily available, as if they were common goods! Anastasia''s eyes lit up, and she immediately stepped forward, eager to buy one. Such an item would be immensely beneficial for herself and Fortress! However, when her eyes landed on the price tag, she froze. 1,000,000 Chaos Cards. Even the lowest-grade mana planets started at one million! Anastasia''s mouth twitched. A single high-grade mana crystal could only be exchanged for one Chaos Card. And those high-grade mana crystals were incredibly rare and precious. Even if she pooled together every single high-grade mana crystal in the Ducal Manor''s entire treasury, she wouldn''t even come close to affording this. "Velen was right¡ªthis place is insanely extravagant¡­ but these prices¡­" She shook her head in disbelief and decided to explore more, hoping to find something slightly more affordable. Then, she walked past a store selling Starry Stones. Inside, the shelves were filled with various Starry Stones of different sizes and grades. Anastasia''s desire to buy everything skyrocketed. Until she checked the price tag. 2,000,000 Chaos Cards. Even more expensive than the mana planets! She let out a deep sigh. I was too impulsive. Taking a deep breath, she continued her exploration. This place had everything from all the major star systems! Even Lv9 Forge, a treasure sought after by entire galaxies, was on sale. The price? 6,000,000 Chaos Cards. Everything here was top-tier, but the prices left her speechless. Just how rich would someone have to be to afford this kind of shopping spree?! Still, despite her shock, she couldn''t deny the temptation. Every useful item she could think of was available here. This was the ultimate shopping paradise. If she could go on a spending spree here, not only would she be able to return to the Upper Plane Universe for revenge, but Fortress and Ducal Manor would gain an unbelievable boost in power. Now, she understood why so many top-tier powerhouses chose to work in Chaos City instead of leaving. Yes, everything was expensive, but the chance to earn and obtain these items made it worth it. For the rich, this place was heaven. For the poor, this place was pure agony¡ªseeing all these treasures yet being unable to buy anything was sheer torture. After some time, Anastasia felt overwhelmed from looking at so many incredible items. She was just about to search for Velen when¡ª A taxi pulled up nearby. Anastasia blinked. A taxi in Chaos City? That was no small deal. Here, every Chaos Card was precious¡ªowning and driving a taxi meant serious influence. Then, the car door opened. And stepping out was¡ª Velen. For a brief moment, Anastasia was stunned. Then, her excitement took over as she rushed up to him. "Velen! Earlier, you said that last time you left Chaos City, you exchanged a lot of Chaos Cards. Was that true?!" Velen nodded casually. "Of course it was." "How many?" "Not much. Just about one hundred million Chaos Cards." Anastasia''s eyes widened in shock. She now understood the prices in Chaos City¡ªhigh, but worth it. With one hundred million Chaos Cards, Velen could buy an insane amount of high-tier treasures! A sudden thought struck her. "Wait¡ªVelen, the things you''ve been spending in Fortress and Ducal Manor¡­ did you buy them here?!" Velen shook his head. Most of the things he had given away came from system refreshes and rewards¡ªthey had nothing to do with Chaos City. Then, glancing at the surrounding shops, Velen''s eyes lit up. "Anastasia! I can finally craft my Starry Stone Toilet!" S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Let''s go crazy shopping!" Since the pass had a time limit, he had already wasted a lot of it searching for Anastasia. Now was the time to splurge! Hearing this, Anastasia felt a rush of excitement. In Chaos City, you couldn''t buy trash¡ªeverything was top-quality! But then she remembered Velen''s reckless spending habits¡­ If left unchecked, who knew what bizarre things he''d buy? He had to be controlled! Without hesitation, she dashed into the nearest store and, seeing an array of rare elixirs, declared loudly: "I''ll buy EVERY ELIXIR IN THIS SHOP!" The store clerk looked at her in shock. "Miss¡­ are you sure? The total cost will be nearly ten million Chaos Cards." "Of course!" Anastasia said confidently. With Velen''s 100 million Chaos Cards, she had nothing to fear! The clerk hurried off to fetch the manager. But before he could leave, Velen suddenly called out, "Kidd? What the hell are you doing here?" The young man turned around, startled. Chapter 114 - Chapter114-The Manager’s Breakdown Kidd had previously been plump and somewhat sleazy in appearance, but now he looked so much thinner that Velen almost didn''t recognize him at first glance! Hearing the familiar voice, the young man immediately stopped in his tracks and turned around sharply. Upon confirming that it was indeed Velen, his face was filled with shock as he strode toward him. "Velen, is that really you?" Anastasia, observing the apparent familiarity between the two, was slightly taken aback. She hadn''t expected Velen to know someone even in Chaos City. Moreover, judging by the badge on the man''s chest, he wasn''t from their star system. "Kidd, you gave me your communication pass last time¡ªhow do you still have one?" Seeing Kidd stop before him, Velen immediately asked in curiosity. The pass to enter Chaos City wasn''t easy to obtain. He had gone through great lengths to acquire one, and he had assumed it would be a long time before he could see Kidd again¡ªyet here they were. "Ugh!" Kidd let out a heavy sigh, looking at Velen with a bitter smile. "Velen, you have no idea what I went through after returning to the Holy Light Temple!" "Not only was I targeted by my mentor, but even the Grand Senator, Lucas, kept pushing me, insisting that I was destined to be a divine swordsman and that I should carry forward the profession of Judgment Swordsman!" "For days, they forced me through inhumane training and tests before dragging me into the family''s secret realm, where there were all sorts of swords. The Grand Senator ordered me to choose one. I picked one at random, purely by instinct." "When I grabbed that golden greatsword, I unexpectedly found a pass hidden inside it." "Velen, you know me¡ªforcing me to become a swordsman and participate in direct combat is as good as sending me to my death! You gave me that Sword of Judgement fragment last time, and it''s been nothing but trouble for me!" Kidd was now looking at Velen with teary eyes, as if on the verge of breaking down. "I really don''t want to be a swordsman. I couldn''t bear going through their relentless training anymore, so I decided to stay in Chaos City and find a job." "This way, I don''t have to face my mentor and the Grand Senator, and I can also earn Chaos Cards to buy what I want." As he finished speaking, the frustration and resentment on Kidd''s face finally eased a little. Beside them, Anastasia was utterly stunned. She could hardly believe how extravagant Velen was! The Sword of Judgement was an incredibly powerful skill, even in the Upper Plane Universe. Kidd clearly wanted nothing to do with it, so why had Velen wasted such a precious thing on him? She felt she could bear that burden for Kidd. As Anastasia''s mind raced with these thoughts, a sharp aura suddenly radiated from Velen. Then, in his open palm, an ancient book appeared¡ªits very presence exuding an overwhelming sword intent. The sight of the book struck Anastasia with an eerie sense of familiarity, as she felt a chilling sword energy emanating from it. For Kidd, who had already become a swordsman, his perception of sword energy was even sharper. The moment he saw the book, a bad premonition crept into his heart, and he immediately asked in alarm: "Velen, what is that thing? Why do I suddenly have a really bad feeling about it?" He wanted nothing more than to avoid becoming a swordsman, but thanks to the Sword of Judgement, his sensitivity to sword intent had become unnaturally acute. If Velen had brought out something like this, there was a very high chance it was related to the Sword of Judgement! Facing Kidd''s question, Velen simply smiled and spoke truthfully: S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "This is a Class Upgrade Book¡ªit can greatly enhance your class experience. It''s a huge benefit for you! You''ll become a Grand Swordsman instantly, saving yourself years of grueling training!" As he spoke, Velen handed the Class Upgrade Book to Kidd. Before Kidd could even react, the Judgment Sword Energy within him surged like a tidal wave. A colossal angelic figure appeared above Kidd''s head, wielding a dazzling sword of light that emitted an aura capable of rending the heavens and earth. The sheer radiance of the Judgment Blade was so intense that it turned everything around them into blinding white. Grand Swordsman! As the phenomenon unfolded before his eyes, Kidd was left utterly speechless. He had only just begun as a swordsman, and under normal circumstances, it would have taken him years of effort to reach the rank of Grand Swordsman. Yet, with Velen''s reckless gifting of a Class Upgrade Book, he had jumped straight to that rank in an instant! It was absolutely insane. Even as the person experiencing it firsthand, Kidd felt as though he was dreaming. Then, his shock quickly turned into fear and regret. Because the moment he returned, his mentor and the Grand Senator would see his overwhelming talent and be ecstatic¡ªonly to push him even harder toward becoming a Judgment Swordsman. Why did his life keep getting worse? Despite his massive power-up, Kidd didn''t look particularly thrilled¡ªnor did he seem too dejected. After all, he had already decided to stay here indefinitely and never return! "Velen, thanks so much for all these ''gifts'' you''ve prepared for me." "But I don''t need anything more for now¡ªI''ll be staying here and working for the time being." To Kidd, Velen was clearly digging a hole for him, but at least now he had a way to avoid the consequences. His mentor and the Grand Senator didn''t have passes to Chaos City. Even if they did, their strength would be suppressed upon entering, making them powerless to do anything about him. Seeing Kidd''s determination to stay, Velen suddenly had an idea. He turned toward the store manager who had come over to watch the commotion and asked with interest: "You''re the manager of this shop, right?" "How much would it cost to fire Kidd from your store?" At these words, the atmosphere instantly froze. The store manager, though a high-ranking employee, had no special privileges in Chaos City. He had only earned his position through over a century of diligent service. He had dealt with plenty of difficult customers before, but this was something else entirely. Weren''t these two friends? Why was Velen offering money to get Kidd fired? "Velen, as the manager, I do have the authority to fire employees," he explained cautiously. "But if I do so without cause, I''ll be severely penalized and have a large number of Chaos Cards deducted." Before he could finish speaking, Velen handed him a Heaven''s Card. "No matter how much gets deducted, I''ll compensate you ten times over!" "You know, Kidd is my friend, and he has extraordinary talent as a Judgment Swordsman. For the sake of his brighter future, I''m willing to spend everything I have!" Hearing this, Kidd¡ªwho had just been silently cursing Velen¡ªwas suddenly overwhelmed with emotion. Velen might be a pain in the ass, but when it really mattered, he never let him down! To Kidd, Velen was his best friend. "Velen, since you''re so determined to look out for my future¡­ Fine. This time, I''ll listen to you. I''ll leave Chaos City on my own." If Sword of Judgement and the Class Upgrade Book were both perfect fits for him, then perhaps¡­ becoming a Judgment Swordsman was his inevitable fate. Since that was the case, he would face it head-on. At least he had Velen¡ªhis rock in this absurd journey. As he followed Velen away, the store manager nearly had a breakdown watching them leave. "Hey, hey, hey¡ªyou three! You''re leaving without compensating me? And weren''t you about to buy a bunch of stuff?!" "I''ll even give you a discount¡ªjust don''t leave yet!" But as his desperate cries faded into the distance, the three figures disappeared into the crowd. Thinking about how much he could have earned if the deal had gone through, the manager felt as though he had just watched a fortune slip through his fingers. The rollercoaster of emotions¡ªfrom excitement to utter disappointment¡ªwas unbearable. ... After leaving the shop, Kidd glanced at Velen before sneaking a subtle look at Anastasia. He had met plenty of beautiful noblewomen before, but the moment he laid eyes on Anastasia, he was still taken aback by her beauty. "Velen, who is this lady?" Velen chuckled and said, "Her name is Anastasia. She''s the lord of our fortress¡ªand also my direct superior." As soon as Velen finished speaking, Anastasia nodded in acknowledgment¡ªthen immediately darted toward the nearby shop. Chapter 115 - Chapter115-Spreading Starry Stone Toilets Across the Galaxy? "Reminder to the host: Chaos Cards are a special currency obtained through the exchange of premium mana crystals. Since all special items must be used in an ostentatious manner, even if given to others, they must be presented in a lavish fashion. Failure to comply will result in punishment from this system." Suddenly, the system''s mechanical voice rang in Velen''s ears. Hearing this, Velen wasn''t surprised¡ªafter all, the system''s rules had been consistent from the start. "So if I flaunt my wealth here, will I earn Luxury Points?" "No, but you will experience the spiritual joy of consumption!" Velen nodded in understanding. For now, he set aside the urge to go on a reckless shopping spree. After all, if he bought too much, the originally valuable items would lose their rarity and become worthless, leading to inflation¡ªand true wealth flaunting relied on scarcity. If something became too common, it wouldn''t be seen as an extravagant display of wealth¡ªit would just be mundane. With that in mind, Velen realized that even though he could buy without limits, doing so carelessly would negatively impact his ability to flaunt his wealth in the future. After some thought, he turned to Kidd. "What''s fun to do here in Chaos City?" Even if he couldn''t hoard too many resources, he could still enjoy himself limitlessly¡ªsince pleasure wasn''t subject to supply and demand. As soon as Velen brought it up, Kidd got excited. "Velen, from what I''ve learned¡ªand from what the manager mentioned¡ªas long as you have enough Chaos Cards, you can live like a king here!" "No matter what luxury service you want, it''s available! Foot baths, essential oil massages, karaoke, fine dining¡ªwhatever you can imagine, they have it!" "But the real highlight? Paradise." "I''ve heard that in Paradise, you can find the most breathtaking women of any race and any class. As long as you have enough Chaos Cards, you can experience the pinnacle of indulgence!" Although Kidd hadn''t made much money working in Chaos City, he had learned a lot about its pleasures. Especially when it came to places of luxury¡ªhe had picked up plenty of secondhand knowledge just by listening. Velen nodded thoughtfully as he listened, while Kidd became more and more animated. After all, Chaos Cards ruled this place. Status, beauty, wealth, artifacts¡ªthey all bowed before the power of Chaos Cards. The all-consuming pursuit of Chaos Cards had turned the city into a hedonistic paradise, where people were utterly obsessed with wealth and indulgence. At that moment, Anastasia returned from the shop where she had been purchasing Starry Stones, holding Velen''s remaining Chaos Card balance¡ªnow down to less than 100,000¡ªalong with a storage pouch filled with Starry Stones. "Velen, while Chaos Cards can buy anything here, the prices are ridiculously high. That one billion Chaos Cards you had? You barely managed to buy 999 Starry Stones before running out." For Anastasia, everything in Chaos City was extremely tempting. If she could bring these rare resources back to the fortress, their faction would instantly become the wealthiest and most resource-rich power in the star system! After Anastasia finished speaking, Velen calmly took the Chaos Cards and the storage pouch. "Well, since we''ve gotten what we came for, it''s time to enjoy ourselves¡ªotherwise, this trip would be a waste." At these words, Anastasia''s eyelids twitched slightly. Knowing Velen as well as she did, she could already guess what he meant by "enjoyment"¡ªit was about to be another round of insane, reckless, and utterly absurd extravagance! "By the way, Kidd, these Starry Stones are for you. Do you know how to use them properly?" Due to the system''s restrictions, Velen wasn''t planning on bringing these Starry Stones back to their home star system. As valuable as they were, the system would likely reward him with even more in the future¡ªso he didn''t need them. Instead, it was better to give them to Kidd and let him handle them. Even though Kidd knew Velen was absurdly generous, giving away 999 Starry Stones at once still made his eye twitch uncontrollably. For a moment, he couldn''t believe his own eyes. But soon, he wiped away the drool at the corner of his mouth and solemnly declared: "I''ll make sure to use these Starry Stones wisely¡ªnot a single one will be wasted!" With this many rare Starry Stones, he would finally have leverage to negotiate with his mentor and the Grand Senator. If they forced him into becoming a swordsman, he could use these Starry Stones as bargaining chips to get his way! "Not waste them?" Hearing this, Velen shook his head slightly. "Kidd, you should know me well enough by now. When I say use them properly, do you really think I mean not wasting them?" Kidd''s eyes suddenly widened in realization. Oh. Oh. Velen was no ordinary person. To him, "proper use" meant showcasing extreme wealth¡ªnot saving or conserving resources! After all, Velen was a flaunting maniac! No matter how rare or precious an item was, he always treated it like it was worthless trash. Just by following Velen around for a while, Kidd had witnessed him burning through fortune after fortune in the most ridiculous ways imaginable. So after just a moment''s thought, Kidd realized exactly what Velen meant¡ªhe wanted him to flaunt his wealth too. But Kidd had no experience in wealth flaunting! "Velen, what should I do with these Starry Stones?" Since he had no clue, Kidd turned to the expert. Velen responded casually, "Make a Starry Stone toilet." ¡­? A Starry Stone toilet?! Kidd instinctively rubbed his ears¡ªwondering if he had heard wrong. Something as rare and valuable as Starry Stone¡ªa material with immense practical applications¡ªwas to be used to craft a toilet?! What kind of absurd thought process was this?! If he actually made a Starry Stone toilet, any blacksmith or awakened being who found out would explode in rage! This was Velen''s idea of flaunting wealth?! It completely shattered his sense of reality! Beside them, Anastasia''s lips trembled slightly. This Velen¡­ was insane! He had absolutely no sense of value! Building one Starry Stone toilet in the fortress was already ridiculous enough. But did Velen actually plan to build a Starry Stone toilet in every single dimension?! S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. If she didn''t already know Velen wasn''t insane, she would have suspected he had lost his mind. "Velen¡­ maybe you should reconsider?" Kidd swallowed hard, hesitating. He had just been thinking about using the Starry Stones to bargain with his mentor and the Grand Senator. If they found out he built a toilet out of them, they''d probably skin him alive. "This is final," Velen patted Kidd''s shoulder with a grin. "Kidd, you''re my good friend, and I trust you completely¡ªI know you''ll make this toilet absolutely perfect!" With that, Velen headed toward a bank to exchange more Chaos Cards. Seeing that Velen was dead set on this, Kidd helplessly turned to Anastasia as his last hope. "Anastasia, you''re his superior¡ªcan''t you do something?! This is Starry Stone, for heaven''s sake!" Anastasia sighed and shook her head. "What can I do? It''s his own money." Besides¡­ Velen always brings us benefits in the end. ¡­ A little while later. At Majestic Spa & Club, one of Chaos City''s top luxury bathhouses¡ªwhere people from all races and ranks sought out elite relaxation services¡ªVelen and his group lay back in massage chairs, as a line of stunning female attendants prepared to pamper them to perfection. Chapter 116 - Chapter116-Reunion with Sophia "Velen, are we trapped in some kind of illusion?" Feeling the unbelievably soothing foot massage, Anastasia could hardly believe what she was experiencing. After all, these masseuses weren''t just ordinary attendants¡ªthey were Ascended Rank powerhouses from various star systems! Even in their Ducal Manor, Ascended Rank individuals were considered the pinnacle of power¡ªonly the Five Grand Senators held such rank. And now? These once lofty and untouchable Ascended Rank beings were¡­ massaging their feet?! Their technique was exquisite, their expressions were warm and professional. This¡­ was Chaos City? This was the power of Chaos Cards?! Even though she had already sensed that this place was different from the outside world, she was still completely shaken! Beside her, Kidd, who was also enjoying a foot massage from an Ascended Rank beauty, was on the verge of losing his mind from sheer excitement. This was, after all, the legendary club¡ªa place where only the wealthiest and most powerful beings in Chaos City could afford to indulge. And now, he¡ªa nobody¡ªwas experiencing the very best treatment! Seeing how overwhelmed the two of them were, Velen remained completely calm and simply said: "Relax and enjoy. The technicians here have excellent skills. Chaos City is filled with an abundance of resources, but most of them are just junk meant for workers. There''s nothing truly valuable. Instead of wasting time buying trash, you should take full advantage of what this place has to offer." At these words, the three Ascended Rank masseuses nearly stopped breathing. What¡­ what kind of madness was this?! Chaos City''s resources were renowned across countless star systems. Everything imaginable could be found here, driving people into frenzied competition just for a taste of its wealth. Countless awakeners dreamed of looting this city''s treasures. But this man wasn''t even interested?! While the masseuses were left in utter disbelief, both Kidd and Anastasia nodded in contemplation. As much as they lusted after the rarest resources here, with Velen around, they didn''t have to rush. These treasures were precious, but with Velen, they could get them anytime in the future. However, a pass to Chaos City was incredibly hard to come by. So they might as well enjoy it to the fullest! One Hour Later After an hour-long massage, all three of them felt completely rejuvenated, with their energy pathways and muscles reaching an unprecedented state of relaxation. "Lord Anastasia, shall we move to another location? An hour of massages is starting to get boring." Velen suddenly suggested. "I think it''s perfect here," Anastasia refused, shaking her head. "This is the most relaxed I''ve felt in years. I''m not going anywhere." She had spent so much time living with constant tension¡ªpushing herself relentlessly in pursuit of revenge. Now, for the first time, she felt truly at peace, her body unwinding like never before. She was content. Kidd also chimed in, "Velen, I''m going to stay here too and enjoy myself. But don''t worry, I swear that no matter how badly I get beaten by my mentor and the Grand Senator, I will definitely get the job done!" Seeing that they were committed to staying, Velen didn''t argue. Instead, he casually handed a Chaos Card worth 10 billion to the Ascended Rank masseuses. "Keep serving them. Make sure they get the best treatment. There will be tips." The three masseuses exchanged glances, their eyes wide in shock. Ten billion Chaos Cards?! Majestic Spa & Club was one of the most prestigious establishments in Chaos City. They had seen many powerful and wealthy clients. But never had they seen someone casually throw around ten billion Chaos Cards! This was a mind-boggling fortune. Suddenly, they realized something. Velen''s earlier disdain for Chaos City''s resources was real¡ªhe truly wasn''t interested in them. They had been treating him like any other rich customer, but they were the fools here! They had just encountered a true tycoon. Without hesitation, the three Ascended Rank powerhouses became even more diligent, ensuring Kidd and Anastasia received the ultimate experience. One Hour Later Kidd''s pass to Chaos City expired, and he was forcibly ejected from the city''s dimensional space¡ªleaving him reluctant to part ways. Shortly after, Velen and Anastasia were also expelled from Chaos City as their time limit ran out. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Spatial Shift A familiar sensation of space twisting surrounded Velen. When the environment stabilized, he looked around and froze in surprise. This place¡­ looked familiar. He was sure he had been here before. Thinking back carefully, wasn''t this the planet he ended up on last time after leaving Chaos City? This was the very place where he had met Tarot Order Councilor Kelsey¡ªand also where he had accepted his second disciple, the Saintess of Tarot, Sophia. No wonder it seemed so familiar. This time, after being forced out of Chaos City, he had once again arrived here. And this time, he landed right in the middle of a crowded street. Strangely enough, the bystanders seemed completely unfazed by his sudden appearance. "¡­Forget it. I should just find a trade caravan and head back." Unlike last time, when he was a bit disoriented, Velen now had experience dealing with Chaos City''s spatial shifts. Just as he was about to head toward the commercial district in search of an interstellar fleet, he spotted two familiar figures. "Velen!" At the same moment, the two people also noticed him. "Velen, we meet again! Looks like fate keeps bringing us together!" The elderly Councilor Kelsey from the Tarot Order initially froze in surprise upon seeing Velen. Then, his expression quickly turned into smug satisfaction. Last time, he and Velen had competed for the Saintess of Tarot, Sophia. In the end, he had won, securing Sophia under the Tarot Order''s control. He still felt superior to Velen over that victory. Beside him, Sophia glanced at Velen with curious eyes. "Councilor Kelsey, do you know this person?" Velen almost burst out laughing. Sophia''s expression was perfect¡ªas if she didn''t recognize him at all but was mildly curious. The irony? Sophia was already his mentee. She was playing dumb¡ªright in front of Kelsey! This was hilarious. But Kelsey had no idea. He simply smiled and said, "I met him once before. He left an impression." Velen smirked and asked, "Councilor Kelsey, you''re a busy man. What brings you back here?" In theory, Kelsey and Sophia should have been at the Tarot Order headquarters. Although Velen had some guesses, he doubted Kelsey would be honest. Kelsey hesitated before offering a vague excuse. "We''re just revisiting an old place. No particular reason." Velen knew he was lying. But before he could press further, Kelsey suddenly turned on him. "Velen, why are you following us?" Velen rolled his eyes. "Kelsey, do you own this city''s roads? I can''t walk toward the city center?" Kelsey fumed but couldn''t find a good retort. Furious, he pulled out an Arcane Carpet to conceal their presence. "Sophia, let''s not waste time. We need to leave." Sophia, however, suddenly clutched her forehead, her expression weak and pained. "Councilor Kelsey¡­ my head¡­ hurts so much. Maybe¡­ let''s not use the Arcane Carpet¡­" Chapter 117 - Chapter117-The Grand Physical Brawl Now that she had finally encountered Mentor Velen here, Sophia had no intention of parting ways with him so soon. Upon hearing this, Councilor Kelsey looked at Sophia in shock. Dizzy? She had traveled for days on an arcane carpet from the Tarot Order without any issues, and now she was feeling dizzy? Seeing Councilor Kelsey take out the arcane carpet, Velen''s eyes immediately lit up. He spoke up: "Councilor Kelsey, this arcane carpet is an excellent mode of travel. Where are you heading next? I need to return to Uranus Star''s fortress. We''re all familiar faces¡ªwhy not take me along? Saves me the trouble of looking for an interstellar fleet." The current location was still quite a distance from Uranus Star. And since Kelsey was a councilor of the Tarot Order, he should have no trouble determining his destination coordinates. If they were heading in the same direction, taking him along would be ideal. Councilor Kelsey snorted softly. His destination was the Level 9 Forge of the Maple Leaf Alchemy Society, which was located on this very planet. He had no intention of making a detour for Velen. Just as he was about to refuse, a sharp whistling sound cut through the air. An elderly man, tall and thin, appeared before Councilor Kelsey. His face, covered in wrinkles like tree bark, was filled with hesitation. Seeing this expression on the head of the Maple Leaf Alchemy Society, Kelsey''s heart sank. Before coming here, he had confirmed with this head that the Level 9 Forge was available. Could something have gone wrong? "Head, where''s the Level 9 Forge?" Councilor Kelsey pressed. The head of the Maple Leaf Alchemy Society scratched his head awkwardly and said: "Councilor Kelsey, I''m terribly sorry. Originally, through our connections, we had managed to borrow the item you needed from Uranus Star. But an unexpected incident occurred, and for now, we''re unable to lend it to you. I sincerely apologize for this!" Hearing this, Kelsey, despite having a bad feeling about it, still felt his heart sink further. The Level 9 Forge was crucial to the saintess'' future. If they couldn''t borrow it, the impact on the Tarot Order would be immense. "Wait a moment, Uranus Star?" "You''re saying that your Alchemy Society borrowed the forge from Uranus Star?" Kelsey''s eyes widened in shock. The head of the Maple Leaf Alchemy Society didn''t understand why Councilor Kelsey was suddenly so agitated, but he still nodded. "Yes. I had dealings with Master Alchemist Robert in the past, so I thought I could borrow it for a bit. He originally agreed, but later, he said he had to go fight, so he never sent it over." Kelsey frowned. As expected, just like the divination predicted, this matter was full of twists and turns¡ªnothing was going smoothly. Then, his gaze shifted toward Velen, and a faint smile appeared on his face. "Velen, since you''re from Uranus Star, you must know Master Alchemist Robert, right?" If he was truly an alchemist of such high caliber, he must be a well-known figure. Velen might know a great deal about him. After all, Uranus Star was just a remote, minor planet. "Robert? Alchemy master? Yeah, I know him. We''re on good terms." Velen nodded. He could guess that Kelsey was inquiring about Robert, but he also needed a ride on the arcane carpet to return quickly to the fortress. "Councilor Kelsey, since Velen is from Uranus Star and we''ve coincidentally run into him, isn''t that a sign from above? If we bring him to Uranus Star, there''s a chance we can borrow the forge." At this moment, Sophia spoke up. Kelsey pondered for a moment. Indeed, having Velen as a guide would be advantageous. However, just as he was about to nod, he suddenly realized something and shook his head. "Saintess, taking him along isn''t an issue. But weren''t you feeling dizzy? We should rest a bit first." Sophia firmly shook her head. "Councilor Kelsey, as long as we complete this mission, a little suffering is nothing. I am the saintess of the Tarot Order¡ªI''m not that fragile." Kelsey twitched slightly at her words. He distinctly remembered her saying something quite different earlier! But at this point, there was no other choice. The longer they delayed, the greater the risks. Securing the Level 9 Forge as soon as possible was the top priority. After all, Level 9 Forges were incredibly rare¡ªeven across multiple star systems, they were hard to come by. Thus, at Kelsey''s enthusiastic invitation, Velen boarded the arcane carpet. With the arcane carpet''s space-folding capabilities, they reached the outskirts of Uranus Star in just a single day. Along the journey, through subtle questioning of Kelsey, and combined with the statements from the Maple Leaf Alchemy Society, Velen had already figured out their intentions¡ª They were here to borrow a Level 9 Forge. And coincidentally, he had extra Level 9 Forges. With his relationship with Sophia, he wouldn''t even mind giving it to them. However, if he handed it over now, knowing Kelsey, the man would most likely refuse to take him back to Uranus Star. Thus, along the way, Velen repeatedly assured Kelsey: "Councilor Kelsey, don''t worry. As long as you take me to Uranus Star, with my relationship with Senator Robert, I can definitely help you borrow the forge!" Seeing Velen speak so confidently, Kelsey was skeptical. After all, Velen''s level was quite mediocre, while Robert was an esteemed master alchemist. How could he possibly influence such a figure? Sensing Kelsey''s doubt, Velen chuckled. "Robert is currently a guest senator of the fortress. And I am the deputy under the fortress lord. Trust me, this won''t be a problem." Hearing this, Kelsey was shocked. "You and Robert are both part of the fortress?" If that were true, then borrowing the Level 9 Forge would be significantly easier. "Velen, I''m not joking. If you truly help us secure Robert''s Level 9 Forge, our Tarot Order will remember your kindness. In the future, if you ever need help, I will not refuse!" Kelsey''s tone was solemn. He had always suspected Velen wasn''t ordinary. And now, it seemed he really had the means to help. Time passed quietly. The arcane carpet soared through space, arriving at Uranus Star. In the distance stood a half-constructed, seemingly abandoned fortress. As Velen stepped off the flying carpet, he began pondering whose Level 9 Forge he should lend to Kelsey. Meanwhile, Sophia scrutinized the barren, desolate fortress. Though it appeared unremarkable, she wasn''t the least bit careless¡ªafter all, this was the mentor''s dwelling place. It had to be extraordinary. At the same time, Kelsey, stepping off the arcane carpet, trembled as he sensed the terrifying auras emanating from the fortress. Two Ascended Rank Level 3s! An Ascended Rank Level 4! And even the presence of a spellbeast! The sheer power of the warriors here sent shivers down his spine. "Velen, you''re finally back!" At that moment, Senator William rushed out of the fortress, ignoring everyone else and staring eagerly at Velen. "Velen, you know I''m friends with Corner and Aiden, right? But they each have a Level 9 Forge¡ªand I don''t. How is that fair?" S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Hearing this, Kelsey was completely dumbfounded. What? Using Level 9 Forges as weapons to fight each other? Chapter 118 - Chapter118-Clash of the Lv9 Forges Upon hearing this, Velen frowned. "Grand Senator, how did Corner get a Level 9 Forge?" If he remembered correctly, Corner didn''t have a Lv9 Forge. At Velen''s words, William immediately fumed with rage. "Velen, you won''t believe it! That guy has no shame when it comes to treasure. He actually dismantled the toilet you built! The Lv9 Forge in his hands is the one from the incinerator in the restroom!" "He said he wanted to test its power. I refused, so we ended up fighting!" Everyone present was stunned upon hearing William''s words. Meanwhile, Sophia gazed at Velen with admiration shining in her eyes. "As expected of mentor! His way of thinking is truly beyond ordinary people. And the sheer number of treasures he possesses¡ªthere''s no way the Tarot Order could compare!" A Lv9 Forge was incredibly rare, almost extinct across the Titan Galaxy. If it weren''t, the Tarot Order wouldn''t have to borrow from other factions. It was simply too scarce. Yet Velen, as if it were nothing, used it as an incinerator in a restroom! Even she, someone who had seen many tycoons, was completely shaken by his level of extravagance. Kelsey, on the other hand, was utterly dumbfounded. A small fortress possessing a single Lv9 Forge was already astonishing. But not only did they not treasure it, they used it as a weapon for fights, and even as a toilet incinerator! This was outrageous! The Tarot Order had schemed for years and still failed to obtain even one. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. And yet here, they wasted it in the most absurd ways possible! "This is bad. That Lv9 Forge was used as a restroom incinerator. Even though it burns everything to absolute nothingness, the thought of it¡­" Kelsey''s face turned green. This Lv9 Forge was supposed to craft potions for the future Saintess of the Tarot Order. Could they really use something that had been contaminated with filth? Even if they could, the psychological impact would never go away. The more he thought about it, the more his head hurt. He immediately massaged his forehead, forcing himself not to dwell on it further¡ªor else he feared he might go insane. "Grand Senator, you''re still barehanded? Haven''t you borrowed a Lv9 Forge yet?" As Velen was asking, two figures suddenly rushed toward them. The leader was a humanoid Ironback Centipede, and behind him stood Aiden. Both of them firmly clutched a Lv9 Forge, their aura surging with power. The very air around them warped and twisted due to the overwhelming heat. "Senator William, is your Lv9 Forge ready? The free-for-all battle is about to start!" Aiden urged impatiently. Having regained his composure, Kelsey stared at the Lv9 Forges in Ironback Centipede and Aiden''s hands, his eyes widening in shock. Another two Lv9 Forges appeared! Something was wrong! According to the Tarot Order''s divination, the entire Titan Galaxy should have only five of these Lv9 Forges. How could this tiny fortress have so many? And what did Aiden mean by a free-for-all battle? Were they actually using Lv9 Forges as weapons? At that moment, Ironback Centipede respectfully turned to Velen and said: "Master, Senator William, if you don''t have a suitable Lv9 Forge at the moment, you could borrow Alan''s. He isn''t using it right now anyway." He knew Velen had plenty of Lv9 Forges, but since he hadn''t handed one to Senator William immediately, there must be a reason. So he proactively offered a suggestion. Hearing this, Kelsey was completely stunned. What did he just hear? There were even more Lv9 Forges in this fortress? This fortress wasn''t that big¡ªhow could it have so many? Could it be that Lv9 Forges were a local specialty here? Kelsey''s heartbeat quickened. His face alternated between pale and flushed. He had previously promised Velen that if he helped secure a Lv9 Forge, he would owe him a massive favor. But now, Lv9 Forges seemed to be as common as bricks in this fortress! His promise was a complete and utter loss! "Ahem! Velen, what the hell is going on here?" Kelsey took a deep breath, his face full of confusion. Velen glanced at him and said indifferently, "Looks like the senators of the fortress are bored and looking for some fun. But honestly, I quite enjoy this kind of entertainment!" With that, Velen casually pulled out a Lv9 Forge from his storage bag and handed it to William. "Grand Senator, consider this my sponsorship. If you can knock out all the other senators, this Lv9 Forge is yours as a gift!" William''s eyes immediately sparkled with excitement. "Velen, are you serious?" "Would I joke about this?" Velen chuckled. "Good, good, good!" William knew Velen well. Since he had given his word, it must be true. Without hesitation, he rushed toward the fortress. BOOM! At that moment, a deafening explosion echoed from the distance. Even from afar, the ground beneath them trembled violently, as if an earthquake had struck. Corner, Ethan, Robert, Clinton, and Kevin¡ªthe five guest senators of the fortress¡ªeach gripped a Lv9 Forge, descending like divine warriors, engaging in a fierce melee battle. The terrifying shockwaves generated from their clashes shook the very fabric of space. Seeing this, Ironback Centipede and Aiden were thrilled, gripping their own Lv9 Forges tightly as they charged into battle. "Velen, just sit back and watch! I''m going to crush them all and show them the strength of the Grand Senator!" Fueled by Velen''s encouragement, William, holding his Lv9 Forge, was fired up and dove into the chaos. The entire battlefield turned into a violent clash of raw physical power, with elemental forces infused into the Lv9 Forges, creating impact after impact akin to meteors crashing into each other. The devastating energy from each collision shattered the ground and distorted the surrounding space-time. It was primitive, savage, and awe-inspiring¡ªa monumental clash of raw strength. Velen was utterly captivated by the scene. These warriors were already among the strongest in the world, and now, armed with Lv9 Forges, their battle had an indescribable brutal beauty. Unlike Velen, who was enjoying the spectacle, Kelsey felt his very soul being crushed every time a Lv9 Forge clashed. Such a precious artifact, revered by any other faction, was being treated like a disposable club here! "Councilor Kelsey, are you alright?" Beside him, Sophia noticed Kelsey''s rapid breathing, throbbing veins, and inability to control his emotions, and she asked with concern. Kelsey trembled with rage. "Unbelievable! Everyone in this fortress is insane! Do they not understand the value of a Lv9 Forge?! If one gets damaged, that would be a catastrophic loss!" "Where is this fortress''s lord?! Why hasn''t she stepped in to stop this madness?!" Almost as soon as he finished speaking, a sharp gust of wind tore through space. Then, Anastasia, wielding a Lv9 Forge, descended like a meteor and joined the battle. "Since you senators are having so much fun, count me in!" For Anastasia, these senators were battle-hardened veterans. Fighting them would greatly benefit her combat experience and future advancements! With her joining the fray, the chaotic battlefield finally saw somewhat of a balance. However, to accommodate her, the senators had to suppress their power to Hero Rank Lv9. "Wait¡ªanother fighter? And she has a Lv9 Forge too?!" Seeing Anastasia enter the battle, Kelsey was even more shocked. He quickly turned to Velen. "Velen, what the hell is going on?!" Velen responded calmly: "Councilor Kelsey, this is the lord of our fortress, Anastasia." Hearing this, Kelsey shook his head in disbelief. "Velen, are you messing with me?!" Chapter 119 - Chapter119-Triggering Flaunting Behavior To Kelsey, how could Anastasia possibly be the lord of this fortress? The senators of this fortress were almost all top-tier powerhouses at the Ascended Rank. Such mighty figures¡ªhow could they possibly serve a young girl as their lord? This was a world of the strong preying on the weak, a place where only the fittest survived¡ªit wasn''t some child''s play! Velen saw this but didn''t bother explaining. Instead, he simply pointed to the chaotic battlefield and said with a smile: "Councilor Kelsey, as a councilor of the Tarot Order and a top-tier awakener, would you like to give it a try?" Hearing this, Kelsey immediately turned to look at Velen. "You don''t have an Lv9 Forge anymore, do you?" Velen shook his head and said, "I don''t have one at the moment, but there are plenty of forges inside the fortress." "You mean the Lv9 Forge that Alan placed in the courtyard?" Kelsey asked. Ironback Centipede had mentioned this before, and Kelsey had kept it in mind. Velen thought for a moment and said, "The forge he left in the courtyard may have been taken by Senator Clinton, but I raised a rabbit, and that rabbit used a forge to build its nest. If you want to join the battle, I can ask the rabbit to lend it to you." Clinton didn''t own an Lv9 Forge, yet he was now wielding one¡ªclearly, it had come from someone else in the fortress. Using an Lv9 Forge as a rabbit''s nest? Kelsey was speechless. Just who exactly was this Velen? This level of wealth was simply tycoon-tier! Such a precious artifact, given to a mere rabbit¡ªit was an absolute waste! He had traveled across many star systems and had never seen a forge of this caliber! Suddenly, he felt like he had lived most of his life for nothing¡ªhe wasn''t even as fortunate as a rabbit! "Congratulations, host! Star Hunt has ended early. You placed second and completed the mission. Rewards: 100,000 luxury points and 10 pieces of Soul Stone Essence [advanced version of Soul Stone]." Hearing the system notification, Velen was momentarily stunned. He still hadn''t used up the Soul Stones from previous rewards, and now he was directly getting Soul Stone Essence? "Completing this mission actually rewarded me with 100,000 luxury points¡ªnot bad! Now my luxury points have reached 940,000, enough to break through to Elite Rank!" S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After making up his mind, Velen immediately prepared to advance. His last breakthrough had shaken the entire region, but since it had been in a remote mountain, only two corpses had been present as witnesses. He found that unsatisfactory. Now, with everyone gathered here, he thought¡ªwhy not let them bear witness this time? "Velen, um¡­ about that Lv9 Forge your rabbit used as a nest¡­ can I borrow it for a while?" After an internal struggle, Kelsey finally decided to join the battle. For one, these were all Ascended Rank powerhouses¡ªmissing this opportunity meant he might never encounter such a battle again. For another, Lv9 Forges were incredibly rare. Yet here, they were everywhere he looked. Weapons of this caliber clashing against each other¡ªsuch a sight was something he''d likely never witness again if he let it slip away today. So, even though he found William and the others'' extravagant behavior unbearable, this was a once-in-a-lifetime chance, and he was determined to seize it. "Councilor Kelsey, no rush. With their strength, this battle will last quite a while before a winner is decided. I need to break through first¡ªonce I''m done, I''ll get you that Lv9 Forge." "Don''t worry. Everyone in the fortress knows my breakthrough speed¡ªit''s unusually fast." ?? Kelsey and Sophia were both stunned by Velen''s words. Velen was currently Expert Rank Lv9, but breaking straight into Elite Rank wasn''t an easy feat. Many people spent their entire lives stuck at this bottleneck. Even if one sensed an advancement opportunity, wouldn''t it be better to find a secluded place, away from any disturbances, to ensure a smooth breakthrough? Here, violent battle waves raged all around¡ªa single mistake could result in a failed advancement, leading to serious damage. Just as Kelsey was about to remind Velen, a surge of elemental energy erupted from him¡ªan unusual fluctuation that only appeared during breakthroughs. He''s already breaking through?! Kelsey''s eyes widened. Wasn''t this process a bit too smooth? Under Kelsey and Sophia''s astonished gazes, Velen''s aura exploded in an instant¡ªElite Rank Lv1! Feeling the surge of elemental energy around Velen, Kelsey''s mind went blank. Velen had mentioned his fast upgrade speed before¡ªbut this fast?! At this moment, as Velen''s energy fluctuations spread out, everyone engaged in battle within the fortress abruptly turned their attention toward him. "Velen only just advanced to Expert Rank not long ago¡ªhow is he breaking through again?" Anastasia steadied her elegant figure, blinking in astonishment as she stared at Velen. His advancement speed was something she had rarely seen in her lifetime. Moreover, unlike other awakeners, he didn''t level up one rank at a time, or at most two or three ranks per breakthrough. No¡ªwhen Velen advanced, it was always nine levels at once! "Velen''s rank has always been low¡ªI thought he just didn''t care about it. But now it seems he was merely waiting for the right moment." Kevin, watching Velen''s rising aura, seemed to realize something. His face showed an expression of eager anticipation. Newly arrived senators in the fortress might not know just how terrifying Velen''s advancement speed was, but Kevin had been by Anastasia''s side for a long time¡ªhe knew very well. Still, could Velen really pull off another nine-rank leap this time? At higher ranks, leveling up became exponentially harder. Advancing even one level was already a massive feat, let alone two or three levels¡ªlet alone nine. Even though Kevin had faith in Velen, he wasn''t entirely sure¡ªit simply defied all logic! Under everyone''s stunned gazes, Velen''s aura surged rapidly! Elite Rank Lv2 Elite Rank Lv3 ¡­ When Velen''s power skyrocketed to Elite Rank Lv9, the entire fortress fell into absolute silence. One by one, their eyes locked onto him¡ªunable to look away. Did we see that correctly?! Velen had just leaped nine full levels in one go! This was unheard of! His advancement speed completely shattered their understanding of power progression. Compared to Velen, they were all recognized as top talents across the star systems, but the best they had ever done was break through three levels at once. Even that had been a legendary feat in their youth. Yet now, Velen had just¡­ done this. From the moment he had declared his intention to break through, to now¡ªhow much time had passed? About one minute. An absolute monster. No wonder previous divinations about Velen''s fate had been so strange¡ªhe completely defied common sense. Kelsey had only come here to borrow an Lv9 Forge, yet he had ended up suffering repeated mental blows from Velen. "As expected of my mentor¡ªalways extraordinary! This is incredible!" Sophia kept a calm exterior, but inside, she was overwhelmed by a raging storm of emotions. She had known from the beginning that Velen was no ordinary person. But this level of insane advancement speed¡ªit still shocked her to the core. Her mentor¡­ seemed capable of anything. "Random mission triggered: Within one month, acquire enough passes and take all fortress members to Chaos City for a luxurious experience. Completion rewards: massive luxury points!" As everyone stared at Velen as if he were an alien species, the system''s voice echoed in his mind. Velen pondered for a moment and asked: "System, you know how rare passes are. Can I exchange points for them?" If he had to search for them, even at high prices, it would take too long to gather enough. But since the system had issued this mission, there had to be a way to complete it. "Host can acquire Chaos City passes by triggering flaunting behavior!" Hearing this, Velen''s eyes instantly lit up. Chapter 120 - Chapter120-Rewarded with a Large Number of Passes! As expected, when the system issued a mission, there was always a high chance of completing it! Velen immediately felt relieved. At the same time, he understood why the system had suddenly given him this task¡ªit must be because he hadn''t triggered any flaunting behavior for a long time, and the system was encouraging him to do so. Not long after. Once Kelsey had joined the battle wielding the Lv9 Forge he had borrowed from the rabbit, Velen gradually shifted his attention to Sophia. "Sophia, has anyone in the Tarot Order bullied you during your time there?" Sophia smiled and shook her head. "Mentor, I am the saintess of the Tarot Order, and they all treat me very well. Especially Councilor Kelsey, he''s always been by my side, taking care of me." Hearing this, Velen nodded while communicating silently with the system. "Since Kelsey has been taking such good care of my mentee, giving him an Lv9 Forge as a reward is completely reasonable, right?" To Velen, this was a perfect flaunting opportunity! The system was silent for a moment before responding: "Based on system analysis, it would be best if the host gifted two Lv9 Forges this time." ?? A flash of confusion passed through Velen''s eyes. From what he knew, the system was always extremely precise. But now, it was actively suggesting that he give away an extra Lv9 Forge? Was the system getting excited at the thought of him flaunting his wealth? Coughing lightly, Velen said, "Sophia, since you think Kelsey has treated you well, and you know I''m not a stingy person¡ªif he''s so interested in Lv9 Forges, then I''ll just give him two later. You can take them to him yourself." Sophia''s face was full of shock. She knew her mentor was rich¡ªfilthy rich¡ªand she was also aware of his bad habit of flaunting wealth. But Lv9 Forges were rare even across the star systems. How could he just give them away so casually? And not just one, but two! "Mentor, I know you''re wealthy, and I know you mean well, but one Lv9 Forge is already enough." Sophia understood that Velen was only willing to give away something so valuable because he cared about her. But considering Kelsey''s role in the Tarot Order, she added: "Councilor Kelsey is indeed curious about the Lv9 Forge, but more out of fascination than actual need. From what I''ve observed, he lacks a suitable magic weapon." The Tarot Order was a divination-based faction¡ªthey weren''t the type to engage in direct combat. S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Just picturing Councilor Kelsey charging into battle wielding a huge forge was downright ridiculous. If the other Tarot Order councilors found out Kelsey had obtained an Lv9 Forge only to use it as a weapon, they would die laughing. So, Sophia suggested that instead of another Lv9 Forge, Velen should gift him a more suitable magical item. After all, for diviners like them, finding useful magical tools was extremely difficult. Boom! About an hour later, the battle that had erupted in the fortress''s central square finally came to an end. Cheshire, holding an Lv9 Forge, was drenched in sweat, his blood pumping, and feeling utterly refreshed. Returning to Velen''s side, he dropped the forge heavily onto the ground, causing countless cracks and debris to scatter. "Not bad, not bad! I haven''t had such an exhilarating battle in years!" Kelsey was thrilled. As a member of Tarot, he rarely participated in combat himself. Having the chance to stretch his muscles today was an experience he wouldn''t have easily come by. More importantly, he was now holding an Lv9 Forge in his hands. This artifact truly lived up to its star-system-wide reputation. It was incredibly durable, radiating raging flames, and felt as indestructible as a meteorite. Moreover, if given to high-level alchemists, they could use it to craft countless potions¡ªsomething every powerful faction sought after. Yet such a rare, priceless treasure had just been casually handed to him to swing around as a weapon. The arrogance and reckless luxury of this action gave him an unparalleled sense of satisfaction! "Councilor Kelsey, since you value the Lv9 Forge so much, from now on, this Lv9 Forge belongs to you!" At that moment, Velen retrieved two brand-new Lv9 Forges from his storage bag and placed them in front of Kelsey. "No need to ask why¡ªjust accept it. The answer is simple: I''m rich and I do whatever I want!" Kelsey had just been about to ask something when he heard Velen''s words¡ªand was instantly speechless. This was an artifact that major factions across the galaxy fought over. Even the Tarot Order, a top-tier organization, treated it as an extreme rarity. Yet Velen was casually handing out two¡ªthis level of extravagance shook Kelsey to his core! "Velen, I know you''re wealthy, I know you''re a super tycoon, but this is too much! Our Tarot Order cannot be so greedy¡ªone Lv9 Forge is already more than enough!" "Councilor Kelsey, no need to be polite¡ªjust take them." Velen was a little surprised at Kelsey''s reluctance, but giving away two Lv9 Forges was a key part of his flaunting plan, so there was no room for negotiation. Kelsey hesitated. He was genuinely interested in the Lv9 Forge. Seeing this, Sophia spoke up, "Councilor Kelsey, why not just accept them? Velen gave you two¡ªone to use as a weapon." Hearing this, Kelsey finally stopped refusing. His favorability toward Velen skyrocketed¡ªhe now saw him as an old friend at first sight. "Velen, if you ever need me, I''ll be there¡ªeven if I have to go through fire and water!" Even as he spoke, Kelsey''s hands were already in motion, quickly storing away both Lv9 Forges, as if afraid Velen would change his mind. After experiencing that battle, he had fallen in love with this feeling of overwhelming power! Seeing how much Kelsey''s attitude toward Velen had changed, Sophia realized something. So this is the power of the "Tycoon Club"¡­? She had a strong premonition that if Kelsey came here a few more times, and if Velen continued buying him over, he might completely side with her and Velen in the future. "Congratulations, host! Successful flaunting! Reward: 100,000 luxury points!" The system notification rang in Velen''s ears the moment Kelsey accepted the two Lv9 Forges. 100,000 luxury points?! Velen was momentarily stunned. That was an insane amount of points! Compared to previous rewards, this was significantly more generous. "It must be because my rank has increased significantly¡­" Velen quickly realized. After all, breaking through from Elite Rank Lv9 to Titan Rank Lv9 required a whopping 9 million luxury points! At first, he had thought it would take forever to gather that many. But now, it seemed¡­ not so impossible. All he had to do was keep triggering system rewards. Having obtained his Lv9 Forge, Kelsey soon announced his departure. "Velen, everyone, I originally brought the saintess here for an Lv9 Forge¡ªnow that we have it, we won''t disturb you further." Crafting potions for the saintess was crucial to the Tarot Order''s future¡ªhe couldn''t afford any delays. Velen didn''t insist on keeping them. He simply waved and wished them a safe journey, knowing they would meet again. As Kelsey and Sophia left, Anastasia and the others exchanged glances¡ªbefore suddenly bursting into laughter. They were all bruised and battered, hair disheveled, looking like actual beggars. But Velen, seeing this scene, had an idea. "System, they''ve been training their combat skills to better protect me and the sect. Shouldn''t I reward them with some healing potions?" The system hesitated for a moment before asking, "Host, are you sure they are honing their combat skills and not just playing around?" Velen''s eyelid twitched slightly, but he maintained a serious expression and replied with utmost sincerity, "System, they are clearly improving their battle techniques¡ªI am absolutely certain of this. As a tycoon, encouraging them with proper rewards is only natural. What''s wrong with that?" Velen originally had over 100,000 luxury points, which was more than enough to draw some healing potions from the system. But if he could exploit the system''s generosity and get even more for free, that would be ideal. Unfortunately, it seemed that the system wasn''t so easily fooled. Just as Velen was entertaining this thought, the system''s voice suddenly rang out: "Host''s actions qualify as flaunting. Reward: 30,000 bottles of Life Potion!" "Reminder: These potions have been pre-allocated to all participants of the battle and must be fully consumed within one day!" Chapter 121 - Chapter121-The Generous Velen 30,000 bottles of Life Potion! Hearing the system''s announcement, Velen was utterly stunned. From what he knew about the system, it never handed out rewards so freely. And now it had suddenly given him 30,000 bottles¡ªcompletely catching him off guard! Even with so many people in the fortress, there was no way they could use up this many potions. The sheer quantity was overwhelming! However, one thing became increasingly clear to Velen¡ªthe system fully approved of his flaunting behavior. It seemed the system was escalating things on its own! At the same time, Robert and the others who had just finished their battle were slumped across the fortress''s central plaza, completely exhausted. Every single one of them was panting heavily, covered in various wounds and bruises. Robert, scanning the battered warriors around him, grinned proudly and declared: "Everyone, today''s battle was truly exhilarating! This here is a bottle of my personally crafted Mid-Tier Life Potion¡ªit can rapidly heal injuries. Outside, this would cost hundreds of thousands of mana crystals per bottle! But since I''m in a good mood today, I''ll let each of you have a sip to experience its effects!" As he spoke, he dramatically pulled out a potion bottle, its contents crystal clear like spring water, and placed it in front of everyone. A Mid-Tier Life Potion?! The moment Robert revealed the potion, the exhausted warriors instantly perked up, their breathing turning rapid and excited. Everyone here knew about Life Potions, but they were incredibly difficult to craft. Not only were the materials extremely rare, but even for highly skilled alchemists, successfully brewing one was no easy feat. These potions were incredibly valuable, especially in major star systems, where they were immediately bought out by those who could afford them. Such opportunities were one in a million! Under their eager gazes, Robert uncorked the bottle and took a sip. The bruises covering his body and the burnt patches on his skin from earlier began healing at a speed visible to the naked eye! The recovery speed was shocking! Even for Ascended Rank awakeners, recovering from such injuries would normally take days or even months! "Robert, are you serious?! A Mid-Tier Life Potion is so incredibly rare, and yet you''re casually drinking it right now? Looks like you''ve been infected by Velen''s flaunting behavior!" "Exactly! For us body refinement warriors, this potion is basically a second life!" Aiden stared at Robert, his expression twitching, visibly pained by the wasteful extravagance. Meanwhile, Ethan and Victoria exchanged frustrated glances before glaring at Robert. It was one thing for Velen to flaunt his wealth in front of them. But now, even Robert, a renowned alchemist and merchant, was doing the same?! Crafting a Mid-Tier Life Potion required extremely rare materials, and even with everything prepped, the failure rate was still high. For Robert, brewing just one was already a major challenge¡ªand yet, here he was, wasting it! Seeing everyone glaring at him, Robert suddenly understood Velen''s joy in flaunting wealth. And he couldn''t help but burst into laughter. "Life Potions are indeed valuable, but using them for healing isn''t a waste, is it?" Hearing this, Kevin immediately coughed lightly and warned him: "Robert, you might want to think this through carefully¡­" Robert scoffed and retorted, "Kevin, you''re being unreasonable. This Life Potion was crafted by me! I can use it however I please¡ª" But before he could finish, he saw Anastasia walking over. The Lord. The moment he saw Anastasia, Robert''s smug expression froze. Because he knew that Anastasia absolutely despised wasteful extravagance. Flaunting in front of the lord? Not a good idea! Before Robert could explain himself, Velen''s voice suddenly rang out: "Honored Senators, I understand that you have been training hard to hone your combat skills and further develop the fortress. Although I may not be able to contribute much, I do have some Advanced Life Potions that will be extremely beneficial for your injuries¡­" However, as Velen spoke, his gaze landed on the potion bottle clutched in Robert''s hand. "System, Robert has already used a Life Potion. Even though it''s only a Mid-Tier one, his injuries are healed. What now?" The system quickly responded: "The 30,000 bottles of Life Potion have been pre-allocated. In order for the flaunting to be valid, they must be used to heal injuries. Please plan accordingly, Host." Velen''s expression changed instantly. The system was messing with him! Because based on this logic, they would need to get injured again¡ªwhich basically meant the system was encouraging more fighting! At that moment, as Velen spoke, everyone''s attention shifted toward him. The moment they saw the literal mountain of Advanced Life Potions he had pulled out, their pupils shrank in shock. Mid-Tier Life Potions were already extremely rare and had an astonishing recovery effect. But Velen had just casually taken out tens of thousands of Advanced Life Potions. What kind of absurd wealth was this?! Robert, stunned beyond belief, suddenly felt deep regret. Compared to the ridiculous amount of Advanced Life Potions Velen had just revealed, his one bottle of Mid-Tier Life Potion was utterly worthless. He had accidentally tried to flaunt his wealth in front of the real expert, and in his own domain no less! To make matters worse, Anastasia had seen everything, meaning he had already made a bad impression. So, in a desperate attempt to save face, Robert quickly shook his head and refused: "Uh¡­ Velen, my injuries are already healed thanks to the Mid-Tier Life Potion. You should save these Advanced Life Potions for the others." Although he really wanted to try one, now was not the time. However, Velen simply smiled and replied: "Senator Robert, I don''t think you''re fully healed yet. These Advanced Life Potions will be very beneficial for you!" Before Robert could react, the surrounding senators picked up their Lv9 Forges and closed in on him. "Senator Robert, we agree¡ªyou definitely haven''t fully recovered. Let us help you with that!" They all grinned maliciously. After all, Robert had flaunted his wealth in front of them first. "Wait, wait, wait! Not my handsome face!" BAM! Before he could finish, Kevin punched him directly in the eye! The beating lasted for several minutes before finally ending. Everyone else eagerly grabbed a bottle of Advanced Life Potion from Velen and drank it immediately. Meanwhile, Robert, now thoroughly bruised, stumbled toward Velen with tears in his eyes. "Velen¡­ This isn''t fair¡­ Why did you all gang up on an old man in his seventies?! Where''s your sense of morality?" Velen scratched his head and seriously replied: "Well, Robert, everyone else used my Life Potions to heal, but if you don''t, you''d be out of place¡ªand it''d look like I was playing favorites!" Robert: ¡­ The entire group burst into laughter. But their laughter quickly faded as Velen continued handing out more potions. Wait¡ªwhy was he giving them so many? A single bottle was more than enough to heal their wounds¡­ Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Seeing this, Kevin suddenly panicked. If Velen insisted on them using up all 30,000 bottles, things could get ugly. At that moment, seeing that Velen was still relentlessly handing out Life Potions, Anastasia suddenly had a bad feeling and quickly spoke up: "Velen, there''s no way we can finish all these potions, and besides, our injuries are already healed. Why don''t you leave some for the rabbit? It hasn''t had anything nice to eat in a long time." Upon hearing this, the others nodded furiously. Right now, they were suddenly grateful that the rabbit existed¡ªat least they had something to shift the burden onto! However, Velen simply shook his head seriously and replied: "Lord Anastasia, these Life Potions were specifically prepared for all of you to recover. The rabbit doesn''t need them." "No need to pretend. No need to save them for me. Your injuries aren''t fully healed yet¡ªso drink up. By tomorrow, I expect all 30,000 bottles to be completely finished." The entire group: "???" This¡­ this was basically forcing them to drink! Chapter 122 - Chapter122-The Collapsing Crowd! Seeing Velen with his "it''s for your own good" attitude, everyone felt an overwhelming sense of collapse. The Advanced Life Potion was indeed a great item, but they had drunk so many potions before that they were sick of them¡ªliterally. One or two bottles were fine, but drinking too much? That was unbearable. Their past experiences, like the sharpest daggers, stabbed into their hearts, making them extremely uncomfortable. Velen''s kindness did not take their feelings into account at all! The Advanced Life Potion was certainly valuable, but giving them so much at once was beyond their limit! "Velen, I think¡­ it''s best if we don''t drink this potion," Ethan swallowed hard and braced himself to speak to Velen. Velen, however, did not respond. Instead, he simply smiled and covered one of his eyes. Ethan''s scalp immediately went numb. The image of that one-eyed red-haired man surfaced in his mind, making his face instantly pale. The overwhelming power of that mysterious man made it impossible for him to resist in the slightest. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The others present, including Kevin, also recalled the red-haired man, and their faces turned just as pale. The last time Velen handed out potions in the Fortress''s great hall, he had threatened them in the same manner. They knew what was happening, and they didn''t want to obey, but they had no choice. After all, that mysterious man''s strength was terrifying beyond measure. Even if they all joined forces, they wouldn''t stand a chance against him. Realizing that resistance was futile, there was only one option left¡ªcompliance. Ethan, who had been the most vocal in opposition earlier, was the first to grab the Life Potion in front of him and gulp it down. Seeing this, Kevin and the others could only accept their fate and quickly downed their own potions as well. Anastasia, after drinking for a while, felt her stomach churning violently. Feeling utterly miserable, she angrily set a new rule on the spot: "From now on, Fortress prohibits all combat sparring! Anyone who dares to instigate a fight will be kicked out of Fortress!" Meanwhile, Velen Arrives at Alan''s Courtyard While he had already begun collecting Luxury Points from the others, there were still a few like Alan who had yet to receive his "care." He certainly wouldn''t forget them. As soon as Velen stepped into the courtyard, Alan immediately noticed him and rushed forward. "Velen! You''re finally back!" "Yeah, I''m back. Alan, how''s the transition to being a mixologist? Any issues adjusting?" Velen asked as he looked at Alan''s excited expression. Alan grinned with pure joy. "Velen, I never realized how much more fun bartending is compared to alchemy!" "The costs are low, the drinks I mix sell for a high price, and the taste is fantastic. I''m absolutely loving it!" Huh? Velen widened his eyes in surprise. He had assumed Alan would have complaints about this career change. Who would have thought¡­ that he actually liked it? Could it be that he had accidentally steered him toward his true passion? "You''re enjoying it? Does that mean you have a talent for it?" Velen asked curiously. Alan shook his head. "I don''t know. My mentor only taught me some basic techniques and processes. I experimented with mixing drinks myself, and the flavors and effects always turned out great. Maybe it''s talent, or maybe it''s because I was an alchemist before." At that, Alan looked at Velen gratefully. "Either way, Velen, I owe you big time. If not for your keen eye, I might have missed out on my life''s true passion." "Before, I thought you were just a tycoon, but I didn''t expect you to have such sharp insight!" ?? Velen was full of question marks. He had just wanted to flaunt his wealth¡ªwho knew Alan would turn out to be a genius? The Unexpected Visitor "Alan, are you making drinks? Need some help?" At that moment, a voice interrupted. The muscle-bound loli, Victoria, had entered the courtyard. Velen immediately turned to Alan. "Tsk, tsk. I didn''t take you for a romantic. How far have things progressed between you two?" "Let me remind you¡ªVictoria might look fierce, but she''s actually a pure-hearted girl. You better not mess around and leave her heartbroken!" Alan: "¡­" "What nonsense are you talking about? She''s always coming to me, but not because she likes me. She''s just obsessed with my cocktails, bar snacks, and desserts!" Velen was momentarily stunned but quickly realized it made sense. As far as he knew, romance wasn''t exactly Victoria''s priority¡ªfood and drinks, however, absolutely were. A New Task for Victoria "Velen? What are you doing here?" Victoria, who had initially come to ask Alan about food and drinks for the evening, was startled to see Velen. Ever since she had encountered the one-armed red-haired man, she had held a deep sense of reverence for Velen and preferred not to be around him¡ªperhaps even feared him. "Well, if it isn''t Victoria," Velen said with a smirk, finally noticing her presence. From what he remembered, Victoria never seemed to have anything urgent to do¡ªshe always seemed to be wandering around Fortress. And now, with the large number of Soul Stones he had acquired, he had a perfect task for her. "Since you''re always running around Fortress with nothing to do, I have a task for you." Hearing this, Victoria instantly became wary and whispered cautiously, "Velen, I''m Lord Anastasia''s friend. And for the record, I''m not just aimlessly wandering around¡ªI supervise the young elites in their training!" Despite her internal fear, she forced herself to push back, worried that Velen might assign her some horrible job. "They''re all inside the barrier training right now. They don''t need supervision. Just focus on burning incense in Fortress from now on." "I''ll even set up a dedicated incense-burning courtyard. All Fortress senators and disciples will have to spend time there regularly." "Oh, and one more thing¡ªwhen burning the Soul Stone incense, make sure Senator Clinton stays far away." Clinton was already on the verge of ascension. If he were exposed to the incense''s power, he might ascend on the spot, which would be a huge problem. But Victoria didn''t know this. She simply assumed Velen was playing favorites, so she asked, "Why? Senator Clinton has always been good to us." "If you want him to stay alive, do as I say," Velen replied seriously, offering no further explanation. Hearing this, even Alan was taken aback, not understanding what Velen meant. The Shocking Display At that moment, Velen retrieved massive Soul Stones, each the size of a house, from his system space and placed them in the courtyard. "Velen, are you serious? Grinding these into incense?" Alan''s jaw dropped in disbelief. Victoria was equally stunned as she stared at the enormous Soul Stones. "Velen, these stones contain an incredibly vast soul energy¡­ and you want to burn them as incense?" "Of course. Don''t be stingy. If you need more, just ask¡ªI have plenty!" Burning Soul Stones would greatly benefit the soul. He had way too many of them, and his plan was to use everything up before heading to the Upper Plane Universe. In this world, these items were precious. But in the Upper Plane Universe, they were nothing special. The road to flaunting his wealth had only just begun! Meanwhile, in a Vast Starfield¡­ A massive fleet was approaching Uranus Fortress. "We''re about to arrive at Uranus Fortress! Everyone, tidy up your appearance! We must not leave a bad impression on Lord Velen. Prepare to express our gratitude to him!" Inside the fleet, the Aurora Trade Guild''s Head swept a serious gaze over everyone. The closer they got to Fortress, the more excited he became. His face was filled with anticipation. The legendary tycoon, Velen¡ªhe had waited long enough to meet him. Chapter 123 - Chapter123-Rules Are Rules For Aurora Trade Guild Head Sylure, meeting the great tycoon Velen was an incredibly important event. However, even more crucial was negotiating the profit distribution for the Dragon Blood Potion with Fortress. After all, the profits from Dragon Blood Potion were astronomical¡ªit was an exclusive, monopoly-driven fortune. This collaboration was vital to the future of their guild. He had already made up his mind. To show their sincerity, they would hand over all profits from the sale of Dragon Blood Potion to Fortress for the next ten years. After ten years, they would split the profits 50-50. Arrival at Fortress Soon, their fleet arrived at Fortress''s gates. As Sylure, Daniel, Bruce, and the others adjusted their clothing and stepped out of their ships, an overwhelming pressure suddenly descended from above. The sheer force of it made them freeze in place. Their bones cracked and popped under the strain, like beans roasting in a pan. "Head, there are many terrifying presences inside Fortress! Even at Ascended Rank Lv4, I feel an overwhelming sense of dread!" Bruce struggled to breathe as he blinked in shock and turned to Sylure. Then, he noticed that Sylure looked even more horrified. The man was completely dazed, his expression frozen in disbelief. "Bruce, this doesn''t make sense. You''re Ascended Rank Lv4, while I''m only Ascended Rank Lv1¡­ How is Fortress this terrifying? This is nothing like what you described before!" Sylure''s lips trembled. The powerful auras emanating from Fortress completely crushed him. It was as if multiple top-tier Ascended Rank powerhouses were gathered inside, forming a vortex of pressure that made it impossible to approach. Bruce, just as shocked, stammered, "Head, when I tracked this place before, the strongest creature here was just that Ironback Centipede! "Kevin, Robert, Aiden¡­ Their levels were similar to mine! But now, all these terrifying presences¡ªwhere did they come from?!" This situation was completely beyond his expectations. A Voice of Relief "Everyone, they''re not enemies. They''re friends of Aurora Trade Guild!" S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. At that moment, Anastasia''s calm voice rang out from Fortress. The instant she spoke, the oppressive force vanished as if it had never existed. Sylure and his group finally exhaled in relief. Then, they saw Anastasia and several others rushing toward them¡ªeach carrying a bundle of potion bottles, stopping every so often to take a sip as they moved. The scene was bizarre. "Lord Anastasia, Head Sylure has personally come today. We apologize for the intrusion, but we are here to¡ª" Bruce had just begun introducing Sylure and their purpose when Sylure suddenly stepped forward, stopping him. "Lord Anastasia, our guild happened to be passing by, so we decided to drop in. We''ll visit again once our business is settled. For now, we must take our leave." Without another word, Sylure turned around, taking the confused Daniel and Bruce with him, and immediately boarded their fleet, departing swiftly. As they watched Sylure and his group leave, Anastasia and the others exchanged puzzled glances. "Aurora Trade Guild is quite a reputable organization. They must have had a reason for coming here, but if they don''t want to say anything, then so be it. Let''s just keep drinking our potions!" Though Anastasia sensed something odd, she didn''t dwell on it¡ªshe was already on the verge of being driven insane by all the Life Potion she had to drink. The Guild''s Shock Inside the fleet, as Uranus faded into the distance, Daniel and Bruce frowned, turning to Sylure. "Head, what was that about? Wasn''t our main purpose here to discuss the Dragon Blood Potion collaboration?" Sylure let out a bitter laugh. "Negotiate? What''s there to negotiate? Didn''t you notice?" "They were all drinking Advanced Life Potions!" "Advanced Life Potion! Any one of those could be auctioned for an astronomical price!" "But they were drinking them like water¡­ and they looked like they didn''t even want to!" "What?!" Daniel and Bruce were stunned. They had noticed Anastasia and the others drinking potions earlier, but they hadn''t dared to assume they were Advanced Life Potions. Now that Sylure pointed it out, they realized it was true! Just how wealthy was this Fortress?! "Daniel, I used to think you were excessively extravagant. Now I see that I was simply ignorant." "Given their level of extravagance, offering them ten years'' worth of Dragon Blood Potion profits might actually be an insult." "Which means¡­ we need to reconsider our approach. Simply handing over the profits would make us seem insincere." Daniel and Bruce exchanged glances, finally understanding why their Head had suddenly decided to leave. Moments later, their expressions became complicated. Velen had merely provided the Dragon Blood Potion formula, while Aurora Trade Guild had to pay for all the ingredients and production costs. Essentially, they were working for Fortress for free for ten years. What originally seemed like an incredibly generous deal was now being reconsidered after just a short visit. Now, the Head was thinking of offering even more benefits to Fortress. Normally, this would have been unthinkable¡ªthey were merchants, not philanthropists. But upon reflection, they understood why. Ultimately, it all came down to one fact¡ª Velen¡­ and Fortress¡­ were far more unfathomable than they had ever imagined. Still, no matter what, Velen had granted Daniel the Fenrir Bloodline. To Sylure, that was a debt that could never be repaid. Even if it meant handing over ten years of profits, he would gladly do so. Fortress''s Endless Torment Time passed quickly. As the starry sky stretched across the heavens, the people of Fortress, after nearly a full day of drinking Life Potions, finally finished them all. By now, Anastasia and the others were at the point where just seeing a potion bottle made them want to gag. "This place is becoming unbearable," Clinton muttered. "When I first arrived, I was nearly struck down by ascension lightning¡­" "Now, I''ve nearly died from drinking too many potions! I can''t believe I''m actually starting to miss the peaceful days of being sealed away." Tears almost welled in Clinton''s eyes. Despite having enjoyed his time in Fortress, today had been too much. "Wait¡­ what is that smell?" Suddenly, just as he was complaining, Clinton caught a scent drifting through the air. It was intoxicating. His very soul seemed to stir in response. Following the scent, he turned toward a courtyard¡ªwhere he saw Victoria, carefully grinding Soul Stone powder for incense. Immediately, he rushed toward the courtyard. After everything he had endured today, this divine fragrance was just what he needed to relax. By now, he was familiar with everyone in Fortress and knew that Victoria was Ethan''s treasured mentee. Just as he was about to push open the courtyard gate, however¡ª Victoria, who had been calmly grinding the Soul Stones, suddenly tensed. She sprang to her feet and slammed the gate shut. "Senator Clinton, you can''t come in!" In that instant, she remembered Velen''s warning. Everyone else could enjoy the incense¡ªbut Clinton absolutely could not. "Why not?" Clinton frowned. Victoria quickly shook her head. "You just can''t. Everyone else can come in, but not you. It''s for your own good!" Hearing that, Clinton''s face darkened. He was a Senator of Fortress! Why was he being singled out? If she didn''t give him a good reason, he wasn''t going to just let this go. He was Ascended Rank Lv9, a top-tier powerhouse! When had he ever been treated like this?! "Senator Clinton, it''s not personal. These are the rules. I have to follow them¡­ And don''t bother going to Lord Anastasia¡ªshe won''t be able to change it." Chapter 124 - Chapter124-Absorbing It Means Death?（Dont buy next 3 chapters)） "This rule was set by Velen. You know as well as I do that even Lord Anastasia can''t control him." The pressure radiating from Clinton was overwhelming, but Victoria had no other option¡ªshe could only use Velen as a shield. "Velen?" Clinton was momentarily stunned. He knew Velen had many eccentric and unconventional habits. But he couldn''t understand¡ªwhy was Velen specifically targeting him? In his impression, Velen wasn''t that kind of person. "What right does he have to stop me from entering?" Although his tone was still questioning, the moment he realized it was Velen''s decision, his initial anger was somewhat subdued. Velen was far too enigmatic. And the powerful figures behind him¡ªsuch as the red-haired one-eyed man¡ªwere existences beyond Clinton''s comprehension. Despite his frustration, he still had a sense of fear toward Velen. Seeing Clinton''s persistence, Victoria sighed and said seriously: "Velen said that if you absorb the incense¡­ you''ll die." Clinton scoffed in disdain, not believing a word of it. "Die? Do you know who I am? I''m an Ascended Rank Lv9 Awakener! There''s no one in this realm capable of killing me!" However, just as he finished speaking, his expression suddenly shifted. As if realizing something, his eyes widened in shock, and his voice turned urgent: "Victoria¡­ what exactly are you burning as incense?" He was at Ascended Rank Lv9. If he advanced any further and ascended to the Upper Plane Universe, he might truly face immediate death! After all, the Sunlord''s power was beyond imagination. The mere thought of facing such an entity was terrifying. A single thought from the Sunlord could obliterate him. Normally, ascending required other rare and valuable materials to aid in the transition. Such materials were exceedingly scarce¡ªhe had spent years searching, yet found nothing. But then he thought about it¡­ To others, such resources might be unimaginably rare. But to Velen? Velen was someone who could pull out treasures at will. Even Owen had once mentioned Soul Stones! If Velen had explicitly warned Victoria to keep Clinton away, then there was a high probability that the incense was made from Soul Stones! The realization sent a shiver down Clinton''s spine. Confirmation of His Worst Fear Without hesitation, Clinton unleashed his powerful soul force. Like a gust of wind sweeping through fallen leaves, his spiritual perception instantly enveloped the courtyard, taking in everything inside. What he saw left him utterly stunned. "It''s really a Soul Stone!" Although he had never personally seen one before, he had read about them in historical records. Comparing the powder Victoria was grinding to those descriptions, there was no doubt¡ªthis was indeed Soul Stone ground into dust! "No wonder Velen won''t let me near it¡­" Confirming that the fragrance stimulating his soul was from Soul Stone, Clinton''s expression grew even more solemn. For most people, Soul Stones could aid in soul transformation and potential ascension. But for him, it wasn''t good news at all! "Victoria, this stuff is incredibly valuable. You should absorb as much of it as you can, and let the others in Fortress do the same. But as for me¡­ I''ll pass, for now." He sighed deeply, his face conflicted. As long as the Sunlord reigned in the Upper Plane Universe, he had no desire to ascend. Ascension would be suicide! Victoria''s Confusion "Senator Clinton, is this stuff really that valuable?" Victoria''s brows furrowed in confusion. After all, the Soul Stone Velen had given her was so massive, practically the size of a house. It didn''t seem rare at all! Faced with her question, Clinton was momentarily speechless. Soul Stone! This was Soul Stone! For Awakeners seeking ascension, Soul Stones were priceless treasures¡ªworth any cost! Having one greatly increased the chance of ascending to the Upper Plane Universe! Even if one failed to ascend, absorbing a Soul Stone would significantly strengthen the soul, improving the chances of a future ascension. This was common knowledge among Ascended Rank Awakeners. It was understandable that Victoria didn''t know¡ªshe hadn''t reached the Ascended Rank yet and had likely never encountered a Soul Stone before. Even he was seeing one for the first time in reality. Victoria respected Clinton''s judgment, but she simply couldn''t see how the Soul Stone was anything special. After all, the one she had was¡­ enormous. To prove her point, she casually retrieved the Soul Stone Essence that Velen had given her from her storage bag. A Soul-Crushing Revelation Boom! A heavy Soul Stone Essence crashed onto the courtyard floor with a deep, resonant thud. The sound was so intense that it seemed to shake Clinton''s very soul. His breath hitched. The massive object before him¡­ was really a Soul Stone?! Clinton felt an existential crisis creeping in. From what he knew, Soul Stones were supposed to be about the size of a palm. But this? This house-sized Soul Stone was beyond comprehension! Yet the longer he looked at it, the more he felt his soul being refined¡ªjust by being near it. His entire body felt numb. Without another word, he turned and walked away. Victoria watched his retreating figure in confusion. What just happened? Why did Senator Clinton suddenly look like he had suffered a major blow? She hadn''t said anything offensive¡­ had she? "Forget it. I''ll just keep burning the incense. Clinton said it''s beneficial for all of us, and I can feel my soul growing stronger. "It''s like¡­ I''m getting smarter!" With that thought, Victoria went back to grinding the Soul Stone into powder and feeding it into the incense burner. The Perspective of an Outsider "How powerful is this Fortress¡­ and how terrifying is Velen? "A Soul Stone this massive¡­ how did he even get it?" Clinton had barely left when Ethan¡ªshort and with hands clasped behind his back¡ªwalked into the courtyard. The moment he arrived, a rich, intoxicating fragrance filled his senses. "What an incredible scent! Victoria, what kind of incense is this? I never knew you had such skills!" Victoria grinned. "Mentor, I just found a fun new hobby!" "If you like it, you can stay here and relax. It''s great for clearing the mind." Ethan nodded. After consuming far too many potions today, he really needed to unwind. He settled into a lounge chair in the courtyard, breathing in the soothing aroma. But moments later, his eyes widened in shock. His gaze locked onto the incense burner. "No wonder this incense is so calming¡­ it''s made from Soul Stone!" Ethan was utterly speechless. As a Master Blacksmith, he had encountered countless rare materials¡ªSoul Stone being among them. Not only was it invaluable to Awakeners, but it was also immensely useful for forgers and alchemists. A strengthened soul meant heightened efficiency in everything! But Soul Stones were meant to be absorbed slowly, bit by bit. Burning them as incense? That barely retained one-tenth of their essence¡ªit was insanely wasteful! "This is truly a legendary Soul Stone¡­" "Just inhaling its aroma brings immense benefits. If we bask in it long-term, our souls might undergo complete transformation." S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "This came from Velen, didn''t it? Only a super-tycoon like him would have something this rare¡­ and then waste it like this!" Ethan sighed. Sometimes, the world just wasn''t fair. Countless people desperately sought after Soul Stones, but to some¡­ they were disposable luxuries. Meanwhile, Clinton, who had walked some distance away, hesitated. He gritted his teeth and turned back¡ªhe needed to convince Victoria to stop wasting this treasure. But before he could speak, he heard Ethan muttering: "Well, whatever. It''s wasteful, sure, but doesn''t this extravagance suit Velen perfectly?" Chapter 125 - 125: Wrong Chapter， Do Not Purchaseï¼ To Kelsey, how could Anastasia possibly be the lord of this fortress? The senators of this fortress were almost all top-tier Ascended Rank powerhouses. Such formidable individuals serving a young girl as their lord? This was a world where the strong preyed on the weak, where survival of the fittest reigned supreme¡ªit wasn''t child''s play! Velen, seeing Kelsey''s skepticism, did not explain. Instead, he pointed at the chaotic battlefield and chuckled: "Councilor Kelsey, as a councilor of the Tarot Order and a top-tier awakener, do you want to give it a try?" Hearing this, Kelsey immediately turned to look at Velen. "Don''t you no longer have an Lv9 Forge?" Velen shook his head and replied, "I don''t have one on me at the moment, but there are plenty of forges inside the fortress." "Are you talking about the Lv9 Forge Alan placed in the courtyard?" Kelsey asked. The Ironback Centipede had mentioned this before, and Kelsey had kept it in mind. Velen thought for a moment and said, "The forge in the courtyard was probably taken by Senator Clinton. But I have a pet rabbit, and that rabbit used a forge to make its nest. If you want to join the battle, I can have the rabbit lend it to you." Clinton didn''t have an Lv9 Forge in his possession, yet he was now wielding one. Clearly, it had come from someone else in the fortress. Using an Lv9 Forge as a rabbit''s nest? Kelsey was at a loss for words. Just who was this Velen? This level of extravagance was beyond reason! Giving such a priceless treasure to a rabbit was sheer wastefulness. He had traveled across many galaxies and had never even seen a forge of this caliber! Suddenly, he felt as though he had lived for decades, yet he wasn''t even as privileged as a rabbit! "Congratulations, Host! The Star Hunt has ended early. You''ve secured second place, completed the mission, and earned a reward of 100,000 luxury points along with 10 pieces of Essence of Soul Stone [Advanced Soul Stone]." Hearing the system notification, Velen froze. The soul stones he had received previously hadn''t even been used up, and now the system was directly giving him Essence of Soul Stones? "I actually got 100,000 luxury points for this mission? Not bad. Now my luxury points total 940,000¡ªenough to break through to Elite Rank!" With his decision made, Velen immediately prepared for his breakthrough. His last breakthrough, which had shaken the world, had been done in the remote mountains with only two corpses as witnesses. That was something he found unsatisfactory. But now, with everyone gathered here, he thought¡ªwhy not let them bear witness this time? "Velen¡­ about that rabbit of yours¡­ the one using an Lv9 Forge as a nest¡­ could you lend it to me for a bit?" After some internal struggle, Kelsey finally made up his mind. Firstly, all the combatants were top-tier Ascended Rank powerhouses. If he missed this chance, it would be rare to encounter such an opportunity again. Secondly, Lv9 Forges were incredibly scarce, yet now they were everywhere in sight. A battle fought with weapons of this level was something he might never witness again. Although he found William and the others'' extravagant behavior hard to stomach, such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity couldn''t be wasted. "Councilor Kelsey, no rush. With their strength, this battle will last for a while before a winner is determined. I need to break through first. Once I''m done, I''ll get you that Lv9 Forge." "Don''t worry. Everyone in the fortress knows how fast my breakthroughs are¡ªsurprisingly fast." ?? Kelsey and Sophia were both stunned and confused by Velen''s words. Although Velen was currently an Expert Rank Lv9, advancing to Elite Rank wasn''t an easy feat. Many people spent their entire lives stuck at this bottleneck. Even if he truly sensed an opportunity for advancement, shouldn''t he find a secluded place where no one could disturb him? The battlefield was filled with William and the others'' chaotic battle energy. A single mistake could lead to failure, potentially causing severe repercussions to his body. Just as Kelsey was about to warn Velen, an intense elemental surge spread out from Velen''s body¡ªan unmistakable sign of a breakthrough. He''s already starting? sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Kelsey''s eyes widened. Wasn''t this breakthrough a little too smooth? Under the watchful eyes of Kelsey and Sophia, Velen''s aura erupted, soaring straight to Elite Rank Lv1! The elemental surge around him intensified, swirling wildly. Kelsey''s mind went blank. Sure, Velen had always claimed that he leveled up quickly, but this was absurd! At that moment, as Velen''s overwhelming aura swept through the fortress, all those caught in the frenzied battle stopped and turned their attention to him. "Velen just reached Expert Rank not long ago¡ªhow is he already breaking through again?" Anastasia, maintaining her elegant stance, blinked her long eyelashes and stared at Velen in astonishment. Velen''s rapid ascension was unlike anything she had ever seen. Others would level up steadily, one rank at a time, maybe two or three levels at most. But Velen? He shot up nine levels in a single breakthrough! "Velen''s level has never been high, so I thought he didn''t care much about it. But now, it seems he was just waiting for the right moment." Kevin, seeing Velen''s explosive growth, suddenly seemed to understand something. His expression showed a hint of anticipation. The other senators who had joined the fortress later weren''t aware of Velen''s insane leveling speed. But Kevin, who had been by Anastasia''s side all along, knew all too well. Would he really ascend nine levels again? Advancing in the later stages became exponentially harder. Even gaining a single level was an incredible feat, let alone two or three. Even though he had faith in Velen, he still found it hard to believe. If Velen could break through like before, it would be utterly terrifying! Under the gazes of Kevin and the others, Velen''s aura continued to soar! Elite Rank Lv2. Elite Rank Lv3. ¡­ When Velen''s aura skyrocketed to Elite Rank Lv9, the entire fortress fell into stunned silence. Everyone''s eyes were glued to him, unable to look away. Did they see that correctly? Velen had just leaped nine levels in one go! This was unprecedented! His rapid, incomprehensible advancement shattered their understanding of reality. They were considered top-tier geniuses across various star systems, but even at their peak, the most they had ever achieved was a three-level jump. Even that had earned them immense prestige in their youth. Yet from the moment Velen had announced his breakthrough to now, how much time had passed? Barely a minute! This was beyond monstrous! No wonder the divinations regarding Velen''s fate had always been so cryptic¡ªhe defied all conventional logic. Kelsey had simply come to borrow an Lv9 Forge. Instead, he ended up experiencing an existential crisis. "As expected of my mentor, always standing out from the rest!" Sophia''s face remained composed, but internally, she was in turmoil. Even though she had long known Velen was no ordinary person, witnessing his speed of ascension firsthand still shook her to the core. Her mentor seemed capable of achieving anything! "Random Mission Triggered: Within one month, acquire enough passes to take everyone in the fortress to Chaos City for a luxurious vacation. Completion will grant a large number of luxury points!" As everyone gawked at Velen as if he were an alien, his system suddenly chimed in. Velen thought for a moment and asked, "System, you know how rare those passes are. Can I exchange them here?" Finding enough passes in such a short time would be difficult, even with money. But since the system issued the task, it must be possible to complete it. He had to confirm. "Host can obtain Chaos City passes through flaunting behavior!" Hearing this, Velen''s eyes lit up. Chapter 126 - 126: Wrong Chapter， Do Not Purchaseï¼ As expected, tasks issued by the system always had a high chance of being completed! Velen immediately felt relieved. At the same time, he understood why the system had suddenly given him this task¡ªit had likely been too long since he last triggered a flaunting behavior, and the system was encouraging him to do so again. Not long after, as Kelsey joined the battle wielding the rabbit''s Lv9 Forge, Velen gradually shifted his attention to Sophia. "Sophia, has anyone in the Tarot Order bullied you?" Sophia shook her head with a smile. "Mentor, I am the saintess of the Tarot Order. Everyone treats me well, especially Councilor Kelsey¡ªhe''s always by my side, looking after me." Hearing this, Velen nodded while silently communicating with the system. "Kelsey has been taking care of my mentee so well. Giving him an Lv9 Forge as a reward is completely reasonable, right?" To Velen, this was a perfect opportunity to flaunt his wealth! S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The system fell silent for a brief moment before responding: "Based on system analysis, it would be best for the host to gift him two Lv9 Forges this time." Huh? A hint of confusion flashed through Velen''s eyes. As far as he knew, the system was always strict and calculated in its decisions. Yet now, it was proactively suggesting that he give away an extra Lv9 Forge? Was the system getting excited at the thought of him flaunting his wealth? Clearing his throat, Velen said, "Sophia, since you think Kelsey has treated you well, and you know I''m not a stingy person, I''ll just give him two Lv9 Forges since he''s so interested in them. You can take them to him later." Sophia''s delicate face was filled with shock. She knew her mentor was rich¡ªinsanely rich. She also knew he had a bad habit of flaunting his wealth. But Lv9 Forges were legendary treasures across all star systems. They weren''t something one could just give away so easily! And he was handing out two?! "Mentor, I know you''re rich, and I know you mean well, but just one Lv9 Forge would be enough." Sophia understood that Velen was only doing this because he valued her. Considering Kelsey''s position in the Tarot Order, she added: "Councilor Kelsey is indeed interested in the Lv9 Forge, but it''s more out of curiosity than a desire to own one. From what I''ve observed, he actually lacks a suitable magical artifact." The Tarot Order was a faction centered around divination, not combat. The thought of Kelsey¡ªa councilor¡ªcharging into battle wielding a giant forge was¡­ bizarre. If the other Tarot Order councilors learned that Kelsey had obtained an Lv9 Forge and was using it as a weapon, they''d probably die laughing. So, she suggested that Velen gift him a more suitable magical artifact instead. After all, as a diviner, artifacts that could actually enhance his abilities were extremely rare. One Hour Later¡­ The battle in the fortress''s central plaza had finally come to an end. Cheshire, drenched in sweat, hoisted his Lv9 Forge onto his shoulder, his entire body radiating with exhilaration. Returning to Velen''s side, he slammed the forge onto the ground, causing cracks to spread across the stone pavement. "Not bad! It''s been years since I''ve had such an exhilarating fight!" Kelsey was equally excited. As a member of the Tarot Order, he rarely engaged in battle, so today had been a rare chance to loosen up. But what truly excited him was the Lv9 Forge in his hands. This wasn''t just some rare item¡ªit was a recognized treasure across all star systems. Its body was indestructible, enveloped in roaring flames, resembling an unbreakable meteor. And if handed over to the high-level alchemists, they could use it to create potent potions¡ªa treasure among treasures. Yet here he was, swinging it around as a weapon. The sheer luxury and rule-breaking indulgence of it was a completely new experience for him. "Councilor Kelsey, since you value the Lv9 Forge so much, then from now on, this Lv9 Forge belongs to you!" At that moment, Velen casually took out two brand-new Lv9 Forges and placed them in front of Kelsey. "No need to ask why. The reason? I''m rich and reckless!" Kelsey had just opened his mouth to ask when he heard this¡ªand was instantly speechless. This was one of the most sought-after treasures across all factions. Even Tarot Order, a top-tier organization, craved them. And Velen had just¡­ handed over two of them like they were worthless trinkets?! "Velen, I know you''re wealthy. I know you''re a tycoon. But this is too much! Even Tarot Order wouldn''t dare to be greedy for something this valuable¡ªjust one is already more than enough!" "Councilor Kelsey, no need to be modest. Just take them." Velen was slightly surprised at Kelsey''s refusal. But these two Lv9 Forges were part of his grand flaunting plan¡ªthere was no room for negotiation. Kelsey hesitated. He really did want an Lv9 Forge¡­ Sophia then spoke up, "Councilor Kelsey, you should just accept them. Velen gave you two¡ªone for combat, and the other as a keepsake." At her words, Kelsey stopped hesitating. His favorability toward Velen skyrocketed¡ªit felt like they were long-lost best friends. "Velen, if you ever need me, I will march through fire and water for you!" As he spoke, he swiftly stored the two Lv9 Forges in his storage bag, as if afraid Velen would change his mind. After experiencing battle with the forge, he had become completely addicted to this overwhelming power! Flaunting Success! Sophia, observing the drastic change in Kelsey''s attitude toward her mentor, felt as though she had learned something important. Was this the true power of the Tycoon Club? She had a strong feeling that if Kelsey stayed here a few more times, and if Velen bribed him a little more, he might end up completely devoted to him, potentially even becoming her ally. At that moment, the system notification rang in Velen''s ears: "Congratulations, Host! Flaunting success! Reward: 100,000 Luxury Points!" 100,000 luxury points?! Velen was momentarily stunned. This was a massive sum! Far greater than any previous system rewards. "It must be because my rank has increased significantly¡­" He quickly realized the reason¡ªbreaking through from Elite Rank Lv9 to Titan Rank Lv9 required a staggering 9 million luxury points! He had previously thought it would take forever to gather that much, but now it seemed completely doable¡ªas long as he kept triggering system rewards. Having obtained his Lv9 Forges, Kelsey prepared to leave. "Velen, my friends, I came here with Saintess Sophia originally for an Lv9 Forge. Now that I have them, I won''t impose any longer!" Creating a proper potion for Sophia was crucial to Tarot Order''s future¡ªhe didn''t want to delay any further. Velen didn''t insist on keeping them. He simply waved them off, saying they''d meet again soon. Anastasia and the others also watched them depart. Then, they exchanged glances¡ªand burst into laughter. After the intense battle, they all looked completely wrecked¡ªbruised faces, messy hair, like a gang of homeless vagabonds. Velen, however, saw an opportunity. "System, these senators fought to sharpen their combat skills¡ªto better protect me and the sect. It''s only right that I reward them with healing potions, don''t you think?" The system hesitated before asking, "Are you sure they fought to train¡­ and not just for fun?" Velen''s eyelid twitched. But with a serious face, he declared, "System, they were definitely honing their skills! As a tycoon, it''s my duty to reward them!" "Flaunting behavior detected! Reward: 30,000 bottles of Life Potion!" "Note: These potions are locked to the fighters and must be used within 24 hours!" Chapter 127 - 127: Wrong Chapter， Do Not Purchaseï¼ 30,000 bottles of Life Potion! Hearing the system notification, Velen was utterly stunned. Based on his understanding of the system, it normally wouldn''t be so generous with its rewards. Yet now, it had directly handed him 30,000 bottles¡ªleaving him completely unprepared! Even with all the people present, there was no way they could use up such a ridiculous quantity! It was simply too much! However, one thing became increasingly clear to Velen¡ªhis active flaunting behavior had received the system''s approval, and now the system was going all out! At the same time, Robert and the others, who had just finished their battle, sat slumped on the fortress''s central dam, gasping for breath. Each of them was exhausted, and most bore various injuries. "Everyone, today''s battle was truly exhilarating! This is an Intermediate Life Potion that I personally crafted. It can rapidly heal injuries, and on the market, each bottle is worth at least tens of thousands of mana crystals. But since I''m in a good mood today, everyone can have a sip to experience it!" Robert surveyed the crowd with a boastful smile as he spoke. As he finished, he pulled out a crystal-clear bottle from his pocket and set it down in front of everyone. Intermediate Life Potion! The moment they saw the potion bottle, the crowd''s breathing grew heavy and eager. They had all heard of Life Potions, but such potions were extremely difficult to concoct. Not only were the ingredients incredibly rare, but they also required a highly skilled alchemist to refine. Furthermore, these potions were highly sought-after across all major star systems. Whenever Life Potions were put up for sale, awakeners who caught wind of it would immediately snatch them up. They were truly priceless treasures! As everyone stared in anticipation, Robert took a sip of the potion. Instantly, the bruises covering his body and the burns from the forge began healing at a visible rate. The speed of his recovery was astonishing! Even as Ascended Rank awakeners, they would normally require days or even a full month to completely heal! "Robert, you''re really willing to splurge, huh? Intermediate Life Potions are incredibly rare, and yet you''re just drinking it casually? Looks like Velen''s flaunting behavior has influenced you quite a bit!" "Exactly! For us warriors who rely on our bodies, a potion like this is no different from a second life!" Aiden stared at Robert, his face twitching with distress. Meanwhile, Ethan and Victoria exchanged glances, then turned their furious gazes toward Robert. It was bad enough that Velen was constantly flaunting his wealth in front of them. But now Robert, a renowned alchemist and merchant, was following in his footsteps?! Even with all the resources Robert had, crafting an Intermediate Life Potion wasn''t easy¡ªit had a significant failure rate. sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Yet he had wasted one just like that! As the others glared daggers at him, Robert suddenly understood the thrill of flaunting wealth¡ªand he couldn''t help but burst into laughter. "Life Potions are indeed rare, but using them to heal myself is completely justified! How is that a waste?" As soon as Robert finished speaking, Kevin cleared his throat and warned: "Robert, I suggest you think this through." "Kevin, that''s where you''re wrong. This is my own potion¡ªI can use it however I want¡­" Before Robert could finish his smug statement, Anastasia suddenly approached. Lord Anastasia! The moment he saw her, Robert''s smile froze. He knew that Lord Anastasia hated extravagance and wastefulness. Showing off like this in front of her? Not good! But before Robert could explain himself, Velen''s voice rang out. "Honored senators, I understand that you''ve been pushing yourselves to sharpen your skills and strengthen the fortress. While I may not be able to contribute much, I do have some Advanced Life Potions that will greatly help with your injuries¡­" Velen''s voice trailed off as his eyes landed on the potion bottle still clutched in Robert''s hands. "System, Robert has already taken a Life Potion. Even though it was only an intermediate version, his injuries have already healed. What do I do now?" The system quickly responded: "The 30,000 bottles of Life Potion have been locked onto their targets. To count as flaunting behavior, they must be used for injury recovery. Please allocate them accordingly." Reading the system''s response, Velen''s expression subtly changed. This system was really stirring up trouble! According to this logic, in order to use up all the Life Potions¡­ they needed to get injured again! In other words, the system was encouraging them to continue fighting! Meanwhile, as Velen spoke, everyone''s attention turned toward him. The moment they saw the mountain of Advanced Life Potions he had taken out, their eyes widened in disbelief. Intermediate Life Potions were already incredibly rare and valuable. Yet Velen had casually pulled out tens of thousands of Advanced Life Potions?! Did these things cost him nothing?! Robert, who was still in shock, now felt utterly humiliated. Compared to Velen''s enormous display of wealth, his Intermediate Life Potion was worthless! He had tried to flaunt his wealth, but had accidentally done it in Velen''s domain¡ªand now he looked like a complete fool! Worse still, Lord Anastasia had witnessed his failed attempt at showing off. Determined to salvage some dignity, Robert quickly shook his head and declined. "Velen, my injuries have already healed with the Intermediate Life Potion. These Advanced Life Potions should go to the others instead." Even though he was dying to try one, he knew this wasn''t the time. But Velen merely smiled. "Senator Robert, I believe your injuries haven''t fully healed. You still need these Advanced Life Potions!" Robert was momentarily dazed. The next second, the other senators¡ªall wielding Lv9 Forges¡ªsurrounded him. "Senator Robert, we also think you haven''t fully recovered. Let us help you!" Their faces were filled with mischievous grins. Who told Robert to show off earlier? "Hey, hey, hey! Go easy on me! My handsome face¡ªdon''t ruin it!" BAM! Before Robert could finish, Kevin punched him square in the eye. The beating lasted only a few minutes. Once it was over, the other senators each took a bottle of Advanced Life Potion from Velen to heal their wounds. Meanwhile, Robert, now sporting a swollen black eye, stood before Velen with a tearful expression. "Velen, this is ridiculous! I''m an old man pushing 80! Have you people no mercy?!" Velen scratched his head and replied seriously: "I just felt that everyone else used my Life Potions to recover. If you didn''t use one, it would seem¡­ out of place. Also, it would make me look biased." Robert: ¡­ The rest of the group burst into laughter. However, their laughter didn''t last long. As Velen kept distributing Life Potions, they suddenly froze in shock. What the hell?! A single bottle was more than enough to heal their injuries. Why was he handing out so many?! Realizing what might happen next, Kevin, who had fought the hardest, began to panic. If Velen forced them to use up all 30,000 bottles, things would go very, very wrong! Sensing danger, Anastasia quickly spoke up: "Velen, this is way too much! Our injuries are already healed! Maybe you should save some for your rabbit¡ªit hasn''t had anything good in a long time." The others nodded frantically in agreement. But Velen firmly shook his head. "Lord Anastasia, these Life Potions are meant for all of you. The rabbit doesn''t need them." "No need to hold back¡ªfinish all 30,000 bottles by tomorrow!" Chapter 128 - Chapter125-Max’s Attack Clinton gazed at Ethan, who now carried an air of Velen''s extravagance, and suddenly felt that if he stayed in the fortress any longer, he would eventually become just like them¡ªreckless and wasteful. He had known Ethan and Victoria for a long time. They weren''t like this before. But now, after spending time with Velen, they had become indifferent to such blatant extravagance¡ªeven finding it justified. Clinton felt he had to warn them. But just as he was about to speak, a sudden disturbance in the air sent chills down his spine. That presence¡­ Clinton''s pupils shrank, and without hesitation, he bolted toward the fortress gates. "Ethan, Victoria! Don''t let Velen corrupt you! And tell him this¡ªI, Clinton, will never return to the fortress again!" Ethan and Victoria were shocked by Clinton''s sudden outburst, but when they heard his last words, their hearts tensed. What was happening? Why was Clinton suddenly leaving the fortress? Sure, Velen was a bit excessive with his spending, but it was his own wealth. And honestly, they had already gotten used to it. Leaving just because of this? That didn''t seem right. "Max Has Arrived." Suddenly, a system notification rang in Velen''s mind. Emergency alert: Clinton''s position has been locked. Max has arrived. To avoid bringing trouble to the fortress, Clinton has left and cut ties with you. Warning: Max''s combat strength far surpasses Clinton. Clinton is in grave danger. Velen''s brows furrowed slightly, a hint of surprise in his eyes. Max? Wasn''t he Clinton''s old enemy from centuries ago? All those years ago, Max had relied on the Sunlord''s power to seal Clinton away. It had been hundreds of years since then. With Max''s talent, background, and strength, he should have ascended to the upper plane universe long ago. In Velen''s mind, Max was already an upper-plane being¡ªbut to his surprise, he was still here! "Since he''s a fortress senator, then he''ll always be a fortress senator." Velen''s expression darkened as he sent a mental command. "Ironback Centipede, come to me. Now." Max was indeed powerful, but Clinton was still Ascended Rank Lv9¡ªnot someone who could be easily defeated. Even if Clinton couldn''t win, he could stall for time¡ªlong enough for Velen to arrive! Moments later, Ironback Centipede rushed forward, bowing respectfully before Velen. "Master, what are your orders?" "Take me to Clinton. Fast." In an instant, Ironback Centipede reverted to its massive form, allowing Velen to leap onto its back before soaring out of the fortress. Anastasia''s Concern Back in the main hall, Anastasia looked up at the retreating figure of Velen and Ironback Centipede, her expression puzzled. "Where is he going in such a hurry?" For some reason, she felt an ominous premonition. "Don''t tell me¡­ he''s about to bring back another senator?" A Duel Among the Stars In the depths of an asteroid belt, a black streak of light came to an abrupt halt on a dust-colored asteroid. Clinton stood there, his expression grim. He had just stopped when a blazing golden light streaked through the void¡ªlike a miniature sun, radiating intense heat. The light crashed down in front of him, materializing into a towering, imposing figure. His cold, arrogant gaze locked onto Clinton. "Didn''t think you''d break free from the Sunlord''s seal. How¡­ amusing." Before Max could say another word, Clinton shot forward like a black comet. "Max! If not for the Sunlord''s intervention, you''d already be dead! But now¡­ it''s not too late!" He knew Max was a vengeful and ruthless person. Once he had his sights set on someone, he never let them go. Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. There was no need for talk¡ªthis would only end with one of them dead! Clinton''s decisiveness caught Max off guard, but only for a moment. Then, a dark rage flickered in Max''s eyes. Back then, he had lost to Clinton. That humiliation had burned in his heart for centuries. But after two hundred years of training, he had grown far stronger. This time¡ªClinton would be the one crushed! "Clinton¡­ do you still think I''m the same as I was two hundred years ago?" Max''s fiery aura surged, and the searing flames surrounding him condensed into massive fireballs, launching toward Clinton with terrifying heat. The sheer temperature of the flames melted the void itself, leaving behind black scorch marks in space. Clinton''s soul energy surged forth in shadowy waves, but as soon as it made contact with the fireballs, it began to dissipate. His very soul essence was being burned away. The backlash hit him instantly. His body shuddered, his face turning deathly pale. One move. One move was all it took for Clinton to be completely overpowered. Max''s laughter rang through the void. "**I have surpassed anything you can comprehend, Clinton. If you beg for mercy, I''ll grant you a quick death. Otherwise, I''ll make sure your soul is burned to ashes!" As a mentee of the Sunlord, Max was prideful beyond measure. The thrill of revenge sent an almost ecstatic pleasure surging through his body. He extended his hand, and pure soul energy erupted around him. From above, a crystal-clear Soul Crystal materialized, exuding a pressure that distorted the space around it. This was the essence of his soul, something he had meticulously cultivated over centuries. "Clinton! You''ve been sealed for two hundred years¡ªyou should have refined your own Soul Crystal by now. "Come! Let''s see who is superior!" With that, Max''s Soul Crystal came crashing down toward Clinton. Clinton had been on the verge of despair¡ªMax''s power was simply too overwhelming. But then¡ª He saw Max''s Soul Crystal. And suddenly¡­ He smirked. Max''s Soul Crystal was large. But after seeing Velen''s absurd stash, Clinton couldn''t take it seriously anymore. Seeing Clinton smirking instead of panicking, Max''s fury ignited. Without hesitation, he hurled the Soul Crystal forward, aiming to crush Clinton completely. "This is the finest Soul Crystal ever refined in the lower plane universe! Even someone with a powerful soul like you could never match it!" "In the end, you''ll die by the very power I spent centuries forging just for you!" In the lower plane universe, condensing a Soul Crystal to the size of a fist was already an incredible feat. In Max''s mind, Clinton''s Soul Crystal couldn''t possibly compare. He was already relishing the image of Clinton''s horror-stricken face. But¡ª Just as Max was about to revel in his victory, he saw something that shattered his confidence instantly. Clinton''s smirk widened as he reached into his storage bag¡­ And pulled out two Soul Crystals of the same size as Max''s. Each radiated an aura just as strong. "This¡­ this is impossible!" Max''s eyes widened in sheer disbelief. His breath hitched. "No! This has to be fake!" Max''s pupils constricted sharply as he stared at Clinton, who now held a Soul Crystal in each hand, each radiating an aura no weaker than his own. His breath hitched, as if the very air had been sucked from his lungs. He knew the difficulty of condensing a Soul Crystal. Even with the Flame of Sun granted by the Sunlord, he had spent two centuries refining a single one¡ªa Soul Crystal he believed to be the strongest in the lower plane universe. Yet now¡ª The treasured masterpiece he had painstakingly refined, the weapon he had prepared solely to crush Clinton''s spirit, had been reduced to a joke in an instant. "Impossible!" His voice trembled with disbelief. "I know your soul! You may have some strength, but there''s absolutely no way you could reach this level! "I had the Sunlord''s power! I relied on his divine flame to forge mine! "But you¡ªyou have no background, no patron, no god behind you! "This must be fake!" Chapter 129 - Chapter126-Flame of Sun Despite the overwhelmingly real aura emanating from the Soul Crystal in Max''s hand, the impact of this revelation was simply too immense for him. After all, a Soul Crystal of this level practically did not exist in the lower plane universe¡ªit was only by breaking the limits with the Flame of Sun that it could be condensed! He refused to believe that any so-called prodigy in the lower plane universe could surpass his bloodline talent and background! As for Clinton before him, he was not even worth a single strand of hair! Gazing at Max, who had fallen into a daze, as if experiencing a crushing defeat and teetering on the brink of collapse, Clinton clicked his tongue and sighed: "What an arrogant fool. Have you ever heard the saying: anything is possible?" "Two hundred years ago, I defeated you with my own effort." "Then, you relied on external power to turn the tables. Did you really think I would never have my own fortuitous encounters or meet any powerful figures?" "Let me tell you the truth¡ªyou can''t even begin to imagine the opportunities I''ve come across!" "And you don''t need to question it. Today, I''ll prove it with facts¡ªyour so-called Soul Crystal is nothing but garbage!" As he spoke, Clinton, brimming with confidence, directly absorbed two soul orbs into his body, treating them as disposable power sources! "You only have a single Soul Crystal, but mine¡­ I have more than you could ever imagine!" In an instant, after absorbing the two soul orbs, Clinton threw a punch directly at Max without hesitation. "Soul Shattering Fist!" His thunderous roar shook the void. The soul energy disturbance rippled like a raging tide, propelling the ethereal phantom fist he had condensed, crashing toward Max. Max had already sensed an overwhelming sense of danger and instinctively began absorbing the vast power contained within his Soul Crystal, while simultaneously channeling the Flame of Sun, forming an impenetrable wall of fire before him. Boom! The massive ten-story-high fist imprint completely locked onto Max. As it collided with the fire barrier, it immediately erupted into visible spatial ripples, shattering the surrounding asteroid belt into pieces! After their first clash, an even more terrifying soul shockwave spread out, obliterating every asteroid within thousands of meters into dust! "So this is the terror of the soul master profession?!" "Just their soul clashes alone have caused such massive changes to the battlefield¡ªif anyone were caught in this fight, their very soul would be shattered on the spot!" Velen had just arrived at the chaotic asteroid field, led by the Ironback Centipede, and immediately witnessed this intense confrontation. Seeing Velen speak, Ironback Centipede squinted its eyes and chuckled obsequiously: "Master, Senator Clinton''s aura and rank are far inferior to that of his opponent. However, he has an endless supply of Soul Crystals to replenish his power and enhance his attacks. As long as this battle continues, Max is bound to lose!" As a spellbeast, its perception was sharper than that of humans. This was a battle fought in the purest soul confrontation unique to soul masters. Because of its straightforward nature, Ironback Centipede could make an immediate judgment. "That guy is no ordinary foe." Velen shook his head. "Even though Senator Clinton holds the upper hand for now, it''s still too soon to celebrate!" Velen was well aware of Max''s exceptional bloodline, as well as his upper plane universe background¡ªhe was connected to Sunlord himself. He must not be underestimated. Moreover, when Senator Clinton left earlier, the system had directly issued a warning: Senator Clinton is in grave danger. Velen had absolute faith in the system''s judgment. As he and Ironback Centipede observed, both combatants suddenly trembled after nearly ten minutes of soul clashes. For Clinton, maintaining high-intensity soul output was an extreme burden on his body. If this continued, his physical form might collapse entirely. Max, too, trembled slightly¡ªbut not from exhaustion. It was because his heart ached to the point of suffocation! His Soul Crystal was incredibly valuable, painstakingly refined over two centuries. And yet, in less than thirty minutes, he had already consumed over half of it! This was a devastating humiliation. He had every advantage¡ªhis rank, his body, and the magnitude of his soul energy completely crushed Clinton''s. Yet even with such an overwhelming superiority, he still hadn''t defeated him! Moreover, as the fight dragged on, he noticed something bizarre¡ªClinton''s Soul Crystal reserves were depleting at a far greater rate than his own. Yet instead of showing any distress, Clinton grew more exhilarated by the second! This unnatural reaction drove Max to the brink of madness. "Fine, fine! I admit, I underestimated you earlier!" "But this ends now!" Max could not let this continue. If his Soul Crystals were completely exhausted, it would mean his two centuries of effort were wasted! Clinton must die. He had to find out where Clinton was getting so many Soul Crystals! As Max''s killing intent surged, the void above him split apart¡ª From within, a blazing crimson sun emerged, unleashing golden beams of densely concentrated light that instantly illuminated the pitch-black void! Feeling the soul-piercing force radiating from the golden beams, Clinton''s expression twisted in horror. A dreadful premonition surged through him: If he remained under this golden radiance, not only would his soul be riddled with holes, but it might ignite instantly, burning him to ashes! "Under this Soul Sun, tremble and burn!" With his ultimate attack unleashed, Max''s face twisted in madness, veins bulging across his forehead like writhing serpents. This technique was an unstoppable execution move for any Ascended Rank Awakener! At that moment, Clinton, sensing imminent doom, could only frantically absorb Soul Crystals and shift to pure defense, summoning black mist around him to block the golden radiance. However¡ª The pitch-black mist barely took shape before it was instantly burned away. Like blood exposed to the scorching sun, it evaporated instantly! Clinton''s pupils contracted sharply¡ª And then¡ª He saw the golden radiance burst through his body from the inside out! In an instant, his form resembled a punctured porcupine, countless golden beams piercing through him! Yet strangely¡ª Despite the gaping wounds, not a single drop of blood flowed. "It only damages the soul? What an unusual technique!" Velen''s eyes widened in astonishment. He had never expected Max''s attack to be so refined that Clinton had no way to resist. Clinton had been utterly defeated. This pure soul-targeting ability rendered physical defenses completely useless. "Clinton, I told you¡ªyou''re no match for me!" Coldly sweeping his gaze over Clinton, now little more than a walking corpse, Max sneered. He reached out, intent on seizing Clinton''s soul to uncover the source of his Soul Crystals. But just then¡ª S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A tear in the void opened nearby. "Velen! Iron Cub!" Clinton''s eyes trembled as he saw figures rushing toward them. Yet Max merely smirked cruelly. "Perfect. I didn''t expect you to have allies!" "But they''re pathetically weak!" Gazing at Velen and Ironback Centipede, Max''s contempt was absolute. "Clinton, I have two questions for you." "Answer them well, and I''ll grant you a swift death." "Otherwise, I''ll turn your friends into puppets¡ªand you''ll beg for death!" Chapter 130 - Chapter127-The Sun Bracelet Shattered in One Move "The seal set by Sunlord is not something you¡ªor even any awakener of this plane¡ªcan shake. How exactly did you break it?" Max''s eyes were locked onto Clinton, his gaze sharp and unrelenting. Back when Clinton first emerged from the seal, Max had dismissed it as an illusion. After all, this was an array personally set by his mentor. Someone of that caliber, even with a mere flick of their hand, could leave behind a seal that no one on this plane should be able to break. As soon as his voice fell, he suddenly noticed that the young man sitting atop the Ironback Centipede had stepped forward, standing right in front of Clinton and scrutinizing him up and down. "That so-called array you''re talking about? It wasn''t much. I walked Clinton right out without any trouble. Why are you barking like a dog here?" Velen had zero respect for Max. The guy didn''t even act like a genius¡ªhe couldn''t beat Clinton in a fight, so he immediately called in reinforcements to suppress him. And now that Clinton had finally escaped the seal, Max was standing here, smugly mocking him. Such a petty move. Hearing Velen''s taunting, Max''s face darkened as he glared at him. "What an ignorant fool! The seal set by Sunlord is something you couldn''t break even if you spent your entire life on it. You really think this is the place to be running your mouth?" Velen''s aura was weak¡ªhe wasn''t even an Ascended Rank awakener. Someone like him? There was simply no way he had the power to breach the seal. Max let out a loud laugh at the very idea. But Velen merely snorted. "Doubting me? Anyone who truly knows me never dares to doubt me. Since you''re so short-sighted, I''ll make sure you open your eyes wide today!" Since there was nothing urgent at the moment, Velen figured he might as well give Max a proper lesson. His attention shifted to the golden bracelet on Max''s wrist. The bracelet emitted an unusual aura¡ªit clearly contained Sunlord''s power. The space around it warped, melting under the terrifying heat. From it, Velen sensed a force not belonging to this plane. Clearly, this was a treasure bestowed upon Max by Sunlord. Seeing Velen''s gaze fixated on his bracelet, Max snorted. "Country bumpkin. Never seen a treasure of this quality before, have you? This is a supreme artifact gifted by Sunlord from the upper plane universe! With the Sun Bracelet protecting me, I am invincible in this lower plane universe!" His eyes gleamed with the arrogance of someone looking down on a peasant. "You dare talk about opening my eyes? Do you even deserve it? Do you have anything this valuable? You''re just some lowly creature from this lower plane universe!" Max''s blatant flaunting made Clinton, who was still heavily injured, suddenly burst into laughter¡ªtears nearly spilling from his eyes. The Ironback Centipede frowned and asked, "Senator Clinton, are you alright? What''s so funny?" Clinton glanced at him and replied, "I''m laughing at Max''s ignorance, at his stupidity. He actually thinks he can flaunt his wealth in front of Velen. But the funniest part? He doesn''t realize that his beloved treasure is about to be destroyed. Just imagining him bawling over it makes my stomach hurt from laughter." Hearing this, Ironback Centipede couldn''t help but feel a bit of sympathy for Max. Flaunting wealth in front of others was one thing. But doing it in front of Velen? That was straight-up suicidal. At that moment, Velen chuckled as he looked at the bracelet that Max had intentionally exposed for him to admire. "This thing you treasure so much? To me, it''s nothing special. If this is the source of your arrogance, then I can only pity you. You must not have seen many real treasures in your lifetime." The trio''s mocking gazes bore down on Max, making him suddenly feel like he had made a fool of himself. But no! This Sun Bracelet was a divine artifact bestowed by Sunlord himself! Even in the upper plane universe, it was a rare and priceless treasure, let alone in this lower plane. S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. And these nobodies dared to ridicule him? They were courting death! In an instant, Max channeled his overwhelming elemental energy and domineering soul power, forming a torrent of black and red that surged into the flaming bracelet on his wrist. As his power flowed in, the once palm-sized bracelet expanded rapidly. The fiery-red bracelet flared up, igniting a blazing inferno that engulfed Velen and the others in an instant. The scorching heat spread outward, burning the air itself, producing a relentless sizzling sound. Inside the bracelet''s realm, it was like a high-pressure furnace, filled with a terrifying temperature. "This bracelet contains the true power of Sunlord! Today, I''ll show you what divine power truly means!" Max roared, and the gigantic Sun Bracelet, which had surrounded Velen and the others, began to contract rapidly like a tightened rubber band, aiming to incinerate them on the spot. But just as his voice fell¡ª Velen''s deep eyes flickered with an eerie light, and an extreme darkness surged forth. A gray-black radiance shot from his pupils¡ª Eye of Annihilation! The moment this ominous energy spread out, everything in its path was veiled in shadow. The Sun Bracelet, which had been burning asteroids and tearing through space, suddenly lost its color, turning gray. Then¡ª "Crack!" With a single shattering sound, the once brilliant, fiery bracelet crumbled into dust. The dim fragments fell from the air¡ªjust like Max''s shattered heart. His eyes widened in shock, his body frozen in disbelief. This bracelet¡­ This treasure personally gifted by Sunlord¡­ Had just disintegrated in an instant, as if it were nothing more than fragile clay. As the Sun Bracelet shattered, Max''s soul was violently shaken. He coughed up a mouthful of blood as he was sent flying backward, smashing through several asteroids before barely stabilizing himself. The Sun Bracelet was destroyed. Once shattered, it could never be restored. And now, his ultimate trump card in the lower plane universe was gone. The more he thought about his previous boastful words, the more he felt his face burn in humiliation. The real clown¡­ was him. But his embarrassment wasn''t the worst part. This bracelet had been personally granted by Sunlord. And now, it had been obliterated in a single moment. This was an outright slap in Sunlord''s face! Realizing this, Max wiped the blood from his lips, and a phantasmal god mark began to emerge on his forehead. Nearby, Clinton''s face instantly turned pale. "Velen, we need to leave now! Max is calling for reinforcements! If Sunlord''s avatar arrives, we''ll be in serious trouble!" Seeing the divine god mark flicker on Max''s forehead, Clinton immediately sensed danger. The last time he fought Max, it was this exact move that summoned Sunlord''s avatar to descend upon this plane. His urgent voice reached Velen''s ears. But Velen remained calm and composed. "Clinton, you''ve always avoided ascending to the upper plane universe because you feared Sunlord, haven''t you? But since Max is summoning him now¡­ how about we give him a proper beating first?" "From now on, just stay in the fortress as a Senator. When we ascend together, we''ll still be friends¡ªand we can have some real fun up there." Hearing Velen casually talking about beating up Sunlord, Clinton''s eyelids twitched. That was Sunlord. Even in the upper plane universe, Sunlord was a terrifyingly powerful figure. All who knew his name feared and respected him. But Velen? He was already talking about thrashing him. Unbelievable. But thinking about who Velen was¡ªthinking about the monstrous background he had hidden¡ªit suddenly didn''t seem so impossible. And as this wild thought took root, Clinton held his breath. Perhaps today¡ª He was about to witness another miracle. At that moment, Velen turned toward the system and calmly commanded: "System, don''t send reinforcements just yet. I want to see exactly how strong this so-called Sunlord really is." Chapter 131 - Chapter128-Sunlord, Is That All? Upon hearing Velen''s request, the system quickly responded: "Reminder to the host: The system has a more powerful Tycoon Guard available. This guard can use Sunlord''s avatar to forcibly pull his true body down from the upper plane universe. How you wish to deal with him afterward is entirely up to you!" Velen was momentarily stunned by the message. Who the hell was this Tycoon Guard? How could they be this powerful? As far as he knew, while an avatar was connected to its main body, forcibly affecting the main body through an avatar was incredibly difficult. After all, if anything went wrong, the true body could simply sever its connection with the avatar. S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Moreover, this was the lower plane universe, a place where true entities from the upper plane universe were almost completely unable to descend due to the dual rejection of both dimensions. Yet, this Tycoon Guard the system mentioned could forcefully drag Sunlord''s true body down? That was insane! Curious, Velen asked, "This Sunlord sounds pretty strong. In the upper plane universe, how does he compare to Anastasia''s past-life mentor?" After a brief pause, the system displayed a bold, red message: "Sunlord alone can annihilate an entire world. Anastasia''s past-life mentor is not even worth a single move against him." Velen sucked in a cold breath. No wonder Max had been so arrogant before¡ªSunlord really was that powerful! An entire world could be wiped out by him alone? That kind of combat power was beyond anything Velen could currently imagine. But then, another thought sent a chill down his spine. Holy crap! Even this ridiculously powerful figure wasn''t a match for the Tycoon Guard?! The system''s Tycoon Guard was beyond broken! Then, another system notification appeared: "Reminder to the host: There is always someone stronger. The upper plane universe is nothing more than a ''lower plane universe'' in the eyes of even higher beings. However, even those ultimate, terrifying existences would only make the Tycoon Guard take things more seriously." "Furthermore, your future displays of wealth will allow the Tycoon Guard to receive additional power boosts!" Velen''s eyes widened. So just by flexing his wealth, his guards would grow stronger?! This was incredible! In other words, as long as he kept flaunting, the already absurdly strong Tycoon Guardians would keep growing in power? For the first time, Velen felt that he hadn''t wasted enough money before. If he had been more extravagant, how much stronger would his Tycoon Guardians be by now?! He was starting to get excited. Sunlord Descends As Velen envisioned his future, a towering figure appeared atop a fire dragon, emerging as though he had melted through space itself. Dressed in flaming red armor, his very presence distorted the air around him, creating an invisible inferno that scorched the very fabric of reality. The moment he arrived, his blazing, sun-like eyes immediately locked onto Velen, Clinton, and Ironback Centipede. "Who dares destroy my Sun Bracelet? Who dares to show such disrespect to their elder?" His booming voice rippled through space, causing the void to tremble. The surrounding temperature skyrocketed, making it feel as though they had been dropped into a blistering desert, parched and suffocating. "Mentor, I have always followed your teachings, carving my invincible path from this lower plane universe!" "Two hundred years ago, I lost to Clinton, but today, I have finally won. Yet now, this person has destroyed the precious Sun Bracelet you gifted me. I have disappointed you!" Before Sunlord''s avatar, Max was no longer the arrogant, untouchable figure from before. He bowed deeply, his expression full of guilt¡ªhis previous arrogance was completely gone. Sunlord gazed at the now-disheveled Max, and a trace of disappointment flashed in his eyes. He had high hopes for this disciple. Even though Max had suffered a major defeat two centuries ago, he had considered it an accident. But now, barely after achieving his revenge, Max had been crushed again. This guy really was hopeless. Still, as pathetic as he was, Max was his disciple¡ªand Sunlord''s divine prestige was at stake. Thus, he turned his attention toward Velen and the others. Max, feeling the overwhelming pressure from Sunlord''s gaze shift away from him, hurriedly pointed at Velen. "Mentor, it was this man! Not only is he arrogant, but he has absolutely no respect for you!" "He''s the one who shattered the bracelet you bestowed upon me!" "And he''s also the reason Clinton was able to escape your seal!" Desperate to save face, Max exaggerated everything, his voice full of rage and resentment. Sunlord''s expression remained unmoved. To him, Max''s complaints were irrelevant. The only thing that mattered was that Velen had shattered his Sun Bracelet¡ª And that was an unforgivable insult. "A mere insignificant insect dares to speak such arrogance? Die!" Sunlord''s palm ignited, unleashing an endless sea of fire¡ªa hellish inferno that surged forward like a tidal wave, aiming to incinerate Velen and the others. Death would be too easy. Sunlord wanted them to suffer, their bodies and souls scorched, until they understood what it meant to fear the divine. The Turning Point As Sunlord''s immense divine pressure bore down, Velen narrowed his eyes. It was no wonder that Sunlord was considered so terrifying¡ªeven just an avatar of his had power beyond countless awakeners. His divine presence alone could make people freeze in fear, their bodies refusing to move, as if waiting for inevitable death. But at that moment¡ª The space in front of Velen suddenly split open. A deep, commanding voice echoed throughout the realm: "A mere flickering firefly¡­ dares to act against my lord? Laughable!" The moment the voice rang out¡ª Sunlord''s divine pressure shattered. Like a broken dam, his oppressive presence collapsed in an instant, dispersing into nothingness. The suffocating force that had been pressing down on Velen and the others vanished completely. Velen''s eyes glinted with curiosity. Which Tycoon Guard would appear this time? Then, a brilliant golden radiance burst forth, illuminating the void. A towering figure emerged, their face and form gradually becoming clearer. When Velen finally saw the figure, he froze for a moment. This guy looked really familiar¡­ The moment the figure fully materialized, they bowed deeply toward Velen, a broad smile on their face. "Victor-1, greets my Lord!" The words struck like thunder. Sunlord''s pupils contracted sharply, his expression turning into one of pure shock. Even though this was only his avatar, he could feel the terrifying power surging within this new arrival. Not just now¡ªbut even if he descended in his true form, he wasn''t sure he could win! But the most terrifying part? This unfathomably powerful being had bowed before Velen, showing absolute respect and loyalty! "Who is this man?!" "What kind of terrifying background does he have?!" While Sunlord was shaken to his core, Max was equally stunned. He had never imagined that Velen had such a monstrous backer. And from Sunlord''s reaction, it was clear¡ª Even he was intimidated. "Max¡­ who are these people?! What kind of mess have you dragged me into?!" For the first time, Sunlord felt regret¡ª Regret that he had ever taken Max as a disciple. "If you keep trying to deny it, go ahead. But today¡­ I was too reckless. From now on¡ª" "You are no longer my disciple." Chapter 132 - Chapter129-The Considerate Velen For Sunlord, maintaining his dignity was crucial, yet the golden-armored youth before him exuded a presence so terrifying that even he¡ªa being of the upper plane universe¡ªfelt fear. This was an overwhelming force, one that he instinctively knew might have the power to annihilate him completely. From the moment this youth appeared, Sunlord''s true body, even while sitting safely in the upper plane universe, had felt an inexplicable sense of dread. This was an opponent he absolutely could not fight. Self-destruction was the only option. Without hesitation, Sunlord''s avatar began disturbing the surrounding void, causing ripples to spread across space¡ªthe telltale sign of imminent self-destruction. While crafting an avatar required considerable time and energy, it was nothing compared to the risk of facing this golden-armored terror head-on. However, just as Sunlord was about to sever his connection to this plane, Velen shook his head slightly and spoke in a tone tinged with annoyance: "Sunlord, weren''t you acting all high and mighty just now? And now you want to run? Stay right here." Then, Velen''s expression darkened slightly as he commanded: "Victor, pull down his real body!" The moment Velen gave the order, Victor-1''s gaze locked onto Sunlord''s avatar, his cold and merciless eyes freezing the very space around them. All violent energy within Sunlord came to a sudden halt. Frozen. "To act so arrogantly before my Lord¡­ I must commend your courage." Victor-1''s voice carried a chilling murderous intent. Then, without hesitation, he reached out, grasping at the fabric of space as if it were a thin veil, and tore it apart¡ªsplitting open a black rift in the void. From the other side, a strange, kaleidoscopic world was faintly visible. In the Solar Temple At that very moment, within the upper plane universe, seated upon his golden throne, Sunlord''s true body suddenly snapped his eyes open¡ªhis usually unshakable expression now showing undisguised shock. "Impossible!" His voice trembled with disbelief. Before he could even process what was happening, the space before him was forcibly ripped open. A profound sense of danger coiled around his heart, refusing to dissipate. Victor-1 had torn through the time-space barrier of the upper plane universe itself. For the first time, Sunlord felt genuine terror. Realizing the implications, he tried to retreat¡ªdesperately attempting to distance himself from the ominous rift that had violated his sanctum. But before he could even take a full step back¡ª A hand shot out from the void. A massive, golden hand. It grabbed him by the collar and wrenched him forward. "Since you love interfering so much, why not come down to the lower plane yourself? Why let an avatar do your dirty work?" Victor-1''s icy voice rang out. And then¡ª He yanked. Hard. Before Sunlord could resist, he felt his elemental power collapse, his body dragged forward helplessly, sucked into the black void¡ª Into the lower plane universe. Sunlord''s Arrival A deafening roar of displaced air echoed through the asteroid belt as Sunlord''s true form materialized in the lower plane universe. The moment he fully arrived, the very space around him ignited in searing golden flames. The heat was so intense that asteroids and space itself began to melt and warp. But¡ª As a being not originally from this universe, Sunlord''s very presence was an anomaly. And anomalies do not go unpunished. The sky rumbled, and above his head¡ª Countless thunderbolts began gathering. Not just any lightning¡ª Doom Thunder. The will of the lower plane universe itself had deemed Sunlord a violation, and now it sought to erase him from existence. The sheer pressure of the unleashed divine wrath sent shivers through even the strongest of awakeners. This was world-ending lightning. Even just a single strand could wipe out civilizations. Yet¡ª "This is none of your concern." Victor-1 merely glanced at the sky¡ª Then casually swung his hand. With a single motion, a colossal hurricane erupted¡ª S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. And Doom Thunder was swept away like dust. Gone. As though it had never existed. The Aftermath Clinton stared, mouth agape. "So this is Velen''s hidden master¡­ No wonder he never took Sunlord seriously!" That was Sunlord. Sunlord. Yet, he was just dragged out of the upper plane universe like a helpless child? And that Doom Thunder, an unstoppable force of the world itself, had been erased in an instant?! Clinton felt like he was dreaming. Meanwhile, Max had gone completely numb. He had reached Ascended Rank Level 9, standing at the pinnacle of power in this world. Yet Doom Thunder, something that could annihilate entire civilizations, was effortlessly dismissed. Victor-1 made it look like anyone could do it. But Max knew¡ª He himself would be vaporized by even a single bolt of that lightning. Yet, in Victor-1''s presence, it wasn''t even a threat. Velen Makes a Decision While everyone else was paralyzed in shock, Victor-1 turned toward Velen, bowing slightly. "My Lord, Sunlord is here. How would you like to handle him and Max?" Velen glanced at Max, then shook his head. "That guy? He''s worthless. And he abuses his power. Just kill him." Max''s heart stopped. No. No, no, no, no¡ª Before he could even beg for his life, Victor-1''s blade flashed. A single tear through space¡ª And Max was gone. His entire existence erased as though he had never been there. No corpse. No remains. Just nothingness. What to Do With Sunlord? Victor-1 tightened his grip on his battle blade, his eyes locking onto Sunlord. "Shall I kill him too, My Lord?" Even Sunlord, who had weathered countless battles, shuddered at those words. For the first time, he felt his own death approaching. In the upper plane universe, he was a supreme deity. He dictated who lived and who died. But here¡ª His own fate lay in someone else''s hands. At that moment, Velen turned to Clinton and spoke thoughtfully: "Senator Clinton, Sunlord sealed you for over two centuries, forcing you to suppress your growth out of fear. How do you wish to deal with him?" "I have two suggestions." "First, we kill him outright. Simple revenge¡ªquick and clean." "Second, since he imprisoned you for over two hundred years, we make him your slave for two hundred years to repay his debt." "Of course, if you''d rather torture him for the same amount of time, that''s an option too. The main goal is to remove any lingering fear or trauma you have toward him." "You''ll be ascending with me to the upper plane universe soon, and I won''t have any of my people carrying baggage." "So whatever helps you move on¡ªdo it." Hearing Velen''s words, Clinton felt a lump in his throat. He had suffered in silence for centuries, but Velen saw it instantly¡ªand was actively helping him overcome it. "Who says Velen only knows how to flaunt his wealth?!" "He''s actually the most considerate person ever!" Chapter 133 - Chapter130-Enslaving Sunlord Clinton took a deep breath, his expression unusually serious. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Velen, you saved me from that seal, and now you''re even thinking so deeply about what''s best for me¡­ From this moment on, if you ever need anything, just say the word. My life is yours!" The kindness Velen had shown him was beyond anything he could ever repay. The only thing he could offer in return was his strength. Hearing these words, Sunlord''s expression twitched violently. What the hell was this? Why was Velen using him to win over allies?! And Clinton¡ªwasn''t he supposed to be a proud and noble Headmaster? Now, he was practically groveling at Velen''s feet! The sheer absurdity of the situation made Sunlord feel lightheaded. Meanwhile, Ironback Centipede was enjoying the show. "Master Velen truly lives up to his reputation as a tycoon!" Even the life of a godlike being was nothing more than a bargaining chip to him. To pull Clinton into his fold, Velen was using Sunlord himself. "How extravagant! Truly, this is the essence of our Lord¡ªunpredictable, yet so¡­ beautifully ''humble'' in its extravagance." He turned to Clinton, wondering what choice he would ultimately make. Clinton, on the other hand, was staring down at Sunlord, his voice filled with a cold and unshakable resolve: "Velen, this man has cost me over two hundred years of my life. If we just kill him, that would be too merciful. If possible, I want to enslave him forever. Even after my death, I want him buried with me!" His voice wasn''t loud, but every word carried an unshakable weight. Hearing this, Velen finally understood just how deep Clinton''s hatred ran. And frankly¡ª It was reasonable. A talented and ambitious young man had his entire future stolen from him just because he defeated someone with connections. Had Velen not appeared, Clinton would have likely been trapped in that seal until he died, or worse¡ªkilled by Max the moment he ascended. To be physically and mentally tormented for centuries¡ª No one could just let that go. Velen nodded slightly, then glanced at Victor-1. Victor understood immediately. A mystical rune emerged on his forehead, slowly materializing into an ancient contract. The moment the contract fully formed, it shot into Sunlord''s forehead, sealing a vast majority of his strength. "Sunlord''s power has been sealed," Victor-1 declared. "I have also left a mark on his soul. From now on, he is your slave." Then, he added with a slight warning: "However, once he ascends back to the upper plane universe, his strength will return to its original level. The soul mark, however, will remain, binding him under Clinton''s command." "Only if he surpasses my power will the contract break¡­ But honestly? That''s practically impossible." Then, Victor-1 turned to Velen, his tone as respectful as ever. "My Lord, my strength has advanced greatly, and I have also suppressed this world''s will. If you ever need anything, just call upon me." "If there is nothing else, I shall take my leave." With a polite bow, Victor-1 vanished. Watching his departure, Velen nodded in satisfaction. Victor wasn''t just strong¡ªhe was smart. His growth rate was terrifyingly fast, and it seemed that, in time, he could even become a competent secretary. With that settled, Velen''s gaze shifted to Sunlord. "Clinton, how strong is Sunlord in his current state?" Clinton closed his eyes, briefly sensing the energy before responding. "He''s also Ascended Rank Level 9¡­ but even if a hundred of me fought together, we wouldn''t stand a chance against him." It made sense. Sunlord wasn''t just powerful¡ªhis combat experience, elemental control, and overall mastery of magic far surpassed Clinton''s. Clinton knew his limits and wasn''t foolish enough to overestimate himself. "Alright then," Velen said, nodding slightly. "We should head back. And remember¡ªSunlord''s identity must remain a secret for now. No one else can know about this." Clinton nodded immediately. Of course. Sunlord was a legend even in the upper plane universe¡ªa top-tier awakener with godlike status. Yet, somehow¡­ He was now Clinton''s personal slave. Who would believe such a thing? Meanwhile, Sunlord himself was experiencing the exact same disbelief. He had spent centuries building his reputation, reigning supreme among the awakeners of the upper plane universe. And now? He was someone''s servant. It was unthinkable. He clenched his teeth in rage. It was all Max''s fault. If not for that idiot, he never would have crossed paths with Clinton¡ªmuch less Velen. Fortress Entrance Anastasia stood at the gates, her sharp eyes locked on the distant figures approaching. Velen, Clinton, and Ironback Centipede. And behind them¡ª A mysterious, middle-aged man exuding an unfathomable aura. Her brows furrowed. "Velen, what kind of trouble did you get into this time?" Velen had never been an obedient person. If he and Clinton left secretly, it meant they were definitely up to something. Now that they were sneaking back, she had a bad feeling about it. When she saw them, she immediately rushed forward, blocking their path. "Velen! Who is this man?" "I''ve never seen him before. You''re not planning to make him a Senator, are you?!" The fortress already had too many Senators. Every time Velen brought someone back, it became her problem to manage them. If he kept this up, she''d lose her mind. Velen laughed, eyes twinkling with amusement. "Anastasia, you have a sharp eye! Yes, I am bringing him into the fortress¡­ but don''t worry¡ªhe''s not a Senator." "Then what is he?" she asked, frowning. Velen grinned. "A servant. Just someone to help out." Anastasia froze. "A¡­ servant?" Why did that sound off? The fortress didn''t need servants. The Senators and disciples were more than capable of taking care of themselves. "Velen, forget it. We don''t need servants. Besides, the fortress doesn''t accept useless people. If he''s joining, he needs to be at least Ascended Rank level." This was the perfect excuse. If she set Ascended Rank as the minimum requirement, Velen couldn''t argue. But when Sunlord heard this¡ª His eyes twitched violently. Ascended Rank? Just to be a servant?! This place¡­ What kind of insane fortress was this?! Chapter 134 - Chapter131-How Were You Bribed? Velen looked at Anastasia, who had a serious expression, and nodded in agreement: "Lord Anastasia, I fully support your idea. Even if they are just servants, they must be held to strict standards!" Hearing Velen''s words, Anastasia was momentarily stunned. What kind of statement was that? Wasn''t Velen trying to recruit people into the fortress? Why was he raising the requirements instead? Could it be that this unassuming man was actually an Ascended Rank powerhouse? Velen glanced at Sunlord and continued, "I think the minimum requirement of Ascended Rank you mentioned is still too low!" "Lord Anastasia, let me formally introduce you. This is Apollo. Like Senator Clinton, he is a top-tier Ascended Rank powerhouse on the verge of entering the upper plane universe!" "Since the fortress already has a large population, we must now strive for excellence. Even for servants, the standards should be high. Only an Ascended Rank Level 9 Awakener like him meets the fortress''s current entry requirements!" Hearing this, Anastasia couldn''t believe her ears. Good heavens! No wonder she had sensed an aura of dignity from this man, whose presence felt incredibly obscure¡ªhe turned out to be a top-tier Ascended Rank Level 9 powerhouse! But such a high-level figure would receive immense respect and status in any force. Why would he willingly become a servant of the fortress? If the other senators found out, they would surely feel enormous pressure. After all, if even a mere servant in the fortress surpassed them in strength, wouldn''t that mean they were inferior even to the lowest servants if they didn''t work harder? Seeing Anastasia, a woman of special status, looking astonished, Sunlord immediately sensed an opportunity! Clearly, something was off about how a powerhouse like himself ended up joining the fortress in this manner. If Anastasia questioned it, he could use the chance to prove his loyalty and gain her favor. From what he had observed, Anastasia held considerable influence¡ªeven the unfathomable Velen was affected by her. As long as he could win her over, he might one day rise again! He was Sunlord, after all, someone who had risen from nothing. Even though he had now fallen into ruin, he prided himself on his resilience. These hardships wouldn''t defeat him¡ªon the contrary, he would seize an opportunity even in the direst of circumstances. And now, wasn''t such an opportunity presenting itself? However, just as he eagerly awaited Anastasia''s response, she only glanced at him before refocusing on Velen. "Velen, tell me¡ªhow much mana crystal did you spend to deceive such a powerhouse into coming here?" Sunlord''s mouth hung open in shock. What did she mean? S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Even if his true identity as Sunlord remained hidden, he was at least an Ascended Rank Level 9 powerhouse. Could someone at this level really be ''deceived'' into coming here? What on earth was wrong with this Anastasia? Sunlord suddenly sensed that something was off. But he couldn''t quite put his finger on it. He could only stare blankly at Velen and Anastasia. Had he lived in the upper plane universe for so long that his thinking had become completely disconnected from these lower-plane people? Regardless, he knew he had to act now¡ªotherwise, he might not get another chance. At once, he turned to Anastasia and quickly said, "Lord Anastasia, I was not lured here by mana crystals. I became a servant of the fortress because¡ª" Before he could finish, Anastasia interrupted him. "Alright, Apollo, I know Velen must have given you benefits to make you speak on his behalf. That''s understandable. But what I don''t understand is¡ªyou''re a top-tier Ascended Rank Level 9 powerhouse! In the Titan Galaxy and other star systems, you would be one of the most powerful Awakeners. Why would you willingly become a servant? How much did Velen offer you?" "But I''m not someone who pries into secrets. Since you voluntarily chose to join the fortress as a servant, that''s between you and Velen. I won''t interfere. Your strength is sufficient, and the fortress welcomes you." After finishing her words, Anastasia turned and left. Meanwhile, Sunlord Apollo was completely dumbfounded. What "immense benefits" from Velen? He had received no benefits at all! On the contrary, he had been forcibly enslaved by Velen''s subordinates! To think that he, a godly being, was now being mocked by a young girl like Anastasia¡ªit was utterly humiliating. A godlike being, reduced to such a state¡ªsurely, in all of history, he was the only one! "You''ve had a long day. It''s time to rest," Velen yawned, stretching. "Senator Clinton, Apollo has just become your servant. Let him serve you tonight. Once he gets used to his surroundings, we''ll assign him proper duties." With that, Velen walked into the fortress, and Ironback Centipede obediently followed at his side. Watching their retreating figures, Senator Clinton turned a sinister gaze toward Apollo. "Sunlord, you ruled with an iron fist in the upper plane universe, never expecting to fall to such depths, did you?" Clinton truly despised Sunlord Apollo. "Don''t worry, I am a fair man. Back then, you sealed me away for over two hundred years, robbing me of my prime. Now, you will serve me here to atone for your sins. If you perform well, I might consider releasing you in a few hundred years." Though filled with hatred, Clinton''s centuries-long confinement had granted him clarity. At the very least, his heart had found peace. Even when facing his most hated enemy, he regained his composure after a brief surge of emotion. Seeing Clinton''s shift in demeanor, Apollo''s resistance gradually turned into a more complicated expression. Sometime later¡­ Following closely behind Clinton, Apollo entered the fortress and immediately saw the floating courtyard suspended in mid-air. A mana planet! At first glance, Apollo was absolutely certain¡ªthe entire floating courtyard was built from mana planets! Mana planets were incredibly rare even in the upper plane universe, yet in the fortress, they were being used as building materials! As Apollo struggled to process this revelation, Clinton shot him a glance and commanded, "Stand guard beneath the floating courtyard. Tomorrow, we will assign you a residence and determine your specific duties." After speaking, Clinton entered his luxurious floating estate, leaving Apollo standing there, completely stunned. He distinctly recalled that Max had once fought Clinton over a mana planet. But he remembered clearly¡ªthat mana planet had been no larger than a person''s head, and it was still considered incredibly valuable. Yet here, Clinton was living in an estate made entirely of mana planets?! If Clinton had possessed so many mana planets, why had he fought Max for one? Was he just toying with them all along? Realizing this, Apollo felt utterly defeated. Meanwhile¡­ Dark Eye Galaxy, Holy Light Temple, Sword Saint Plaza. When Kidd finally rushed back, he was shocked to find both Mark and the Grand Senator waiting for him. Their icy gazes sent a shiver down his spine. Clearly, sneaking into Chaos City to avoid their training had truly enraged them. But Kidd''s panic lasted only a moment before he quickly regained his composure. He was a Great Swordsman now¡ªfar stronger than before. What was there to fear? Taking a deep breath, he strutted toward them with an air of arrogant defiance. Seeing this unusual behavior, both Mark and the Grand Senator were taken aback. They knew Kidd inside and out¡ªwhen had he ever dared act so brashly in front of them? Something was definitely off. "How could his attitude change so drastically in such a short time?" Staring at Kidd''s smug face, the Grand Senator''s eye twitched. "I really, really want to beat him up." Chapter 135 - Chapter132-The Arrogant Kidd "It''s time to teach him a proper lesson. If we keep indulging him, he''ll keep wasting time, wasting our energy, and squandering such an incredible talent!" Mark chimed in with agreement. "Besides, this time he left and didn''t learn anything useful. Instead, he picked up all sorts of strange and useless things¡ªcompletely undisciplined!" sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The more he spoke, the more agitated Mark became. After all, in his eyes, Kidd was a once-in-a-millennium sword prodigy, yet not only did he fail to cherish his talent, but he also actively resisted it. He simply couldn''t understand what was going through Kidd''s head! Perhaps they had spoiled him too much. Mark made up his mind¡ªhe needed to teach Kidd a lesson to make him realize the true path to success! With that decision, Mark didn''t waste any more words. In a flash, he appeared in front of Kidd, raised his right hand, and swung it fiercely toward Kidd''s face¡ªa slap so swift that it howled through the air! Feeling the chilling wind rushing toward him, Kidd, who had long been prepared, instantly released his Judgment Sword Qi! In an instant, an overwhelming and oppressive sword aura erupted from him, spreading in all directions with him at the center. "This is¡­" The Grand Senator, being the most sensitive to sword energy, narrowed his eyes as he sensed the aura bursting from Kidd''s body. Then, his eyes suddenly lit up. A Great Swordsman! Kidd had actually become a Great Swordsman! Smack! Just as Mark''s slap was about to land on Kidd''s face, a crisp slap rang out first¡ªonly it wasn''t Kidd who was hit. Instead, Mark was sent flying! "Step aside! Kidd is clearly a diligent and hardworking child. He doesn''t need punishment¡ªhe needs encouragement!" After sending Mark flying with a single slap, the Grand Senator immediately rushed to Kidd''s side, fussing over him with great concern. Meanwhile, Mark, who had landed on the ground, stared at the Grand Senator with a face full of grievance. A moment ago, the Grand Senator had been the most enthusiastic about teaching Kidd a lesson. And now, all of a sudden, he was the one in the wrong? A short while later. The three of them sat inside the hall, where Kidd had already laid out a pile of glowing stones on the table. The entire hall was bathed in a soft, radiant white light. Starry Stones! A massive amount of Starry Stones! Neither Mark nor the Grand Senator could believe their eyes. After all, Starry Stones were incredibly rare treasures. To obtain even one was considered an extraordinary stroke of luck. Yet now, Kidd had casually taken out a pile of them as if they were nothing more than roadside pebbles. No matter how they looked at it, it was completely unbelievable! "Kidd, where did you get all these Starry Stones?" "Since when were Starry Stones so common? And what exactly do you plan to do with so many?" Both men stared at Kidd, trying to read his expression. Sweeping a guilty glance at the two, Kidd hesitated before answering: "Grand Senator, Mark, I plan to use these Starry Stones¡­ to build a toilet." The hall fell into a brief but absolute silence. Kidd gulped, finally breaking the eerie stillness. Mark and the Grand Senator were utterly speechless. Good heavens! Unbelievable! Had Kidd lost his mind? Such priceless Starry Stones, and he wanted to use them to build a toilet? Was his brain malfunctioning? The two exchanged glances and came to a silent agreement¡ªKidd needed urgent medical attention! Under their intense, unkind gazes, Kidd suddenly felt a chill down his spine. "Kidd," Mark said solemnly, "the Grand Senator and I both agree that you''re sick. And not just a little sick¡ªa lot!" "But don''t worry, we have a cure. It''ll just hurt a bit, so bear with it!" Before Kidd could react, the two of them each punched him in the eye. What followed was a merciless round of punches and kicks. The Next Morning When Velen woke up from his slumber, the first thing he did was check the system interface. Today''s Special Product: 1000 Tempered Soul Stones. Tempered Soul Stones: Containing a vast amount of pure soul energy, these flames can refine the soul, enhancing both its level and purity. After reading the description, Velen shook his head slightly. Although these would be valuable to other Awakeners, he already had plenty of Soul Stone Essence that he hadn''t even finished flaunting. Now, with these Tempered Soul Stones, which served the same purpose of refining the soul, it felt redundant. His resources were already overflowing¡ªno matter how precious they were, they were useless to him. Stretching lazily, Velen stepped out of his courtyard and unexpectedly saw William and Corner sitting at his doorstep. Especially William¡ªhe was wearing ragged, beggar-like clothing and looked absolutely miserable. However, despite his sorry appearance, Grand Senator William seemed completely indifferent to the world''s judgment. To Velen, this only reinforced his impression that William had an incredibly stable and powerful inner will, immune to any mental corruption. Sensing this, Velen couldn''t help but acknowledge that Grand Senator William was truly unfathomable¡ªwilling to embrace such a bizarre and non-mainstream artistic act just to temper his mind. "System," Velen suddenly thought of something, "can I use Fate''s Trojan to confirm if my actions count as flaunting wealth?" "Fate''s Trojan can observe both past and future. Determining whether an action qualifies as flaunting wealth is well within its capabilities." The system''s response made Velen''s heart burn with excitement. Fate''s Trojan was far more powerful than he had imagined! Now that he had the system''s confirmation, Velen exhaled in relief before directly consulting Fate''s Trojan: "If I give these Tempered Soul Stones to Senator William, would that be considered flaunting wealth?" To keep things simple, Velen deliberately kept his question straightforward. "At present, William has fully embraced his role as a wanderer, experiencing the joy of being unrestrained and free in the world. Giving him Tempered Soul Stones would absolutely count as flaunting wealth." Hearing the system''s response, Velen''s mouth twitched slightly. He hadn''t expected the strict and disciplined Grand Senator William to have such a hidden side. But it also proved just how resolute William truly was. To increase his power, he was even willing to endure such an embarrassing ordeal! With such determination, was there anything he couldn''t achieve? Without hesitation, Velen placed all the Tempered Soul Stones from his system inventory in front of Grand Senator William before heading toward Alan''s courtyard. Clang, clang, clang! The sound of Tempered Soul Stones clattering against the ground echoed through the air, catching Corner''s attention. His ears twitched as he turned toward the source of the noise. When he saw the mountain of grayish Tempered Soul Stones, his entire being was consumed with jealousy. My god! These are Tempered Soul Stones! Even one of these could fetch an astronomical price at an auction! Yet here, there were at least a thousand of them! He had known that Velen was generous, but this level of generosity was beyond imagination! As Corner stared in envy, William slowly opened his eyes, scooping up all the Tempered Soul Stones in his hands with an expression of pure ecstasy and pride. He knew it¡ª As long as he stayed close to Velen, he would reap enormous rewards! "So many Tempered Soul Stones¡­ I don''t even know how to use them all!" William glanced at Corner with a smug smile before bursting into laughter and walking away. His actions only made Corner''s rage boil over. "I need to get back at him! I must find a way to pray to Velen before anyone else notices!" With that thought, Corner immediately rushed off in the direction Velen had gone. As Corner continued forward, he suddenly stopped a few steps ahead, his gaze fixating curiously on a broad-shouldered, aura-laden figure¡ªSunlord Apollo. He didn''t recognize Apollo, but the presence emanating from him left him feeling uncertain and perplexed. What was this man''s true strength? "I am Corner, a consecrated senator of the fortress. And you are?" Hearing Corner''s inquiry, Apollo briefly curved his lips into a professional smile before introducing himself: "I am Apollo. I just joined the fortress yesterday. Currently, I am... a servant of the fortress." Chapter 136 - Chapter133-Inferno Planet, The System’s New Mission To Apollo, everyone in the fortress held a status far above his own. Being under their roof, he had no choice but to lower his head for now. Corner sized up Apollo from head to toe before nodding thoughtfully. "A servant? While we aren''t too fond of being waited on, the fortress is now a gathering place for the strongest. It would be unreasonable not to have any servants." "Being able to join the fortress as a servant¡­ this is an opportunity beyond your imagination. Work hard here, and I guarantee you''ll enjoy endless wealth and glory in the future." "By the way, what level are you? When you have free time, the fortress senators can give you some guidance." Apollo''s expression turned a bit strange, but he still nodded and replied, "Then I''ll thank you in advance, Senator. As for my level¡­ I am currently Ascended Rank Level 9, just one step away from entering the upper plane universe." ?? Corner''s face was full of question marks. An Ascended Rank Level 9 powerhouse? As a servant in the fortress? He could hardly believe it, but as he carefully sensed Apollo''s aura, he realized it was deep and immeasurable, even giving him a suffocating sense of pressure. "What the hell¡­ How many resources and benefits did Velen give you?!" After his initial shock, Corner stared at Apollo with an envious expression. They had all received great benefits from Velen upon becoming fortress senators. But making a top-tier Ascended Rank Level 9 Awakener serve as a mere servant¡ªjust how high was the price for that? Considering Velen''s extravagant generosity and the pride of an Ascended Rank Level 9 Awakener, the cost must have been frighteningly enormous. Moreover, in Corner''s eyes, serving Velen was an incredible privilege! Apollo had originally planned to complain about his suffering, but after seeing how Corner was practically drooling with envy, he suddenly didn''t know what to say. "Is everyone in this fortress insane?" Apollo simply couldn''t comprehend what was happening. Why were these people''s thoughts so bizarre? "Senator Corner, why did you come looking for me this early?" As Apollo struggled to process his emotions, Clinton descended from his floating courtyard and curiously looked at Corner. Corner glanced at Clinton, then grinned and asked, "Senator Clinton, do you still have that beggar outfit?" Clinton was momentarily stunned before nodding. A short while later. Apollo watched in utter disbelief as Corner excitedly walked away in rags, grinning from ear to ear. He was completely speechless. What kind of fortress was this?! Why did everyone behave so unpredictably? He had spent countless years struggling in the upper plane universe, and yet, everything about this place defied common sense! Clinton was equally baffled. He had no idea why someone would willingly choose to wear the tattered clothes he had worn for two hundred years. Was he deliberately looking for suffering? "Forget it. Just come with me to the Lord''s Hall." Shaking off his confusion, Clinton quickly refocused and led Apollo toward the fortress''s core. As they approached the Lord''s Hall, Apollo suddenly sensed a familiar aura, and his pupils shrank in shock. "This formation¡­ It feels so familiar¡­!" "Glacial Age Formation, an ancient formation said to freeze everything! It''s one of the Celestial Hall''s super formations from the upper plane universe¡ªwhy is it here?!" Apollo knew that this formation was terrifyingly powerful. Only a few people in the Celestial Hall could set up and control it¡ªthe Hall Master, core senators, and the Saintess! But this was the lower plane universe. How could any of them be here? Suppressing his confusion, Apollo followed Clinton into the grand hall. The moment he stepped inside, Apollo''s gaze was immediately drawn to the figure at the center¡ªAnastasia. At this moment, a strange and unique energy fluctuation radiated from her. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Divine Codex?!" "The supreme skill of the Celestial Hall¡ªonly the Hall Master and Saintess are qualified to learn it!" But this raised a huge question. The Celestial Hall had always been extremely strict in selecting its members, and they would never recruit from the lower plane universe. So how was this happening? Unless¡­ Unless the Saintess of the Celestial Hall had met with some disaster and was reborn into the lower plane universe?! As crazy as it sounded, it was the only possible explanation Apollo could think of! Otherwise, nothing about this situation made sense. "Senator Clinton, Apollo is now under your command. Arrange his daily duties." Anastasia gave the two a brief glance before closing her eyes again, continuing to absorb the surrounding elemental energy to further increase her level. As the fortress grew stronger, her responsibilities also became greater. She had no time to slack off. Clinton, understanding her obsession with leveling up, bowed slightly and quickly led Apollo out of the hall. Only after they left did Apollo finally let out a breath of relief. "If my guess is correct, Anastasia is actually the Celestial Hall''s Saintess. If I use my Sunlord abilities, she might recognize something suspicious!" Velen had already instructed him to keep his identity hidden to avoid unnecessary complications, so he remained highly cautious. If Anastasia discovered his secret, his identity would be exposed, and he had no idea how Velen would react. But judging by Velen''s terrifying ruthlessness, it was definitely not going to be anything good. Thankfully, now that he had confirmed Anastasia''s identity, he knew he would have to disguise himself if he ever acted. He absolutely couldn''t let Anastasia figure out who he really was. Meanwhile¡­ "Velen, I was just looking for you!" On the way to Alan''s courtyard, Velen unexpectedly ran into Alan, who seemed eager to speak with him. Alan looked at Velen with a pleading expression and said, "Velen, my mentor contacted me recently. I was just about to discuss this with you¡ªI need to go to Inferno Planet, and I want you to come with me!" "Your mentor?" "You have a mentor?" Although Velen had suspicions, hearing Alan confirm it still surprised him. "I became an alchemist because I was mentored by her. She taught me everything I know about alchemy." Alan''s face was filled with pride as he spoke. Velen coughed and asked, "Does your mentor know you''ve switched to mixology?" Alan sighed, "That''s exactly why I need you to come with me." Huh? Velen instantly understood. So Alan wanted him to come along to take the blame?! Did he look like some kind of scapegoat?! "Velen, you don''t understand. My mentor is extremely strict. If she finds out I''ve switched professions, she''ll beat me half to death and force me to change back!" Alan''s face was filled with despair. "Random Mission Triggered!" "Mission: Accompany Alan to Inferno Planet for the Alchemy Conference. No ranking requirement¡ªjust provide the system''s materials and resources. Reward: 1,000,000 Luxury Points!" Hearing the system''s notification, Velen''s face instantly lit up with excitement. For 1,000,000 luxury points¡ªno, for Alan''s sake, he had to help! And, to be fair, he was partly responsible for Alan''s career switch¡­ "Alan, don''t worry! You''ve changed professions, so I have to support you! Let''s go!" "We''ll inform Lord Anastasia, and then we''ll depart immediately!" As Velen enthusiastically dragged Alan toward the Lord''s Hall, Alan felt deeply confused. Just a moment ago, Velen had been completely unwilling. Why had he suddenly become so eager? Something wasn''t right! Sure enough, the moment they entered the hall and Velen explained the situation, Anastasia immediately exploded in anger. "You just got back to the fortress, and now you''re leaving again?!" Chapter 137 - Chapter134-The Alchemist Convention Every time Velen left and then returned to the fortress, he always seemed to bring back some bizarre occurrences and strange individuals. It was endless. So the moment she heard that Velen was going out again, Anastasia had a bad feeling. But could she stop Velen from leaving? Even if she could stop him temporarily, she couldn''t restrain him for a lifetime. Taking a deep breath and suppressing her fluctuating emotions, Anastasia spoke seriously: "Velen, you can go wherever you want, that''s not a problem. But since you''re leaving with Alan, the two of you must return together. That is my only request for now." Velen casually nodded and said, "Don''t worry, Lord! That''s not even an issue! I''ll definitely protect Alan and make sure he doesn''t get bullied outside!" "Also, to be on the safe side, and since the journey is long, let''s take the Ironback Centipede with us." Hearing this, Alan was also quite touched as he looked at Anastasia. "Lord, I will take good care of myself. And with Velen around, we will definitely return safely, so please don''t worry!" Anastasia stared blankly at Velen and Alan. Did these two really not understand, or were they just pretending not to? That wasn''t what she meant at all. She wasn''t worried about their safety¡ªshe just wanted them to stop bringing people back to the fortress! But seeing the two of them looking at her with such heartfelt gratitude, Anastasia found it hard to say anything more. She could only wave her hand, telling them to go and return soon. Watching Velen and Alan depart, Anastasia''s expression became somewhat heavy. "Why do I have a bad feeling about this? I just hope they behave this time and don''t bring anyone else back to the fortress." Not long after, Velen and Alan, riding on the Ironback Centipede''s back, swiftly set off from Uranus Star. "Velen, Lord Anastasia really cares about us. This is just a regular trip, yet she''s so concerned," Alan commented. Velen nodded. "Of course, Lord Anastasia is beautiful and kind, and she cares about us a lot. Especially you¡ªdidn''t you see how she couldn''t take her eyes off us when we left?" Alan agreed wholeheartedly. After all, he knew that Velen had feelings for the Lord. And now, it seemed like the Lord might have feelings for Velen as well! Such a level of concern for a simple journey¡ªshe must be afraid that something might happen to him. If Anastasia had known what they were discussing, she probably would have coughed up blood in rage. "Wait a minute, Iron Cub, do you know where Inferno Planet is?" Suddenly, Velen asked out of curiosity. The Ironback Centipede shook its head. "No idea." "...Then why are you flying so fast and so confidently?" Velen''s mouth twitched. He turned to Alan, who scratched the back of his head awkwardly. He only knew the name "Inferno Planet," not the exact coordinates. Seeing the Ironback Centipede and Alan both fall silent, Velen was utterly speechless. Luckily, he had Fate''s Trojan, which provided the exact coordinates upon inquiry. "We need to head back first. Inferno Planet is quite far from here. If we borrow Senator Ethan''s arcane carpet, we can travel much faster!" So, they quickly returned to the fortress, borrowed the arcane carpet, and after setting the coordinates, they took off again at high speed. Inside the fortress, William watched Velen leave and sighed. "Ah, who knows when Velen will be back this time?" "In the meantime, I should return for a bit. Otherwise, the other four senators might start getting restless." William patted the storage bag in his arms, which contained the Lv9 Forge and Tempered Soul Stone that Velen had given him¡ªboth extremely valuable items. With such an abundant harvest, he was already more than satisfied! "Iron Cub, go full speed ahead! If your elemental energy runs dry, use high-grade mana crystals to keep the arcane carpet moving at full power. I want us to reach Inferno Planet by early morning!" Though the distance was great, both the arcane carpet and the Ironback Centipede were extraordinary. Velen believed they could reach their destination quickly. Ironback Centipede gave Velen a surprised look. Based on what it knew about Velen, he rarely rushed things like this. Normally, he would rest at night. Yet now, he was insisting on traveling straight through the night. Alan, on the other hand, felt even more touched. Velen was really going all out for his sake. Meeting Velen in this lifetime was the greatest fortune he could ask for! As they both stared at him with different emotions, Velen looked back at them, confused. "What? Why are you looking at me like that? I know I''m handsome, but we''re all men here!" Seeing Velen sink into narcissism, Alan cleared his throat and said, "Velen, aren''t you going to rest tonight? There''s really no need to rush." "It''s fine. Iron Cub is the one driving the arcane carpet anyway. We just need to rest well so we have enough energy for tomorrow." Ironback Centipede''s mouth twitched. Good grief, this trip really made it nothing more than a tool! Meanwhile, as the arcane carpet sped through the starry sky, a desolate, barren planet was gathering a group of space pirates. "A high-quality arcane carpet like that is rare. If we can take it, we''ll make a fortune!" "Boss, I think we can do it. There are only three people on board. Two of them are small fries¡ªone''s an Adept Rank Lv9, the other''s an Elite Rank Lv9. No real threat at all." "The one piloting the arcane carpet doesn''t seem to have any detectable aura, so they can''t be strong either!" Read the latest on My Virtual Library Empire The leading pirates exchanged greedy glances. "Heh, but can you even catch up with that high-grade arcane carpet''s speed?" "From the looks of it, they''re pushing the arcane carpet to its limits. You''d just be eating dust if you tried to follow them." Along the way, Velen and his group encountered various awakeners and fleets, as well as a variety of dazzling starships. Many people cast envious glances at their arcane carpet. After all, high-grade arcane carpets were incredibly rare, boasting speeds that surpassed most flying devices. Whether for travel or escape, they were unparalleled. At the same time, such an advanced arcane carpet wasn''t easy to operate. If an awakener wasn''t powerful enough, they had to rely on high-grade mana crystals to fuel it. For many, obtaining one was already difficult, let alone maintaining it. In interstellar travel, those who relied on arcane carpets were either exceptionally strong¡ªor incredibly rich. S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. At full speed, the arcane carpet reached its destination by early morning. Ahead of them loomed a massive, fiery planet. This planet was at least ten times larger than Uranus Star, covered in volcanic craters and lava flows. From a distance, it glowed a deep crimson, radiating waves of heat. "Inferno Planet¡ªhere we are!" Ironback Centipede, nearly out of breath, panted. Hearing this, Velen drowsily opened his eyes. "That was fast." Ironback Centipede, already on the verge of exhaustion, nearly collapsed. To maximize speed while keeping the two sleeping passengers comfortable, it had spent the entire night on high alert, draining almost all of its energy. And all it got in return was a casual comment. "Since we''ve arrived, Alan, you go find your mentor first. I have some business to take care of. We''ll meet up later!" With that, Velen separated from Alan and charged into Inferno Planet with Ironback Centipede. He needed to find the Alchemist Convention mentioned in his system quest! Upon landing, Velen immediately spotted numerous people wearing alchemist robes. They carried an air of arrogance, as if the whole world owed them money. After all, alchemists were highly sought after everywhere, so Velen could understand their attitude. Though they came from different regions, they were all heading toward the central area. From their discussions, Velen learned something surprising. "You actually have to pass a test to participate in the Alchemist Convention?" Chapter 138 - Chapter135-Amanda’s Shock Velen had initially planned to muddle through the event. After all, the system''s task wasn''t particularly difficult¡ªhe just needed to participate in the Alchemist Convention. But he hadn''t expected there to be an entry requirement! "Isn''t this Alchemist Convention open to everyone? Why do we need to pass an entry test?" Velen turned to a woman wearing a Convention Staff badge and asked. The woman raised an eyebrow at him before replying coldly: "You don''t look like an alchemist at all. The Alchemist Convention is a grand event in Titan Galaxy, attracting a vast number of alchemists every year. If there were no entry barriers, how long do you think the competition would last?" "I can tell you this¡ªonly the top hundred alchemists in each ranking tier will make it to the final stage of the Alchemist Convention, where they''ll compete for this year''s rankings!" "If you can''t even pass the entrance exam, then you might as well just be a spectator. That suits you much better!" After saying that, the woman ignored Velen and went back to maintaining order. Velen let out a frustrated sigh. He wasn''t an alchemist. He had no idea how to prepare potions. Now, he couldn''t even sneak his way in! One million luxury points were right in front of him¡ªwas he really just going to give up like this? Although he was reluctant, there was no feasible way around it. He could only accept that this million luxury points was not meant for him. After thinking for a long time and still failing to find a solution, Velen had no choice but to give up. However, just as he was about to turn and leave, a woman in a fiery red dress, with a stunning figure, approached him. "Friend, you seem quite determined to participate in this Alchemist Convention. If you truly want to join, come with me for an initial test." Before Velen could respond, the woman who had just spoken to him coldly earlier suddenly froze, as if she had seen an inconceivable figure. She was about to bow and greet the newcomer when the red-dressed woman simply shook her head. The staff member immediately covered her mouth with both hands, suppressing her shock, her eyes filled with envy as she looked at Velen. The red-dressed woman standing here was a Master Alchemist! The entry tests were normally conducted under the supervision of a Mid-tier Alchemist¡ªbut now, a Master Alchemist, Amanda, had personally invited Velen for testing! If she hadn''t witnessed it with her own eyes, she would never have believed it! Many young alchemists had come to this Alchemist Convention just to meet Amanda, hoping to impress her with their skills. Yet now, this man¡ªwho didn''t even look like an alchemist¡ªhad somehow caught Amanda''s attention? Inside a lavish skyscraper, Amanda, in her eye-catching red dress, led Velen and a middle-aged man, who was actually the Ironback Centipede in human form, to the top floor. "You''re an interesting one. From the moment you arrived, I felt you were unusual. Everyone who comes to the Alchemist Convention wears professional attire, yet you don''t. This must be your first time here, and you don''t know the rules, do you?" She gestured toward a section of the room. Read latest stories on My Virtual Library Empire Velen followed her indication and saw a collection of high-quality alchemist tools, meticulously arranged. "Come on, let''s begin the test here. No need to be nervous¡ªjust perform as you normally would." Amanda spoke with great interest. What had drawn her attention to Velen in the first place wasn''t him, but the Ironback Centipede by his side. The Ironback Centipede was an Ascended Rank Spellbeast. In an era where spellbeasts were notoriously prideful, finding one willing to act as a guard for a human was nearly unheard of. Especially at the Ascended Rank¡ªno spellbeast at that level would normally serve a human. Yet, this seemingly unimpressive young man had an Ascended Rank Spellbeast following him willingly. This suggested he must be extraordinary¡ªperhaps backed by a Master Alchemist. So naturally, she was curious about Velen''s alchemy skills. Alchemy? Me? Seeing Amanda''s intrigued expression, Velen was utterly confused. He had never studied alchemy. Not even the most basic principles. How was he supposed to begin? Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But just as he was about to refuse, a familiar system notification rang in his ears. Random Mission Issued: Use system-provided materials to perform alchemy. Success or failure does not matter. Reward: 500,000 Luxury Points! Velen was just about to decline, but upon seeing the system reward, he immediately stopped. 500,000 Luxury Points! The system was being very generous this time! This mission was practically free points! A smile spread across Velen''s face. "You''re a staff member of this convention, right? I''ll begin right away¡ªbut I''ll be using my own furnace and materials. I tend to cough when using unfamiliar equipment." Velen casually made up an excuse. Amanda didn''t mind, nodding. "Suit yourself. While I am technically part of the convention''s staff, I prefer when people just call me by my name¡ªAmanda." As she spoke, Amanda''s lips curled into a knowing smile, her long eyelashes fluttering with amusement. Her name was famous among alchemists, and she was eager to see Velen''s reaction upon realizing who she was. But to her surprise, Velen simply nodded casually. ??? Amanda''s smile froze. She was Amanda, a renowned Master Alchemist¡ªyet Velen''s reaction was so indifferent? Did he not realize how prestigious she was? That was impossible! As she was inwardly questioning herself, Velen pulled a massive Dragon Flame Forge out of his storage bag. As the furnace landed heavily on the ground, the entire floor trembled slightly. The flaming dragon coiling around the furnace stirred to life, exuding a scorching, terrifying heat that instantly filled the room. The sudden burst of heatwaves made Amanda''s face turn pale with shock. "Supreme Forge?!" She stared in utter disbelief. Even an Lv9 Forge was enough to make alchemists drool with desire. A Supreme Forge¡ªa tier beyond Lv9¡ªwas a dream come true for any alchemist! Even she, a Master Alchemist, had never seen one in person before¡ªonly read about it in books or seen it in records. And yet, this young man just casually owned one?! It was beyond belief! But before Amanda could process this, Velen suddenly shook his head and turned to Ironback Centipede. "Iron Cub, lend me your furnace." The Ironback Centipede was confused. "Why? You already have the Dragon Flame Forge." "Well, I was going to use it, but I''ve decided to save it for cooking. Can''t risk contaminating it with alchemy residue¡ªit might mess with the taste when I make barbecue later." Velen said seriously. Alchemy residue could remain in the furnace, which might cause unexpected side effects when cooking. Since Dragon Flame Forge was his designated cooking pot, he refused to let it be used for alchemy. Ironback Centipede hesitated but reluctantly pulled out his Lv9 Forge, placing it in front of Velen. Velen immediately stored away the Supreme Forge and waved at Ironback Centipede. "Alright, you can go now. I need silence." Meanwhile, Amanda was completely stunned. A Supreme Forge for cooking? An Lv9 Forge for combat? What kind of insane logic was this?! Today, Amanda was convinced¡ªshe had met an absolute madman. Chapter 139 - Chapter136-Velen’s First Alchemy Experience Inside the top-floor chamber. The Lv9 Forge roared with intense flames, resembling a sun that had fallen into the room, turning the air crimson with heat. Amanda stood with her arms crossed, unintentionally emphasizing her perfect figure. However, she paid no attention to that¡ªall her focus was on Velen, who stood at the center of the room. Velen appeared somewhat nervous, which only made Amanda even more tense and expectant. After all, he had completely disregarded the Supreme Forge earlier, and even his spellbeast companion treated a Lv9 Forge as a weapon. Clearly, this man had an extraordinary background. The alchemical potion he was about to create would undoubtedly be astonishing. As Amanda pursed her red lips in nervous anticipation, Velen took a deep breath, seemingly calming himself down. Then, he began channeling his mana into the forge. Fwoosh! The already raging flames of the Lv9 Forge flared even stronger, as though someone had poured oil onto them. "Impressive. The way he started the fire is incredibly fast¡ªhis rank is definitely not as simple as it seems..." Amanda murmured to herself, watching him even more intently. The first step had already exceeded expectations. Next, Velen needed to burn and refine the necessary ingredients, merging them together to create a potion. "Everbloom¡ªalthough only a Tier-1 herb, it''s extremely rare. Among all Tier-1 materials, it''s one of the most valuable." Amanda took a deep breath. If Velen was using Everbloom, then he was most likely trying to craft a Life Essence Potion¡ªa powerful healing elixir. Despite being a Tier-1 potion, it was incredibly difficult to make. Even Tier-2 and Tier-3 alchemists found it challenging. Only mid-tier alchemists above Tier-3 could attempt it with confidence. The difficulty lay in the fact that the Life Essence Potion had four distinct layers, each with a different color. These layers had to be refined separately, using different temperatures and techniques¡­ Amanda was mentally recalling the process of crafting a Life Essence Potion when she suddenly froze. She watched in shock as Velen casually threw the entire Everbloom into the forge¡ªcompletely disregarding the proper procedure. That would destroy the Everbloom! Amanda was about to stop him when she saw him take out another Everbloom and throw it in. What the hell?! Amanda nearly lost her mind. Everbloom was rare, even if it was only a Tier-1 ingredient. And this guy was burning them like firewood?! Fwoosh! Then came the third Everbloom. The fourth¡­ The fifth¡­ Velen continued tossing Everblooms into the fire until there were over thirty inside the forge! Amanda''s entire face turned red. Wasteful! This was an absolutely appalling waste! "Wait¡­ that''s a Three-Hundred-Year Fig?!" Amanda''s eyes widened again. One fig¡­ Two figs¡­ Velen kept throwing them into the forge¡ªnot stopping until he had burned fifty of them! Even then, he wasn''t done. He took out something even rarer: Crimson Dragonfruit. One¡­ Two¡­ Three¡­ Every ingredient Velen pulled out was so rare and expensive that even if every alchemist at the convention pooled their wealth together, they still wouldn''t have as much as he was casually throwing into the fire. Amanda forced herself to calm down and analyze the situation rationally. Just because an ingredient was powerful didn''t mean mixing many of them together would make a good potion. If the combination wasn''t carefully balanced, it would inevitably result in an explosive failure. And then¡ª BOOM! The Lv9 Forge trembled violently, emitting a heavy rumbling sound. It exploded. If it weren''t for the Lv9 Forge''s durability, this kind of uncontrolled energy surge would have shattered a lower-grade forge¡ªand likely blown everyone in the room to pieces. Even though Amanda had half-expected this outcome, she was still so furious that she was trembling. Was this guy making a potion or just throwing everything into a giant stew pot?! At first, she thought Velen was completely ignorant about alchemy. But that didn''t seem right¡ªhe had gathered so many top-tier alchemical ingredients, and even had a Supreme Forge and a Lv9 Forge. There was no way someone with access to such resources knew nothing about alchemy. And yet, the result of his so-called "alchemy" was this¡ªa massive explosion from a potion that was supposed to be gentle and restorative! At the same time, Velen himself was also shocked by the explosion. Why did it explode? Was this supposed to happen? He wasn''t sure. But then, he received another system notification. "Congratulations, Host! Mission completed. Reward: 500,000 Luxury Points!" Just as Velen was celebrating his reward, another notification appeared. "This mission can be repeatedly completed. The system will continuously provide ingredients until Amanda either approves or disapproves of your potion." Velen froze. Wait¡­ I can keep doing this? And every time he did, he would earn another 500,000 Luxury Points?! This was insane! If Amanda never gave a final decision, he could farm Luxury Points indefinitely¡ªeventually using them to make a massive breakthrough and become a Titan Rank Lv9 Awakener! Thinking about it, Velen even considered abandoning the Alchemist Convention entirely¡ªit made more sense to stay here and keep grinding the system for points. S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Velen turned to Amanda with a serious expression. "Amanda, this is my first time performing alchemy in front of a master like you. I was nervous, and I failed¡ªbut I''m sure I''ll succeed next time!" Amanda frowned slightly. Velen''s previous reckless actions had completely shocked her. She still hadn''t fully recovered from the absurdity of it all. However, now that Velen was looking at her with such sincerity, she couldn''t bring herself to reject him outright. After a brief silence, she sighed and said sternly, "Fine. I''ll give you another chance. But don''t you dare blow up the forge again." Your adventure continues at My Virtual Library Empire Even though Velen seemed more composed, Amanda had a nagging feeling this was far from over. Fwoosh! As Amanda glanced at Velen again, he was already back at the forge. The fire roared even stronger, its flames filling the room with warmth. And then¡ª Velen continued throwing countless rare ingredients into the fire. The room filled with dense mana fluctuations, but the moment the ingredients entered the forge, they were instantly burned to ashes¡ªcompletely losing their medicinal value. Amanda let out a deep sigh. She had known from the start that expecting Velen to suddenly become competent at alchemy was wishful thinking. Resigned, she turned away. She couldn''t bear to watch anymore. Chapter 140 - Chapter137-The Threshold to Join Fortress Bang! Bang! Not long after, the all-too-familiar explosion of the furnace resounded once again, shaking the entire floor and echoing endlessly. Amanda''s stunningly bewitching face was now contorted in frustration and near madness. Her fingers, veins bulging, clenched tightly in an effort to restrain herself. If not for the Ascended Rank spellbeast guarding the door and Velen''s unusual status, she would have long since kicked him out with a single strike. These alchemical ingredients were rare and invaluable treasures¡ªnow utterly wasted by Velen''s reckless actions. For a grandmaster alchemist like her, this was no less than the cruelest form of torture! As the explosions from the room continued unabated, the Ironback Centipede huddled in a corner, covering its ears in grievance. The Lv9 Forge was his most prized possession, yet Velen was tormenting it so mercilessly that the poor creature could hardly breathe from the distress. All it could do was stare at the room with the eyes of a forsaken soul, praying that Velen would finish quickly. But in Velen''s mind, there was only one thing¡ªluxury points. "Amanda, the potion will be ready soon! Just hang in there a little longer!" "Trust me, I''m about to complete it. Come on, it''s just a mere entry assessment¡ªhow hard could it be?" For the sake of earning system rewards and luxury points, Velen was giving it his all. He consoled Amanda, whose bloodshot eyes were on the verge of collapse, while simultaneously tossing the precious ingredients into the furnace at an even faster rate. "Stop burning them!" "Stop! I''ll count you as having passed, alright?!" Hearing that Velen was about to continue, Amanda''s mental defenses crumbled entirely. She clutched her smooth forehead, speaking in a hurried voice. It was just an entry qualification¡ªwas it really worth wasting so many priceless ingredients? Though these materials weren''t of the highest grade, they were all exceptionally rare. Every major faction viewed them as irreplaceable, each use depleting an already dwindling supply! She simply couldn''t bear to watch any longer! Besides, she had a strong hunch¡ªif she didn''t approve Velen here, he would just go find another alchemist responsible for the assessment. Instead of dragging this out, she might as well pass him outright. Yet, just as Velen was at the peak of his enthusiasm, Amanda''s words felt like a bucket of cold water poured over his head. Passed already? But he hadn''t even earned his luxury points yet! "Amanda, this year''s Alchemist Convention is a prestigious event, watched by all. How could we not enforce strict standards?" "Besides, aren''t you a high-ranking alchemist yourself? How could you set an example by engaging in favoritism?" "An alchemist must possess an unyielding spirit! I can feel it¡ªI''m just about to succeed!" Velen firmly rejected her decision, speaking with righteous indignation. Amanda: "..." "If you''re so close to success, then I believe in you. There''s no need for further testing. You''ve passed! Focus on preparing for tomorrow¡ªthe official start of the convention. I have high hopes for you." Without waiting for Velen''s response, Amanda turned and left immediately, unwilling to continue this farcical conversation. As she walked away, a wave of regret washed over her. For once, she had been genuinely curious about Velen¡ªonly to be backstabbed by him! Even now, she still wasn''t sure whether Velen was truly an alchemist or not. "Supreme Forge, and even a Lv9 Forge¡­ That kid can just casually bring those out? His background must be incredibly deep. I can''t ignore this¡ªI might need to discuss it with Pamela." Glancing at the towering Alchemist Convention Headquarters, Amanda picked up her pace and hurried inside. Inside the Headquarters'' Luxurious Chamber In an opulent chamber, Pamela sat cross-legged on a golden chair, exuding an air of cool dominance. Yet, at this moment, she was staring dazedly at the furnace before her. Intricate, ancient runes glowed faintly across its surface. But instead of blazing flames inside, an unexpected sight greeted her¡ªtranquil flowing water. "Lv9 Forge?" Pamela rubbed her cold, piercing eyes in disbelief. As a grandmaster alchemist, she understood all too well the rarity of a Lv9 Forge. She had scoured entire star systems and had only ever found rumors of their existence, never a real one. After all, throughout the entire galaxy, there were only about five Lv9 Forges in total, with some lost to the river of time. And yet, a disciple from an ordinary background somehow had one? "Alan, is this furnace really yours? And why is there so much water inside?" Her sharp gaze shifted to Alan, standing beside the forge, as she questioned him in puzzlement. Alan gave it a passing glance. "I was in a rush and forgot to drain it completely. It was left outside in the courtyard for too long." Pamela''s brows furrowed. A Lv9 Forge was an invaluable treasure for an alchemist¡ªhow could it be so casually neglected, to the point of accumulating water? "Alan, you''ve changed a lot from before." She studied Alan carefully, as if seeing him for the first time. Previously, Alan had been a dedicated student, immensely talented and hardworking. He had always diligently absorbed her teachings, showing promise as the next great alchemist. Your adventure continues at My Virtual Library Empire But now, despite possessing an item so crucial to an alchemist, he seemed indifferent¡ªsomething completely out of character for someone serious about alchemy. Hearing this, Alan was momentarily surprised. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. His mentor could already sense such a drastic change in him, despite him having just arrived? "Alan, you were once such a hardworking and promising student. But ever since you joined Fortress, you''ve fallen so far?" Pamela reprimanded him sternly. Instead of being upset, Alan actually felt relieved. "Mentor, I came here today mainly to give this Lv9 Forge to you." During his journey here, Alan had mentioned this to Velen, who had agreed. So now, he was eager to present this gift to his mentor¡ªhoping it would soften her growing frustration. "You''re giving me¡­ a Lv9 Forge?" Pamela''s heart skipped a beat. Then, a warm sense of gratitude surfaced. "Although you''ve changed, at least you still respect your mentor. That hasn''t changed¡ªI''m proud of you." As she spoke, her full attention was already locked onto the Lv9 Forge before her. As a grandmaster alchemist, she had never been this close to one before. "There are only five Lv9 Forges in the entire Titan Galaxy. And one of them mysteriously disappeared because of Clinton¡­" Feeling the forge''s surging power, Pamela''s thoughts drifted to an old acquaintance. Back then, she had been willing to pay any price to borrow his Lv9 Forge, yet he had adamantly refused. That grudge had lingered in her heart for years. She had long believed she would never see a Lv9 Forge again¡ªyet now, here it was! "Clinton?" Hearing this familiar name, Alan immediately asked, "Mentor, are you talking about Clinton, the Soul Master? The one who was sealed away?" Pamela nodded, somewhat surprised. "How do you know that? This was all centuries ago." A shadow of Clinton''s figure flickered through Alan''s mind. He replied slowly: "Senator Clinton is no longer sealed. He''s now a Senatorial Advisor for Fortress." "And he''s at the same level as you¡ªAscended Rank Lv9 Peak. He could step into the Upper Plane Universe at any time." Pamela''s pupils shrank. Clinton? A Senatorial Advisor? She knew Clinton''s arrogance well. Back then, he had seen no one as his equal. Now, at the pinnacle of Ascended Rank Lv9, why would he willingly join Fortress as just an advisor? Something was off. Even if Ducal Manor was behind Fortress, that alone wouldn''t be enough to make Clinton bow his head. As Pamela pondered deeply, Alan coughed lightly. "Mentor¡­ don''t tell me you''re considering joining Fortress, too?" "The entry threshold has just been raised. When we left, even an Ascended Rank Lv9 powerhouse was told they could only enter as a mere servant." Chapter 141 - Chapter138-Amanda and Pamela’s Shock "Alan, do you even realize what you''re saying?" "An Ascended Rank Lv9 peak powerhouse¡­ how could they possibly join your Fortress as a mere servant?" Pamela''s face turned cold upon hearing Alan''s words. This once-honest and straightforward mentee of hers was becoming increasingly glib-tongued. That was a terrible habit. Moreover, an Ascended Rank Lv9 top-tier powerhouse was an unimaginably formidable existence¡ªnot someone Alan could afford to spread rumors about. If such a strong figure were to take offense, the consequences could be deadly. Top-tier powerhouses had their own dignity and were not to be provoked! Faced with Pamela''s reprimanding gaze, Alan lowered his head but still murmured softly: "Mentor, you don''t understand the power of wealth and flaunting it. Even the so-called strongest can be made to bow their heads." He had personally witnessed Fortress growing step by step into what it was today, and the driving force behind its astonishing rise was Velen. Velen''s boundless extravagance was something that simply could not be comprehended by those who hadn''t witnessed it firsthand. "Grandmaster Pamela!" Suddenly, a voice called from outside the room¡ªAmanda''s voice. "Amanda, come in!" As Pamela spoke, her eyes flicked toward the Lv9 Forge inside the room. Without hesitation, she waved her hand and stored it away in her spatial bag. "Grandmaster Pamela, we have a situation!" Amanda strode into the room. Her usually playful and charming demeanor was nowhere to be seen; her stunning face was now laced with seriousness and urgency. She was about to speak further when she noticed Alan''s presence. Pushing down her emotions, she forced a smile. "So, you must be Alan? Grandmaster Pamela has mentioned you before. She said you''re exceptionally talented, hardworking, and a promising young alchemist. Now that I see you, you do have quite the striking presence." Pamela ignored the flattery entirely and went straight to the point. "You mentioned a situation¡ªwhat do you mean?" Amanda, like Pamela, was an Alchemy Grandmaster, though her rank had only recently reached Ascended Rank Lv1. Within the Alchemist Convention, her status wasn''t as high, but in any other setting, she would be considered a powerhouse. For someone like her to be so visibly flustered, it had to be something big. Seeing that Pamela was taking her seriously, Amanda took a deep breath and quickly summarized what had just happened. A top-tier Ascended Rank spellbeast.A mysterious and extremely wealthy noble.And most shockingly¡ªa spellbeast possessing a Lv9 Forge. Listening to Amanda''s account, Alan grew increasingly certain that the mysterious person and beast she was describing were none other than Velen and the Ironback Centipede. Pamela, too, immediately connected it to what Alan had told her earlier. The mention of a Lv9 Forge, in particular, made her narrow her eyes as she turned to Alan. "Alan, does Fortress really have that many Lv9 Forges? Even a spellbeast can have one of its own?" Alan shook his head. "Not that many, actually. If you count Senator Clinton''s, Fortress only has eleven Lv9 Forges." "Eleven Lv9 Forges? Alan, now is NOT the time for jokes!" "You should know how unbelievably rare Lv9 Forges are. Even in the entire Titan Galaxy, there are only five confirmed to exist. And you''re telling me Fortress has eleven? Not even a dog would believe that!" Pamela was struggling to accept it. She knew Alan wasn''t the type to lie about something so blatantly absurd, but the Alchemist Convention, which gathered the most elite alchemists in the galaxy, didn''t even have one Lv9 Forge¡ªand Fortress had over ten? That was insane. She and many other alchemists had dedicated their entire lives dreaming of obtaining just one¡­ only to find out that Fortress had been hoarding them? "Well, isn''t this a lively gathering?" At that moment, a playful yet complex voice rang out. Amanda immediately turned toward the source and saw Velen entering the room, accompanied by Ironback Centipede. "Velen!" Alan''s face lit up with joyful relief. The pressure his mentor had just put on him had been immense¡ªbut now that Velen had arrived, the weight on his shoulders instantly lightened. "Alan, so this is your mentor? Well, what a small world¡ªwe''re all on the same side, then." Velen smiled, nodding at Alan before shifting his gaze toward Amanda. A mischievous glint flashed in his eyes. "System, Amanda sabotaged our plans earlier. Shouldn''t I take this opportunity to show off a little?" [System Response: Approved! A tycoon''s reputation is above all else!] Hearing the system''s confirmation, Velen''s grin widened. "Amanda, I never got the chance to properly thank you for passing me in the assessment earlier. Now that we''ve met again, let''s take this as fate¡ªhere, this Lv9 Forge is my gift to you!" As he spoke, Velen casually pulled a Lv9 Forge out of his spatial bag and placed it before Amanda. With a roaring burst of flames, an incredibly hot furnace appeared, illuminating the dim room with a fiery glow. The air itself seemed to grow restless. Pamela was dumbstruck. Alan''s words from earlier rang in her mind: "Mentor, you don''t understand the power of wealth and flaunting it. Even the strongest must bow before it." Back then, she hadn''t understood. But now, as she watched Velen casually hand over a Lv9 Forge, the realization hit her like a divine revelation. She finally understood those words down to her very soul. Meanwhile, Amanda was momentarily frozen. Then, in a voice suddenly soft and sweet, she spoke like a bashful girl next door: "Velen¡­ young master, t-this is too much¡­ I only passed you to help you save materials. I really don''t deserve such a precious gift¡­" Though her words expressed reluctance, her eyes were filled with pure longing, and her body instinctively leaned toward the Lv9 Forge, as if drawn by an invisible force¡ªunable to pull herself away. This was a Lv9 Forge. The ultimate pursuit of all alchemists! And now, it was hers? This was like winning the celestial lottery! Pamela, watching this unfold, felt her dignity as a grandmaster crumble. Yes, a Lv9 Forge was priceless¡ªbut she was still a representative of the Alchemist Convention! And yet, Amanda had been so easily bought?! Alan, on the other hand, had already seen too much to be surprised. He simply sighed softly. "Yet another person conquered by Velen''s wealth¡­" [System Notification: Congratulations, host! Successful wealth flaunting! +100,000 Luxury Points!] As the system''s voice rang out, Velen''s grin widened. He had only been in Inferno Planet for a short time, yet he had already accumulated over 1.1 million Luxury Points! And once the Alchemist Convention officially started, he could easily earn another million with minimal effort! sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. This rate of earning Luxury Points was ridiculously fast! "Amanda," Velen suddenly spoke, his tone playful. "If you had let me keep trying until I succeeded, I might have even gifted you a Supreme Forge with a soul." Amanda''s eyes widened. "Young Master Velen, a Supreme Forge with a soul¡­ isn''t that something only found in the Upper Plane Universe? Even there, it''s an extraordinarily rare treasure!" She didn''t believe him. But before Velen could reply, Alan stepped forward, shaking his head. "Velen never lies. The things you consider priceless treasures are probably nothing more than trinkets to him." To drive the point home, Alan raised his hand¡ªsummoning his Nine Dragons Cup. With a deafening dragon''s roar, nine legendary elemental dragons emerged, each coiled around a floating goblet, exuding an overwhelming aura that fractured the very air. Amanda and Pamela felt the immense pressure crush down on them, their faces turning pale. Their gazes were completely drawn to the nine dragons¡ªeach radiating different energies but all equally magnificent. And at the center of each dragon''s chest¡­ was a floating goblet, pulsing with a powerful essence. These dragons weren''t just entities. They were artifacts with souls! Something that should have only existed in the Upper Plane Universe¡­ Yet Alan possessed them. Chapter 142 - Chapter139-Fine Wine Glancing at the Nine Dragons Cup, which had transformed into nine dragon-shaped goblets, Pamela then turned her gaze toward Alan, who had just finished explaining the situation to her. "So, let me get this straight. Your fortress recently got a very skilled mixologist, and Velen supported you in becoming a mixologist, even giving you the Nine Dragons Cup, a treasure imbued with an artifact soul." "And in consideration of the Nine Dragons Cup, you decided to give bartending a try, only to find out that it actually suits you better?" "I didn''t misunderstand anything, did I?" Alan swallowed hard, but at this point, he had no choice but to nod firmly. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Mentor, that''s exactly how it is!" Upon receiving Alan''s confirmation, Pamela''s murderous gaze immediately locked onto Velen. She already knew from Alan that Velen was an extremely wealthy tycoon, and his tendency to flaunt his wealth had been evident in his actions. But fine, let him flaunt his wealth as much as he wanted¡ªwhy did he have to lead her treasured mentee astray? This was absolutely unacceptable! Without hesitation, Pamela decided to have a private chat with Alan. After all, he had only just become a mixologist, meaning there was still a chance to correct his path. Seeing that Pamela was suppressing her inner rage, the onlookers, not daring to further provoke this furious lioness, immediately chose to make themselves scarce. Once the others had disappeared in a flash, Pamela''s gaze once again focused on Alan. "Alan, now that there''s no one else here, tell me properly¡ªwhat''s the deal with this Velen? Why can he casually take out things as rare as an lv9 Forge and the Nine Dragons Cup like they''re nothing, without even the slightest hesitation?" Before persuading Alan, Pamela felt she needed to first understand Velen. After all, Velen was clearly no ordinary person, and even Alan held him in high regard. Most importantly, she was immensely curious about him. An lv9 Forge, given away just like that¡ªthis wasn''t something that could be explained by mere wealth. "Mentor, your keen eyes see right through everything. You noticed Velen''s extraordinariness so quickly." Alan started with a flattery before adopting a nostalgic expression. "Mentor, I could tell you about Velen''s past, but I''m afraid my heart won''t be able to take it. His way of flaunting wealth is beyond anything you or I could ever imagine." Seeing Alan''s reverence for Velen, Pamela merely let out a cold laugh. "Alan, I have braved storms and tides, experienced countless life-and-death situations, and seen more than my fair share of great upheavals. What could possibly be so shocking that I can''t handle it? Don''t make me laugh." Seeing this, Alan no longer hesitated and simply shared some of the things he knew about Velen''s extravagant ways. Pamela, on the other hand, was utterly dumbfounded. Raising a rabbit with an untainted, flawless body that also possessed the aura of the underworld while helping everyone in the fortress refine their souls. Collecting rare Starry Stones just to craft toilets. Using an lv9 Forge as a crematory furnace for waste disposal. ¡­ Every single thing Alan mentioned sent waves of shock through Pamela, completely upending her worldview and values. She even felt a deep sense of pain, like she was suffocating. This Velen was simply too extravagant. It wasn''t just about wasting resources¡ªit was wastefulness beyond anything she had ever heard of! "Alan, is it really possible to use Amethyst Stones for incense?" After finally managing to calm the turmoil in her heart, Pamela suddenly turned to Alan and asked. Alan looked up at her and grinned. "Mentor, want to try it?" As he spoke, Alan took out some Amethyst Stones from his pocket. These Amethyst Stones were originally given by Velen to everyone in the fortress to experience their fragrance. Alan had only used one before, keeping the other. Amethyst Stones! Seeing the tightly gripped purple crystals in Alan''s hands, Pamela''s pupils shrank. Amethyst Stones were incredibly precious treasures. Even as a top-tier Ascended Rank lv9 powerhouse, she had rarely seen them. Yet now, such a priceless Amethyst Stone was about to be crushed and burned as incense. Her heart couldn''t help but waver. Alan, however, immediately saw through her thoughts and spoke seriously. "Mentor, just use it without worry. It''s just an Amethyst Stone. Back then, Velen didn''t hesitate to use them as incense for that little white rabbit." Hearing this, Pamela finally made up her mind. She had worked tirelessly all her life¡ªcouldn''t she enjoy something for once? Even that damned rabbit had been allowed to burn Amethyst Stones as incense. If she were to experience it herself, would that really be so wrong? On the contrary, hesitating over this made her feel as if she were the one who had never seen true luxury. Purple mist swirled through the air, exuding an intoxicating fragrance. As the violet fog surrounded her, Pamela half-closed her eyes, completely immersed in the dual pleasure of both soul and body. "So, this is the kind of indulgence that tycoon Velen enjoys? The sensation is truly unique¡­" Pamela murmured softly. Not only had she never known that Amethyst Stones could be used in this way, but even if she had, she wouldn''t have had the right ones on hand. Now, with Alan''s help, as she experienced this luxury firsthand, she suddenly realized¡ªhadn''t she been living a miserable life all this time? Meanwhile. On Inferno Planet, Velen had found a nearby luxury hotel to stay in and was now turning his attention to today''s special item. He had been too busy to inspect it earlier, but now he finally had the time. Today''s Special Item: Lafite Vintage (One Bottle). Lafite Vintage: The finest wine in the current dimension, aged for over a thousand years. Its texture resembles a red elixir, and its flavor is rich and unparalleled. Though it has no special effects, its supreme taste ensures that anyone who drinks it will never forget it. After tasting it, all other wines will seem bland and flavorless. After reading the description of Lafite Vintage, Velen was stunned. Although this Lafite Vintage had no magical properties, it was exceptionally delicious. It could even be considered the ultimate wine for making someone quit drinking! The problem was, it was so good that he didn''t even dare to take a sip. Because the moment he did, it would strip all other wines of their charm forever. From then on, he would only crave fine wines and nothing else. The side effects of such supreme flavor were simply too overwhelming. Velen wasn''t sure he could handle it. After a brief moment of contemplation, he turned his gaze to the Ironback Centipede, who didn''t drink alcohol. "Iron Cub, come over here¡ªI''ve got something good for you!" Bang, bang! A knock at the door interrupted Pamela and Alan, who were still enjoying the Amethyst Stone incense. They looked up in surprise, only to see the Ironback Centipede walking in, carrying a basin filled with an intensely fragrant liquid. Even from a distance, the rich aroma of the wine was intoxicating. "Alan, Velen asked me to bring this over. It''s for washing up. He also specifically told me to remind you¡ªthis water is only for bathing. If you dare to drink even a single sip, you will suffer an unbearable fate!" With that, the Ironback Centipede placed the basin in front of Alan before turning to Pamela. "Pamela, your specially prepared bathwater will be delivered shortly." As he spoke, he turned to leave. The moment he was gone, Pamela and Alan couldn''t help but take a deep breath. The rich aroma of the wine was like a devil''s temptation, making them crave it more and more. Their eyes were locked onto the pale red liquid in the basin, filled with greed and desire. Had the Ironback Centipede not warned them, they might have already taken a sip. The scent was simply too alluring. The more they smelled it, the more addictive it became¡ªa vicious cycle of temptation. Sensing the danger, Alan bit his tongue to force himself awake. "Mentor, Velen has never warned us like this before. There''s something seriously wrong with this stuff¡ªwe need to be extremely careful!" Soon after, the Ironback Centipede returned with Pamela''s bathwater as well. "Iron Cub, what kind of wine did you put in this water? Why does it smell so incredible?" Alan couldn''t help but ask. Chapter 143 - Chapter140-Divine Alchemy Trial Card "You all don''t know, but our Lord has started flaunting his wealth again. I don''t drink alcohol, but considering that this is something our Lord has taken out, you should know how valuable it is!" "Moreover, the richness of this liquor''s taste is as if it has been aged for thousands of years. A wine of this age and quality is probably rare throughout the entire galaxy!" Ironback Centipede glanced at the two of them and then left the room. Upon hearing this, Pamela, who had been previously immersed in the scent of the Amethyst Stone incense, took a deep breath and then attempted to dip her delicate feet into the basin. Her snow-white feet were submerged in the thick, blood-red liquor, bringing not only a unique sensation, as if weightless cotton was gently licking her feet, but also a rising aroma of alcohol that stimulated her skin. Her spirit was instantly invigorated! So comfortable! This Velen is truly a super tycoon! Such an exquisite wine, wasted just like that! Living with Velen really is the epitome of happiness! At this moment, she finally understood why so many people were eager to enter the fortress. Because even she was tempted! With that thought, Pamela immediately looked at Alan and smiled softly, saying: "Alan, I am your mentor after all, and also an alchemy master. Can you help me join the fortress? You''ve been in the fortress for so long, you must have some connections, right?" Alan sighed. He had known that once Mentor Pamela truly understood Velen, she would definitely try to find a way to join the fortress. But he hadn''t expected this day to come so soon. "Mentor, it''s not that I don''t want to help you. As I told you before, the fortress now has extremely high entry requirements. Even a top-tier Ascended Rank level 9 expert can only serve as a servant. The Lord is very strict about who gets in." Pamela''s eyes flickered as she lightly bit her red lips and said, "How about I enter as a servant?" Although being a servant was somewhat humiliating, she understood that the fortress was filled with powerful figures, and they wouldn''t really need her to do much. Being a servant was probably just a nominal title. Besides, when Velen flaunts his wealth, even as a servant, she would likely get a share! That was an immense benefit. Reputation was a small price to pay. Alan was genuinely shocked. He never expected Mentor Pamela to go to such lengths just to join the fortress. He coughed lightly and said: "Mentor, the fortress is not the same as you imagine. Even though I received the Nine Dragons Cup from Velen, I''m still practically invisible there." "If you really want to join the fortress, it all depends on Velen''s approval. Even the Lord himself sometimes has to listen to Velen." Naturally, Alan hoped Mentor Pamela could join the fortress. After all, he had received immense benefits there. He also knew how generous Velen was¡ªhe provided all kinds of resources, even if his actions were sometimes a bit eccentric. But those were just minor details. Hearing this, Pamela understood and nodded slightly. "So, as long as I get Velen''s approval, I can most likely enter the fortress?" Alan nodded. "Pretty much. In the fortress, Velen is second only to one, and above all others!" Upon hearing this, Pamela''s slightly flushed cheeks revealed a confident smile. "Alright, don''t worry. Leave this to me. I''ll make sure he is thoroughly impressed and agrees to let me join the fortress." Make Velen thoroughly impressed? Seeing that Pamela seemed to have made some kind of difficult decision, Alan swallowed and said softly: "Mentor, I have to remind you¡ªVelen likes the Lord. That''s an open secret in the fortress¡­" Pamela punched Alan on the head. "What are you saying? That''s not what I meant. I mean, at tomorrow''s Alchemist Convention, I will make him the champion!" Alan''s pupils shrank. My god, is my mentor, who always prioritizes fairness, really going to rig the competition? "Not bad, not bad. Soaking in this fine wine feels great. It even leaves a lasting fragrance!" Lying in the bathtub, Velen was completely relaxed, his skin slightly flushed, perfectly complementing the red wine-infused bathwater. The entire bathroom was filled with rising steam, thoroughly infused with the rich aroma of wine. The scent was so enticing, it was as if it had an irresistible pull, tempting Velen to take a sip. But Velen firmly resisted¡ªthis was not meant for drinking! After all, this was a precious red wine aged for thousands of years, incredibly rare across the galaxies. If he drank it, he might never get another bottle like this again. "Congratulations, host! Successful flaunting detected. Reward: 1,000 luxury points. Bonus: 9,999 bottles of Lafite red wine." The system notification suddenly rang out. Velen was momentarily stunned but quickly snapped back to reality. Damn! S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It''s like whatever I wish for just falls into my lap! Time passed swiftly. Early the next morning, before the sky fully brightened, Velen got up. Unlike usual, he didn''t sleep in¡ªafter all, today was the official start of the Alchemist Convention. One million luxury points were within his grasp! On the way to the event, Velen took a look at the special item of the day. Today''s Special Item: Divine Alchemy Trial Card. Can be used on anyone. The target will gain complete experience and techniques for crafting one god-rank potion for 24 hours. Holy crap! Velen''s eyelid twitched. The system even has something like this?! It must be known that a potion qualified to be called a god-rank potion is beyond the ability of even master alchemists to create! Whenever one appears, it causes grand celestial phenomena! In the lower plane universe, god-rank potions exist only in ancient legends. Even in the upper plane universe, they are extremely rare! This item was undeniably amazing. The only question was¡­ how to flaunt it best? This convention was filled with alchemists, making it the perfect place for a grand display of wealth. He had to plan carefully. "If I simply craft a god-rank potion, that would be too boring." "But what if I use this Divine Alchemy Trial Card, craft a god-rank potion in front of countless alchemists, and then stomp it into dust? I wonder if their hearts would shatter along with it?" Velen felt that this was a fantastic idea for flaunting wealth! After all, he could craft a god-rank potion, but he wouldn''t even use it¡ªjust for fun! "This action qualifies as flaunting wealth. If the host truly does this, an additional one million luxury points will be awarded!" Hearing this, Velen was momentarily surprised, but he quickly understood. This time, the flaunting opportunity was different. This was the Alchemist Convention, gathering countless alchemists¡ªa chance to make a grand spectacle. Of course, he knew that if he really did this, he would likely become the sworn enemy of all alchemists. The system''s extra reward was probably compensation for that. But regardless, this was two million luxury points! As for others'' opinions¡­ he''d just treat them like NPCs. He should be able to handle this dimensional attack just fine! Shortly after. Inside the Alchemy Masters Headquarters'' guest rooms, Velen suddenly heard a knock on the door. Opening it, he saw Alan standing there with carefully prepared dishes and fine wine. "Velen, the Alchemist Convention is about to start in the central plaza. I can''t do much to help, but at least have a good breakfast before you go." "But don''t worry. My mentor already knows you''re participating. No matter what level of the Alchemist Convention you compete in, she has arranged a place for you. You don''t have to worry." Hearing this, Velen was stunned. He hadn''t expected that mentor to pull strings for him. Being nice for no reason¡­ definitely suspicious! But whether or not she helped didn''t matter. After all, he had the Divine Alchemy Trial Card. To the other alchemists here, he was simply on another level. Shortly after finishing breakfast, Velen, led by Alan, arrived at the plaza in front of the headquarters. By this time, the area was already packed with alchemists of various ranks, each finding a designated spot to sit. Velen scanned the surroundings and noticed that the entire plaza was divided into nine distinct sections. The Tier-1 section, the lowest-ranked, occupied the largest area and had the highest number of participants. Chapter 144 - Chapter141-Preparations Before the Convention Begins The Tier-9 alchemists'' section had the fewest people and the smallest area. After all, at Tier-9, one already held a prestigious position across the various star systems. Velen scanned the lively surroundings, and an idea struck him. Without hesitation, he activated the Divine Alchemy Trial Card. "Activation successful. Randomly selecting a potion¡ªTier-9 Level UP Potion!" "Tier-9 Level UP Potion: The ultimate elixir for Ascended Rank Awakeners. Upon consumption, the user can completely ignore the tribulation of thunder and directly advance to the next level. If the user has already reached Ascended Rank Level 9, they can ascend directly to the Upper Plane Universe. The most powerful alchemy potion in the Lower Plane Universe!" As expected of the greatest alchemical potion of the Lower Plane Universe! Just reading the description alone, Velen felt how incredibly broken this potion was! For Ascended Rank Awakeners, advancing even a single level was an immense challenge, often taking decades or even centuries! Worse still, each advancement triggered a baptism of lightning, where countless bolts of thunder would descend, tearing through the void as if doomsday had arrived. For Ascended Rank Awakeners, this was akin to stepping half a foot into the grave! Yet, by consuming this potion, one could completely bypass the lightning tribulation and ascend instantly! Unbelievable! If such a potion were to appear publicly, Ascended Rank Awakeners from all major factions would undoubtedly go mad in their pursuit of it. After all, ascending to the Upper Plane Universe was the lifelong obsession of all Ascended Rank Awakeners. "System, can this kind of potion be obtained through the prize wheel?" Velen asked. A potion like this was immensely powerful. If he could acquire more of them, his future ascension to the Upper Plane Universe would be much easier. "The prize wheel can grant any possible reward, including this potion. However, the higher the quality of the item, the lower the probability of obtaining it." Hearing the system''s response, Velen became even more excited. This system was truly overpowered¡ªit even allowed him to acquire such divine potions through a lottery! However, noting the mention of probability, Velen asked: "What''s the approximate chance of drawing this potion?" "If selecting a Tier-1 Level UP Potion, the probability drops by 9%. The higher the potion''s tier, the lower the probability. For a god-rank Level UP Potion, the probability drops to 1%." 1% probability! That might seem low, but for someone like Velen, who was accustomed to gambling mechanics, loot boxes, and prize wheels, it wasn''t a big deal at all. After all, he had seen probabilities as low as 1 in 1,000 or even 1 in 10,000. A 1% chance? That was easy. As long as he kept spinning the wheel, he would eventually hit the jackpot. And since each spin only cost 100 luxury points, even 100 spins would only cost 10,000 luxury points¡ªa small price to pay. Right now, he had a ton of luxury points, more than enough to spend recklessly for a while. "But it''s too early to think about all that now," Velen muttered, shaking his head. If he wanted everyone in the fortress to ascend to the Upper Plane Universe, they first needed to reach Ascended Rank. This was something that couldn''t be rushed. "Still, this Divine Alchemy Trial Card is truly insane!" Snapping back to reality, Velen remained amazed at the power of the trial card. After using it, he instantly became a god-rank alchemist in the field of Tier-9 Level UP Potion crafting for the next 24 hours! Every single detail about the potion''s materials, refining techniques, and formulas was now engraved in his mind. With a confident smile, Velen strode towards the Tier-9 Alchemist Section, the most prestigious area. From what he could see, only five individuals occupied the Tier-9 section. All of them were elderly, their expressions arrogant, exuding an unapproachable air. As Velen entered the section, numerous gazes immediately fell upon him. "Who is this guy? Why does he look so unfamiliar? Is he really a Tier-9 Alchemist? I''ve never heard of him." "He looks too young! Do you really think advancing in alchemy is that easy?" "Tch, just another attention-seeker trying to act impressive. Just like those frauds who chase empty fame. Pathetic!" "Exactly. At his age, there''s no way he''s a Tier-9 Alchemist. He''s just here to show off. But he picked the wrong place¡ªthis is the Alchemist Convention! He''ll be kicked out soon enough." Many whispered and sneered, their expressions filled with mockery. At every Alchemist Convention, strange incidents always occurred. After all, this grand event was seen as an opportunity for many to gain fame. To them, this was nothing new. However, minutes passed, yet no staff came to remove Velen. The young man, who had so boldly entered the Tier-9 Alchemist Section, stood unbothered, an outlier among the aged alchemists. And yet, strangely¡­ he didn''t seem out of place. "Could we have misjudged him?" If he were not a Tier-9 Alchemist, the convention staff would have immediately expelled him. But if he was, then that meant he was likely an Ascended Rank powerhouse as well! The mockery on the faces of the surrounding spectators quickly faded, replaced by respect and awe. After all, Tier-9 Alchemists were incredibly rare, and Ascended Rank Awakeners were even more terrifying. Velen looked young, but in reality, he could very well be an ancient monster who had lived for countless years. For an Ascended Rank powerhouse, maintaining a youthful appearance was trivial. Even though his aura didn''t seem overwhelmingly strong, there was always the possibility that he was deliberately concealing his strength¡ªa hidden expert playing the fool. At that moment, on the judging panel... "Master Alchemist Pamela, why did Velen walk into the Tier-9 section? Judging by his performance yesterday, I was already worried he might rank last in Tier-1!" S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Amanda rubbed her temples in frustration as she turned to Pamela, who was seated nearby. Even Pamela, who had placed so much faith in Velen, was starting to think that he was being too reckless. Of all places to go, he walked into the Tier-9 section¡ªright under the scrutiny of the most elite alchemists. Unlike other sections, the Tier-9 Alchemists were all highly accomplished and well-connected figures. Trying to pull strings to get a spot in their domain was practically impossible. And yet, yesterday, Pamela had boldly declared that Velen would take first place in order to join the fortress. Of course, her words came with a condition¡ªshe had only expected him to compete against Tier-6 Alchemists at most. Never in her wildest dreams did she think Velen would aim for the top tier! Now that he had, there was no way for her to interfere. Any attempt to intervene would immediately expose her bias. Meanwhile, not far behind Pamela, Alan also watched as Velen stepped into the Tier-9 section. Unlike Pamela, Alan was unfazed. To him, Velen always stood at the center of attention, no matter where he went. "If Velen is entering a competition, he''s here to take the championship." Even though Alan had no idea what Velen was planning, his instincts told him to start mourning for the other competitors. After all, with Velen''s tycoon-level antics, his participation in the Alchemist Convention would undoubtedly shatter countless worldviews. "Everyone, the Alchemist Convention officially begins today!" Chapter 145 - Chapter142-The Cataclysmic Phenomenon "First, Tier-1 alchemists, please prepare yourselves. The winner will be determined based on the potion you concoct!" Seated at the judges'' table, Pamela swept her gaze across the participants before focusing on the Tier-1 section. Although the number of Tier-1 awakeners was relatively small, around one hundred or so, they were all top talents. Anyone who could pass the entrance test had already proven they were close to breaking into the second tier¡ªmaking them absolute dominators at the Tier-1 level! As Pamela''s voice fell, the Tier-1 alchemists became energized, eagerly preparing their concoctions in hopes of making a name for themselves in the Titan Galaxy through this Alchemist Convention! An Hour Later With Pamela''s announcement, the Tier-2 alchemists began their competition. ¡­ The tournament continued, with each tier competing one after another. It wasn''t until dusk that the battles for Tier-1 through Tier-8 alchemists came to a preliminary conclusion. Although the convention was a long-running event, the competition became progressively more intense as higher-tier alchemists entered the fray. Their concoctions were vastly superior in quality, technique, and effectiveness, making their duels even more captivating to watch! At this moment, the audience''s excitement was at its peak. Because now¡ªit was time for the Tier-9 alchemists to compete! For many spectators who had traveled across entire galaxies to witness this event, the Tier-9 battles were the true highlight! At this level, the potions being crafted wielded immense power¡ªsimply watching the process was already an incredible feast for the senses. "Next up, the Tier-9 alchemist showdown¡­ begins now!" Pamela, sensing the crowd''s boiling enthusiasm, wasted no time and announced the start of the final tier. As her words fell, the audience erupted into a fervor of excited chatter. "That elder over there¡ªis he the Sleep God? He''s been sleeping since morning, completely unfazed. That level of composure¡­ truly worthy of a Tier-9 awakener!" "Hah! That''s nothing! Look at that elder over there¡ªpretending to nap, but his hands haven''t stopped moving. A textbook example of ''old man pushing the cart''¡ªstill in his prime!" "Dude, is this really the time for such jokes? The Tier-9 battle is about to begin!" The discussions grew more wild¡ªsome lighthearted, some serious. Certain women pretended not to understand, but their ears were already blushing red. Still, most of the audience focused intently on the renowned Tier-9 alchemists. At this moment, a gold-haired elder with a red neck flipped his palm, summoning an exquisitely pure mana-elemental flame. This fire was composed entirely of raw mana essence, its temperature so scorching that the surrounding crystalline air instantly evaporated, forming swirling white mist that dissipated into nothingness. "Pure mana-elemental fire! Such an astonishing level of soul control! With a flame like that, burning medicinal ingredients won''t degrade their potency but instead accelerate their fusion!" The audience gasped in awe. Many had only heard rumors of such a technique, but seeing it firsthand was a once-in-a-lifetime experience! Seeing the other elders start their preparations, Velen smirked¡ªnot willing to be left behind. "System, randomly extract all necessary ingredients for crafting the Level UP Potion¡ªuntil I have everything I need!" Although he had the knowledge and techniques from the Divine Alchemy Trial Card, he still lacked the materials. However, just as he finished speaking, the system replied: "All materials for the Alchemist Convention have been provided by the system and are stored in your system space. You can retrieve them at will¡ªno additional extraction needed." Velen''s lips curled into a grin. This was an unexpected bonus. Without hesitation, he retrieved the Level 9 Forge from his storage and took out the first ingredient¡ªa rare Lingzhi mushroom¡ªfrom the system space. Meanwhile, Pamela and Amanda, who had been secretly observing Velen, swallowed hard. His wealth-flaunting antics were about to begin again! Just as they had this thought, they suddenly noticed something off. This time¡­ something was different. Unlike his previous displays of reckless extravagance, Velen was methodically adding various rare ingredients into the forge¡ªeach one distinct from the last. He wasn''t burning them into ash like before. Instead, with incredible precision, he controlled the temperature to refine them perfectly. "Wait¡­ is he actually preparing for alchemy?!" Pamela and Amanda exchanged glances, both seeing the same shock in each other''s eyes. "What the hell?! How is he controlling the Level 9 Forge so effortlessly? Refining so many ingredients at once, with complete precision¡ªhis control is even stronger than mine!" "And look at those materials! Each one is rarer than the last! Even if I sold everything I''ve accumulated over the years, I could barely afford a fraction of what he''s using! What kind of potion is he trying to create?!" The more they watched, the more shaken they became. Right now, Velen felt like an entirely different person. To the average audience member, however, Velen''s actions looked absurd. "Is this guy joking? He''s just tossing ingredients into the forge randomly¡ªthis is alchemy?" "Maybe his legs are cold, and he''s just using the fire to warm them up." "I was actually impressed when he took out that Level 9 Forge¡­ but this? Any idiot could do it!" For ordinary spectators, Velen''s refined technique was completely incomprehensible. Even low-tier alchemists struggled to understand what was happening. But for Tier-6 and above alchemists, Velen''s actions were beyond extraordinary. They stared breathlessly, their eyes locked onto his every move. This technique¡­ This effortless mastery¡­ This was exactly how they dreamed of performing alchemy! Yet now, it was happening right in front of them¡ªby Velen''s hands. "What the hell is going on?" S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Why is his fire control so perfect? Why can he refine so many ingredients at once without a single mistake?" Countless questions flooded their minds. Meanwhile, behind Pamela, Alan stood utterly stunned. He had suspected Velen had some hidden trump card¡ªafter all, someone as absurdly wealthy as him wouldn''t join the convention without a reason. But he never expected that Velen was actually skilled! This technique¡­ this level of mastery¡­ Even if he were a hundred times better, he wouldn''t be qualified to carry Velen''s shoes! "What the hell is going on? Wasn''t he supposed to be here just to flaunt his wealth? Why is he actually crafting a real potion?! Did the sun rise from the west today?!" RUMBLE! Before the crowd could recover from their shock, a deafening clap of thunder exploded in the sky! In Velen''s hands, the ingredients danced like flowing water, swirling in the forge. Then¡ªBOOM!¡ªwith an earth-shaking roar, the ingredients merged into one. The entire audience was startled by the sudden thunderclap. Looking up, they saw that the sky had already turned dark, dense clouds rolling in. A terrifying pressure descended, making the ground itself tremble ever so slightly. "This is¡­ a celestial anomaly?!" "And not just any anomaly¡ªit''s a catastrophic phenomenon, ready to destroy the potion!" "How many years has it been since we last saw something like this?" The alchemists were shocked beyond words. To them, this was proof of a god-rank potion''s birth! But what left them truly speechless was that the one who had triggered this terrifying anomaly¡­ Was Velen¡ªthe seemingly young, mysterious alchemist. "I knew it! This guy is no ordinary person¡ªhe actually crafted a god-rank potion!" The audience abandoned all distractions, their eyes locked onto the sky above. For many, this was the first time they had ever witnessed a celestial catastrophe. At this moment, they became witnesses to history. Chapter 146 - Chapter143-God Rank Potion, Complete! "A Destruction Phenomenon¡ªonly the birth of a god rank potion could cause such a sight. Why should I even continue making potions?" A Tier-9 alchemist standing beside Velen slapped himself in disbelief. He no longer cared about the ingredients simmering in his furnace; instead, his entire focus was now on Velen. As a Tier-9 alchemist, he was always treated with the highest respect wherever he went. Yet, to them, life was incomplete without attaining the rank of alchemy master and successfully creating a god rank potion. Now, witnessing the birth of a god rank potion before their very eyes, all thoughts of becoming an alchemy master faded away. The other Tier-9 alchemists present reacted the same way. They abandoned their half-finished potions entirely, fixating their attention on the storm clouds gathering in the sky. They knew¡ªno matter how exceptionally they performed today, even if they crafted the finest potion of their lifetime¡ªit would be utterly insignificant before a god rank potion. So rather than waste their time on their own inevitably inferior potions, they chose to devote their attention to this once-in-a-lifetime spectacle. If they could learn even the slightest insight from this, they would consider their lives complete. At the Judges'' Table Pamela and Amanda stood abruptly from their seats, their expressions frozen in shock. They still didn''t know what kind of god rank potion Velen had crafted, nor whether it could withstand the devastating lightning of destruction. But one thing was certain¡ªVelen had proven that god rank potions were real. And he had actually made one. This was an unprecedented achievement in the history of alchemy. Regardless of the final outcome, Velen had already made history. The God of Alchemy. In that moment, they instinctively gave him this title. For someone capable of crafting a god rank potion, Velen was undoubtedly worthy of it. They were also certain that the moment the god rank potion was revealed, every alchemist present would begin worshiping Velen. Anyone who dared to lay a hand on him would be seen as attacking all alchemists¡ªa death wish. "My god, what exactly is Velen trying to do?" S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Alan was so stunned that he could barely form words. He had never imagined that Velen''s alchemy skills had reached such terrifying heights¡ªthat he could actually create a god rank potion! Beside him, millions of spectators and alchemists fell into a state of fervent reverence. After all, today, they had personally witnessed the birth of a god rank potion. Under the gaze of countless eyes, the liquid inside the LV9 Forge began to surge, seemingly developing a consciousness of its own. It trembled violently, occasionally taking the form of a spellbeast, then shifting into a humanoid shape, constantly transforming with an aura of unfathomable mystery. Then, as the potion gradually stabilized, it attempted to break free from the LV9 Forge, slamming against its hardened walls with deep, resonating thuds. The Potion Emerges Velen immediately understood¡ªthe potion was complete. Without hesitation, he flipped open the furnace lid, allowing the divine-level Level-Up Potion to emerge from the flames. As the potion soared out, a searing heatwave radiated outward, spreading across the entire square. The moisture in the air instantly evaporated, leaving behind an arid atmosphere that made everyone break out in sweat. But more than that, an overwhelming aroma surged forth from the potion. Simply inhaling a whiff of its scent caused mana within their bodies to boil, and many who had been stuck at bottlenecks felt their levels begin to loosen! What truly shocked them, however, was that seven-colored divine light began swirling around the potion, making it hover with an almost celestial presence, instilling an innate sense of reverence in their very bones. A god rank potion. A god rank potion had been completed. At that moment, countless alchemists turned red with excitement, some nearly fainting from sheer exhilaration. This legendary potion had truly come into existence! "Why hasn''t he stored it away yet? The destruction lightning is about to strike!" "Yeah, he needs to store it properly! If it''s not carefully protected, the lightning will destroy it!" "After all, a god rank potion has finally appeared¡ªif it can endure the destruction lightning, Velen will undoubtedly become a legend across the galaxies!" A wave of confusion and urgency swept over the crowd. If they were in Velen''s position, they would have immediately secured the god rank potion before devising a way to deal with the impending divine lightning. Velen''s calm and unhurried demeanor left them restless. But before they could voice their concerns further¡ª They suddenly realized something odd. The destruction lightning, which had been brewing in the sky, continued to churn¡ªbut it did not fall. This was completely different from historical records. Whenever a god rank potion was completed, the destruction lightning would descend instantly, never hesitating. Yet, even though the god rank potion had fully emerged, the lightning still had not struck. Why Was the Lightning Hesitating? Even Velen himself was puzzled. While the destruction lightning was indeed terrifying, he was now a god-level alchemist. He had full confidence that he could withstand it. But for some reason, the lightning refused to descend. "My lord, I believe the lightning is sensing your presence. Perhaps if you move farther away from the god rank potion, it will fall." Ironback Centipede suddenly sent Velen a telepathic message. Having spent a great deal of time with Velen, he recalled that both the red-haired one-eyed man and Victor-1 had previously intimidated this world''s will. The will of this realm must still be afraid of Velen. Even if it wanted to destroy the god rank potion, it dared not attack Velen directly¡ªfor fear of angering an unfathomable force. Velen immediately understood. It seemed that the Tycoon Guard had left an overwhelmingly deep psychological shadow on this world''s will. The lightning simply did not dare to strike. But for the potion to be truly perfect, it had to endure the divine lightning. Without hesitation, Velen backed away from the potion. As he distanced himself, the lightning churned more violently, confirming his theory. 100 meters. As soon as Velen had retreated 100 meters, the fully charged lightning finally struck down. The sky split apart with a deafening roar, enveloping the world in a blinding white light. The Final Test Velen squinted slightly, remarking, "This realm is really being extra cautious¡­." As soon as he spoke, the divine-level Level-Up Potion¡ªnow possessing its own instincts¡ªcharged head-on toward the falling lightning, showing no fear whatsoever. As the two forces neared impact, every alchemist in the area instinctively held their breath, plunging the arena into an eerie silence. Their hearts pounded in unison. Hold on! It must hold on! Then¡ª BOOM! The divine lightning struck the god rank potion, unleashing an earth-shattering explosion. For a moment, the world seemed to vanish into blinding white light. Silence followed. When the light finally faded¡ª The god rank potion remained, untouched, hovering in the air. Divine liquid continued to flow, now flickering with arcs of divine lightning. It had survived. It had endured. At that moment, thousands of alchemists wept tears of joy. "A god rank potion will be forever recorded in history! And we are its witnesses!" "Seeing this moment with my own eyes¡­ this is the greatest achievement of my life!" Cheers erupted across the world. Chapter 147 - Chapter144-Prejudice in the Heart The sky crackled with flickering lightning as the god rank potion silently flowed in the void. On the judges'' panel, countless alchemists stared at the scene with fanatical expressions. They were among the best in the field of alchemy, yet they knew they were still tens of thousands of miles away from being able to craft a god rank potion themselves. But now, having witnessed the entire process of its creation firsthand, they felt that if they ever got the chance to attempt a god rank potion, they would have a significantly better grasp of it than others! "This is insane!" "Absolutely mind-blowing!" Alan couldn''t help but exclaim in excitement. "I always thought Velen was just a rich tycoon¡ªnothing more than a man with money and no other skills. Turns out, I was thinking way too small!" "He''s not just a tycoon¡ªhe''s been hiding his true abilities too deeply! We were all fooled by him, played right into his hands!" "From now on, if anyone dares say Velen is just a tycoon, I''ll slap them across the face!" Beside him, Pamela and Amanda nodded in strong agreement. "The birth of a god rank potion¡ªit''s enough to make one''s blood boil! I never thought, as a writer of hot-blooded manga, I would ever feel my scalp tingle with excitement like this!" At this moment, many people''s attention shifted from the god rank potion to Velen himself. Compared to the potion, they were even more curious¡ªwho was this man capable of creating a god rank potion? Before, they had thought Velen was just a young show-off, coming here merely to seek attention. Now, they realized¡ªthe real clowns were themselves! This man was nothing less than a true god of alchemy! "Alchemy God, I love you! I want to bear your children!" A feverish female voice suddenly shouted from the crowd, her face flushed but her eyes filled with fervent passion. As soon as she spoke, the other alchemists immediately followed suit, roaring in unison: "Alchemy God! You are the eternal legend!" "In the entire Lower Plane Universe, only someone who can craft a god rank potion deserves to be called a god!" At this moment, no one had any objections to calling Velen the God of Alchemy. He was undisputedly the number one. A wave of frenzied, ecstatic voices soared into the sky, turning the scene into something akin to a crazed fan convention. Velen alone had become the absolute center of attention. The undeniable star of this year''s Alchemist Convention! The Ultimate Display of Wealth Feeling the countless burning gazes on him, Velen took a deep breath and made a decision. "There is no better time to flaunt wealth than when all eyes are on you!" With this thought flashing through his mind, Velen pulled out a glass bottle, sucked the god rank potion into it¡­ and then¡ª He hurled it onto the ground, shattering it into countless fragments¡ªbefore stomping on the spilled potion mercilessly! Silence. A deathly silence. It was as if time had frozen at this very moment. Every single person watching Velen stood there, completely dumbfounded. Had they become too overwhelmed, to the point of hallucinating? Did they just witness a god rank potion¡ªbeing smashed onto the ground and stomped into oblivion?! This was a god rank potion! Something so priceless and sacred that it could not be cherished enough! And yet, Velen destroyed it so casually, with an arrogance and wastefulness that was simply... inhuman! On the judges'' panel, Pamela, Alan, and the others were completely dumbstruck. It felt like their hearts had shattered into pieces, just like the potion on the ground. Alan had always known that Velen was an extravagant tycoon, but he had never imagined that he would be so utterly indifferent to a god rank potion. Much less that he would waste it so openly, right before the eyes of thousands of alchemists! System Notifications & Velen''s Delight "Congratulations, host! Successfully showcased wealth through a special item today! You have earned 1,000 luxury points!" "Congratulations, host! You have completed the Alchemist Convention mission! You have earned 1,000,000 luxury points! Bonus reward: an additional 1,000,000 luxury points!" As the system notifications kept chiming, a bright smile bloomed on Velen''s face. "Not bad, not bad! What a jackpot!" But while Velen was grinning ear to ear, the countless alchemists had already snapped out of their shock¡ªand now they were glaring at him with furious, bloodshot eyes! This man¡­ was the greatest disgrace in alchemy! He had just trampled on their lifelong dream¡ªright before their very eyes! Even the most mild-tempered alchemists felt their anger surge to the boiling point, rolling up their sleeves, ready to pummel this heretic to the ground. "That bastard! Nobody stop me today¡ªI swear I''ll beat him so hard his own mother won''t recognize him! How dare he trample on my dream like that?!" "What''s the point of striving for alchemy now, if a god rank potion can just be destroyed like this?" In an instant, the crowd was seething with rage! Velen''s actions had thoroughly incited their fury, making them want nothing more than to grind him into dust. Yet, as Velen gazed at the enraged masses, he remained perfectly calm and composed¡ªin fact, he even regretted that there weren''t more people present. If the audience had been larger, perhaps the system would have awarded him even more luxury points! Breakthroughs Amidst Fury But then¡ª A surge of powerful mental energy erupted from within the furious crowd. Several alchemists, who had long been trapped in bottlenecks, suddenly broke through in their fury! Not only that, but many more alchemists, caught in their intense rage, felt their levels rapidly ascending! Pamela''s Unexpected Defense Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Everyone, please calm down!" Seeing that the enraged alchemists were about to attack Velen, Pamela unleashed a powerful aura, temporarily suppressing their emotions. With her high status among alchemists, many people fell silent and turned to her. "Has no one noticed? Velen''s actions were actually meant to guide and help you!" "You have all been too obsessed¡ªpursuing absolute perfection in alchemy. While this is admirable, it has also become a shackle on your hearts." "Velen''s act of destroying the god rank potion so indifferently was meant to teach you a lesson!" "He was helping you break your mental constraints! So what if he''s a god-level alchemist? So what if this is a god rank potion? In the end, these things are merely external objects!" "You have misunderstood Velen!" As Pamela''s words spread through the crowd, many alchemists fell into deep contemplation. Velen, on the other hand, was completely dumbfounded. "What the hell?!" "I was just trying to show off my wealth! I wasn''t trying to teach them anything!" Yet, somehow, Pamela had turned him into a wise, selfless master who sacrificed god rank potions for the greater good. "I am a tycoon! A super tycoon, damn it!" But as he turned to Pamela, ready to clear up the misunderstanding, he saw her solemn, unwavering gaze. At that moment, he swallowed his words. A Legend is Born "Velen, you are truly the God of Alchemy! Your wisdom, your virtue¡ªyou are our role model!" "Alchemy God! You have taught me that the true barriers lie within ourselves! If you ever need anything, I will follow you to the ends of the earth!" "Alchemy God!" "Alchemy God!" Cheers erupted once again. Velen looked at the grateful, awe-filled faces around him¡ªand felt utterly miserable. He just wanted to flex his wealth! How did he end up becoming a goddamn legend?! They''re actually grateful to me? This isn''t right! What Velen wanted was a legendary moment of pure arrogance, a scene where everyone was so infuriated that they gritted their teeth in frustration¡ªyet utterly powerless to do anything about it. "Sigh¡­ Velen really is a hidden master. We completely misjudged him before. The prejudice in our hearts truly is like a towering mountain." Chapter 148 - Chapter145-Soil Contaminated with God Rank Potion This time, the Alchemist Convention gathered many alchemists of varying ranks. After Pamela''s speech, many were deeply moved. Some quick-reacting alchemists even advanced by a level on the spot. At the same time¡ª Pamela, who had just finished speaking, also experienced a realization. Her already formidable soul suddenly stirred violently. "Master Alchemist Pamela, what is happening to you?" Amanda, who was standing beside her, immediately sensed the unusual fluctuation and looked at Pamela in great astonishment. Pamela took a deep breath, her expression complex as she looked up at the sky and murmured, "This time, I don''t know whether it is a blessing or a curse, but I have finally broken the shackles in my heart that have bound me for years and taken a crucial step forward!" Saying this, Pamela turned to Amanda. "My aura can no longer be suppressed. Entering the Upper Plane Universe is now inevitable. Help me inform my old friends that I will go ahead first!" "I hope to see them in the Upper Plane Universe soon." Then, as if she had suddenly remembered something, she rushed toward Alan. Sensing the fluctuating aura around Pamela, Alan immediately understood, his face filled with reluctance. "Mentor, you are ascending to the Upper Plane Universe, aren''t you?" Even though he had somewhat anticipated this, actually feeling his mentor''s surging aura filled him with an overwhelming sense of sorrow. Once his mentor entered the Upper Plane Universe, it would be almost impossible for them to meet again¡ªunless he, too, ascended. But his current level was still too low, and he was far from reaching the Ascended Rank. He had no idea when they would meet again. He deeply respected Pamela, who was both a mentor and a motherly figure to him. Seeing her reluctant expression, he immediately said, "Mentor, if you truly don''t want to leave, I will go and beg Velen. Velen will surely have a way! Even the will of this plane fears him!" Pamela chuckled. "Silly child, once one''s rank reaches a certain level, ascending to the Upper Plane Universe is inevitable. You don''t need to comfort me. Focus on your growth in the fortress. We will surely meet again in the future." Once someone broke through to Ascended Rank Level 9, the gates to the Upper Plane Universe would naturally appear to welcome them. It wasn''t a matter of choice. At this moment, a portal manifested high in the sky. Golden and intricately engraved, it radiated an immense pressure that made it nearly impossible to gaze upon directly. This golden gateway, also known as the "Gate of Ascension" or the "Door of Reception," signified an unavoidable passage into the Upper Plane Universe whenever it appeared. Pamela understood Alan''s concern and reluctance, but the reason she had been unable to ascend before was her fixation on creating a God Rank Potion. She always felt inadequate without it. But now, Velen had successfully concocted a God Rank Potion¡ªonly to destroy it himself. His complete disregard for the God Rank Potion shattered the mental barrier she had imposed on herself. So what if she never created a God Rank Potion? Even the most powerful potion paled in significance before true greatness! Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Alan, your fortress is exceptional, especially Velen. He is no ordinary person. Observe and learn from him¡ªit will benefit you immensely!" "I believe that under his guidance, you will grow rapidly!" As Pamela spoke, the golden gateway seemed to be pushed open by an unseen force. Blinding golden light spilled out, traversing space and time, enveloping her in a sacred glow. "Ascending to the Upper Plane Universe!" "A once-in-a-lifetime event! First, we witnessed the birth of the God Rank Potion, and now, we are witnessing an ascension! This Alchemist Convention has truly been worthwhile!" Many alchemists who had been preparing to leave stopped in their tracks, gazing up in a trance at the descending golden radiance, their faces filled with awe and reverence. Ascension to the Upper Plane Universe was something most had only heard about in legends. Few had ever witnessed a top-tier Awakener ascending firsthand! "Alan, I am heading to the Upper Plane Universe now. Since you have found the path you love, work hard! I look forward to the day you ascend as the God of Wine!" With those words, Pamela looked up at the open golden gateway and stepped into the void, moving toward it. "Master Alchemist Pamela!" Just as Pamela was about to enter the gateway, Velen''s voice came from behind. She looked down to see him tossing a storage pouch toward her. "If you encounter danger in the Upper Plane Universe, open this. What''s inside might help you." Pamela instinctively caught it and peeked inside, her expression turning strange. The storage pouch contained¡­ wine. And not just any wine¡ªthe scent was oddly familiar. Wasn''t this the diluted red wine Velen had used for their baths earlier? Though she didn''t understand why Velen would give her such a thing at this moment, the rich fragrance of the wine left an impression on her memory. Perhaps, in the Upper Plane Universe, this would indeed come in handy! "Velen, thank you for the wine. My mentee thanks you as well!" She gave a slight bow to Velen as a gesture of gratitude before stepping fully into the golden gateway. The celestial phenomenon in the sky vanished along with her, restoring the sky to its usual clarity. At the Alchemist Convention Headquarters¡ª "Go back to your rooms and rest. We''ll set out early tomorrow." After Alan and the Ironback Centipede nodded and left, Velen turned his attention to Amanda, who had been lingering nearby. "Amanda, is something the matter?" After Pamela''s ascension, everyone else had left, yet Amanda remained by his side, which was unusual. Under Velen''s questioning gaze, Amanda coughed awkwardly before hesitantly saying, "Velen, I know I may not be as skilled in alchemy as you or Master Alchemist Pamela, but I do have some talent!" Velen immediately understood and shook his head regretfully. "Amanda, our fortress already has an alchemist. We don''t need another one at the moment. My apologies." He clearly remembered Anastasia warning him not to bring any more people back to the fortress. Alan might not have understood, but Velen certainly did! Besides, Amanda was a stunning beauty. If she joined the fortress, things might get complicated. Amanda''s face showed a flash of disappointment, but she understood that Velen was no ordinary figure, and the fortress was undoubtedly a gathering place for monsters. It was natural that they didn''t need her. "Velen, then¡­ could I have these?" Amanda suddenly produced a bowl filled with glass shards and dirt, placing it in front of Velen. Velen glanced at it, puzzled. Amanda quickly explained, "This is the God Rank Potion you crushed earlier. Though it''s mixed with dirt and impurities, it still holds immense research value. After all, this was the first God Rank Potion in the Lower Plane Universe!" When Velen had stomped on the potion, many nearby alchemists had scrambled to collect the contaminated soil. Amanda had also fought for her share. Her face held a hint of pride. After all, while many alchemists had tried to seize it, few had managed to obtain the topmost layer of soil like she did. Seeing her earnest expression, Velen chuckled in surprise. "I thought it was something important. If you like it, keep it." Velen didn''t mind, but this did show how revered the God Rank Potion was among alchemists. Even contaminated with dirt, it was still considered a treasure. Receiving Velen''s approval, Amanda left excitedly. Watching her and the others depart, Velen fell into deep thought. With this system task complete, he recalled another mission. It had already been four days since he was supposed to obtain a national pass within a month and take everyone from the fortress to Chaos City. And he hadn''t seen even a shadow of a pass yet. Perhaps he hadn''t shown off his wealth enough lately. He needed to work harder! Chapter 149 - Chapter146-Velen’s Efforts to Flaunt Wealth "Mentor, are you resting?" As Velen returned to his room, preparing to sleep, the voice of his first mentee, Caitlin, suddenly echoed in his ears. Velen pondered for a moment before responding through the club''s council function, "What''s the matter, Caitlin?" "Mentor, Belle and I have already taken the Bloodline Advancement Potion. However, because of this, our pure and flawless bodies were discovered by the three former Headmasters. They are very curious about how our bodies became this pure, but I don''t know how to answer them. So, I wanted to consult you, Mentor." Caitlin was well aware of the rarity of these potions. If she told the truth, would it cause trouble for Velen? Velen thought seriously and asked, "How is your relationship with the three former Headmasters?" To him, the Bloodline Advancement Potion was not a precious item, but whether to give it or not was entirely his decision. If he didn''t give it, no one could take it by force! "The three Headmasters have nurtured me since childhood. Later, they even left the position of Headmaster to me. They have always treated me well, like their own daughter." Upon hearing this, Velen had yet to reply when the system''s voice suddenly rang in his mind. "Random mission triggered: Please proceed to Celestia Academy and reverse its dire situation, ensuring that every student receives top-tier resources and education. As long as the host flaunts wealth in this regard, you will not only earn Luxury Points but also have a chance to obtain Passes!" Interesting! After reading the system''s mission, a smile appeared on Velen''s face. This mission was quite good. After all, turning around Celestia Academy''s current predicament provided so many opportunities to flaunt wealth! If he executed it well, he could amass a large number of Luxury Points and Passes! Previously, Velen had wanted to show off his wealth, but it was difficult to find the right opportunity. Now, the system had handed him one. "You can tell them the truth. Just say that I gave you the potions." "Also, I''ll be heading to Celestia Academy soon. Just wait for me there." Velen quickly responded. Hearing this, Caitlin was a little surprised. "Mentor, you''re coming to the Academy right away? Hold on, I''m still lying in bed. I need to put on a dress first!" Velen rubbed his nose, feeling a little embarrassed. Last time, he had arrived unannounced using the Descent Function and accidentally witnessed her bathing. Thinking back on it now, the scene was quite steamy. However, remembering that he was now a mentor, he quickly collected himself and said, "Don''t worry. This time, I won''t use the teleportation function. Also, I''ll be bringing two friends along. Just wait for us at the Academy." Caitlin nodded. "Alright, Mentor. I''ll wait for you at Celestia Academy, and I''ll inform the three former Headmasters about the potion in advance." "By the way, there''s one more thing! As the Headmaster of Celestia Academy and a top-tier Ascended Rank powerhouse, I now have a mentor¡ªyou. Very few people know about this. The three former Headmasters don''t know either. If they find out, they might view you with hostility." After a brief conversation, the meeting ended. Velen lay in bed, his expression calm. Caitlin''s worries were of no concern to him. If the three Headmasters truly cared about Caitlin, they would welcome him with open arms. Time passed quickly. At the crack of dawn the next day, Velen, along with Alan and Ironback Centipede, activated his Arcane Carpet and left Inferno Planet at maximum speed. After all, ever since the God Rank Potion incident, he had become the Alchemist God in the eyes of many, and every move he made was closely watched. "Velen, why does it feel like we''re not heading toward Fortress?" Sitting on the Arcane Carpet for a while, Alan suddenly looked at Velen with some confusion. Velen handed Alan a Star Map and said, "I asked Ironback Centipede to take us to Celestia Academy first. We''ll return afterward." After speaking, Velen turned his attention to today''s Special Item Refresh¡ªFrostfire. Frostfire: A unique flame that contains both extreme heat and extreme cold. It can grow with its wielder. At its peak, it rivals the legendary Flames of Annihilation, capable of burning everything! "Not bad. This is an extremely rare treasure for alchemists!" Velen murmured to himself. Items with growth potential were already incredibly rare. But for Alchemists, a flame that contained two extreme forces and could grow indefinitely was the dream of a lifetime! If this was placed before any Alchemist, they would pay any price to obtain it! "But I''m not an Alchemist, so I might as well use it myself!" Velen made a casual decision. Just as he was about to absorb and refine the Frostfire, he noticed Ironback Centipede, who was diligently leading the way. Before being tamed, Ironback Centipede was arrogant and untamed. But after being subdued, he had worked tirelessly and was incredibly loyal¡ªa truly reliable servant. Yet, all Velen had given him so far was a Level 9 Forge and nothing else. Compared to others, wasn''t this unfair? As a super tycoon, he had to take care of everyone around him. Moreover, Ironback Centipede was a Spellbeast, and there had never been a Spellbeast Alchemist before. If he handed this Frostfire to Ironback Centipede and gradually trained him to become an Alchemist Master, wouldn''t that be interesting? After traveling through the starry void for most of the day, they arrived at a relay planet near Celestia Academy by dusk. Upon landing, Ironback Centipede, who had been leading the way, suddenly felt a chill down his spine. Turning around, he saw Velen staring at him again. "Master, if you have something to say, just say it. I''ll even climb mountains of blades for you. But please, stop looking at me like that¡ªI''m about to piss myself..." By now, he knew Velen well. Whenever his master stared at someone like this, he was definitely plotting something. Velen smiled. "Iron Cub, Rabbit is already well on his way to becoming the First Swordsman. I think you should also find a path best suited for yourself." Upon hearing this, Ironback Centipede widened his eyes in excitement. An opportunity to grow stronger¡ªthis was great news! With Velen''s financial backing, he could see his glorious future ahead! "Master, just shower me with treasures and resources! I swear, I''ll become the Greatest Spellbeast in the Lower Plane Universe¡ªno, the Upper Plane Universe!" In his mind, he already saw himself wielding a Level 9 Forge, slaughtering countless Awakeners and Spellbeasts, instilling fear across the realms! But his dream was short-lived. Velen shook his head and said, "I think that idea is too mediocre. I have a far grander future planned for you. Will you take it?" S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. At that moment, Ironback Centipede had a bad feeling. Before he could refuse, Velen patted his shoulder, smiling, "Iron Cub, I''m granting you this Frostfire. When we return, you''ll train under Robert and study Alchemy. I believe you can become the greatest Alchemist in the Lower Plane Universe!" ¡­?! Ironback Centipede was stunned. He''s a Spellbeast! And not just any Spellbeast¡ªhe''s an exceptionally ferocious one. Now, Velen wanted him to become an Alchemist? And not just any Alchemist¡ªhe had to strive to be the greatest Alchemist in the Lower Plane Universe? Wasn''t this just messing with him?! "I knew it... my fate was never going to be good..." Thinking about that once lively and adorable Rabbit, who had now become a shadowy assassin, Ironback Centipede felt a chill run down his spine. There was no escaping Velen''s manipulations. He just didn''t expect his turn to come so soon. Meanwhile, Alan, standing to the side, was staring at Velen in utter shock. Good lord! Frostfire! The greatest Alchemist in the Lower Plane Universe! Velen was still as recklessly extravagant as ever! If other Alchemists heard about this, they would probably cough up blood in fury! Alan had thought that the God Rank Potion incident was already Velen''s peak. But now, it was clear¡ªhe had been thinking too small! Chapter 150 - Chapter147-Frostfire "Thankfully, I''m no longer an alchemist. Being a mixologist, a class without much conflict, really suits me better." Alan squinted his eyes, feeling more convinced than ever that his decision to fully dedicate himself to mixology was the right one. Otherwise, Velen''s sudden whims were not something an ordinary person could handle. As far as he knew, Frostfire contained both extreme cold and extreme heat, making it the supreme dream of all alchemists. In the entire Titan Galaxy, no alchemist had ever been able to obtain it. If Ironback Centipede truly absorbed Frostfire, he would become the first being in Titan Galaxy to wield it. Not long after. Velen booked a luxurious suite and led Ironback Centipede and Alan inside. "Ironback Centipede really respects Velen to the core. Velen tells him to become the greatest alchemist, and he actually accepts it without resistance." Inside the room, Alan watched as Ironback Centipede began the process of merging with Frostfire, his expression complicated. Ironback Centipede was a Spellbeast. Having a Spellbeast become an alchemist¡ªand not just any alchemist, but the very best¡ªwas outright absurd. As Alan watched, the fusion process did not last long. Once Ironback Centipede had fully absorbed the cold energy, he slowly opened his eyes. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A peculiar aura, a mixture of icy frost and blazing heat, suddenly burst forth from him, giving Alan an incredibly strange feeling. Before Alan could fully process it, he saw Ironback Centipede tightly clutching his Level 9 Forge, his face filled with regret and sorrow. Immediately, Alan tried to comfort him, "Iron Cub, don''t do anything rash!" Ironback Centipede turned to glance at him, then shook his head. "Who''s being rash? I just feel bad for my Level 9 Forge, which I''ve only had for a short while." "If I had known I was going to become an alchemist, I would have taken better care of it. But now, there are already some battle scars on it, and that hurts me deeply!" Hearing this, Alan was about to say something more reassuring when suddenly, a knock came from the door. To their surprise, Velen had returned after already leaving earlier. "Oh, right. I forgot to mention something." "Since you''re going to be the greatest alchemist in the Lower Plane Universe, I obviously need to provide you with proper support. How could you possibly manage without a superior forge?" "This Super Dragon Flame Forge is for you. As for your Level 9 Forge, keep it. Just use it as a weapon like before!" As he spoke, Velen pulled out a Super Dragon Flame Forge from his storage bag and placed it before Ironback Centipede. With a deep, resonant hum, an intense heat wave surged outward from the forge, spreading across the entire room. Feeling the overwhelming heat, Ironback Centipede''s eyes immediately lit up. For an alchemist, having a great forge was crucial! Even though Ironback Centipede had never formally studied alchemy, he still knew this basic principle. Now, he not only had Frostfire but also a top-tier forge¡ªhis confidence soared to unprecedented levels! After all, Velen had already solved the hardest parts for him! Alan, on the other hand, stood stunned, mouth agape. As a former alchemist, he fully understood the importance of a Supreme Forge to an alchemist. Now, Ironback Centipede had both Frostfire and a Supreme Forge. Alan couldn''t even begin to imagine how terrifying he would be once he fully embraced alchemy! "Mentor, it''s a good thing you''ve ascended. Otherwise, if you saw a Spellbeast become the greatest alchemist, you probably wouldn''t be able to handle it." Alan sighed. He knew Pamelamentor well¡ªhe was extremely obsessed with alchemy. Otherwise, he wouldn''t have become one of the greatest figures in the field. Meanwhile, Ironback Centipede was now practically glued to the Supreme Forge, unable to pull himself away. His previously beloved Level 9 Forge had already been kicked aside halfway through his rush to embrace the Supreme Forge. His face showed none of the previous heartbreak¡ªnot even a shred of emotion for his old forge. Compared to a Supreme Forge, a Level 9 Forge was nothing more than a joke. "Iron Cub flipped sides way too fast..." Alan looked at the Level 9 Forge, now discarded on the ground, feeling a strange sense of pity. It was one of the rarest forges in Titan Galaxy, and yet, it had been reduced to a mere combat tool¡ªnow even cast aside like garbage. How tragic! Time flew by. Early the next morning, Velen once again checked the system''s refreshed special item¡ªFrostfire! Again?! Velen was momentarily stunned. Was this a system glitch, or was his luck simply otherworldly? After double-checking, he confirmed that it really was another Frostfire. At that moment, Alan''s image surfaced in Velen''s mind. Alan was a mixologist now, but he had been an alchemist before. Giving this to him wasn''t a bad idea. But then, Velen realized¡ªthat wasn''t really flaunting wealth. So, he temporarily set the idea aside. "Since Ironback Centipede already has one Frostfire, why not give him another? Holding two Frostfires¡ªnow that would be worthy of my tycoon mount!" The thought delighted Velen. "Genius idea!" Not long after. Velen once again entered Ironback Centipede''s room. Seeing Velen looking at him with that familiar expression, Ironback Centipede''s mouth twitched. Whenever Velen stared at someone like this, it never meant anything good. "It''s early morning... does my master have a new scheme for me already?" "I''ve already been ''taken care of''... shouldn''t he switch targets and torment Alan for a change?" "Iron Cub, why are you so nervous? I''m here to give you a gift." Velen grinned at Ironback Centipede. Ironback Centipede''s heart dropped. "Damn it. Your ''gifts''... can I refuse them?" "Relax. I''m just giving you another Frostfire to help you grow faster." Seeing Ironback Centipede tense up, Velen smiled reassuringly. "Another Frostfire?!" Alan, who had just been feeling relieved, suddenly froze, eyes widening in disbelief. This was Frostfire¡ªa once-in-a-lifetime rarity. Yet, in Velen''s hands, it felt like a mass-produced commodity. Alan''s heart clenched as his face filled with grief. This had been his dream for years. Now, two Frostfires were being wasted right in front of him, and he could only watch. It was agonizing! Even though Alan was now a mixologist, Frostfire would have immense benefits for his craft. A mixologist still needed fire and ice for their creations! Yet, Velen had given both Frostfires to Ironback Centipede instead. Alan had never witnessed such unrestrained extravagance! His mentor had spent centuries searching for Frostfire, only to fail. If his mentor knew what Velen had done, he would probably die from rage! A few minutes later. Now possessing two Frostfires, Ironback Centipede flew through space on the Arcane Carpet, carrying Velen and Alan toward Celestia Academy. On the way, Alan rubbed his hands and curiously asked, "Iron Cub, now that you have two Frostfires, what''s your plan?" Ironback Centipede nodded seriously. "I''ve thought it through. Left-hand Frostfire¡ªfor cooking Master''s favorite barbecue. Right-hand Frostfire¡ªfor alchemy." Alan: "..." Ironback Centipede had clearly spent too much time around Velen. Chapter 151 - Chapter148-The Two People and One Beast Arriving at Celestia Academy Alan clutched his aching chest, no longer speaking with the bragging Ironback Centipede. Instead, he turned his head toward Velen. S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Velen, if we continue at full speed, we''ll arrive at Celestia Academy early tomorrow morning. If we find a place to rest for the night, we should arrive by dusk tomorrow." He had thoroughly studied the route and travel time, specifically explaining it to Velen, who had completely left such matters to him. "Then let''s go at full speed! The sooner we arrive at Celestia Academy, the better!" Velen quickly made a decision. After all, resting on the arcane carpet, with the Ironback Centipede shielding them from wind and noise, was no different from staying at an inn. Celestia Academy. Inside the headmaster''s office. "Caitlin! You are the headmaster of Celestia Academy! How can you casually acknowledge someone else as your mentor? We do not approve!" "Exactly! We considered you young and inexperienced, but you should immediately sever this relationship and never associate with him again! It''s for your own good¡ªand his!" At this moment, Lucifer, the former headmaster, glared angrily at Caitlin. A stubborn look appeared on Caitlin''s face. "Headmaster Lucifer, I have already made it clear to my mentor that becoming his mentee represents only my personal decision, not Celestia Academy. It will not negatively impact the academy¡ªon the contrary, it might even help it!" "Nonsense!" Lucifer''s wide robe billowed as he furiously glared at Caitlin. "Unless you are no longer the headmaster of Celestia Academy, how could your relationship with him not affect the academy once it''s exposed?" "We raised and trained you since childhood. You have always been calm and rational¡ªwhy would you make such a foolish decision?" Lucifer paused, seemingly thinking of something, before speaking seriously: "You just mentioned that your mentor is coming to Celestia Academy? Fine! I want to see for myself what makes him so capable that you would become his mentee!" Seeing that Lucifer, the former headmaster, was truly enraged, Caitlin worried that he might directly clash with Velen upon his arrival. She immediately explained: "Former headmaster, have you heard about the recent destruction of Triad Sanctum? I can tell you with absolute certainty¡ªit was my mentor''s doing!" "Impossible?!" Lucifer''s pupils constricted. Even with all his experience, he couldn''t help but be shocked. Triad Sanctum had previously collaborated with Celestia Academy, so he was well aware of their power. Even if Celestia Academy mobilized all its forces, they would have to pay an enormous price to wipe out Triad Sanctum! But as far as he knew, Triad Sanctum had been utterly annihilated in a very short time, and not a single member had escaped alive! That was even more terrifying. Triad Sanctum was a top-tier force. To destroy it so quickly would require an overwhelming level of power¡ªseveral times stronger than their own. And to ensure that none of Triad Sanctum''s members escaped? That difficulty was even greater. Even if Celestia Academy were twice as strong, it couldn''t accomplish such a feat! Lucifer furrowed his brows and contemplated for a moment before speaking slowly: "Caitlin, don''t worry. A guest is a guest¡ªwe will not act against him. However, you must ensure that you''re telling the truth¡ªTriad Sanctum must have really been destroyed by him." Currently, Celestia Academy maintained connections with various factions across Titan Galaxy. Yet when Triad Sanctum was annihilated, none of those forces had made a move. That meant the destruction of Triad Sanctum was likely the work of Caitlin''s mentor alone. If this speculation was correct, then Caitlin''s mentor had definitely surpassed the Ascended Rank! After waking up, Velen yawned and saw Alan bringing breakfast and sweet wine to him. "Velen, we''re almost at Celestia Academy. Have some breakfast first." Velen nodded, becoming increasingly convinced that having Alan switch careers to mixologist was a brilliant decision! No matter where they went, there were cocktails and delicious meals¡ªwhat an unimaginable luxury! Before long, with breakfast finished, Velen felt fully energized. His gaze gradually shifted to the approaching Holy Light Planet. The massive planet was as enormous as a sun, radiating a gentle white glow, exuding an aura of sanctity. As they drew closer, bathed in the divine light, their inner thoughts seemed to calm. "So this is the home of Celestia Academy? No wonder it''s a place of education¡ªthis holy aura can be felt from afar." Velen took a quick look at the planet''s general environment and nodded in approval. Deep down, he still held some respect for academies and awakeners who served as educators. Hearing this, Alan''s mouth twitched. "Velen, I''m guessing you never looked into Celestia Academy properly?" "Celestia Academy is indeed a prestigious institution, but it''s also a nightmare for many mentees!" "The mentees here are under extreme pressure at all times. Their weekly schedule is 997, every minute strictly planned. They have weekly exams, monthly assessments, and failing results mean electrotherapy punishments! The mentees are filled with so much resentment that without the purification of Holy Light, this place would have already turned into a hell on earth." Velen''s former mentor once considered sending him to Celestia Academy. The academy was indeed ruthless and high-pressure, but the mentees who made it through advanced quickly in power. But after learning more about Celestia Academy, Alan had firmly refused. Velen blinked in surprise. Why did Celestia Academy sound like a sweatshop? Clearly, his understanding of the academy had been too shallow. Before long, as the arcane carpet arrived at Celestia Academy''s gates, Caitlin had already sensed their arrival and approached Velen. "Mentor!" Caitlin bowed respectfully to Velen in greeting. Velen glanced at Celestia Academy ahead, frowning slightly. "Caitlin, doesn''t Celestia Academy have any defensive formations against outsiders?" He wasn''t here just to visit his first mentee¡ªhe was here to show off! And he wouldn''t miss a single opportunity to do so. Beside him, the Ironback Centipede curiously observed Caitlin. He had known that Velen had a mentee in Celestia Academy, but he never expected this mentee to be even stronger than himself! Since when had Velen taken in such a powerful disciple? Caitlin, however, smiled. "Mentor, rest assured. Celestia Academy has ancient legacies and is protected by formations that dispel resentment and purify evil. Even a top-tier Ascended Rank awakener would find it difficult to shake Celestia Academy." As headmaster, she was confident in the academy''s defenses. Velen nodded thoughtfully and asked, "And what if a group of Ascended Rank awakeners came to destroy Celestia Academy? Would the academy hold out?" ??? A group of top-tier Ascended Rank awakeners? Caitlin looked dumbfounded, then shook her head. That was impossible! There were fewer than ten Ascended Rank lv9 awakeners in all of Titan Galaxy¡ªthey wouldn''t unite just to attack Celestia Academy! Read exclusive adventures at My Virtual Library Empire "Mentor, the academy''s formations can''t withstand an attack from a group of Ascended Rank lv9 awakeners. But such a scenario is completely unrealistic." Hearing this, Velen grinned. "System, Celestia Academy is clearly impoverished. A mere group of Ascended Rank lv9 awakeners could destroy it¡ªhow can it survive or pass down its legacy? Giving them some assistance should be fine, right?" [Luxury conditions met¡ªreward: 100,000 Luxury Points, Divine Glaze Barrier, and a Pass.] Seeing the system rewards, Velen couldn''t help but smile. This feeling of showing off¡ªnow this was truly satisfying! "Oh right, System, it should be fine if I reinforce the fortress when I return, right?" "The fortress belongs to the protection of the Tycoon Guard and does not require the host''s attention." The system responded. Velen was a bit disappointed, but just as he was about to dwell on it, the system''s voice rang out again. "Enhancing Celestia Academy is a long-term mission. Keep up the good work, distinguished host!" Chapter 152 - Chapter149-Do You Know What You Did Wrong? Hearing the system''s response, Velen nodded in satisfaction. Even though he couldn''t upgrade the fortress to flaunt his wealth, he could still strengthen the faction backing his mentee. Caitlin was just an appetizer. The Tarot Order¡ªnow that was a truly formidable force. Flaunting his wealth there would surely yield him even greater rewards! With that thought in mind, Velen temporarily suppressed his ideas and prepared to hand over the Divine Glaze Barrier to Caitlin. But then, something occurred to him. When they first parted ways, he had given Caitlin plenty of valuable resources¡ªhad she even used them? "Caitlin, back in the Singularity Battlefield, I gave you ten million advanced mana crystals and told you to flaunt them as much as possible and use them up quickly. It''s been so long¡ªhave you still not spent them all?" Velen''s expression was serious as he stared at Caitlin. He had already received a wealth-flaunting reward from Sophia, but nothing from Caitlin. That was completely unacceptable for a mentee of a tycoon! Under Velen''s stern gaze, Caitlin shrank back slightly, feeling a bit intimidated. "Mentor¡­ I haven''t used them all yet¡­" In truth, it wasn''t that she hadn''t used them¡ªit was that she couldn''t bear to! That was ten million advanced mana crystals! Not to mention the Delirium Petals and dragon blood that Velen had also given her. These were priceless treasures, impossible to come by easily. Using them recklessly would be an absolute waste. She simply couldn''t bring herself to use them. Velen wasn''t surprised by her response. Caitlin had grown up in Celestia Academy, where she was taught by three old-fashioned headmasters. If she hadn''t developed a habit of frugality, that would have been strange. But now that she was his mentee, her old habits had to be completely broken! Read latest chapters at My Virtual Library Empire Otherwise, taking her in as a mentee would have been a waste. "System, this Divine Glaze Barrier was a reward for upgrading Celestia Academy''s formations. However, I''ve had a change of plans. Will this item be taken back?" Velen suddenly asked. The system responded: "No. Once the system gives out an item, it will not be taken back." "As long as the host upgrades Celestia Academy, the system will issue rewards. How those rewards are used is entirely up to the host." After hearing the system''s detailed explanation, a smile spread across Velen''s face. As expected of the Tycoon System¡ªit was truly generous! With this setup, he had a way to lead Caitlin onto the path of wealth-flaunting! "Caitlin, take me to see those three headmasters first." Velen suddenly smiled. Caitlin had already braced herself for Velen''s anger, but instead, he changed the topic. Realizing that she could keep her advanced mana crystals and other precious materials, Caitlin breathed a sigh of relief. Without hesitation, she stepped forward to lead the way. As Velen walked deeper into Celestia Academy, he could feel the oppressive weight of negative emotions emanating from various halls¡ªonly to be quickly purified. The deeper they went, the stronger the Holy Light energy became. By the time they reached the academy''s central grand hall, the surroundings were enveloped in pure white radiance. Shortly after Caitlin led them inside, an elderly man in a wide robe with hair as white as cotton appeared before Velen. Behind him stood two dignified, graceful women. Upon seeing Velen enter, their gazes turned sharp. "You''re Velen, the so-called mentor Caitlin speaks of?" Lucifer, the leading headmaster, spoke with clear disdain and skepticism. Velen had expected these three old headmasters to have this attitude, so he remained unfazed. "That''s me." Hearing his firm response, Lucifer and the other two exchanged glances, each seeing the same look of surprise in the other''s eyes. From the moment they laid eyes on Velen, they could tell he wasn''t an Ascended Rank powerhouse. A careful examination only confirmed it¡ªhe wasn''t even close! If he wasn''t an Ascended Rank, what right did he have to be Caitlin''s mentor? They glanced at Caitlin, expecting to see her looking down on Velen. Instead, she showed only deep respect. This left them completely baffled. Was Velen some kind of hidden master, playing the fool? As Lucifer wrestled with his doubts, Velen suddenly turned to Caitlin. "Caitlin, you are my first mentee, and I hold you in the highest regard. Where are the hundred Delirium Petals I gave you? Take them out." Delirium Petals? One hundred of them? What, did he think they were potatoes sold in bulk?! Lucifer and the other two headmasters stared at Velen in shock, unable to believe their ears. They had only ever heard of Delirium Petals in ancient records and had only seen them once in the Singularity Battlefield. The academy itself had never obtained even a single one. Yet Velen claimed to have given Caitlin one hundred? Caitlin hesitated, uncertain of Velen''s intentions, but still retrieved the hundred Delirium Petals from her storage ring. The black flowers floated in the air, their petals swaying gently as they released an intoxicating fragrance. Lucifer and the other two headmasters widened their eyes in shock, staring at Caitlin in disbelief. Velen had actually given her one hundred Delirium Petals?! "Three headmasters, do you know what mistake you made?" As Lucifer and the others remained frozen in shock, Velen''s expression turned serious. The three headmasters exchanged confused glances. Mistake? What mistake? "Velen, out of respect for you being Caitlin''s mentor, we have shown you courtesy. But your nonsense is out of line!" "What mistake could we have possibly made? Even if there was one, you have no right to lecture us!" "Exactly! If you don''t explain yourself clearly, we''ll have a serious discussion about this!" The three headmasters spoke one after another, their expressions turning cold. Caitlin, after recovering from her initial shock, also looked at Velen in confusion. Velen ignored them and turned to Alan. "Crush those hundred Delirium Petals." "What?! Delirium Petals are incredibly rare! How can you crush them?!" Lucifer and the others immediately shouted in protest, their eyes filled with panic. "This has nothing to do with you. These are mine, given to Caitlin, and I decide how to use them." Velen shot them a glance before instructing Alan again. "Do it." Without hesitation, Alan took out a mixologist''s pestle and shaker, tossing the Delirium Petals inside and beginning to grind them down. Though Alan knew how precious Delirium Petals were, he had seen Velen''s extravagant habits before. Crushing a mere hundred Delirium Petals? That was nothing. Thud. Thud. Thud. The sound of grinding echoed through the hall as the Delirium Petals turned into black pulp. Lucifer and the other headmasters turned pale, their eyes bloodshot. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Those were Delirium Petals! And one hundred of them¡ªcompletely ruined! "Caitlin, bring out the hundred Wraithwood as well." Hearing Velen''s words, Caitlin felt like she was bleeding inside. She had painstakingly preserved these treasures, and now, Velen was about to destroy them all. Yet, she knew these were gifts from Velen meant for wealth-flaunting. Since she hadn''t used them, it was only fair for him to take them back. Even though she was heartbroken, she retrieved the hundred Wraithwood from her storage. Velen accepted them with a bright smile and turned to Lucifer. "Now, three headmasters, do you understand your mistake?" Seeing yet another batch of legendary treasures in Velen''s hands, Lucifer and the others shuddered, their voices trembling. "Velen¡­ what are you trying to do?" "We did nothing wrong! This is outrageous!" Velen simply turned to Alan. "Continue." As Alan began crushing the Wraithwood, Lucifer and the others turned deathly pale, their entire beings trembling in despair. Chapter 153 - Chapter150-Seraphic Rite "Caitlin, there are still 100 Netherbone Pearls left¡ªbring them out as well!" The moment Velen said this, Caitlin was completely overwhelmed. Watching all these priceless treasures being destroyed was sheer torment for someone like her, who cherished them deeply. However, since Velen had spoken, she had no choice but to suppress the tears welling up in her eyes and reluctantly hand over the 100 Netherbone Pearls she had been hoarding. Velen accepted them and once again turned to Lucifer and the other two headmasters. "Old headmasters, do you still not realize your mistake?" Lucifer and the others exchanged glances, each seeing the same look of confusion in the other''s eyes. Mistake? What mistake could they have possibly made? This Velen was truly something else¡ªif they had actually done something wrong, then fine, let the heavens punish them. But instead, it was Velen tormenting them by destroying these invaluable treasures, shredding their hearts to pieces. If they had indeed made a mistake, why wasn''t Velen simply pointing it out? Why was he making them guess? However, when they saw that Velen was about to have Alan destroy the Netherbone Pearls as well, Lucifer and the others, their hearts aching as if they were bleeding, hurriedly intervened. "Velen, don''t destroy them! We were wrong¡ªwe truly were!" Though they still didn''t know what their mistake was, they couldn''t bear to watch more rare treasures be wasted before their eyes. "If you admit your mistake, then tell me¡ªwhat did you do wrong?" Enjoy new chapters from My Virtual Library Empire Velen pressed, staring at Lucifer, whose face was twisted with pain. ?? Was he serious? Lucifer''s face darkened. He nearly smacked Velen on the spot. As the most senior headmaster of Celestia Academy, he was respected and revered wherever he went¡ªwhen had he ever been treated this way? Seeing that Lucifer was fuming but still refusing to reflect seriously, Velen turned back to Alan. "Continue!" They were utterly dumbfounded. Watching as the 100 Netherbone Pearls were crushed to dust, Lucifer and the others were in complete shock. These had once been among Celestia Academy''s most treasured possessions! And now, they had been destroyed right before their eyes! The psychological impact was simply too much to bear. "Right, Caitlin¡ªI also gave you 100 bottles of Soul Potion. Bring those out as well." Hearing this, Lucifer and the others felt their hearts skip a beat. They had already been stunned by the sheer value of what Caitlin had previously taken out. And now there was even more?! Just how many treasures had Velen given to Caitlin?! "Three headmasters, do you realize¡ª" Before Velen could finish his sentence, Lucifer interrupted him, having already guessed what he was about to say. "Velen, we were wrong! I still don''t know exactly how we were wrong, but I''ll take full responsibility. Please, stop! Our hearts can''t take this anymore!" However, Velen simply shook his head. He took the 100 bottles of Soul Potion from Caitlin''s hands and smashed them onto the ground without hesitation. "You don''t understand? Then let me spell it out for you: all of these resources were gifts from me to Caitlin, meant for her to flaunt her wealth with. But instead of using them, she hoarded them away. "Tell me¡ªwas it not you who instilled this frugality in her?" Caitlin turned even paler. Though she had already suspected this was why Velen was upset, hearing him say it outright sent a wave of guilt washing over her. "Mentor, I realize my mistake now! But these resources are so precious¡ªI couldn''t bear to waste a single one. Each of them represents your trust and support, and the idea of squandering them was unbearable to me. I have disappointed you!" Caitlin bowed deeply in apology, her sincerity evident. Velen reached out and helped her up. "Mistakes are fine¡ªas long as you recognize and correct them, you''re still my good mentee." Then, he turned to Lucifer and the other two headmasters. "Your first mistake was raising Caitlin to be too frugal. "Your second mistake was failing to monitor her properly, ensuring that she used these resources instead of hoarding them." Lucifer and the others opened their mouths but found themselves at a loss for words. Good grief. Caitlin was his mentee, and yet he was scolding them for her habits? And to think he had just spent all this time torturing them¡­ "Three headmasters, if you had known Caitlin had these resources, you should have helped her use them immediately! Otherwise, even if I asked her to bring them out, she wouldn''t have been able to!" "Even if you didn''t need these treasures directly, you could have found ways to use them¡ªlike bathing in them or using them to purify the air!" "With resources like these at your disposal, wouldn''t even the scraps be enough to help you all level up?" Hearing Velen explain his reasoning so clearly, Lucifer and the others finally understood. So this was why Velen was so upset with them. But now that they did understand¡­ they felt even worse! By Velen''s logic, the only way to avoid his wrath was to ensure that Caitlin spent every single resource she had. If they didn''t help her, he would simply destroy them all. Either way, these treasures were not staying in Celestia Academy for future mentees. But between letting Velen waste them and making Caitlin use them to strengthen the academy, the latter was obviously the better choice! "Velen, if you had just explained this earlier, none of this would have happened!" "So you want us to encourage Caitlin to flaunt her wealth? No problem! Just say the word!" Seeing that the three headmasters had seemingly learned their lesson, Velen flipped his hand and took out a formation disk from his storage pouch. "This is the Divine Glaze Barrier. Once activated, even a group of top-tier Ascended Rank awakeners wouldn''t be able to shake it. "Of course, you can always choose to reject it." With that, he casually tossed the disk onto the ground. "Alan, continue." "Wait! Velen! We believe you¡ªplease stop!" Lucifer and the other headmasters hurriedly tried to stop him. They knew by now that, given Velen''s extravagant tendencies, he was absolutely not bluffing. However, Velen still wasn''t satisfied. If he was going to change them, he had to go all the way! Otherwise, they''d eventually slip back into their miserly ways, and all his efforts today would have been for nothing. If they were going to embrace wealth-flaunting, he had to make sure they truly committed to it. "System, Caitlin wants to hold a Seraphic Rite to become the heir to the Seraph title, but she lacks the necessary resources. Giving her a hand with that shouldn''t be too much, right?" The system responded: [Congratulations, Host! Wealth-Flaunting Triggered! Reward: 100,000 Luxury Points, 1,000 Seraphic Rite resources, and 2 Passes!] In an instant, Velen saw his system inventory fill with a vast array of high-grade resources, so numerous they nearly blinded him. S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Without hesitation, he took out a portion of them and piled them in front of him, forming small mountains of supplies. "The necessary resources for the Seraphic Rite!" As Velen unveiled these treasures, Lucifer and the other headmasters locked their gazes on the mountain of wealth before them, their shock beyond words. Celestia Academy had been in decline for ages. To gather the resources for Caitlin''s Seraphic Rite, they had exhausted nearly all their reserves¡ªand still came up short. Yet now, Velen had casually produced enough resources for Caitlin to perform the rite dozens of times! For thousands of years, no Seraph heir had been successfully chosen. But now, thanks to Velen''s generosity, that might finally change! The long decline of Celestia Academy¡ª Could this finally be the turning point? Chapter 154 - Chapter151-Cross-Dressing Big Shot? Under the excited gazes of the three elderly headmasters of Lucifer Academy, Alan couldn''t help but feel a surge of anticipation, rubbing his hands together eagerly. Although he had no idea what kind of supplies Velen had just presented, the sheer exhilaration on the faces of the three headmasters made it clear¡ªthese items were undoubtedly extraordinary. If they were to be destroyed¡­ The expressions on their faces would certainly be a sight to behold! However, his wish was not granted. Velen did not allow him to shatter those items but instead led them on a tour around Celestia Academy. As they walked through rows of ordinary mentee dormitories, Velen waved his hand grandly, instantly transforming them into magnificent dormitory buildings forged from precious alloys and protected by magical arrays. Living in these buildings was not only comfortable, warm in winter and cool in summer, but also beneficial for the mentees'' cultivation¡ªeven while they slept, they could passively enhance their abilities without any safety concerns. Afterward, they visited the academy''s cafeteria. Seeing the plain and ordinary food, Velen immediately transformed a barren plot of land into a fertile paradise, rich in mana essence. The crops grown there would not only mature at an accelerated rate but also be infused with an overwhelming concentration of mana! Such soil had always been an exclusive resource held only by the most elite alchemical families, reserved for cultivating the highest-grade medicinal herbs. But now, Velen was using it¡­ to grow vegetables! Following that, he upgraded the mentees'' high-pressure mana chambers, elevating them from standard educational facilities to the same grade as space-pod-level chambers, which even Ascended Rank powerhouses would be reluctant to use. The mana elements inside these pods were so highly compressed that they liquefied. Simply lying inside for an hour was equivalent to absorbing a month''s worth of mana in the outside world! ¡­ With Velen''s extravagant and cost-no-object transformations, Celestia Academy underwent a complete overhaul. As a result, Velen gained 800,000 luxury points, and his system also rewarded him with an additional 9 pass tokens. It was an overwhelming success! Of course, apart from these renovations, Velen also noticed countless other ways to flaunt his wealth. For example, he considered forging all daily necessities from Starry Stone. However, if he flooded the market with Starry Stone all at once, it would lose its rarity. If that happened, it would be much harder to flex his wealth in the future. Thus, he decided to hold off on that¡ªfor now. More importantly, he could already feel a dramatic change in the way the three Lucifer headmasters looked at him. Clearly, they were utterly overwhelmed by his actions. "Velen, rest assured, we will strictly discipline Caitlin from now on and ensure that she flaunts her wealth daily, upholding your prestigious reputation as the ultimate tycoon mentee!" "Exactly! Our expectations for Caitlin were far too low before. From now on, we will raise the bar and guide her toward the grand path of luxury flaunting!" At the farewell, the three elderly headmasters of Lucifer Academy solemnly made their vows. Witnessing Velen''s unimaginable extravagance had completely reshaped their worldview. For the first time, they realized what it meant that there is always someone richer and more extravagant. They also came to understand just how wrong their frugal mindset had been. With a mentor like Velen, failing to flaunt one''s wealth was simply a disgrace to the title! Shortly after, as they watched Velen and his entourage depart, the three headmasters finally let out a long sigh of relief. Velen''s stay at the academy wasn''t long, but he had left an unforgettable impression. They had a strong premonition that if they continued to watch Velen flex his wealth, their very sense of reality would shatter into pieces! ¡­ Aboard the Arcane Carpet. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Alan turned back to glance at the three headmasters of Lucifer Academy, their faces solemn and serious. He couldn''t help but feel a deep respect for Velen. In order to ensure that Caitlin followed the path of extravagance, he had gone all out, shaking the very foundations of the three headmasters'' beliefs. Especially when they saw the way Velen spent money like water, their once-dim eyes had suddenly gleamed with newfound clarity. It was clear that after this earth-shattering experience, their perception of Caitlin would undergo a massive shift. From now on, Caitlin would inevitably live a life of unparalleled luxury and opulence. Just imagining it made Alan feel incredibly satisfied! Of course, he only indulged in this thought for a moment before snapping back to reality. Turning to Velen beside him, he asked: "Are we heading straight back to the fortress now?" Honestly, Alan felt that staying by Velen''s side was much more exciting than staying in the fortress. After all, with Velen, he could witness legendary figures and experience thrilling adventures. Velen thought for a moment before nodding. "Yes, let''s head back first." If he went to the Tarot Order now, he could probably rack up another massive haul of luxury points and pass tokens, but Sophia''s thought process was unpredictable. If he showed up unannounced, who knew what bizarre and unexpected ideas she might come up with? He decided to hold off on that for now. "Anastasia, Alan, Hael, the five top talents, Victoria, Ironback Centipede, the rabbit¡­" Velen silently calculated the number of people entering Chaos City. Including himself, he would need at least 18 pass tokens. Currently, he had only 9. If he wanted to bring everyone from the fortress into Chaos City to indulge in the high life, he still had a long way to go. He needed to flex even harder! After all, what was once just his personal fortress¡ªwith only himself, Anastasia, Kevin, and Alan¡ªhad now grown exponentially under his influence. "Let''s check out what the system has for me today." Without further thought, Velen opened the system interface. Today''s Special Item: Decapitated Demon Effigy. Decapitated Demon Effigy¡ªThis was once more than just a statue. It was a real demon that resurrected every full moon to devour humans, until a Moonlight Angel wielded the Archangel''s Sword and beheaded it, ending its terror. The location of its execution still retains the lingering essence of the Archangel''s Sword. A statue? Staring at the palm-sized effigy, Velen was intrigued. He had never seen such a lifelike sculpture before. More importantly, when he gazed directly at the statue, it felt as though the headless demon was coming back to life, emanating a chilling murderous intent that clawed at his soul, threatening to drive him insane. However, just as this eerie sensation surfaced, an overwhelmingly radiant sword aura burst forth, instantly dispelling it. "What terrifying sword energy¡­ No wonder it carries the remnants of the Archangel''s Sword. Even after all these years, it''s still this powerful." Velen was momentarily stunned. After all, he was already a top-tier swordsman within the swordmaster class, yet compared to the sword aura exuded by the Archangel''s Sword, he was on an entirely different level. If he could absorb the essence lingering in this statue, it would be an unbelievable boon. However, Velen had no need for it. So, after a moment''s thought, he decided it would be best to simply throw it away. After all, throwing away priceless treasures was a flex in itself. Whoever picked it up would just have to count themselves lucky! But just as this idea formed in his mind, he quickly dismissed it. Sure, it would be a flex, but without enough witnesses, it wouldn''t earn him many luxury points or pass tokens. Time passed swiftly. By noon, Velen suddenly called Ironback Centipede to stop on a nearby planet for a short rest. "No rush to continue our journey. Let''s take a break here." This effigy was clearly a treasure, and on an unfamiliar planet like this, there was bound to be an opportunity to flex. Find more to read at My Virtual Library Empire Before long, as Velen wandered through the bustling city streets, his eyes landed on a man dressed in a floral dress, adorned in extravagant accessories. The sight made Velen shudder. What the hell? A cross-dressing big shot?! Chapter 155 - Chapter152-Fallen Angel Velen never expected that in such a bustling street, he would come across a muscular man dressed in a brightly colored women''s gown. His bulging muscles stretched the fabric of the dress awkwardly, creating a highly unsettling sight. To make things worse, his face was covered in heavy makeup¡ªthe thick layer of white foundation visibly crumbling and flaking off as he swayed his hips seductively. Velen''s face turned pale, and he nearly threw up on the spot, gagging dryly. "You there, kid! What''s with that reaction? Never seen a stunning beauty like me before?" Velen''s visible disgust had caught the attention of the cross-dressing big shot, who strode over with his muscular legs, his face fierce and intimidating. "Ah¡­ ahaha¡­ You are indeed¡­ extremely beautiful!" Not wanting to clash with such a peculiar individual, Velen quickly nodded and complimented him. After all, when dealing with someone this eccentric, the best approach was to simply go along with it¡ªperhaps even encourage him to become an even bigger oddball! Hearing Velen''s "sincere" praise, the cross-dresser was immediately satisfied. He flicked his elaborately curled bangs with a smug grin and snickered coldly: "Hmph, at least you have good taste. I know I''m beautiful, but don''t stare at me for too long." Velen''s stomach churned once more, and he barely held back another gag. The cross-dresser''s face darkened instantly. Just as he was about to teach Velen a lesson for his offense, he suddenly seemed to sense something, and his demeanor shifted dramatically. "Kid, you''re a swordsman, aren''t you? I can sense your sword aura. Would you be interested in purchasing a Fallen Angel Sculpture?" "I''m not exaggerating when I say this¡ªFallen Angel Sculptures contain an overwhelmingly corrupting sword aura. They are truly domineering!" "Since I like you, I''ll sell it to you at the lowest price!" Velen was caught off guard¡ªhe hadn''t expected this sudden change in behavior. But after hearing that the man was selling a Fallen Angel Sculpture, Velen understood immediately. Fallen angels were far from being benevolent beings. This cross-dresser''s unusual behavior was likely connected to the sculpture itself. Thinking of the Decapitated Demon Effigy he had just acquired, Velen became interested. He chuckled and asked: "How useful is your Fallen Angel Sculpture? I''d like to see it before deciding whether to buy it." Seeing that Velen was genuinely interested, the cross-dresser''s eyes lit up. He quickly said: "Great, great! Follow me, I''ll take you to inspect the goods!" With that, he led Velen toward a nearby inn. Meanwhile, in Another Part of the City An elderly hunchbacked man holding a carving knife suddenly crushed the wooden piece in his hands in pure fury. "What kind of misfortune have I suffered?! My only apprentice not only became a cross-dresser but also stole my painstakingly crafted sculptures to sell¡ªand at a bargain price, no less!" Fuming with rage, the old man stormed toward the city center. At the Inn Inside the modestly booked room, the cross-dressing man pulled out a palm-sized exquisite sculpture from his storage pouch. The moment the sculpture appeared, a sinister, corrupting aura spread through the air. The black-winged angel at its center radiated a dark energy that dimmed the surrounding light. "It''s really a Fallen Angel Sculpture!" Velen was genuinely surprised. Although fallen angels were anything but righteous, their power was undeniable. For someone to carve such an incredibly lifelike representation, capturing even a trace of a fallen angel''s will, was truly extraordinary! "Name your price. I''ll take it." Velen decided without hesitation. Seeing how decisive Velen was, the cross-dressing man, Justin, grinned and said: "Alright! Just 100 gold coins will do." 100 gold coins? Velen''s eyes widened in disbelief. This was a Fallen Angel Sculpture¡ªeven at the lowest estimate, it could fetch millions of gold coins! He had fully expected Justin to name an outrageous price. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But¡­ 100 gold coins?! Was this a joke? Was he insulting him? As a super tycoon, Velen refused to take advantage of others! As Velen sat there, shocked and speechless, Justin remained calm. Based on his past experiences, he assumed Velen was simply stunned by the low price. As soon as Velen snapped out of it, he would undoubtedly eagerly hand over the money, perhaps even offering extra gold out of gratitude, before quickly leaving with the sculpture. After all, that was exactly how his previous buyers had behaved. He was already thinking about how to spend the incoming 100 gold coins. But to his utter shock, when Velen finally recovered, he glared coldly at him, his expression furious. "100 gold coins? Are you looking down on me?" "If people find out I underpaid for this, they''ll mock me endlessly!" Justin was stunned. What the hell?! This wasn''t how things were supposed to go! Shouldn''t Velen be grateful for the bargain price? Why was he complaining instead?! "Kid, what''s your problem? Can''t afford it?" Justin squinted, suspicious. Find adventures at My Virtual Library Empire Velen scoffed. "Can''t afford it? Clearly, you''ve never met a real tycoon before. I''ll tell you what¡ªI''ll pay ten times the price!" As a super tycoon, he refused to engage in cheap deals! Justin scratched his head in complete disbelief. What kind of lunatic was this? He had intentionally given a super-discounted price, yet Velen was refusing to accept it?! Was there actually an idiot this rich in the world? A person who could have saved money but insisted on paying more? Even the richest elites wouldn''t be this over-the-top about flaunting their wealth! "Forget it! Since you''re clearly insane, I won''t sell the sculpture to you. We''re just not suited for business!" With that, Justin turned to leave. But the moment he reached the door, he suddenly felt a deadly chill. One of Velen''s companions¡ªthe young man standing beside him¡ªhad transformed his arm into a sharp, beast-like claw, its razor-edged talons mere inches from Justin''s throat. Justin froze in terror. He had never expected Velen to have such a powerful bodyguard. And not just any bodyguard¡ªa Spellbeast Guard! "The master hasn''t given you permission to leave. Where do you think you''re going?" Ironback Centipede''s voice was icy cold. Justin quickly raised his hands in surrender and retreated back into the room. Only when he was safely inside did Ironback Centipede close the door once more. Now visibly awkward, Justin hesitated before forcing a grin. "Uh¡­ I honestly don''t know how much this sculpture is worth. I can''t give you a proper price. If you really like it, you can have it for free." "Truth is, I stole this from my mentor. I just wanted some extra spending money." "Also, I hate my mentor. He doesn''t have an open-minded attitude. He doesn''t support my cross-dressing, and he refuses to let me leave. I have no choice but to force him to let me go." Worried that Velen wouldn''t understand, Justin explained seriously. Velen blinked. He hadn''t expected this. The Fallen Angel Sculpture was undoubtedly worth millions, but now, it seemed he had a golden opportunity! However, without a proper valuation, he couldn''t name a fair price. "Wait!" Suddenly, Velen had an idea. He still had today''s special item¡ªthe Decapitated Demon Effigy. It was imbued with both the Archangel''s Sword aura and the remnants of the demon''s will, making it far superior to the Fallen Angel Sculpture. A trade! This was the perfect chance to flaunt his wealth! Thinking this was a great idea, Velen immediately said, "Since you don''t know the price of the Fallen Angel Sculpture, I''ll just give you this demon sculpture in exchange." With that, he placed the Decapitated Demon Effigy in front of Justin. The moment Justin laid eyes on it, a strange sensation crept over him. The demon''s grotesque and menacing expression sent an involuntary unease through his mind, stirring something dark and unsettling. But after a brief hesitation, he frowned. "Wait¡­ why is this sculpture damaged?" He scrutinized the effigy carefully. "And besides, this thing can''t possibly compare to my Seraph Sculpture!" Justin wasn''t particularly knowledgeable about sculptures, but to his eyes, Velen''s offering seemed inferior. He simply couldn''t see the value in the decapitated demon sculpture compared to his own Fallen Angel artifact. Chapter 156 - Chapter153-One Statue Each—Now It’s Fair Hearing Justin''s dismissive evaluation of the Decapitated Demon Effigy, Velen suddenly understood why Justin had sold the Fallen Angel Sculpture for such a low price. He truly had no idea of its worth! This decapitated demon sculpture contained genuine demonic power. Even more precious was the remnant sword aura lingering at the severed neck¡ªa trace of the Archangel''s Sword itself! These were priceless attributes, far beyond mere decorative carvings. And yet, Justin, the apprentice of a master sculptor, failed to recognize its true value? It was clear¡ªhis main focus was on cross-dressing, not sculpture. He had completely ignored the true essence of his craft, skimming only the surface. Just as Velen was about to respond, Ironback Centipede''s voice rang in his mind through a private transmission, his tone serious: "Master, an unidentified presence is approaching rapidly. Their aura has locked onto our room. Do you want me to activate the Dragon Flame Forge and eliminate them?" Hearing this, Velen raised an eyebrow but then shook his head. "No need for now. That''s probably Justin''s mentor. Just wait in the adjacent room for now." Just as Velen finished his instructions, the room''s door was suddenly kicked open with a loud bang! A hunched old man strode inside, gripping a carving knife tightly in his vein-covered hands. His gaze instantly zeroed in on Justin, his expression furious. "You ungrateful brat! Where is my Fallen Angel Sculpture?!" Justin, unfazed by his mentor''s anger, crossed his arms and huffed: "Mentor! Haven''t I told you to call me Princess Justin? Why are you still addressing me incorrectly?" Velen: "¡­???" Princess Justin?! The old sculptor''s face twitched, his entire body trembling in rage. This brat¡­ had completely lost his mind! Clearly, he had been corrupted by some ridiculous ideological nonsense. It was high time for a proper beating to knock some sense into him! Instantly, a cold, biting chill spread across the room, freezing everything solid! Realizing that his mentor was about to attack him, Justin''s face paled. In a hurried attempt to defuse the situation, he quickly explained: "Wait, mentor, you''re misunderstanding! This time, I didn''t sell your sculpture randomly¡ªI traded it in a fair exchange!" Proudly, he lifted the Decapitated Demon Effigy for his mentor to see. Even though he personally felt like he had been ripped off, in front of his mentor, he wanted to show off that he had at least gotten something in return. Seeing Justin''s smug expression, the old sculptor''s face turned purple with fury. His Fallen Angel Sculpture had been one of his most treasured creations, requiring an immense amount of effort to carve. "You brainless fool! Do you have any idea how much effort I put into sculpting that Fallen Angel Statue?! That chunk of wood from Hell alone was worth tens of thousands of mana crystals!" His outrage was justified¡ªhis greatest masterpiece had been casually given away by his foolish mentee. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Velen, watching the old man''s frustration, couldn''t help but relate. This scene¡­ felt oddly familiar. A Rational Request The old sculptor finally turned his gaze toward Velen, assessing him carefully. "You''re not from around here, are you?" His voice, now much calmer, carried a tone of diplomacy. Experience new stories on My Virtual Library Empire "I can see that you carry a formidable sword aura¡ªyou must be a highly talented swordsman. The Fallen Angel Sculpture, while precious, is of no real benefit to you. Why not return it to me?" His tone was polite and reasonable. After all, this situation was his apprentice''s fault, and he did not wish to antagonize a young and powerful swordsman unnecessarily. Velen, seeing through his attempt, didn''t bother with pretense. He shook his head firmly. "A deal is a deal. There''s no reason to undo a completed transaction." With that, he gripped the Fallen Angel Sculpture in one hand and¡ªwithout hesitation¡ªcrushed it into pieces! Wooden fragments crumbled through his fingers, scattering onto the floor. "Sure, this sculpture contained some Fallen Angel essence," Velen remarked dismissively, "but the material was too fragile. I barely applied any force, and it just broke apart." His tone carried a hint of mockery. Unbeknownst to Velen, the special material used for the sculpture was deliberately fragile, designed to preserve the ethereal intent within. But since the statue wasn''t activated, Velen''s natural sword aura alone had been enough to shatter it like a brittle clay doll. "It''s broken!!!" The old sculptor''s face twisted in sheer horror as he watched his beloved creation fall to dust. His wrinkled face contorted with rage, his eyes burning with grief. "You bastard! Do you have any idea how much work went into that sculpture?!" His entire body trembled as he glared daggers at Velen. As a renowned master sculptor, even he found it difficult to create such a perfect piece. Furious beyond words, Nepal prepared to teach Velen a painful lesson. But just as he was about to strike, his gaze suddenly froze. Because in Justin''s hands¡­ Was an even more terrifying sculpture. The Greater Masterpiece At first glance, the Decapitated Demon Effigy seemed ordinary. But upon closer inspection, Nepal sensed a suppressed, otherworldly demonic aura radiating from within. His heart raced. "Justin," he demanded, his voice serious. "Let me see that sculpture." Though confused by his mentor''s sudden change in tone, Justin handed it over without protest. The moment Nepal held the effigy, an overwhelmingly sinister presence engulfed him. It was as if he was clutching pure nightmare energy, and a thin layer of frost formed over his fingers from the sheer cold of fear. "This demon¡­ is terrifying!" Even with just a surface-level sense of its power, Nepal''s entire body shuddered. As an expert sculptor, he had seen countless artistic works. But never before had he held a statue that filled him with genuine dread. What shocked him even more was that the demonic presence he initially felt was just the outermost layer. When he peered closer at the severed neck, an explosion of radiant light nearly blinded him! It was as if a pure white holy blade had slashed through his mind¡ª The Archangel''s Sword!! An Unthinkable Act Nepal was completely stunned. Who the hell sculpted this? It was flawless¡ªso lifelike that even the two opposing forces inside it were perfectly balanced. Just as he was about to lose himself in admiration, Justin suddenly snatched the effigy back¡ª And stomped it into pieces. CRACK! The sound of the sculpture shattering snapped Nepal out of his trance. Seeing the priceless artifact reduced to dust, Nepal''s veins bulged with fury. That sculpture was invaluable! A once-in-a-lifetime masterpiece! But Velen, watching all this unfold, narrowed his eyes. He had broken the Fallen Angel Sculpture. Now Justin had broken the Demon Effigy in return. Was this little brat trying to challenge him?! A mere foolish spendthrift daring to oppose a true tycoon?! Unforgivable. Just as killing intent surged within Velen''s heart, a familiar system notification rang in his ears, momentarily dissipating his murderous urges. "Congratulations, Host! Successful wealth flaunting detected! Reward: 1,000 luxury points and 9,999 advanced sculpture skill books!" Seeing the generous reward, a smirk crept onto Velen''s face. His gaze shifted to Justin, eyes gleaming with amusement. "You¡ªwhat''s your name?" His tone carried an undeniable weight. "And do you even know who I am?" Justin raised an eyebrow, his expression filled with disdain. "The name''s Justin. Why? You think you''re some kind of big shot?" His tone was laced with mockery, clearly not taking Velen seriously. Though curious about the question, Justin remained unimpressed, failing to recognize the absolute menace standing before him. Chapter 157 - Chapter154-Do You Know Who I Am? "You can call me Super Tycoon Velen, or you can call me a god!" Velen stared at him coldly, his expression serious. "Those who truly understand me have become the greatest tycoons in the world. And those who have only seen me a few times refer to me as the God of Alchemy!" "Tch! Keep bragging all you want. To be honest, I don''t believe a single word you''re saying!" Justin chuckled lightly, completely convinced that Velen was just making up an identity for himself with no credibility whatsoever. Velen had fully anticipated Justin''s reaction. With a calm demeanor, he simply said: "If you think I''m lying, then let''s have a wealth showdown!" Justin agreed almost without hesitation. "A wealth showdown? Fine, fine! I''d love to see how much you, who call yourself a tycoon, can actually bring out!" He believed he was vastly different from Velen. After all, he had a mentor who spoiled him greatly. Though they bickered often, he was certain that if it ever came down to it, his mentor would support him without hesitation! With his mentor backing him up, Justin''s confidence skyrocketed. He declared proudly, "Velen, I advise you to just give up. My mentor is here to support me¡ªwhat do you have to compete with me?" "You have no idea! My mentor is a master sculptor, and every one of his works is worth a fortune. And I can use them freely. Can you?" "The things you''re showing off? Ha! Even if my mentor carved a sculpture while leading a dog on a leash, it would still be better than whatever you''ve made!" Hearing this, Nepal''s lips twitched. The decapitated demon statue was an absolute masterpiece. Even he couldn''t hope to match its craftsmanship. Yet in his mentee''s mouth, it was being belittled to such a degree? This was outright flattery through insult! If the great master who sculpted this demon statue heard these words¡­ Nepal instantly felt like crawling into a hole and disappearing! "Shut up, you brat! Not only did you secretly sell my statue, but now you''re slandering me too?" "And another thing! Every single one of my sculptures was painstakingly carved by my own hands. They''re not yours! I told you to study properly, but you insisted on hanging out with that group of cross-dressing eccentrics. And now look at yourself¡ªutterly useless, without learning a damn thing! You''re shameless!" Justin sneered in defiance. "Mentor, this Velen guy is way too arrogant! If I don''t put him in his place today, how can I show my face in public ever again? Are you my mentor, or his mentor?" Even though Justin could sense a shift in his mentor''s attitude, things had already gone too far for him to back down. He had no choice but to double down and face off against Velen! Velen, on the other hand, had never encountered someone so stubbornly headstrong before. His interest was piqued. "Interesting. You''ve genuinely caught my attention." With that, Velen casually retrieved 9,999 skill books on sculpting from his system storage. In an instant, the books piled up before him, forming a towering mountain of knowledge. A mesmerizing aura emanated from them, drawing people in. Across from him, Nepal and Justin were both utterly stunned at the sight of these skill books. As a top-tier sculptor, Nepal had spent astronomical sums just to acquire a single skill book like these. Yet now, in Velen''s hands, these priceless tomes were being treated like mere trinkets from a street stall! Justin was equally dumbfounded. Though he was far from studious, being around Nepal had at least given him an understanding of the sheer rarity and value of these books. "Iron Cub, get over here and pin him down. Today, I''ll make sure he understands¡ªcompared to a true tycoon like me, all those so-called tycoons and their extravagant spending are nothing but child''s play!" As soon as Velen finished speaking, Ironback Centipede, who had been lying in wait next door, burst through the wall, wielding his Level 9 Forge. "You''re the brat showing off in front of my master?" Ironback Centipede gave Justin a cold glance before pinning him down effortlessly. Justin was immediately struck with a sense of doom. Panic flashed across his face as he pleaded, "W-wait! Big guy, what are you trying to do?" "Don''t come any closer!" "I know I was wrong! I shouldn''t have shown off in front of Big Bro Velen! Please, just let me go!" However, his desperate pleas fell on deaf ears. Your adventure continues at My Virtual Library Empire S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Seeing that Ironback Centipede was ignoring him, Justin turned to his mentor for help. Nepal had initially planned to intervene. But the moment he saw Ironback Centipede start crushing the sculpting skill books into glowing orbs and forcibly stuffing them into Justin''s mouth, he was completely dumbfounded. What the hell is this technique?! Nepal had spent fortunes trying to acquire just one of these books. For him, if someone were willing to give him even a hundred¡ªno, just eighty¡ªof these books, he''d be willing to work like a slave for them! But now, right before his very eyes, these priceless tomes were being forcibly fed to Justin¡ªwho was more obsessed with cross-dressing than sculpting! This was beyond wasteful! At that moment, Nepal finally understood just how wealthy Velen truly was. Throughout the entire galaxy, there wasn''t a single individual who possessed so many sculpting skill books. And even if there was, they would treat them as treasured artifacts, never to be squandered. But Velen? He didn''t even care! To him, these rare, priceless books were as insignificant as dust! His level of extravagance far surpassed any so-called tycoon living in a luxurious palace. Thinking back now, Velen hadn''t been boasting at all¡ªhe was simply stating a fact. He was a true super tycoon! At that moment, Nepal looked at Velen''s calm figure once again and felt an invisible pressure radiating from him, making it difficult to breathe. It was the first time in his life that he felt so overwhelmed by someone whose rank was far lower than his own! Half an hour later. Justin lay sprawled on the ground like a lifeless corpse, his face filled with despair. Nearly ten thousand sculpting skill books had been force-fed into him. Now, his mind was overflowing with sculpting knowledge¡ªso much so that his previous obsession with cross-dressing had been completely pushed aside! In fact, he now had a strong feeling that if his soul could fully absorb this knowledge, he could surpass his mentor''s sculpting achievements in mere moments¡ªsomething that had taken Nepal over a hundred years to accomplish! "Big Bro Velen¡­ You''re really my Big Bro¡­" Justin looked at Velen in agony. "I was just bragging! You actually went and made it real!" Slowly recovering from the flood of sculpting knowledge, Justin stared at Velen with a pained expression. "I don''t even like sculpting! I like soft, sweet-smelling real men!" But Velen merely shook his head. "Whether you were bragging or had your own peculiar hobbies, in my eyes, you''re nothing more than a challenger. And I never go easy on challengers." At that moment, Ironback Centipede let out a chuckle. "Kid, I have to admit¡ªyou''ve got guts. But did you really think you could challenge my master?" As he spoke, he activated Frostfire, causing the air to oscillate between intense heat and bone-chilling cold. "Frostfire?!" "Impossible! That''s the legendary alchemist''s sacred flame! How could a spellbeast wield it?!" Feeling the surging energy, Nepal''s face turned pale with shock. Ironback Centipede smirked. "I may be a spellbeast, but my master sees great potential in me! He granted me Frostfire, believing I can become the strongest alchemist in the lower plane universe. And honestly? I think he''s right! After all, I have my master behind me! What do those other alchemists have? Nothing!" Hearing this, Nepal''s heart pounded wildly. Just when he thought Velen''s extravagance had peaked, he realized¡ªwhat Justin had experienced was only the appetizer! If other alchemists found out about this, they would probably go insane on the spot! This was Frostfire, for crying out loud! "You ungrateful disciple! You think you can compare yourself to Velen? What right do you have? Do you have this many treasures?!" "Velen is the real Super Tycoon, while you''re just a bragging fool!" Unable to hold back any longer, Nepal gave Justin a swift kick. Chapter 158 - Chapter155-An Ascended Rank... Servant?! "Velen, is your fortress specialized in training monsters?" Justin stared at Velen, his tone filled with disbelief. "Monsters?" Velen raised an eyebrow, a smile playing at the corners of his lips. "There are indeed two particularly special individuals in the academy. One is the Ironback Centipede, and the other... well..." "Young Master Velen, you''ve returned." Apollo carried a tray with two glasses of red wine. Upon seeing Velen, he immediately bowed respectfully. "Perfect timing," Velen nodded and gestured toward Justin. "Starting today, he''ll be working under you." Since you don''t want to study sculpting, you can be a servant instead. And while you''re at it, you''ll help the headmaster carve a portrait. What?! A servant?! Me, a servant?! Justin was utterly stunned when he heard this. "Me?" Justin widened his eyes in disbelief. "You want me to be a servant?" "Young Master Velen, is he also an Ascended Rank expert?" Apollo, upon sensing that Justin was only at Titan Rank Lv9, gave him a once-over and asked again, "Young Master Velen, is he also an Ascended Rank expert?" "Ascended Rank?" Justin nearly burst out laughing. "Are all the people in your fortress out of their minds? What kind of Ascended Rank expert would come here to be a servant?" Hearing Apollo''s words, Justin really wanted to leave. If he stayed in this bizarre fortress any longer, he was afraid he''d start going insane too! Run far away! As quickly as possible! With that thought, Justin immediately made up his mind. "Hey, buddy, you must''ve gained quite a few benefits from Young Master Velen, huh?" "So tell me, just how many benefits did you get before being tricked into coming here?" Apollo looked at Justin with curiosity. These past few days, he had learned a lot. Every mentor in the fortress¡ªwithout exception¡ªwas here more or less because of Velen. Now he finally understood why so many people had asked him what kind of fortune he had received to willingly serve as a servant here. Benefits? What benefits? Do mountains of shattered inspiration count as benefits? I was just caught by Velen in a daze and brought here! Apollo ignored Justin''s sarcasm and merely stated flatly, "Over the past two days, at least eight Ascended Rank spellbeasts have appeared nearby." As soon as he finished speaking, a deafening roar erupted in the distance. A massive spellbeast with bull-like horns charged out from the forest, heading straight for them. "Run!" Justin instinctively shouted. But Apollo merely frowned, a golden light flashing in his eyes. The spellbeast suddenly froze in place before collapsing heavily to the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust. "Let''s go," Apollo turned to Justin. "Looks like we''ve got dinner covered." "What do you want to eat? Red wine with steak?" Justin was dumbfounded as he stared at Apollo, waves of shock surging in his heart. This guy''s strength... is terrifying! "Apollo, brother... your strength is...?" Justin hesitantly asked. "I can ascend at any time," Apollo replied calmly. "But here, whether one ascends or not... that depends on Young Master Velen''s decision." Justin''s heart instantly sank to the bottom. He had been thinking about escaping, but now it seemed utterly impossible. Velen''s power and influence far exceeded his imagination. Inside the fortress''s grand hall, Anastasia sat in an exquisitely carved chair, idly playing with a gemstone that shimmered faintly. Her gaze fell on Velen as he entered, and the corner of her lips curled slightly. "Brought back another one?" Anastasia''s tone carried a hint of amusement. "Velen, you never tire of this, do you?" "Lady Anastasia, this time, I''ve truly been wronged," Velen spread his hands. "This Justin is actually a sculptor, exceptionally talented. I thought he could sculpt a statue for you¡ªone that would perfectly capture your grandeur." "A sculptor?" Anastasia''s eyes lit up. "Where is he? Let me see his skills." "Uh¡­" Velen scratched his head awkwardly. "While he does have talent, he has no interest in sculpting¡ªhe''s rather resistant, actually. For now, I''ve assigned him to serve as a servant under Apollo." "A servant?" Anastasia frowned. "Since he''s already part of fortress, we can''t let him leave so easily. Find a way to make him continue sculpting¡ªsuch talent is rare." "Lady Anastasia, with your approval, not even Jesus himself could take him away¡ªI swear it!" Seeing Anastasia take such an interest in Justin, Velen pounded his chest in assurance. Anastasia nodded but then suddenly changed the subject. "By the way, you took Alan and the Ironback Centipede with you on this trip¡ªwhat exactly were you up to?" Velen grinned and began recounting his experiences in Potion City. Potion City. The Grand Alchemy Tournament. You refined a God Rank Potion in front of tens of thousands of alchemists¡ªthen casually spilled it all over the ground?! And instead of being furious, those tens of thousands of alchemists were grateful to you?! You had two flames of origin and gave both of them to the Ironback Centipede to cultivate it into the continent''s greatest alchemy centipede?! Then you visited the Academy. The headmaster wasn''t wasteful enough, so you ended up tormenting the three great senators to the brink of insanity?! Are you even human?! Look at these things you''ve done¡ªare any of them something a sane person would do?! You''re getting more and more deranged! Anastasia felt that Velen''s extravagant behavior was reaching new, insane heights. Just hearing about all of this, even without witnessing it firsthand, made her heart ache! "Velen, doesn''t your heart ache?" Anastasia couldn''t hold back any longer and interrupted him. "So many precious resources, just wasted¡ªyou don''t feel even a little bit of pain? Doesn''t your conscience hurt?" Velen didn''t answer directly. Instead, he raised his foot and stomped down hard on the floor. With a loud crack, the floor tiles shattered instantly. "Lady Anastasia, this floor is made from condensed earth magic. If it breaks, do you feel bad?" Velen asked with a smile. "I do," Anastasia replied without hesitation. Velen was momentarily stunned before laughing. "I can create thousands of these tiles at will, and you''d still feel bad?" "This grand hall is under a magical formation, but you just destroyed the magic core of that formation. So tell me¡ªshould I feel bad or not?" Velen''s smile instantly froze. Anastasia stood up, a flicker of anger in her eyes. "Velen, you''re becoming more and more reckless!" Velen scratched his head and chuckled dryly. "Lady Anastasia, it was just an accident..." "An accident?" Madness! Anastasia was about to go insane! Never in her wildest dreams did she expect someone to be so bored that they''d deliberately destroy the fortress''s grand hall floor! So she hadn''t even bothered adding any special protection to this low-tier defensive array¡ªwho could''ve imagined that Velen would aim perfectly and break the magic core in one stomp?! My magic array! Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 159 - Chapter156-Who the Hell Wouldn’t Be Confused with This Magic Array Core Here? "For real?!" Hearing those words, Velen''s eyes lit up instantly, and his energy soared! I''m so pissed off! Not only did he destroy my magic array core without apologizing, but he even looks excited about it! Are you trying to make me die of rage before I ascend?! Seeing Velen''s ecstatic expression, Anastasia would have already taught him a lesson if she weren''t wary of that powerful one-eyed, red-haired man. "Anastasia!" "You were having a great time in the upper plane universe, but now that I''m the lord, you''re living in such misery? You can''t even discipline your subordinates?" Thinking back to how Anastasia used to teach her a lesson in the upper plane universe, Velen was feeling frustrated. She finally had the chance to be a lord, yet she didn''t even dare to lay a hand on her subordinate. "System, since I destroyed Anastasia''s magic array core, shouldn''t I compensate her with something even better?" At that moment, Velen eagerly consulted the system. "Ding! The defensive magic array of Holy Light Fortress is a low-end version of the Energy-Concentrating Defensive Magic Array. The primary reason is that a suitable magic array core could not be found in the Titan Galaxy." "Ding! Granting the host a source arcane stone. This stone can replace the low-end magic array core and enhance the array''s effects to the extreme!" Hearing the system''s response, Velen immediately turned to Anastasia and said, "Anastasia, it''s just a magic array core, right? I''ll get you a better one!" A better one? Anastasia burst into laughter out of sheer anger. The low-end magic array core she had was obtained at great expense, using the full strength of Holy Light Fortress. And now he''s saying he''ll compensate her with something better? Could he possibly give her a source arcane stone, which is extremely rare even in the upper plane universe? Wait! Could this guy actually get one? A glimmer of hope flashed in Anastasia''s eyes. Other people might not have one, but that didn''t mean this prodigal subordinate of hers didn''t! If he could really give her a fist-sized source arcane stone, her cultivation speed would increase tenfold with the Energy-Concentrating Magic Array! Just as Anastasia was daydreaming¡ª Boom! With a muffled sound, Velen patted the three-meter-tall source arcane stone beside him and said, "Anastasia, how about using this as the magic array core? It''s definitely big enough! Even if someone wanted to destroy it, they''d have a hard time!" Anastasia''s eyes nearly popped out of her head. Big enough? This thing is ridiculously huge! She had thought that if Velen could get a fist-sized source arcane stone, that would be amazing. But instead, this madman had brought out an absolute monster! "System, did you give me too small a piece? Anastasia doesn''t seem to be reacting at all?" "No, this won''t do. Give me a bigger one! One big enough to sit on the fortress roof¡ªat least seven meters tall!" As he spoke, Velen stored the three-meter-tall source arcane stone back into his system space. What the hell?! What are you doing? You just said you''d replace my magic array core¡ªwhy are you taking it away again?! Are you toying with me? Anastasia panicked. Just as she was about to speak, a deafening boom sounded, and a seven-meter-tall source arcane stone appeared in front of them like a small mountain. Vast amounts of magical source power spread through the air, creating an awe-inspiring scene. "Anastasia, is this big enough?" "With this magic array core here, who the hell wouldn''t be confused?!" Velen''s face was full of excitement. I don''t know about anyone else, but I sure as hell am confused! Are you trying to make sure everyone knows exactly where the magic array core is? Who in their right mind would use something this massive?! Even the powerful factions of the upper plane universe wouldn''t dare waste a source arcane stone like this! That''s a priceless treasure, brimming with pure magical source power! "This magic array has limits. A fist-sized source arcane stone is more than enough." Anastasia finally accepted the reality of this prodigal lunatic and spoke up. If her superiors in the upper plane universe saw her using such a massive source arcane stone as a magic array core, they would personally come down and teach her a lesson. "A fist-sized one is enough?" Hearing this, Velen immediately walked toward the Level 9 Forge nearby¡ªthe very one belonging to Anastasia! "Wait!" "Velen, what are you doing?!" Seeing him grab a forge, Anastasia suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of unease! The next moment¡ª Boom! Velen swung the forge and smashed it into the massive source arcane stone. Shards flew in all directions, and source power leaked out wildly. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Anastasia''s heart was bleeding. Prodigal bastard! You absolute madman! Are you seriously smashing this thing into pieces, just to end up with a fist-sized chunk?! Would it kill you to cut out a piece and save the rest?! Even if you had to smash it, could you at least do it somewhere I can''t see?! "Eighty!" "Eighty!" "Eighty!" With an excited expression, Velen kept smashing the source arcane stone into rubble. Since a fist-sized piece was enough, what was the point of keeping the rest? Ten minutes later¡ª The hall was filled with scattered fragments of source arcane stone and overflowing source power. Standing amid the debris, Velen wiped the sweat off his forehead and handed Anastasia a fist-sized piece of source arcane stone. "Anastasia, if there''s nothing else, I''ll be on my way." Anastasia stared at the magic stone in her hand, her face dark as night. He destroyed the magic array core! Then said three meters wasn''t enough, so he brought out a seven-meter one! Then said that was too big and smashed it to pieces! And in the end, he only left her with a fist-sized piece of source arcane stone! Did this lunatic plan everything just to mess with her?! Looking at the shattered remains of the source arcane stone around her, Anastasia felt like she was going insane! If she had known this would happen, she would''ve just used the whole thing as the magic array core in the first place! "Ding! Congratulations, host! You have triggered a luxury display event! Reward: 100,000 luxury points and pass x1!" Hearing the system''s notification, Velen was quite pleased as he checked out today''s special items. Since he had traveled all night at full speed, he had slept until noon. Then he had dealt with these affairs and finally remembered he hadn''t checked today''s special items yet. Today''s special item: Fruit of Saintess x100,000 Fruit of Saintess: A sweet and delicious alchemical ingredient, said to be watered with the tears of Saint Jeanne as she mourned for the world. It cannot be cultivated in the Titan Galaxy and can only be obtained from the Singularity Battlefield. It ranks among the top ten legendary alchemical ingredients of the Singularity Battlefield. "This special item is interesting. Fruit of Saintess? I wonder if it''s red." "With 100,000 of them, eating a few shouldn''t make a difference. If it''s ranked among the top ten legendary ingredients, it must taste incredible!" "But how should I show off with this?" Velen fell into deep thought. "In my last life, people had snowball fights. In this life, why not organize a fruit fight for everyone in the fortress?" As the idea formed, Velen couldn''t help but chuckle. Holy Light Fortress could definitely use some entertainment. Outside Holy Light Fortress "Galdorin, this is probably just a small fortress." "For now, just call me Young Master. Make sure not to reveal my identity¡ªI don''t want to scare the people in this tiny fortress." "After all, our Uno Kingdom rules over hundreds of thousands of star systems and governs countless fortress factions, big and small. If they found out that I''m the heir to the Uno Kingdom, they might actually be terrified." "Besides, we''re only staying for one night. Let''s not cause too much of a commotion." Uno Eureka smiled as he reminded the white-bearded old man beside him. "Yes, Young Master. I will be mindful." The old man also smiled as he responded. Chapter 160 - Chapter157-I Announce That the First Holy Light Fortress Fruit War Begins Now! Velen led everyone from the fortress to a spacious area outside. The 99,995 Fruit of Saintess were all taken out and piled up on the ground. He had just eaten five of them¡ªthe taste was absolutely divine! He almost wanted to eat dozens at once, but fortunately, he managed to hold back. S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As expected of the Fruit of Saintess! Bright red and incredibly delicious! But what was he planning to do with such a huge pile of alchemical ingredients? Were they supposed to eat them all? Could it be that these alchemical ingredients had some kind of special effect but tasted absolutely awful? As they stared at the massive pile of ingredients, everyone suddenly recalled the horrifying taste of the Fortifying Potion. Just the thought of it sent shivers down their spines! They would rather eat dirt than drink that wretched potion ever again! They were traumatized! "I felt that the fortress has been too dull since I returned, so I''ve prepared an entertainment event for everyone!" "See these fruits?" "Today, we''re going to have a Fruit War!" Velen then explained the rules: simply take the Fruit of Saintess and throw them at each other. At the end, those who got hit the most and the least would have to face a punishment. The punishment? Drinking 5,000 bottles of Fortifying Potion! And once finished? Free refills! After hearing the rules, everyone looked at Velen in sheer horror. The Fruit War sounded fun, but wasn''t the punishment too cruel?! The ones who got hit the most would be punished. The ones who got hit the least would also be punished. So when the war started, should they dodge or not? If they dodged too much, they might end up as the person with the least hits. If they didn''t dodge enough, they might become the one who got hit the most! They had always known that Velen was a prodigal maniac, but even his games had to be this twisted?! "Velen, as the fortress lord, I don''t think it''s appropriate for me to participate in such an entertainment event. My presence might make everyone hold back, so I''ll just head back to train instead." Anastasia suddenly spoke up, looking at Velen. Boom! In response, Velen immediately pulled out the three-meter-tall source arcane stone again. According to the system, once an item was rewarded, it could not be taken back. "As the fortress lord, I believe it is my duty to set an example for this event!" Anastasia immediately understood what Velen meant. She gritted her teeth and glared at him furiously but had no choice but to change her mind. "Fine! Let''s get this over with already!" With that, Velen took a few steps back. Everyone froze. "¡­You''re not participating?" Anastasia''s gaze was filled with burning anger as she stared at Velen. "I want to participate, but for the sake of fairness, someone has to count how many times each person gets hit, right?" Fairness, my ass! Just admit you wanted to sit back and enjoy the show! Not only was he a prodigal maniac, but he also found joy in tormenting them! At that moment, a small rabbit suddenly ran up to Velen, rubbing its head against his pants. It was clearly trying to act cute to escape this terrifying event. Nice try! Boom! Velen kicked the rabbit straight back into the battlefield. "The First Holy Light Fortress Fruit War begins now!" As Velen''s excited voice echoed, everyone exchanged glances before dashing toward the pile of Fruit of Saintess! "Everyone, throw at the rabbit! That thing is dodging like crazy¡ªit''s worse than a damn dog!" "Anastasia, they''re not avoiding you because they''re scared of you! They want you to take one of the punishment slots, so you better start taking some hits voluntarily!" "Corner, stop waving those damn cups around! What, are you trying to brew fruit wine?!" ¡­ Watching everyone going all out, Velen was absolutely thrilled, occasionally shouting from the sidelines. Outside Holy Light Fortress¡­ "Galdorin, is this really just a small fortress?" "In a moment, just call me Young Master. Make sure not to reveal my identity¡ªI don''t want to scare the people in this tiny fortress." "After all, our Uno Kingdom rules over hundreds of thousands of star systems and governs countless fortress factions, big and small. If they found out that I''m the heir to the Uno Kingdom, they might be terrified." "We''re just staying for one night¡ªlet''s not cause too much of a stir." Uno Eureka smiled as he reminded the white-bearded old man beside him. "Yes, Young Master. I will be mindful." Galdorin also smiled as he responded. However, as the two walked into the fortress grounds, they froze in absolute shock. "What¡­ what are they doing?!" The sky was filled with Fruit of Saintess! Red, glowing fruits were soaring through the air as people hurled them at each other like snowballs! Galdorin''s eyes nearly popped out of his skull, and his white beard stood on end in horror. "Fruit of Saintess!" "That''s Fruit of Saintess!!!" "What the hell are these people doing?!" Galdorin could hardly breathe as he saw the unmistakable magical aura radiating from the fruits being thrown like playthings. These were Fruit of Saintess! One of the top ten legendary alchemical ingredients of the Singularity Battlefield! And these lunatics were playing with them?! "Stop! Stop this madness¡ª" Before Galdorin could even finish his sentence, Apollo''s golden eyes flashed as he turned toward him. Boom! Galdorin instantly shut his mouth, breaking into a cold sweat. "Galdorin, stop them! That''s Fruit of Saintess! One of the Singularity Battlefield''s top ten legendary alchemical ingredients! In my entire life, I''ve only ever eaten three of them!" Uno Eureka was on the verge of tears as he watched the priceless Fruit of Saintess being thrown around like common pebbles. This wasn''t a small fortress. This was a fortress of lunatic prodigals! The Fruit of Saintess were flying all over the place, and no one cared! "Shhh!!!" Hearing Eureka''s outburst, Galdorin''s face turned pale with fear. He hurriedly made a shushing gesture, then glanced fearfully at Apollo, who had rejoined the chaotic fruit battle. Lowering his voice, he whispered, "Young Master¡­ please, stop talking¡­ This place is terrifying." "???" Eureka was dumbfounded. "Galdorin, you''re one of the top ten ranked warriors in the Uno Kingdom. How could a small fortress scare you?" "Young Master¡­ do you see that hulking man in the maid outfit?" "That''s an Ascended Rank powerhouse! He nearly killed me just by looking at me!" "An Ascended Rank warrior¡­ as a servant! Screw this being a ''small fortress''!" "And that old man over there? Also an Ascended Rank powerhouse¡ªfar stronger than me!" By now, Galdorin was on the verge of peeing himself! This so-called small fortress¡­ If they really revealed their identity, it might not be the fortress that got scared¡ªit might be them! Truth be told, even if the Uno Kingdom sent all five of its Ascended Rank knights, they wouldn''t dare provoke a fortress like this! At that moment, Velen strolled over and asked, "Hey, who are you two?" "Uh¡ªh-hello, my friend! That''s not important right now!" "What''s important is¡ªdo you even know what they''re throwing?!" Hearing that, Velen blinked innocently. "Fruit of Saintess." "One of the top ten legendary alchemical ingredients of the Singularity Battlefield." "What''s wrong?" Hearing Velen''s casual response, Galdorin''s soul nearly left his body. What''s wrong?! You''re actually asking me what''s wrong?! You know exactly what it is¡ªAND YOU''RE STILL LETTING THEM DO THIS?! "You¡­ y-your fortress lord¡ªwhere is she?! Name your price! I''ll buy all of them!!!" Galdorin''s eyes were bloodshot with desperation. Those fruits belong to me!!! Chapter 161 - Chapter158-Young Master, You Really Can’t Eat That! "Buy?" "Who the hell are you?!" Hearing that these people wanted to buy his special produce, Velen''s expression immediately darkened. "I am Galdorin, Chief Magus of the Uno Kingdom, and this here is the heir to the Uno Kingdom. Rest assured, we can definitely afford to purchase these Fruits of the Saintess!" Galdorin assumed Velen was worried they couldn''t afford it, so he directly revealed their identities. "Chief Magus? Kingdom heir?" "You think you''re rich? I''m richer!" "Let me tell you something¡ªthese Fruits of the Saintess? I''m wasting them just for the sake of it! Even if God himself came down, he wouldn''t be able to stop me!" After speaking, Velen ignored them and returned to his previous spot, his excitement returning as he shouted again. One minute... Two minutes... Three minutes... "No, I can''t take this anymore!" Watching as these precious Fruits of the Saintess continued to be squandered, Galdorin finally lost his composure. sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. This was insane! He couldn''t bear it! "Where is the lord of this fortress?! Do you even realize they''re tossing around one of the top ten most valuable alchemical ingredients in the Singularity Battlefield?!" "Even if you spent a hundred years in the Singularity Battlefield, you might not come across a single one! You can''t let them keep wasting them like this!" The moment Galdorin finished speaking, the people who had been playing around so gleefully suddenly froze. Fruits of the Saintess?! These were actually the legendary Fruits of the Saintess?! The ones they had only ever heard of but never seen in their entire lives? And they were just throwing them around like toys?! "Holy crap, we''ve been playing with Fruits of the Saintess this whole time?" "Young Master Velen, you''re a legend!" "He''s willing to use such precious alchemical ingredients just to make us happy!" After their initial shock, Corner excitedly picked up a Fruit of the Saintess from the ground and hurled it at Apollo! Corner had fully embraced the philosophy¡ªwho cares about value? Just burn money! Extravagance was the way! As Corner rekindled the game, the others smiled bitterly before joining the chaos once again. Who could stop Velen from wasting money? They should have expected this¡ªhow could anything Velen brought out be ordinary? Galdorin watched in despair as Fruits of the Saintess flew through the air. This is madness! Everyone in this fortress was completely insane! Were they primitive savages?! Had they never been to the Singularity Battlefield?! Had they never heard of Fruits of the Saintess?! Galdorin was on the verge of a breakdown. Those precious Fruits of the Saintess might have been hitting other people, but every impact was a stab to his heart! Wait! Where was the prince?! "Your Highness! Y-you¡­ what are you doing?!" When Galdorin finally remembered Eureka, he was horrified to see the prince crouched nearby, picking up the crushed Fruits of the Saintess from the ground and eating them! Galdorin was so distressed he was nearly in tears! Your Highness, you can''t eat that! You''re the heir to the Uno Kingdom! How can you be eating filthy, dirt-covered scraps of alchemical ingredients from the ground?! Moments later¡­ "Delicious!" "This is the taste!" "Your Highness, today we''ve hit the jackpot! Let''s eat to our hearts'' content!" Seeing the ground littered with smashed Fruits of the Saintess, Galdorin decided¡ªeven if he died from overeating today, he had to make the most of this! ¡ª Velen watched as Galdorin and Eureka sat on the ground, casually grabbing the crushed fruits and stuffing their faces. His mouth twitched. Are these two cosmic hobos who came here to dumpster dive?! "Are you sure these guys aren''t just here for comic relief?" "And they call themselves a Chief Magus and a kingdom heir? People of such status wouldn''t be eating rotten fruit off the ground!" Velen was utterly speechless. After a long while¡­ Ding! Congratulations, host! You have completed today''s special production. Rewards: 1000 luxury points, 10,000 Fruits of the Saintess! Hell yes! Rewards! Seeing that his reward was a whole 10,000 Fruits of the Saintess, Velen''s face lit up with joy. These bright red fruits really were delicious. "Enough eating!" "If you guys want more, you can have all these crushed ones, but only if you clean this place up!" Seeing that Galdorin and Eureka were already full but still forcing themselves to eat, Velen was exasperated. "Really?!" Hearing this, both Galdorin and Eureka were moved to tears. Who cares if they were crushed?! Even crushed, they were still Fruits of the Saintess! No exaggeration¡ªif they brought this pile of crushed fruits back to their kingdom, even the five knight commanders would be groveling at their feet! ¡ª "Apollo, tell me¡ªwho got hit the most in the fruit fight just now? And who got hit the least?" Velen wasn''t about to keep track of such things himself. He had long since delegated that to Apollo. "Young Master Velen, the one who got hit the most was the lord, and the one who got hit the least was the rabbit." Hearing Velen''s question, Apollo immediately reported. "Velen!" "This is all your fault! If you hadn''t told me to take hits on purpose, I wouldn''t have¡ª" Before Anastasia could finish her complaint, she saw the spatial ring Velen tossed her. Peeking inside, she found 100 fresh Fruits of the Saintess. Her words immediately got stuck in her throat. ??? As they watched Anastasia leave with a big smile, everyone was dumbfounded. She got 5000 bottles of terrible potions and was still this happy?! "Rabbit, come here!" "You don''t get a spatial ring." "These 100 Fruits of the Saintess are all yours." As he spoke, Velen placed 100 Fruits of the Saintess in front of the rabbit. Wait, what?! Wasn''t the punishment supposed to be 5000 bottles of terrible potions? How did that turn into 100 Fruits of the Saintess?! Where was the punishment?! Was this a joke?! Or¡­ Was it because the ones being "punished" were Velen''s beloved lord and his treasured rabbit, so the "punishment" was secretly changed? Gulp. Regardless of the reason, as they watched the rabbit smugly look around while enjoying the Fruits of the Saintess, its face brimming with satisfaction, everyone couldn''t help but swallow hard. "Galdorin, what the hell is this fortress?!" Eureka stared at the crushed fruit in his hand, then at the rabbit happily munching on fresh ones nearby, his face full of despair. Screw being an heir! Who could endure this?! "Your Highness, one must learn to be content!" "With these crushed fruits, we''ll be set for life when we return to the kingdom!" "As for that rabbit¡­ damn it, I''m jealous too!" With that, the Chief Magus wiped away a tear and continued gathering the broken fruits. He was afraid that if he watched any longer, he might have a full-on breakdown! This is infuriating! ¡ª "Ladies and gentlemen, everyone gets a share¡ªten Fruits of the Saintess per person!" "In the future, I''ll be holding more competitions, but the punishments could be Fortifying Potions or other rare items. What you get depends on fate!" Hearing this, the crowd went wild! This was absolute madness! Now they had a serious dilemma¡ªshould they fight for the punishment spots next time or not?! "Velen is the undisputed king of extravagance!" Chapter 162 - Chapter159-Young Master Velen, Let Me Help You Show Off! "This little fortress is way too extravagant!" "I''m so jealous I could die!" Seeing the crowd in the distance enjoying fresh Fruits of the Saintess, Eureka felt like his soul had taken yet another devastating blow. "Galdorin, you said these Fruits of the Saintess don''t enhance cultivation. Is it really worth picking them up?" Still reeling from shock, Eureka turned to the chief magus for an answer. "So what if they don''t enhance cultivation?" "The value of the Fruit of the Saintess lies in its rarity! Not only is it delicious, but it''s a supreme status symbol!" "Do you realize, even these crushed ones¡ªif we take them back, we could trade them for favors from top-tier grand mentors!" Galdorin''s expression was deadly serious. "Sigh!" "Fine, let''s keep picking them up then!" Eureka tilted his head back at a 45-degree angle, staring at the stars in resignation before bending down once again to pick up the crushed Fruits of the Saintess. ¡ª Half an hour later. Inside the fortress. "You''re the chief magus and heir of Uno Kingdom?" Upon learning their identities, Anastasia was visibly surprised. Whether it was Holy Light Fortress or any other fortress, they were all technically located within Uno Kingdom''s domain. Although there was usually no direct interaction, if another kingdom ever invaded, all fortresses were obligated to send their strongest warriors to defend Uno Kingdom. "So¡­ you came here to collect protection fees?" Understanding some of Uno Kingdom''s governance, Velen immediately thought of how fortresses had to pay tribute to the kingdom every year. Protection fees?! Eureka froze. What the hell?! When did they ever say they were here to collect protection fees?! Stop making Uno Kingdom sound like some low-tier, exploitative third-rate kingdom! "Young Master Velen, Uno Kingdom does not collect protection fees from any fortress!" "Our only duty is to defend against foreign threats¡ªwe do not interfere in any fortress''s internal affairs!" Galdorin hurriedly explained. Hearing that they didn''t collect protection fees, Velen was speechless. This was not the kingdom he imagined. Too humane! Not even collecting protection fees? Then how do you people survive?! "No, no, you guys should charge some protection fees!" "Our fortress is extremely rich!" Velen suddenly realized that this was a prime opportunity to flex his wealth, and he immediately tried persuading them. At those words, everyone in the fortress looked up at the ceiling. Even the rabbit covered its face with its front paws. This is too embarrassing! They couldn''t bear to watch anymore! The kingdom already said they didn''t collect protection fees, and here he was, begging them to take money. Does he get physically uncomfortable if he doesn''t burn money? "No, absolutely not!" Galdorin was scared out of his mind! Forget the fact that Uno Kingdom never collected protection fees¡ªeven if they did, who the hell would dare charge this fortress?! These people threw Fruits of the Saintess around for fun! Their fortress might be small, but it was terrifyingly powerful! ¡ª A while later. At the dining table, eating the meal cooked by Corner, Galdorin and Eureka were completely numb. A chef cultivator?! And at such a high level?! Uno Kingdom didn''t even have a single chef cultivator! The quality of life in this fortress was too damn high! To be honest, they didn''t really want to leave anymore. "As the chief magus and heir, why are you two here?" After eating and drinking their fill, Anastasia finally asked out of curiosity. "A Grand Alchemist has appeared within Uno Kingdom''s borders!" "We must find them¡ªno matter the cost¡ªand commission a god-rank potion. The fate of Uno Kingdom depends on it!" Hearing Anastasia''s question, and receiving a subtle signal from the chief magus, Eureka finally revealed their true purpose. A Grand Alchemist? A god-rank potion? Hearing this, Anastasia turned to look at Velen with an odd expression. "The Grand Alchemist you''re looking for¡­ is he the same one who scattered god-rank potions all over the ground?" sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Velen also looked at them in surprise. "That''s right!" Galdorin and Eureka answered in unison. Velen was speechless. He really wanted to say: Damn, you guys nailed it! You found exactly the right person! Too bad I can''t actually make potions! "Well then, I wish you both success in finding your Grand Alchemist." Velen had no intention of revealing himself. ¡ª "The final dish¡ªred wine braised steak!" At that moment, Corner walked in carrying the dish. The beef was fresh¡ªit had been hunted by Apollo just a few days ago. "Young Master Velen, that god-rank potion you brewed on Inferno Planet¡ªwhat exactly was it?" As Corner was about to leave, he suddenly turned back to deliberately ask Velen. At the same time, he winked. Velen, I''m helping you flex! Enjoy the show! Brush! Brush! Hearing Corner''s words, Galdorin and Eureka snapped their heads toward Velen, their eyes filled with disbelief. The Grand Alchemist they were looking for... was right in front of them?! Young! Extravagant! Flashy! Named Velen! It all lined up perfectly! At that moment, Galdorin and Eureka finally understood why so many powerhouses were gathered at this seemingly insignificant fortress. Because the Grand Alchemist was here! Uno Kingdom''s Knight Commander Arthur had suffered a relapse of an old injury. If he wasn''t treated soon, he would have no choice but to ascend. If that happened, Uno Kingdom would be left with only four Ascended-Rank Knight Commanders, which would put them in serious danger against the neighboring kingdoms that had been eyeing them for years. "Velen, Uno Kingdom has been protecting countless ordinary people within its borders. If war breaks out, forget those commoners¡ªeven we won''t have an easy time!" "And from what I know, other kingdoms'' royal families are not as kind to their fortresses as Uno Kingdom is. So both morally and strategically, we should do everything we can to help." Look at this fortress lord! A god-rank potion was just a minor contribution in his eyes! At this moment, Galdorin and Eureka were truly convinced. From the rabbit to the people¡ªevery single person in this fortress was more extravagant than the last! ¡ª "Why should I even bother with something so trivial?" By now, Velen couldn''t back down. Although he couldn''t make god-rank potions anymore, there was someone¡ªno, some thing¡ªthat could! "System, open the roulette until I get seven god-rank potions!" As he summoned Ironback Centipede, Velen immediately issued the command to the system. Ding! Opened 2,100 supreme-tier roulette spins, consuming 210,000 luxury points. Congratulations, host¡ªacquired 7 god-rank potions! ??? Velen was stunned. Over two thousand spins¡­ just to get seven bottles?! Wasn''t it supposed to be a 1% drop rate? Shouldn''t one in every hundred be guaranteed?! Velen was about to curse out loud, but then he suddenly sighed in defeat. Damn it¡­ I was betrayed by my old gym teacher who taught math! ¡ª "You''re not doing it? Then who''s making the god-rank potion?" Hearing Velen''s response, Galdorin and Eureka asked in confusion. Chapter 163 - Chapter160-Consecutive Rank Breakthroughs, Thunder Tide: Do I Even Have Any Dignity? "Lord Velen, you were looking for me?" As the two conversed, Ironback Centipede shook its head and walked in from outside. "Velen, don''t tell me¡­ you''re planning to have it refine a God Rank Potion?" Seeing Ironback Centipede, Anastasia suddenly remembered that Velen had given it Frostfire. Instantly, her face was filled with shock as she questioned him. What a waste! You actually gave it that?! "Lady Anastasia, you guessed correctly. I am indeed planning to have Ironback Centipede refine a God Rank Potion!" Hearing Anastasia''s question, Velen smiled and gave a firm response. "This¡­ sir, are you also a Grand Alchemist?" Galdorin was shaken to his core. A mere fortress was hiding two Grand Alchemists? Forget people, even ghosts wouldn''t believe such a thing! "Sir?" "Screw your ''sir''!" "Your whole family is ''sir''!" "I''m a centipede, the almighty Ironback Centipede of the Universe!" Hearing Galdorin''s words, Ironback Centipede instantly lashed out! Calling it "sir"?! Wasn''t that basically an insult?! A centipede? A centipede that could refine a God Rank Potion?! What kind of cosmic joke was this? Did I mishear something? The hell is this fortress? Even a centipede here can refine a God Rank Potion?! Galdorin and Eureka slapped themselves hard across the face. "Galdorin, am I dreaming?" Eureka suddenly raised a hand and smacked Galdorin across the face. "Did that hurt?" Galdorin clutched his face, staring at Eureka in utter disbelief. You¡­ you actually dare to hit me now? "It hurts, Your Highness. This isn''t a dream!" Eureka was stunned. Reality was too damn absurd! "You guys in Uno Kingdom must have some high-level alchemists, right?" "When the time comes, have one of them guide it a little." Although Ironback Centipede hadn''t truly embarked on the path of alchemy yet, as long as it reached Ascended Rank and possessed divine flames capable of refining any rare material, refining a God Rank Potion wouldn''t be a big deal. "Here, little eunuch, drink all seven of these potions!" "Remember, when you drink the last one, be sure to control the power inside you. Don''t go flying off!" Huh? Hearing Velen''s last sentence, not only were Galdorin, Eureka, and Anastasia utterly confused, even Ironback Centipede was baffled. Boss, how the hell am I supposed to fly from drinking a potion? However, in the very next moment, everyone understood exactly what Velen meant. Boom! Just five seconds after drinking the first God Rank Potion, a surge of overwhelming magical power erupted from Ironback Centipede''s body! The aura of three Thunder Tides resisted! How was this possible?! Before drinking the potion, its power had only withstood two Thunder Tides! Yet after just one bottle, without even undergoing another Thunder Tide, it had reached three?! Sensing the power radiating from Ironback Centipede, Galdorin''s eyes were filled with utter disbelief. Am I going blind?! A centipede drank a potion and just leveled up?! "This God Rank Potion is called Judgement Break Potion!" "Each bottle allows you to skip past one Thunder Tide. You still have six bottles left¡ªonce you drink them all, you''ll be on the verge of Ascended Rank!" Seeing the others'' shock and confusion, Velen calmly explained. "There''s actually a potion like this?!" Hearing Velen''s explanation, everyone found it hard to believe their ears. A God Rank Potion? Fine, I''ll reluctantly accept that¡ªafter all, Velen has successfully refined one before. But this Judgement Break Potion?! No one had ever heard of it! For both Awakeners and powerful Spellbeasts, the most terrifying ordeal was the Nine Thunder Tides. Yet for this guy, it was just a matter of chugging a few bottles?! Thunder Tide: Do I even have any dignity left?! Boom! Boom! Boom! Feeling Ironback Centipede''s aura growing stronger and stronger, Galdorin was on the verge of tears. Comparing people to bugs is just too infuriating! He had endured life-and-death trials to survive eight Thunder Tides, while this centipede just chugged a few potions and casually skipped them! Who the hell could handle this?! Demons would weep, and men would despair! Oh, heavens, why did I ever come to this fortress?! Eureka thought about his own future¡ªhow he''d have to face Thunder Tides head-on, risking his life to survive them. Then he looked at this Spellbeast, which had just guzzled its way through the Thunder Tides like it was nothing. He suddenly felt like giving up on life. What''s the big deal about being a prince? This centipede is living better than me! "Velen, this potion¡­" Before Anastasia could even finish her sentence, Velen cut her off: "Don''t worry, Lady Anastasia. Not only have I prepared yours, but I''ve also got some ready for the rabbit!" Hearing the first part, Anastasia felt genuinely touched. But after the second part¡­ She suddenly felt miserable. She was even jealous of a damn rabbit! In less than a minute, Ironback Centipede had chugged down all seven God Rank Potions! "So this¡­ is the power of Ascended Rank?" "This is terrifying!" Feeling the immense power coursing through its body, Ironback Centipede''s eyes gleamed with excitement. Never in its wildest dreams did it expect to break through to Ascended Rank this way. This method of leveling up¡­ Was too damn satisfying! Fortress, somewhere else. Clinton suddenly opened his eyes and looked towards the western side of the fortress, shocked. "Ironback Centipede? Did that guy just overdose on potions? Why did it suddenly get so powerful?" Apollo, who was cleaning the fortress, also stopped. Sensing the turbulent magical energy, he muttered to himself: "A treasure capable of bypassing Thunder Tides¡­ Just how many more treasures does Lord Velen have?!" Fortress, Grand Hall. Seeing Ironback Centipede carrying a Level 9 Forge on its back, with Frostfire blazing around its body, Galdorin and Eureka couldn''t hold it in anymore. They howled toward the sky. A centipede! A centipede that possessed Frostfire! A centipede that was going to refine a God Rank Potion! Their hearts couldn''t take it anymore¡ªthis was too much of a blow! Even the entire Uno Kingdom wouldn''t have something like this! Where the hell do you pray to get a centipede like this?! "Galdorin, let''s just leave before we die of despair right here!" "Screw being a prince¡ªI''m not even as good as a centipede!" Eureka was broken. "We''ll leave, of course¡­ but we have to take it with us!" Galdorin said with a wry smile. "Velen, you''re coming too!" "If the centipede fails to refine the potion, we''ll need you to step in!" Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Hearing this, Anastasia turned to Velen. "Fine." Since Anastasia had spoken, Velen wouldn''t refuse. Besides, he was very curious about this royal capital. "Oh, right. Just the two of us might be boring¡ªI''ll bring Clinton along too." Seeing how Eureka, a prince, had an old, distinguished follower like Galdorin beside him, Velen figured he might as well experience a bit of "prestige" himself. Outside the fortress. "Really?" "You''re really taking me out?" Even after preparing to leave, Clinton still couldn''t believe it. Chapter 164 - Chapter161-Using Lv9 Forge to smash someone? Recently, every time Velen left, these people had thoroughly studied his actions. Anyone who went out with Velen would undoubtedly gain significant benefits! As a result, these veteran members eagerly awaited their turn, hoping Velen would pick them next! Because of this, Clinton never expected fortune to smile upon him so suddenly¡ªit completely caught him off guard! "Everyone, my apologies, but this time, Velen picked me." With that thought in mind, Clinton couldn''t help but flash a smug smile at the others, laughing as he spoke. Picked you? What the hell?! Old man, if you don''t understand, don''t spout nonsense! Who the hell picked you?! This is infuriating! So unfair! Seeing Clinton''s arrogant and triumphant expression, the others were both angry and envious¡ªthey also wanted to be "picked"! Velen, on the other hand, noticed the strange looks from the many senators and others, which gave him an inexplicable sense of unease. Although he didn''t know what was going on, he instinctively felt the need to escape as soon as possible! "This is¡­?" When Velen saw the castle-shaped flying artifact Eureka had taken out, his eyes lit up instantly. Sitting inside this kind of flying artifact would definitely be incredibly comfortable! By now, Velen was no novice when it came to flying artifacts. He understood that these artifacts couldn''t simply be made into any shape at will! The more complex the structure and the larger the size, the more difficult the forging process¡ªespecially for high-grade flying artifacts. "Gone again!" "I''m actually feeling a bit uneasy¡­ Hopefully, he doesn''t bring more people back this time. The fortress is completely full!" Watching Velen and his companions leave, Anastasia''s face was filled with worry. "What?!" "You''ve actually ascended into a spellbeast now?!" Inside the flying artifact, when Clinton learned about Ironback Centipede''s current situation, his eyes nearly popped out of their sockets in shock! "Galdorin, I don''t know why, but seeing this guy so stunned suddenly makes me feel a lot better!" "So, even the people in this fortress can be shocked by something like this!" Seeing Clinton''s expression, Eureka finally felt a shred of comfort after the massive blow from Ironback Centipede''s insane breakthrough. "Your Highness, I feel the same way," Galdorin said with a grin. "Clinton, take these bottles of god-rank potion as a snack. You''re strong, but there''s still room for improvement!" "Huh?" "Galdorin, Your Highness, what are you doing?" Seeing Galdorin and Eureka suddenly walk to the door and open it, Velen couldn''t help but feel puzzled. The two of them twitched slightly. "Lord Velen, nothing!" "Galdorin and I just¡­ needed a moment to ourselves!" Feeling the cold wind slapping against their faces, Galdorin and Eureka were on the verge of tears. They had just managed to console themselves, only to be hit with a devastating blow! God-rank potion! Even if Velen was a grand alchemist, he couldn''t just produce god-rank potions like they were cabbages! Who had ever seen someone feeding a max-level powerhouse god-rank potions?! What a waste! Ding! Reminder to the host: A foreign knight commander has appeared ahead. Target: Assassinate Prince Eureka! At that moment, the system''s voice suddenly echoed in Velen''s mind. "It seems even major nations are filled with turmoil." "Eureka''s identity as a prince should be a well-kept secret, yet other kingdoms have already found out. This is getting interesting¡ªthis journey won''t be boring at all." Velen thought to himself. A few minutes later. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A brilliant golden light cut across the sky, blocking the castle''s path. "Hahahaha!" "Galdorin, hand over the prince, and I''ll leave you a whole corpse!" A wildly arrogant laugh rang out, and the castle came to an abrupt halt. "Not good!" Seeing the intruder, Galdorin''s expression changed dramatically. He quickly turned to Velen and said, "Lord Velen, this guy is the knight commander of Storm Kingdom!" "Why panic?" Velen remained completely composed, raising his hand as he shouted: "Alright, I choose you, Iron Cub! Go!" "Use your special move¡ªLevel 9 Forge Defense, Super Dragon Flame Forge Attack!" "Turn this knight commander into pulp for me!" "Huh?" Hearing this, Ironback Centipede hesitated for a moment and said, "Master, the Super Dragon Flame Forge is my lifeline¡­" "When you ascend to the upper plane universe, I''ll get you an even better one." "Master, why are you even being polite with me?! Facing fire and blades for you is my duty!" "What''s there to hesitate about?! A forge is meant for battle¡ªalchemy is just a side job!" "Just watch me crush that knight commander!" With that, Ironback Centipede opened the door and walked out. Galdorin and Eureka were dumbfounded. A Level 9 Forge is fine for combat, but the Super Dragon Flame Forge isn''t?! Wait a minute! A Level 9 Forge?! When Galdorin and Eureka finally processed what had just been said, they looked at Ironback Centipede, who was carrying a forge in each hand, and were completely stunned! This spellbeast actually has a Level 9 Forge¡ªand is using it for combat?! How wasteful is this fortress?! Even the top alchemists serving Uno Kingdom didn''t have a single Level 9 Forge! "Spellbeast?" When Harg saw Ironback Centipede stepping out of the flying artifact, his expression immediately turned serious. He could sense a faint trace of danger from the creature before him! That meant this was a powerful spellbeast on the verge of ascending! "This is a matter between Storm Kingdom and Uno Kingdom. You''d best stay out of it!" Harg warned. Harg had a strong feeling that even if he managed to kill this spellbeast, he would suffer severe injuries. If he could convince it to leave, that would be the best outcome for him. "Enough talking!" Hearing his words, Ironback Centipede, holding dual forges, charged directly at Harg! Moments later. Watching as Ironback Centipede mercilessly battered Harg with the forges, Galdorin and Eureka could hardly believe their eyes! "What the hell?!" "Harg''s attacks were all blocked?! What the f*!"** "Is this really the strongest knight commander of Storm Kingdom?!" Both combatants were supposed to be top-tier beings on the verge of ascension¡ªshouldn''t their battle be evenly matched? Twenty minutes later. As Ironback Centipede returned with his still-dripping forge and they looked at Harg, who had been smashed into a bloody pulp not far away¡­ Galdorin and Eureka felt like they were about to wet themselves. Too brutal! That fight was way too brutal! This was, without a doubt, the most savage battle they had ever witnessed! A dignified knight commander, beaten to death by a giant forge¡­ The sheer absurdity of it all was overwhelming! Chapter 166 - Chapter163-Soul Unsheathing, Invincible Across the World! Ding! Congratulations to the host for completing today''s special loot. Reward: 1,000 luxury points and a Soul Unsheathing Combat Manual ¡Á 1! Hearing the system''s reward notification and glancing at the utterly devastated Clinton, Velen pulled out a Soul Augmentation Shard and said, "Clinton, do you want the Soul Unsheathing Combat Manual?" "No!" "I don''t want it!" "Velen, just spare me already!" Clinton was on the verge of losing his mind. A mighty archmage like him¡ªhow could he turn into some brutish swordsman?! Not far away, Ironback Centipede, Galdorin, and Eureka were huddled together. "Look at that poor guy." "Sometimes, being poor is a blessing." Galdorin and Eureka sighed repeatedly. "Another old man has fallen victim to Young Master Velen''s antics!" Ironback Centipede shook his head. Galdorin and Eureka felt a deep sorrow for Clinton. Hearing their words and feeling the irreversible transformation of his own soul, Clinton completely broke down. What the hell is Soul Unsheathing?! Am I really about to become a swordsman?! And more importantly¡ªwhat kind of swordsman wields their own fragile soul as a weapon against enemies?! "Aaaaaaaahhh! My soul! Aaaaaahhh¡ª" Just as Clinton unleashed his elderly wail, Velen suddenly crushed the Soul Unsheathing Combat Manual into a ball of light¡ª ¡ªAnd shoved it straight into Clinton''s mouth. Crunch! "...That was brutal." Eureka and Galdorin were stunned. Is this what they call "tough love"?! BOOM! A massive surge of soul energy exploded from Clinton''s body, shaking the entire room into silence. A few minutes later. The four humans and one spellbeast sat in a circle. A gloating Ironback Centipede. A devastated Clinton. A bewildered Eureka. A secretly relieved Galdorin. "You all¡­ What''s with those expressions?" Velen, acting as if he had done nothing at all, looked around in curiosity at their vastly different reactions. "Velen¡­ if the other senators of the fortress, or my old friends, find out that I have Soul Unsheathing, they''ll never let me hear the end of it!" Hearing this, Velen shrugged and replied, "Well, if you don''t tell them, how would they know? And besides¡ªSoul Unsheathing is badass!" "Think about it¡ªyou can combine Soul Unsheathing with your magic! Left hand slaps their face, right hand goes for the ultimate move. You can attack from both close and long range¡ªway more fun than just pure magic, right?" Hmm? Hearing Velen''s explanation, Clinton froze. Now that he thought about it¡­ Soul Unsheathing actually didn''t sound so bad. Once he wrapped his head around it, Clinton suddenly felt excited. He couldn''t wait to test it out. He even wanted to find someone to duel immediately! "Is this¡­ the power of a tycoon?" Ironback Centipede thought back to¡­ ¡ªHow Velen force-fed the rabbit until it became the strongest sword rabbit in the universe. ¡ªHow he himself got caught up in all this and was now on the path to becoming an Alchemic Spellbeast. ¡ªAnd now, how Clinton had completely changed his training path because of Soul Unsheathing. Ironback Centipede shuddered. This wasn''t just about spending money recklessly. It was a silent, but unstoppable transformation. And that was terrifying. Invincible! Hearing Velen''s words, Galdorin and Eureka looked at Clinton with only one thought in their minds. What''s the biggest fear of an Awakener? Being forced into close combat. Awakeners need distance to unleash their full power! But Clinton? He can cast magic from afar. And if enemies get too close, he can duel them face-to-face. If he fully mastered both magic and Soul Unsheathing¡ªhe would be a nightmare to fight! Thinking about this, the two men turned to look at Velen, who was grinning. Velen wasn''t just some wealthy, reckless young master of a fortress. He was a fortress that kept producing monsters. The strongest sword rabbit in the universe. The strongest Alchemic Spellbeast. Now a dual-class Magic Swordsman. And that was just the tip of the iceberg. They couldn''t even begin to imagine what other horrors were hidden within that fortress! Ding! System alert: A pass has been detected in the small town below! Ding! Mission issued: The host must personally locate the pass. You may not use the Scouting Ability. Reward: 1,000,000 luxury points. Failure: No penalty. Mission can be declined. Hearing the system''s message, Velen immediately made a decision. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Stop here! We''re taking a break in the town below!" A pass. One million luxury points. There was no way Velen was turning that down! Besides, after spending half a day and a night in the castle-shaped flying vessel, he was feeling a little restless. A short while later¡ª "I''m going out for a walk." Leaving that behind, Velen wandered off into the town. The system required him to find the pass on his own, but he figured it wouldn''t be too difficult. The system never gave him impossible tasks. "Did you hear?" "A drunk priest at Ike Tavern claims he has a pass to enter Chaos City. No idea if it''s true or not!" "It''s probably fake. I''ve been to Singularity Battlefield plenty of times, but I''ve never heard of a pass¡ªor Chaos City." "That''s true. If it were real, someone would''ve already stolen it!" After two hours of wandering around town, a conversation between two passersby caught Velen''s attention. "Interesting¡­" "This town is mostly non-Awakeners, though there are a few. Is that why this guy dares to show off his pass?" "A pass, huh? Could he be an Ascended Rank powerhouse?" With curiosity in his eyes, Velen headed straight toward the nearby tavern. "You idiots don''t know a damn thing!" "Chaos City is far beyond anything you can imagine!" "Have you ever seen a four-wheeled vehicle?" "Have you ever seen skyscrapers?" "Even among us cultivators, none of us have!" Stepping into the tavern, Velen saw a middle-aged man dressed in a priest''s robe, with messy hair like a bird''s nest, drunkenly propping his foot on a table while boasting to the surrounding non-Awakeners about Chaos City. "I''m telling you¡ªChaos City is a land for the rich! The tycoons of tycoons!" "As long as you have money¡ªif you get into Chaos City, even those high-and-mighty Awakeners will wash your feet for you!" The drunken priest gulped down another mouthful of strong liquor, his face full of intoxicated excitement, while dozens of non-Awakeners eagerly listened. At that moment, Velen squeezed through the crowd and spoke directly¡ª "Hey, you. Do you have a pass?" He locked eyes with the drunken priest, wasting no time on pleasantries. Chapter 167 - Chapter164-A 10,000-Year-Old Lafite? I’m Done For! "You want the pass in my hands?" "Kid, don''t say I look down on you, but can you even afford it?" Drunken Priest looked at Velen with great interest and asked. "You really like drinking?" Huh? Instead of answering his question, the other party responded with this inquiry, which made Drunken Priest freeze for a moment. "I am Drunken Priest! I sacrifice with wine, and wine grants me strength!" "You tell me¡ªdo I like drinking or not?" Drunken Priest grinned and answered Velen''s question with another question. "I have wine¡ªdo you have a story?" Velen directly placed a bottle of Lafite Vintage on the table. Then, he took out two glasses and filled them up. In an instant, the rich aroma of wine filled the entire tavern. "Holy shit! What''s that incredible scent?" "Oh my God, I''ve never smelled such a rich fragrance! Is this¡­ is this wine?" A group of people around them was immediately intoxicated by the aroma. Thump! Thump! Thump! However, upon catching the scent, Drunken Priest''s expression changed dramatically as he staggered backward several steps in horror. He pointed at Velen in shock. "You¡ªyou''re trying to kill me?" What the hell? Velen was stunned. This old man actually recognized the wine? Seeing Drunken Priest''s reaction, Velen was taken aback. Originally, he had planned to smash a few bottles of fine wine to provoke the other party. Letting him drink it was out of the question¡ªbecause after tasting it, any other wine would pale in comparison. "You know this wine?" Velen was somewhat surprised. This was a system-issued item¡ªprobably something incredibly rare across the Singularity Battlefield. "Lafite Vintage!" "This wine is the ultimate cosmic terror!" "Countless wine lovers have completely given up drinking because of it! Stay away from me! Get that thing out of my sight!" Seeing that Velen seemed to know nothing, Drunken Priest slightly relaxed his guard and began explaining. "How do you have this wine? Have you drunk it before?" Drunken Priest looked at Velen, curiosity filling his eyes. "I have." Sigh! Hearing this, Drunken Priest let out a deep sigh, then looked at Velen and said, "You''re done for, kid. Totally done for. This lifetime, you''re destined to be forever estranged from wine." "This Lafite Vintage may be exquisitely fragrant, but it comes with a terrifying consequence!" "Anyone who drinks it will find all other wines dull and tasteless. Their mind will be haunted by its taste!" "However, this effect isn''t permanent¡ªit depends on how long the wine has been aged. The longer it''s been sealed, the longer the effect lasts." Oh? So that''s how it works? Velen was genuinely surprised. This was new information. When the system had introduced Lafite Vintage, it had only mentioned that drinking it would make one obsessed with alcohol and that all other wines would lose their appeal. But it hadn''t said that the effect was temporary. "System, is what he''s saying true?" To verify this, Velen asked the system directly. Ding! "The information provided is correct. The post-drinking effect lasts for one-tenth of the aging period. This calculation is based on one bottle. Drinking additional bottles increases the effect proportionally by another tenth of the aging period." One-tenth? So, if he had consumed a 10,000-year-aged Lafite Vintage, he would have to endure its effects for 1,000 years before they wore off? And if he drank ten bottles, the effect would last 10,000 years? If he drank a hundred bottles¡­ then he''d be suffering for 100,000 years! "By the way, how old is this Lafite Vintage?" At this moment, Drunken Priest suddenly thought of something and looked at Velen, full of curiosity. "Ten... no, one..." Before Velen could finish speaking, Drunken Priest''s eyes lit up. He grabbed the filled wine glass from the table and downed it in one go! The moment he drank it, an expression of extreme enjoyment spread across his face. "No wonder the wine lovers of Chaos City are willing to risk everything just to have a sip of this wine despite knowing how terrifying it is!" "I''ve been drinking all my life, and I declare this to be the best wine ever!" Then, Drunken Priest smiled and continued, "And since this wine has only been aged for ten years, I suppose enduring a year without drinking is worth it!" Ten years? I was going to say one hundred thousand years, then realized my mistake and was about to correct it to ten thousand years¡ªbut you were just too fast! Your hands were too quick! Your mouth was too greedy! "My friend, this wine is strange. Since I''ll have to endure a year of withdrawal anyway, can I have two more glasses?" "Don''t worry, I, Drunken Priest, don''t take advantage of people. I''ll trade this pass for the wine¡ªhow about that?" Staring at the Lafite Vintage bottle on the table, Drunken Priest gulped and immediately took out the pass. At this point, he was desperate to drink more! "It''s all yours." Since things had already come to this, Velen could only smile wryly. Originally, he had wanted to show off some expensive wine and provoke the old man. Who would have thought it would turn out like this? Drunken Priest, hearing his response, immediately lifted his glass excitedly. Gulp! Gulp! After finishing two more glasses, Drunken Priest suddenly recalled that Velen had been trying to say something earlier. He looked at him and asked, "Right, you were saying one something¡ªwhat was it?" "Uh... I misspoke earlier. The wine''s aging isn''t in the tens." Velen coughed lightly. ??? Not ten years? Then the "one" at the beginning of the number means¡­ one hundred? Drunken Priest suddenly felt uneasy. No way! "One year?" sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Seeing Velen shake his head, Drunken Priest''s face turned pale. He swallowed hard and asked cautiously, "Then¡­ one hundred years?" Please, I beg you! Don''t shake your head! I''m already panicking here! Seeing Velen shake his head again, Drunken Priest''s mentality completely collapsed! "One thousand years?!" Drunken Priest was on the verge of going insane. "I actually drank a 1,000-year-aged Lafite Vintage?!" "Dammit! Jesus! Heavens above! I have to endure 100 years without alcohol?!" I''m done for! Since it wasn''t 100 years, he had already resigned himself to the idea that it was 1,000 years. After all, a 10,000-year-aged Lafite Vintage was a legendary treasure even among the best liquor stores in Chaos City. "Uh¡­ actually, it''s 10,000 years." Velen awkwardly corrected him. He even felt a little guilty looking at the despair on Drunken Priest''s face. What?! 10,000 years?! Hah¡­ Hah¡­ Guess what? I just drank a 10,000-year-old Lafite Vintage! Hahaha! 10,000 years! HAHAHAHA! I''m going insane! Upon hearing Velen''s words, Drunken Priest completely lost it. A thousand years without drinking? That''s basically a death sentence! For five whole minutes, his face cycled through joy, anger, sorrow, and despair before finally calming down. "Guess I was unlucky. Since it''s come to this, I might as well take this chance to quit drinking!" Hearing this, Velen felt like he should compensate him somehow. Bang! Clang! Crash! One bottle after another of 10,000-year-old Lafite Vintage appeared from Velen''s system inventory and was placed on the table. Some bottles even shattered from the impact. Seeing this, Drunken Priest''s face turned completely pale. What the hell are you doing?! Seriously, what the hell are you doing?! "I wasn''t actually planning to quit drinking!" "I was just trying to console myself psychologically!" "I just needed to endure 1,000 years! I was still planning to drink again afterward!" "But now, what the hell are you trying to do?! Extending my suffering until the day I die?!" Chapter 168 - Chapter165-Young Master Velen, Do You Still Have That Bath Wine From Last Time? "Drunken Priest, since you''ve decided to quit drinking anyway, today I''ll let you drink to your heart''s content!" "Don''t worry, I''ve got plenty of this wine, and every single bottle is aged 10,000 years!" "If ten bottles aren''t enough, I''ll bring a hundred! If a hundred aren''t enough, I''ll bring a thousand! As long as you can drink, I''ll keep supplying!" After placing thirty bottles of Lafite Vintage on the table, Velen looked at Drunken Priest with a smug, extravagant expression. "One bottle lasts a thousand years¡ªa thousand bottles would mean a million years!" "This kid really wants to wipe me out, making sure I never drink again for the rest of my life!" Hearing Velen''s words and looking at the thirty bottles of Lafite Vintage covering the entire table, Drunken Priest''s eyes turned red! This is a disaster! If he didn''t have the wine, that would be fine! But now that it was right in front of him, he couldn''t resist the urge to drink it all! The fatal allure of Lafite Vintage was no joke! Taking a deep breath, Drunken Priest forced himself to calm down and gritted his teeth. "My friend, I was joking just now!" "I wasn''t really planning to quit drinking¡ªI was just comforting myself! If you do this, you''ll actually kill me!" "So should I put them away?" Hearing this, Velen responded with a sincere expression. He had truly intended to compensate Drunken Priest¡ªwho knew this guy never actually planned to quit drinking? "Even if you put them away, I''ll still be thinking about them!" "You shouldn''t have taken them out in the first¡ª" Crash! Crash! Crash! Before he could even finish his sentence, the crisp shattering sounds of wine bottles breaking rang out. Drunken Priest froze in place. Am I blind? Are you insane?! Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Thirty bottles of 10,000-year-old Lafite Vintage¡­ And you just shattered them like that?! Watching the priceless wine spill all over the floor, Drunken Priest felt like his heart had been ripped to shreds! "I was just venting!" "These were priceless, legendary wines! Are you some kind of wastrel?" Yeah, how did you know? Velen suddenly laughed. "I thought I had hidden it well, but you still managed to figure it out!" Ding! Congratulations, Host, on completing the mission. Reward: 1,000,000 luxury points and Divine Sobriety Elixir ¡Á 10,000! Divine Sobriety Elixir: Can remove the effects of any wine from lower plane universes, including the 10,000-year-old Lafite Vintage! Hearing the system notification¡ªdelayed as always¡ªVelen frowned and asked, "System, why is this reward late?" Ding! "Host, do not panic! The system never delays rewards. However, due to the host''s influence, the system occasionally enters sleep mode." ... Hearing this, Velen''s face immediately darkened! What the hell? Since when can a system take naps?! And it''s MY fault?! You don''t even need sleep! "Drunken Priest, take this." After venting about the system for a moment, Velen pulled out a Divine Sobriety Elixir and handed it to the still devastated Drunken Priest. "Holy shit?!" "This aura¡­?" "This is a god-rank potion?!" "Brother, what does this potion do?!" Drunken Priest was completely dumbfounded! Never in his wildest dreams did he expect that god-rank potions actually existed! And Velen just casually handed one over to him?! "Drunken Priest, it was fine the first couple of times, but from now on, I want you to call me Big Brother¡ªotherwise, my actual brother will be upset." ??? What''s the difference between ''Little Brother'' and ''Big Brother''?! And what does this have to do with your brother?! Although completely confused, Drunken Priest still corrected himself. "Big Brother, what''s this potion for?" "Divine Sobriety Elixir¡ªonce you drink it, even if you down an entire hundred bottles of 10,000-year-old Lafite Vintage, you''ll never become obsessed with alcohol again, and no other wine will feel tasteless afterward." Hearing this, Drunken Priest looked at the potion in his hand¡­ then at the precious wine spilled all over the floor¡­ Then back at the potion¡­ then at the wasted wine¡­ His expression twisted in agony. I''m done for! You bastard! "You had this miracle elixir all along, and you didn''t take it out earlier?!" "You weren''t just wasting wine¡ªyou were tormenting me!" "I was just trying to sell a pass!" "You wanted to flaunt your wealth! You think you''re superior! Fine! But could you at least not use these legendary wines to mess with me?!" Rip! As he spoke, Drunken Priest, eyes brimming with tears, tore off a piece of his robe, pressed it against the spilled wine, and squeezed the liquid into his mouth. "Wait¡ªaren''t you a Drunken Priest? Can''t you just use magic to collect the wine?" "Don''t talk to me!" "I''m doing this to remind myself just how precious this wine is!" Hearing this, Velen calmly retrieved another thirty bottles of Lafite Vintage from his system inventory and placed them on the table. "Drink up!" Boom! The moment he heard this and saw the fresh batch of thirty bottles, Drunken Priest immediately threw away the cloth and cursed, "To hell with precious wine!" As they drank and talked, Velen finally learned that this Drunken Priest had worked in Chaos City for nearly a hundred years. He had spent most of his earnings on things he needed, but he was sick of working. And after years of seeing all the amazing treasures in Chaos City¡ªwithout being able to afford them¡ªhe had mentally broken down. Not long after he finally quit his job, he accidentally obtained a pass and decided to sell it¡ªhe refused to return to that life of suffering! "Young Master Velen, these 10,000-year-old Lafite Vintages are absolute treasures in Chaos City. How did you get so many?" "Even the entire Chaos City wouldn''t have this much, right?" Drunken Priest looked at Velen, full of curiosity. "By being a wastrel and flaunting my wealth!" Hearing Velen''s unapologetic answer, Drunken Priest nearly lost his mind. What the hell do you mean by ''flaunting wealth''?! I''m a Drunken Priest, not a Foolish Priest¡ªcan you at least respect my intelligence?! "Young Master Velen, so this is where you are!" "I just discovered something interesting¡ªover at¡­" As Ironback Centipede pushed the door open, he caught the familiar scent of wine and immediately turned to Velen, excited. "Your Highness Velen, isn''t this the same wine we bathed in last time?" "You actually had more hidden away?" Bathed?! Did I hear that right?! You bathed in 10,000-year-old Lafite Vintage?! Are you sure he''s not just here to flex on me?! Hearing Ironback Centipede''s words, Drunken Priest was speechless. Moments later¡­ Drunken Priest sat in a chair, clutching a bottle of wine, watching Velen and Ironback Centipede pour bottle after bottle of Lafite Vintage into a foot-washing basin. His entire worldview collapsed. Flaunting wealth! Wasting money! So what if you''re rich?! Does being rich make you powerful?! You''re both absolute wastrels! Watching them soak their feet in Lafite Vintage, Drunken Priest realized¡ª Velen''s extravagant lifestyle had become a permanent psychological scar. "I''m absolutely insane!" "They already gave me thirty bottles, but now I actually feel like¡­saving their foot-washing water!" Alone in the room, staring at the two abandoned foot basins, Drunken Priest''s eyes burned with inner turmoil. Chapter 169 - Chapter166-The Most Direct and Brutal Act of Squandering "Master, who was that drunkard just now?" "Are you planning to bring him back to the fortress as well?" After leaving the tavern, Ironback Centipede curiously asked. "Just a passerby who can help me get a few things." "If I really wanted to bring him back to the fortress, would I not even know his name? You can just think of him as a complete nobody." Hearing Ironback Centipede''s question, Velen smiled as he explained. A nobody? Ironback Centipede was confused. Even more confused than before, but wanting to prove he wasn''t a brainless spellbeast, Ironback Centipede wisely chose not to continue this topic. "By the way, you said you discovered something interesting earlier?" Velen suddenly remembered that Ironback Centipede hadn''t finished speaking before, and he curiously inquired. "Nothing much, just that I ran into some arrogant guy who claims to be the number one tycoon wastrel of Kaino City¡ªapparently, he''s the City Lord''s son." "But despite that, the townsfolk seem to like him quite a bit. The only issue is that his father beats him up several times a day." At this point, Ironback Centipede suddenly grinned. "Master, why don''t we bring this guy to the fortress?" "Not interested." "If he already has the natural talent for extravagant wastefulness, then what''s the fun in bringing him to the fortress? That would ruin the sense of accomplishment for me!" There can only be one tycoon in the fortress¡ªand that''s me! Hearing Velen''s reasoning, Ironback Centipede was left speechless. "Alright, take me to see this number one wastrel of Kaino City. Let''s see how wasteful he really is!" "If possible, I''ll lead him onto the right path." ??? Ironback Centipede''s expression froze as he shuddered in shock. A non-wastrel like you led me down the path of extravagance¡­ and now, you want to reform someone who already is a wastrel? Master, you truly play by your own rules! "Master, how do you plan to make him give up his wasteful ways?" On the way, Ironback Centipede couldn''t help but ask. "By using the most direct and brutal method¡ªshowing him what true wastefulness looks like!" Hearing this, Ironback Centipede got excited. Defeating a wastrel by out-wastrelling him?! Only Master could come up with something like this! Moments later¡­ Kaino City "Kaitley is out spending recklessly again! Come, young master, check out my shop!" "Young Master Kaitley, when it comes to wasting money, no one can compare to you! I have some fine goods here¡ªcome take a look!" ¡­ Hearing the shopkeepers enthusiastically calling out to a young man dressed in an extravagant magic robe, Velen shook his head in disappointment. This guy is just a sucker! A complete and utter fool being taken advantage of! "Who are you?" Seeing an unfamiliar young man blocking his path, Kaitley frowned and asked. "I heard you''re the number one wastrel of Kaino City?" "Well, what a coincidence¡ªI''m a wastrel too! Since fate has brought us together, I''d like to challenge you in the art of wastefulness." Hearing Velen''s words, Kaitley was stunned. Inside the City Lord''s Mansion¡­ "Lord, the young master brought back two strangers¡ªone of them is apparently also a wastrel, and the two are preparing to have a wastefulness duel." The old butler''s face twitched as he reported the news. In all his years, he had heard of duels in swordsmanship, alchemy, and forging¡ªbut never before had he heard of a duel in wastefulness! "A wastefulness duel?" Hearing this, City Lord Kaino trembled with rage! His good-for-nothing son was truly trying to drive him to an early grave! "Good! Very good!" "If they want to compete in wastefulness, then I must witness it for myself!" With that, City Lord Kaino stormed out of the hall and hurried toward Kaitley''s residence. Kaitley''s Garden "Alright, how do you want to compete?" Arriving in the garden, Kaitley smirked provocatively at Velen. "Simple. Let''s see who can waste the most!" "As long as you can keep up with me, that''s enough." Hearing this, both Kaitley and City Lord Kaino, who had just arrived, were slightly confused. Still, Kaitley quickly agreed and casually pulled out a Tier-5 potion. "What do you think? This is a Tier-5 potion¡ªI bet you don''t have one!" Kaitley declared smugly. "Sorry, I don''t have Tier-5 potions." Velen casually pulled out a Tier-9 potion, let the two men inspect it, and then¡­ Smashed it onto the ground! ??? What the hell?! What the actual hell?! That was a Tier-9 potion! Before Kaitley and City Lord Kaino could even recover from their shock, they saw Velen casually destroy an invaluable potion as if it were worthless trash! This¡­ THIS is true wastefulness! S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Kaitley, unwilling to be outdone, gritted his teeth and smashed his own Tier-5 potion onto the ground. "Next item!" "Never mind. I doubt you can even bring out anything valuable." Saying this, Velen casually pulled out 1,000 bottles of Divine Sobriety Elixir and threw them onto the ground. Holy shit¡­ God-rank potions?! When Kaino and Kaitley saw the god-rank potions lying around like common trash, their minds exploded! God-rank potions?! An entire mountain of god-rank potions?! Their worldviews were completely shattered! But before they could react¡­ Velen suddenly bent his knees slightly, preparing to jump. At that moment, as if they had both realized something horrifying, Kaitley and Kaino''s faces turned pale with fear as they screamed out in unison: "Wait!" "What are you doing?!" "Have you gone insane?!" Boom! Velen landed on the pile of god-rank potions, instantly shattering over ten bottles beneath his feet! Hiss! Even Ironback Centipede, who had seen countless extravagant acts, couldn''t help but gasp in horror! Holy shit, those are god-rank potions! Rare beyond measure! This¡­ this is true wastefulness! The most direct and brutal kind! At this point, not only Kaino and Kaitley but even Ironback Centipede, who had already witnessed Velen''s endless squandering, felt his heart break! Master¡­ I know you''re rich! But can you at least stop wasting wealth like this?! "Huh? I only stepped on a few bottles?" Velen pretended to be disappointed and prepared to stomp on more. "STOP!" "Don''t step anymore! Please don''t step anymore!" "I admit it! You are the strongest wastrel! The richest! I beg you, stop! These are legendary god-rank potions!" Seeing Velen running around on top of a mountain of god-rank potions, Kaitley broke down completely and screamed. His entire mentality had collapsed! To put it simply, even one bottle of god-rank potion was worth hundreds of times more than their entire city combined! Chapter 170 - Chapter167-Master, I Just Wanted to Breathe Some Fresh Air! Watching the shattered fragments of the god-rank potions scattered across the ground, Kaitley and Kaino collapsed to their knees, clutching their heads in utter despair. What a waste! Too brutal! "Come on, step on them with me!" Delivering the final blow, Velen grinned at the devastated father and son. "Iron Cub, look how much fun they''re having!" As Kaino and Kaitley ran mindlessly over the broken Divine Sobriety Elixirs, Velen casually turned away, leading Ironback Centipede out of the City Lord''s mansion. Under the scorching sun, the thought of running over shattered god-rank potions would forever haunt Kaino and Kaitley''s memories. A farewell to their wasteful pasts. Today was a day they would never forget. "Sooo envious!" "In the future, when I finally master crafting god-rank potions, I swear I''ll do this too!" Then, Ironback Centipede shook his head and muttered, "No, no, my vision is still too small. If Master knew what I was thinking, he''d definitely look down on me!" How could I enjoy this alone? No, I have to bring everyone from the fortress along to experience it! Not long after Velen and Ironback Centipede left¡­ Kaino and Kaitley finally stopped running. Looking at the utterly devastated collection of god-rank potions beneath their feet, Kaino suddenly turned to his son, his voice filled with guilt. "Son, I¡­ I was wrong to blame you before. Compared to that madman, you were practically a model of financial responsibility!" "I have never seen such insanity!" "If you want to flaunt wealth, fine! But why waste it?!" Kaitley, still trembling, took a deep breath. "Father, we should at least collect the remnants of the potions. Even if they''re shattered, they''re still god-rank potions¡ªthis was his ''gift'' to us, in a way." "Also¡­ I''ll never try to compete in wealth or wastefulness again¡ªbecause I simply don''t deserve to." Hearing this, Kaino looked at his son, who was quietly gathering potion remnants, and felt deeply relieved. His son had changed¡ªand for the better. Ding! Congratulations, Host! You have successfully reformed Kaitley through the art of wastefulness! Reward: 500,000 luxury points and Soul Armor Set ¡Á1! Soul Armor Set: Contains immense soul power and can absorb soul energy to enhance the user. If wielded by a Soul Unsheathing awakener, it can fully unleash its potential! Huh? Just as Velen left the City Lord''s mansion, the system notification caught him off guard. Helping someone give up wastefulness could actually earn him rewards? "Master, what''s this?" Seeing Velen suddenly hand him a set of armor, Ironback Centipede was puzzled. "Soul Armor Set¡ªperfect for Clinton. With his Soul Unsheathing, he could become an incredibly strong swordmaster. Give it to him later." After saying this, Velen walked ahead without another word. I see! Clinton, though experienced and older, still had much to learn. Master was too lazy to train him personally, so this was probably a test¡ªa way to have me guide Clinton! Perhaps this is my own trial! Determined, Ironback Centipede rushed to follow Velen, already planning out how to help Clinton master the Soul Armor Set. Meanwhile¡­ "Forget it!" "All these weapons are trash¡ªnot even close to being soul-forged! They''re completely unworthy of me!" "I''ll just wait until I return to the fortress and have Ethan craft me a custom soul weapon." Hearing Clinton''s words, Galdorin and Eureka were stunned. A master blacksmith who can forge soul weapons? "Lord Clinton, this Ethan you mentioned¡ªhow skilled is he? If he''s not good enough, perhaps when we reach the Imperial City, we could have one of the top blacksmiths of Uno Kingdom craft your weapon instead?" Eureka''s eyes gleamed with intrigue as he made his proposal. "Your kingdom''s top blacksmiths can forge soul weapons?" "If that''s the case, then I''d love to get my hands on one soon!" Hearing Eureka''s suggestion, Clinton was tempted. After all, he had recently had an epiphany¡ªand he couldn''t wait to experience the joy of slapping enemies in the face with a soul-powered ultimate attack. Just imagine: Your opponent finally closes the distance, thinking they''ve got you¡ªonly for you to unleash a devastating soul attack right in their face! Or better yet, you''re locked in melee combat, and suddenly, you unleash an oversized spell at point-blank range! Just thinking about it made Clinton ecstatic! But¡­ Galdorin and Eureka were now completely dumbfounded. Soul weapons?! The Soul Order was one of the highest-tier laws in existence. How could any blacksmith from the lower planes forge such a thing? This had to be a joke, right? At that moment¡­ "Alright, let''s move out!" Velen''s calm voice echoed from the distance. Inside the flying fortress¡­ "Soul Armor Set?!" Seeing the armor that Ironback Centipede pulled out, Galdorin and Eureka were utterly dumbstruck. Just moments ago, they were questioning whether such weapons even existed¡ªand now, Velen''s group just casually pulled one out?! "Clinton, go ahead and bind it. No idea if it''ll trigger a thunder tide, though." "Given what happened to Alan and me before, there''s no telling!" Ironback Centipede''s tone was serious as he spoke. What?! This small fortress has weapons powerful enough to trigger a THUNDER TIDE?! And they''re still alive?! Galdorin and Eureka felt their scalps go numb. This fortress was far more terrifying than they had imagined! "Just bind it¡ªleave the rest to me." Velen smirked. If a thunder tide really appeared, it would be the perfect chance to test out the Eye of Annihilation! Whoosh! With excitement and anticipation, Clinton took a deep breath and began binding his soul to the armor. BOOM! A wave of cosmic pressure exploded outward! A massive surge of soul energy blasted through the flying fortress, piercing through the ceiling and disturbing the skies above. Thunder tide incoming! "This weapon¡­ it''s terrifying!" "The judgment of RULES¡ªI feel like I''m suffocating!" Seeing the thunder tide brewing in the sky, Galdorin and Eureka were on the verge of losing their minds. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But when they looked at Velen''s group, they were horrified to find that instead of fear¡­ They were all excited. "Hahaha!" "I finally got a chance to come out! My Lord, I''ve missed you!" Eye of Annihilation! A spatial rift tore open above them. A towering, flame-cloaked warrior stepped out from the flames¡ªhis massive foot emerging from the void. BOOM! Just as the warrior was about to fully step out, Velen activated the Eye of Annihilation. Obliterate everything! In that instant, the thunder tide brewing in the sky vanished without a trace¡ªas if it had never existed. What the hell?! "I finally won the lottery again, and the moment I step out¡­ I have to go back?!" "Master, that''s just cruel!" "Can''t I at least fully step out and breathe some fresh air?!" Filled with endless resentment, the mighty warrior sighed and begrudgingly withdrew his foot back into the void. Chapter 171 - Chapter168-The Correct Way to Use the Soul Armor Set Is to Dry Underwear! A Certain Mysterious Space! "Huh? Bean, weren''t you supposed to be guarding our master?" A little elven girl with twin ponytails and a lollipop in her mouth looked at the burly man with tears streaming down his face, full of confusion. "I wanted to guard our master too!" The burly man sobbed pitifully. "But our master resolved the crisis himself this time!" "Last time, I had just stepped out with my left foot; this time, I only got my right foot out!" "Why is it that lunatic always gets to go help our master, but I only ever get to stick a foot out?!" The little girl glanced at the burly man''s two massive feet and suddenly spoke with a serious expression, "Maybe next time, you should try wearing shoes?" Uh¡­ With a thud, the burly man plopped down onto the ground and lifted his foot to sniff it. Ugh! The little girl nearly gagged at his reaction. The candy in her mouth suddenly lost all its sweetness, and she almost spat it out. "It doesn''t stink! Could it really be because I wasn''t wearing shoes?" "It must be! Otherwise, why wouldn''t our master like me?" The burly man scratched between his toes and secretly made up his mind. Next time he was chosen, he had to wear shoes! Both feet must step out! "Master, just now I saw a massive, barefoot foot suddenly sticking out of a spatial rift. Was that one of the powerful beings guarding you?" As the Thunder Tide dissipated, Ironback Centipede curiously turned to Velen. "It does look familiar. That barefoot foot gives me a strong sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu. It''s probably one of my guardians." Velen stroked his chin. "Never mind, I''m going to sleep for a bit. You help Clinton get familiar with the Soul Armor Set. Oh, by the way, this set truly reveals its power at night." With that, Velen found a corner, lay down comfortably, and dozed off. As expected! Master is testing me! Otherwise, why would he repeatedly remind me to guide Clinton? Ironback Centipede grew even more convinced of his theory. "Unbelievable! I never thought I, Clinton, would own such a powerful Soul Order weapon in my lifetime!" Clinton was overjoyed. "No wonder Velen brought me along this time. He must have planned this all for me! Velen is amazing!" As Clinton was lost in thought, Ironback Centipede approached him with a serious expression. "Clinton, how do you plan to use this Soul Armor Set in the future?" "Huh? What do you mean? This thing is my lifeline now! Unless I meet a worthy opponent, no one is making me use it!" Clinton, unsure why Ironback Centipede was asking, still answered earnestly. "And when you''re not using it?" Ironback Centipede pressed further. "Of course, I''ll enshrine it! I''ll polish it dozens of times a day!" Clinton gazed at the Soul Armor Set with tenderness, smiling. Ironback Centipede looked utterly disappointed. "How could you do this to our master? Do you even understand what kind of person he is? He''s the greatest money-waster of all time!" "I mean, he literally used my Supreme Forge to smash people! And now you want to enshrine a piece of equipment?" "You haven''t been by his side long enough. You seriously need to learn more about wasting resources. I''ll have to keep an eye on you in the future." "Huh?" Clinton was completely dumbfounded. Was mindless extravagance really a fortress tradition?! S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Although shocked, he knew Ironback Centipede had a point. "Iron Cub, then how do you think I should use this Soul Armor Set?" Clinton humbly sought Ironback Centipede''s guidance. "I already came up with the perfect, one-time solution for you! You''re a dual-practitioner of magic and swordsmanship, right? And knowing our master, he''ll probably gift you a greatsword one day." "So, when you return to the fortress, just stab the sword into a wall, leave the hilt exposed, and hang the Soul Armor Set on it! Boom¡ªinstant underwear drying rack!" Ironback Centipede grinned smugly, feeling like he had just devised an absolute genius plan. "WHAT?!" What the hell kind of idea is that?! Is the Soul Armor Set seriously meant for drying underwear?! Clinton''s eyes widened like saucers, his face filled with disbelief. "Using the Soul Armor Set to dry underwear¡­ isn''t that a bit disrespectful?" "And besides, we''re Awakeners! We don''t even need to wash stuff like that. Even if we did, magic can dry it instantly!" Clinton was completely floored. Using such a powerful set of armor as a drying rack?! If other powerhouses saw that, wouldn''t they rage to death?! "Then go ahead and enshrine it. But just remember, my Supreme Forge''s primary function is to smash people¡ªalchemy is just a side gig." "I''m warning you, if you don''t embrace wastefulness, don''t expect master to upgrade your equipment when you reach the heavens." With that, Ironback Centipede turned and left, having said all he needed to say. Whether Clinton understood was up to him. A few minutes later. Galdorin and Eureka stood at the entrance of the flying artifact, letting the fierce wind whip against their faces. "A Soul Order weapon¡­ one that even triggered Thunder Tide¡­ And Clinton is using it to dry his underwear. Galdorin, are you okay?" Eureka forced a bitter smile as he looked at Galdorin. "I''m beyond impressed! Wasting money at this level¡­ I give up!" "Whether I can handle it doesn''t matter. I just worry about Commander Enkes'' reaction when we reach the imperial capital." Galdorin''s gaze drifted toward Velen, who was fast asleep in the corner, his eyes flashing with fear. No one else seemed to notice, but I did. Just one glance¡­ and he wiped out the Thunder Tide! Who¡­ what kind of terrifying existence is he?! The Next Morning! How the hell is he still sleeping?! Watching Velen finally wake up and stretch, both Galdorin and Eureka, as well as Clinton and Ironback Centipede, couldn''t help but admire his absolute dedication to sleeping. "Holy crap! What the hell is that¡ªan otherworldly drying rack?!" Velen''s eyes locked onto the Soul Armor Set hanging on the wall¡ªdripping wet underwear dangling from it. He was stunned. What kind of psycho does this?! Hanging their underwear in public like this?! No shame! No dignity! No class! After a moment of silence¡ª "Clinton¡­ you''re something else." "I never even thought of using the Soul Armor Set like this. You''ve truly unlocked its intended purpose." "Don''t worry. Once we reach the heavens, I''ll definitely get you something even better!" After his initial shock, Velen gave Clinton''s sheer money-wasting talent a glowing endorsement. He never expected someone to outdo him in the art of wasting resources! Good. Clinton''s wastefulness is finally showing! He''s learning fast! Chapter 172 - Chapter169-Galdorin: To Hell with Bitter Cultivation! Wastefulness Is the True Path! "Lord Velen, what do you think of my move?" Galdorin couldn''t take it anymore! I can''t hold back any longer! I want to waste resources too! He channeled a bit of magic to protect his neck, then took out his precious staff, hung it around his neck, and started spinning in circles. Lord Velen, please notice me! Sure enough, Galdorin''s bizarre actions successfully caught Velen''s attention. "Galdorin, what the hell are you doing?" Velen asked in astonishment. "Getting older, you know? This helps relieve neck stiffness," Galdorin lied without a hint of shame. Hearing this, Velen''s eyes lit up. He burst into laughter. "Didn''t expect you to be one of us! Come, I''ve got some fine wine. Tell me your story!" Wine?! Galdorin''s eyes sparkled. He was a man who loved his liquor! More importantly, with Velen''s extravagant nature, how could his wine be anything but divine?! "Your Highness, I''m afraid I won''t be keeping you company anymore," Galdorin glanced at Eureka, who was completely dumbfounded, and immediately defected to the wastefulness camp. Before leaving, he even kicked away his once-cherished staff that had been hanging around his neck. "Eat! Fruit of the Saintess, all you can eat! Drink! Chateau Lafite, endless refills!" Velen called out. Watching the three men and one demon feasting and drinking, Eureka almost cried! I''m the Crown Prince of the Uno Kingdom! So why do I feel like I''m worse off than a beggar?! What do I do?! I want to join them! But¡­ I don''t know how to waste resources! What even counts as wastefulness?! He was panicking! Eureka was genuinely panicking! He knew Galdorin loved alcohol. Seeing how much he enjoyed just one sip, there was no doubt that this wine was out of this world¡ªsimply because Velen had provided it! Galdorin! You traitor! I want some too! "I''m just a swordsman. The most valuable thing I own is my sword that has been with me for years¡­ but how do I waste resources using a sword?!" Eureka was so anxious he was on the verge of tears. Never in his life had he imagined he''d be stressed out over not knowing how to be wasteful! Frantically, he rummaged through his spatial ring. Potions? Useless! Magic herbs? Useless! Scrolls? Useless! High-grade spellbeast meat? His gaze shifted between the spellbeast meat in his ring and his sword. Got it! Sizzle! Sizzle! Sizzle! The sound of meat grilling filled the air as the rich aroma of roasting spellbeast meat spread throughout the flying artifact. Though most of the scent quickly drifted away through the damaged hull, the three men and one demon immediately caught a whiff. "Lord Velen, you have wine, but where''s the meat?" Eureka turned around, grinning strangely as he raised his sword. Only then did the others see¡ª He was using his sword, heated by his fire magic, to grill thin slices of spellbeast meat! "Genius! Your Highness, you''re a natural talent in the art of wastefulness!" Velen was genuinely stunned. He never expected Galdorin and Eureka to have such incredible wastefulness potential. "So this is the power of wastefulness¡­?" Galdorin felt a shockwave go off in his mind. Holy shit! What was I just doing?! Velen hadn''t even asked them to do anything, yet they had instinctively started wasting resources! Even sacrificing their own beloved equipment! This subtle, subconscious transformation filled Galdorin with fear. This tycoon¡­ this wastrel¡­ what kind of magic does he have?! But¡­ but¡­ "Damn it, this feels AMAZING!" Galdorin gazed at the fine wine and Saintess Fruit before him, wishing he could waste even more! "To hell with my staff! Watch how I use it to pound meatballs!" Not to be outdone by Eureka, Galdorin retrieved his kicked-aside staff, picked up a fist-sized chunk of high-grade spellbeast meat, and hurled it into the air. Then, with sheer brute force, he blasted the meat with his staff¡ªpounding it mercilessly mid-air. The sheer violence of it left everyone stunned! "Wait, you can use a staff like that?!" Clinton glanced between Galdorin, who was savagely bludgeoning meatballs, and his own Soul Armor Set, which was being used as an underwear drying rack. He suddenly felt ashamed. This! This is TRUE wastefulness! "Galdorin, we''re all on the same team! Did you really have to take it this far?!" Eureka''s eyes turned red with jealousy. He had finally realized¡ª Galdorin was born to waste! For the sake of squandering, he didn''t even care about his high-grade staff! That staff was forged from Starstone, a precious material the king himself had searched high and low for! Even Arthur the Knight Commander was denied a mere fragment to forge a sword! If Arthur saw this, he''d probably kill him on the spot! Seeing how hard Galdorin and Eureka were working to waste resources, Velen nodded approvingly. These two had incredible potential. Unfortunately, he couldn''t bring them to the fortress. The fortress already had enough people. And as for recruiting them into the wastefulness ranks? Well¡­ their gender was all wrong. What a shame! "Galdorin, take this Law Fragment as a gift." Though he couldn''t bring them along, as the Supreme Wastrel, Velen had to acknowledge Galdorin''s talents in wastefulness. "Your Highness, though your sword intent hasn''t reached its peak yet, take this Advancement Fragment. Once you''ve mastered your sword intent, you can use it to break through instantly." Velen then handed Eureka an Advancement Fragment as well. Holding their priceless fragments, Galdorin and Eureka were so moved they nearly cried. To hell with bitter cultivation! Wastefulness is the true path! Right now, they were insanely jealous of the people in Velen''s fortress¡ªeven that damn rabbit! But Velen never invited them to the fortress. And they knew. They probably would never get the chance to follow him. This would be the greatest regret of their lives. "Galdorin, aren''t you going to absorb your Law Fragment now?" After feasting and drinking their fill, Eureka asked in confusion. "No! I''ll wait until we return!" "I''m going to break through right in front of that old bastard Arthur! And when he asks where I got this fragment, I''ll proudly tell him¡ª" "I WASTED IT INTO EXISTENCE!" Galdorin smirked smugly. Finally! He had some backbone now! Holy shit. Eureka nearly cursed out loud. Arthur was already gravely injured¡­ Clinton''s antics were enough to drive him mad¡­ And now Galdorin wants to finish him off?! Meanwhile. In a quiet corner, Clinton and Ironback Centipede were whispering. "Brother, we got absolutely destroyed. Those two are insanely good at wasting!" Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Clinton sighed bitterly. He felt worthless. Not even knowing how to be wasteful properly?! What a disgrace to Velen! Chapter 173 - Chapter170-Want to Squander? Then Send Away the Reinforcements! "No!" "It may look like a complete defeat, but we actually learned quite a lot. What we need to do now is improve our squandering ability as much as possible." Hearing Clinton''s words, Ironback Centipede gave a different perspective. What the heck! Why does that sound... so damn profound? Have I really fallen so low that even this kind of comment moves me? Clinton was genuinely shocked by Ironback Centipede''s words! But Velen, standing nearby, had no time to worry about everyone else''s reactions¡ªhe was busy checking today''s special spoils. Today''s Squander Item: Spatial Portal ¡Á10,000 Spatial Portal: A special item containing spatial order within the Singularity Battlefield. A one-time use consumable that, upon activation, allows one-way teleportation to any place previously visited in Chaos City. The teleport cannot be reversed. A teleportation item? To any place? "How did Chaos City even come to be? Why are there so many strange and bizarre things here?" Staring at the palm-sized, pure white mini void gate in his hand, Velen couldn''t help but grow deeply curious about the Singularity Battlefield. "Lord Velen, is that a Spatial Portal you''re holding?" At this moment, Galdorin''s voice came from nearby. "You recognize it?" Velen turned to Galdorin, curiosity lighting his eyes. "This item is considered top-tier strategic material in the Uno Kingdom. Anyone who possesses it can bring it to the royal capital to trade for nearly anything they want." "Only the Five Grand Knights are authorized to use Spatial Portals. With them, regardless of where another kingdom might launch an attack, the Grand Knights can immediately respond!" "While Spatial Portals are rare in the Singularity Battlefield, people still find them from time to time. Over tens of thousands of years, the Uno Kingdom has collected over ten thousand of them!" S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Galdorin smiled as he explained to Velen. "If Uno Kingdom has over ten thousand of these, then this junk isn''t even rare!" Upon hearing the explanation, Velen instantly looked down on the Spatial Portal¡ªcompletely ignoring the fact that it had taken the Uno Kingdom tens of thousands of years to accumulate that many. "But how am I supposed to squander this thing?" Velen frowned, clearly troubled. Can this even be squandered? Hmm? Just then, a spatial ripple formed, and a spatial rift slowly appeared in the center of the fortress. "System, use a Peep function to check what''s going on with that rift." Velen immediately gave an order to the system. Ding! One Peep function used. Kris, one of the Five Grand Knights of the Uno Kingdom, is currently activating a Spatial Portal and is about to appear on a flying vessel. The Spatial Portal allows travel to any location previously visited in Chaos City. If a flying vessel is considered a "location," then it can teleport the user directly aboard, regardless of the vessel''s actual position. Using an object as a destination? Spatial Portals can be used like that? An idea for squandering struck Velen like lightning! He set the teleport destination to the bunny''s nest in the fortress! In an instant, the palm-sized Spatial Portal expanded into a three-meter-tall void gate. Velen shoved it right into the spatial rift, effectively blocking it. What the...? The three humans and one beast beside him all stared in confusion. They were still trying to figure out what the rift was, and Velen had already slammed a Spatial Portal into it? "Hahaha!" "Your Highness, the King was concerned for your safety and sent me to protect you¡ª" "DAMN IT! Who the hell left a Spatial Portal here!?" Kris had just stepped out of the rift when he walked right into Velen''s Spatial Portal and vanished. Wait... that was Kris, one of the Five Grand Knights? He just got teleported away by Velen? To where? As Kris flashed before their eyes and disappeared, Galdorin and Eureka were utterly dumbfounded. "Another foreign knight-level powerhouse!" "Don''t worry, Galdorin, Eureka! As long as I''m here, no enemy shall lay a finger on you!" Velen declared, bold-faced and righteous. He''d been racking his brain trying to squander something¡ªand now he had the perfect way: send away the reinforcements! "Velen¡­ I think that guy wasn''t a foreign war god. He was¡ªour own Kris¡­" Before Eureka could finish, Galdorin seemed to catch on. He quickly covered her mouth. He forced a smile at Velen. "Luckily, Lord Velen acted in time! Otherwise, Princess Eureka could''ve been in real danger!" "No need for thanks! Just doing what''s right!" Velen flashed a thumbs-up and grinned. "Galdorin, that really was Kris! He came to protect me! Why didn''t you let me explain it to Velen?" Eureka pulled Galdorin aside, utterly puzzled. "If nothing went wrong¡­ Velen is squandering again." "Of course, it''s also possible he didn''t recognize Kris at first. But once the Spatial Portal was in place and he heard Kris''s words, he realized the truth and decided to keep pretending it was a hostile invader¡ªto save face." "Either way, all we need to do is go along with it. With Velen here, do we really need Kris to protect us?" Hearing Galdorin''s logic, Eureka''s eyes sparkled with admiration. "Galdorin, you really think things through!" Fortress ¨C Bunny''s Garden "Where¡­ am I? Did I just get teleported into a furnace? Why does it smell so weird here?" Sitting on the rim of the Lv.9 Forge, Kris looked around the unfamiliar courtyard, completely baffled. Squeak! Squeak! Squeak! A sharp, angry rabbit cry echoed out. The bunny was pissed. It had just gone for a walk with a servant, and now someone was in its nest? How could it not be mad? Boom! A terrifying sword aura erupted from the small bunny''s body! Shing! A gleaming longsword shot out from the house in the courtyard. "What the hell!" "Is that¡­ is that a sword-wielding, sword-intent-cultivating bunny!?" Seeing the bunny clenching a sword in its mouth, overflowing with terrifying sword intent, Kris''s eyeballs almost popped out. "That''s the bunny''s aura! And it''s filled with rage! Who dared to threaten it?! You''re dead!" Apollo had just returned home¡ªand exploded in fury. In the entire fortress, aside from Master Velen, the one being held in the highest regard was that bunny. If anything were to happen to it¡­ the consequences would be unimaginable! Chapter 174 - Chapter171-The Bunnys Wrath—And the Furnace-Wielding Reinforcements Inside the fortress. As the terrifying sword aura erupted from the bunny, everyone instinctively turned to look. "The bunny''s mad? Who the hell dared to provoke Velen''s most beloved creature¡ªthe number one rabbit on the continent? That''s a death wish!" Ethan''s eyes snapped open, and a surge of murderous intent burst forth like a wave! Alan set down his cocktail glass, his face darkening as he dragged a forge behind him toward the courtyard. "A powerful enemy has entered the fortress, and their first target is the bunny. Even if it costs me my life, I''ll save that rabbit!" With that, Alan soared into the sky, clutching the furnace, heading straight for the bunny''s residence. At the same time, Velen, Justin, and the others were also racing toward the bunny''s home, their expressions cold and grim. Outside the main hall of the fortress. "No matter who it is, even if I have to use secret arts, I will save your bunny!" With sword in hand, the snow-haired Anastasia dashed toward the courtyard. Elsewhere. "Stop squealing already!" "This damn furnace is your rabbit nest? What shitty luck, getting teleported into a rabbit hole!" Kris, not recognizing the Lv.9 Forge, naturally mistook it for a low-grade scrap furnace. But now he was deeply intrigued by this rabbit overflowing with sword aura. He''d never seen a rabbit like this before. "Wait a second... these energy fluctuations¡ª" Just then, Kris sensed numerous powerful auras rushing in from all directions. His face went pale. What really made him panic was sensing two ascended powerhouses whose strength wasn''t just equal to his¡ªbut far above! He didn''t dare hesitate. Kris swiftly pulled out another Spatial Portal, activated it, and leapt through. But just as he did¡ªboom!¡ªa group of powerhouse reinforcements arrived at the bunny''s home, each one holding a Lv.9 Forge. Upon spotting William and Apollo, the two ascended beings who posed the greatest threat, Kris panicked even more and dove into the portal. Aboard the flying vessel, the three humans, one centipede, and one spellbeast all wore complex expressions as they watched the familiar rift open again. "He actually dares to come back?" Seeing the spatial rift open once more, Velen''s expression brightened, and without hesitation, he slammed another Spatial Portal into it! "You have no idea how terrifying the place I was just¡ª" "W-Wait!!" "Not another one!! Your Highness, please, stop doing this to me!" The instant Kris stepped through, he saw Eureka waving at him cheerfully¡ªand almost lost his mind. "This guy actually dares to return after leaving once? He really doesn''t take us seriously, huh?" Apollo narrowed his eyes with an amused smirk. BOOM! A terrifying wave of energy erupted from Apollo''s body, ready to annihilate Kris''s soul the moment he made a wrong move. Even with his power sealed, within this Lower Plane Universe, Apollo remained an undisputed god. "W-Wait! I surrender!" "It''s a huge misunderstanding, I swear!" Feeling Apollo''s overwhelming divine power, Kris panicked completely. He could tell¡ªthis was a power like a boundless ocean that could crush his soul in an instant. Sure, they were both ascended beings¡­ But the difference between him and Apollo was like that between a commoner and an awakened deity! He never imagined that one day, facing a peer, he''d feel as helpless as an ant! "Hm?" Anastasia suddenly noticed the ''Uno'' insignia on Kris''s robe and asked, "Are you from Uno Kingdom?" "Yes! I''m from Uno Kingdom!" Kris''s eyes lit up. She recognized it?! Thank the heavens! "I''m Kris, one of the Five Grand Knigh¡ª" Before he could finish, Anastasia cut him off. "Doesn''t matter if you''re from Uno Kingdom or not. You made the bunny angry and scared the hell out of us. This won''t be let go lightly!" "All personnel, you have your orders¡ªbeat him until he looks like a pig!" Everyone, already itching for action, swarmed in without hesitation. Thirty minutes later. Kris sat on the ground, his face swollen and bruised, cradling his cheeks pitifully. "You''re saying you''re Kris, one of Uno Kingdom''s Five Grand Knights?" "You were on your way to protect Prince Eureka, but when you showed up above their fortress, a Spatial Portal appeared out of nowhere¡ªtwice¡ªand you got teleported both times?" Anastasia stared at the now-pig-faced Kris, mulling over the story. "And you''re sure Galdorin and His Highness don''t have Spatial Portals?" "No! Definitely not!" "Only the Five Grand Knights have the authority to use Spatial Portals in the entire Uno Kingdom!" Kris hurried to explain. He was terrified of another round of beatings. He had assumed being beaten up meant taking a few punches and kicks. Never in his wildest dreams did he expect these maniacs to beat him with Lv.9 Forges¡ªhuge ones too! And with terrifying precision! "Uh¡­ can I ask where exactly this place is?" Kris asked cautiously. "This is fortress." "A few days ago, Galdorin and Prince Eureka left with our people and the spellbeast. They''re currently heading to Uno Kingdom''s royal capital." Anastasia, a little embarrassed, quickly explained the situation. Hearing this, Kris''s face was frozen in shock. The master alchemist we''re looking for¡­ is a member of this group? He refused to act himself, but sent a spellbeast to craft a divine-tier healing potion for Arthur? S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. And I¡­ I just happened to show up twice while he was squandering with Spatial Portals? Kris couldn''t believe what he was hearing. Who the hell squanders Spatial Portals!? Do you people even know how precious they are? Forget kingdoms¡ªeven major powers hoard these things, because they''re life-saving tools in critical moments! BZZT! A spatial rift appeared nearby. Everyone turned toward it. "What the hell did you guys do to him?!" Velen stepped out of the rift and gaped at Kris''s pig-headed appearance, utterly stunned. The bunny got angry¡ªso the whole crew showed up wielding furnaces! Once Velen heard what had happened, he let out an awkward chuckle. He truly hadn''t expected such a massive misunderstanding! "These¡­ these are Lafite Vintage wines! And this elixir¡­ it''s the legendary Divine Sobriety Elixir, said to cure all aftereffects of intoxication!" Looking at the ten exquisite bottles of wine and elixir Velen offered as compensation, Kris clenched his teeth and asked seriously: "¡­If I let them beat me up again¡­ could I get ten more bottles?" Chapter 175 - Chapter172-I Just Wanted to See My Daughter—Why Shouldn’t I Be Allowed? "Kris, now that they know who you are, do you really think they''ll lay a hand on you again?" "And besides, this is a proper fortress! You think just because you want ten more jugs of wine, we''d beat you up again? What kind of people would that make us?" Velen spoke with righteous indignation. Hearing that, Kris was so moved he almost burst into tears. His eyes sparkled with hope as he looked at Velen. "Your Highness, then the wine¡­" Before he could finish, Velen cut him off. "No more wine. That little bit of bruising was already worth ten jugs." Heartbroken. Kris''s soul practically shattered on the spot. If he could do it all over again, he''d absolutely shout: "Come on! Beat me like you mean it! Just leave me breathing!" "Velen, you didn''t come back just to check in, did you?" Anastasia narrowed her eyes at him, instantly suspicious. With how well she knew him, she was sure he was up to something. "Haha, Anastasia, you really know me best!" As he spoke, Velen started pulling out Spatial Portals from his system inventory¡ªone after another. Kris''s eye twitched watching the miniature portals pile up into a mountain. Is this lunatic actually going to squander all of these priceless items? Anastasia''s words from earlier echoed in his head. This guy was the real deal. Not flexing wealth¡ªjust pure, unfiltered squandering. "There are 9,900 Spatial Portals here. Once activated, you can go to any place you''ve been before¡ªincluding specific items or objects." "Your mission is to burn through them all as fast as possible." "But remember: keep at least one on you. Once they''re gone, you''ll have to fly back the old-fashioned way." "And absolutely no hoarding." With that, Velen activated a portal and vanished from sight. 9,900 of them? Kris was stunned. Uno Kingdom had spent tens of thousands of years trading and collecting from other kingdoms¡ªyet they had barely managed to stockpile just over 10,000! And this guy wanted to burn through almost that many in a single go?! "Anastasia!" "Your subordinate Velen is out of his mind! Aren''t you going to stop him?" Sure, none of these Spatial Portals belonged to Kris, but the very thought of so many being wasted broke his heart. "I''ve lost count of how many times I''ve heard that," Anastasia replied calmly. "Sir Kris, if I could stop him, don''t you think I would''ve already tried?" "It''s just that he gives too many¡ª" She paused mid-sentence, then turned to Kris with a raised brow. "Let me ask you something, Sir Kris. Say you were Velen''s mentor. If he gave you 1,000 jugs of fine wine¡­ would you stop him?" "I''d definitely¡­" Kris stopped mid-sentence, realization dawning on his face. A bitter smile crept up. "¡­Would you like help with those Spatial Portals?" he asked with a sigh. Uno Kingdom, Royal Capital Thunder Knight Commander''s Manor Hmm? As the Thunder Knight Commander was polishing his Twin Thunder Hammers, a spatial rift suddenly opened nearby. He immediately gripped his weapons, bracing for battle. "Who goes there? Show yourself!" "Whoa there, Old Thunder, relax¡ªit''s just me!" Kris''s voice echoed out as he stepped through, grinning. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Thunder Knight Commander was stunned. What the hell? You left to protect the prince and took two Spatial Portals with you. One to get there, one in reserve. How the hell did you end up using both¡­ and then some?? "Holy crap!" "What happened to your face? Who beat you up?" "That''s not important!" "What matters is¡ªthey didn''t hit me hard enough! I wish they''d done more!" With that, Kris activated another Spatial Portal and vanished again. Another one?! You''ve got three? Thunder Knight Commander stood there in utter disbelief. And then¡ª "Hahahaha!" "Old Thunder, I''m back again! Surprised? Delighted?" "But I''m leaving again. Byeee!" "Guess what? It''s me again! I''m back!" "And¡­ gone again! Just having fun!" ¡­ "Hey, it''s been like five whole seconds. Miss me ye¡ª" SMACK! Before Kris could finish his twentieth return trip, the enraged Thunder Knight Commander smashed him with the Twin Thunder Hammers and roared: "You freaking maniac! These are Spatial Portals, and you''ve already wasted forty of them just to mess with me! I swear I''m gonna smash your squandering face in!" Back at the fortress. "Anastasia, if you''ve got something to say, just say it. Stop popping in and out like this¡ªI''m getting heart palpitations!" Duke Michelstein clutched his chest dramatically as Anastasia stepped out of a portal, looking utterly frazzled. "Father, I''ve been away building the fortress for so long. Other than the one time you came to visit, I haven''t seen you at all. I just wanted to come back and see you." Duke Michelstein yelled: "One time?! You''ve come back to see me like FORTY times!" "You''re making me paranoid! I feel like you could pop up behind me at any moment¡ªI''m on edge all the time!" Anastasia awkwardly tucked her hair behind her ear. "Father, aren''t you even curious how I got so many Spatial Portals?" "Even the Ducal Manor only has, what, five hundred?" "Curious my ass!" Duke Michelstein snapped. "It''s obviously that squandering brat Velen''s doing¡ªwhat else could it be?!" "Don''t drag me into this. Go visit the Five Senators instead! They''ve got nothing to do these days, bored out of their minds. Every time someone tries to sneak out, the other four drag him back in!" "Huh?" Anastasia blinked. "What are they trying to sneak out for?" "Where do you think?" "To your fortress, of course!" "What else? They''re going there to beg! That place is a freaking goldmine!" "One of the Senators came back with a Lv.9 Forge, among other things. The other four were green with envy!" As he said that, Duke Michelstein''s eyes shone with longing. "¡­Seriously?" Anastasia let out a bitter smile. Yeah, she got it. That was the Velen effect. "Father, didn''t you want to swing by the fortress yourself?" Duke Michelstein let out a heavy sigh. "The moment the senator came back, I tried sneaking out that very night¡­" "But the other five caught me and dragged me back. Then they beat the crap out of me!" "I was so wronged! They had no good reason to stop me! I just wanted to see my daughter!" "Tell me, why shouldn''t I be allowed?!" "¡­So?" "Why shouldn''t they let you?" Anastasia tilted her head and looked curiously at her deeply aggrieved father. Chapter 176 - Chapter173-Fortress Can’t Go a Day Without a Leader—You’d Better Head Back! "They said unless I stepped down as head of Ducal Manor, I wasn''t going anywhere!" "And even if I wanted to step down, I''d still need approval from the five senators. Total tyranny!" Duke Michelstein looked utterly aggrieved¡ªbeing the big boss wasn''t easy at all. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Father, say no more. I feel your pain. Being the leader is no picnic," Anastasia gave a helpless smile. After all, she too had been thoroughly wrangled by that professional squanderer, Velen. Wait a second! Suddenly struck by an idea, Anastasia turned to Duke Michelstein with a gleam in her eyes. "Father, you''ve been to the fortress before¡ªso you can use a Spatial Portal to return there directly!" "Velen''s asking us to help him squander these anyway. When you''re almost out, just use the final Spatial Portal to stay at the fortress." "If the senators question you later, it''s not your fault. After all, you just happened to run out of Spatial Portals. What could you do?" Huh?! Duke Michelstein''s eyes lit up. That way, he could both help Velen squander and hang around the fortress for a few days? Genius! Rear Mountains, Fortress "You four can''t blame me for this. Since you''ve never been to the fortress, you can''t jump between two fortresses using Spatial Portals." "Now that Velen wants us to help him squander, of course I must do my part." William chuckled as the other four senators stared daggers at him. "Big bro, wait here a sec¡ªI''ll be right back!" Jake suddenly dashed off, just as William was basking in the idea of a cozy and prosperous ''begging tour.'' Moments later¡ª "What''s the meaning of this?" William looked confused as he stared at the Spatial Portal Jake handed him. "Big bro, this is one of our own Spatial Portals. Keep it safe." "I was worried you might burn through your last one and get stranded at the fortress. This way, you''ll have a backup to get home." ¡­What?! William was dumbstruck. You''re a blacksmith! Why aren''t you forging?! Why are you spending your time analyzing my petty schemes?! Now how am I supposed to enjoy squandering freely? In an instant, his whole vibe was killed. "Little bro¡­ you really are thoughtful." "Almost let me slip by again!" With a bitter smile, William stepped into the Spatial Portal. The remaining three senators began praising Jake enthusiastically¡ªthey honestly hadn''t thought of that themselves! Fortress Just as William emerged from a spatial rift, not far away Duke Michelstein entered another with a face full of anticipation. The bunny''s courtyard was bustling. Spatial rifts popped open constantly. People activated their Spatial Portals and vanished one after another. Time passed. When the last of the Spatial Portals had finally been used, those who had left began returning with their final backup. "What now?" "I really don''t want to leave¡­" "But I''ve only got one Spatial Portal left. Looks like this is it for now." William sighed as he prepared to activate his final portal, a bit disappointed. But then¡ªtwo spatial rifts appeared. From one came the unmistakable hearty laughter of Duke Michelstein. "Hahahaha!" "Just happened to use my last Spatial Portal! I swear, I didn''t mean to stay behind¡ªcan''t help it if I''m out of portals!" He strolled out grinning from ear to ear. Anastasia emerged from the other rift. ¡­What? As Duke Michelstein locked eyes with William, both froze. Turns out, they''d both been squandering portals for days¡ªyet had never run into each other once. They''d completely missed one another every single time. And now¡­ they were both out of portals. Suddenly¡ªpanic. Duke Michelstein''s heart began to pound. On the other hand, William was ecstatic. If only one person could stay at the fortress with just a single backup portal left, who better than the head of Ducal Manor? "Duke, seems like we''ll both have to stick around the fortress for a while," Michelstein said awkwardly. "No way!" "The other senators were worried something like this would happen. That''s why they gave me a backup portal!" "And since the Duchy can''t go a single day without its head, I insist¡ªyou take it." "With that said, I''ll return to the fortress via flying vessel." With the expression of a noble sacrificing himself for the greater good, William gleefully shoved the portal into Duke Michelstein''s hands. William was beaming. Michelstein was devastated. Holding the Spatial Portal, Duke Michelstein looked like he was ready to cry. Not only did he fail to stay behind, he''d also just inherited the blame from the senior senator. He couldn''t even imagine what the other four would do to him once he got back! Sigh¡­ Watching him leave, Anastasia sighed as well. Not even her father could escape the iron grip of the five senators. There was truly nothing she could do. "Hey¡­" "Anastasia, where''s Velen?" William looked around but didn''t spot Velen anywhere. "Hmm?" "You don''t know, big senator?" "Velen left again. Took Clinton and Ironback Centipede with him this time. Probably won''t be back for a few days." Anastasia replied with a puzzled expression. Gone? Again? And gone for days?! "Damn!" "Why am I even here, then?!" "No way the other four will let me hang around just waiting for him to come back!" William was dazed. If he''d known this was the situation, he would''ve kept the portal and made Duke Michelstein fly home instead! "Anastasia, if there''s nothing urgent, I''ll be heading out. I am, after all, the spiritual pillar of the fortress. Can''t let the place go without me for too long." With that, William pulled out his personal aircraft and zoomed off. "Father, you really do have it rough. Even with Velen gone, the five senators still won''t let you stay¡­" Anastasia could only shake her head with a bitter smile. On top of the castle. Ding! Congratulations, host. You''ve completed today''s special item challenge. You''ve received 1,000 Luxury Points and 1,000 Spatial Portals! "Huh?" "Another 1,000 Spatial Portals?!" "That means¡­ I can go straight to the royal capital, right?" Hearing the system notification, Velen immediately turned and looked at Eureka standing beside him. Chapter 177 - Chapter174-Arthur Has a Breakdown Uno Kingdom ¨C Royal Capital Hmm? Arthur, who had been peacefully watering flowers in his courtyard for some wellness time, suddenly noticed a spatial rift tearing open nearby. A flicker of interest flashed across his face. Who would be so extravagant to use a Spatial Portal just to show up here? He wasn''t worried about it being an enemy ¡ª the other four Knight Commanders'' estates surrounded his own. Anyone who dared to come here uninvited would be walking into certain death. "Knight Commander!" As Eureka stepped out of the rift, she greeted Arthur respectfully. "You¡­ you used a Spatial Portal to come back?" Arthur was stunned the moment he saw her. "It''s taken the Uno Kingdom tens of thousands of years to stockpile just over ten thousand of those! That''s like getting one every few years ¡ª and you''re out here wasting it like this?!" As he spoke, Arthur''s right hand holding the watering can began to tremble uncontrollably from rage. The Kingdom had painstakingly saved up those portals, never willing to use a single one lightly ¡ª and here she was, burning one like it was pocket change! Eureka smiled awkwardly but offered no explanation. Instead, she quickly retrieved the fortress-style airship from her spatial ring. Without it, Velen and the others wouldn''t be able to teleport over directly. "Knight Commander, come with me inside. I''ll introduce you to a few people shortly." Eureka waved him over as she stepped into the airship. "Who the hell¡ª!" "Who in their right mind is using a top-tier Soul Armor Set to hang up their underpants?!" Arthur had just stepped into the airship when he saw the Soul Armor Set hanging on the cabin wall ¡ª and right there, a small pair of soaked undies dangling off it. He nearly coughed up blood from rage. With two fingers, he gingerly picked up the undies and flicked them aside before turning his attention to the armor itself. "Such powerful soul energy!" "It''s definitely stronger than my Soul Spear!" As he spoke, Arthur channeled energy into the armor. A massive wave of soul power surged forth, forming a protective aura so dense it was nearly tangible. Buzz! The powerful soul resonance made Arthur''s own soul tremble from the pressure. Hiss¡ª Even Arthur couldn''t help but suck in a sharp breath at the sheer power the armor unleashed. And this was just from casually activating it. He hadn''t even gone all out ¡ª yet he could tell the armor''s output was at least three times greater than his Soul Spear! Keep in mind: his Soul Spear was already among the most elite soul-type weapons, and when combined with his soul combat techniques, it could threaten many Ascended Rank opponents of the same tier. But now this armor¡­ this armor''s potential was three times that! How could he not be shaken? If Clinton had been here to see Arthur''s reaction, he definitely would''ve smugly turned to the Ironback Centipede and said: "You may squish little kids one at a time. But me? I one-punch ''em so fast they don''t even know what killed them!" Exhale¡­ With this kind of equipment, Arthur could unleash his soul arts without holding anything back. Letting out a long breath, Arthur turned to Eureka with a serious expression. "Your Highness, whose armor is this?" Hmm? Instead of answering, Eureka took the armor from his hands and calmly re-hung it on the sword hilt ¡ª even re-draping the little underpants back onto it. Arthur began shaking all over from sheer disbelief. This divine-tier armor¡­ and they had to air-dry underwear on it? "Knight Commander, this is Clinton''s Soul Armor Set." "It''s far more powerful than you realize ¡ª what you just experienced is only a tiny fraction of what it''s capable of." "How should I put it¡­ just be mentally prepared. The two people and one spellbeast arriving soon may seem a bit reckless, but whatever you do, don''t offend them. They''re not people Uno Kingdom can afford to mess with." Eureka''s expression turned deadly serious as she issued the warning. "They''re here!" Just then, a spatial rift suddenly opened up inside the airship. Both Eureka and Arthur turned their gazes toward it. Before long, Kris''s pig-headed silhouette poked through the portal. "Finally, no more Spatial Portal traffic jams," he grumbled as he stepped through. "You bastard!" "You wasteful lunatic ¡ª you used a Spatial Portal for just a few steps of distance?!" Arthur, already seething, pulled out his Soul Spear on the spot. He didn''t care if it worsened his injuries ¡ª he was ready to shoot this guy a few times out of sheer rage. This was too much. Too much waste! "Arthur? You old fossil?" Kris was startled to see Arthur standing next to Eureka. When he realized they were still in Arthur''s courtyard, he froze. "Oh crap¡­ it really was just a few steps¡­" A few minutes later¡ª "That terrifying?" Arthur was completely stunned after listening to Kris describe the fortress. He never imagined such a terrifying "little" fortress could exist within Uno Kingdom territory. "Knight Commander Arthur, that''s nothing!" "Do you know how much power is stored in that Soul Armor Set?" "Do you know its activation triggered a Thunder Tide?" "Do you know Velen wiped out that Thunder Tide with just a look?" "In short, that fortress is a colossal force we absolutely cannot provoke. When Velen arrives soon, you''d better be on your best behavior." Eureka shared what Galdorin had told him, just to prevent any unfortunate incidents when Velen showed up. After all, Velen''s wrath was not something Uno Kingdom could afford to endure! One rift. Two rifts. Three. Four! Four spatial rifts appeared simultaneously in the airship. Moments later, Velen, Ironback Centipede, Clinton, and Galdorin emerged ¡ª three people and one spellbeast, each stepping out of their respective rifts. Hiss¡ª An Ascended spellbeast?! S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The moment Arthur and Kris sensed Ironback Centipede''s aura, they exchanged stunned glances. A single fortress¡­ housing three Ascended Rank powerhouses?! Unbelievable. "Arthur, I''ll need you to help guide this senator from the fortress for a few days while I work on refining a god-rank healing potion." After brief introductions, Velen got straight to the point. "Guide him?" "Your Highness, Clinton also specializes in soul arts. I doubt he needs guidance. But I''d be happy to exchange insights with him." Arthur responded modestly. "Knight Commander ¡ª it''s not like that!" Eureka quickly tugged on Arthur''s sleeve and whispered a quick explanation: that Clinton was an awakener, and that Velen had force-fed him a mountain of Soul Unsheathing fragments to get him to this level. ??? An awakener? So he used to be a squishy spellcaster, but now, thanks to stuffing himself with soul fragments, he''d casually leapfrogged into a soul-magic melee hybrid? Something Arthur had worked his entire life to achieve¡­ this kid got it from popping a few soul shards like candy? Arthur''s mental state completely collapsed on the spot. Chapter 178 - Chapter175-Bro, Are You a Fortune Teller or What?! "Rest assured, Your Highness Velen. I''ll spend the next two days properly exchanging insights with Clinton." Arthur looked at Velen, practically on the verge of tears. He wanted nothing more than to slam his head into a brick wall and end it all. No wonder Velen wanted him to guide Clinton¡ªturns out that while Clinton had immense soul power, he lacked actual close-combat experience. "Your Highness, let''s have Ironback Centipede begin studying the method for refining the healing potion for Arthur." "I''ll take a stroll around the royal capital." With that, Velen walked straight out of the estate. "Bug Bro, come with me. Leave Clinton here for now." Seeing Velen leave, Eureka led Ironback Centipede away from Arthur''s little garden. "Clinton, do you guys at your fortress mess with dragons?" After everyone else left, Kris turned to Clinton with a very serious expression. He was panicking. So far, nothing he''d learned about the fortress directly threatened him, but just in case, he wanted to make sure. "Dragons? You mean like magic dragons?" "No one''s really into dragons. There''s just one mixologist who kinda brushes up against the concept." Clinton thought about it. Other than Alan''s Nine Dragons Cup, no one really had anything dragon-related going on yet. "Mixologist?" "Haha, mixologists don''t count!" "Arthur, looks like I''m still living the good life compared to you!" Kris couldn''t help bursting into laughter. Arthur''s face turned dark, his expression grim as he watched Kris bask in schadenfreude. "Clinton, does your Soul Armor Set really contain a powerful soul order?" "I heard from the prince that it even triggered a thunder tide?" Ignoring the gleeful Kris, Arthur turned to Clinton with curiosity. "Yeah, it might sound hard to believe, but my armor really does house a powerful soul order." "Honestly, it''s not that impressive. At our fortress, that mixologist I mentioned? He''s got nine cups, and each cup holds the soul of a mighty dragon. The thunder tide those cups summoned made mine look like a drizzle." Arthur and Kris both stood frozen. "Kris!" "Come on, keep laughing! Why''d you stop?" "You treated that armor like it was a treasure, but it''s not even on par with some mixologist''s cups!" Arthur grinned wickedly, rubbing it in with delight. S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Sh*t!" "I actually got outclassed by a mixologist!" Kris looked like he''d swallowed a bitter pill. This was a cross-discipline humiliation! "Clinton, since you''ve cultivated such a powerful¡­ um, Unsheathing Soul art, you should be able to fully unleash the armor''s power. Could you give us a demonstration¡ªa proper strike? I want to feel the real strength of that Soul Armor Set." Turning away from the crushed Kris, Arthur looked to Clinton with anticipation. "Tonight." "This armor only reaches its peak at night. I''d like to witness its full potential too." Clinton glanced at the Soul Armor Set¡ªstill adorned with that little pair of underpants¡ªand a look of excitement flickered in his eyes. "This capital is really bustling." Strolling down the lively streets of the royal city, Velen had to admit¡ªthis place truly lived up to its reputation. It was packed with people, packed with awakeners, and even more packed with powerful awakeners. "Huh? What''s going on over there?" He noticed a crowd pointing and whispering around a young man in a black robe. Curious, Velen headed over to check it out. "Did you hear?" "Nico, ranked 100th on the Rising Magi Rankings, got beaten by some prodigy named Aedida!" "I heard that too! Supposedly, this Aedida isn''t just insanely talented and powerful, but also outrageously handsome¡ªhe''s got a fan club of thousands of swooning girls!" ¡­ As he approached the robed youth, Velen finally understood the commotion. The guy was talking to himself. Asking. Answering. Playing both sides of a conversation. These city folks really knew how to entertain themselves! "System, use one Snooping Function. Find out where this genius Aedida is." After issuing the command to his system, Velen looked at the black-robed youth and shook his head with a sigh. "Chasing celebrities across dimensions¡­ man''s about to lose his mind. Fine, I''ll help him live the fantasy." Ding! Used one Snooping Function. Target: Aedida, ranked 100th on the Rising Magi Rankings. Location: Closer than you think¡ªright in front of your eyes. ??? Velen was absolutely stunned! He thought this guy was just roleplaying as his idol to promote him¡­ Who would''ve thought¡ªthe real clown here was himself! A man so shameless actually dared to brag publicly about ranking dead last on the Rising Magi Rankings! Now that was bold! "System, use another Snooping Function." "I want to see his full profile." Velen refused to believe that someone with no trump cards would have the guts to flaunt their mediocrity like this. Soon, a flood of foreign information surged into Velen''s mind. A year ago, Aedida obtained a legacy from a powerful soul in the Singularity Battlefield. That soul now resides inside him. Unless the attacker is at Ascended Rank level 9 and has survived six or more thunder tides, they cannot harm Aedida. Interesting. He''s starting to resemble one of those MCs from my past life''s novels¡­ Apparently, the Singularity Battlefield is littered with soul remnants of ancient powerhouses, all waiting for a destined person to help rebuild their bodies. With that thought, Velen stepped forward and said, "Hey there. I''m a huge fan of Aedida too!" "Huh?" Aedida, who had been busy hyping himself up, blinked in confusion at Velen''s comment. After receiving the legacy, he''d spent a year in deep cultivation and had only made his debut by defeating Nico three days ago. Even the Hall of Magi hadn''t updated the rankings yet. How could this guy possibly know who he was¡ªlet alone be his fan? Aedida couldn''t guess the man''s motive, but his interest was piqued. "You''re a fan of Aedida? Then tell me¡ªwhat do you know about him?" Let''s see how well you fake it. Let''s see what kind of nonsense you''ll spin. Aedida watched Velen with amusement, curious what he''d say next. "Aedida. Age: 28. Born in Flatstone City." "At age 3, lost both parents to the Chaos City disaster. Raised by his uncle." "At age 6, he snuck into a certain succubus brothel." "At 16, he became a man for the first time." "At 18¡ª" The more Velen spoke, the more panicked Aedida became. Just as he was about to expose the embarrassing incident from when he was 18, Aedida clamped a hand over Velen''s mouth in terror and hissed: "Bro¡­ are you a fortune teller?!" Chapter 179 - Chapter176-Sure, I’ll Go… Name Your Price "Doesn''t matter if I''m a fortune teller or not," Velen said with a smile. "Want to find a place to chat?" "Nope!" Aedida rejected him without a second of hesitation, much to Velen''s surprise. "Aedida! The Rising Magi Rankings'' 100th-ranked genius¡­ when he was eighteen, he¡ª" Velen suddenly raised his voice and started shouting toward the nearby crowd. Aedida panicked and clamped a hand over Velen''s mouth again, his face filled with despair. "Alright, alright! I''ll go with you, okay?!" Old Carter, what do I do?! This guy''s got me completely under control! As they walked toward the tavern, Aedida hurriedly reached out to the ancient soul within him. Controlled, my ass! What''s more important¡ªyour life or your pride?! Let him talk if he wants to talk! What are you even afraid of?! This guy gives me an extremely dangerous feeling. I''ll be straight with you¡ªif it comes down to it, I can''t protect you. In fact, I might die right alongside you! And another thing! How the hell did I end up bound to such a damn poser? Can you stop with the drama for five minutes? You gonna die if you don''t show off?! Hearing Carter''s curses, Aedida didn''t dare talk back. If it weren''t for all that self-narrated bragging earlier, he never would''ve caught the attention of this mystery man¡ªeven Carter was afraid of him! A few moments later, inside the tavern. "To qualify for the Rising Magi Rankings, you must reach at least Titan Rank. The lowest ranked is Titan Rank lv1, and the highest goes up to Hero Rank lv9. Once someone ascends to Supreme Rank, they''re automatically removed from the rankings." "And remember¡ªthis ranking spans the entire universe, not just Uno Kingdom. It''s got serious weight." After answering Velen''s question, Aedida quickly added, "Your Highness Velen, that''s all I know! Also¡­ my rabbit back home is about to give birth! If I don''t get back soon, there could be casualties!" ¡­ Hearing that, Velen''s face twitched with black lines. Your rabbit is giving birth? You''re a mage, and instead of researching spells, you''re raising rabbits? If you''re gonna make up an excuse to leave, at least try. "Fine, you can go. Name your price." Seeing that Aedida was desperate to leave, Velen got straight to the point. "Huh? Name my price for what?" Aedida was completely stunned. He didn''t get what Velen was implying at all. "That Rising Magi Rankings rank of yours. I want it. Name your price." Seeing Aedida''s blank stare, Velen laid it all out. "Wait¡­ what?! Your Highness Velen, you''ve gotta be joking! That rank''s not something you can buy!" Aedida''s eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. "Each new name on the Rising Magi Rankings comes with a note¡ªlike how I defeated Nico, it states exactly how I did it and which spells I used." "And this ranking is extremely important to the Hall of Magi. If people started buying their way in, the whole system would collapse!" Aedida gave a bitter laugh, trying to explain as clearly as he could. "100,000 low-grade mana crystals." Velen ignored his explanation and dropped his first offer. Hiss¡ª Aedida couldn''t help but suck in a breath. That was 100,000 low-grade mana crystals. No exaggeration¡ªhe was tempted. Even with Carter''s help, Aedida still needed a massive amount of magical resources. That kind of money could fund his next decade of growth. "Your Highness, it''s not that the mana crystals aren''t tempting¡­ but if the Hall of Magi finds out, they might strip you of the ranking. You''d lose both the title and the crystals." Though tempted, Aedida still tried to reason with Velen. "One million low-grade mana crystals." Velen upped the offer tenfold, still unmoved by the warning. Slap! sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Aedida slapped a Mutual Consent contract¡ªan official Hall of Magi document¡ªonto the table. "Your Highness, as long as your strength reaches Titan Rank lv1, I''ll sign this with you right now. You beat me through Mutual Consent, and the rank is yours." Screw the honor and glory. With a million mana crystals plus Carter''s guidance, the next ten years would be a rocket ride to the top. Even if the Hall of Magi blacklisted him and barred him from challenging anyone on the rankings ever again, Aedida didn''t care. "Mutual Consent? What''s that?" Velen looked curiously at the special contract Aedida had brought out. "Your Highness, you can''t just challenge a top-100 magus because you feel like it. Both parties have to sign a Mutual Consent contract. Only then will the Hall of Magi recognize the outcome." "One more thing: even if someone doesn''t want to fight, if you find them and present a signed Mutual Consent, they must accept the challenge." Aedida gave a clear and detailed explanation. "I still have over 6 million luxury points," Velen thought to himself. "Originally I was saving up to reach 9 million and make a direct breakthrough to Titan Rank lv9... but looks like I''ll spend 1 million now and go straight to Titan Rank lv1." Having heard enough, Velen gave the command: "System, spend 1 million luxury points and break through to Titan Rank lv1." BOOM! A powerful surge of rank-up energy erupted from within Velen. Across the table, Aedida sat there, completely dumbfounded. Elite Rank lv9 to Titan Rank lv1 ¡ª that was a major breakthrough across a tier boundary! You''re telling me this guy just decided to rank up in the middle of a casual tavern chat? Aedida recalled how he''d broken through that same bottleneck: painstaking preparation of support potions, scouting out a quiet location, setting up a mana-concentration array with magic stones¡­ Then he looked back at Velen, who had just leveled up like it was no big deal. Screw the Rising Magi Rankings¡­ This made him feel like an absolute fraud. "All done. I''ve reached Titan Rank lv1. What now?" Velen looked across the table, eyes calmly focused on Aedida. "Your Highness, now we each pour mana into the Mutual Consent to activate it. Then you give me one million low-grade mana crystals, I''ll immediately surrender, and the honor of being Ranked 100 will officially be yours." "But keep in mind¡ªthe Hall of Magi will see the entire transaction. Whether or not they acknowledge it is a matter of luck." Aedida explained the final steps of their deal. Chapter 180 - Chapter177-One’s Willing to Buy, One’s Willing to Sell "They can see the entire transaction?" Velen looked even more intrigued after hearing Aedida''s words. "That''s right. If we had a normal duel, the Hall of Magi would just see that combat." Aedida paused, then added, "I don''t even want to imagine what their reaction will be when they see this play out¡­" ¡ªMoments later¡ª When Aedida saw the one million low-grade mana crystals inside the spatial ring Velen handed him, he shouted with joy, "I surrender!" Boom! As soon as the words left his mouth, the Mutual Consent contract burst into flames on its own. Ding! Congratulations, Host. You have triggered a Prodigal Behavior. +500,000 luxury points. If this purchased ''Rising Magi Rankings ¨C Rank 100'' is acknowledged by the Hall of Magi, an additional +2,500,000 luxury points will be awarded. Huh? Velen''s expression brightened at first¡ªbut the moment he heard the specific reward numbers, his mood soured slightly. "System, that felt like an insult." Ding! Detected host''s sensitivity to certain numbers. Rounding up: Bonus adjusted to 3,000,000 luxury points. Oh? Velen thought for a second, then grinned. "System, what if we round it up again? How about just call it 10 million luxury points?" Ding! Reminder: This is the Tycoon System, not a Chump System. Please don''t push your luck. Hahaha! Velen burst into laughter. The system sounded¡­ mad? "Your Highness Velen, if we''re done here¡­ may I leave?" Aedida, standing nearby, was looking more and more nervous. He was terrified Velen might suddenly turn around, kill him, and snatch his million mana crystals back. "Go on. I''m heading out too." Velen nodded. The deal was done. Whether or not the Hall of Magi would recognize the transaction, he honestly didn''t care. He wasn''t about to let a measly 3 million luxury points affect his mood. Tarot Order "Kelsey, how come our Tarot Order¡ªdespite losing to Triad Sanctum¡ªstill manages to have its Rising Magi Rankings recognized across the entire universe?" Sophia, who was helping process Mutual Consent contracts, looked up with curiosity. "Saintess, there''s a lot you still don''t know. You think Tarot Order is weak? It''s not us¡ªit''s just that our current generation of Twelve Councilors is lacking." Seeing that Sophia was still confused, Kelsey chuckled and continued: "You know the old Dark Councilor William? Back when he came to the Hall of Magi, he borrowed that artifact rather than taking it by force. Know why? Because our Tarot Order has twelve Ascended Rank powerhouses sitting in council. Twelve!" ¡ªA few minutes later¡ª After listening to all of Tarot Order''s inner secrets, Sophia was truly shocked. Tarot Order always maintains twelve Ascended Rank councilors. Right now, those seats are held by the previous generation, known as the Ascended Twelve. When a current councilor survives the ninth thunder tide, they take over a seat, and the current ascended councilor ascends to the heavens. Afterward, a new councilor is chosen to restore the number back to twelve. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Sophia''s expression shifted into one of awe and realization. Only now did she understand how insanely difficult it would be to help Velen take control of the Tarot Order. "Although you are the Saintess of Tarot, these secrets aren''t something you''re technically allowed to know yet. If it weren''t for your exceptionally powerful divination ability, you''d have to wait another five years to learn this." Kelsey smiled, then turned back to his work. "Alright, let''s activate the next Mutual Consent. I can''t believe we''ve had six of them in the past five days." The previous four Mutual Consents had all ended in failure. He was curious whether the last two might surprise him. When the fifth Mutual Consent was activated, a combat scene between Aedida and a young man played out like a projection before them. "Well, that''s interesting. Finally, a successful challenge. Even if it''s just a change at the bottom, the rankings get a refresh." Kelsey motioned to Sophia to activate the final contract. "Wait¡­ that''s the guy who just won? Hold on¡ªthat''s Velen!!" Both Kelsey and Sophia looked stunned when Velen appeared on screen. "¡­But what are they doing? Why aren''t they fighting?" On screen, Velen and Aedida were calmly sitting across from each other in a private room. Both Kelsey and Sophia looked confused. "This is one million low-grade mana crystals! I surrender!" As the voices rang out and the highly extravagant transaction played out, the projection faded¡ªand Kelsey and Sophia were left completely speechless. "Outrageous! Absolutely outrageous! This is the Rising Magi Rankings, for heaven''s sake! Even if it''s just the last spot, how dare they buy and sell it?!" Kelsey exploded in anger. One''s willing to buy. One''s willing to sell. He could hardly believe what he''d just witnessed. "The last time something like this happened¡­ it''s been thousands of years! And now, someone dares to pull this stunt again? Both of them are disqualified from ever ranking again. Even if they challenge and win against another Rising Magi Rankings member in the future, it will never count!" Without hesitation, Kelsey blacklisted both Aedida and Velen from the rankings. "Kelsey-senator, but Velen did give us that lv9 Forge¡­ I''m worried this might upset him." Sophia hesitated, reminding him gently. Hmm? Kelsey froze. Then his expression turned conflicted. A lv9 Forge! That''s a legendary-tier item! There were only a handful across the entire continent. "No choice," he muttered after a moment. "This is no longer a matter I can decide alone. I''ll go to the Chairman right away and have him convene the rest of the Ten Councilors to discuss this." Uno Kingdom ¨C Royal Capital Ding! Congratulations, Host. You''ve successfully entered the Rising Magi Rankings at Rank 100. Bonus awarded: 3,000,000 luxury points! As Velen continued casually strolling through the bustling city, the system''s prompt suddenly echoed in his mind. "What the¡ª?! Hall of Magi actually approved it?! Are they insane?!" Velen''s face lit up in stunned disbelief. Then he grinned and said to the system, "System, since Hall of Magi was so kind as to endorse my tycoon-level shenanigans and let me enter the rankings anyway, shouldn''t I return the favor somehow?" Chapter 181 - Chapter178-Heehee, Are You All Here to Welcome Me? "Ding! Host, please state the bribe amount. The system will randomly select one of the ten official Tycoon Guard soldiers to deliver it to the Tarot Order." Bribe? Velen raised an eyebrow. Damn, the system really knew how to pick its words. If they accept my bribe, doesn''t that mean I''ll have to keep greasing the wheels from now on? "System, how about one million Advanced Mana Crystals as a bribe for the Tarot Order?" Velen offered without hesitation. "Ding! Bribe accepted!" "Ding! Congratulations, Host, for triggering a Tycoon Action! You''ve been rewarded 500,000 Luxury Points!" Hearing the two system notifications in a row, Velen couldn''t help but laugh. With over nine million Luxury Points now in his stash, he planned to return to Kris''s estate after a bit of shopping and directly break through to Titan Rank Lv.9! ¡ª Meanwhile, in another realm¡ª "A one-in-ten chance, and it still didn''t pick me?!" A burly man stared at the little girl stepping out of a Spatial Rift, jealously eyeing the lollipop in her mouth. Master, I wanna go out too, damn it! ¡ª Tarot Order As a Spatial Rift suddenly tore open, terrifying auras erupted across the Tarot Order. Countless figures raced toward the rift''s location. In no time, the twelve Councilors and the current Speaker had assembled, all eyes locked on the rift with deep dread on their faces. Even the mere aura leaking from within filled them with chills. The twelve Councilors could feel it¡ªeven if they all fought together, they''d be no match for the being inside! "Regardless of whether it''s friend or foe, we can''t gamble the foundation of the Tarot Order!" "Activate the Tarot Token!" One Councilor spoke grimly. Boom! As an overwhelming pressure descended from the heavens, the spectral figure of an elderly man in a white robe slowly appeared in the sky. "Why has the Tarot Token been activated?" "Is there really someone in the Lower Plane Universe who can threaten the Tarot Order?" As he spoke, the elder''s gaze fell directly onto the Spatial Rift. "Heehee!" "Are you all here to welcome me?" The lollipop-sucking little girl stepped out of the rift, locking eyes with the projection of the white-robed elder in the sky. "You''re the strongest here¡ªso I guess that makes you the leader of the Tarot Order." "But sending a projection to meet me? Isn''t that a bit rude?" Noticing it was only a projection, a faint pout appeared on the girl''s face. She waved her delicate hand, slicing open another Spatial Rift¡ªand with that, dragged out the elder''s real body. The Councilors and Speaker nearly had their eyes pop out at this. This frail-looking girl¡ªwas she always this brutal?! Holy crap! The white-robed elder, now physically pulled out, looked like he was about to wet himself. What the hell is this thing?! She just dragged me across realms like it was nothing?! Boom! At that moment, a Thunder Calamity began to form above the sky, enveloping the Tarot Order in a crushing pressure. "You''re looking down on me too?" "You dare try to strike me down?" As the Thunder Calamity formed, strange, blood-red runes began to appear on the girl''s face¡ªa sign she was getting angry. She casually raised a finger at the Thunder Calamity. And then¡ª Poof! Like it had just panicked, the Thunder Calamity fled from the sky and vanished from sight. What the hell did I just witness?! That Thunder Calamity¡ªfully formed and ready to smite¡ªran away? And not just that, it looked terrified? The Councilors of the Tarot Order could hardly believe their eyes. That was a Thunder Calamity, not some passing stormcloud¡ªsince when could those be scared off?! "What the hell did these idiots do to provoke such a terrifying being?!" "You activated the Magus Decree just to drag me here and get me killed?!" The elder cursed internally, already fantasizing about strangling every last Councilor. And as the Thunder Calamity retreated, the blood-red runes on the girl''s face faded away. She looked toward the stunned elder and said, "You guys from the Tarot Order performed quite well. I''m here on behalf of my master to deliver your bribe." With that, she handed the elder a space ring containing one million Advanced Mana Crystals. What?! Did I hear that right? She''s here to give us a bribe?! Why didn''t she just say so?! We were scared out of our damn minds! The elder stood frozen in disbelief. So I got dragged into this mess just to receive a gift? The Councilors collectively sighed in relief. But now, an even greater question haunted them: S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Who the hell is her "Master"? What did we do to deserve this "bribe"? And more importantly¡­ if we unknowingly offend this person later, will it be "bribes" again¡ªor total annihilation? Once the delivery was done, the girl licked her lollipop, took a step forward, and vanished through another Spatial Rift. Leaving everyone behind¡ª completely dumbfounded. She was gone, but their minds were still stuck on one loop: Who is the Master? What did we do? Why the hell are we being paid?! When the elder realized none of them had any answers, he nearly had a stroke. "Use every resource we have¡ªfind the master this terrifying girl spoke of. Do not provoke that person!" One Councilor, who had previously suggested using the Tarot Token, asked carefully, "Chairman Kevin, are you¡­ going back to the Upper Realm now?" Smack! In the blink of an eye, the elder appeared in front of the Councilor and smacked him on the head. "You blind? Can''t you see that Thunder Calamity just drifted back in again?! You tell me¡ªshould I go back or not?!" The poor Councilor, rubbing his head, mumbled, "Then¡­ how do you plan to return to the Upper Realm?" Smack! Smack! Smack! Kevin lost it and smacked him several more times. "You want to know how I''ll return?! You''re flying me back up, damn it! You''ve been in the Lower Plane Universe so long your brain''s turned to mush!" He then turned to the twelve current Councilors, raging: "Not one of you has even survived nine Thunder Tides yet! Our Upper Realm division of Tarot Order is on the brink of collapse¡ªand you''re all useless!" ¡ª Later, in the Speaker''s Tower¡ª "Now the Tarot Order only has eleven Councilors left¡­" "Who would''ve thought¡ªafter all these years, the first time we''d fall short of twelve would be because one had to escort an Upper Realm elder back!" Hearing this, Galdorin couldn''t help but mutter, "Speaker, is now really the time to be worried about that?" Chapter 182 - Chapter179-How Much Did You Pay for That Ranking? Ahem! Hearing Galdorin''s words, the Speaker looked a bit awkward and replied, "Go summon the Saintess. If we want to find any information about that ''Master,'' we''ll probably need her to use the Blood Tarot Cards." ¡ª Uno Kingdom, Royal Capital ¨C Kris''s Estate "Kris!" "Clinton!" "I''m ready to tutututu!" Velen shouted. After a long day of shopping, he had returned to the estate and was now preparing to break through from Titan Rank Lv.1 all the way to Lv.9¡ªright in front of the trio. Tutututu? Arthur and Kris looked confused by Velen''s declaration. Clinton, however, gave a bitter smile. Truth be told, he really didn''t want to witness Velen''s breakthroughs anymore. They were just too demoralizing. Wait a sec¡ª Suddenly, Clinton sensed the fluctuation in Velen''s cultivation aura and blurted out: "Velen¡­ did you already break through to Titan Rank Lv.1?" "Yup!" "I ran into a genius ranked 100th on the Rising Magi Rankings earlier on the street. You need to be at least Titan Rank Lv.1 just to challenge him." Velen casually explained. Rising Magi Rankings?! Not only Clinton, but even Arthur and Kris lit up at the mention of the rankings. Wipe out calamities in a glance? Come on¡ªjust some bottom-rank genius on that list¡ªHis Highness Velen probably wouldn''t even need two moves to finish him off! As Arthur and Kris speculated about how the battle went, Clinton suddenly asked: "Velen¡­ how much did you pay for that ranking?" Clinton might not be the brightest in many areas, but when it came to status and honor, he knew exactly how Velen operated. "Pay for it?" "Clinton, don''t joke around. The Rising Magi Rankings are a major leaderboard managed by the Hall of Magi. There''s no way they''d allow buying ranks." "Exactly. If the Hall of Magi ever found out, both Velen and that genius ranked 100th would be disqualified!" Arthur and Kris laughed, confident in their reply. "One million Low-grade Mana Crystals! "And the Hall of Magi already approved it. Once the rankings update, you''ll be able to see my name right there." "Clinton, you really get me!" Velen shot Clinton a thumbs-up, while Arthur and Kris stared at him like they''d been struck by lightning. What?! No way¡ªabsolutely no way! "How could the Hall of Magi approve something like this?! If ranks can be bought, then the whole Rising Magi Rankings would be meaningless! They''d never do that!" Arthur and Kris couldn''t accept it. After all, both of them had made the Rising Magi Rankings in their youth¡ªwithin the top 20, no less. It was one of the greatest honors of their lives. Now, that very honor had been shamelessly defiled in front of them¡ªand they were having a hard time processing it. "I don''t know why they approved it either," Velen said, shrugging. "But hey, I''m not rude. I turned around and gifted them one million Advanced Mana Crystals as a thank-you!" "Anyway, time to start my breakthrough." Wait, WHAT?! One million WHAT?! Arthur and Kris exchanged a look¡ªpure disbelief in their eyes. Corruption! This is corruption! A blatant, shameless, and luxurious corruption! Since when did cheating get so¡­ official? BOOM! While they were still reeling from the audacity of it all, a powerful breakthrough aura burst out from Velen''s body, immediately pulling their focus. BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! Titan Rank Lv.3! Lv.4! Lv.5! The moment Velen hit Titan Rank Lv.2, the breakthroughs didn''t stop¡ªin fact, they became even faster. So this is what "tutututu" meant¡­ If they didn''t understand before, they got it now. This man was literally machine-gunning through ranks! "Clinton¡­ does His Highness Velen always break through like this?" Arthur asked, dazed, turning toward Clinton, who was watching calmly. "Yep!" "No need to be shocked. That''s just Velen''s default setting." Clinton grinned, watching their stunned faces. He could have earned his spot on the Rising Magi Rankings with pure strength, but instead, he chose to just flex his absurd wealth and buy his way in. A true tycoon¡ªcomparable to a god by sheer spending power. S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Looking at Velen now, his Titan Rank Lv.9 aura slowly stabilizing, Arthur and Kris could only let out helpless chuckles. "Well, you guys carry on. I''m going to bed." Having completed his breakthrough under their witness, Velen strolled off toward the courtyard, completely satisfied. "He''s off to bed again!" "Wonder what kind of expensive nonsense that rich brat will mess with tomorrow morning¡­" Clinton couldn''t help but feel a vague sense of unease as he watched Velen leave. ¡ª Night fell. "Finally! I get to see the true power of the Soul Armor Set! Clinton¡ªgo ahead, hit me with all you''ve got!" Arthur, now standing across from Clinton, shouted with excitement as he looked at the glowing armor in Clinton''s hands. "Gladly!" Clinton soared into the sky. A terrifying burst of soul force exploded from within him. Left hand: Soul Unsheathing! Right hand: Grand Magic! BOOM! Suddenly, a terrifying blade of light, over a hundred feet long, sliced through the darkness. "Arthur¡ªtake this!" As the blade, infused with maximum soul power and magic, cut through the night sky, a brilliant slash descended upon Arthur like a meteor. "Bring it on!" Arthur laughed heartily. He raised his sword, pouring vast amounts of mana into it, determined to meet the attack head-on! ¡ª The next morning. "Hey Arthur¡­ just how powerful is Clinton''s Soul Armor Set?" "You left right after blocking that strike last night. I couldn''t stop thinking about it." Kris looked toward Clinton¡ªwho, at that moment, was air-drying his pants on the Soul Armor Set¡ªand turned to Arthur curiously. "Can you imagine a sword slash imbued with a trace of universal law, thrown at me with his soul literally outside his body?" "And on top of that, he dropped a Grand Magic Spell right next to my face?" "If he were the same rank as me¡ªhell, even if I used my Soul Spear¡ªhis sword would be a hundred times stronger than mine." "To put it simply¡ªif I could pose a threat to enemies of equal rank, he could instantly kill them in one blow. No one would survive." Gulp. Kris was stunned. He''d expected the Soul Armor Set to be strong¡­ But this strong? "If that''s the case, there''s only one strategy left," Kris said seriously. "We''ll have to kite him with long-range spells!" "Long-range?" Arthur glanced at him and chuckled. "Did you forget who he really is? He''s not just some simple swordsman like me¡ª He''s dual-classed!" Chapter 183 - Chapter180-He Wanted BBQ—Couldn’t He Wait Just Two More Seconds?! "Holy shit! Doesn''t that make him basically invincible now?" Kris couldn''t help but blurt it out when Arthur pointed it out. "We should remind His Majesty later... This fortress is absolutely terrifying." Arthur didn''t answer directly, but Kris could already understand what he meant from that one line. Velen and his crew¡ªmake friends, never enemies. "Ahhh, so satisfying!!" In the nearby courtyard, Velen stretched lazily as he woke up, then immediately checked his Special Daily Drop. Strangely enough, even though he had to find ways to use up the special item that refreshed daily, Velen wasn''t annoyed by it. In fact, he was looking forward to it more and more. Today''s Special Drop: Soul Crystal Shards x10,000 Soul Crystal: A special type of ore. Can be used to enchant weapons or magic, granting them soul-based power, allowing direct attacks on the enemy''s soul. What the hell is this thing? Velen stared blankly at the item description. The explanation was way too simplistic. All he got was that it could be used for enchanting. And that, of course, led to the real question: How the hell do I waste this stuff? When in doubt, ask someone who might know. He left his residence and headed straight to the neighboring courtyard. "Kris, do you know anything about Soul Crystals?" Walking up to Kris, Velen wasted no time getting to the point. "I''m not entirely sure what they are either," Kris admitted, "but I''m guessing this is the item you''re supposed to blow through today?" Standing nearby, Clinton listened quietly, and a theory was already forming in his mind. "Soul Crystal? Prince Velen, a Soul Crystal is an incredibly rare and powerful mineral. It can enchant almost anything, and the effects vary based on what it''s used on," Kris explained seriously. "Different effects?" "Exactly. Once ignited, the Soul Crystal releases a kind of liquid energy. Enchanting a weapon with it grants soul-damage capabilities. Enchanting a furnace can allow it to refine high-grade potions. Enchanting a spell with it turns it into soul magic." "Soul Crystals are non-renewable and extremely scarce. Everyone wants them. But their effects fade with time, so they''re incredibly valuable." Kris was patient with his explanation, even though he wasn''t sure why Velen was suddenly so interested in the topic. After hearing all that, Velen suddenly found himself troubled. This stuff is that overpowered?! It can enchant anything? Then how the hell am I supposed to squander it? Wait¡­ Enchant anything¡­? Velen''s eyes suddenly lit up with a new idea. Next to him, Clinton shivered slightly. He had that feeling again. Something bad is about to happen. He was sure of it. "Arthur, isn''t the only place Soul Crystals are mined the Singularity Battlefield? I remember you said you only ever got one piece, right?" Kris asked as Velen silently brewed his plan. "That''s right," Arthur nodded. "I was lucky to get it. I used it to enchant my spear, and with years of honing it, I''ve fought off countless enemies. Sadly, less than a tenth of it remains now." As he spoke, Arthur''s face showed a faint trace of regret. Soul Crystals were his trump card. His precious treasure. "Iron Cub! Go get some spellbeast meat from the Prince¡ªwe''re having BBQ today. I''ve got the charcoal and seasoning ready. Oh, and make sure it''s freshly slaughtered spellbeast meat! Freshness is key!" Velen used magical voice transmission to give orders to the Ironback Centipede, who was in the middle of refining alchemical materials. Uno Kingdom.Alchemy Chamber. "It''s done! Almost there! Your Highness, while this spellbeast may not be the most gifted in alchemy, with enough practice, its Frostfire and that terrifying furnace make potion refining practically effortless!" Pulitzer was laughing through tears at this point. As a top-tier alchemist serving the Uno Kingdom¡ªthough never officially certified by the Alchemy Guild¡ªPulitzer''s skills were on par with the greatest Grand Alchemists. But yesterday¡­ when he saw the legendary Super Dragon Flame Forge with his own eyes, and realized that a spellbeast actually possessed the mythical Frostfire, he almost lost his mind. Two of the greatest treasures an alchemist could dream of¡ªboth appeared in one spellbeast. Any alchemist would go insane from envy. BZZZZT! The Super Dragon Flame Forge began to tremble violently, signaling that the god-rank potion inside was nearing completion. The potion inside was colliding against the walls of the furnace in erratic bursts of light and sound. All that was left was five seconds of final refining with the Frostfire¡ªthen open the lid, survive the Thunder Calamity, and the potion would be complete. BOOM! Just as the moment of glory approached, Ironback Centipede suddenly received Velen''s magical transmission. Without hesitation, it kicked the furnace over with one massive stomp. Frostfire extinguished. The tremors stopped. The nearly-complete god-rank potion inside turned into a bubbling mess of scorched sludge. A burnt, acrid stench filled the room. They were two seconds away. Just two goddamn seconds, and the god-rank potion would have been perfected! Pulitzer''s eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. What the hell was that for, you stupid beast?! Two seconds! You couldn''t wait two seconds?! This was the pinnacle of his alchemical career¡ªnot making a god-rank potion, no, he knew he wasn''t quite at that level. But to witness one created under his own guidance? Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. That was the ultimate honor of his life! And this¡­ this damn spellbeast just kicked it over like trash? First the Prince stepped on a god-rank potion. Now this thing just booted the furnace over. Could you two have a little respect for the god-rank potion?! That was my life''s dream! Pulitzer''s whole worldview shattered. Nearby, Eureka stood frozen, staring at Ironback Centipede in complete disbelief. "¡­Bro, what the hell just happened?" she asked blankly. "The Master just contacted me," Ironback Centipede replied seriously. "He wants BBQ. Told me to bring the furnace. Oh, and he wants fresh spellbeast meat. You''ll need to slaughter it right away." PFFFT!! Pulitzer couldn''t hold it in anymore¡ªhe coughed up a mouthful of blood. All this... for a barbecue? He wanted to scream: Your master wanted BBQ?! And you couldn''t wait those TWO SECONDS?! JUST TWO FREAKING SECONDS?! But in the end, he held back. Because he knew¡ªneither this spellbeast nor its master were people he could afford to piss off. "Master Pulitzer, maybe you should have a bite too," Ironback Centipede said with genuine concern. "You just vomited blood. You should eat something nourishing." Pulitzer: I¡­ I f*ing can''t.** Chapter 184 - Chapter181-A Tense and Thrilling Mini-Game—Arthur Falls "Master Pulitzer, can you¡­ can you still hold on?" Eureka walked up with a helpless smile and asked in a low voice. "What else can I do if I can''t? That damn spellbeast is just too damn infuriating when it talks! No, I can''t stay here any longer¡ªI need to go rest. If you need alchemy, find me later." With that, Pulitzer turned and left in a hurry. He was afraid that if he stayed near Ironback Centipede a second longer, he''d die of sheer rage! Kris''s Residence "I''ve already told Iron Cub and Eureka to bring some spellbeast meat. Let''s have a BBQ today! Everyone lend a hand¡ªhelp skewer the meat. Iron Cub will do the grilling!" Velen turned to Arthur, Eureka, and Clinton with a bright smile. Clatter! As he spoke, Velen began pulling out fist-sized Soul Crystal shards from his system space one after another. Gasp! Arthur sucked in a sharp breath the moment he saw Velen pull out nothing but massive Soul Crystal chunks. An ominous feeling welled up in his chest. What the hell is he going to do with that many Soul Crystals?! "Your Highness Velen, I mean¡­ we''re just having a BBQ, right? Why are you taking out all these Soul Crystals?" With growing unease, Arthur asked. "To grill the meat, of course! After what you said earlier, I had a bold idea." Velen answered with complete seriousness. A bold idea, my ass! You''re not actually going to grill meat with that stuff¡­ right? But then¡ªArthur watched in horror as Velen ignited a Soul Crystal and poured its energy over the meat. He snapped. WHAT?! For centuries, Arthur had only ever used a single Soul Crystal¡ªand it broke his heart every time he thought about it. And now? Velen was burning hundreds of them just to cook meat?! "Kris! Restrain me right now! If I lose control and attack His Highness, you''re gonna have to bury me yourself!" Arthur cried, struggling, as Kris grabbed both his arms and held him back. "First Clinton used the Soul Armor Set to hang his underwear, and now His Highness Velen is BBQing with Soul Crystals! Does he have it out for me specifically? Why is it always me getting emotionally tortured?!" Watching as Velen had Clinton ignite Soul Crystals to grill spellbeast meat, Arthur''s psyche crumbled further. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Arthur, you better hold it together¡­ because if you snap, I might be next," Kris added mercilessly¡ªclearly living the "better you than me" philosophy. A little while later, Ironback Centipede and Eureka arrived at the courtyard, and everyone got busy. "One piece! Two pieces! Three pieces! I can''t take it anymore! These spellbeast meat chunks were freshly butchered, and each one costs an entire Soul Crystal to grill?! This is madness!" Arthur, skewering meat, looked completely broken after just a few minutes. "Arthur, have a drink and rest for a bit." Seeing Arthur''s state, Velen brought over a bottle of wine¡ªLafite Vintage. Gulp. Arthur tried to numb himself with the wine¡ªand immediately froze. This wine was divine. Nothing he''d ever tasted in his centuries of life came close. Even after a single sip, his mind was consumed by its flavor. One bottle? Nowhere near enough! "This wine is called Lafite Vintage. It''s been sealed for ten thousand years. Hate to say it, but even your soul-infused spear isn''t worth this one bottle." "Even people who don''t drink become addicted after tasting it, and other fine wines will forever taste bland in comparison. But don''t worry, I''ve got Divine Sobriety Elixirs¡ªthey''ll cure any aftereffects." As Velen described the wine, Arthur had an ominous feeling in his chest. "Arthur, just answer me this¡ªdo you want more of this wine?" Velen asked seriously. "Yes!" Arthur answered without hesitation. Moments later, Arthur and Kris watched in confusion as Velen hung a half-meter-wide slab of spellbeast meat on the wall. "See those ten rings on the meat? The outermost one is worth 1 point, and the smaller they get, the higher the score. The center ring is worth 10 points!" "Now you two will each fill a water gun with Soul Crystal liquid and take turns firing blind. No magic, no strength¡ªwhoever scores higher gets a whole bottle of Lafite Vintage!" After explaining the rules, Velen walked up to Arthur and grinned. "Soul Crystals are mine¡ªbut that wine? If you win, it''s all yours." Wine? Soul Crystals? Arthur suddenly got it. Buzz! Buzz! Buzz! Without hesitation, he started blasting wildly. Clinton watched in awe. Just earlier, Arthur had been nearly brought to tears over the waste of Soul Crystals. Now? The man was unloading them like water! Velen had weaponized Lafite Vintage into a gambling incentive and created a twisted little game. BBQ made you silent, but when booze was on the line, you turned into a man possessed! In the face of wanton extravagance, no one could remain virtuous. After twenty rounds, Arthur ended up winning thirteen bottles of Lafite Vintage. "His Highness Velen is terrifying! Those were Soul Crystals! Arthur''s beloved little babies!" Kris was genuinely stunned to see Arthur joyfully grilling meat afterward. All it took was a mini-game and thirteen bottles of wine to turn Arthur into this? If he hadn''t seen it with his own eyes, he wouldn''t have believed it! Ding! Congratulations, host, for successfully using today''s special item. Reward: 1,000 Luxury Points + a small piece of Soul Crystal ore! "Huh?" Velen''s interest was piqued. If he was right, this "Soul Crystal ore" should be the actual mineral that produces Soul Crystals. BOOM! With a thunderous crash, a giant Soul Crystal¡ªover ten meters tall¡ªappeared in front of everyone. "System, you''re getting ridiculous. You call that a small piece?!" Even Velen himself was stunned at the colossal crystal now towering in front of them. "Holy sh*t!" Arthur and Kris shouted in unison. Now they finally understood why Velen was so wasteful. Because the guy was filthy rich! Arthur recalled how he had once treasured a fist-sized Soul Crystal like it was gold. Now? He just felt like a broke peasant. Chapter 185 - Chapter182-A Spendthrift? No—He’s a Battle Genius! "Arthur, what do you think is the best way to use this soul crystal?"Velen turned to the side and directly posed the question to Arthur. "Your Highness Velen, I suggest we extract the energy from the soul crystal and channel it into Clinton. With Clinton''s Soul Armor Set, that would make him a living nightmare for all our enemies!" Arthur, hearing the question, didn''t hesitate to voice his idea. "No! Arthur, I think enchanting equipment with the soul crystal is a complete waste." Velen immediately shook his head, clearly unimpressed by the all-too-conventional suggestion. "Then, Your Highness, do you have a better plan in mind?"Arthur looked at Velen, curiosity piqued. "Arthur, what if we used this soul crystal to coat the exterior of the level 9 Forge? Imagine smashing that into a mage¡ªdon''t you think that might have¡­ some interesting effects?" As he spoke, Velen walked up to the towering forge, patted its thick metal wall, and turned to Arthur with a glint in his eye. "¡­???" Interesting effects? You''ve got to be kidding! That wouldn''t just be effective¡ªit would be lethal! Smashing this thing into someone would obliterate them on a spiritual level! Who in their right mind would even think of using a soul crystal¡ªsomething so rare and precious¡ªto coat a giant forge''s outer shell? That''s not creativity¡ªthat''s insanity! That''s soul crystal we''re talking about here! Not some random pebble you pick up off the street! Arthur nearly lost it right then and there. His brain couldn''t process the madness. He wanted to shout at Velen: Would it kill you not to flex for once? Would it kill you to not be a filthy rich maniac? Would it kill you to use your wealth like a normal person?! "Your Highness, if you actually go ahead and cover the entire outer layer of the forge with soul crystal¡­ honestly, that''s just wasteful." Arthur took a deep breath, struggling to calm himself before trying to reason with Velen again. "I believe it''s better to hold onto it and use it strategically during a battle." "Just imagine¡ªwhen the melee is at its peak and the chaos is in full swing, suddenly this massive forge, glowing with soul crystal, gets hurled into the fray. Who could possibly withstand that?" "And what if Clinton''s staff also gets a soul crystal coating? When enemies think he''s just another fragile mage and charge at him full of confidence, he could suddenly ignite the staff, don the Soul Armor, and launch a point-blank enchanted spell barrage. Who the hell could defend against that?!" "We''re tycoons¡ªwe don''t hide our wealth, we flaunt it! We don''t play it safe¡ªwe go big! Sure, it might be a bit wasteful, but look at the results! And besides, we''ve got such a massive chunk of soul crystal. Am I afraid of waste? No!" "With that much soul energy radiating out, who wouldn''t be scared? Who wouldn''t cry for their mom?" Gulp. As Velen''s wild battle plan sunk in, Arthur, Eureka, and Clinton all involuntarily swallowed hard, their faces pale with shock. It was terrifying. Only now did they truly realize: Velen wasn''t some frivolous spendthrift¡ªhe was a battle genius in disguise! A forge smash sneak attack!? Point-blank magic explosion!? What kind of twisted, brilliant mind comes up with stuff like this?! Be honest¡ªwith a soul crystal that large, if it had landed in their hands, none of them would have imagined such a use. Not even close. "Your Highness Velen, then what do you suggest I do with a soul crystal, as a knight?"Kris, having recovered slightly from the shock, now looked to Velen with sincere admiration. "As a knight¡­ isn''t it reasonable to hide a dagger in the shaft of your spear?" Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Hissss¡ª Hearing that, Eureka staggered back several steps, inhaling sharply as his mind painted a picture. Imagine¡ªright hand holding the spear, clashing against the enemy. Then, suddenly, from the spear''s handle, the knight draws a dagger¡ªone coated in soul crystal¡ªand drives it straight into the enemy''s gut. Sure, it''s sneaky. Maybe even a little dirty.But once the enemy''s dead¡­ who''s going to complain? He had never even thought of winning a fight this way! "Your Highness Velen, stop! You''re scaring me! I''m seriously freaking out right now. I feel like from now on, every time I''m in a fight, someone''s going to pull something like that on me!"Clinton looked on the verge of a breakdown. Arthur, Eureka, and Kris all nodded in agreement. Forget Clinton¡ªeven they were traumatized now! The only one not worried was Ironback Centipede, who was absolutely buzzing with excitement. As a spellbeast specialized in physical cultivation, it also benefited from absorbing magical energy to strengthen its body. While the soul crystal might not be especially threatening to creatures like it, that didn''t mean it couldn''t use it against enemies. "Your Highness, how is Ironback Centipede progressing in his study of potion crafting?"After putting the soul crystal away, Velen turned and asked Clinton. "Your Highness, Iron Cub is already capable of crafting god-tier grade-nine potions. He was literally seconds away from completing one and triggering a Thunder Calamity¡­ but you suddenly said you wanted barbecue. So he kicked over the alchemy furnace and ran off to cook." Eureka quickly explained what had happened earlier. "Excellent! God-tier potions can be made anytime. But a craving for barbecue? That feeling can fade with time. Ironback Centipede''s priorities are spot-on." Velen gave a very genuine nod of approval. Like-minded people find each other. Hearing this, Eureka felt like his soul had left his body. That was a god-tier potion! The holy grail of alchemists across the continent! Most would dedicate their entire lives just for a chance to create one! And yet here, it''s tossed aside in favor of¡­ grilled meat. Could they at least pretend to understand what it''s like to be poor? Later that afternoon. Boom! Boom! Boom! Thunder Calamity strikes flashed over the courtyard, coming from the direction of the alchemy chamber. Only then did Velen realize¡ªcreating a god-tier potion wasn''t the hard part. Getting it to survive a Thunder Calamity¡­ now that was the real challenge. Near sunset. Pulitzer stood with a bottle of god-tier potion that had successfully endured the Thunder Calamity in his hands¡­ but his face showed no joy, only numbness. "Your Highness, take the potion and give it to Arthur." He casually tossed the bottle to Clinton like it was nothing special. "Master Pulitzer, are you alright?"Clinton noticed the odd look on Pulitzer''s face and asked with concern. Alright? You tell me! A spellbeast crafts a god-tier potion like it''s child''s play. I, the kingdom''s top alchemist, also try¡ªand boom! Furnace explosion! Can you imagine how that feels?! Pulitzer could hardly hold back tears. He was the royal court''s most honored alchemist. And yet¡­ he was bested by a spellbeast. He was seriously considering retiring from alchemy altogether. "Master Pulitzer¡­ don''t let Iron Cub get to you. Come on, look at me! I can''t even beat a single rabbit from their fortress. But I''m still here! Still surviving!" As Eureka said this, he couldn''t hold it in any longer and began to cry. Not even a rabbit!That''s what really broke him! "It''s just a god-tier potion. What''s the big deal?" Watching Eureka and Pulitzer crouch together, holding their heads and sobbing like children, Ironback Centipede was genuinely confused. Chapter 186 - Chapter183-Let’s Go Rob the Singularity Battlefield! "Everyone, fate willing, we''ll meet again. We''re off for now." With the god-rank potion Arthur needed taken care of, Velen, Clinton, and Ironback Centipede activated a Spatial Portal and vanished from sight. "I''ve lived a long time, but Prince Velen''s level of extravagance has completely redefined what it means to be wasteful!" "I never thought someone flaunting their wealth could actually scare me. It''s terrifying!" Hearing Arthur''s comment, Kris and Eureka both nodded in agreement. After witnessing Velen''s ridiculous spending, every rich person they had met before now felt like amateurs. "By the way, Your Highness, why didn''t you let the other three knight-commanders meet Prince Velen?" At that moment, Eureka seemed to realize something and turned to Kris, confused. "Let me ask you this, Eureka¡ªif you could do it all over again, would you want to meet Prince Velen?" Kris''s counter-question made Eureka fall silent. After a beat, he gave a bitter smile. "Nope. That kind of blow to the ego is just too much!" Inside the Fortress Hall Anastasia, who had been deep in meditation, suddenly opened her eyes with a confused look. "So soon? Did I miscalculate yesterday¡ªI should''ve had the Grand Senator wait a little longer!" "Good thing they didn''t bring anyone back this time." Sensing no unfamiliar aura, Anastasia let out a sigh of relief and stood up. She was planning to go ask Velen how his trip to the Kingdom went. In the Courtyard Residence "I''m planning to take you guys on a little trip to the Singularity Battlefield!" Velen looked seriously at Ironback Centipede and the rabbit standing in front of him. "What the hell is this centipede doing now?" Seeing Ironback Centipede pinching his philtrum, the rabbit scoffed inwardly. It was just too sudden. Happiness had come too suddenly! When Alan went out? I was there! When Clinton went out? I was there! And now when the rabbit goes out¡ªI''m also there! Is this it? Is this the moment Iron Cub finally rises? Ironback Centipede was practically trembling with excitement. "Rabbit, drink this Speech Potion. It''s been so long and you still can''t talk. Why the hell did I pick such a dumb bunny in the first place?" As he spoke, Velen tossed the god-rank potion he had specifically drawn for this moment over to the rabbit. "Master!" Huh? After drinking the potion, the rabbit suddenly spoke human words¡ªand even he was startled by it! "Master, I can finally talk! Please save me! Everyone was just pretending to go along with things, but Hael and the others took it seriously and trained me like crazy. They don''t even treat me like a rabbit¡ªI can''t take it anymore!" With that, the rabbit scurried to Velen''s feet, venting all his pent-up grievances. THUD! Hearing that, Velen''s face darkened and he punted the rabbit across the room. "The hell do you mean, ''just pretending''? I told them to train you, and you treated it like a joke? Are my words a fart to you?!" This rabbit was seriously an idiot. Watching the bunny crawl back looking all pitiful, Velen felt a headache coming on. He even started to question whether it was worth trying to turn this clown into the Number One Rabbit in the Universe. "Master, what are we doing at the Singularity Battlefield?" Ironback Centipede, seeing what had just happened, quickly adjusted his attitude and tried to act normal. "To show off! Lots of fancy, flashy showing off!" But then Velen changed tone. "Actually, I''ve changed my mind. This dumb bunny is hopeless when it comes to training. So instead¡ªwe''re going to rob people!" "We''re going to specifically target Lands of Legacy¡ªespecially the kind that pass on power directly!" "I''ll bring a few artifacts that suppress power levels so the three of us can enter the First Layer of the Singularity Battlefield. Then we''ll rob our way through to the Ninth Layer, and get this bunny all the way up to Ascended Rank Lv. 9." "After that, I''ll help him survive the first thunder tide. With the god-rank Judgement Break Potion, he''ll soon become a full-fledged Ascended Rabbit." Ironback Centipede and the rabbit were both stunned! "Master! You''re too good to me! Maybe you should kick me a few more times¡ªI don''t feel worthy of this stolen power otherwise!" As he said this, the rabbit ran up to Velen, turned around, and stuck out his bunny butt! "You asked for it! Witness my curve shot!" THWACK! The rabbit went flying through the roof again. Velen looked up, regret on his face. He really shouldn''t have given the bunny the Speech Potion. He was so much more tolerable mute¡­ Sigh. Ironback Centipede let out a deep sigh as he watched it all unfold. "No wonder the master likes the rabbit so much¡­ He really knows how to work it. Shame I can''t do that yet." "I used to think the rabbit was just favored, but now I see¡ªhe put in the work. I''ve learned a lot today." Outside the House "Wait¡­ is that the rabbit?!" Anastasia was stunned to see the rabbit flying through the air in a relaxed pose¡ªfront paws behind his head, legs crossed like he was lounging in a hammock. Flying¡­ comfortably? "What the heck did you guys just do to the rabbit?" Entering the house, Anastasia shot a look at Velen and Ironback Centipede and asked straight up. "Nothing much, why? What''s wrong?" Velen looked confused. "Then why is he like that?" As she spoke, Anastasia lay down on the floor, mimicking the rabbit''s pose perfectly¡ªhands behind her head, legs crossed, a blissful smile on her face. "These past few days, with Clinton gone, sure, the rabbit''s had it easier. But I''ve never seen him this happy!" "Come on, what did you give him? I''m just curious!" She stood up again, eyes gleaming with gossip, staring at Velen expectantly. "Anastasia, want me to show you again when the rabbit comes back?" Velen raised an eyebrow. Internally, though, he was wondering when Anastasia, who used to be all about meditation and training, had become such a gossip. "Master, I''m back!" Before long, the rabbit came hopping back and, without missing a beat, turned around and presented his bunny butt again¡ªevery motion smooth and practiced. "Watch my Tiger Shot!¡ª" THWACK! Up through the roof he went again. "???" Anastasia stared blankly, countless question marks flashing across her mind. This¡­ this wasn''t what she expected at all. Where was the reward? What was with that weird pose? sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Did the rabbit¡­ really become a degenerate bunny? Wait! Suddenly, something clicked in Anastasia''s mind. She looked at Velen in shock. "The rabbit¡­ it can talk now?!" "Anastasia, the rabbit talking isn''t the point. The point is¡ªdid you have some reason for coming? Because if not, we''ve got robbing plans to go over." Velen was exasperated. Why did she always focus on the irrelevant stuff? "Robbing? You extravagant bastard, and now you''re going around robbing people?!" Anastasia was truly shocked. Was this guy seriously about to make the lives of the already-struggling even worse? Chapter 187 - Chapter184-Robbing with Masks On: That’s Called Professionalism A few minutes later¡ª Robbing all the way from the First to the Ninth Warzone of the Singularity Battlefield? Specifically targeting Lands of Legacy? Planning to push the current rookie rabbit straight to Ascended Rank Lv. 9, have it endure the first thunder tide, and then use a god-rank Judgement Break Potion to elevate it directly to an Ascended Rank rabbit? After hearing Velen''s absolutely insane robbery plan, Anastasia was completely dumbfounded! Sure, the Singularity Battlefield contained many Lands of Legacy¡ªbut it''s not like you could just find them whenever you wanted! They required fate¡­ luck¡­ Not even money could buy them! To put it bluntly, Velen''s plan was pure fantasy. "Velen, I''m not trying to crush your robbing ambitions, but Lands of Legacy aren''t like cabbages you find on the street. You can''t just stumble on one every few steps. This whole idea is kind of¡­ unrealistic." Anastasia looked at Velen seriously, trying to reason with him. "Relax, Anastasia. I wouldn''t have thought of this plan if I didn''t already have a way to find Lands of Legacy. I know you''re reluctant to see me leave again, but don''t worry¡ªI''ll be back as soon as I can!" Velen answered confidently. Anastasia: ??? Excuse me? Who said anything about not wanting you to leave?? Wait. Damn it! Suddenly, Anastasia realized something¡ª If Velen really pulled off this robbery plan, then what the hell was the point of all her painstaking meditation every day? Grinding for over a hundred years, and it''s still not as good as robbing for a month? That thought completely shattered Anastasia''s mental state. "Velen, since you''re so confident¡­ can you bring me along to rob too? After all, you know what I''ve been meditating so hard for." Thinking of how Velen had previously mentioned Chaos City, Anastasia had a hunch he knew quite a few of her secrets. "No can do! The fortress can''t go a single day without its master!" "Anastasia, you''re the anchor of this entire fortress! If you become Ascended, what are we supposed to do?!" Hearing that, Anastasia almost exploded. What difference does it make whether I''m here or not?! This fortress only got this far thanks to your hard work and investment¡ªnot mine! What the hell does it have to do with me as the so-called ''master''?! I''m so pissed! "Take care, Anastasia!" Watching her storm off, Velen exhaled deeply and muttered to himself, "Guess I''ll have to keep future power-ups a secret from her." Until everyone in the fortress was ready to ascend, he absolutely couldn''t let Anastasia advance first. Otherwise, if she broke through before the rest were ready, how was he supposed to lead the team''s group ascension and provide backup for her? "Alright, time for us to head out!" As he spoke, Velen casually pulled out three Spatial Portals. Honestly, he was starting to think these things were ridiculously convenient. "Master, the rabbit''s never been to the Singularity Battlefield''s teleportation hub. How''s it supposed to get there?" Ironback Centipede suddenly remembered something and quickly reminded Velen. "We''ll use an object as the destination anchor¡ªjust bring its bunny nest. We''ll have it teleport straight to that!" Velen had already considered that and had a solution prepared. "Oh, and put on this black mask. It''ll suppress your power to Novice Rank Lv. 9." As he spoke, Velen handed over two black masks¡ªones he had drawn from the prize wheel¡ªto Ironback Centipede and the rabbit, and put one on himself as well. "Master, my current power is Novice Rank Lv. 9¡­ do I really need this?" The rabbit looked at the black mask in his paw and asked. "You dumb rabbit¡ªwhat do you know?! We''re going to rob people! You think any proper robber goes around showing their face? This is called professionalism, okay?!" Scolded by Velen, the rabbit shrank back, looking aggrieved. He muttered to himself, "There are millions of rabbits on the continent. As long as I don''t use Eye of Hell or my sword intent, who the hell''s gonna recognize me? Whether I wear this or not doesn''t make a difference¡­" Still, the rabbit knew better than to say that out loud. He''d just follow Velen''s orders. "Let''s move out!" With their masks on, Velen activated his Spatial Portal and stepped inside. Ironback Centipede followed closely behind, holding the bunny''s oversized furnace-like nest. Moments later, the rabbit also activated his Spatial Portal, a hint of excitement flashing in his eyes as he stepped in. "Let''s go¡ªheading to the teleportation hub!" As soon as Velen saw the rabbit appear inside the massive furnace nest, he took off toward the nearby Singularity Battlefield teleportation base, several hundred meters away. Under the Crimson Moon A blood-red full moon hung high in the sky. They had arrived at the Singularity Battlefield, where even the air carried a faint metallic tang of blood. Ironback Centipede showed no reaction¡ªhe''d been here countless times. This was just his first time in the First Warzone, that''s all. This was Velen''s second time, and he remained calm as well. Only the rabbit was visibly hyped. With a long sword clenched in his teeth, he was practically shaking with excitement. He knew¡ªthis was where the battles of the Number One Rabbit in the Universe would truly begin! "System, use one charge of Fate''s Trojan to locate the nearest Land of Legacy¡ªpreferably one that provides power inheritance." Velen immediately gave the command to his system. His daily three uses of Fate''s Trojan were his ace-in-the-hole. Ding! "One use of Fate''s Trojan consumed. Land of Legacy navigation map has been activated. This map is not part of the hidden system functions¡ªit merely helps the host reach the target location faster." As the system prompt rang out, a glowing screen appeared in front of Velen. It looked like a minimap, with a red dot and a blue dot¡ªblue representing him, and red representing the Land of Legacy. "Okay, credit where it''s due¡ªthe system''s service really is top-notch!" S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. To Velen''s surprise, the Land of Legacy wasn''t far at all. They could reach it in no time. "Master, with my current Novice Rank Lv. 9 power, I can''t use Lv. 9 Forge to smash enemies anymore. If I use strength way beyond this rank, the mask''s suppression effect will break, and my real power will be exposed." "That said, even with my strength suppressed, my body is still top-tier for this level. Normal Novice Rank Lv. 9 awakeners won''t even scratch me¡ªI can one-shot them easily." Ironback Centipede checked his status and gave Velen a quick summary. Despite the suppression, his combat capabilities remained unmatched among his peers. Velen grinned, "That''s not important¡ªthis is the rabbit''s stage. If it can''t handle opponents at this level with its Novice Rank Lv. 9 and all those skills, then we''ll just slaughter it and make rabbit stew." Chapter 188 - Chapter185-If You’re Just as Dumb, I Might Have to Charcoal-Grill a Centipede Hearing Velen''s words, the rabbit couldn''t help but shiver. What the hell?! I treat you like my master, and you treat me like emergency rabbit stew? Wait a second! What''s that dumb centipede doing polishing the furnace¡ªmy rabbit-nest furnace!? Are you seriously getting ready to cook me?! Seeing Ironback Centipede diligently polishing the Lv. 9 Forge, the rabbit practically had a mental breakdown. Great. Now he had trauma associated with his own nest. "No wonder this is the lowest-tier First Warzone. Novice Rank Lv. 9 awakeners are everywhere!" As they walked, Velen looked at the crowds of people from different planets and couldn''t help but sigh. But it wasn''t Velen that caught everyone''s attention¡ªit was the rabbit by his side. "Holy crap, am I seeing things? Is that a spellbeast rabbit flying on a sword?" "Nope, you''re not dreaming. It''s actually doing swordflight¡­ and it''s wearing a mask to look even more mysterious! What kind of planet are they from? That rabbit''s cooler than most humans!" "A spellbeast this unique? Only I deserve to own it!" The sight of a rabbit standing on a flying sword left everyone stunned. And soon, quite a few greedy eyes were locked onto it. Who wouldn''t want such a unique rabbit for themselves? "Hey! You two¡ªstop right there!" At that moment, dozens of people blocked Velen''s path. "Break your contract and hand over that swordflying rabbit. Do that, and we''ll let you walk away alive." One of them stepped forward and made their intentions clear. ??? So let me get this straight¡ªI came here to rob others, and now you want to rob my rabbit? Velen couldn''t help but laugh as he noticed everyone''s gaze fixated on the rabbit. These guys are really asking for a beating. Enemies? Just kill them. What, did they think he was some kind of saint? "Rabbit¡ªkill them." BOOM! The moment Velen gave the order, the rabbit excitedly unleashed its Eye of Hell, and a terrifying aura instantly spread outward. "Retreat! Retreat! It''s the Eye of Hell! Fall back!" S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Hell no¡ªthis rabbit''s only Novice Rank Lv. 9, and it has such a terrifying Eye of Hell?!" "Damn it! I''m already under its influence¡­ I think I just saw hell! This is horrifying!" The moment the Eye of Hell was unleashed, dozens of people scattered in panic. Sure, they could probably kill Velen and steal the rabbit if they all worked together¡­ But at what cost? Half of them would die at minimum¡ªmaybe more. No one wanted to risk being in that unlucky half. They came here for opportunities, not to die. Velen watched coldly as the rabbit, flying on its sword with another sword clenched between its teeth, unleashed its combat skills and killed enemy after enemy. There was no mercy in his eyes. "Master, looks like more than half are going to get away. Should I jump in?" Ironback Centipede was getting hyped watching the rabbit''s rampage. "Rabbit''s first battle ends in failure. Iron Cub, go polish the furnace." Velen waved him off without letting him fight, ordering him to give the furnace another round of polishing. Hearing that, the rabbit almost lost it. Stop polishing it, damn it! I''m fighting for my life here! These people were all Novice Rank Lv. 9. If they had attacked him together, he might have killed most of them, but he would''ve definitely died in the process! Now that they were fleeing in all directions, he was doing his best just to kill half¡ªand that still wasn''t enough? The rabbit was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. He felt like Velen was absolutely set on having rabbit stew tonight. "Iron Cub, tell me¡­ is the rabbit dumb or what?" I gave it this much pressure, and it still hasn''t used its head? If it can''t chase them down with swordflight, it should''ve come back and borrowed a flight device from me. It''s not like we''re short on the magic stones to power one! Seeing the rabbit still chasing people with its sword, Velen shook his head and muttered in frustration. Flight tools¡­ of course! Hearing Velen mention it, Ironback Centipede suddenly had a moment of clarity¡ªlike a divine revelation. He hadn''t even thought about using flight devices either. Nope, I can''t let that show! Even if I didn''t think of it, I''ve gotta act like I did. Getting turned into centipede soup sounds bad enough¡ªbut grilled centipede? Even worse! "Hm?" Noticing Ironback Centipede had gone quiet, Velen asked with a raised eyebrow: "Iron Cub, when I borrowed that top-tier flight device from William, the rabbit had only seen it once. So I guess it''s kind of understandable that he didn''t remember it." "But you flew that thing for several days. Don''t tell me you didn''t think of it either. If you''re just as dumb as the rabbit¡­ I might have to charcoal-grill a centipede instead." That last line nearly made Ironback Centipede pee himself. And to think he was just thinking about how gross centipede soup sounded¡ªhe hadn''t expected Velen to go for grilled centipede instead! "Master, how could I possibly not think of it? I just didn''t say anything because you hadn''t said anything yet." "After all, whatever you say goes, right?" Ironback Centipede''s survival instincts kicked in hard. "Ohhh?" "Iron Cub, sounds like you''re way better than this dumb rabbit. Not only are you smart¡ªyou''ve got emotional intelligence too. You even know not to outshine your master. Not bad, not bad at all." Velen couldn''t help but praise him. It wasn''t the smoothest excuse, but coming from a spellbeast, it was honestly impressive. Whew! Hearing that praise, Ironback Centipede finally let out a sigh of relief. ¡ª A few minutes later. The rabbit flew back, covered in blood, and didn''t even dare lift his head. He was genuinely terrified that Velen might say something like "Iron Cub, take him out and stew him." "Rabbit, recognize this?" Velen smiled, pulling out a gourd-shaped flight device. "Master, isn''t that the Level 9 flight device you borrowed from Ethan during that training trip with Iron Cub?" Level 9 flight device?! It hit the rabbit like a truck. He nearly cried at how dumb he''d been. He honestly didn''t even think of using a flight device during the battle! "From now on, stop thinking only about eating and sleeping. When things go down, try using that rabbit brain of yours a little. You''re seriously dumber than I thought." Velen chuckled as he patted the rabbit on the head. Watching the scene, Ironback Centipede had a deeply concerned look on his face. So¡­ the rabbit stew was just to scare him. But when it comes to grilled centipede, why does it feel like Master''s actually serious? Why does Master like the rabbit so much anyway? What does that silly rabbit have that I¡ªa handsome and mighty spellbeast centipede¡ªdon''t?! "Let''s keep moving. Today''s goal is to loot three Lands of Legacy. Once we finish this one, we''ll use flight devices for the next leg. Otherwise, we won''t have enough time." As he spoke, Velen continued flying toward the nearby Land of Legacy. "Big bro Rabbit, if you ever need anything, just say the word. But if I ever accidentally piss off Master¡­ please put in a good word for me!" Hearing that, the rabbit was stunned. Big bro Rabbit? When did I suddenly get upgraded to big bro?! Chapter 189 - Chapter186-Singularity Battlefield: The Strange White Thunder Tide Sigh... Ironback Centipede looked at the rabbit''s silly, carefree expression and let out a sigh. He finally understood where he had lost¡ªno matter how high your emotional intelligence, it was no match for an innate talent for being adorable. "Brother Centipede, didn''t you always just call me ''rabbit'' before? Why are you suddenly calling me ''Big Bro Rabbit'' now?" The rabbit tilted its head in confusion. "Big Bro Rabbit!" Ironback Centipede didn''t explain¡ªhe simply shouted it again. "Lil'' Centipede, stick with Big Bro Rabbit and you''ll starve nine meals a day. But don''t worry¡ªas long as I''ve got one bite of food, you''ll have half of it!" The rabbit struck a boss-like pose before happily hopping off to chase after Velen. "This heartless rabbit¡­" Ironback Centipede chuckled bitterly and quickly followed. ¡ª "Dear gods! Why are there so many people here?" When Velen arrived at the Land of Legacy, he found that more than ten thousand adventurers and spellbeasts had already gathered, with more still arriving from every direction. "The Sanctum of Legacy has been here all day¡ªwhy hasn''t the gate opened yet?" "Just wait a little longer. It should open soon!" "I really hope I get recognized by the inheritance. If not, even if you enter, the sanctum will forcibly eject you. But the sooner you get in, the better the chances¡­ once the gate opens, it''s going to be a bloodbath." From the chatter around him, Velen quickly understood the situation. "Master, this doesn''t look good." Ironback Centipede lowered his voice, "There are way too many adventurers and spellbeasts here. If we tried to force our way through with just our Novice Rank Lv. 9 strength, it would be a real struggle." As he spoke, he habitually gripped the handle of his Lv. 9 Forge, ready to smash if necessary. Didn''t expect him to have such high EQ, Velen thought to himself, I just praised him, and now he''s already learned to drop hints. "We''re on the same page, Centipede!" Velen grinned. "???" What do you mean ''on the same page''?? Ironback Centipede looked thoroughly confused. "When the inheritance gate opens, we''ll immediately activate the flight device and rush in at full speed. At that velocity, everyone else will basically look like they''re frozen in place." Velen patted the side of their magical flying vessel as he explained. Ironback Centipede looked at the prow he was holding and was stunned. Wait, that works?! BOOM! With a thunderous roar, the bronze gates of the Sanctum of Legacy began to open. Velen''s group immediately boarded the magical skiff. "Master, I''m seeing others take out flight devices too¡­ could some of them have Lv. 9 ones as well?" The rabbit suddenly asked. "Centipede, polish the furnace." Velen pinched his brow in frustration. The rabbit instantly deflated. "What did I say wrong now?" "They can afford Lv. 9 flight devices?" "Even if they could, can they power them?" "And even if they could power them, who in their right mind would reveal something that valuable in a place like this?" Velen rolled his eyes. "In the First Warzone of the Singularity Battlefield, nobody dares bring out top-tier gear like that." "The gate''s fully open! Master, let''s go!" Ironback Centipede instantly boosted the skiff''s speed to the limit. Whoosh! A streak of light shot across the battlefield. Before anyone else could even react, Velen''s group had already burst through the sanctum''s gates. "By the gods! What level is that flight device?!" "Are they insane?! Using something that advanced in the First Warzone?!" "All that power¡ªfor a chance at an inheritance that''s not even guaranteed? Do you know how much mana crystal that thing burns?!" ¡ª Inside the Sanctum of Legacy "How interesting." "One human, two spellbeasts. Three magic tools to suppress power. A Level 9 flight device." "Unfortunately, my inheritance is swordsmanship and physical essence¡ªnot suitable for you." A deep voice echoed throughout the grand hall. Velen looked up and saw a flickering Soul Flame floating above the domed ceiling. "Master, this was once a powerhouse who survived seven thunder tides," Ironback Centipede whispered. "You can sense the essence of my soul¡­ looks like you''re not ordinary," the Soul Flame flickered, "But in this place, even if you had Ascended Rank strength, you wouldn''t dare unleash it. And I can borrow the Singularity Battlefield''s power to eject you at any moment." Velen sneered, "We didn''t come here to receive the inheritance. Whether it''s suitable or not doesn''t matter¡ª We came here to rob it." "Rob? Hahaha!" The Soul Flame burst into laughter. "I''ve made a pact with the laws of the universe. How exactly do you plan to rob me? My sword techniques and physical essence are right over there. Kill me, and they''re yours¡ªif you think you can." Eye of Destruction! Crack! A dark flash lit up Velen''s eyes. In an instant, the Soul Flame was snuffed out, and the stone platform beneath it shattered. "That''s it?" Velen scoffed dismissively. BOOM! Suddenly, an overwhelming cosmic pressure descended. The entire sanctum began to collapse. In the sky, a strange white thunder tide began to gather, with black lightning slithering through it. "Master, a golden-armored guard is approaching¡­" "Master, I''m out¡ªI can''t handle this! I''ll go fetch a real Guardian!" A golden-armored warrior emerged from a Spatial Rift, then vanished just as quickly, leaving a very confused Velen behind. "Didn''t I used to cut through thunder tides with a single strike? Why isn''t that working this time?" BOOM! Right after the guard fled, a bolt of black lightning struck down. Wherever it passed, space tore apart like the end of days. "Insolence!" A familiar voice rang out as a Spatial Rift opened before Velen. A burly man stepped through and caught the black lightning with his bare hand. "Mere thunder dares to offend the master?!" "Earth-Shattering Stomp!" With a barefoot stomp, the sky split open, revealing a massive, world-shrouding footprint. BOOM! Space caved in, and the white thunder tide was instantly annihilated. "¡­Holy shit?" Velen blurted out in awe. That single stomp looked like it could tear apart the world! Finally¡­ I got to show off in front of the master! The burly man was so overwhelmed with emotion, his eyes filled with tears. "Master, if you need anything in the Singularity Battlefield, summon us official Guardians directly. Those reservists are unreliable." He knelt on one knee. "There''s that big of a gap between official Guardians and reserves?" Velen asked in shock. "Any official Guardian can wipe the floor with all the reserves. Even that golden-armored guard from before? He''s still far from official level." Velen sucked in a breath. Only then did he understand why there were only ten official Guardians. "Master, I take my leave. Serving you is my greatest honor." S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The burly man stepped into the Spatial Rift and disappeared. Looks like the power of the Singularity Battlefield''s laws is far stronger than in regular planes, Velen mused. Or maybe the rules of lower planes are simply too restricted to show their full strength. Moments later¡ª "Master, it''ll take me about a month to fully absorb this power essence. As for how much it''ll boost my strength¡­ that''s still uncertain," the rabbit reported. "Then we''ll leave the Singularity Battlefield for now," Velen decided. "The robbery plan is on hold." Ding! "If the host wishes to quickly boost the strength of fortress members, you may use Luxury Points to draw for Lv. 9 power-enhancing potions on the god-tier prize wheel. Their effects are similar to this kind of inheritance!" Ding! "If the host is concerned about unstable foundations from rapid growth, the system can assign official Guardians for personalized training!" Ding! "Host only needs to focus on spending lavishly¡ªleave all other worries to the system!" Velen was speechless. Where else would I find such a considerate system?! "Let''s activate the Spatial Portals and head back to the fortress." Velen handed a portal to both Ironback Centipede and the rabbit, then stepped through first¡ª leaving the Singularity Battlefield behind. Chapter 190 - Chapter187-Bunny: Stop It, I’m Seriously Gonna Pee Myself When three teleportation portals opened outside the fortress, the return of Velen and his party immediately drew attention. "They''re back already?" "Who else but Velen would squander Spatial Portals like this? What a prodigal¡­" Sensing their presence, Anastasia instantly interrupted her meditation and hurried over. She hadn''t been able to join the raid, but she was definitely curious about what kind of loot they had scored this time. In front of Bunny''s cabin. "Bunny, even though you''ve obtained an Essence of Power, rapid strength gains can make your foundation unstable. So I''ve found a special instructor for you," Velen said seriously. Bunny froze, then smugly glanced at Ironback Centipede. See that? This is the kind of treatment I get. Ironback Centipede was, in fact, jealous¡ªwho else in the whole fortress ever got this kind of privilege? "Master, who did you find to train me?" As soon as the words left Bunny''s mouth, the space behind him suddenly tore open. A red-haired, one-eyed man with a blood-colored scythe stepped out, a bloodthirsty grin on his face. "Aw hell no!" Velen and Ironback Centipede exclaimed in unison. They never expected the system to send that maniac! Ironback Centipede began trembling all over. "Master, are you sure this is training¡­ or is he here to dissect Bunny for research?" "Master, who is he?" Bunny asked again, oblivious and full of anticipation. Smack! The one-eyed man gently tapped Bunny''s back with his scythe, his eye gleaming with excitement¡ªthis time, he could stay outside for a long while. "Quit messing around!" Bunny swatted back in annoyance¡ª Then froze completely. "I¡ªI¡­ what the heck¡­" Bunny leapt behind Velen, his voice trembling. "M-Master, d-don''t tell me he''s the instructor you meant?" "That''s right," Velen replied sympathetically. "He''ll be guiding you from now on." Just then, Anastasia arrived at the courtyard, mid-sentence. "Velen, about the loot you¡ª" But the sight of the one-eyed man made her voice die in her throat. "Oh great fortress master! Save me!" Bunny bolted toward Anastasia like she was his last hope. "Velen wants that psycho to train me¡ªI''m gonna die!" Swish! A flash of silver. Anastasia''s silver longsword was suddenly at Bunny''s throat. "Get back." "Yes, ma''am!" Bunny ran back to Velen, sobbing. He felt like the entire world had turned against him. "Anastasia, you needed something?" Velen asked. "No¡­ nothing," she said quickly. "Just¡­ been meditating too long. Needed some fresh air." "You guys carry on. I''ll be going." She turned on her heel and left immediately, still rattled. She''d rather face that battle maniac from the heavens than deal with the creepy one-eyed man. "Master, since I''ve got some spare time, I could train a few more while I''m here," the red-haired man said respectfully. "Who did you have in mind?" "You can train whoever you want. It''s an honor for them," Velen replied. This guy might be nuts, but getting trained by someone of his level was an unbelievable opportunity. "That one." He pointed his blood-colored sword at Ironback Centipede. Thud! Ironback Centipede collapsed to the ground, filled with utter despair. "Anyone else?" Velen asked, amused. Moments later, the red-haired man returned with Apollo and Ethan in tow. Velen couldn''t help but chuckle. So he''s planning to train every Ascended Rank in the fortress, huh? "Your Highness, could I buy a soul crystal from you?" A Spatial Rift opened suddenly, and Arthur''s voice came through first. "I want to hide a dagger inside my spear handle." Hmm? Arthur stepped out of the rift¡ª And instantly noticed the red-haired one-eyed man staring at him with bloodthirsty intent. Arthur paused. "What''re you lookin'' at?" he snapped. By the gods! Ironback Centipede, Apollo, and the others were stunned. Even if you couldn''t read his aura, his presence alone screamed danger. "Interesting¡­" Arthur took a few steps back, then pulled out his soul spear. Grinning, he turned to Velen. "Your Highness, you don''t mind if I spar with one of your fortress elites, right?" Hahahaha! The red-haired man was thrilled. Back where he came from, the other nine either refused to fight him or could beat him¡ª He was long overdue for a proper brawl. Even if the opponent was weak, at least it would be something. Frenzied. Bloodthirsty. Mad. When he unleashed his true aura, Arthur was stunned¡ª This wasn''t the same guy from moments ago! What the hell is he?! A creeping dread rose from within. "He''s one of ours," Velen quickly said. "Just a friendly match¡ªdon''t hurt him." "Arthur, this crystal''s yours," Velen added, placing down a fist-sized soul crystal. "Take it with you when you''re done." Then he turned and left the courtyard. He had no interest in watching a completely one-sided fight. As for the crystal? Consider it compensation for Arthur''s mental trauma. After all, it took guts to challenge that guy. Boom! As Velen left, blood-red energy exploded from the red-haired man, space collapsing around him. He stepped into the chaotic flows of the void! "Draw your weapon!" he cackled. Draw my¡ª?! You''re literally standing in the middle of spatial turbulence¡ªhow am I supposed to fight you?! He could rip space apart and ignore the chaotic laws of the void¡ª How was that even possible on the material plane?! Even as an Ascended Rank, Arthur couldn''t tear through space even if he went all out! Insane. Totally insane. Arthur suddenly wanted to slap himself¡ªWhy did I provoke this lunatic?! "Sleep! Sleep!" "I''ll check tomorrow''s special refresh." "Now that the system has dealt with all the potential threats, I can focus on blowing money again." "Still a long way from earning the pass. Time''s already half gone, gotta hurry¡­" Back in his room, Velen lay down comfortably. Uno Kingdom, Kris''s residence. "Arthur, did you manage to buy the soul crystal?" Kris asked as Arthur stepped out of a Spatial Rift. Rip! Arthur tore off his shirt, revealing a body covered in bloodstained scratches. Gasp! Kris sucked in a breath. From a distance, it looked like he''d been drenched in blood. Up close, it was dozens¡ªno, hundreds¡ªof shallow cuts, each leaking beads of blood. "They''re all surface wounds. One healing potion will fix it." "If His Highness hadn''t warned him, I''d have been filleted like sushi." "That one-eyed psycho is terrifying! In front of him, I didn''t even have the right to fight back!" Arthur looked at Kris gravely. "Don''t even bother warning the king. Say what you will¡ªif the king dares provoke that fortress, I''ll ascend and turn traitor on the spot." With that, he turned and left, leaving Kris in stunned silence. The next morning. First thing Velen did upon waking up was check the day''s special item: Today''s Special Item: Starry Stone ¡Á 100,000 What?! Velen couldn''t believe his eyes. A hut shining like a palace of stars¡ªit was finally time to start building! Fortress Hall. "VELEN!!!" Upon hearing that Velen was going to use a hundred thousand Starry Stones to build a thatched hut, Anastasia nearly passed out from sheer fury. Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 191 - Chapter188-Centipede Bro’s Request, and Bunny Bros Got His Back! "Even if it''s your stuff, as the lord of the fortress, I do not approve of this!" After forcing herself to calm down, Anastasia glared at Velen and spoke firmly. That''s 100,000 pieces of starry stone, damn it! Using it to build a toilet was bad enough, but now a hut-style toilet? Is there anything this Velen rich boy won''t build? "Anastasia, why don''t you ask the Five Grand Senators?" Velen still remembered how supportive they were of his extravagant ideas last time. "Fine!" To his surprise, Anastasia agreed immediately. "If the Five Grand Senators don''t approve, you have to drop this ridiculous idea!" "This is starry stone, a full 100,000 pieces! Do you know how crucial that is for the Five Grand Senators to resist the Thunder Tide? There''s no way they''ll let you waste it like this!" With that, Anastasia immediately contacted the Five Grand Senators. "What?!" "100,000 pieces of starry stone?!" "Anastasia, he''s not joking, is he?" The Five Grand Senators were all stunned after hearing Anastasia''s words. Anastasia gave Velen a smug look as if to say, See? They''ll never approve. But the very next moment, William''s words left her completely dumbfounded. "Build it! Let him build it! Even if God himself came down, he couldn''t stop Velen from building the Starry Toilet! Anyone who dares to get in the way¡ªwe''ll fight them with everything we''ve got!" S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Anastasia was speechless. This was nothing like what she''d expected! Since when did you guys get on Velen''s side?! "Go!" "Go build your Starry Toilet!" "Don''t talk to me. Just go. I need a moment alone." Waving Velen away, Anastasia felt like the whole world had been against her ever since Velen became her confidant. She was furious. The entire fortress was a bunch of spendthrifts, huh?! Fortress Council Hall. "William, what''s got you so hyped?" "Who was on that call?" The four other senators gathered around, curious after seeing William grinning ear to ear. "We''re soaring!" "Our fortress is about to take off for real!" "To hell with superpowers!" "Screw the Royal Alliances!" "Forget ''unbeatable across the universe!''" "Once we have five of the most badass Ascended Rank powerhouses holding the fort, let''s see who dares mess with us!" The other four senators perked up instantly. Five top-tier Ascended Rank powerhouses? Was he talking about them? "Boss, we can''t even handle the Thunder Tide yet. How are we supposed to reach Ascended Rank?" Jake asked, confused. "Have you all forgotten?" "That brat Velen said he was gonna build a Starry Toilet with starry stone, remember?" "He''s starting now¡ªwith 100,000 pieces!" Their eyes lit up. Once the Starry Toilet was complete, they could face the Thunder Tide in safety! "Old Five, get the Spatial Portal!" "We need to head over and help¡ªif we finish construction today, we can face the Thunder Tide today!" "Last time I helped Velen burn money, I found that the Spatial Portal can lock onto an item''s location. I''ll bring a flying device, and you guys can teleport onto it!" "Notify Anthony to activate the fortress''s defensive magic array, ASAP!" Fortress. "Come on, everyone! We must finish the Starry Toilet today!" "Follow Clinton''s orders¡ªhe''s experienced!" Watching the blazing-hot construction scene, Velen couldn''t hide his excitement¡ªhe was going to make the Starry Toilet the most dazzling sight in the entire universe! Soon, all of space would come and worship his Starry Toilet! A small step for the fortress, a giant leap for the universe! What a magnificent endeavor! "Velen! We''re here!" The excited voices of the Five Grand Senators came from afar, surprising Velen. He still had no idea why they changed their minds so suddenly. But seeing how hyped they were, he was starting to suspect they were up to something. "Senator William, wait!" Anastasia stopped William before he could run off. "Can you tell me why you''re supporting Velen''s ridiculous waste of money?" "Anastasia, are you dumb?" "Once this kid finishes building the Starry Toilet, we can hide inside it during the Thunder Tide!" "A single bathroom break, and we''ll survive the Thunder Tide. How could it get any easier?" After a brief explanation, William rushed into the construction site¡ªhe had to contribute to the creation of this one-of-a-kind Starry Toilet! Starry Toilet? Surviving the Thunder Tide while taking a dump? Anastasia was absolutely stunned. You already had divine-level disaster-resistance potions, and now you want to build a Thunder Tide-proof toilet?! What a damn money-burning lunatic! You''re just throwing money around like it grows on trees! But once she understood their plan, Anastasia gave up entirely. If she couldn''t stop Velen from wasting money, then screw it¡ª Join him. "Velen!" "Divide the Starry Toilet in two. I want a private stall!" Huh? Velen was stunned by her request. Wasn''t she the one furiously opposing it earlier? Why was she now asking for her own stall? "Clinton, modify the design¡ªgive our great fortress lord her very own luxury Starry Suite!" Even though he didn''t get why she changed her mind, Velen was more than happy to accommodate his boss''s wishes. Watching Anastasia happily join the construction team, Velen couldn''t help but sigh: "Blowing money and showing off really is the secret to happiness!" Just then¡ª "Boss, now that we''ve got male and female sections, could you give me and Centipede Bro our own spellbeast-only zone?" "This way, we''d show off how rich our fortress is and how civilized¡ªequal rights for spellbeasts, y''know?" Prompted by the Ironback Centipede, the bunny ran up to Velen with a bold request. Velen: "???" Did I hear that right? A spellbeast-only toilet section? You two beasts want your own area now? Without a word, Velen kicked the bunny flying. "Don''t worry, Centipede Bro! Bunny Bro will definitely get you that zone!" Putting on a big bro act, the bunny made his promise to the centipede, then ran back toward Velen again. As the boss, if he couldn''t fulfill his little bro''s first request, how could he lead the team? "Bunny Bro, maybe let it go¡­" Watching Bunny Bro get kicked away for the tenth time, Ironback Centipede tried to dissuade him. "This is your first request¡ªI''m getting it done no matter what!" With unwavering determination, the bunny charged at Velen again. "I just said it on a whim¡­" "You don''t have to go this hard!" Seeing Bunny Bro charging once again, Ironback Centipede was genuinely moved¡ª When a little bro''s in trouble, Bunny Bro''s got his back for real! Chapter 192 - Chapter189-I Just Wanted to Waste Money, But You Guys Want to Use It to Level Up?! Watching the bunny trot back once again, Velen sighed and waved his hand. "Go find Clinton. Have him give you guys a spellbeast-only section." "Master, you''re too kind to me!" "I swear, I regret not being a female bunny¡ªif I were, I''d give you a whole litter of little bunnies!" The bunny''s ears stood straight up with excitement, his little paws rubbing together like the world''s most shameless flatterer. WHAM! Velen raised a foot and kicked him flying again. Too shameless! He deeply regretted ever giving the bunny that speech-enhancement potion. A perfectly normal rabbit¡ªhow did it end up like this? The No. 1 Rabbit in the Universe. The only comfort Velen had was that he hadn''t picked the wrong direction to train him¡ªthis bunny was truly a "sword" through and through. Not far away, seeing the bunny scampering off to find Clinton to change the blueprints, Ironback Centipede''s eyes filled with tears of emotion. That''s my Bunny Bro. One shout of "Bunny Bro," and all is right in the world! By the afternoon, under Velen''s direction, the Starry Toilet, now gleaming under the sunlight, was finally complete. Ding! Congratulations, Host, on spending all of today''s Special Products! Reward: 1,000 Luxury Points and 1¡Á Starry Underwear! Starry Underwear: Women''s undergarment made from Starry Stone. Warm in winter, cool in summer, soft, comfortable, and possesses indestructible defense! ¡­An underwear? Velen immediately took out the item. What the¡ª ???! He stared at the system reward in total disbelief. Screw this Starry Underwear! It''s literally just a few straps woven out of Starry Stone. If Anastasia sees this, she''ll kill me! Indestructible? So what! What the hell is it even supposed to block?! "System, isn''t this reward a little too¡­ random?" Ding! Based on testing, this inner armor can block all physical and magical attacks below Tier-9. Comfort rating: SSS rank. Aesthetic rating¡ª "Stop!" Velen held his head. "Fine, I surrender." There''s no way I''m giving this to Anastasia. She''d kill me on the spot! He decided to set this hot potato aside for now. It wasn''t a Special Product anyway¡ªworst case, he''d just find a chance to secretly toss it¡­ Ding! New Quest: Deliver the Starry Underwear to Fortress Lord Anastasia. Reward: 10 million Luxury Points. Failure has no penalty. Quest can be declined. What the hell?! Velen cursed aloud. "System, are you freaking kidding me?!" Ding! Last quest reward was 500,000 Luxury Points. This one is 10 million. Fully within system regulations. Heh. Velen let out a bitter laugh. Back when the reward was 500k, what was his strength? Now? He was already Titan Rank Level 9. To reach Hero Rank Level 1, he needed 10 million Luxury Points. To reach Hero Rank Level 9? A whopping 90 million! "¡­To hell with it!" For the sake of Luxury Points! Gritting his teeth, Velen walked toward Anastasia. "Anastasia, I''ve got something made of Starry Stone I want to give you!" As he handed over a spatial ring, he made sure to highlight the material. Starry Stone? Anastasia recalled the outerwear she received previously and had a sudden sense of dread. Taking a deep breath, she used her mind power to scan the contents of the ring. "¡­This is¡­" Her first glance at the Starry Underwear left her confused¡ªshe didn''t quite register what it was. Once it clicked, a flush instantly spread across her cheeks. "Don''t get mad." "Absolutely don''t get mad at this spoiled brat." "He''s definitely doing this on purpose to provoke me. I won''t fall for it!" "As a saintess, I must not be shaken by a money-burning maniac!" Anastasia kept hypnotizing herself internally, trying her best to suppress the urge to beat the crap out of Velen. After some deep breathing, she forced a smile and said sweetly, "Since it''s a gift from you¡­ I''ll accept it." Ding! Quest Complete. Reward: 10 million Luxury Points! ¡­What?! Hearing her response, Velen was completely dumbfounded. This wasn''t how it was supposed to go! Shocked, aren''t you? Seeing Velen''s stunned face, Anastasia flashed a triumphant smile¡ªafter being tormented for so long, she finally got a win! "Velen, come here quick!" Suddenly, William''s anxious voice called out from a distance. "Grand Senator, what''s wrong?" Velen hurried over. "I''m ready to face the sixth Thunder Tide¡ªbut the sky''s completely silent. Isn''t that strange?" "In a place like this fortress, something''s off. Any idea why?" Whenever something weird happened, William''s first instinct was to ask Velen. "It''s because that one-eyed guy is still here!" "Didn''t you see how he scared off the Thunder Tide with just one shout last time?" "With him around, Thunder Tide wouldn''t even dare to show up!" Velen continued, "Grand Senator, you don''t need to tank the Thunder Tide. I''ve got God-Rank Potions¡ªjust drink four bottles and you can skip four Thunder Tides and jump straight to Ascended Rank peak!" "No side effects. Instant upgrade!" "No!" Unexpectedly, William refused without hesitation, leaving Velen utterly baffled. Anastasia going off-script was one thing. But now even Senator William was going rogue? Velen had no idea where things went wrong¡ªwhy was everyone acting in reverse now? "What kind of garbage potion is that?!" "I''ve waited so long for the Starry Toilet! Now that it''s finally built, I''m going to take a proper crap through this disaster, and make my legend echo across the entire universe!" William silently vowed to himself: The first dump in the Starry Toilet must be mine. Not even Jesus could stop me. I said it! "Senator William, are you sure you''re ready?" "You really don''t want the potion? You''re going to tank the Thunder Tide?" Velen asked again, just to be sure. If something went wrong with the hut and a bolt of lightning struck William while he was on the toilet¡­ Velen couldn''t even imagine that disaster of a scene. "Velen, my decision is final. But first, please ask that one-eyed¡­ err, the honorable one-eyed gentleman to step aside for a while." Remembering how that one-eyed man had terrified the Thunder Calamity with just one swing of his scythe, William quickly swallowed back the word maniac, and respectfully switched to honorable one. If that guy heard, he might very well throw down right then and there. "Red-Hair, go take a walk. If Senator William can''t hold out, then you can step in." Seeing William''s resolve, Velen gave the command. "As you wish, Master." As the one-eyed man disappeared into a flash of blood-red light, the sky instantly rumbled with thunder and gathered dark clouds. The Thunder Calamity began to take form! "Brothers, I''ll go test the waters first!" With that, William charged into the luxurious Starry Toilet, his face full of excitement. Hahahahahaha! Here I come! Seeing William''s wild charge, Velen was completely stunned. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. What the hell?! William''s going to weather a Thunder Tide¡­ in a toilet shack?! I just wanted to blow some cash¡­ And now you guys are using my toilet to LEVEL UP?! No wonder they were so enthusiastic about building the Starry Toilet! I thought I was just flexing and wasting money, but you all were actually plotting to ascend?! Realizing that Starry Stone absorbs thunder, Velen nearly lost his mind. This was supposed to be a monument to luxury¡ª not a Thunder Tide-leveling farming machine! Chapter 193 - Chapter190-Came in Fine, But Now We Can’t Go Back?! Inside the Starry Toilet. "As an awakener, I don''t even need to expel waste like ordinary people!" "But who could resist a starry stone toilet like this?!" "I never imagined using the bathroom could be this luxurious and comfortable! If I had this before, I''d have gone twice a day just for fun!" Gazing at the shimmering starry stone toilet, William dropped his pants, turned around, and sat down with visible excitement. BOOM! Outside the Starry Toilet, a massive bolt of lightning crashed down from the thunderclouds that had fully formed! At that moment, everyone stared nervously at the Starry Toilet. They were all eager to see if a structure built from 100,000 pieces of starry stone could truly withstand the sixth Thunder Tide! "It worked!" "It actually blocked the Thunder Tide completely!" "The entire structure, crafted from starry stone, functioned as a unified whole and perfectly absorbed all the lightning energy!" When the lightning struck and was entirely absorbed by the Starry Toilet, everyone watching was utterly stunned! "I built the Starry Toilet just because I wanted to waste some money¡­" "And now you guys turned it into a freaking disaster shelter?! Are you serious?!" Seeing his extravagant creation actually block the Thunder Tide, Velen nearly lost his mind. These people''s brains must be wired differently. It''s a freaking outhouse, not a fortress! And yet somehow they discovered this kind of hidden potential?! However, the next moment, everyone froze when they saw William walking out of the toilet¡ªhis hair standing straight up. Wait¡­ Did the Starry Toilet¡­ fail? "Y-You guys¡­" As soon as William opened his mouth, a puff of black smoke came out. Everyone watching was immediately horrified. Dude, your mouth is literally smoking. That cannot be okay. "When you''re tanking a Thunder Tide inside, make sure you protect your entire body with magic!" "Because whether it''s the starry stone toilet bowl or the floor¡ªthe damn thing conducts electricity!" Wearing a righteous and selfless expression, William warned the others. But where no one could see, he was quietly rubbing his numbed butt. Damn toilet really shocked me! "This Starry Toilet was one of my favorite money-wasting masterpieces¡­" "But now that you''ve all ruined it¡ªdon''t blame me for what comes next." Watching William walk back into the toilet, Velen smirked darkly and turned to leave the fortress. "Master," "After that old man''s test, I''ve concluded this Starry Toilet could even withstand the ninth Thunder Tide!" "However, this lightning-absorbing mineral has its limits. Once it reaches max capacity, it turns into a regular rock." "According to my estimates, this Starry Toilet could help around 100 Ascended Rank level 9 awakeners¡ªwho have never faced a Thunder Tide¡ªsuccessfully break through to Supreme Rank!" The one-eyed red-haired man reported to Velen as he walked out. "I didn''t come to ask about that!" "The Five Grand Senators are about to break through using the Starry Toilet, but I''m worried their foundations won''t be stable." sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The red-haired man''s eyes lit up with excitement. "Don''t worry, Master. I could personally train them¡ªor even train everyone in the fortress¡ªno problem!" "Good. That''s all I needed to hear." "They''ve treated me well, so you better take this seriously." "Uh¡­" The red-haired man hesitated. "Master¡­ if I train them seriously, my methods might be¡­ a little too brutal. Perhaps someone else¡ª?" He could tell these people were close to Velen. Casual training was fine, but serious instruction? His style might be too much. "Too brutal?" Velen was shocked. For him to describe something as "brutal"¡­ that had to be terrifying. "What if you did train them seriously¡ªjust how strong could they get?" After thinking a moment, Velen asked earnestly. "They''d be able to fight ten thousand enemies of the same rank, no problem." "But it would take time. They''re just too weak right now¡ªin magic, combat skills, and experience. All of it needs work." "If time is tight, fighting a hundred enemies of the same rank is still totally doable." Velen was stunned. "Isn''t that a bit too ambitious?" Forget one vs. ten thousand¡ªeven one vs. a hundred would be considered unmatched across the continent! But the red-haired man looked genuinely surprised. "Master, one-versus-ten-thousand is the bare minimum I can accept. How is that ambitious?" ¡­Huh? "Then¡­ back when you were at that rank, how many same-rank enemies could you defeat?" Velen asked, full of curiosity. The red-haired man silently thrust his blood-colored rapier into the ground¡­ then held up a single finger. Velen immediately thought of three words: Non-stop killing. "No way¡­ Non-stop killing?!" Gasp! Seeing the red-haired man nod slightly, Velen couldn''t help but suck in a breath of cold air. That''s what it means to be truly unmatched at the same rank. Were all members of Tycoon the Guardians this terrifying? Able to slaughter enemies of equal rank without pause? If so, then maybe one-versus-ten-thousand really was a modest target. "Forget switching. You''ll train them yourself." "If they want to stand at the top, they''ll have to put in the kind of effort others couldn''t even imagine!" Staring at the storm clouds raining thunder in the distance, Velen made his decision. Moments later¡­ "Everyone, now that we have the Starry Toilet, you no longer need to fear the Thunder Tides¡ªwhether it''s the basic ones or the nine-tier Thunder Tides post-Ascended Rank. Just focus on training!" "We''ll be heading out now!" With that, William and the other four senators activated the Spatial Portal, ready to return to the fortress and spread the glorious news. WHOOSH! Just as they were about to step through, a flash of blood-red sword light shot out¡ª and the five portals vanished instantly! "You''re not going anywhere." "By order of the Master, the five of you are to remain here and undergo training¡ªunder my personal guidance." Hearing the voice laced with excitement, the Five Grand Senators looked up¡ª and were immediately stunned when they saw the one-eyed red-haired man standing there. He dragged an enormous blood-red scythe behind him, grinning coldly as he stared at them. The sight made their skin crawl. Came here all fine¡­ and now we''re stuck? "Velen, what the hell is going on?!" "We already broke through to Supreme Rank¡ªthere''s no need for ''special training'' anymore, right?!" Knowing full well how terrifying the red-haired man was, William looked at Velen in panic. If this guy trains us¡­ will we even survive?! "Velen, look at our current strength¡ªwe''re good, right? No need for further ''guidance,'' really. Plus, we¡ª" "Senator William, stop asking." "I''m doing this for your own good." Velen looked at William with absolute seriousness. Chapter 194 - Chapter191-Hehe, I’m the One Who Poked Out That Maniac’s Left Eye "That was terrifying!" "Thank the stars I didn''t make it inside in time¡ªotherwise I might''ve been dragged off by that scary one-eyed maniac too!" Jake and the others were all still shaken after witnessing the one-eyed red-haired man take a group of people away. They considered themselves lucky¡ªany slower, and they''d be toast. However, the rest of the people seemed to be running on adrenaline, more fired up than ever! For those aspiring to reach the upper plane universe, the biggest hurdles were the nine regular Thunder Tides from Ascended Rank level 1 to 9, and the nine Thunder Calamities after reaching level 9. S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. If they could survive them, they''d break through and ascend to the upper plane universe. Now, with the Starry Toilet capable of withstanding lightning, it was as if one foot was already in the door. With enough strength, reaching the upper plane was basically guaranteed! In this situation, not training hard would be a crime against the Starry Toilet! Long live the outhouse! Inside the fortress hall. "Velen, are you sure it''s safe to let that one-eyed maniac train them?" Anastasia asked with concern upon learning that the red-haired man would be instructing the others. "Well¡­ how do I put this?" Velen replied. "I asked the one-eyed maniac. He said his training methods might be a bit brutal, but he guarantees they won''t be life-threatening!" Brutal?! Anastasia shivered. Just like Velen had thought earlier¡ªif that guy described something as "brutal," it had to be horrific. Would her fortress crew even survive his training? "Quick, go tell him to¡ª" Just as Anastasia was about to demand Velen stop the training, Velen cut in: "He said, if time is short, he can train them to fight a hundred opponents of the same rank." "But if given enough time, they''ll be able to take on ten thousand same-rank enemies. I''m talking one-versus-ten-thousand!" "¡­What???" Anastasia was completely stunned. One vs. ten thousand? A single person fighting ten thousand Supreme Rank enemies and not losing? That would make them absolutely invincible in the universe! Sure, Velen was a known spender, but he never exaggerated. And Anastasia had witnessed how terrifying that red-haired maniac really was. "¡­Velen, if that''s the case, maybe he could be even more brutal with the training." "And¡­ could I receive his special training too?" Anastasia looked at Velen seriously. If that maniac was really this powerful, she didn''t mind going through some pain. Velen shook his head. "I''ll find someone better for you." "System, can you send a formal Tycoon Guard member to personally train Anastasia?" "She''s my future woman¡ªI''m not letting that maniac anywhere near her!" Ding! "Anastasia has a special relationship with the Host. Exception granted. A formal Tycoon Guard will be dispatched for personal training." As the system message sounded, a spatial rift opened up in front of them. From it stepped out¡­ a little girl, sucking on a lollipop. "¡­A little girl?" "Velen, you''re not seriously saying this girl is going to train me, are you?" Anastasia asked in disbelief, staring at the cute child before her. Instead of answering, Velen turned to the girl. "You and the one-eyed maniac¡ªwho''s stronger?" "Hehe!" "Master, I''m the one who poked out that maniac''s eye!" She giggled proudly. "¡­WHAT?!" Velen and Anastasia were both floored, their hair standing on end, eyes filled with horror. They could hardly believe that this innocent-looking little girl was even more terrifying than the one-eyed red-haired man. "Anastasia, I think she qualifies to train you. I''ll leave you two to it." Velen gave the girl a pat on the head and walked out of the hall smiling. "¡­Can I ask why you poked out his eye?" After Velen left, Anastasia asked curiously. Even though she knew how dangerous this girl must be, her cuteness made Anastasia want to pat her head too. "Because he patted my head." The girl replied with a bright, innocent smile. DUN DUN DUN!!! Anastasia froze. Her hand, which was just about to reach out, stopped mid-air and began to tremble from fear. You blinded him just for touching your head?! Dear God¡­ how can someone so cute be so savage?! Anastasia instinctively took a few steps back. She didn''t want her own eyes poked out too! "Hehe~" "Big Sis, you can touch it! I don''t mind!" The little girl gently grabbed Anastasia''s hand and placed it on her head. "She''s going to be the future Lady of the Fortress. Gotta build that relationship early! That way I''ll stay in favor later!" She grinned, thoughts spinning in her head. Back in the fortress''s rear mountains. The one-eyed red-haired man was just about to start checking on everyone''s training progress when he suddenly shivered. He turned in horror toward the fortress. "Damn it! That little witch is here too?!" "Crap¡­ if she''s staying close to the Lady of the Fortress, I''ll never dare mess with her again!" "Fine! If she''s got backup, then so do I!" He narrowed his eyes, then turned his heated gaze toward¡­ The bunny. "If you dare touch the Lady, I''ll go after the bunny! Everyone''s got someone they care about!" With that thought, he stared at the rabbit with increasing intensity. "What the hell?!" "Why is this maniac looking at me like that all of a sudden?!" The bunny started to panic. "Master, save me! I don''t know what this guy wants, but I''m seriously freaking out!" Achoo! Back at his quarters, Velen sneezed. "¡­Who''s thinking about me?" He muttered as he prepared his afternoon tea. Knock knock. "Your Highness, may I come in?" Justin''s voice came from outside the door. "Justin? What''s up?" As Justin entered, Velen looked at him curiously. Justin rushed in and fell to his knees, sobbing uncontrollably. "Your Highness¡­ please¡­ please save my mentor!" ¡­??? Velen blinked, confused. He wasn''t sure how strong Justin''s mentor was, but surely stronger than that Ironback Centipede who''d only survived two Thunder Tides¡­ Someone like that¡­ got in trouble at a brothel? "¡­What happened to your mentor?" Velen asked. "My¡­ my mentor is about to be pleasured to death!" Velen: ??? What the hell does that even mean?! Justin sniffled. "My mentor was relaxing at a tavern¡­ and got caught by a Supreme Rank succubus witch!" "She''s a Dark Awakener. My mentor didn''t expect someone that powerful to be hiding in a tavern. After having a bit of fun, he got captured, and now she''s trying to perform a dark ritual to drain his life and strengthen herself!" "Your Highness, I''m begging you¡ªplease save my mentor! If not¡­ she''s going to suck him dry!" Justin pleaded with teary eyes, filled with desperation. Chapter 195 - Chapter192-You Got Here Too Fast. I Could’ve Held Out a Bit Longer. "This actually worked?!" Hearing Justin''s words, Velen was completely stunned. Was this the legendary "hang around taverns too much and you''re bound to get screwed"? Justin''s mentor was at least a decent powerhouse, yet he still got targeted and kidnapped by a succubus. One could only imagine how twisted that succubus had to be. "No time to lose¡ªlet''s move!" "But we need to bring Iron Cub along. That succubus is at least supreme rank!" With that, Velen took Justin and rushed toward the back of the fortress. Moments later¡ª "Master''s here!" "Master actually came!" "Could Master really hear my call from the heart?" "Are Master and I really this in sync?" Seeing Velen rushing over, the rabbit was so touched he was nearly in tears. "Lunatic, I''m borrowing a spellbeast for a quick errand." "Iron Cub, come with me!" Velen gave a quick nod to the one-eyed red-haired man before calling out to the Ironback Centipede. "Master, you''re only taking me?" ??? Hearing that, Velen was confused. "Who else would I take?" "Master, then I can''t go with you." "Brother Rabbit is still trapped¡ªI can''t leave him behind alone!" For the first time ever, the Ironback Centipede defied Velen''s command, his eyes filled with determination. "Brother Centipede, your heart means the world to me!" "Go! Do what Master needs you to do. If one of us can get out, that''s already good enough. Don''t worry about me¡ªI''ll hold the line!" The rabbit, clearly moved, shouted back. What the hell? When did these two spellbeasts become such tight brothers? What is this¡ªsome alternate world soap opera about parting brothers and tragic sacrifice? ¡­ Velen activated a Spatial Portal, and together with Justin and Ironback Centipede, he instantly arrived at the town where Justin and his mentor had first encountered trouble. "System, use one charge of Fate''s Trojan to locate Nepal''s current position!" Soon, a navigational map appeared before Velen¡ªvisible only to him. "Iron Cub, keep piloting the Tier-9 flying device. I''ll guide the way!" With two humans and one spellbeast aboard the device, they pushed it to full speed and rushed toward Nepal''s location. Justin looked worried. Mentor, you have to hang in there! Inside a certain palace¡ª "You dared summon help while I was meditating? You think I won''t kill you?" "Or did you mistake our fleeting pleasure for something deeper?" A voluptuous woman in a black skintight mage robe glared coldly at the pale-faced Nepal. "Kill me if you want¡ªdead''s dead either way." "Haven''t you killed enough already?" Nepal pointed at the countless bones scattered around them, completely unafraid. "Hahaha!" Lilith laughed out loud. "Dying at my hands is an honor. Better to go out with a bang than a whimper, right?" "Can''t argue with that," Nepal admitted sincerely. "Better to go out with a bang!" "You¡­ you¡­" Nepal''s agreement completely threw Lilith off. She had killed tens of thousands of ''furnaces,'' but never met a cheeky rogue like Nepal. In fact, she started to feel like if she really did kill Nepal, she might actually be the one getting shortchanged. "You bastard!" Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "You''re trying to corrupt my pure heart!" Suddenly realizing the danger, Lilith cursed at Nepal. If she hadn''t snapped out of it in time, he might''ve become her inner demon! ??? What the hell did I do? Who corrupted your "pure" heart? You''re a freaking succubus! You have a pure heart?? You''re about to kill me, I agree with you, and you still yell at me?! Nepal was utterly dumbfounded. "Hurry up! You comin'' or not?!" Snapping out of it, Nepal got pissed and shouted at Lilith. You serious right now? You''re about to be drained dry and you still have the energy to talk back? Seeing Nepal''s cocky attitude, Lilith was livid. She had killed tens of thousands of people, but never met someone this shameless! "Almost fell for it again!" "You? Shake my Dao Heart? Ridiculous!" She yanked off one of her socks and stuffed it into Nepal''s mouth. If he kept talking, she might actually start thinking she was the one getting scammed¡ªand that would seriously mess with her cultivation! But she couldn''t bring herself to kill him just yet¡ªthis guy was a sculptor who had withstood eight thunder tides, and the magical energy he offered was just too precious to waste. "Succubus! Let go of my mentor!" Justin''s voice echoed from outside the cave. Nepal''s eyes lit up! A powerful energy surged outside. "Supreme-rank spellbeast?" Lilith''s expression turned serious as she moved toward the entrance. Huh? Hearing this, Nepal was completely stunned! He didn''t expect his good-for-nothing disciple to actually bring a supreme-rank spellbeast! "Jackpot!" "I knew that Velen guy wasn''t ordinary. Letting Justin go with him was the smartest decision of my life!" Nepal felt smug satisfaction. "Who are you people?" Lilith emerged from the cave, eyeing the two men and the spellbeast with suspicion. Velen gave her a quick once-over and was stunned¡ªgotta say, for a succubus, she was smokin'' hot. "Hmph, doesn''t matter who you are. Since you came to me on your own, I''ll just suck you all dry along wi¡ª" "Eye of Doom!" Before she could finish, Velen activated Eye of Doom. Ironback Centipede had just readied his twin furnaces to charge into battle, but froze mid-step as Lilith disappeared before his eyes. Turning in confusion to Velen: "Master, if you were gonna do that, why''d you bring me?" "You think I was gonna pilot the flying device myself?" Velen muttered. Like I''d tell you I forgot the Eye of Doom had refreshed today. Moments later, the two men and one spellbeast walked deeper into the palace. When they saw the mountain of bones, they all sucked in a sharp breath. "This succubus was seriously hardcore¡­" Velen was utterly shaken. "Don''t throw that!" Justin was about to toss the sock he''d pulled from Nepal''s mouth when Nepal stopped him. "Undo the binding curse first. I''m keeping this sock as a souvenir!" Nepal snatched it, balled it up, and stuffed it into his pocket. Hearing that, Justin almost lost it. This mentor is beyond saving. "Dude kinda deserved to get caught," Velen muttered behind them, floored by Nepal''s shamelessness. "This guy''s even more flamboyant than I imagined¡­" "Where''s the succubus?" After the curse was lifted, Nepal quickly asked. "Dead." "Not even a body left." Justin answered truthfully. "Dead?" "What a pity!" "I didn''t think you guys would get here so fast. I honestly could''ve held out a bit longer!" Nepal muttered, a bit disappointed. Chapter 196 - Chapter193-Mentor and Disciple Troll Each Other – Velen Is Truly Shocked "Justin, you stayed in Lord Velen''s fortress for a while. How was it?" Nepal pulled Justin aside and asked seriously. "How was it?" "Mentor, have you ever seen a rabbit that comprehended sword intent?" "Mentor, have you ever heard of an epiphany potion that sends you into enlightenment after just one bottle?" "Mentor, have you ever sat on a toilet made of starry stone?" "Mentor, have you ever tasted the Fruit of Saintess, one of the top ten rare ingredients from the Singularity Battlefield?" "Mentor, have you ever¡ª" Before Justin could continue, Nepal quickly covered his mouth. "You wretched disciple, shut up already!" Huff! Nepal''s expression twisted with each word he heard. All of that... is real?! After calming himself down, Nepal said earnestly, "Lord Velen is no ordinary man. Stay close to him and learn well." "Mentor, are you really planning to withstand the ninth thunder tide head-on?" Justin asked suddenly. Nepal nodded. "That''s right!" "Once I''ve got you settled, I''ll have no more attachments." "I''ve long been preparing to ascend to the upper plane universe." "I already have the potions, tools, and formations ready to endure the ninth thunder tide. The success rate might be under twenty percent, but it''s worth the gamble!" "If I survive it, I''ll ascend to the upper plane universe immediately!" By the end, there was a hint of eagerness in Nepal''s eyes. "Mentor, are you really that desperate?" Seeing Nepal so eager to ascend, Justin gave a helpless smile. Is it really so unbearable to stay in this plane? You just have to go to the upper one? "How could I not be desperate?!" "The women of the upper plane universe are still waiting for me to grace them with my presence. I can''t keep them waiting!" Nepal said this with a deadly serious expression, like he was giving a moral lecture. "In that case, Mentor, you don''t need to prepare anything. Lord Velen''s fortress has a Starry Toilet made of a hundred thousand pieces of starry stone. Hide inside that, and you''ll have no problem surviving the ninth thunder tide. I''ll go ask him for you." With that, Justin turned to walk toward Velen. "What?!" Hearing this, Nepal was dumbfounded. He knew Velen was a spendthrift, but he didn''t know it was this bad! Using starry stone¡­ to build a damn toilet?! Just to use it for a breakthrough?! "But in critical moments, my precious disciple really comes through!" Once the shock wore off, Nepal looked at Justin walking toward Velen, eyes full of gratification. This disciple was worth raising after all! He knows where his loyalties lie! "My lord!" "My mentor is preparing to face the ninth thunder tide. May I ask if he could borrow the Starry Toilet?" "Rest assured, my lord, I''ll work hard for the fortress in the future!" Standing before Velen, Justin got straight to the point. "Sure!" Velen agreed with a smile. Honestly, he had already given up on that extravagant toilet. They had messed with it so much that he didn''t want to deal with it anymore. As long as they don''t tear it down, whatever! "My lord!" "Um¡­ once my mentor breaks through to the supreme rank, could you have Lord One-Eye stop him from ascending to the upper plane universe?" Hearing this follow-up request, Velen was stunned. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. What?! You don''t want your own mentor to ascend? You''re actually asking me to stop him?! Velen became intrigued. "If your mentor wants to ascend, just let him. Why are you trying to stop him?" "My lord, the truth is¡­ my mentor''s just bored. He''s tired of the taverns down here and wants to see what the upper universe has to offer." What the hell?! Hearing that, Velen could barely believe his ears. It was the first time he''d heard someone want to ascend just because they got bored of taverns in the lower universe! "Justin, your mentor is a legend!" Velen glanced at Nepal in the distance and couldn''t help but marvel. Truly, you can''t judge a man by his appearance¡ªor a kidney by its size! "But seriously, if that''s the case, why stop him from ascending?" "Wait a second... is it because he made you study sculpture even though you hated it, and now you''re trying to get revenge?" Velen asked, suddenly suspicious. "It''s not about the sculpture!" "It''s because he won''t let me drink!" "If he won''t let me drink, then I won''t let him flirt with women!" ¡­??? Hearing that, Velen was genuinely floored. Your mentor''s reason for ascending is crazy... But your reason for blocking him is even crazier! By activating the Spatial Portal, Velen, Ironback Centipede, Justin, and Nepal arrived directly at the fortress. "My lord, come here a sec!" As they approached the Starry Toilet, Nepal took a moment to admire it, then suddenly called Velen over to a corner. "What''s up?" Velen followed him over, puzzled. "My lord, once I survive the ninth thunder tide, I''ll ascend to the upper plane universe. I''ll have to trouble you to look after my disciple." "But... this kid has a problem¡ªhe drinks way too much. If possible, I hope you can help him quit." Nepal''s tone was incredibly sincere. Quit drinking? Hearing that, Velen couldn''t help but laugh bitterly. He had never seen a pair of mentor and disciple who trolled each other like this! "Let''s talk about that later. For now, you better go in and survive the ninth thunder tide." As Nepal entered the Starry Toilet, Velen walked back toward Justin. "My lord, let me guess. My mentor asked you to help me quit drinking, didn''t he?" Seeing Velen return, Justin spoke like he''d already seen it coming. "Yep. I''ve never met a pair of mentor and disciple like you two. You''ve truly broadened my horizons." Velen admitted with a laugh. "All right, the thunder tide''s forming in the sky. You better leave now, or I''m afraid he''ll come out and beat you to death!" As the thunder tide gathered in the sky, Velen waved Justin away. Moments later... "Hahahaha!" "I finally survived the ninth thunder tide!" "My lord, I won''t thank you with words. Something important awaits me in the upper plane universe. I''ll ascend now. That brat is in your hands!" Nepal emerged from the Starry Toilet laughing loudly and summoned a plane tunnel on the spot! As the shimmering portal to another universe opened, everyone in the fortress turned to look at it in curiosity, wondering who was about to ascend. At the entrance of the fortress hall... "A plane tunnel!" "I wonder when I''ll be able to open one and ascend to the upper plane universe!" "I wonder who''s about to ascend¡ª" Before Anastasia could finish her sentence, she watched in horror as the distant plane tunnel was suddenly shattered by a surge of blood-red energy! She stood frozen in place. What the¡ª MY plane tunnel?! Nepal stared blankly at the wreckage of his shattered plane tunnel, completely dumbfounded. Chapter 197 - Chapter194-Big Sis, That’s Not Even His True Power "He''s nuts!" "It was bad enough that he cut down the thunder tide¡ªnow he''s shattered a plane tunnel too?!" Everyone at the fortress was stunned as they saw the one-eyed, red-haired man holding a blood-red scythe appear where the plane tunnel had just collapsed. Disbelief filled their eyes. Just how powerful is this guy? "He''s too strong¡­" "I underestimated him." Outside the fortress hall, Anastasia''s voice trembled as she spoke. To destroy a plane tunnel¡ªsomething immensely sturdy¡ªwith a single strike¡­ this mad one-eyed man was far beyond what she''d imagined. "Big Sis, that''s not even his true strength!" "When he restores his left eye, that''s when he unleashes his full power." The little girl beside her delivered an even more shocking truth. "Then¡­ why doesn''t he restore his left eye?" Anastasia asked in disbelief. "Hehe!" "Because every time he restores it, I poke it out again. Who told him to use that eye to peek at me?" Gulp! Hearing the little girl''s casual response, Anastasia swallowed hard in terror, suddenly seeing this seemingly harmless child in a completely different light. "I don''t know who you people are¡­" "But I assume you''re the strongest among them?" Anastasia ventured. To her surprise, the little girl shook her head, a flicker of fear flashing in her eyes. "There are ten of us in total. That lunatic ranks sixth. I''m only fourth." Hiss¡­! Anastasia drew in a sharp breath. She couldn''t believe it¡ªsuch terrifying beings, and there were ten of them?! And the creepy little girl in front of her, who was already this powerful, was only fourth? Then just how strong were the top three?! "Big Sis, you better stop asking." "Even if you do, I won''t answer." The little girl smiled sweetly, staring at Anastasia. In Front of the Starry Toilet Because the plane tunnel had been shattered, Nepal drifted down slowly from mid-air, completely shell-shocked. He had never imagined that a plane tunnel could be destroyed. It completely defied his understanding of reality. "My lord, w-who was that? Why did he destroy my plane tunnel?!" Looking at the red-haired, one-eyed man in the sky, Nepal''s face was a mix of dread and fury. My women! All those women in the upper plane universe waiting for me! Gone! All gone! "He''s one of mine." "As for why he destroyed your tunnel¡­ I was just doing someone a favor." Velen said calmly. "For whom?" Nepal asked quickly. "Your dear disciple." "He said since you won''t let him drink, he won''t let you chase women." Stunned. Nepal went completely dumb. He had been planning to prank his disciple one last time before ascending, but who would''ve thought his disciple beat him to it? S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Well, even though your plane tunnel got destroyed, when Justin ascends, you can tag along with his. So you don''t have to worry about never getting to the upper plane." "If you''ve got nowhere else to go, you''re welcome to stay at the fortress." Velen added, seeing Nepal still dazed. "Forget it." "I mean, sure, you''ve got toilets made of starry stone, top-tier Fruit of Saintess to eat, and enlightenment potions that put you straight into an epiphany¡­" "But if life has no women, I''d rather be dead!" Hearing that, Velen silently gave him a thumbs up. He was willing to call Nepal the horniest man in the entire universe. "My lord, before I go¡­ may I know who that terrifying one-eyed man really is?" Nepal asked, unable to hold back his curiosity. "A powerhouse from the upper plane universe." Velen had long decided what identities to publicly give the one-eyed man and the little girl. "I knew it!" "Looks like the upper ranks of the Singularity Battlefield are filled with all kinds of rare treasures!" With that, Nepal shot into the sky and left the fortress. He needed to find a warm bed to soothe his wounded soul. "Justin, to be able to follow someone from the upper plane universe¡­ I''d say that''s fate. Serve him well!" Nepal, now feeling grateful he had placed Justin under Velen''s wing, left with those parting words. Ding! Mission Issued! Host is requested to take Justin out to sculpt! Sculpting targets: swordsman-type powerhouse, knight-type powerhouse, archer-type powerhouse. Each completed sculpture rewards 10 million luxury points and 100 bottles of god-rank mana potions. Bonus rewards possible. No time limit. You may refuse. As soon as Nepal departed, the system notification rang out in Velen''s mind. "This system really won''t let me rest¡­" Velen immediately understood the system''s intent. The rewards were generous, sure¡ªbut what it really wanted was for him to get out there and flaunt his wealth! After all, how could others agree to let you sculpt them for free? You''d obviously have to offer something. And that meant¡ªspend, and spend big. Swordsman powerhouse? Captain Kris from Uno Kingdom sounded like a good fit. Knight-type? Sir Arthur of Uno Kingdom would work too. As for archer-type¡­ there should be one in Uno Kingdom as well! Justin''s Residence "My lord!" "My mentor, he¡­" Seeing Velen arrive, Justin rushed up, clearly anxious to say something¡ªbut Velen cut him off. "I know what you want to say." "Although your mentor''s plane tunnel was destroyed by the one-eyed man, he can ride your tunnel when you ascend. So don''t worry." Phew! Justin breathed a huge sigh of relief. He''d been scared stiff just now¡ªhe only meant for the red-haired man to block the ascension, not outright obliterate it! He knew the one-eyed man was strong, but this was way beyond what he imagined. "My lord, where is my mentor now?" "Is it possible for him to stay at the fortress too? Don''t worry, the two of us can totally handle servant duties¡ªdoing laundry, watering plants, cooking, feeding the rabbits¡ªyou name it!" Thinking about how crushed his mentor must be feeling right now, Justin tried to score a place for him at the fortress. "You two are really something." "Trolling each other like enemies one moment, then fussing over each other like family the next." "I was actually going to let him stay, but he said if life doesn''t have women, he''d rather die. So, he already left." Velen chuckled. "This damn old perv¡­ nearly got himself killed chasing skirts just now, and now he''s already back out looking for more? Next time he runs into trouble, I swear I won''t save him!" "If he meets a succubus again, she''d better drain him dry!" Justin''s face darkened completely. Chapter 198 - Chapter195-He’s Not Meditating, Why Are You Tearing Off My Arm?! "What do you sculptors need when you''re working on a sculpture?" Velen ignored Justin''s rant about Nepal and went straight to the point. "Special stones, special carving knives, special paints." Justin didn''t know why Velen was asking, but answered seriously. "Do you have any of those things?" Velen asked again. "I did!" "Then where are they? Show me, I''ve never seen them before." "I sold them." Hearing Justin answer "sold them" with such confidence, Velen felt it was time to give him a proper lesson. With that kind of mindset, how are you supposed to be a sculptor out there? "You''ve been working as a servant in the fortress for a while now. How do you feel about sculpture these days?" Velen continued. "Being a servant is great!" "I think it''s way more fun than studying sculpture!" "Even though my mentor isn''t here, I can carry the banner of fortress servant all by myself!" What??? I just let you live as a servant for a few days and now you''re addicted to it? "Carrying the servant banner of the fortress?" You trying to get Apollo fired? Useless! Absolutely no ambition! "Starting today, you are no longer a servant of the fortress. You are now an official member!" "From now on, you must fully commit yourself to the art of sculpture!" Velen said firmly, crushing all of Justin''s servant dreams with a single sentence. "My lord, you must be joking!" "When you first brought me here, I asked if I could avoid sculpture, and you said I could. Why are you going back on your word now?!" Justin looked shocked. "Hmm?" "Did I say that?" Velen looked genuinely puzzled. "You did! You really did!" Justin said, panicking. "Fine, if I said it, then so be it." "After all, I''m a man of my word." Just then, a little girl with a lollipop walked over from the distance. "Master, did you call me?" She bowed respectfully upon entering the courtyard. "He''s yours now." "Figure out a way to make him willingly study sculpture. Ideally, get him to fall in love with it." Velen then looked at the stunned Justin with a smile. "Don''t underestimate her¡ªshe''s the one who gouged out that one-eyed madman''s left eye!" WHAT THE¡ª?! You''re leaving me with this terrifying little girl?! Watching Velen walk away, Justin panicked. "My lord! Don''t go!" "My lord, this is against the spirit of martial virtue!" "My lord, take her with you, please!" As he watched Velen vanish into the distance, then looked at the little girl staring at him, Justin felt a growing sense of doom. How can I get him to willingly study sculpture? Everyone in this fortress is an ally. If I use overly cruel methods, even if I succeed, the master might not be happy with me¡­ The little girl tapped her chin thoughtfully. Got it! Make him the bad guy! Moments later, she came up with an idea and smiled sweetly¡ªonly making Justin more anxious. "Little witch, what do you want from me?" A red-haired, one-eyed man holding a blood-red scythe soon arrived at Justin''s courtyard, eyeing the little girl warily. "I''m handling something for the master. You''d best cooperate." Before the one-eyed man could ask what she meant, the little girl suddenly appeared in front of him. Strange, blood-red runes appeared on her right arm under her red sleeve as she grabbed his right arm. Rip! Blood sprayed everywhere¡ªthe one-eyed man''s right arm was torn off by brute force! "Will he study or not?" Holding the bloody limb, the little girl asked sweetly and innocently. What the hell?! What does whether or not he studies have to do with me?! And you just tore my arm off like that?! The one-eyed man exploded inside. You trying to ruin half my body for this crap?! "I¡ªI don''t like sculpture¡­" Justin stammered, terrified by the brutality but still being honest. "Right arm, regenerate." The girl said nothing more. Her expression darkened as she turned and stared coldly at the one-eyed man. The man was about to lose it¡ªbut after receiving her death glare, he backed down immediately. What''s there to act tough about¡­ so what if she''s stronger than me¡­ I just can''t beat her¡­ "This¡­ this¡­" Justin''s eyes nearly popped out when he saw the one-eyed man regrow a bloody new arm. Rip! The girl ripped the new arm right off and tossed it in front of Justin, again smiling sweetly: "Will you study now?" Looking at the two bloody arms in front of him, Justin nearly peed himself¡ªbut still shook his head. At this moment, the one-eyed man finally understood what was going on! This time, he only regenerated his right arm and gave a crooked grin. "Little witch, fine, I''ll be the bad guy¡ªbut you owe me for this!" He picked up his blood-red scythe and walked toward Justin. "You don''t want to study, huh? Then what''s the point of keeping those hands? I''ll slice the flesh off your fingers piece by piece." "Owe you? Dream on!" "I''ll just do it myself¡ªtear off his fingers one by one!" Seeing the two monsters approaching, Justin''s mental defense completely collapsed. "Fine! I''ll study! I''ll study sculpture, okay?!" "Just stop scaring me!" Justin screamed in desperation. S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Scare you?" "You think we''re scaring you?" The one-eyed man and the girl both burst into laughter. Huh? At that moment, the one-eyed man sensed Velen''s presence and quickly disappeared in a flash of blood light, taking his bloody arms with him. "You can go now. No need to intervene. I''ve just thought of a way to make him willingly study sculpture." Velen said as he returned to the courtyard. What the¡ª?! Both the little girl and Justin were dumbfounded. You came up with something NOW?! After everything we just went through?! "Master, I hadn''t fully figured out how to do that either, so I''ll take my leave now." Before leaving, the girl winked at Justin and then exited the courtyard. "Justin, didn''t you say you liked wine?" "Here¡ªtry this Lafite Vintage." Velen handed Justin a bottle of Lafite Vintage. Gulp. After one sip, Justin completely broke down. You had wine like this and didn''t bring it out sooner?! Forget studying sculpture¡ªI''d carve statues with my feet if I had to! As he savored the rich, exquisite wine and thought back to the horror he''d just survived, Justin felt like he was about to go insane. This¡­ this is emotional abuse, I swear! Chapter 199 - Chapter196-Justin! This Is the “Trash†You Were Talking About? "Your Highness, may I ask why you insist on me studying sculpture?" Having drunk half a bottle of Lafite Vintage, Justin looked at Velen in confusion. "Then why are you so against studying sculpture?" Velen didn''t answer directly but asked in return. "Is it because your mentor studied sculpture that you hate it?" "No!" Justin suddenly became agitated and took a deep swig of the wine. "Because sculpture leads nowhere!" "Take my mentor for example¡ªjust to sculpt a single piece, he has to pay a huge price just to convince an Ascended Rank swordsman to agree to be the subject." "And for what? Even if the sculpture is finished, it only lets others observe a hint of sword intent through it!" "When it comes to combat, sculptors are easily the weakest among all professions¡ªabsolute bottom-tier, the trash of the trash!" "Those lousy statues are useless! People just laugh at how foolish you are!" "I want real power, power to control my own fate¡ªnot to be some sculptor who does nothing but carve!" Justin finally poured out everything on his mind. A walking camera? Velen was slightly shocked. He honestly had no idea that sculptors were considered this weak. "System, is the path of sculpture really that weak in this universe?" Velen asked the system. If it truly was that bad, he would rather abandon the system quest than force Justin down a dead-end. The quest was important, sure¡ªbut not at the cost of someone''s freedom. "Ding! Requesting Host and Justin to personally experience the pinnacle of the sculpting path!" Boom! Just as the system finished speaking, a strange power suddenly enveloped the entire courtyard! In a mysterious realm, on a desolate plain, a middle-aged man in a gray robe stood calmly, facing an army of hundreds of thousands. Velen and Justin had a god''s-eye view of the scene. "Let my body be the chisel, and the universe my sculpture!" The gray-robed man''s voice rang out as a massive surge of energy erupted from his body, shaking the entire space. The next moment, countless sculpting spears appeared in the air, dancing wildly as they carved into the void. "This¡­ this can''t be real!" Justin stared in disbelief as the energy from the man transformed into countless sculpting spears, rapidly etching the forms of the enemy army before him. Soon, a massive sculpture stood before the gray-robed man¡ª ¡ªa perfect replica of the hundreds of thousands of soldiers facing him! "Fate Linked. Sculpture Shattered!" With those words, a giant sculpting spear condensed in the air and smashed down fiercely on the floating sculpture! Crack! The sculpture began to shatter. At the same time, blocks of soldiers in the enemy army abruptly vanished¡ªerased, as if they had never existed. Each figure shattered in the sculpture meant one person erased from the real army. By the time the sculpture completely broke apart, the army of hundreds of thousands had completely vanished¡ªlike they had never been there. Velen and Justin, watching from a god''s-eye view, were completely dumbfounded. When they finally came to their senses, they found themselves back in the courtyard of the fortress. "Justin!!!" "This is the ''trash'' you were talking about?!" Velen shouted at Justin, still shaken from the scene. Using all beings as subjects, carving fate itself, then destroying it! Those hundreds of thousands didn''t even get to see who their enemy was before they were wiped out! How could such a game-breaking ability even exist in this universe?! "Your Highness, I didn''t know either!" "I really didn''t know the sculpting path could be that powerful! My mentor is already a Supreme Rank, and he''s still a combat weakling¡ªcompletely incomparable to that man!" "If I had known sculpture could be this badass, no one could''ve stopped me from diving into it!" Justin said with a bitter smile. "Ding! Reminder: Justin cannot reach the peak of sculpting through his own efforts alone. He requires significant guidance and support from the Host." The system''s voice rang out again. "Forget it." "If you really hate studying sculpture that much, I won''t force you." "But with my help, even a rabbit could one day possess the terrifying power of that gray-robed man." Velen said with mock seriousness. "No, Your Highness, please!" "Bunny Bro is already exhausted from training in swordsmanship¡ªplease spare him!" "Let me bear this burden instead!" Justin threw himself to the ground and clutched Velen''s leg, begging desperately. Your Highness, please, just look at me! Look at me! "Hmm?" "Alright, I''ll think about it." "I just happen to be heading out. Come with me." Justin''s eyes lit up. He knew this was his chance. Whether or not he could gain Velen''s support depended on this! Sigh¡­ On the way to the fortress hall, Justin couldn''t help but sigh, "Life is full of twists and turns. I never thought there''d come a day when I''d want to study sculpture¡­" You really couldn''t blame him for being mentally shaken. That scene of obliterating hundreds of thousands had him drooling with envy. He had to become a sculpture powerhouse too! Inside the fortress hall. Velen pushed open the door and walked in. "Anastasia, I''m heading out again." "Again?" "Every time you come back, you sleep for one night and then disappear. What do you take this fortress for?" "And do you even see me, the fortress commander, as a person?" Hearing Velen was leaving again, Anastasia couldn''t help but scold him. "Commander!" S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Please don''t blame His Highness¡ªif you must scold someone, scold me!" "This trip was my idea. I begged His Highness to come with me!" Justin suddenly stepped forward, taking all the blame for the outing. Even though he had no idea what Velen was planning, as his attendant, he had to step up at times like these! "This kid''s got some tact." Velen nodded with satisfaction. "You want to leave?" Anastasia glanced at Justin, then looked at the smirking Velen. Seemingly guessing something, she gave Justin a playful look and said, "No. You two can go back now." No? Velen and Justin froze on the spot. Wait¡ªthis wasn''t how the plot was supposed to go! "Big Sis, let me see them off." As the little girl walked out of the hall with Velen and Justin, she asked, "Master, I''d like to begin closed-door training with Big Sis. How many days per phase would be appropriate?" Hmm? Velen was momentarily stunned, then quickly understood and smiled as he patted the girl''s head. "Let''s start with a seven-day phase." "Come on, let''s go!" As the little girl smiled and returned to the hall, Velen turned to Justin. "Go?" "Your Highness, didn''t the Commander just say we weren''t allowed to leave the fortress?" Justin asked, confused. "Where''d that cleverness of yours just now go?" "Didn''t you hear her say the Commander will be in closed-door training for seven days?" "If she''s going to be shut away for seven days, as long as we''re back within that time, who''s going to stop us?" With that, Velen strode straight out of the fortress¡ª ¡ªleaving Justin behind, dumbfounded in the wind. Chapter 200 - Chapter197-Kris, His Highness Is Asking for You by Name "I can only scam my mentor alone." "But you teaming up with others to trick the commander? That''s next level, Your Highness¡ªyou really know how to play the game!" Once Justin figured it out, he quickly caught up. "Your Highness!" Just as Velen and Justin were about to walk out of the fortress, Senator Ethan''s anxious voice came from behind. "Senator Ethan?" "What''s the matter?" Seeing Ethan''s worried expression, Velen asked curiously. "Your Highness, I''m being watched!" Ethan glanced around sneakily and lowered his voice with unease. ??? A flood of question marks filled Velen''s mind. What the hell do you mean you''re being watched?? "You''re not running a fever, are you, Senator Ethan?" "It''s true, Your Highness! Please, you have to believe me!" Ethan looked deadly serious. "And this person is seriously messed up!" "They watch me during the day, and even when I''m asleep at night!" "Especially at night¡ªit''s intense!" "I''m going insane!" Pfft! Velen admitted his mind went to the wrong place and couldn''t help but burst out laughing. "Your Highness, don''t laugh!" Seeing Velen laughing, Ethan got flustered. "We''ve got Lord One-Eye guarding the fortress¡ªit''s impossible for outsiders to sneak in!" "But every time this person looks at me, it feels like I''ve been stripped bare! Like they''re staring straight into my soul!" "Each glance sends chills down my spine, makes my spirit tremble¡ªI''m on the verge of a nervous breakdown!" "Your Highness, I know you often bring people back into the fortress¡­ So I just want to ask: there were no peeping freaks before, but now there is¡­" "Did you bring in someone new recently?" Ethan stared nervously at Velen, terrified he''d say no. He was too old to deal with being mentally undressed on the daily. It was like he was walking around naked in front of this person''s gaze! "Justin, did any newcomers arrive at the fortress recently?" Seeing Ethan''s distress, Velen asked with a smile. Huh? Justin was caught off guard but still answered, "Your Highness, no one''s come back recently. It was just the two of us and Senator Clinton who went out last time. You didn''t bring anyone new either." "I think I''ve hinted enough." Velen looked at Ethan. "Damn it!!!" "Clinton!!!" "I''m coming for you today!" Seeing Ethan roar with rage and draw his level-9 Forge weapon to go confront Clinton, Velen quickly reminded him: "Senator Ethan, Clinton now has a Soul Armor Set imbued with a powerful artifact spirit. He also possesses terrifying sword intent capable of Soul Unsheathing. Your strengths are on par¡ªyou''re no match for him right now!" "What?!" Ethan froze in place. That bastard powered up that much from one trip outside?! I''m so damn jealous! "But you could go with Senator William." S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "William''s one rank above you guys, and Clinton wouldn''t dare really hurt you while wearing the Soul Armor Set. So, go get your revenge¡ªjust make sure to slap him good!" Velen, always enjoying a bit of chaos, offered his "helpful" advice. "Alright, time for us to go." Watching the fired-up Ethan storm off, Velen took out two Spatial Portals. "You''ve ridden my level-9 flying artifact before. Wait until I get through, then teleport to it." With that, Velen activated a portal and stepped in first. Uno Kingdom, Kris''s Residence "Kris! It''s been two days¡ªhope you''ve been well." Stepping out of the spatial rift, Velen greeted the visibly nervous Kris. "Your Highness?" Seeing Velen, Kris suddenly felt a wave of dread. Why is His Highness here again? Don''t tell me he''s back to destroy my confidence again! Ever since that last incident, Kris felt like his self-esteem had been shattered into pieces. His Highness is just too ridiculously rich and powerful¡­ "Kris, I actually came to ask you for a favor this time." Velen said earnestly. "What?!" "You want Arthur''s help?" "Please wait, Your Highness¡ªI''ll go get him right away!" Before Velen could even respond, Kris took off into the sky, heading straight for Arthur''s estate to the east. "What''s going on?" "How does Kris know I need Arthur''s help?" Velen was completely confused. Since when did that guy learn to read minds? "That was terrifying!" "His Highness, that insane spendthrift, actually needs my help? Whatever it is must be a nightmare. He''s trying to drag me to my death!" Kris had barely left his own estate and was already filled with fear. If he got pulled in again, his mental state might collapse all over again! "Good thing I''m smart¡ªI''m dumping this on Arthur!" "I took the fall last time. It''s his turn now." Thinking this, a smug grin crept onto Kris''s face. "Kris?" "Why aren''t you watering your garden or something? What are you doing here?" Seeing Kris drop in from the sky, Arthur looked puzzled. "His Highness is here¡ªcome with me!" Kris didn''t waste words and got straight to the point. "Huh?" "Why am I talking to myself all of a sudden?" "Kris should be back in his own yard, watering his plants. No way he''s here." As he spoke, Arthur pretended to go blind, treating the Kris in front of him like thin air. This absurd act made Kris''s mouth twitch. "Arthur, it''s useless!" "His Highness is asking for you by name. He said if you don''t go, he''ll send that one-eyed lunatic to get you himself!" You fake blindness, I''ll make up nonsense¡ªlet''s see who caves first! Kris already had the smile of a victor. He knew just how terrified Arthur was of that red-haired one-eyed man! The moment Arthur heard that, he shivered and vanished on the spot. Damn! You win! "Your Highness, I''m here!" No twists, no hesitation¡ªat the mention of that one-eyed red-haired lunatic, Arthur bolted straight to Kris''s residence, terrified the madman would show up if he was even a second late. "Just how terrifying is that one-eyed red-haired guy?" Though Kris had expected this, seeing the fear in Arthur''s eyes made him even more curious. Someone who could scare Arthur that badly¡­ Just how powerful was he? "Eh, whatever. Arthur''s gone. I''ll just stay here till His Highness leaves." Thinking he''d dodged a bullet, Kris once again wore that smug smile. "Your Highness, you wanted to see me?" Arthur arrived in a hurry, looking around anxiously. When he saw that the one-eyed red-haired man wasn''t there, he finally breathed a sigh of relief. Thank the heavens¡ªhe''s not here. That scared the life out of me. Last time, that guy beat the crap out of him so badly, he nearly lost the will to live. Thank goodness he''s not around now. "Huh?" "Where''s Kris?" "I said I needed his help, and suddenly he ran off to get you. I mean, I do need your help, but I also need Kris!" Seeing only Arthur return, Velen asked in confusion. Chapter 201 - Chapter198-Heard You Want to Challenge Me – Kris Scared to Tears "What?!" The moment Velen spoke, Arthur instantly realized he had been played by Kris. Fury surged within him. Damn you, old Kris! You actually tricked me! I''m your beloved friend, your blood brother! ¡­Wait a sec! Just as Arthur was about to angrily spill the truth, a sudden gleam flashed in his eyes. Suppressing his rage, he put on a serious expression and explained, "Your Highness, Kris said¡­ if you want his help, the one-eyed red-haired man must come and fight him personally!" "Huh?" "He wants to spar with the one-eyed red-haired man?" Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "You didn''t tell him how powerful that guy is?" Velen looked surprised. Since when did Kris get so bold? He actually wants to challenge that guy? "I told him!" "And precisely because I told him how powerful the one-eyed red-haired man is, he got excited and insisted on challenging him!" "Actually, Kris has this quirk¡ªhe loves challenging strong opponents!" Determined to get some payback, Arthur spun the tale with practiced ease, sounding totally legit. "He likes challenging the strong?" "No wonder Kris has achieved so much. Just for that, I must send the one-eyed red-haired man over to spar with him!" Now that Velen learned of Kris''s "special hobby," he felt compelled to help him fulfill it. "Your Highness, I''m here!" Just then, a Spatial Rift opened above the flying vehicle, and Justin stepped out, visibly excited. "Activate this Spatial Portal and head back." Velen casually tossed over two unactivated portals. Justin: ??? Go back? I just got here and you want me to go already? Are you taking me for a joke? Justin was utterly baffled. "Go back and notify the one-eyed red-haired man. Have him come over. Then activate the other portal and return." Seeing Justin''s dumbfounded look, Velen explained patiently. As Justin began activating the portal, Velen turned to Arthur and asked, "Arthur, among the Five Grand Knights of the Uno Kingdom, is there one who practices the Way of the Bow?" "Your Highness, my mentor is a total beast at archery! His aim''s crazy accurate!" Before Arthur could answer, Justin¡ªalready halfway into the portal¡ªshouted out excitedly. Hmm? Velen''s brow twitched. "I thought your mentor focused on the Path of Sculpture. Why is he also¡ª" ¡­Oh crap. Halfway through his sentence, Velen suddenly realized something. His expression darkened instantly. "Uh¡­ Your Highness, I''ll go find the big guy right now!" Sensing the shift in Velen''s tone, Justin quickly leapt into the portal. "Arthur, back to the question¡ªamong the Five Grand Knights of the Uno Kingdom, is there anyone who specializes in the Way of the Bow?" Now that Justin was gone, Velen let out a breath and asked again. Sigh¡­ Arthur sighed internally. Your Highness, even though you let three of the other knights off the hook last time, looks like they still can''t escape after all¡­ "Yes, Your Highness. Among the Five Grand Knights, there is indeed one known as the Thunderbow God." Arthur answered with a bitter smile. "Really?" "Then would you mind inviting him over? I have a small favor I need from him." Velen beamed with delight. "No problem!" "Please wait a moment, Your Highness¡ªI''ll bring him right over!" With that, Arthur shot into the sky toward the Thunderbow God''s estate. Thunderbow God''s Estate. "What?!" "That insane, money-burning maniac wants to see me? And he wants my help?!" Thunderbow God visibly panicked upon hearing Arthur''s request. He had already heard quite a bit about Velen from Arthur and Kris. Honestly, he hoped he would never have to meet the guy. But now? The nightmare was suddenly, mercilessly real. "Kris, hypothetically speaking¡­ if I pretended to be sick, could I dodge this disaster?" Thunderbow God was grasping at straws. "Thunder, hypothetically speaking¡­ if you pretended to be sick, he might just send someone to fetch you." Arthur offered his guess. "Who would he send?" "Don''t ask. That person''s probably heading to Kris right now. Go take a look¡ªyou''ll understand." With that, Arthur took Thunderbow God and rushed back toward his own estate. Fortress. The moment Justin appeared, he saw a group of people lying around, completely broken¡ªwrecked by the one-eyed red-haired man. "Huh? You were also sent here by His Highness for training? Perfect!" "Come on! Let me drill you next!" The one-eyed red-haired man gave him a terrifying grin. Oh no. Justin nearly fainted from fear. Big bro, please no! "N-no, big bro¡­ His Highness said someone wanted to challenge you." "Challenge me?" "Then what are we waiting for?!" The red-haired man''s eyes lit up. Arthur''s Estate. "So, you''re the one who wanted to challenge me?" A Spatial Rift shimmered open, and the one-eyed red-haired man''s excited voice came through first. Finally¡ªsomeone bold enough to challenge him! Clearly, they had to be a worthy opponent. Wait, what? When did I ever say I wanted to challenge anyone? Why does this guy sound so hyped? Kris was utterly stunned. Lounging in his recliner, he had no idea what was happening. Then he saw him¡ªthe one-eyed man with a crimson scythe stepping out of the rift¡ªand he leapt up in terror. Cold sweat stood his hairs on end. Even though he''d never met this guy, Kris knew instantly¡ªthis had to be the lunatic Arthur warned him about! "Sir, there¡­ there must be some kind of misunderstanding! I never said I wanted to challenge you!" Seeing how pumped the red-haired man was, Kris panicked and quickly tried to explain. "Misunderstanding?" "Doesn''t matter. My master told me to spar with you¡ªand so we shall!" "Come on¡ªdraw your weapon!" The man pointed his blood-red scythe at Kris, grinning with anticipation. Thirty seconds. That''s all it took. In just thirty seconds, Thunderbow God¡ªwatching from the shadows¡ªnearly pissed himself. He watched as the red-haired man carved slash after slash across Kris''s body. Shaking, he turned to Arthur and blurted, "Quick! Take me to see His Highness¡ªnow!" Kris''s Estate. "Your Highness, I''ve brought you the Thunderbow God." "But Kris might need a bit longer to spar with that man¡­ If you need our help, just say the word¡ªwe won''t refuse!" Arthur introduced Thunderbow God, then added uneasily. Thunderbow God forced a couple of laughs, clearly nervous. "This is one of my fortress''s sculptors. He''s hoping to create three sculptures and needs to observe the laws you each practice to capture them accurately." "Don''t worry¡ªI won''t let your help go unrewarded." "As long as you''re willing to cooperate, I guarantee you''ll leave with full pockets." Velen smiled warmly as he revealed the true reason for his visit. Chapter 202 - Chapter199-As Long As We’re Mentally Strong Enough, His Highness Can’t Break Us "Leave you speechless and empty-handed!" Arthur shuddered at Velen''s words. His Highness''s way of thinking wasn''t something you could judge by common sense. Apparently, this "empty-handed" was on a whole other level! "Your Highness, it''s our honor that you''d ask us for help. There''s no such thing as hardship¡ªit''s what we should do!" Arthur quickly refused any compensation. Who dared accept favors from Velen? "You don''t want it?" Velen grinned. Wasn''t this the perfect opportunity to show off his wealth? As a proper tycoon prince, how could he possibly ask for help without offering something in return? But if someone dared refuse, then he''d force them to accept through excessive wealth and extravagance! There''s no problem that can''t be solved by showing off. And if there is, you''re just not flexing hard enough! Ding! New mission issued: System provides 10,000 sculptures imbued with the Will of the Sword, 10,000 with the Order of the Bow, and 10,000 with the Order of the Spear. Please force Arthur, Thunderbow God, and Kris to accept these as your "payment" through extravagant means. Reward: 30 million luxury points upon success. No penalty on failure. Mission can be declined. ??? Velen blinked at the system prompt, then a smile lit up his face. He had just been about to use luxury points to produce a few sculptures¡ªbut lo and behold, the system handed him this mission and even gifted him 30,000 sculptures! "Kris¡­ does His Highness always smile like that?" "Why does the look on his face make me feel¡­ deeply uneasy?" Thunderbow God asked in a low, anxious voice. "I''m feeling a bit uneasy too¡­" Kris muttered. "But no need to panic! His Highness mostly tortures us psychologically and spiritually. As long as we''re strong enough mentally, he can''t break us!" Arthur pretended to be calm. "You two, tell me¡ªwhat rank are your Will of the Spear and Will of the Bow?" Velen''s voice interrupted their nervous chatter. "Your Highness, my Will of the Spear has reached its peak¡ªjust missing one final push to break through to the Order of the Spear. I was planning to visit the Singularity Battlefield soon to try my luck!" "As for Thunderbow God, his Will of the Bow is also at the limit¡ªhe just needs a breakthrough opportunity to reach the Order of the Bow!" Arthur quickly explained both their situations. "Then¡­ if you had sculptures imbued with the Order of the Spear and the Order of the Bow, could observing them help you achieve a breakthrough?" Velen asked again. "Absolutely!" "If there''s truly a sculpture imbued with the Order of the Spear, and it''s based on the Will of the Spear, I''m confident I could break through within a month!" Arthur''s eyes lit up with excitement. All he needed was a push. If he could observe a law-infused sculpture, he believed he could immediately cross that threshold. Accepting mission! Ding! Mission accepted. Based on the targets, 10,000 sculptures containing the Will of the Sword are re-designated as Will of the Spear; 10,000 containing Order of the Spear now apply to Will of the Bow; 10,000 with Order of the Bow will be assigned accordingly. "Arthur! Catch!" Before Arthur could react, Velen casually tossed him a sculpture with no protective casing. Whoosh! Arthur caught the sculpture and unrolled it¡ªinstantly overwhelmed by an overwhelming, world-dominating Will of the Spear! Will of the Spear! Order of the Spear! Excitement surged through him. His hands trembled as he held the sculpture. This¡­ this was the Order of the Spear he had dreamed of! So this is what it was like! "Your Highness, is this sculpture¡­ for me?" "You''re too kind!" Arthur asked, still trembling with excitement. "For you?" "Of course not." "It''s evening and getting chilly. This thing''s for lighting a fire!" "I just needed you to hold it for me." With that, Velen took the sculpture back from the stunned Arthur, converted his mana into fire-type, and casually ignited the sculpture. "See? Without a protective film, these sculptures are so fragile¡ªtear easily, catch fire easily. Basically like regular paper." Velen thought to himself while watching it burn. He''s insane! Arthur nearly lost it as he watched Velen toss the flaming sculpture to the ground. That was a sculpture imbued with the Order of the Spear! He''d spent centuries trying to grasp the threshold of that law! "Just one month!" "If you''d let me study it for just one month, I swear I''d break through to the Order of the Spear!" "Was that just a sculpture?" "No! To me, that was my lifeblood!" Arthur dropped to his knees, nearly in tears as he watched it burn. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. His lifeblood was gone just like that¡­ Seeing Arthur break down, Thunderbow God stepped in to console him. "Arthur, stay strong. As long as we''re mentally tough enough, His Highness can''t break us!" "It''s just a sculpture! So what if it has the Order of the Spear? You can reach it on your own!" "Strong, my ass! What do you even know?" "You''re talking big now, but if that had been a sculpture with the Order of the Bow, could you have held back?" Arthur shot back disdainfully. "Hahaha!" Thunderbow God laughed smugly. "Of course I could! My best trait is my calm, stable mindset!" "Thunderbow God! Catch!" "Hurry and rip it up for the fire¡ªit''s about to go out!" Velen''s voice rang out. Boom! As Thunderbow God unrolled the sculpture, he felt the overwhelming presence of the Order of the Bow explode in his mind. He went completely blank. Rip! In his daze, Arthur snatched the sculpture and tore it in half, tossing the pieces into the dwindling fire. "YOU BASTARD! MY SCULPTURE!" "Arthur, you son of a¡ªhow dare you rip my sculpture?! I''ll kill you!" Thunderbow God pulled out his Starlight Thunderbow from his storage ring, ready to throw down. "Your sculpture?" "That was His Highness''s sculpture." "He just asked you to help tear it up for kindling. Touch it once and now you think it''s yours?" "Have you no shame?" Arthur taunted gleefully as Thunderbow God raged. Serves you right for laughing at me earlier. Look at you now! Totally lost it, huh? "You¡ª!" Thunderbow God trembled with rage. Absolutely infuriating! "Arthur, is Thunderbow God okay?" Seeing him silently crouched in the corner, drawing circles in the dirt with his nearly two-meter-long bow, Velen asked with a wry smile. Didn''t he say he had a great mindset? And now he''s emotionally broken already? He still needs more training, clearly. "He''s fine, Your Highness. I''ll go check on him." Saying that, Arthur walked toward the sulking Thunderbow God. Chapter 203 - Chapter200-Are You Sure You Want to Accept My Reward? "Old Bow, already losing it?" "Weren''t you bragging about how good your mental state was just now?" Arthur chuckled as he walked up to Thunderbow God, teasing him casually. Damn! Hearing Arthur''s words, Thunderbow God immediately blew up. "Shut the hell up!" "I''m losing it? Me?" "Don''t even joke¡ªask me to burn one? I''ll smile. A hundred? A thousand? I''ll still smile. I swear I won''t shed a tear!" Thunderbow God stood up abruptly, determined to prove his point. As he did, he discreetly wiped away the small circle he had drawn with his foot just moments ago. "Alright, as long as you''re okay." "I told you already¡ªHis Highness goes absolutely insane when it comes to throwing away resources. You''ve seen it with your own eyes now." "Let''s go. We shouldn''t keep him waiting." Arthur gave Thunderbow God a friendly pat on the shoulder and turned to head back toward Velen. "Old Bow? Why''d you stop?" Arthur had suddenly frozen in place, prompting Thunderbow God to glance toward the direction of Velen with confusion. Gulp. Velen had just upended a massive storage sack, pouring out sculpture after sculpture onto the ground. When Thunderbow God saw the heaps of statues piling up on either side of Velen, he couldn''t help but swallow hard. His voice trembled as he asked, "Arthur¡­ those sculptures¡­ don''t tell me they all contain the Order of Bow and Order of Spear?" "Let''s go take a look. You''ll see for yourself." Though Arthur didn''t give a direct answer, his tone was heavy. Judging by the size of those mounds of sculptures, he had a terrifying suspicion¡ªthey all contained law-infused power. This was too insane! "You''re finally back." "Arthur, you sit on the left. All the sculptures on that side are imbued with the Will of the Bow, with the Order of Bow embedded in each. You''ll open them up one by one and tear them in half. This time, don''t let the fire go out again!" "Thunderbow God, you sit on the right. You know what to do." As soon as Arthur and Thunderbow God returned, Velen started issuing instructions without skipping a beat. His decisiveness left Justin completely dumbfounded. He really wanted to ask: Weren''t we here to help him? When did it become him tormenting us? "Your Highness¡­ are you kidding?" "All of these sculptures in front of me¡ªthousands of them¡ªeach one contains the Will of the Bow and the Order of Bow?" What the hell??? Arthur stood frozen, stunned beyond belief. Statues with Order of Bow embedded in them were already rare¡ªhow could there be so many?! And not only was Velen hoarding them in bulk, but he was also burning them like firewood? This was outrageous! The sheer wastefulness was beyond belief! "Arthur, I may not have many good traits, but if there''s one thing I don''t do, it''s bluff." "Check them one by one. You''ll see soon enough." Velen smiled, speaking calmly. Several minutes later¡ª "Old Bow, you said you wouldn''t cry! We have to stay strong!" sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Across from him, Arthur was trying to comfort Thunderbow God, who was crying as he ripped apart statue after statue. But as he consoled his friend, Arthur''s own tears refused to be held back. "I said I wouldn''t cry over a hundred, or even a thousand, but damn it¡ªI''ve already torn apart nearly ten thousand!" "And every single one is infused with the Order of Bow. Every time I rip one, it''s like tearing a piece of my soul!" "I''ve been stuck at the peak of bow mastery for nearly a hundred years. I finally see hope on the horizon, and now I''m burning that hope to ashes, piece by piece. This is torture¡ªmental and spiritual!" Thunderbow God vented his emotions furiously. He sobbed while mechanically tearing apart the sculptures and tossing them into the fire. It was like watching a dying man grind bottle after bottle of life-saving elixirs into dust. It wasn''t just cruel¡ªit was soul-crushing. "Old Bow¡­ why do you think His Highness is doing this to us?" "We haven''t done anything to anger him, right?" Thunderbow God''s tone had softened after his emotional outburst. He finally asked the question that had been haunting him. "I''ve been wondering the same thing." "These sculptures¡­ it''s like he specifically chose them just to torment us. If they were infused with any other laws, I wouldn''t feel a thing while burning them!" "And he came to us for help! We even refused his reward. Why''s he punishing us like this¡­" Halfway through his words, Arthur suddenly paused, a thought striking him. He turned his head sharply and stared at Velen, who lay not far away on a reclining chair. "Reward?" "Is it¡­ because we refused his reward?" Thunderbow God was dumbfounded. "I didn''t even think about that!" "His Highness is a known spendthrift¡ªa tycoon! If he offers a reward and we reject it¡­ isn''t that like slapping him in the face?" "He must be mad about that!" Thunderbow God stood there, stunned. "So you''re saying¡­ we''re burning what would have been our reward?" Moments later¡ª "Arthur!!!" "You bastard, you set me up!" A furious roar cut through the air. Everyone turned to look up. Hovering above the courtyard was Kris, his face twisted in fury. He brandished a longsword and swooped down, ready to cut Arthur in half. "I''m gonna kill you!" "Kris, come down. I need a favor." "On it, Your Highness!" The moment Velen spoke, Kris immediately sheathed his sword and dropped down from the sky. "Your Highness, what do you need?" Kris asked quickly, genuinely fearful. That one-eyed, red-haired man was terrifying¡ªhis methods cruel beyond belief. "I need a small favor from you. Don''t worry, your reward will be generous." They were almost finished now¡ªonly Kris''s ten thousand sculptures remained. Velen went straight to the point. "Of course!" "Whatever it is, Your Highness, just say the word! I''ll take whatever reward you give!" Kris''s eyes gleamed with anticipation. Velen: ??? Hearing Kris''s response, Velen was momentarily stunned. Wait¡ªweren''t you supposed to refuse the reward? How the hell am I supposed to dump those ten thousand sculptures on you now? Not far away, Arthur and Thunderbow God both looked on with envy. They envied Kris for choosing correctly¡ªand avoiding the torment they had endured. "You''re sure¡­ you want to accept my reward?" Velen stared at Kris, face darkening, and repeated the question. Huh? Seeing Velen''s expression grow grim, Kris started to panic. Crap! Did I mess up again? Panicking, Kris quickly added, "How could I possibly accept a reward from Your Highness? Whatever you need, I''ll do it¡ªno reward necessary!" "No reward?" "I''m the number one tycoon in the universe, the undefeated prince of extravagance! I ask someone for help, and you think I can''t afford a reward?" "Are you looking down on me?" Crap again! Kris''s brain just short-circuited. What was he supposed to do¡ªaccept it or not? Moments later. Kris sat alone by the fire, hollow-eyed, mind blank. He tore sculpture after sculpture and tossed them into the flames, crying silently. The way he looked at the fire¡ªit was like watching the death of his youth. Arthur and Thunderbow God exchanged glances, both smiling bitterly. They understood now. It didn''t matter whether they accepted the reward or not¡ªVelen had made up his mind. He was going to torment them either way. Chapter 204 - Chapter201-Astral Aurum Carver—Is It Really That Rare? Ding! Congratulations, Master, you''ve completed the task. You''ve earned 30 million Luxury Points and 3 Passes! Hearing the system notification, Velen opened his eyes from where he lay in the reclining chair. "I''ve now accumulated 40 million Luxury Points. Once Justin finishes carving his three sculptures, I''ll gain another 30 million. That''ll bring me closer and closer to the 90 million I need!" "Once I reach 90 million, I can immediately break through to Hero Rank Level 9 in one go. It''s taken me forever just to catch up to Anastasia. I wonder if she''ll still call me a useless bum when she finds out¡­" Thinking of that, Velen''s eyes turned serious, and he muttered to himself, "Once I reach Hero Rank Level 9, I''ll initiate the Ascension Plan!" The Ascension Plan: In addition to the god-tier potion that boosts Anastasia''s magical power, Velen would also secretly provide similar god-tier elixirs to every member of the Fortress. Along with that, each of them would receive a concealed aura artifact to make sure Anastasia couldn''t sense the sudden power surge. Once Anastasia advanced to the Upper Plane Universe, Velen would lead the entire Fortress to withstand the Thunder Calamity, pass through the plane tunnel, and ascend together to the Upper Plane Universe! "Your Highness, Kris has finished burning the last of the sculptures." At that moment, Justin, who had noticed Velen waking up, reported the update. Velen turned to look at Kris and saw him staring blankly at a pile of ashes, looking emotionally devastated. "I know." "This time, I''m sure none of them will refuse my reward." Since the system had just confirmed the task''s completion, that meant all three of them had now reached the mental state where they wouldn''t dare reject Velen''s gifts anymore. "Knights Commanders, you won''t reject my reward this time, right?" Velen walked over to the trio and, smiling, handed each of them a sculpture. The three of them looked down at the sculptures in their hands¡ªtears instantly welled up again. After burning so damn many¡­ they finally got to keep one! His Highness Velen was too brutal. It wasn''t easy surviving this trial! "It''s getting late. We''ll continue with the sculpting tomorrow." "Justin, have Kris arrange a place for you to stay. I''m off to rest." With that, Velen strolled toward the nearby courtyard¡ªhe was planning to stay in the same room he had used last time. "Sir Kris, where should I stay tonight?" Once Velen left, Justin turned to Kris with a question. "You can stay in my room tonight, Young Master Justin." Kris pointed behind him to his own quarters. Without another word, he turned to focus on the sculpture in his hand, immediately beginning to study the embedded Sword Law. Nearby, Arthur and Thunderbow God also began their observations, immersing themselves in the sculptures. Though the previous night''s ordeal had left them mentally and emotionally drained, now that they had one of these rare sculptures to themselves, all that suffering felt absolutely worth it! Early the next morning. Velen stretched lazily after waking, then habitually opened his daily system interface to check the special items of the day. Today''s Special Item: Astral Aurum Carver x10,000 Item Description: Crafted from ten-thousand-year-old Astral Aurum, this is the best sculpting knife in the universe for professional sculptors. No exceptions. "A sculpting knife as today''s special item?" "Right¡­ that damn Justin doesn''t even have any tools. Well then, since I''ve now got sculpting knives, I may as well buy him the rare ores and pigments too." Ten thousand Astral Aurum Carvers. Just one of them would be more than enough for normal use. Leaving his residence, Velen glanced toward the neighboring courtyard, where the three Knights Commanders were still observing their sculptures. Justin was probably still sleeping, so Velen didn''t bother anyone and headed straight for the estate gate. "Cosmic Sculpture Gallery." "The name''s got a nice ring to it. I''ll buy the stuff here." After wandering around for a while, Velen noticed a shop selling ores, tools, and other sculpting supplies. Reading the signboard, he walked right in. "Welcome, young master! What can I help you with?" A clean-looking young man greeted him cheerfully the moment he entered. "I want special ores." "Special pigments." "And special base stones." "I want the best of everything." Velen declared directly. "Young master, it sounds like your mentor must be a true master of sculpting!" "But¡­ aren''t you looking for a sculpting knife too?" The young man asked in surprise. "No need. I already have the best one." Velen replied flatly. "The best one?" At that moment, an aged voice floated down from the second floor. An old man with snow-white hair descended the stairs slowly, curiosity in his eyes as he looked at Velen. "Young man, did I hear you say you possess the best sculpting knife?" "Hah, looks like this old guy knows quality." Hearing the old man''s tone, Velen realized he had just found himself the perfect mark. "That''s right," Velen declared arrogantly. "There''s no better sculpting knife in the entire universe than the one I own." Hahaha! The white-haired elder burst out laughing, then grinned at Velen. "Young man, how about we make a bet?" "A bet?" "What kind of bet?" Velen''s curiosity was piqued. He loved making bets. Every time he gambled, he not only never lost but also managed to flaunt his wealth in the most accidental of ways. "Let''s compare sculpting knives!" "If I lose, I''ll give you a complete set of the best sculpting materials." "But if I win, you''ll work here at my Cosmic Sculpture Gallery for one day as a shop assistant. What do you think?" The old man stated the terms confidently. "I want to add one condition." "What''s that?" "If you lose, not only will you give me that full sculpting kit¡ªyou''ll also agree to do me a favor." Velen added his request with a smile. "How interesting!" "Alright, I agree. Let''s head upstairs!" The white-haired elder was momentarily stunned, but then a smile lit up his face. It had been a long time since he''d met someone so amusing. He was so confident in his sculpting knife that he hadn''t even asked what kind of favor Velen might request. Second Floor ¨C Study Room "What kind of blade are you hiding that you''re being all mysterious about it?" Velen''s curiosity was piqued as he watched the elder take out a box covered in magical rune patterns from a chamber inside the study. He couldn''t wait to see what kind of knife warranted such protection. Soon, as the elder opened the box, a pitch-black sculpting knife was revealed inside. "This blade is called the Astral Aurum Carver. It was forged from nine-hundred-year-old Astral Aurum." "Due to the nature of Astral Aurum, this sculpting knife can only be used for one sculpture before its magical properties are spent." "Because it''s a consumable and Astral Aurum is a rare cosmic phenomenon that can''t be manufactured artificially, the material is incredibly scarce." "Unless it''s a law-level masterpiece, no one would dare use an Astral Aurum Carver casually." The elder spoke with reverence, pride filling his eyes as he explained the knife''s origins and unique attributes. He was clearly very confident. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Let''s see what kind of face he makes¡­ when he sees I have ten thousand of these. Chapter 205 - Chapter202-Can You Sculpt an Egg? "In our sculptor community, sure, there are a few who own an Astral Aurum Carver," the old man said proudly, "but the Astral Aurum used to forge them is usually no older than three hundred years. That''s the standard. It''s not even in the same league as mine." "So, if you want to beat me, your sculpting knife would not only have to be an Astral Aurum Carver, but the Astral Aurum itself would need to be forged from ore older than nine hundred years. Otherwise, it''s just impossible!" The white-haired elder smiled smugly, thoroughly confident in his superiority. Snap! As soon as he finished, Velen casually reached into his system space and pulled out a sculpting knife. "Elder, why don''t you help me identify how many years this Astral Aurum has been tempered for?" "What?" "You actually have an Astral Aurum Carver?!" The old man''s face twisted in shock. This young man actually had one? That wasn''t just a bluff? Hahahaha! But the moment he examined Velen''s sculpting knife, the elder suddenly burst into wild, frenzied laughter. His expression bordered on manic disbelief. "A ten-thousand-year Astral Aurum?!" "I didn''t see this coming¡ªnot at all!" "It''s actually made from ten-thousand-year-old Astral Aurum. I hereby declare this the greatest Astral Aurum Carver in the entire universe!" Still shaking his head, the old man took a deep breath to calm himself. His eyes then turned toward the one he had previously considered his greatest treasure¡ªhis own Astral Aurum Carver inside the box. Whoosh! Without hesitation, the old man pulled his own carving knife from the box and tossed it aside like trash. Then, with both reverence and care, he placed Velen''s Astral Aurum Carver inside the ornate box instead. He didn''t stop there. He raised his hand and instantly cast dozens of layered defensive enchantments around the box, wrapping it in a protective cocoon. This stunned Velen. "What¡­ is this a robbery in progress?" Just as he was getting ready to unleash the Eye of Doom, he paused. "No, I can''t use that yet." "Time to give my tycoon guards a little screen time. We''ll make it official¡ªlet the ''Tycoon Guard'' take care of it." "The red-haired one-eyed man and the little girl are still back at the Fortress, so that leaves eight others. Hopefully, it''s not the barefoot guy. Please let it be someone new¡­" Just as Velen was strategizing who might show up next, the white-haired elder unexpectedly handed the box¡ªnow housing the ten-thousand-year Astral Aurum Carver¡ªback to him. Wait, what? You''re shutting off the movie right when I took my pants off? That was how Velen felt. He had prepared himself for a dramatic counterattack, and instead the guy just¡­ handed the knife back? Even gave him a magically sealed box for protection? "Young man," the elder said solemnly, pushing the box into Velen''s hands, "this carving knife might be useless to most people, but in the eyes of a true sculptor, it is priceless beyond measure. You must never casually reveal it to others. You could easily invite disaster upon yourself." "You weren''t just about to steal it from me, were you?" Velen raised an eyebrow, glancing at the sealed box in his hand and then back at the old man. "Steal your Astral Aurum Carver?" Hahahaha! "Even if I did think about it¡­ could I really pull it off? You think I didn''t notice you''re under the protection of the Three Great Knight Commanders of Uno Kingdom?" The old man gestured subtly toward the window, where the three Kris¡ªArthur, Thunderbow God, and Kris himself¡ªstood outside like shadows. "Damn¡­" "That''s terrifying!" The old man wiped the sweat from his brow. "Truth is, I did have the thought. But the moment I placed that carving knife into the box, I felt a sliver of killing intent leak from those three¡­ and I realized¡ªif I made one wrong move, I''d be a dead man." He was still pale. He hadn''t expected this seemingly average youth to have such monstrous backing that he could command the protection of three top-tier knight commanders. Seriously?! Shouldn''t you all be back studying sculptures? I finally run into a halfway-decent opponent, and you''re here tailing me too? Velen was exasperated. He gave a bitter smile. It was hard enough trying to stage a good "I almost died" scene! "Young man, I lost the bet fair and square," the old man said, now humble and sincere. "I''ll send you a complete sculpting kit shortly. As for the extra condition you added¡­ you may ask me for the favor anytime. As long as I haven''t ascended to the Upper Plane Universe, the offer stands¡ªpermanently!" The old man was now certain that Velen was no ordinary person. There was no telling what background he came from, but his identity was undoubtedly formidable. "No need to wait." "I want you to help me carve 9,997 sculptures." Velen''s voice was calm. Why not 10,000? Because he planned to save three Astral Aurum Carvers for Justin to use. "Wh-what?!" The elder''s eyes bulged. "How many did you say?!" That was basically a death sentence! "Relax," Velen said with a chuckle. "They''re just ordinary sculptures. No need for artistic insight or law-infused symbolism." Whew! The elder breathed a huge sigh of relief. If they were just basic sculptures, then even ten thousand wouldn''t be that bad for someone of his skill level. "Chen Ming! Bring up ten thousand full sets of ordinary sculpting materials. Now!" The elder shouted downstairs, his aged voice penetrating through the floors. It reached the clean-cut young man in the shop below with crystal clarity. "I''ll provide the carving knives." As he spoke, Velen began pulling Astral Aurum Carvers out from his system space in handfuls. Each one was forged from ten-thousand-year-old Astral Aurum. Soon, the room was filled with the clink-clink-clink of precious blades colliding with one another. Outside the room, the three knight commanders¡ªArthur, Thunderbow God, and Kris¡ªwere watching the scene through divine sense, and they all sighed in unison. They weren''t sculptors, so they didn''t fully grasp how valuable these knives were. But the elder had explained it earlier¡ªand now that Velen was pulling them out like candy, there was no doubt: each and every one of those blades was a ten-thousand-year Astral Aurum Carver. Recalling their own torment from yesterday, the trio actually started to pity the white-haired elder. This was even worse than dying. "You¡­ You don''t actually want me to use these ten-thousand-year Astral Aurum Carvers for those sculptures¡­ do you?!" The old man''s voice cracked. Seeing the dense pile of ultra-rare carving knives, he nearly lost his mind. Who the hell has this many?! And even if you do¡ªyou don''t use them like this, right?! He felt like a fool for treating his nine-hundred-year-old blade like a divine treasure¡­ only to discover Velen had a warehouse full of ones over ten times more valuable¡ªand was using them like they were disposable! "That''s right. You''ll use these Astral Aurum Carvers." "One sculpture per knife¡ªuse it once and toss it." "I''m in a bit of a rush," Velen added thoughtfully. "So just carve baby chicks." Afraid the old man might not know how to sculpt one, he gathered mana at his fingertips and quickly drew an example on the nearby table. The old man: ??? A small circle on top of a big circle. A less-than sign < sticking out from the small circle. Two branch-like strokes under the big circle¡ªlike a pair of chicken feet. This was the "baby chick"?! Couldn''t he at least draw eyes on the thing? The elder''s breathing turned erratic. His face went pale. He looked like he might faint from sheer rage at any moment. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 206 - Chapter203-Velen, Big Bro, Is That Really You? "Young friend, isn''t this chick sculpture a bit too sloppy?" "I can do chick sculptures, don''t worry. I''ll definitely make them lifelike!" Unbearable! The old man simply could not tolerate this kind of chick sculpture! Let alone the fact that he was a top-tier sculptor capable of carving statues infused with the intent of universal laws! To use such a precious Astral Aurum Carver just to make these chick sculptures¡ªit was simply unforgivable! "A bet is a bet!" "You''ll do exactly what I told you to do!" "I want you to make these chick sculptures, exactly like that one, and I want 9,997 of them!" Velen flatly refused! Boom! The white-haired old man nearly exploded when he heard Velen''s words. His mindset teetered on the edge of collapse! To use these top-tier Astral Aurum Carvers to make these chick sculptures¡ªeven though the tools weren''t technically his¡ªit was as if the sculptures were being carved into his soul. The pain felt personal! "I''m not doing it!" "You must!" Just as the old man was screeching and resisting with all his might¡ª "Kurt, considering you''ve done a few royal portraits for His Majesty in the past, don''t say I didn''t warn you¡ªif you don''t do what he asks, even the five Grand Knight Commanders won''t be able to save you." Stare. As Arthur''s voice echoed in his mind, the white-haired old man''s expression instantly changed. "My friend, I''ll start immediately!" With Arthur''s warning ringing in his ears, the old man gave up any further resistance. So what if it broke his heart? Better heartbroken than dead! Moments later, a refined young man brought up all the requested materials: minerals, pigments, and other specialized items. The old man immediately got to work. Such simple chick sculptures¡ªgiven the old man''s level of skill¡ªdidn''t even require a full second to finish one. He was, after all, the foremost chick sculptor across all planes of existence! Two hours later¡­ "Master Sculptor, I won''t be taking these Chick Sculptures with me. You can just burn them later." After finishing all 9,997 Chick Sculptures, Velen left the study in high spirits. Bang! As soon as Velen left, the old man collapsed to the floor, utterly drained, staring at the scattered Chick Sculptures surrounding him on the ground. His gaze slowly drifted to the nine thousand or so broken Astral Aurum Carvers that had been destroyed during the process. At that moment, he felt like a criminal. A sinner. He exhaled deeply and pulled out a tempering stone. Then, channeling his mana, he set up a protective barrier around the study and began burning all the sculptures and the destroyed tools. As the flames blazed around him, he finally felt a sliver of mental clarity. The nightmare he had just lived through seemed to be vanishing along with the sculptures and the broken tools. "Shit!" "My Astral Aurum Carver¡ªthe one forged from nine hundred years of Astral Aurum¡ªI dropped it on the ground earlier and forgot to pick it up!" "Damn it, it got burned with the rest!" Once everything had been reduced to ash, the old man suddenly remembered a crucial detail. He immediately burst into tears. Velen could afford to be wasteful¡ªhe had the resources to do so. But him? He only had that one Astral Aurum Carver! My poor Astral Aurum Carver! "Teacher, are you alright?" The refined young man stepped forward, concerned after seeing the old man crying. With tears welling in his eyes, the old man said, "I''m so foolish¡­ all I thought about was betting that damn Astral Aurum Carver¡­" He looked up at the ceiling, tears streaming down his face. "What kind of sin did I commit to encounter such an utterly insane, extravagantly wasteful lunatic?!" ¡ªKris''s Estate¡ª "Justin, I''ve bought everything you need. Let''s start with Kris." After returning, Velen took out three sets of specialized minerals, pigments, and carving bases, along with three pristine Astral Aurum Carvers, and handed them to Justin for sculpting. "So boring¡­ nothing to do again." Watching Justin absorbed in his sculpting, Velen slouched back into a rocking chair, already feeling restless. Ding! Reminder to host: You will soon be eligible to ascend to the Upper Plane Universe. It is recommended that you first recruit loyal and extravagantly wasteful subordinates from the myriad Lower Planes before ascending. Provide these disciples with sufficient mana crystals to fuel their luxurious habits. Ding! Reminder: The Tycoon Sect will play a crucial role in your future. It is highly recommended you develop it with full force. You may choose a few trusted disciples and assign them to different planes to recruit loyal, extravagant subordinates for you! Hmm? Hearing the system''s sudden dual alerts, Velen was momentarily stunned. The reason he hadn''t continued recruiting more Tycoon disciples was simply because he wanted them all to be beautiful girls. But now it seemed¡­ that idea needed to change. After all, the system wouldn''t warn him about something for no reason. "System, what exactly is the great future value of the Tycoon Sect?" Velen paused to consider before asking. Ding! The system cannot reveal that at this time. However, all subordinates who indulge in extravagance on your behalf must first be acknowledged by the system. The sole criterion for recognition is loyalty¡ªabsolute loyalty to the host. Not just anyone can become your subordinate. That official? Velen was shocked by the system''s answer! In his mind, the Tycoon disciples were just meant to waste money on his behalf so that he could earn Luxury Points and various rewards. But it turned out¡­ things weren''t as simple as he had imagined. "System, is there a way for me to travel to the Dark Eye Galaxy?" Since he had now decided to raise the bar for recruiting subordinates, the first person who came to mind was Kidd, that chubby guy from the Dark Eye Galaxy. Ding! The system can provide the host with one intergalactic travel opportunity. You may travel to the Dark Eye Galaxy and remain there for one day. You may return to the Titan Galaxy at any time. Hearing this, Velen couldn''t help but smile. As long as he could bring Kidd under his command, and grant him the fortress''s teleportation privileges, then traveling to the Dark Eye Galaxy in the future would be a breeze! Moreover, after handling Justin''s affairs, Velen was planning to return to the Singularity Battlefield¡ªnot to hunt for fortune, but to find more qualified subordinates. After all, that battlefield was filled with talents from across the galaxies. "Ten people should do. I''ll choose ten loyal Tycoon disciples and let them recruit more extravagant subordinates in their respective planes and in the Singularity Battlefield." Velen made his decision once again. Looking at Justin still focused on his carving, Velen stood up and walked toward the courtyard next door. Once he returned to his private room, Velen gave the command: "System, send me to the Dark Eye Galaxy!" As soon as the words left his lips, a Spatial Rift opened behind him and sucked him in. ¡ªDark Eye Galaxy, Holy Light Temple, Sword Saint Plaza¡ª "Who dares intrude upon our Holy Light Temple?!" As Velen emerged from the rift, a shout of fury rang out nearby. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Velen!?" "Velen, is that really you?!" But soon, Kidd''s excited voice followed. Velen? So he was the infamous, ridiculously extravagant prodigal son Kidd had spoken of? As Kidd ran over in excitement, Mark turned his gaze toward the unfamiliar youth across from him. Chapter 207 - Chapter204-I Treated You Like a Brother, But You Want to Take Me in as a Disciple? "Velen? What are you doing here?" Seeing Velen appear in front of him, Kidd couldn''t help but get excited, stepping forward with glowing eyes. "What else could I be here for?" "Obviously, I heard you were living in misery out here, so I came to pull you out of the flames and rescue you from your torment!" Before Velen could elaborate, someone nearby finally couldn''t hold back any longer. "Hey, have you two forgotten I''m standing right here?" Lucas interjected, his face dark and voice dripping with sarcasm. "Fat Bro, who''s this guy?" Velen turned to Kidd, raising an eyebrow in confusion. "Oh, Velen bro, that''s Lucas¡ªhe''s the Grand Senator of our Holy Light Temple." "Ever since I became a Judgment Swordman, Lucas has been the one guiding me, helping me grow stronger." Noticing Lucas''s expression getting darker by the second, Kidd hurriedly gave a respectful and quick explanation. Velen nodded in understanding, then suddenly asked his system: "System, I haven''t officially taken Kidd in as my disciple yet, but I''ve already reserved him as one of my top ten students. Since Lucas has been looking after him all this time, how about I give him a small token of appreciation? Say, one million advanced mana crystals? That shouldn''t be too much, right?" "Ding! The amount is within acceptable range for wasteful extravagance." Huh? Lucas blinked in confusion when Velen suddenly tossed a spatial ring at him. "This... what''s this?" He probed it with his spiritual sense¡ªand immediately his expression changed. His eyes widened with disbelief. Inside the ring were one million advanced mana crystals. Lucas had certainly heard the legends: that Velen was infamous for his outrageous, showy spending and tossing around rare treasures like candy. But he never imagined the rumors were so... tame in comparison to the reality. A million advanced mana crystals? Just handed over like it was loose change? Lucas could only stare at Velen like he was some kind of walking treasure mine. "Mr. Lucas, these advanced mana crystals¡ª" Velen was about to explain when Lucas suddenly interrupted with an outstretched hand and a grave tone. "Your Highness Velen, say no more. I understand!" ...Huh? You understand? Understand what exactly? "Kidd, go on now. Go have fun with His Highness Velen." "As for your mentor back at the temple, I''ll talk to them for you. Don''t worry¡ªyou won''t be punished when you return." Lucas looked at Kidd sincerely as he gave his blessing. Both Kidd and Velen were stunned speechless. "Mr. Lucas, who said I was taking him out of here?" Velen finally asked, thoroughly baffled. "You''re not?" Lucas looked equally confused. "Didn''t you say you were here to rescue him from misery?" "And that one million advanced mana crystals wasn''t a bribe for me to let him go?" WHAT THE¡ª!? A bribe!? That was just a thank-you gift for your time and effort! This is insane! Velen genuinely wanted to cry. Why was it that everyone else who transmigrated got to deal with bloodthirsty warlords or cold-hearted schemers... but the people he met all seemed to be mind-readers with the most deranged imaginations? He took a deep breath to calm himself, then turned to Lucas and said with a serious tone, "Mr. Lucas, I do have something private to discuss with Kidd. Think of that one million as... your fee to temporarily vacate the scene." Yes. That should work. He was terrified that if he told Lucas the truth¡ªthat the crystals were merely a token of appreciation¡ªthe man might come up with an even more insane conspiracy in his head. So he just blurted out a random excuse and hoped for the best. "I see!" "If that''s the case, then I''ll leave you two to it!" Lucas, once again shocked by the sheer extravagance of it all, took off into the sky without another word. But deep inside, he was still thinking¡ª You wanted to talk in private, couldn''t you just ask? Was it really necessary to drop a million advanced mana crystals just to make me walk away? This is too much! You''re being way too polite! Lucas shot through the air, heading back toward the temple hall to report Velen''s arrival to Fortress Lord Mark. Back on the ground, Velen turned to Kidd, his expression growing solemn. "Kidd, the reason I came here today is for something extremely important. I wanted to ask your opinion." "I''ve founded a new Tycoon Club... and I want to make you one of my official members. Not just that¡ªI want to take you in as my disciple. What do you think?" "What?" I treated you like a brother¡­ and you want to make me your disciple!? Kidd''s mind spun. The sudden change in identity¡ªgoing from buddy to student¡ªwas throwing him for a loop. But after a few seconds of internal struggle, he took a deep breath. If it meant being Velen''s disciple, he would walk through fire without hesitation. Despite how much he''d once despised the idea of becoming a swordman, things had changed. After gaining the Judgment Sword Intent, and training under Lucas''s strict guidance, he had felt his power grow. He no longer resisted the path¡ªin fact, he was grateful to Velen from the bottom of his heart. "I''m planning to spread Tycoon Club disciples across thousands of lower universes," Velen explained. "I''ll supply you with an unlimited amount of mana crystals. You''ll be free to splurge, show off, and live lavishly... but in return, I need your help with¡ª" BANG! Before he could even finish his sentence, Kidd had already dropped to his knees with a loud thud, tears brimming in his eyes. "Disciple Kidd greets his mentor!" S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. THUD! THUD! THUD! Three loud kowtows followed in quick succession. Forget the temple! Forget rank! He was going to become the founding disciple of the Tycoon Club! Just imagine it¡ªone day, standing on a grand stage, shouting out loud, and hearing thousands of disciples from lower universes roar back in unison: "Mentor Kidd!" That was the dream! Velen, watching Kidd bow so earnestly, was momentarily stunned. Then he chuckled, nodding in satisfaction. "Tycoon Club has its own rules," he said. "Let me ask you this: if I gave you one hundred million advanced mana crystals, how would you use them?" Kidd''s eyes sparkled as they darted back and forth in thought. Then he answered without hesitation: "Mentor, I''d pave the entire Holy Light Temple with advanced mana crystals! If a hundred million isn''t enough, then I''ll pave what I can for now. If there''s some left over, I''ll do a second layer!" That''s what Tycoon Club is all about¡ªif you''re not being wasteful and flamboyant, are you even in the club? And with Velen''s own extravagance as his standard, Kidd knew he had to go all in. He couldn''t let Tycoon Club lose face! Velen was stunned. Even he hadn''t thought of such a bold idea. Damn! When I get back to the fortress, I have to cover the entire place in mana crystal flooring! "Mentor," Kidd added, seeing that Velen hadn''t responded, "maybe I can go one step further. I''ll tear down every single courtyard and residence in the Holy Light Temple¡ªstudents, deacons, senators¡ªall of them. Then rebuild them from the ground up using advanced mana crystals. Heck, even the main temple hall¡ªI''ll knock it down and rebuild that too!" Velen burst out laughing. Now this was the spirit! He had no doubts¡ªbringing Kidd into the Tycoon Club was absolutely the right move. This guy had potential¡ªreal potential¡ªin the fine art of wasteful luxury. "Kidd, you really didn''t disappoint me." "From today on, you are officially the third disciple of the Tycoon Club¡ªand my third personal disciple." "...Huh?" Third? I''m only the third!? I''m not even the first?! Kidd was heartbroken. He had been dreaming of being the number one disciple! But fine, if not the eldest, second place would do too! "I''ll introduce you to your senior sisters one day," Velen added with a grin, oblivious to Kidd''s inner turmoil. What the hell!? I got ranked under two women?! I''m at the bottom of the chain!? Kidd''s mental state collapsed on the spot. Chapter 208 - Chapter205-Recruiting Spendthrift Disciples? Start By Poaching From Home! "Mentor, are my two senior sisters powerful?" Now that he had officially become Velen''s disciple, Kidd was eager to learn more about his newly acquired senior sisters. "Your First Senior Sister is a Holy-type mage. Her favorite thing is purifying the darkness in people''s hearts." "Your Second Senior Sister is a master of all types of divination. If you ever peeked at someone bathing as a kid, she could easily divine it!" Velen gave a casual but honest description of Caitlin and Sophia. But as Kidd listened, his chubby face started twitching, and his mind raced with wild imagination. "Little brother," a gentle voice echoed in his thoughts, "wanna come play? Big Sis''s purification magic feels sooo good!" "Little brother," another teasing voice added, "should I help you recall all your childhood memories? I''m really accurate with my readings~" Tremble. Just imagining those scenarios made Kidd shiver violently. He didn''t dare keep thinking about what might happen if those two older sisters got too curious... "Right," Velen suddenly added, "I didn''t finish earlier." "I want you to help me recruit disciples for the Tycoon Club throughout the Dark Eye Galaxy and Singularity Battlefield. Anyone with potential for extravagant spending and showy behavior can be considered¡ª" "¡ªBut there are three conditions you must always keep in mind." His expression turned serious as he laid out the rules. "First, loyalty." "They must be loyal to the Tycoon Club, and loyal to me." "Second, morality." "They''re allowed to be wasteful and flashy with rare items¡ªbut they cannot use this as a pretense to do evil or harm innocent people." "Third, reputation." "When others hear the name ''Tycoon Club,'' they must not immediately associate us with a bunch of rich fools or pushovers. Never become the world''s laughingstock." Before Kidd could respond, a clear mechanical voice echoed in Velen''s mind: "Ding! Host, you don''t need to worry about enforcing these rules. The system will handle everything." "Ding! Any new regulations or changes you set for the Tycoon Club will be instantly updated and transmitted to all members via their Tycoon Mark. Please focus solely on leadership and long-term direction. The rest, leave to the system!" "Holy crap!" Velen''s jaw dropped. "System, do your parents even know how awesome you are?!" This was insane. He didn''t need to micromanage anything. He just had to point the way, and the entire Club would run like a well-oiled machine. This was the dream¡ªhe could keep being an irresponsible tycoon while the system did all the grunt work. "Ding! This system has no parents. It is a universal module. Please refrain from making inappropriate remarks." "...Right," Velen replied with a wry smile. "Efficient, but clearly not programmed for humor." Meanwhile, Kidd had been about to ask for more details about the three rules when suddenly, a surge of unfamiliar information flooded his mind. He froze. "This¡­ is this the Tycoon Mark? The exclusive mark for Tycoon Club disciples?" He stared at his right palm in awe, where a white glowing character meaning "Spend" had appeared. Celestia Academy. After being bombarded by relentless lectures from three Grand Senators, Caitlin had finally begun forming good habits in spendthrift cultivation. While her style of lavishness still needed improvement, she was making progress. Just then, her eyes snapped open as foreign information streamed into her consciousness. "What Mentor said about spreading disciples across the lower universes¡­ he wasn''t joking. He was actually serious!" She looked at her palm, now glowing with the same "Spend" symbol. Her gaze grew resolute. "Mentor only takes in ten disciples," she murmured, "and as the First Disciple, I must never shame him or the Tycoon Club." Fully awakened by the data, Caitlin embraced her mission with renewed determination. Tarot Order. In a hidden chamber, Sophia was deep in arcane study when she, too, suddenly jolted upright. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As waves of new knowledge surged into her mind, her body trembled¡ªnot from fear, but excitement. "I''ve been thinking too small!" "I thought Mentor was only playing the game in this dimension... but his goal is to dominate thousands of lower planes!" "Controlling the Tarot Order is just my starting point. I''ve got to push harder!" Her eyes gleamed as she set her sights far beyond the stars. Dark Eye Galaxy, Holy Light Temple. "Mentor, I understand everything now. You can head back. I swear, I won''t let you down." Velen paused mid-step, surprised by Kidd''s sudden statement. Wait a minute¡ªI haven''t even explained the details of the three rules yet. How do you already know everything? Then it clicked. "System, you already pushed the updates, didn''t you?" As he thought this, Kidd confirmed it aloud: "Mentor, I now have access to Tycoon Club''s teleportation and voice transmission functions. I can report to you at any time. And if needed, I can teleport to your side with your permission." "Hold up," Velen blinked, "you can teleport to me?" "Yes," Kidd nodded seriously. "As your disciple, I have this ability¡ªbut I can only use it with your approval." Hearing this, another question popped into Velen''s mind. "System, when these spendthrift disciples need mana crystals, how do I deliver them? Do I just dump a pile into their laps and let them burn through it?" "Ding! No need to worry, Host. All resources will be distributed via the Tycoon Mark directly into the disciples'' hands." "Ding! You only need to make decisions and collect tribute from their extravagant feats. All logistics will be handled by the system." He was stunned¡ªand thrilled. So now he was officially just a figurehead boss who got all the glory while doing none of the work? This system was god-tier. "Alright, since you''re all set, I''ll leave now. Contact me if anything comes up." Velen turned and stepped into the Spatial Rift, returning to his courtyard residence in Commander Kris''s estate. Behind him, Kidd clenched his fists and flew straight toward the Holy Light Temple''s main hall. "Recruiting spendthrift disciples... starts with poaching from my own house!" His mentor and the Grand Senator¡ªboth knew nothing of what was to come. Kidd was ready to bring them into the Tycoon Club¡­ if, of course, they met the criteria. Inside the Grand Hall. "On the path of power, loyalty to a single mentor isn''t mandatory," Mark said calmly. "But one thing confuses me. You''ve acknowledged Velen as your teacher. What exactly can he teach you?" Kidd straightened his back, looked him in the eye, and said with pride: "He teaches his disciples how to live lavishly¡ªhow to spend recklessly and extravagantly, like absolute maniacs!" "...???" Mark and Lucas stared at him in stunned silence. Did they just hear that right? Chapter 209 - Chapter206-With a Single Order, Thousands of Tycoon Club Members Shall Gather! "So, you came all the way here¡­ just to get a beating?" Mark and Lucas cracked their knuckles as they slowly approached Kidd, a dangerous gleam in their eyes. "Wait, wait! Hold up!" Seeing his mentor and the grand senator closing in, Kidd quickly waved his hands and shouted. "Mentor! Grand Senator!" "Velen has founded a new organization called the Tycoon Club. He''s now expanding rapidly and seeking members. I was wondering if you two might be interested?" Hearing Kidd''s plea, the two elders paused for a moment, brows raised in disbelief. "Tycoon Club members?" "That wasteful lunatic actually started a club¡­ and now he''s recruiting people?" "Join a club¡­ to waste resources extravagantly? Are you insane?!" The mention of the Tycoon Club clearly set them off. Their prized disciple wanted them¡ªa hall commander and a grand senator¡ªto join an organization built entirely on the principle of unhinged extravagance. Was this some kind of cosmic joke? What about their dignity? Their honor? In unison, Mark and Lucas exchanged glances and roared: "Beat him!" "No! Not the face!" "I came here to deliver fortune and opportunity, not to get pummeled!" "Don''t hit me¡ªlisten! If you join the Tycoon Club, Velen will provide unlimited mana crystals to every member, for them to squander freely!" "Not only that, he plans to spread Tycoon Club members across all lower-tier universes! This could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for you two!" Their fists paused mid-air. Mark and Lucas stared at Kidd in stunned silence, processing what they just heard. "Kidd¡­ do you understand what ''unlimited'' means?" "And do you really believe one man has enough wealth to scatter spendthrift disciples across countless universes?" S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Mark looked at his now-bruised disciple with skeptical eyes, utterly unconvinced. Instead of answering, Kidd calmly tossed a spatial ring toward Mark. Lucas, standing beside him, suddenly felt a chill in his bones¡ªa foreboding sense of doom washing over him. "This¡­ This can''t be real!" Mark gasped as he peered inside the ring, eyes widening to their limits. An entire hundred million advanced mana crystals. Just sitting there. "I was planning to use those to pave the entire Holy Light Temple''s floor with mana crystal tiles!" "And then? I''ll tear down every courtyard, dormitory, even the main hall¡ªand rebuild it all using advanced mana crystals!" "Don''t judge Velen''s wealth with your limited imagination!" Kidd''s face beamed with pride as he watched their jaws drop. "Are you saying¡­ if we join this Tycoon Club, we really can spend freely?" Mark''s voice was serious now¡ªno longer mocking, but genuinely intrigued. "Tycoon Club has three major rules," Kidd explained patiently. "As long as you follow them, you''re free to waste and flaunt as much as you want." "But not just anyone can get in! Even though I have the authority to refer people, if you don''t meet the qualifications, you still won''t be allowed in." Several minutes passed as Kidd walked them through the full regulations, eligibility, and internal structure of the Tycoon Club. When he finally finished, the looks in Mark and Lucas''s eyes had completely changed. "So¡­ if we do manage to get in, we''ll have to call you... Third Big Brother?" Mark asked slowly. Kidd scratched his head awkwardly and said, "Don''t worry, mentor! We can just keep things as they are. You can call me ''Big Brother Kidd,'' and I''ll still call you ''Mentor.'' No big deal!" "You traitor! You seriously expect me to call you big brother?! I''ll cripple you myself!" Enraged, Mark prepared to teach Kidd a lesson. But before he could act, Lucas stepped forward, shielding Kidd with a serious expression. "As long as I''m here, no one lays a finger on Big Brother!" "¡­What the hell?! Grand Senator, have you no shame?!" Mark was on the verge of a breakdown. His longtime ally had defected before his very eyes! Kidd, standing behind Lucas, smirked quietly. Fifty thousand advanced mana crystals isn''t too much to thank the grand senator for saving my skin, right? He glanced at the center of his right palm¡ªwhere a glowing mark had just appeared. It was the signature Tycoon Mark, a system-integrated emblem granted to every disciple of the club. Kidd had recently learned how to interpret it. Red meant his spending was too little. Green meant his spending was within appropriate range. Yellow meant his spending was excessive, bordering on wasteful. If Velen knew how the system assigned these color-coded metrics, he''d be amazed. Each disciple essentially had a mini-system of their own. The difference was, those sub-systems were passive, while Velen''s system was alive and could argue with him! Red? The Tycoon Mark was glowing red. Kidd frowned. So fifty thousand mana crystals isn''t enough, huh? How about five hundred thousand? The moment that thought crossed his mind, the red mark turned green. A spatial vortex swirled open from his palm, spitting out a space ring loaded with five hundred thousand advanced mana crystals. Kidd handed it to Lucas. "Grand Senator, if it weren''t for you, I''d be a pile of bruises right now. Here¡ªtake this. Use it however you like." Lucas burst into laughter. "Kidd Big Brother! From now on, don''t call me ''Grand Senator''¡ªjust call me Old Lu!" "¡­Excuse me?!" Mark''s brain completely short-circuited. That''s all it takes?! One act of defense, and you''re gifted half a million advanced mana crystals?!? "Grand Senator, I can''t do that!" Kidd said quickly. "Even if you both join Tycoon Club, you''ll always be my grand senator and mentor. I''m not someone who forgets his roots." "Right. Let me show you something else." Kidd extended his right palm again. The Tycoon Mark shimmered, and another ring popped out. From it, he pulled a gleaming set of platinum battle robes. "Mentor. Grand Senator." "This is a special uniform reserved for personal disciples of the Tycoon Club. These robes are a symbol of identity and rank." "If you qualify and join, you''ll start with the Black Iron Robes. From there, you''ll have to rise through the ranks by proving yourselves." Kidd paused, his tone suddenly solemn. "But these aren''t for show. When the day comes that the Head of the Tycoon Club needs us, we will wear these robes and fight for him." With a single command, thousands upon thousands of Tycoon Club members will gather in his name! Mark and Lucas both felt their blood ignite at the image¡ªan army of elite, wealthy disciples, clad in shimmering robes, answering a single call. The thought alone was enough to send shivers down their spines. Chapter 210 - Chapter207-What Are You Looking At? Looking at Your Ugly Face! "I''m going to try bestowing the Tycoon Mark upon you both now." "But listen¡ªthere''s only one shot at this. You must make a sincere, wholehearted decision to be loyal to the Tycoon Club and to the Head." "If you can''t receive the Tycoon Mark, then there''s nothing even I can do to help." Kidd took a deep breath and placed his right hand on Mark''s. Boom! The instant their hands made contact, a mysterious surge of power exploded from Kidd''s palm, blasting Mark backward. He stumbled more than ten steps before managing to stabilize himself, then shook his head with a bitter smile. "My heart still wavers. As the 23rd Commander of the Holy Light Temple¡­ I guess I just can''t let go of it." Kidd''s expression turned solemn. He understood. That was just Mark''s fate. "Forget it," said Lucas with a shrug before Kidd could even reach toward him. "No need to try me. I feel the same way. I can''t let go of the Holy Light Temple either." "Go on," Mark said firmly. "Leave the Temple and explore the world." "You''re lucky to have crossed paths with someone like Velen. Do your best to grow the Tycoon Club. One day, when you make a name for yourself, I''ll proudly tell the world, ''Kidd of the Tycoon Club was once my disciple!''" Kidd''s eyes welled up with emotion. He dropped to his knees before Mark. "Mentor," he said resolutely, "I will always be your disciple." Thud! Thud! Thud! Three solemn kowtows. Then Kidd rose and turned to walk out of the grand hall. "Kidd!" Mark''s voice rang out just as Kidd was about to cross the threshold. "You may possess the Judgment Sword Intent now, but your overall strength is still too low. Be careful out there!" Boom! Blood surged from Kidd''s body, and behind him, a phantom figure formed¡ªblurry and indistinct, wielding twin swords in either hand. "Don''t worry, Mentor. Your disciple can protect himself," Kidd replied confidently, his blood-red eyes gleaming with power. Holy Light Temple. A one-eyed, red-haired man was training a group of young talents¡ªRabbit, Senator Ethan, Apollo¡ªwhen he suddenly paused, sensing something. A grin spread across his face. "So, it''s finally begun." Just then, a little girl munching on a magical candy appeared behind him. "Let''s fight," she said, her tone flat. "I''m really mad right now." With those words, she tucked away her candy, and eerie blood-red runes began to swirl across her small body. The cute little girl vanished¡ªreplaced by a terrifying presence. Hahahaha! The one-eyed man burst into laughter. Of course he knew why she was mad. With a sudden snap, the bloody stump of his left arm regenerated in the blink of an eye, and a thin, crimson sword appeared in his hand. "Bring it on, then! You think I''m scared of you?!" He charged, becoming a streak of blood-red light as his twin blades slashed toward the girl. Uno Kingdom, Commander Kris''s Residence. "Dang it¡ªI came back too soon!" Velen stepped out of his room, feeling annoyed. He still had a full day to kill and could''ve spent more time wandering the Dark Eye Galaxy. In the nearby courtyard, Justin was still painting a portrait of Commander Kris. Velen glanced over, then sighed. "Whatever. Might as well take another stroll through the royal capital." He left the manor and walked the streets of the city. "Come on! I''m ranked 100th on the Rising Magi Rankings now¡ªwhy is no one showing up to challenge me?" Velen pouted as he strolled, feeling rather disappointed. He even considered pulling an "Aedida"¡ªgoing around talking to himself in public, loudly announcing, "I''m the genius ranked 100th on the Rising Magi Rankings!" Meanwhile, in a tavern guest room¡­ Aedida found himself cornered. "Leon, why have you blocked me in here?" Glancing at the old man standing silently off to the side, Aedida focused his attention on the white-robed youth in front of him. "The Rising Magi Rankings were just updated," Leon replied flatly. "You defeated Nico, but before the list refreshed, you were then defeated by someone named Velen." "I''m here to find out more about this Velen." "Velen?" Aedida blinked. "What''s there to know?" Leon tossed over a copy of the updated Rankings. Aedida caught it¡ªand froze when he read the line under Velen''s name. Rank 100: Velen (Defeated Aedida through a special method) What the¡ª?! He was dumbfounded. That actually counted?! He had assumed that both he and Velen would be kicked off the Rankings entirely¡ªmaybe even blacklisted by the Hall of Magi. But this?! Spending money now counted as a special method of victory?! Leon''s gaze sharpened. "You don''t have to hide anything. With this kind of note on the Rankings, lots of people are going to start looking for you." "This is the first time the Rankings have ever included that kind of annotation. He might be 100th now, but no one knows how far he''ll go. Everyone wants to know what kind of person they''re dealing with." Leon''s tone dropped lower. "And you should already know who truly controls the Hall of Magi¡ªthe Tarot Order. You wouldn''t dare lie to them, would you?" Aedida gave a bitter laugh. "Leon, if I told you he bought my spot on the Rankings, would you believe me?" Leon''s expression darkened instantly. "I''m not messing with you!" Aedida blurted. "I swear¡ªit''s true. He gave me one million low-grade mana crystals and I let him take the win!" To prove it, Aedida pulled out the space ring. It pained him, but he knew¡ªif he couldn''t convince Leon, this Rank 89 genius might just kill him on the spot. Leon stared at the ring in silence for a moment, then nodded coldly. "Whether it''s true or not, I''ll let you off today. But only because of this one million mana crystal bribe." He turned to leave. S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But the old man beside him didn''t follow. "Just because Young Master Leon spared you doesn''t mean I will." Aedida''s heart sank. The moment he heard that, his face turned ashen. He knew¡ªhis body harbored the soul of a powerful cultivator. But even that presence couldn''t defeat the elder standing before him. "Soon, I''ll burn everything I have to hold him off. When I do, run. Go as far as you can." The voice of the ancient soul echoed in Aedida''s mind. Outside the room... Leon had barely stepped through the doorway when a young man suddenly blocked his path. They locked eyes for several seconds. Leon''s expression darkened. "What are you looking at?!" ¡­??? Velen blinked, utterly confused. The system had detected a Rising Magi Rankings genius nearby and, sensing Velen''s boredom, had guided him here. How could he have expected¡­ to bump into someone this dumb? "What am I looking at? I''m looking at your ugly face!" Velen snapped back without hesitation. Chapter 211 - Chapter208-You Can Call Me an Idiot, But Dont Call Me Ugly! "How dare you insult me?!" Leon''s face darkened instantly upon hearing Velen''s words. "How dare you insult me!" he repeated, seething. "Insult you?" Velen raised an eyebrow. "I''m simply stating the truth." "If someone is handsome and others call him ugly, he won''t get mad¡ªbecause he knows it''s just jealousy." "But if someone is genuinely ugly and others say so, they''ll erupt in rage¡ªbecause deep down, they know it''s the truth!" Boom! Leon''s mental state shattered on the spot! Sure, he had always known he wasn''t exactly easy on the eyes, but never before had anyone humiliated him like this. Let alone saying it to his face. This was rubbing salt right into his open wound! "Look, look! You''re angry again!" "What does that say? It means you''re fully aware of your own appearance!" Velen, completely unfazed by Leon''s clenched fists and shaking frame, delivered another merciless blow. Boom again. Leon was mentally destroyed. "Darius, don''t bother with Aedida for now. Help me take care of this bastard first!" Despite his raging fury, Leon remained rational. Though he couldn''t detect Velen''s exact power level, he could tell this guy was definitely stronger than him. Wait... Aedida was here too? Velen looked surprised upon hearing Leon''s words. Bang! With a single magic-enhanced kick, Velen sent Leon flying back into the guest room and stepped in right behind him. To Velen, a Titan Rank Level 8 like Leon was hardly worth a second glance. So what if he was on the Rising Magi Rankings? Rankings reflected potential¡ªnot current power. And potential couldn''t close a gap this wide. "Prince Velen?" "Careful, Your Highness! That old guy is an Ascended Rank Level 9 powerhouse¡ªhe''s endured seven Thunder Calamities!" Seeing Velen enter, Aedida was stunned at first, then quickly issued a warning. An Ascended Rank Level 9 expert? "Eye of Annihilation!" Before Aedida even finished, Velen activated the Eye of Annihilation. In the blink of an eye, the elder disappeared from their view. Both Aedida and Leon froze in disbelief. What the hell just happened?! "By the gods¡­" "That scared the life out of me. No wonder Electros''s soul trembled in fear before Velen¡­ One look from him really could destroy the world!" S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Aedida, still recovering from the shock, was overcome with relief. He was genuinely glad Velen had simply bought his ranking instead of challenging him. If they had dueled, Aedida probably wouldn''t have survived even a single glance. "We''re screwed¡­" "We''ve kicked a steel wall this time. He wiped out Darius with just a look¡ªno way even the Aurora Council would dare to cross someone like that!" "What do I do now?" "Would he spare me just because I''m ugly?" Leon, who had just struggled to his feet, collapsed again in fear. His brain spun rapidly, trying to think of a way out. "Your Highness Velen!" "What are you doing here?" Aedida asked after regaining his composure. "I heard through special channels that a genius from the Rising Magi Rankings was here. Thought I''d check it out." "Didn''t expect to run into such a moron instead!" Velen pointed at the still-shaken Leon. "Aedida, who the hell is this idiot? Why is he trying to kill you?" "Uh¡­ Your Highness, this idiot''s name is Leon. He''s ranked eighty-ninth on the Rising Magi Rankings. Ironically, he''s probably the very genius you came to see¡­" Aedida looked helpless as he explained. "What?" "This ugly fool is the so-called genius?" Velen looked like he''d just heard the world''s worst joke. "Enough!" "You can call me a moron, but you may not call me ugly!" Leon finally exploded at the word "ugly," his last nerve snapping. Clang! Right as Leon burst out in anger, Velen casually tossed a spatial ring onto the floor in front of him. "Inside are one billion advanced mana stones. They''re all yours¡ªif you admit you''re ugly." Velen stared at him calmly, expression unreadable. "H-H-How much?" "One¡­ billion¡­ advanced mana stones?" Leon couldn''t believe his ears. He frantically picked up the ring and scanned its contents. "It''s real¡­ It''s all real! Every last stone in here is high-grade!" "Your Highness Velen, I''m ugly!" "I''m not just ugly¡ªI''m an ultra-super-ugly freak! Hahaha!" Faced with that mountain of riches, Leon abandoned his pride without a second thought. "Robbery!" Just as Leon was laughing with glee, Velen''s voice rang out again. A gleaming blade was suddenly resting against his neck. By the gods! Aedida, standing to the side, was utterly stunned by Velen''s theatrics. "You really thought I''d let you walk away with my billion mana stones after calling yourself ugly? Dream on!" Velen reclaimed the spatial ring and handed it back to the system immediately. This amount of wealth went far beyond what his luxury point quota allowed¡ªif he didn''t return it, who knew how many points the system might deduct? "Your Highness Velen!" "When did you reach Titan Rank Level 9 peak?" "A few days ago, when you bought my rank, you were just Level 1!" Even the soul inside Aedida couldn''t stay quiet. Aedida turned to Velen in astonishment. "Right after I bought your rank, I went home and broke through to Level 9 peak." "Basic stuff. Nothing to fuss about." Velen chuckled as he saw the shocked look on Aedida''s face. "By the way, didn''t that guy just try to kill you?" "He''s yours now. Do as you please." "I''ll be going. Thought I''d find a promising genius, but turns out he''s just an ugly fool. What a mood killer." And with that, Velen turned and left the guest room. "Wait¡­ did I forget something?" After leaving, Velen suddenly paused, frowning slightly. "Oh crap!" He slapped his thigh in frustration. He''d just remembered¡ªhe forgot to let his official Tycoon Guard out for some fresh air! He never should''ve used Eye of Annihilation on that Darius guy¡­ "Ah, whatever. What''s done is done." "Now that I''ve got nothing better to do, I might as well swing by the Singularity Battlefield. Could be a good spot to splurge a little¡­ maybe even find a decent apprentice." The moment that thought crossed his mind, his energy returned in full. Ding! New Mission Released: "Eliminate native spellbeasts in Sector 6 of the Singularity Battlefield. Gain 100,000 luxury points for every spellbeast defeated of equal rank. Kill 300 equal-rank spellbeasts to complete the mission. This task is optional." Hearing the system''s sudden announcement, Velen smiled. With over 40 million luxury points in hand, this welfare mission would earn him another 30 million. Add in the 30 million he''d get once Justin finished those three sculptures, and his total would reach 100 million. At that point, he could break through to Hero Rank Level 9 peak! "Soon¡­ I, Velen the Tycoon, shall stand as an Ascended once again!" Chapter 212 - Chapter209-Singularity Battlefield: Snagging a Little Loli as My Disciple "It''s not just the luxury points," Velen muttered to himself. "Once Justin finishes those three sculptures, I''ll get another 300 bottles of god-rank potions that boost strength. I wonder how effective those potions are... Might as well test them on Anastasia and Iron Cub first." With that thought, Velen activated a Spatial Portal. Moments later, he appeared near the teleportation hub of the Singularity Battlefield. Without wasting time, he rushed excitedly toward the teleportation base in the distance. Sector Six of the Singularity Battlefield. "System, if I use mana crystals to hire someone to help kill three hundred spellbeasts of my rank, does that still count as completing the mission?" As soon as Velen arrived, he had a question ready for the system. Ding! S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "As long as the final blow is dealt by the host, luxury points will be awarded. Once you reach three hundred such kills, the mission is considered complete." Hearing the response, Velen immediately began planning to hire a muscle-bound helper. Sure, he could easily kill spellbeasts of his own rank, but as the Tycoon of Wasteful Spending, the mere act of delivering the final blow was already a huge sign of respect to those poor spellbeasts! A moment later¡­ Velen picked up on some unusual noises in the distance and curiously ran toward the commotion. Boom! Boom! Boom! What he saw made him chuckle. A massive Bruteforce Ape spellbeast was chasing a little girl in a white dress¡ªbut hilariously, every punch missed her by a wide margin. "Stupid monkey! Come and catch me if you can!" Panting and visibly exhausted, the Bruteforce Ape came to a halt. The little girl turned around and stuck her tongue out at it in mockery. Snap! The Bruteforce Ape lost it. "You''re the stupid monkey!" "Your whole family is made of stupid monkeys!" "If I can''t catch you, I''m out of here!" The beast spun around and stomped off, leaving both the girl and Velen dumbfounded. "You don''t want to play with me either¡­?" The little girl looked momentarily downcast, but quickly perked up with a bright smile, pumping her tiny fist. "It''s fine! If it won''t play with me, I''ll just find another spellbeast to play with!" "Hahaha!" "You damn human! I''ve finally caught you off guard!" "You''ve mocked me long enough. I''m going to smash your head in with one punch!" Just as she turned her attention elsewhere, the Bruteforce Ape launched a surprise counterattack. Its veiny arm bulged as it swung a massive punch at her head. "Ahhh! No!" The little girl screamed and shut her eyes in terror. ¡­Huh? When she realized the punch never landed, she cautiously opened her eyes. A tall figure now stood in front of her like a shield. "Stupid monkey¡ªtake this!" As Velen''s voice rang out, a twenty-meter-long magic-formed sword appeared above the trio, radiating a terrifying aura of death. Boom! The massive blade dropped like a guillotine, turning the Bruteforce Ape into a pulpy mess. Velen might not have learned any proper sword-type spells, but with his massive mana reserves, forming such a blade was no problem at all. "Wow!" The little girl''s eyes lit up in wonder. She looked at Velen as if he were a newly discovered miracle. Her delight was utterly adorable. "Big bro, you''re amazing!" She ran over and praised him, gazing at the pile of spellbeast mush in admiration. Hearing this and seeing the pure awe on her face, Velen couldn''t help but flash a proud grin. A few minutes later. Through their conversation, Velen learned the little girl''s name was Lily, and that she had run away from an organization called the Magic Tower. Despite possessing Titan Rank Level 9 strength, she had never killed a spellbeast before¡ªlet alone a person. Raised under the tower''s constant protection, she was completely naive about the dangers of the outside world. Honestly, if she hadn''t met Velen, someone could''ve sold her off and she''d still help count the money. "Big bro, no one in the tower plays with me. Will you play with me?" Lily looked up at Velen with hopeful eyes. "Lily, you have no idea how dangerous the Singularity Battlefield is. You should hurry back home." "Big bro still has wasting to do¡ªno time to play!" Velen smiled and gently ruffled her hair. "Wasting?" "What''s wasting? Is it fun?" The little girl tilted her head in confusion. Hmm? That question made Velen pause. Suddenly, a devilish grin spread across his face. "Lily, wasting money is super fun. If you learn how to waste properly, everyone back at the Magic Tower will fight over who gets to play with you!" "Really?!" Lily''s eyes sparkled. She clung to Velen''s arm and shook it excitedly. "Big bro, can you teach me how to waste too?" "If you want to learn, you''ll have to join my Tycoon Club first!" "I''ll make you an official disciple. In the club, you''ll only need to listen to two senior sisters and a chubby big brother. Everyone else has to follow your orders. If you want someone to play with you¡ªthey have to do it!" Before he could finish, Lily shouted excitedly: "Big bro, I want to! I want to!" Wait¡­ did that actually work? Velen stared blankly at the overly eager girl. He hadn''t expected it to be this easy. What he didn''t know was that after he saved her earlier, Lily had already placed absolute trust in him. But the real clincher? That one magical sentence: "If you want someone to play with you¡ªthey have to." A little while later. "The Tycoon Mark is so fun!" "It lights up when I spend! Red means too little, green is just right, yellow means I overpaid! Wasting money isn''t hard at all!" Delighted with her new discovery, Lily turned to Velen. "Mentor, I already know how to waste now! I''m going to try it back at the Magic Tower!" And with that, she vanished from the Singularity Battlefield. ¡­Wait, what? She left? I haven''t even taught you how to waste properly yet! Velen stood frozen, dumbstruck as he stared at the empty space where Lily had just been. Now he was starting to wonder¡­ Did he trick a disciple into joining his club, or did she trick him into giving up a precious disciple slot? Meanwhile, in the Starrealm. As Lily stepped out of a Spatial Rift, three middle-aged men with sinister expressions surrounded her. "W-Who are you?" Lily asked, trembling but trying to remain calm. "We''re cosmic pirates!" At that moment, she heard the familiar voice of the Tower Guardian Spellbeast echo in her mind. "Miss, stay right there¡ªI''m coming!" Her face lit up in relief. With the spellbeast arriving soon, she''d be safe. "A girl this young already at Titan Rank Level 9 peak?" "No doubt, she''s someone important." "So what? Just means she''s loaded!" "Make it quick¡ªkill her, grab everything she has, and get out!" The "third brother" raised his hand and unleashed a bombardment spell, his face twisted into a bloodthirsty grin. Boom! Boom! The explosion engulfed Lily, tearing long gashes across her small body and flinging her into the air, unconscious. None of the three pirates noticed: as her bloodied form flew through the air, strange crimson runes began to appear across her skin. Her tightly shut eyes suddenly opened again¡ªand this time, they were cold as ice. Chapter 213 - Chapter210-Second Personality, Brutal Combat Style "Stop!" Just as the trio of pirates was about to loot the unconscious girl''s body, the leader''s eyes widened. The moment he saw her stabilize in mid-air instead of falling, he raised his hand to stop the others. "Boss! Look at her! Her body suddenly lit up with weird blood-colored runes!" "And her eyes¡­ they''ve turned terrifying!" Smack! Already unnerved, the leader slapped his subordinate across the face. "Do you think I''m blind? You don''t need to¡ª" He didn''t get to finish. The moment he turned his head, his eyes locked on something behind his younger brother. His finger trembled as he pointed. "She¡­ she''s right behind you!" "Huh? Behind me? What are you talk¡ª" "AARGH!!" Moments later. In the void... A towering silver unicorn galloped through space, arriving at the scene. It immediately transformed into its human form, hovering in shock as it stared at the floating chunks of flesh and organs scattered in the air. What the hell is this?! Why are there human jigsaw puzzles floating around?! The silver unicorn''s eyes darted frantically as panic set in. My lady! Are you alright?! The creature rushed toward the little girl, unleashing a gentle spell to examine her body. To its relief, aside from the blood covering her, there were no visible injuries. She was alive and unharmed. Thank the stars... She''s okay. That was too close. Upon closer inspection, the unicorn confirmed that the three men had been torn apart¡ªnot cut, not burned, not exploded, but literally ripped into pieces by brute force. The method was horrifying. "My lady, what happened here?" The silver unicorn asked, voice filled with worry, eyes on the girl''s blood-soaked white dress. "I don''t know..." "Yinyin, someone slashed me earlier, and I passed out. When I woke up, they were already like this¡­ and my wounds were gone too!" Lily rubbed her head, utterly confused. The silver unicorn frowned. Something wasn''t right. Clearly, this had something to do with her¡ªeven if she herself didn''t know it. Magic Tower, Central Hall Andersen, head of the tower, stood before a crystal projection of the battle. As the scene of his cute, well-behaved daughter flashing eerie blood-red runes and literally tearing people apart played out, he was completely dumbfounded. That gentle, innocent daughter of mine... When did she start fighting like a savage?! After a long moment of silence, Andersen spoke. "It''s a second personality." "Lily must''ve gained some sort of terrifying power while in the Singularity Battlefield. Unable to fully control it, her mind probably splits¡ªallowing a second personality to emerge during life-or-death situations." "It could also show up under extreme emotional triggers, like rage." He had formed a rough theory, though more information would be needed once she returned. Still, just thinking about her savage battle style made Andersen''s scalp tingle. Even with his centuries of life experience, he had never witnessed such brutal and bloody methods. Titan Galaxy, Fortress "Heehee~" "Even though it was my second personality that showed up, that was still so fun!" A little girl, sensing something, halted her sparring. She stuffed a lollipop into her mouth and soared toward the central hall. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "She''s finally gone!" In the aftermath, a one-armed man crawled out from the chaotic spatial rift. Staring in the direction the girl had flown off to, he let out a long sigh of relief. "That little demon actually goes for the kill!" With no one left to take his frustrations out on, he turned his pent-up fury toward the unfortunate souls still undergoing their brutal training. Sector Six, Singularity Battlefield "The more I think about it, the more I feel ripped off!" Velen grumbled to himself. "How did I let that sweet little face and innocent heart fool me into giving up a disciple slot?!" He''d taken in four apprentices so far, but only with that little girl did he feel like he hadn''t been a mentor at all. Moments later¡­ "This guy''s strong!" Velen watched a young man wielding a battle blade dispatch a same-rank spellbeast in under ten moves. He immediately saw potential. After all, the spellbeasts in the Singularity Battlefield were so fierce that it usually took three spellcasters working together to bring one down. "Hey buddy, why are you following me?" After harvesting the crystal core, hide, and blood from the slain spellbeast, Scott turned to Velen with a wary expression. "I''d like to make you an offer." "You kill the spellbeasts. Just make sure I land the final blow. For every kill, I''ll pay you 10,000 mana crystals." "You keep everything else¡ªthe core, the blood, all of it. I don''t want any of that." Velen laid it out simply. "Hah! Don''t insult my intelligence!" "I bet you''re planning to wait until I''m drained of mana so you can backstab me. Right?" Scott sneered, thinking he''d seen through the ploy. "Oh?" Velen raised an eyebrow. The next second¡­ "Hahaha! Big bro, I was just kidding!" Scott''s expression changed in an instant. "From now on, you point¡ªI''ll kill whatever spellbeast you want!" He had seen the massive, dozens-of-meters-long mana sword floating behind Velen. Just feeling the deathly aura rolling off it made Scott''s blood run cold. Time to shut up and do the job. Half a day later¡­ Ding! "Congratulations! You''ve successfully killed 300 same-rank spellbeasts." "Mission complete. Reward: 30 million luxury points!" Ding! "Justin has completed the first sculpture. Reward: 10 million luxury points and 100 bottles of god-rank strength-enhancing potions!" Velen casually shook out his wrist, which had grown sore after so much action. Not bad. Justin even finished one of the sculptures on time. Still¡­ it had taken Justin a full day to finish one. That meant the remaining two definitely couldn''t be done using the Astral Aurum Carver. He had to use up that resource today¡ªor lose the chance to trigger another system bonus. Velen turned and pulled out a spatial ring. "Here''s 3 million advanced mana stones." He handed the payment over to Scott before leaving. He was, after all, a man of his word. Plus, this kind of extravagant payout triggered one of the tycoon behavior conditions¡ªa win-win! "Huh? Seriously?" Scott immediately checked the ring''s contents. "My name''s Scott! I''m from Titan Galaxy. If fate allows it, call on me again!" His eyes sparkled with excitement. He hadn''t actually expected Velen to pay up. Three million advanced mana stones?! That''s real?! "You''re from Titan Galaxy too?" Velen raised an eyebrow. This guy was surprisingly efficient. If the opportunity arose, he might consider recruiting him in the future. "I''m Velen, from the Titan Galaxy''s Tycoon Club. If we''re lucky, maybe we''ll meet again." With a grin, Velen turned and left the battlefield, eager to go back and deal with the last two Astral Aurum Carvers. Once he did, he could trigger the system again for more juicy rewards. Scott stood still, deep in thought as he watched Velen disappear into the distance. "He''s from Titan Galaxy too?" "Tycoon Club? Never heard of that organization before¡­" "I''ll have to ask my mentor about it when I get back." After all, any group that could casually hand out three million advanced mana stones had to be a powerhouse¡ªeven by Titan Galaxy standards. Just what kind of mysterious force was this Tycoon Club? Scott''s curiosity had been thoroughly ignited. Chapter 214 - Chapter211-Those Old Guys Really Know How to Play! "Ding! Congratulations, Host! You''ve triggered a Spendthrift Behavior¡ªawarded 1,000,000 Luxury Points and 2 Passes!" Just as Velen randomly teleported out of the Singularity Battlefield and landed in the wilderness, the system notification chimed in his ears. Staring at the setting sun on the horizon, Velen activated a Spatial Portal and headed straight for the residence of Knight Commander Arthur. "Your Highness Velen!" Arthur and the others greeted Velen the moment they saw him appear. "Your Highness Velen, you''ve come!" "I''ve completed one sculpture already, but it''s getting late. Shall we continue now or pick it up again tomorrow?" Seeing Velen emerge from the Spatial Rift, Justin hurried forward to ask. "Tomorrow will do!" Velen replied, then added, "Hand me the other two Astral Aurum Carvers." As soon as he received the carvers, Velen turned and left immediately. Arthur couldn''t help sighing, "His Highness Velen really puts in the effort for his spendthrift endeavors!" Kris and the Thunderbow God nodded in agreement. Compared to Velen''s dedication to wasting money, their cultivation efforts looked half-hearted. "I''m jealous of His Highness Velen. I''ve still got a long way to go on the road of prodigal spending!" Elsewhere¡ª Cosmic Sculpture Gallery. "Kurt, what happened?" Kevin rushed into the study, having hurried back from another planet. He looked at Kurt, who sat there like a lost soul, and asked anxiously. "It''s gone!" "Kevin, that Astral Aurum Carver I made with nine hundred years'' worth of Astral Aurum stone¡ªit''s gone!" Seeing Kevin, Kurt finally found someone to vent to. His voice trembled with pain. "Huh?" Kevin froze on the spot. He knew how much that carver meant to Kurt¡ªit was basically his life! "What do you mean it''s gone?" Kevin blinked in disbelief. Kurt treated that carving knife more preciously than his own life. How could it just vanish? "It got burned!" "I accidentally burned it!" Kurt finally broke down and blurted out the truth. "Pfft¡ªhahahaha!" "You''re kidding me! You burned it?!" "Kurt, are you a damn fool? That Astral Aurum Carver should''ve been locked in a vault, and you managed to burn it?!" "Well, at least now you can''t show it off to me ever again!" Kevin burst into loud laughter, his face filled with schadenfreude. "But I was planning to give it to you¡­" Kurt added calmly, looking at Kevin with a strange serenity. "Damn it!" "You''re screwing with me, aren''t you?!" Kevin nearly lost it. It had nothing to do with him at first, but now? That knife had been meant for him? A few minutes later¡ª A carver made from ten thousand years of Astral Aurum stone. A total of 9,997 Astral Aurum Carvers were used to carve baby chicks. Looking at the carved chicks on the table, Kevin couldn''t even begin to imagine how his old friend survived that emotional trauma. "Kurt, I''m really sorry, but tell me honestly¡ªdid you ever actually plan on giving me that carver?" Kevin stared at Kurt with narrowed eyes. "No." "I really was going to give it to you." Kurt had decided: if I have to suffer, I''m dragging this guy down with me! "Damn you!" "Kurt, you absolute monster!" Kevin nearly exploded. Even though he knew Kurt was doing it on purpose, the emotional whiplash still hit hard. The only way to ease the pain was if Kurt said he had never planned to give it to him in the first place! If Velen had witnessed the scene, he would''ve been amazed: S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Old friends of a hundred years¡ªso full of love and hate!" Bang! Just then, a delicate-looking young man burst into the study in a panic: "Grandpa, His Highness Velen is here again!" Kurt jolted as if electrocuted and immediately bolted for the window. "Oh, gods above!" "Kevin, let go of me! I suddenly remembered something very important I have to do!" Half his body already out the window, Kurt shouted desperately as Kevin clung tightly to his leg. "You can''t run!" "I can''t handle this alone. You have to stay and face it with me!" Kevin growled as he yanked Kurt back into the room with all his strength. Moments later¡ª When Velen walked into the study again and saw Kurt holding another old man''s arm with both hands, he froze on the spot. A love that transcends age? A bromance of the centuries? Is this a new trend among the elderly? Velen stared at the two elders with a strange expression, his mind whirling. "Those old guys really know how to play!" "Kurt, who is this gentleman?" Velen asked, regaining his composure. "Your Highness, this is my comrade-in-arms. Someone I can trust with my life." Introducing his lifelong friend with solemn pride, Kurt''s face turned unusually serious. Seeing the conviction in Kurt''s eyes, Velen paused. "Trust with your life?" That phrase triggered all sorts of unwholesome images in his head. Velen shivered and quickly stopped imagining things. "So, Your Highness," Kurt quickly changed the subject, "what brings you here today?" He was terrified Velen would pull out another nine thousand Astral Aurum Carvers and ask him to carve more chicks. Smack! Velen placed two more ten-thousand-year Astral Aurum Carvers on the table. "Kurt, here are two more carvers. Please help me carve two lifelike chick illustrations again." "Oh, and prepare two special carving knives that can hold laws of power afterward." Thump-thump-thump! Seeing the carvers on the table, Kurt''s heart instantly sank. Very soon, the young man brought over two sheets of specialized carving parchment. Kurt and Kevin each grabbed a carver and started sculpting chicks based on the ones Velen had made. "Impossible!" "This is absolutely impossible!" "I, Kevin, have lived an honest and upright life! How could I be coerced into desecrating these sacred Astral Aurum Carvers?!" Kevin declared righteously. Moments later¡ª Feeling the terrifying aura radiating from Velen behind him, Kevin clutched the Astral Aurum Carver with tears in his eyes. "Why must I suffer like this?!" "That old bastard Kurt said he''d give me a carver and ended up burning it!" "And now I finally get to touch a ten-thousand-year Astral Aurum Carver, only to use it for carving baby chicks?! Who the hell could take that kind of emotional blow?!" In the blink of an eye, the sculpture was complete¡ªand Kevin''s mental state was shattered. That''s an Astral Aurum Carver! A ten-thousand-year Astral Aurum Carver! The kind of divine tool I''d never even touch once in my whole damn life! And my first time using it¡­ was to carve a baby chick?! "Ding! Congratulations, Host! You''ve completed today''s Special Item Task. Reward: 1,000 Luxury Points and one small piece of Ten-Thousand-Year Astral Aurum Stone!" Huh? Seeing that he received a special reward¡ªand a small piece of ten-thousand-year Astral Aurum stone no less¡ªVelen''s expression shifted slightly. He immediately asked the system: "System, if I go to the Divine Realm, will ten-thousand-year Astral Aurum stone still be the best material for a sculptor''s knife?" "Ding! Astral Aurum stone is only considered the best sculpting material in the Titan Galaxy. In the Divine Realm, even ten-thousand-year Astral Aurum stone is barely noteworthy." Got it! Hearing the response, Velen understood everything in an instant. If it''s worthless in the Divine Realm, then I''d better go all-in while I''m still in the Titan Galaxy¡ªeven if I won''t earn Luxury Points from it. After all¡­ The point is to flex! Chapter 215 - Chapter212-Commander Arthur’s Been Scammed Too Much—His Awareness Is on Another Level "Thank you both for your help!" "Of course, I won''t let your efforts go unrewarded. As it happens, I have some ten-thousand-year Astral Aurum on hand. If either of you needs any, I can share a bit." Hmm? Just as Velen finished speaking, he watched as Kurt suddenly shoved half of Kevin''s body out the window. The abrupt move left Velen blinking in bafflement. What happened to the so-called undying friendship across generations? Why did it suddenly look like they were splitting ways? "What the hell?!" "Kurt, what the hell are you doing?!" Kevin, who was now halfway out the window, shouted in disbelief. "What am I doing?" "Didn''t you say you had something important to go take care of?" "Then hurry up and get lost! I''ve endured so much already¡ªI carved 9,998 rabbit sculptures! Why the hell should you get rewarded by His Highness Velen for carving just one?!" Hahaha! Kevin burst into laughter at Kurt''s furious rant. "That''s just fate, my friend. Timing is everything. Besides, you were the one who called me here, and you were the one who didn''t let me leave. You wanted me to share your pain, but I ended up profiting off of it instead. Ain''t life grand?" Moments later¡ª As the two elderly men finally quieted down, Velen seemed to catch onto something from their exchange. He smiled and turned to Kurt. "Kurt, rest assured. The amount of ten-thousand-year Astral Aurum I give you will definitely be more than what he gets." Hearing this, Kurt¡ªwho had been sulking¡ªinstantly lit up. He shot a smug look at Kevin, a triumphant gleam in his eyes. On the street¡ª "Your Highness Velen, how much ten-thousand-year Astral Aurum do you actually have? Why didn''t you just take it out back in the study?" Kurt asked curiously as he followed beside Velen. "I only have a small piece, but it wouldn''t have been convenient to take it out in your study. Let''s go to Commander Arthur''s residence first." Hearing this, Kurt didn''t ask further and simply followed Velen on the way to Arthur''s estate. "Your Highness Velen, what brings you here?" Arthur, who had been in the middle of studying sculpture techniques and comprehending artistic domains, looked up in surprise upon seeing Velen return with Kurt and Kevin. "I was planning to give them something, so I brought them along." With that, Velen retrieved the so-called "small piece" of ten-thousand-year Astral Aurum from his system storage. BOOM! A deafening crash shook the ground, followed by violent tremors. A massive boulder¡ªover ten meters in diameter and a hundred meters tall¡ªappeared in front of everyone. "WHAT?!" "This is what you call a small piece?!" Kurt and Kevin''s eyes nearly popped out of their sockets as they stared up at the towering monolith of pure Astral Aurum. Along the way, both of them had been wondering why Velen said it was "inconvenient" to take out such a small piece in the study. Now they understood¡ªthis was his idea of "small"? They both wanted to grab Velen by the collar and shout: "Do you even know what ''small'' means?!" "Damn it!" "I knew it would be like this!" Even Velen was overwhelmed when he saw the towering structure again, muttering with a dry laugh, "Calling this a small piece? If this were a big one, it''d probably pierce through the upper plane universe!" After circling around the massive chunk of Astral Aurum, Velen gave a bitter chuckle at his own understatement. Soon, with Velen''s permission, Kurt and Kevin carefully cut off a piece each¡ªroughly the length and thickness of an arm. Just that much was enough for them to produce at least a hundred Astral Aurum carving pens! To be honest, even those pieces felt too generous. For sculpture practitioners, Astral Aurum¡ªespecially ten-thousand-year refined¡ªis priceless. No matter how big the original block was, it still belonged to Velen. "What do you two think you''re doing?" At Velen''s sudden shout, both Kurt and Kevin flinched, guilt washing over them. They mentally cursed themselves for being greedy¡ªhad they taken too much? "That tiny bit? That''s not even enough to stoke a fire!" "Step aside¡ªI''ll cut some for you!" Both of them froze on the spot when they heard what Velen said next. "Here." Velen handed over two thick chunks of Astral Aurum, each about a meter wide and two meters tall. Kurt and Kevin were so moved they nearly burst into tears. Too sudden! The happiness had arrived way too suddenly! As the two elderly men clung to their respective Astral Aurum blocks with faces full of joy, Velen turned to Kurt and said, "Didn''t I say you''d get more than he did? Go ahead¡ªcut a piece ten times bigger than his." "No, no! Your Highness Velen, this is more than enough! Any more and I won''t be able to handle it!" Kurt waved his hands frantically, refusing the offer. He was already dizzy from the euphoria. If Velen really gave him a piece ten times larger, the joy might literally knock him unconscious! "Oh?" Velen glanced meaningfully at Kevin, then smiled. "That''s fine. One block each, then. That way, neither of you has to worry about the other." "Your Highness Velen, don''t tell me you plan on turning that entire ''small'' chunk of ten-thousand-year Astral Aurum into carving pens for me to use?" Leon walked over at that moment with a wry smile. "There''s no way I''d finish using them even if I carved until I dropped dead!" sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Turn the whole thing into carving pens for you?" "You wish!" Velen scowled, shaking his head in mock exasperation. "Aren''t you the one who was recently working as a servant? You didn''t think to use this Astral Aurum to replace the busted water buckets at the fortress?" "And what about the communal bathtubs? The foot basins everyone uses? Don''t they deserve an upgrade?" "Your Highness Velen truly is one of a kind," Kris said with a helpless smile. "His spendthrift ways really know no bounds. That''s ten-thousand-year Astral Aurum we''re talking about¡­" Thunder Knight Commander nodded with a sigh. "Even though I''m not a sculptor, I feel a little heartache just hearing about it." "Are you two idiots?" Arthur looked at the two of them like they were morons. "What''s your problem, old man? Why insult us?" "Yeah! How are we being dumb?" Kris and Thunder turned on him with frowns. Sigh¡­ Seeing they still hadn''t caught on, Arthur shook his head in disappointment. "You two should stop calling yourselves Knight Commanders. From now on, you''re Dumb One and Dumb Two of the Kingdom." "Watch and learn from me." With that, Arthur strode confidently toward Velen, flashing a cautious but eager smile. "Your Highness Velen, I''ve been practicing archery a lot lately, and I just happen to be short on some targets¡­ I was wondering if, perhaps¡­" Before Arthur could finish, Velen''s eyes lit up. "Old Arrow! Your awareness is really on point! If you''re lacking targets, what are you waiting for? Go cut some material!" "Oh, and do you need more arrows for your practice? If so, then cut extra!" As the idea popped into his head, Velen enthusiastically encouraged Arthur, genuinely worried the old man wouldn''t take enough. Chapter 216 - Chapter213-Nether Soul Knight Commander — The Nightmare Is About to Begin "Holy crap!" "Is that even allowed?!" Arthur''s bold move left Kris and the Thunder Knight Commander completely dumbfounded. Now they finally understood why Arthur had called them both fools earlier. Velen was a notorious spendthrift. If he brought something out in front of you, it wasn''t because he was afraid you''d ask for it¡ªit was because he was hoping you would! The only thing he feared was that you didn''t know how to spend! With this realization, Kris and Thunder exchanged a glance, then strode straight over to Velen. "I wonder what kind of ''brilliant ideas'' those two will come up with," Velen mused, clearly intrigued by their approach. "Your Highness Velen," Kris began, "I heard you mention wanting to replace all the fortress''s buckets, bathtubs, and foot basins. As it happens, I have excellent blade control. If Your Highness trusts me, I''d be happy to take on the task!" "Of course!" Velen grinned. "I absolutely trust your skills, Kris. Go ahead and start chopping. And don''t forget to make some tubs and basins for yourself and your family while you''re at it." S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As Kris left enthusiastically, Velen turned to the other. "Thunder Knight Commander, what about you?" With a straight face, the Thunder Knight Commander answered, "Your Highness Velen, I''d like to demolish my entire residence and rebuild it from scratch." When the words came out, Kris and Arthur¡ªwho had been happily sawing away at the Astral Aurum¡ªboth froze. They stared at Thunder as if he''d grown a second head. They had been proud of scoring some Astral Aurum to make foot basins and bathtubs, and here was Thunder¡ªplanning to rebuild his entire estate?! "Hahahaha!" Even Velen was stunned for a second. But once he processed what he heard, he burst out laughing. With a grand wave of his hand, he declared, "Then go chop!" Thunder strutted over to Kris and Arthur with a smug expression. "Look at you two. Can''t even figure out how to spend properly¡ªwhat a pair of dopes!" "Alright," Velen said to the group, "chop however much you need. I''m heading back to rest." As the sky darkened, he bid them farewell and headed toward the courtyard. Meanwhile, Kurt and Kevin¡ªstill sprawled blissfully atop their Astral Aurum¡ªsuddenly felt¡­ less satisfied. So what if they''d gotten some? Imagine sleeping on a bed made of ten-thousand-year Astral Aurum! Now that would be living the dream! "Old Kev, you know why we only got a little?" Kurt asked bitterly. "Because we''re a couple of old fools who don''t know how to waste money!" Kevin sighed. Without another word, both of them stashed their Astral Aurum into their spatial rings and walked out of the estate. They needed some time alone. Earlier, wasting Astral Aurum on carving pens had made them miserable. Now, not knowing how to waste enough was what made them miserable! Wasting made them suffer. Not wasting also made them suffer. Who could handle this kind of torment?! ¡ª At Velen''s courtyard residence¡ª "What a fulfilling day," Velen murmured as he slipped into bed, instinctively tucking the quilt between his legs and closing his eyes. ¡ª Inside the fortress''s main hall¡ª Anastasia, who had been meditating, suddenly sensed a fluctuation from her communication crystal. She opened her eyes and took it out. "Anastasia, did the five senators manage to survive the thunder tide using that Starry Stone hut?" "Why haven''t they returned yet?" Duke Michelstein''s anxious voice sounded directly in her mind. "Father, I''m afraid the five senators won''t be returning anytime soon." "The details aren''t important, but I can assure you: once they do return, the fortress will no longer fear any faction. We''ll become an absolute powerhouse within the Titan Galaxy." "What?!" "Anastasia, are you serious?!" "If they''re going to be that strong¡­ how would they fare against the Uno Kingdom?" "Titan Galaxy?" Anastasia responded, her tone calm but firm. "Any one of the five senators could single-handedly obliterate the entire Titan Galaxy." Gasp! Duke Michelstein took a sharp breath. He was stunned speechless. One person¡ªany one of them¡ªcapable of wiping out the entire galaxy? If it hadn''t been his own daughter telling him this, he would''ve thought it a joke. ¡ª Back in the fortress¡ª "Big Sis, I haven''t even started your special training yet." "Don''t worry, I won''t be as rough as that red-haired one-eyed freak, but it won''t be far off." "So you''d better start preparing yourself mentally." A little girl, sitting beside Anastasia and eating a lollipop, smiled sweetly as she gave the warning. "So long as it makes me stronger, no matter how brutal the training, I can handle it." Anastasia met the little girl''s gaze, eyes full of resolve. ¡ª The next morning¡ª "Man, that was one great night of sleep!" Velen stretched as he sat up from bed, then quickly checked the special item for the day. Today''s Special Item: Soul Orbe ¡Á 10,000 Soul Orbe: Contains extremely pure soul energy. A special item crafted over many years by soul-cultivating mages using the power of their own divine souls. "Crap!" "This again?!" Seeing that the special item was once again Soul Orbes, Velen could only smile wryly and mutter, "Looks like I''ll have to use Kris as the sculpture model for Leon today. Which means Arthur and Thunder will be stuck playing volleyball again!" He''d played volleyball with Ethan once before¡ªand he had no intention of doing it again. Especially not with this many Soul Orbes. ¡ª Arthur''s Courtyard¡ª "Old Soul, what are you doing here?" Seeing the arrival of the Nether Soul Knight Commander, Arthur raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "With a chunk of Astral Aurum that big lying around, you really thought I wouldn''t notice?" "I didn''t know what it was at first, but last night I stayed up digging through records on memory stones¡ªand I found it." "Tell me¡ªis that piece of Astral Aurum from His Highness Velen?" A few minutes later¡ª After learning a few things about Velen, the Nether Soul Knight Commander turned toward Thunder Knight Commander¡ªwho was quietly standing to the side¡ªwith deep envy in his eyes. "Old Soul," Arthur said with a wry smile, "don''t look at us like that. Sure, we''re getting some benefits now, but you don''t know what kind of torment we went through to get here!" Chapter 217 - Chapter214-What Reward? This Soul Orbe is Just a Game Prop "I don''t get it?" "His Highness Velen may be a spendthrift, but he''s no demon¡ªwhat exactly do you want me to understand?" "He''s just extravagant, that''s all. Why should I be scared?" Hearing Arthur''s comment, the Nether Soul Knight Commander waved it off, clearly not taking it seriously. "Did the crown prince only tell you that His Highness Velen is a spendthrift, but didn''t mention any of his utterly insane, over-the-top wasteful deeds?" Seeing how clueless the Nether Soul Knight Commander was about Velen, Arthur couldn''t help pressing further. "Arthur, who is this?" Before the Knight Commander could reply, a familiar voice echoed from the nearby courtyard. "Your Highness Velen, this is the Nether Soul Knight Commander¡ªhe''s also a powerful soul-type warrior." Seeing Velen walking over, Arthur quickly made the introduction. Soul-type? Upon hearing that, Velen''s gaze toward the Nether Soul Knight Commander immediately changed. He honestly hadn''t expected one of the top five knight commanders in the Uno Kingdom to actually be a genuine soul-type expert. "Well, since we have a soul specialist here, shouldn''t we consider adding a new twist to this batch of ten thousand Soul Orbes?" Velen muttered, deep in thought. "Arthur, what''s wrong with His Highness Velen?" Seeing Velen''s thoughtful expression, the Nether Soul Knight Commander leaned toward Arthur, whispering his concern. "Don''t ask," Arthur replied with a frown. "I''ve got a bad feeling about this¡­" "I''ve got it!" After a long pause, Velen''s eyes lit up. A brand-new mini-game had just formed in his mind. "Arthur, go gather Kris and the Thunder Knight Commander¡ªI''ve come up with a super fun game, but we''ll need more participants." "Oh, and make sure to call over Prince Eureka and Galdorin as well!" Hiss¡ª Hearing that, Arthur gasped sharply. What kind of terrifying game would require so many high-level figures? After his previous experiences with Velen''s "mini-games," Arthur no longer believed they were as harmless as they sounded. There was no way something this elaborate had nothing to do with his spendthrift tendencies. Moments later... "Why does everyone look so nervous?" "It''s just a mini-game, right?" Seeing the visibly anxious expressions on Arthur, Kris, the Thunder Knight Commander, Prince Eureka, Galdorin, and Leon, the Nether Soul Knight Commander couldn''t help showing a confused look. "Why am I even here?" "I''ve been avoiding Velen for days now just to stay off his radar! I''ve barely said a word, and he still remembers me?" In the crowd, Galdorin was on the verge of a breakdown. Ever since escorting Velen from the fortress to the Uno Kingdom, he had contemplated vanishing from existence more times than he could count. He really didn''t want to disappear¡­ again. "Everyone, today we''re going to play a very fun little game. And the winner will get a prize!" As he spoke, Velen pulled out a Soul Orbe the size of a volleyball! "Holy sh*t!" The moment the Nether Soul Knight Commander laid eyes on that Soul Orbe, he couldn''t stop himself from swearing aloud. It was so much larger than any Soul Orbe he had ever refined¡ªbeyond comparison! Forget spendthrift¡ªHis Highness Velen was practically raining wealth on him! "My apologies, everyone," the Knight Commander said, barely able to contain his excitement. "But I''m putting it out there now: no matter what kind of game this is, I will be the winner. That Soul Orbe is mine!" Velen, holding the Soul Orbe and preparing to explain the rules, paused mid-motion. Huh??? That''s the reward? When did I say that? Looking at the excited Nether Soul Knight Commander, Velen was stunned. "Knight Commander, did you misunderstand?" "This Soul Orbe isn''t the reward¡ªit''s just a game prop." As Velen clarified, not only the Nether Soul Knight Commander, but everyone else froze in shock. They were all very familiar with Soul Orbes, especially ones of such immense size¡ªprecious beyond belief, especially for soul-type warriors. They had even seen the Knight Commander''s own Soul Orbe before, no larger than a ping pong ball. This volleyball-sized one? Unimaginably rare! And now Velen was telling them it was¡­ just a prop? sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Arthur, come here!" After the explanation, Velen summoned Arthur to stand in front of him. "Release your mana. Attach this Soul Orbe to your back." Still dazed, Arthur followed instructions, releasing his mana and binding the Soul Orbe to his back. And then¡ª What everyone saw next blew their minds. A vertical column of fifty volleyball-sized Soul Orbes strung together, hanging like a comet tail from Arthur''s back! Everyone was stunned¡ªnot just at how many of these giant Soul Orbes Velen had, but more so at what horrifying plan he had for them. "Gentlemen, do you see this Soul Orbe string?" "In a moment, each of you will have one¡ªa full string of fifty Soul Orbes attached to your backs." "Your objective will be to chase each other around, using your hands as weapons. The goal is to protect your own Soul Orbes while trying to destroy everyone else''s!" "If all the Soul Orbes on your string are shattered, you''re out!" "And when only one person remains on the field, even if they only have a single Soul Orbe left, they''ll be the winner¡ªand receive ten bottles of Lafite Vintage and a complementary bottle of Divine Sobriety Elixir!" As the rules were laid out, the crowd stared at Velen in disbelief. Fifty Soul Orbes per person? Destroy them all?? This is madness! Just one of those Soul Orbes would be enough for the Nether Soul Knight Commander to power up like crazy. Now Velen wanted them to deliberately smash them, just for a game? "Old Soul, he''s just being a spendthrift. No need to panic!" Arthur patted the Knight Commander''s shoulder with a grin. "Panic?" "You''re all idiots. At times like this, you have to think in reverse!" The Knight Commander, having calmed down, now wore a confident smile. Reverse thinking? Arthur was totally confused. What the hell was the old guy talking about? "Your Highness Velen!" "If you''re not joining in, then even if each of us gets fifty Soul Orbes, that''s only 350 total. After one game, they''ll all be gone¡ªnot enough to really have fun." "Rather than waste them all at once, how about we save them and come up with a different game?" The Knight Commander suggested, looking confident, like he''d figured out the secret behind Velen''s madness. In his mind, even if Velen was a totally deranged spendthrift, three hundred and fifty volleyball-sized Soul Orbes had to be his absolute limit. There was no way he had more than that... right? Chapter 218 - Chapter215-The Nether Soul Knight Commander Questions His Entire Life "This is your so-called reverse thinking?" "You tried to challenge His Highness Velen''s extravagance using your own logic?" Arthur couldn''t help but burst into laughter at the Nether Soul Knight Commander''s absurd move. If Velen was willing to pull out three hundred and fifty Soul Orbes just for a game, then there was absolutely no doubt that he had plenty more where that came from! And that wasn''t just Arthur''s opinion¡ªeveryone else present had reached the same terrifying conclusion. "Wait a second¡­ why is everyone looking at me like that?" Just as the Nether Soul Knight Commander was basking in smug satisfaction, he suddenly noticed that the others'' expressions had turned rather¡­ odd. He couldn''t quite describe it, but something definitely felt off. A sense of foreboding crept over him. "Nether Soul Knight Commander, I like your bold attitude!" "But don''t worry¡ªI''ve got ten thousand Soul Orbes in total. You''ll all have your fun!" ¡­What??? Ten thousand??? The moment Velen said that, the Nether Soul Knight Commander froze. A few moments later¡­ "YOU BASTARDS! STOP CHASING ONLY ME!" The Nether Soul Knight Commander, now in a full-blown panic, was wildly sprinting around while shouting curses at the others behind him. Forget the game, forget the reward¡ªhis only goal now was to protect the fifty Soul Orbes strung behind his back! Who would''ve thought that the others had silently agreed to gang up on him and launch an all-out pursuit? Every time one of his Soul Orbes shattered, it was like a dagger to his heart! Only now did he finally understand what Arthur had meant before¡ªand he also fully grasped the depth of Velen''s madness. The concept of "squandering" had just been redefined in his mind. No matter how fast he ran, it was useless. One by one, his Soul Orbes were destroyed until none remained. He became the first player eliminated. "Damn it all!" "Can''t you people act like decent human beings?!" But his nightmare had only just begun. Though he was already out, the others continued their game as if guided by some unspoken agreement. They skillfully maneuvered around him, choosing to destroy each other''s Soul Orbes right in front of his eyes. Each explosion felt like another psychological stab. By the time the first round ended, the Nether Soul Knight Commander was on the verge of mental collapse. Meanwhile, Velen¡ªwho had been observing from the sidelines¡ªbegan preparing the next batch of Soul Orbe strings. "Alright everyone," he said with a serious expression, "let me be honest¡ªyou all went a bit too far just now." "This is supposed to be a mini-game. Even if it''s not that serious, we should still play fairly. Ganging up on one person isn''t cool." "For the next round, I want you all to fight individually. No more forming alliances!" Hearing Velen''s words, the Nether Soul Knight Commander was so moved that he almost teared up. But what happened next made Velen give up on trying to interfere ever again. He simply reinforced the remaining 9,000+ Soul Orbes with magic, stacked them neatly on the ground, and headed into Arthur''s residence to take a nap. "WHAT ARE YOU GUYS DOING?!" "Fine, you want to waste Soul Orbes? Go ahead. But could you at least let me participate in the game?!" Before him, the six remaining players stood in a line, backs facing him, their fifty Soul Orbes fully exposed. It was like they were begging him to attack¡­ but also completely ignoring his existence. The Nether Soul Knight Commander was ready to go insane. Two hours later. Ding! Congratulations, Host. You''ve completed today''s special item consumption task. Reward: 1,000 Luxury Points! Lying in bed, Velen heard the familiar system notification echo in his mind. However, his face showed a trace of disappointment. "No matter how high my rank gets¡­ the daily luxury point reward for squandering these special items always stays the same¡ªjust one thousand." "And this time, I didn''t even trigger a bonus reward¡­" "Huh?" When Velen stepped outside and didn''t see the Nether Soul Knight Commander anywhere, he turned to Arthur and asked, "Did he leave already?" "There," Arthur replied, pointing toward the roof. Velen followed his gaze¡ªand saw the Nether Soul Knight Commander standing alone on the rooftop, facing the sun. His whole figure was bathed in golden light, as if part of a solemn painting. "Arthur¡­ what is he doing up there?" Velen asked, utterly confused. "He''s way past sulking," Arthur sighed. "He''s¡­ questioning his entire existence." Hearing that, even Velen couldn''t hold back a bitter laugh. He had thought the Nether Soul Knight Commander was a battle-hardened champion, but apparently¡­ he was just a glorified noob! "Nether Soul Knight Commander!" "Do you want a wife¡ª I mean, do you want some Soul Orbes?!" Velen had intended to give the man a hundred Soul Orbes as compensation. He''d been given a thousand as a system reward, and although he had already handed a hundred to Ethansenator, he still had plenty left. But for some reason, as he shouted, his mind suddenly flashed back to a classic meme: "Old Xu, do you want a wife or not?" So he ended up shouting the wrong line. Soul Orbes? Still standing on the rooftop, the Nether Soul Knight Commander jerked his head around at Velen''s words. "Your Highness¡­ are you saying¡­ these Soul Orbes are for me?" He flew down and stared at the hundred volleyball-sized Soul Orbes arranged on the ground. He couldn''t believe what he was seeing. "Of course!" Velen said with a smile, nodding in confirmation. Ding! Alert: Aedida has once again been taken hostage by a Rising Magi Rankings prodigy! Ding! New quest issued: Rescue Aedida through extravagant methods. Reward for success: 10,000,000 Luxury Points + 3 Passes. No penalty for failure. This quest may be refused. What the hell?! That unlucky Aedida guy got kidnapped AGAIN?! Was he some kind of reincarnated monk or something? Why did those prodigies keep capturing him? Still, the reward this time was massive¡ªthree more Passes! Velen currently had sixteen Passes, and with these three, he''d have nineteen in total¡ªjust enough to take the entire fortress squad to Chaos City for that one-month massage quest. "System, I''m thinking of sending the Four Knight Commanders to rescue Aedida." "I''ll give each of them a million advanced mana crystals as compensation. Fair enough?" Ding! The amount falls within acceptable squandering range. Receiving confirmation, Velen turned to the four knight commanders with a grin. "Gentlemen, may I trouble you to help me with a small errand? Don''t worry¡ªI''ll make it worth your while. After it''s done, I''ll personally give each of you one million advanced mana crystals!" "HAHAHA!" "Your Highness, you''re far too generous. It''s our honor to help you¡ªwe couldn''t possibly accept such¡­" Before the Nether Soul Knight Commander could finish, the other three knight commanders lunged at him, tackling him to the ground. Their hands stacked on top of each other like building a hamburger, firmly covering his mouth. "Old Soul!" "His Highness Velen is offering a reward and you DARE to refuse?!" "You want to die, fine¡ªbut don''t drag us down with you!" S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Recalling what happened the last time someone rejected Velen''s "kindness," Arthur looked visibly shaken, muttering under his breath with a pale face. Chapter 219 - Chapter216-Just a Tiny Breakthrough—Can’t Even Let Me Reflect in Peace? "Gods above!" "You three old bastards! What are you doing?! His Highness Velen gave us such generous benefits, and now you''re actually accepting bribes just for helping him out? Do you still have any conscience left?" Struggling free from the trio''s hold, the Nether Soul Knight Commander stood tall and righteously berated the other three knight commanders. "His Highness has treated us so well! That single sculpture he gave us¡ªthe one imbued with a law fragment¡ªwould be enough for us to serve him for decades, even without pay!" "You just don''t get it, Old Nether." Huh? Hearing Arthur say that, the Nether Soul Knight Commander froze. Why don''t I get it again? Honestly, he was starting to develop a trauma around the phrase "you don''t get it." Inside the guest room. "Aren''t you afraid I''ll kill you?" "You were pushed off the Rising Magi Rankings by Velen, yet joining a major faction would still be a breeze for you. I can''t understand why you haven''t aligned yourself with one yet. Without backing, even if you survive today, you might die tomorrow." "After all, magical artifacts that can track someone''s exact location aren''t that rare in the Singularity Battlefield." Christian, staring at the casually tea-sipping Aedida, voiced his confusion. Someone as talented as Aedida should have been snatched up by a major power instantly. Yet even after making the list, Aedida had never joined any organization. But upon hearing this¡­ Aedida wanted to cry. Did he not want to join a major faction? The problem was¡ªhe never had the chance! He had been kidnapped twice in the past couple of days! And ever since getting knocked off the Rising Magi Rankings, somehow every genius that made it to the list had stopped bothering Velen and started targeting him instead! Even a rabbit wouldn''t be this cruel! "Still not talking?" Christian''s gaze narrowed as he eyed the hourglass timer nearly out of sand. "If that guy named Velen doesn''t show up before this runs out¡­ you''d better start saying your goodbyes." "Your Highness!" "Prince Velen!" "Please, just show up today! Another one of these Magi Ranking maniacs is after me again¡ªI swear I''m gonna die at this rate!" Watching the last grains of sand trickle down, panic flashed through Aedida''s eyes. If he could just make it out alive, he''d immediately flee this planet and pledge loyalty to any powerful force. This constant hostage cycle was driving him insane! BANG! Suddenly, Zolido¡ªthe old man meditating beside them¡ªsnapped his eyes open in a panic. "Zolido, what''s wrong?" Christian quickly stepped forward, alarmed. It was the first time he had seen his bodyguard show such fear. "The Four Knight Commanders of Uno Kingdom are here!" "And it looks like¡­ they''re coming straight for us!" "Get ready¡ªand whatever you do, be respectful!" Christian''s face went pale. Why were Uno Kingdom''s most feared knight commanders showing up here? What the hell was going on? The two men suddenly moved to stand solemnly at the door like guards awaiting royalty. Ascended Rank powerhouses? Seeing them waiting like that, Aedida started panicking even more. Should I kneel too? He was seriously considering it. BANG! Velen kicked the door open with flair. "AEDIDA! I''M HERE TO SAVE YOU!" At that moment, Christian and Zolido locked eyes in terror. Without hesitation, they both dropped to their knees before Velen could even cross the threshold. Huh? Walking in, Velen stared at the two kneeling figures by the door, then looked over at Aedida sipping tea like a boss. Wait a second¡ªwho was kidnapping who here? A few minutes later. After getting a full grasp of the situation, Velen turned to the Four Knight Commanders and said: "Take them outside, give them a little lesson, and then throw them out." "Thank you for sparing our lives, Your Highness!" Christian and Zolido immediately dropped into a kowtow, heads thudding against the floor in gratitude. "Your Highness, why didn''t you kill them this time?" Watching the two men being dragged away, Aedida asked curiously. "They didn''t provoke me. Why would I kill them?" Huh? Hearing that, Aedida silently walked over to the window, facing the breeze. Velen was confused. "What are you doing?" "I''m fine, Your Highness¡­ I just need to reflect." Aedida''s heart ached. He finally understood¡ªwhen Velen had obliterated Leon and his bodyguard before, it hadn''t been to avenge him. It was just because¡­ they annoyed Velen. He had thought too much of himself. It had never been about him. "Can you not ''reflect'' anymore?" "Even Reflection is at her limit. Why does everyone always need to find her when they''re down?" Velen chuckled helplessly. If Nobita (Daxiong) from Doraemon heard how many people wanted to "Jingjing" (¾²¾² ¡ª a pun on "reflect"), he''d probably break down crying himself. Ding! Quest complete. Reward: 10 million Luxury Points. Additional reward: 3 Passes! Perfect. With the system notification sounding in his mind, Velen checked his balance. Over 90 million Luxury Points. Exactly enough to break through to Hero Rank Lv.9 Peak. "Aedida, you asked about my power earlier, right? And I mentioned ''tu-tu-tu''?" S~ea??h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Velen suddenly looked over at Aedida, who was still by the window. "Tu-tu-tu?" "Yeah¡­ I never quite understood what you meant by that, Your Highness." Aedida answered truthfully, though a faint sense of unease crept into his chest. Just then, the Four Knight Commanders returned from outside. "Arthur," Velen said. "Release your mana and form a barrier¡ªdon''t let my aura leak out." "I''m having a feeling¡­ Gonna make a tiny breakthrough." BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! Hero Rank Lv.1! Hero Rank Lv.2! Hero Rank Lv.3! ... One breakthrough after another erupted from Velen''s body. By the time he reached Hero Rank Lv.9 Peak, the explosive waves finally subsided. The Four Knight Commanders and Aedida were completely stunned. That was a "tiny" breakthrough?! Velen looked over to see all five of them crammed around the window, faces pressed against the glass. He sighed helplessly. "Can you people calm down?" "I said I was doing a tiny breakthrough, not just one." Moments later. "Your Highness, it''s fate that brought us together. But this is where we part ways¡ªperhaps never to meet again!" After that dramatic farewell, Aedida jumped out the window and vanished. He was terrified. Velen''s existence had completely broken his spirit. Even the elder residing in his body was on the verge of a mental breakdown. Any more of this, and they''d both go insane. Meanwhile, the Four Knight Commanders were huddled in a corner, whispering among themselves. "Share blessings, suffer hardships together. It''s time we rope in the Mad Dragon Knight Commander." "We can''t let him sit on the sidelines while we get dragged through all this alone!" Hearing the Nether Soul Knight Commander''s suggestion, the other three nodded in perfect unison. Chapter 220 - Chapter217-You Four Old Bastards—Im Taking You Down With Me! At the Furious Dragon Knight Commander''s Estate¡ª "This is insane!" "They actually used Soul Orbes as game props? No wonder the Nether Soul Knight Commander ended up questioning his entire existence!" "Your Highness Prince Eureka, I finally understand why you used the phrase ''utterly deranged'' to describe His Highness Velen''s spending habits. No one could withstand something like that!" After hearing Prince Eureka recount the events, the Furious Dragon Knight Commander was truly terrified. "Furious Dragon Knight Commander!" "You''re the last of the Five Knight Commanders of Uno Kingdom who hasn''t been mentally devastated yet. You must hold your ground¡ªdon''t end up like the Nether Soul Knight Commander and go to see His Highness on your own!" "I have a gut feeling that His Highness came up with that mini-game specifically because of the Nether Soul Knight Commander''s visit. How else could it be such a ''coincidence'' that he pulled out so many Soul Orbes?" Eureka warned the Furious Dragon Knight Commander with grave seriousness. "Worry not, Your Highness! Even if I, Old Dragon, starve to death in my own courtyard, I swear I won''t step a single toe into Arthur''s estate!" Eureka nodded in satisfaction. Hmm? Just then, the Furious Dragon Knight Commander sensed four familiar auras approaching and looked up toward the sky. "It''s the other Four Knight Commanders!" Eureka was surprised too. When he spotted the four figures flying in the distance, he smiled in delight. "Looks like I''m not the only one concerned about you, Furious Dragon Knight Commander!" "The Four Knight Commanders just returned from helping His Highness, and they''re heading straight here. They must be worried you''ll give in and walk into Velen''s trap!" Eureka chuckled, turning to the Furious Dragon Knight Commander. "These four old fellows¡­" "They actually care about me? Damn, I''m touched!" Looking at the incoming knight commanders, emotion welled up in the Furious Dragon Knight Commander''s eyes. They truly were his comrades-in-arms¡ªbrothers who had fought side by side across kingdoms. Moments later¡ª "GODS ABOVE!" "Put me down! What the hell are you doing?!" "Arthur! Kris! Are you insane?! Let me go!!" The Four Knight Commanders landed beside him¡ªtwo grabbing his arms, the other two his legs¡ªand lifted him like a stretcher. Although the Furious Dragon Knight Commander didn''t know what was happening, he could tell with his butt that it wasn''t anything good. He immediately began to thrash around in panic. This bizarre scene left Prince Eureka completely dumbfounded. "Four Knight Commanders, what are you doing?!" Still in shock, Eureka stared at the excited group and asked. "Sharing fortune, enduring hardship¡ªhow could the Five Knight Commanders allow one of us to go unscathed?" "We''re taking the Furious Dragon Knight Commander to see His Highness!" "Your Highness, if you''ll excuse us!" Arthur finished speaking, and the group of four soared into the sky, carrying their wildly struggling comrade as they flew toward Arthur''s estate. Eureka was speechless. What the hell? Now they were even sabotaging each other?! "It''s over¡­ the Five Great Knight Commanders have all fallen¡­" Regaining his senses, Eureka could only smile bitterly. At Arthur''s Estate¡ª "Justin, where''s His Highness?" The Four Knight Commanders returned, still carrying the Furious Dragon Knight Commander like luggage. Not sensing Velen''s aura, Arthur turned to Justin with a puzzled look. "Sir Arthur, His Highness said he had to return to the fortress. He''ll probably be back this evening." Justin replied casually, then turned to walk away with Sir Kris to resume their sculpture work¡ªif they didn''t hurry, they wouldn''t finish by nightfall. "You four old bastards! You''re the worst of the worst!" "I swear I''m taking you all down with me today!!" Muscles swelling in fury, the Furious Dragon Knight Commander charged at Arthur, the Thunder Knight Commander, and the Nether Soul Knight Commander. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As for Kris? He knew better than to interrupt Justin''s sacred sculpture time. At the fortress¡ª "Your Highness Velen, Lady Anastasia is currently meditating. Shall I go fetch her?" A lollipop-chewing little girl appeared beside Velen, having sensed his return. "No need." "Let Anastasia focus on her cultivation." "By the way¡ªhere are fifty bottles of god rank potions to enhance her strength. Deliver them to her for me." After handing over the potions, Velen let the girl go on her way, then headed off to find a red-haired, one-eyed man. "WHAT?!" "You want to pave the entire fortress floor with advanced mana crystals?!" Everyone around was shocked upon hearing Velen''s newest outrageous idea. Using advanced mana crystals as building materials¡ªand even as FLOOR TILES? Across the entire Titan Galaxy, no fortress would ever dare to be this extravagant! As everyone stared in disbelief, Velen just grinned. "And not just the ground¡ªI''m tearing down all residential quarters and rebuilding every single courtyard with advanced mana crystals!" "Let''s get to work. I want it done before nightfall!" "Once it''s finished, I''ll take you all to Chaos City for a massage session¡ªwith Ascended Rank powerhouses doing the massages!" As the fortress residents began moving, Velen muttered to himself: "Once Anastasia sees how much the fortress has changed, she''ll definitely be proud of me as her most trusted confidant!" Hmm? Just then, a rabbit came hopping energetically toward him. "Rabbit? What''s up?" "Your Highness Velen, can I get my burrow rebuilt with advanced mana crystals too?" The rabbit asked expectantly after bounding up to him. "Of course!" "And not just rebuilt¡ªit''ll be bigger than the central hall! Go talk to Clinton about it." Watching the rabbit race off in excitement, Velen''s eyes held a trace of nostalgia. "The rabbit I had in my last life didn''t even have a proper burrow¡­" "This life¡ªI''ll give you the best one." For Velen, the rabbit had long become a symbol of his emotional connection to the past. That''s why he always made sure to give the rabbit a fair share of every treasure. Time passed swiftly¡ª By the end of the day, the fortress had undergone a complete transformation. Outside the fortress¡ª "Your Highness Velen, no offense¡­ but don''t you think Brother Rabbit''s new burrow is a little too luxurious?" "The more I look at it, the more it resembles¡­ the central hall!" Staring at the massive white palace over 20 meters tall, the Ironback Centipede''s eyes turned green with envy. That''s a rabbit burrow?! That was a full-on luxury palace! Why, oh why, did he, a fellow spellbeast, not even get an advanced mana crystal cave for himself? The others around him let out awkward chuckles. They were envious too! Sure, their homes had been rebuilt with advanced mana crystals, but compared to the rabbit''s palace¡­ their places now felt like rabbit burrows. "It deserves it," Velen said calmly. "Alright, let''s go find Anastasia. It''s time to head to Chaos City!" With a smile, Velen led the crowd into the newly-rebuilt fortress. Central Hall¡ª Anastasia slowly opened her eyes after finishing her meditation. Then, she took one look at the completely transformed central hall¡­ And was struck dumb. Who the hell am I? Where the hell am I? Is this even my central hall anymore?! Chapter 221 - Chapter218-This Fortress Is Insane, Even Bringing Rabbits to Chaos City What the hell? Am I seeing things? Anastasia couldn''t believe her eyes. After a thorough inspection, she uncovered a terrifying truth! The current main hall of the fortress had been completely transformed into a lavish palace¡ªconstructed entirely from advanced mana crystals! "Mana crystals!" "All of them are advanced mana crystals!" There was no doubt about it. There was only one person crazy, extravagant, and absurd enough to pull off something like this¡ªVelen! "This guy actually used advanced mana crystals to build the fortress''s main hall¡­ I can''t believe he thought of that¡­" Anastasia hadn''t even finished speaking when she walked out of the hall¡ªand was dumbfounded. Even the ground outside was fully paved with advanced mana crystals! You even used advanced mana crystals for the freaking floor tiles?! "What the hell is that!" In the distance, a towering palace more than twenty meters high, constructed entirely from advanced mana crystals, came into view. Anastasia was instantly captivated. "That little punk!" She had already fallen in love with that luxurious palace at first sight. Could it be¡­ a surprise from Velen just for her? At this point, Anastasia had run out of words to roast Velen''s outrageous spending habits. Ever since Velen joined the fortress, she had seen all sorts of jaw-dropping, irrational, and mind-boggling expenditures. Nothing surprised her anymore. As Anastasia silently guessed whether the palace was her special surprise¡ª The distant figures of Velen and the rest of the fortress members came into view. "Velen, that luxurious palace¡ªdid you build it for me¡­?" she asked eagerly the moment they arrived in front of the main hall, her eyes filled with delight. She knew it! Velen definitely treated her differently from everyone else! Even her residence was way more extravagant than others''. "Huh? What palace?" "Your Highness, that''s the new burrow I built for the rabbit." Velen responded with a casual smile. ¡­??? A rabbit''s burrow? That palace¡ªso opulent and stunning that anyone who laid eyes on it would fall in love¡ªwas actually built for a rabbit? Not even a Level 9 forge could compare, and you used it for a bunny?! Hearing Velen''s answer, Anastasia''s mind collapsed on the spot. And to think she''d thought it was a romantic surprise! But no¡ªit was a bunny mansion! I''m jealous! At that moment, Anastasia was truly envious of the rabbit. She even started to suspect¡ª Could the rabbit be Velen''s biological child? Otherwise, why would he dote on it so much? She was the leader of the entire fortress, for crying out loud! Seeing Anastasia''s furious expression, the others in the fortress felt deep empathy. Living in worse conditions than a bunny¡ªyep, across the entire Titan Galaxy, they were probably the only ones suffering that humiliation. "I''m heading to the Uno Kingdom to bring Justin back. After that, we''ll all head to Chaos City for a spa day!" "Just wait here¡ªI''ll be right back!" With that, Velen activated a Spatial Portal and vanished in an instant. After Velen left, Anastasia pondered for a moment, then summoned the rabbit to her side and asked with a dead-serious look: "Tell me¡ªwhy is Velen so good to you?" "Maybe it''s because of my natural charm, Master!" Even the bunny itself didn''t understand why Velen spoiled it so much. But right after saying that, the bunny noticed the fortress crowd looking at it with increasingly strange expressions. A chill ran down the rabbit''s spine. "H-Hey, what are you all planning to do?" "I''m warning you¡ªI may be a bunny, but I don''t take this lying down!" "Aaaaah!" "What are you doing?!" "Stop! Not the face! Don''t hit my fluffy face!" "Please! I may not be human, but you can''t just beat me up like this!" Unfortunately, the crowd wasn''t moved by its cries¡ªin fact, they only hit harder. ¡­ "Sloc, why are you so insistent on visiting this fortress?" "And this Velen you keep talking about¡ªis he really stronger than you?" The elder beside Sloc asked curiously, puzzled. "After witnessing Lord Velen''s power firsthand, I realized there''s always someone stronger out there!" "Even if I''m ranked 72nd on the Rising Magi Rankings, so what? Compared to Lord Velen, I''m nothing but a roadside turnip!" "Can you imagine how that feels?" "If Lord Velen wanted to be ranked, it''d be a piece of cake!" Sloc explained seriously. "Velen?" "Rising Magi Rankings?" Hearing this, the elder''s eyes flickered as if recalling something. "The Velen you''re talking about¡­ is he that infamous spendthrift?" Huh? Sloc was momentarily stunned. "You know him?" "He''s already on the Rising Magi Rankings¡ªranked 100th." "If he''s as powerful as you say, then he''ll surely shoot up the rankings when they''re next updated." The elder was already making plans. A genius like Velen should be brought to their powerful Nord Fortress, not left in some no-name little fortress wasting away! ¡­ Uno Kingdom ¨C Sir Arthur''s Residence Ding! Justin has completed his second painting. Congratulations, host! You have gained 10 million luxury points and 100 bottles of god-rank mana potions! The moment Velen arrived via Spatial Portal in the courtyard of Sir Arthur, the system notification rang out in his mind. Huh? "Justin, what''s going on here?" "What''s Dusoul doing fighting Arthur, Kris, and the others?" Velen spotted the Nether Soul Knight Commander in the midst of a chaotic battle with the other four knight commanders, and curiously asked Justin. "The Nether Soul Knight Commander is battling the other commanders." "A battle? Why are they fighting?" "I don''t know why they started. It''s been going on for a whole day. Blade Knight just joined the fray." Justin gave Velen a quick summary of what he knew. "Interesting!" "These knights sure are passionate!" S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Let''s head back to the fortress." Velen gave the five knight commanders still brawling one last glance, pulled out two Spatial Portals, and the two of them disappeared from Arthur''s courtyard. ¡­ Back at the Fortress "System, Chaos City is huge. With so many people entering, we''re bound to get scattered. We might not even regroup within half a day. How am I supposed to take everyone for a proper spa day like this?" "Shouldn''t you do something about this? Otherwise, how can I properly flaunt my wealth and burn through my money?" After distributing the Chaos City access tokens to the fortress members, Velen posed his question to the system. Ding! To assist the host in completing the mission, once everyone enters Chaos City using the access tokens, the system will teleport all members to the same location! Well, damn. With the system being this helpful, what chance do the other transmigrators even have? Velen loved this kind of direct and efficient support. After praising the system for its simplicity and violence, he instructed everyone to activate their Chaos City tokens. One by one, Spatial Rifts opened behind them¡ª And just like that, everyone vanished from the fortress. Chapter 222 - Chapter219-Master, They Took My Bunny Palace! "Heavens!" "Am I hallucinating?" "What''s with this group? They''re all wearing the same fortress uniform. Are they from the same fortress?" "Since when did Chaos City Passes become so common? A whole fortress squad can enter together now?" "Say no more. These fortress people are absolutely insane¡ªthey even brought a rabbit!" "Gods above! A Chaos City Pass, wasted¡­ on a freaking rabbit! What were they thinking?!" Velen and the rest of the fortress squad appeared on one of the bustling streets of Chaos City, instantly becoming the center of attention. Soon, the group of seventeen humans and two spellbeasts split among five mana cars, heading straight for the most luxurious foot spa nearby. "What are you staring at?" "Never seen such a dashing spellbeast rabbit before?" Sitting in the front passenger seat, the bunny caught the mana car driver sneaking glances at it with an odd expression and immediately felt annoyed. "Master Rabbit, I''ve been driving mana cars in Chaos City for nearly ten years, but this is the first time I''ve had such an esteemed guest!" "So I couldn''t help but look a few extra times!" The driver seemed nervous as he quickly explained himself, even addressing the bunny as "Master Rabbit." After all, he''d just swiped Velen''s Chaos City universal card. The string of zeros on that balance¡­ yeah, that was someone far beyond his league. In Chaos City, money was power¡ªeven if you were just a rabbit. A short while later¡­ Led by Velen, the entire group entered an upscale, grand-looking foot spa. "What?" "You only have three Ascended-Rank massage therapists in your entire establishment?" Velen''s expression darkened when he heard the manager''s words. "Only three? And you dare call this a top-tier foot spa?" This was unacceptable¡ªit meant Velen couldn''t properly squander wealth! "Your Highness, we can request backup from our other branches, but they won''t make it here in time¡­ at least not within half a day!" The manager, sensing Velen''s displeasure, hurried to explain, nearly trembling. He was just an employee¡ªif he offended someone like Velen, a single word from this man could cost him his job. No explanation needed¡ªwealth alone gave him that right. If you failed to satisfy him, he could pay to have you replaced. Simple as that. "Forget it. We''ll make do," Velen sighed, waving his hand. "But the rest of your massage therapists better all be peak Ascended Rank!" He didn''t want to make things too hard for the poor manager. "Absolutely! We''ll arrange it right away, Your Highness!" The manager let out a deep breath of relief and ran off to make preparations. Three Ascended-Rank massage therapists! One for Velen. One for Anastasia. And¡­ one for the bunny. The rest of the group could only lie down on their massage chairs with a sigh, fully aware they wouldn''t get the same level of treatment. "Sigh¡­" "Just think¡ªme, Apollo of the Upper Plane Universe, now living worse than a bunny, enjoying less luxury than a bunny¡­ If word of this gets out, who in the Upper Plane Universe would even believe it?" Apollo, lying at the end of the row of massage chairs, sighed with utter resignation. Before long, nineteen massage therapists entered the room. One of the Ascended-Rank therapists, upon seeing her assigned client was a spellbeast rabbit, stood there completely stunned. Meanwhile, those who hadn''t yet reached Ascended Rank felt as if they were dreaming¡ªthe idea of nearly-Ascended powerhouses giving them foot massages was surreal. That afternoon turned out to be one of the most blissful moments of their lives. As the Chaos City Passes expired, Spatial Rifts opened behind each of them. Velen tossed a Spatial Portal Token to everyone. That way, no matter where they were teleported after leaving Chaos City, they could instantly return to the fortress with their token. Back at the Fortress Velen returned first. "The five knight commanders of the Uno Kingdom are still sparring. Want to go play with them for a bit?" Velen turned to the red-haired man with one eye and the lollipop-eating little girl, smiling as he extended the invitation. Both of them lit up with interest. "Go on¡ªhave fun!" "I need to get some sleep. What a packed day!" With that, Velen left them to their own devices and headed toward his residence. Since he was already back at the fortress, he decided not to return to the Uno Kingdom that night. He''d go back in the morning¡ªJustin still had one painting left to complete, after all. As Velen and his two guards departed, the rest of the group began returning via their Spatial Portals as well. Ding! Congratulations, Host! Mission complete. You have received 300 million luxury points! The moment Velen stepped into his room, the system''s reward notification sounded. "What the¡ª?!" "Three hundred million luxury points?!" Velen was stunned. S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Sure, he''d known this mission would reward a lot of points¡ªbut three hundred million? That was a third of what he needed to reach Hero Rank Lv.9¡ªa total of 900 million luxury points! He was now one major step closer to ascending to the Upper Plane Universe. "And since I didn''t get many god-rank mana potions this time, I''ll just craft some myself." "I need to speed up the power-up process for the others too!" Velen began plotting his next steps internally. Uno Kingdom ¨C Sir Arthur''s Residence "Come on!" "Keep fighting!" The Nether Soul Knight Commander was puzzled when the other four knight commanders suddenly stopped fighting and shouted. But as he barked his challenge, he realized something was off. The four commanders were trembling with fear, their faces pale as if they''d seen a ghost. Confused, he turned to look behind him¡ª "Who are you two?!" There stood the red-haired man with one eye, wielding a blood-red scythe, and a sweet-looking little girl munching on a lollipop. The Knight Commander raised his voice in alarm. "Our master sent us to have some fun with you," the red-haired man replied with a smirk, his eyes glinting playfully. "Let''s suppress our strength a little." "Otherwise, it won''t be any fun," the little girl giggled as she put away her lollipop. "Who¡­ who are they?" the Nether Soul Knight Commander asked in a low voice, now clearly uneasy. He turned to the four knight commanders for an answer. "They''re the guards serving under Lord Velen!" "We''ve never seen the girl before, but the red-haired man¡­ he could easily toy with the five of us combined!" "Let''s give it our all. If we can''t entertain them, we''re screwed!" Arthur Knight Commander explained with a shaky voice. The Next Morning "Gah!" Velen shot upright in bed. The first thing he saw upon waking up was the bunny''s face, staring at him from just inches away. Seriously¡ªwho wouldn''t be terrified waking up to a rabbit face at dawn? "Bunny, are you out of your mind?" "You have your own fancy burrow¡ªwhy are you in my room?" Velen shouted as he caught his breath, startling the bunny awake. "Master¡­ I wanted to sleep in my own place, but they stole my bunny palace!" The bunny replied with a voice full of grievance. Chapter 223 - Chapter220-Fortress Members: I’m Done! "What did you just say?" S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Anastasia and the others actually took over your bunny palace?!" "Yes, Master! And they even beat me up! Look, look!" The bunny pouted and turned around to show Velen its rear, causing him to freeze in shock. Hearing the bunny''s complaint, Velen could hardly believe his ears. They didn''t just take over the bunny''s home¡ªthey kicked him out? This was the collapse of knightly honor! "They really took your bunny palace?!" "Come on, let''s get you some justice!" Velen immediately led the bunny out of his residence, heading straight toward the lavish bunny mansion. Outside the Bunny Palace As the group saw the bunny strutting confidently alongside Velen from a distance, they quickly began speaking loudly and very deliberately. "I think the sanitation system in the magical bunny house is poorly designed. It needs improvement!" "Yeah, it''s way too hard for a bunny to use the bathroom like that!" "And those crystal beds are way too stiff. We should lay something softer over them!" "There''s not enough lighting at night¡ªwe should inlay some glowing gemstones in the walls!" "We should also install a temperature-adjustment formation. Warm in winter, cool in summer!" "¡­" Velen stopped in his tracks, stunned by what he was hearing. What was going on? Weren''t they supposed to be squatting in the bunny''s palace? Why did it sound like a heartfelt renovation committee? Were they actually being¡­ helpful? "Bunny, after staying over last night, we really did find quite a few flaws," someone called out. "Don''t worry¡ªwe''ll take care of all of them for you!" "Exactly! Since you asked us to help improve your bunny house, we''ll see it through to the end!" Everyone sounded so sincere. The bunny: "¡­" As Velen and the bunny approached, the group continued their lively discussion. "Gods above!" "Are you people acting right now?! Who was it that kicked my bunny butt yesterday?!" "Who the heck asked you to ''help improve'' anything?" "You literally told me to get out! Don''t act all nice now!" The bunny''s mind broke completely. This was bullying¡ªpure, unfiltered bullying! "Bunny, this is the ''takeover'' you were talking about?" Velen turned and questioned. The group all put on smug expressions, secretly thinking: That''s what you get for bragging about your fancy bunny palace. You forgot your place, and now look what happened! "Master, I-I¡­" The bunny was so flustered, it was on the verge of tears. These bastards! Never in its wildest dreams did it imagine they could be this shameless! "Hahaha!" "Well done, Bunny. You even invented a new career path¡ª''bunny bed tester''? Truly worthy of being my chosen rabbit!" Velen chuckled as he patted the bunny''s head. "And all of you, thank you for caring so much about Bunny''s well-being!" "Keep up the good work, everyone!" The group: "???" Not only was the bunny completely stunned, but even the crowd of onlookers was utterly dumbfounded. They all had the same thought: Wait, what? That worked?! Ahem! "Master, you flatter us. This is just standard procedure!" the bunny immediately puffed out its chest in pride. It didn''t fully understand why it was being praised, but that didn''t stop it from milking the glory. "Justin, come with me to Sir Arthur''s manor. He still needs to finish the last painting." Velen gave the smug bunny another pat, then activated a portal and disappeared with Justin. Wait a minute! Just then, someone realized something important. "Velen! Why are you out here?! Didn''t I say no unauthorized outings?!" Anastasia finally noticed him and shouted furiously. "Big Sister, this is from Master," said the lollipop girl as she floated over to Anastasia with a sweet smile. "These are 50 bottles of god-rank mana potion. If you take them all¡ªand combine it with my secret technique¡ªyou''ll reach Supreme Rank Lv.9 in just three days!" "What?!" "Three days to Supreme Rank?!" Anastasia was shaken to her core. Were these potions really that powerful? She hurried over to the bunny and asked in a whisper, "Hey, Bunny, did Velen give you any of those miracle potions?" Hmm? Miracle potion? The bunny tilted its head and blinked innocently. "Respected Lady Anastasia, what miracle potion?" "You really don''t know?" Anastasia scrutinized the bunny''s expression. "I don''t know!" Hearing that, Anastasia finally smiled smugly. Finally! One thing I''ve gotten before this rabbit! This little victory made her so happy that she completely forgot to scold Velen for sneaking out. At least it proved Velen still held her¡ªthe fortress big sister¡ªclose to heart. "Hey!" "You all heard what Master said earlier!" "You''d better fix every single problem with my bunny palace today! Or I''m telling on you!" The bunny raised its head and yelled righteously. The group collectively collapsed. Their little scheme to prank the bunny had completely backfired. This was the definition of shooting yourself in the foot! Uno Kingdom ¨C Sir Arthur''s Manor "Where is everyone?" Arriving in the courtyard, Velen looked around, puzzled to find it empty. Just then, Justin pointed upward. "Lord Velen¡ªlook up there!" "Huh? What''s going on?" "Are the knight commanders¡­ posing for some dramatic scene?" On the roof, five knight commanders stood in a row, backs turned toward the rising sun. Velen was baffled. "What are you five doing up here?" Leaping onto the rooftop, he called out. "Gods above¡­" When the five turned to face him, Velen was stunned. Their faces were swollen like pig heads¡ªbruised, battered, barely recognizable. "What the¡ª?!" "Who beat you guys up like this?!" Then he remembered: he''d sent the red-haired one-eyed man and the little girl over last night. "Was it them?" he asked cautiously. "No, Your Highness¡­" Arthur shook his head. "It was just the little girl." "The one-eyed guy was about to join in, but she said he was getting in the way¡ªso she poked out his other eye!" Even as he spoke, Arthur''s voice trembled. Brutal! Absolutely brutal! Who pokes someone''s eye out just for being annoying?! The other four knight commanders nodded grimly. They all vividly remembered the violent little girl from last night. They had thought the one-eyed swordsman was scary enough¡ª But that adorable little girl? Terrifying beyond belief. No exaggeration¡ªafter that night, all five knight commanders would probably shudder any time they saw a cute little girl on the street. "These two are out of control!" "I told them to spar¡ªnot go overboard!" "Don''t worry¡ªI won''t send them to visit you again." Velen immediately apologized. "No!" "Lord Velen, please don''t do that!" To his surprise, the five knight commanders responded in unison. Chapter 224 - Chapter221-My Knight Career Might End on a Barbecue Rack! "No way!" The five knight commanders rejected the idea in perfect unison, leaving Velen momentarily frozen in place. Are these guys¡­ addicted to getting beaten up? Arthur, black eyes still swollen, stepped forward eagerly. His voice held an intensity Velen had never heard before. "Your Highness, please¡ªplease let that little girl¡­ no, that honorable lady, come and beat us up again!" What the hell? Velen stared at Arthur, stunned. He turned to the other four commanders and found similar looks of anticipation on all their faces. "You all¡­ are into this now?" Justin couldn''t help but ask. "You know nothing!" roared the Thunder Knight Commander, flinging out his arms dramatically. "Every punch from that great lady was imbued with the power of a higher realm!" "After a few hits, I actually felt my strength¡ªstuck for fifty years¡ªstart to loosen!" The Nether Soul Knight Commander pulled a crystal from his robe. Activating it projected a recording of last night''s battle. The footage showed the little girl gently patting Arthur on the chest¡ªand in that moment, golden order patterns shimmered in the air. "See that? That''s the legendary Pain Enlightenment!" "In ancient times, only the War God Priests knew that technique!" Velen squinted at the markings, suddenly finding them oddly familiar. Wait¡­ weren''t those the combat insights he casually taught the little girl during a dull moment in the Singularity Battlefield? ¡ª A moment later¡ª As Justin began crafting a sculpture of the Thunder Knight Commander, Velen turned his attention to the day''s special items. Today''s Special Item: Dragon Glass ¡Á10,000 (All extracted from Ascended-Rank Dragon spellbeasts.) Dragon Glass: Crystals formed from dragon life essence. Embedding them in weapons greatly enhances magical power. ...?? Velen was stunned. Ten thousand Dragon Glass? How was he supposed to squander wealth properly with that?! He rubbed his temples, then suddenly had a flash of inspiration. "Say¡­ how''s your research on Dragon Glass going?" he asked. "Dragon Glass?" Arthur looked confused. "Your Highness, you know about that?" For some reason, Arthur suddenly had a very bad feeling. "Dragon Glass is the crystallized life of dragons. It''s incredibly rare, even in the Singularity Battlefield. Embedding one in a weapon is said to be optimal¡ªbut even then, the energy efficiency is less than ten percent." "Still, even at less than ten percent, it''s incredibly useful. Dragons have some of the highest magical aptitude in the universe. A single Dragon Glass embedded in a weapon can drastically increase spellcasting speed and power¡ª" Before Arthur could finish, Velen smiled and poured thousands of Dragon Glasses out of his spatial ring. Radiant light instantly flooded the courtyard. All five knight commanders held their breath. "Y-Y-Your Highness¡­ what is this¡­" Dusoul raised his head, eyes wide in horror. "You''re not¡­ planning to¡­" Velen grinned. "Exactly. I''m planning to hunt a few Titan-Rank spellbeasts today¡ªsee how their meat tastes when grilled." Dusoul: "..." He felt his entire knight career might end on a barbecue rack. "Let''s throw a BBQ party today." Velen pulled out a bunch of Astral Aurum skewers like a magician, holding them up. "We''ll skewer the Dragon Glass with these, grill them over soul crystal flames¡ªit''ll be fun!" Nether Soul Knight Commander''s hands trembled violently as he held a skewer. "Using¡­ Astral Aurum for skewers? Soul crystals as seasoning?" sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. This was next-level extravagance! "Don''t worry about the details." Velen had already skewered five Dragon Glass crystals onto a stick with practiced ease. "Justin, bring over a few more Lv9 Forges. We''ll use them as grills." As the soul crystals ignited into flames, the five knight commanders realized their understanding of the universe was collapsing. Dusoul gripped his Astral Aurum skewer tightly, flinching every time a Dragon Glass was stabbed through. It was like his soul was crying. "Your Highness¡­" Dusoul''s voice trembled. "These are Ascended-Rank Dragon Glasses¡­ and we''re just¡­ grilling them?" "Why? You got a better idea?" Velen asked casually. Dusoul opened his mouth, but in the end, he could only hang his head in despair and keep skewering crystals. "Such waste¡­ True, majestic waste¡­" he wept internally. Soon, the flames from the soul crystals roared high. The air shimmered from the heat. Velen picked up one of the skewers and held it over the fire, rotating it gently. Sizzle¡ª A rich aroma filled the courtyard almost instantly. Just the scent alone made everyone''s mana start to surge slightly. "This scent¡­" Nether Soul Knight Commander twitched his nose and widened his eyes. "Why does it smell so good?!" Velen smirked and sprinkled some powdered soul crystal over the flame. The fragrance multiplied. The five commanders instinctively swallowed. "Your Highness, are you sure this isn''t wasting energy?" Dusoul still clung to a shred of hope. "Energy?" Velen shrugged. "I''ve got ten thousand of these. What''s a few going to hurt?" Dusoul: "..." He felt like his heart had just been stabbed. Soon, the first round of grilled Dragon Glass was ready. Velen generously handed them out. "Try it." The Nether Soul Knight Commander hesitated¡ªthen gave in and took a bite. BOOM! A surge of wild energy exploded inside his body. His aura skyrocketed. "This¡­ this is insane!" Dusoul stared at the glowing Dragon Glass in his hands. "Eating it gives this much power?!" Arthur Knight Commander took a bite too, and his eyes lit up. "Your Highness, this is amazing!" "Well then," Velen laughed. "What are you waiting for? Get grilling!" And so, the five knight commanders of Uno Kingdom¡ªonce noble, ascended elites¡ªwere now grilling Dragon Glasses around a fire like BBQ chefs. Dusoul mumbled as he roasted, his heart bleeding. "One Dragon Glass could''ve gone on my spear¡­ Now we''re just roasting them¡­" Arthur patted him on the shoulder. "Don''t think too much. They belong to His Highness anyway¡ªas long as he''s happy." Dusoul: "..." He could feel his knightly spirit crumbling. Meanwhile, at the Ducal Manor¡­ "Breaking news! Lord Velen is grilling Dragon Glasses in Uno Kingdom¡ªskewered on Astral Aurum, cooked with soul crystal flames!" "What?!" The senators of Ducal Manor were collectively dumbstruck. "That''s Ascended-Rank Dragon Glass! Just one is enough to transform an Elite-Rank warrior!" "Lord Velen¡­ truly as extravagant as ever." "Wait¡­ where did he even get so many Dragon Glasses?" "Rumor has it¡­ he brought them back from the Singularity Battlefield¡­" "..." The hall fell into a long silence. At last, one senator whispered: "¡­Should we¡­ try to crash the party?" The room: "..." Chapter 225 - Chapter222-The Holy Fortress Is Here! "Oh, right¡ªeat too much of this and it might get cloying." As Velen spoke, he walked over carrying an ordinary-sized wooden bucket. "Nether Soul Knight Commander, I''ve got some Lafite Vintage here. Could I trouble you to use it to cook the Dragon Glass?" With that, he handed over the task of cooking the Dragon Glass to the Nether Soul Knight Commander. "Prince Velen actually owns Lafite Vintage?" The Nether Soul Knight Commander''s eyes went wide in disbelief as he stared at the wooden bucket in front of him. You have to understand¡ªLafite Vintage was extremely rare across the entire Singularity Battlefield. Even if someone possessed only a few precious drops, they''d store it carefully in a bottle protected by a micro magic array. But Prince Velen? He just casually dumped a whole bucket of it into a plain wooden container. The Nether Soul Knight Commander felt a sharp, stabbing pain in his heart. Damn it, that''s Lafite Vintage! That stuff could be exchanged for who knows how many rare items to increase one''s strength! If he had access to just a fraction of this before breaking through to the Ascended rank, his power would''ve soared to the next level by now. And now? Something this rare and valuable¡­ was going to be used to cook Dragon Glass? This was sacrilege upon sacrilege. Waste of the century¡ªdoubled! He was breaking down on the inside. "Prince Velen!" The Nether Soul Knight Commander finally mustered up his courage and called out to Velen, who was about to leave. "Can you please not use this to cook Dragon Glass?" "Oh? You guys want to use the Lafite Vintage for foot baths or soaking instead?" Velen stopped and turned back. "Alright then, I''ll leave a bucket for you to soak your feet. We''ve got a lot of people in our fortress, and between daily baths and foot soaks, we go through quite a bit of it. Can''t spare too much for others." With that, Velen casually dropped off another full bucket and strolled toward his rocking chair in the distance. What the¡ª?! "Everyone, this is Lafite Vintage we''re talking about! I''ve spent hundreds of years roaming the Singularity Battlefield, and I''ve only ever managed to gather a bottle the size of a palm! And these people? They soak in it daily?! How the hell am I supposed to process that?!" The Nether Soul Knight Commander finally snapped. His mental state was in complete disarray. What he had dreamed of day and night, what he had once regarded as a heavenly treasure, was now just... bathwater to someone else. The disparity was too vast. No one could stay calm in the face of that. As he slumped before the water bucket, devastated, the Thunder Knight Commander sat beside him, sullenly fiddling with a piece of Dragon Glass. Arthur and Kris exchanged glances. Kris gave a bitter laugh and said, "You''re the ones who insisted on coming to see Prince Velen. Wouldn''t it have been better to just stay in your own estate?" "You think I wanted to come?!" The Nether Soul Knight Commander shouted with a look of pure grievance. "I didn''t drag myself here like a lunatic! You four dragged me over against my will! What did I ever do to deserve this?!" He looked so wronged¡ªlike a pitiful little soul who''d suffered an unspeakable injustice. The others couldn''t help but feel a pang of sympathy. A short while later¡­ With all ten thousand pieces of Dragon Glass neatly skewered and the necessary Astral Aurum materials prepared, Arthur walked up to Velen. "Prince Velen, these Dragon Glass pieces are very generously portioned. There are ten thousand of them, but there are only so few of us. Even if we eat until we explode, we won''t finish them all." "I''ll take a thousand with me when I leave," Velen replied casually. "The rest, you can divide among yourselves. Give some to the king, the royal magister, and the others." As he spoke, evening descended. Thanks to the combined efforts of the four Knight Commanders, the entire batch of ten thousand Dragon Glass was fully roasted. A rich aroma wafted through the courtyard, making everyone''s mouths water uncontrollably. They couldn''t take it anymore. It smelled way too good! Just then, Justin completed his third sculpture. Ding! "Congratulations, Host! You have completed today''s special item quota. Reward: 1,000 luxury points!" Ding! "Justin has completed his third sculpture. Congratulations, Host! You have gained 10 million luxury points and 100 bottles of god-rank mana potions!" Two system notifications echoed through Velen''s mind. He instantly leapt up from his rocking chair. Three hundred and twenty million! His luxury points had reached a whopping 320 million! As long as he kept flexing his wealth and spending with flair, he would soon have the 900 million luxury points required. At that point, he could directly break through to Supreme Rank Lv9 ¨C Peak Stage! Velen''s mind raced with calculations. "Three sculptures by Justin got me 30 million luxury points and 300 god-rank mana potions. I gave Anastasia 50 bottles, which means I only have 250 left. Not enough!" "This time, when I return to the fortress, I''ll use special items to unlock god-rank potion treasure chests and obtain a massive batch to boost everyone''s strength." A satisfied smile spread across his face. After all, he''d only been in this world for about three months, and to have already achieved so much¡ªhe was more than content. After packing up 1,000 Dragon Glass skewers, Velen and Justin activated a Spatial Portal and left Arthur''s courtyard. "Sigh..." Arthur watched the two disappear into the portal and let out a soft sigh. "When Prince Velen''s here, every day is nerve-wracking. But now that he''s gone... I kind of miss him already." "OH MY GOD¡ªleave me some of that Lafite Vintage!" Before Arthur could finish his lament, he turned around and saw the other four Knight Commanders fighting over the remaining one and a half buckets of Lafite Vintage. Cursing loudly, Arthur quickly ran over to join the fray. S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Back at the fortress, Velen set aside 20 Dragon Glass pieces for himself and handed the remaining 980 roasted ones to Justin for distribution among the fortress residents. Then, he returned to his residence for a rest. Later that night, the Five Young Elites appeared in his quarters. "There are 500 god-rank mana potions here," Velen said as he handed out bottles. "Split them among yourselves and start taking them tonight. Raise your power as fast as possible." As he spoke, he also took out a few rings glowing with mysterious energy. "These are special items that can conceal your magical aura. No matter what rank you advance to, your emitted mana will always appear the same. Only you and I know about this. Now go." Once they had left, Justin, Alan, and the others came one by one. Each received 100 god-rank mana potions and one concealment ring. "The rabbit''s still digesting the mana inheritance. No need to rush its cultivation with potions just yet," Velen thought to himself. "At last, I can finally get some proper sleep!" "The entire fortress is advancing rapidly. When Anastasia ascends to the upper plane universe and sees the surprise I''ve prepared for her, she''ll be moved to tears." "In this entire universe, no one is as considerate as your dear Velen." He grinned, already imagining the joy on Anastasia''s face. The next day. "That planet up ahead... that''s where the fortress is," Gallio said, pointing toward the distant celestial body while speaking to Kayn beside him. Chapter 226 - Chapter223-Country Bumpkins Visit the Big Fortress! "Senator Gallio, let''s hurry over there!" Kayn''s eyes sparkled with excitement as he thought to himself, "Prince Velen will definitely be surprised when he sees me show up unannounced!" Moments later, Gallio and Kayn arrived at the gates of the fortress. They saw a burly man dressed in fortress attire sweeping the ground. Gallio stepped forward and announced, "The Holy Fortress has come to pay a visit!" "The Holy Fortress?" Apollo paused mid-sweep upon hearing Gallio''s words and looked over at them curiously. "What business do you have with our fortress?" "We''re here to see Velen," Gallio stated directly. If he didn''t have high expectations of Velen, he wouldn''t be speaking so politely to what he assumed was a servant of some minor fortress. "You''re here to see His Highness Velen? Follow me." Hearing their purpose, Apollo didn''t ask any further. He simply turned and led them into the fortress. But the moment the two stepped across the threshold¡ª "What the¡­" Was this even real? As soon as they crossed the gate, the scenery around them rippled and transformed like waves in water. Gallio instinctively grabbed Kayn''s arm. "Illusion magic array! What we saw outside was all fake!" Illusion array?! Kayn was completely dumbfounded. This was just a small fortress, right? One no different¡ªmaybe even smaller¡ªthan the tens of thousands of others across the Titan Galaxy. And yet¡­ It had a high-level illusion magic array installed at its front gate? Even Senator Gallio had been fooled! Before Kayn could fully process this, the very ground beneath them suddenly burst forth with dazzling light. "Whoa! So bright!" "I¡­ I smell the essence of advanced mana crystals!" As the brilliance faded, they looked down¡ªand froze on the spot. The entire ground beneath their feet was paved with advanced mana crystals. What the hell?! "Senator Gallio," Kayn stammered, swallowing nervously, "paving the entire ground with advanced mana crystals... That''s insane! Should we do the same for our fortress back home?" "¡­What?" Gallio''s eyes widened as he turned to stare at Kayn in disbelief. "You seriously want our Holy Fortress to copy this nonsense?!" "These are advanced mana crystals, not your everyday junk!" Have you lost your mind?! You''re really trying to out-waste these maniacs? "Kid," Gallio said, shaking his head in disbelief, "our fortress''s entire stockpile of advanced mana crystals probably doesn''t even match what they used just to pave this courtyard!" He was still talking when he turned his head¡ªand froze again. In the distance stood a rabbit-shaped palace, shining with a soft glow. Made entirely from advanced mana crystals. And protected by powerful magic arrays. Gallio nearly blacked out. "Did you see that? Even their ceremonial halls are made of advanced mana crystals. How can we possibly compete with that?" A small fortress? Are you kidding me?! At this point, Gallio no longer dared to treat this place as an ordinary fortress. What kind of "small" fortress flaunts wealth like this? "Hold on!" Gallio suddenly noticed the two buckets of water Apollo was carrying. A thought struck him, and he asked with disbelief, "Excuse me, are those water buckets made of Astral Aurum?" "Oh?" Apollo looked over and chuckled. "Yes, these two buckets are made of Astral Aurum." "In fact, all of our fortress''s bathtubs and foot basins are Astral Aurum." "And not just any Astral Aurum¡ªwe use the kind that''s over ten thousand years old." Apollo grinned broadly, eyes sparkling with anticipation as he waited for their shocked reactions. Sure enough¡ª The two guests were utterly stunned. Seeing their expressions, Apollo could barely hide his smug satisfaction. This kind of outrageous flexing felt just too damn good. "Ten-thousand-year-old Astral Aurum... used for making water buckets and bathtubs?" Gallio staggered, nearly passing out from sheer frustration. While he wasn''t a specialized mage, he dabbled in magical studies and had an excellent understanding of materials used in enchanting. He knew very well¡ª Though Astral Aurum was often used for engraving runes, it was also one of the most powerful magical conductors known. And they were using it for bathtubs?! What a monumental waste! "You guys flaunt your wealth so brazenly¡­ Aren''t you worried that other major powers will come to rob you blind?" Gallio asked seriously, the concern in his eyes plain to see. Because if this fortress had no strength, he wouldn''t hesitate to loot every last bit himself. Might makes right¡ªthat was the rule of the battlefield. "Rob us?" Apollo laughed out loud and let loose a wave of aura. His Ascended Rank power rolled out like a storm. "Let them come! What, do they think my Ascended Rank cultivation is just for show?" Gasp! Gallio and Kayn both instinctively took a step back. An Ascended Rank powerhouse¡­ was just a janitor here? What about the actual members of the fortress?! Even in their Holy Fortress, there were only two Ascended Rank warriors¡ªand both were aged veterans far past their peak. But here? An Ascended Rank was sweeping the floor. Gallio silently gave up the idea of trying to recruit Velen. This fortress¡­ was on a completely different level. "I''ll admit it," Gallio said bitterly. "I''m kind of jealous of your fortress members." "Jealous? Nothing to be jealous of." Apollo waved a hand. "We''ve only got eight members total. The rest are senators or cooks." "Of those eight, Prince Velen is Lady Anastasia''s only direct subordinate. Another one''s already become a chef''s apprentice." "So really, you could say we''ve only got six or seven actual members." What?! Gallio couldn''t believe what he was hearing. Only six members¡­ and you dare call this a fortress? "Senior¡­ how many senators do you have in this fortress?" Gallio took a deep breath and asked. Apollo held up five fingers. "Five." "¡­Heh." Gallio''s expression froze. He let out a hollow laugh. A fortress with more senators than members? What the hell kind of operation was this?! Just then, they walked past a certain structure. "What the hell is that?!" Gallio and Kayn''s eyes bulged as they gawked. Before them stood a toilet¡­ made entirely of Starry Stone. Was that¡­ actual Starry Stone?! S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The kind that cost a fortune across the Singularity Battlefield? "That''s a toilet made from 100,000 pieces of Starry Stone," Apollo explained calmly. "It used to be Prince Velen''s proudest creation as a special item." "But, well¡­" Gallio and Kayn could no longer hear him. They were too far gone in their own shock. 100,000 pieces of Starry Stone¡ªused to build a toilet?! Apollo, unaware of their internal collapse, continued his guided tour like a cheerful docent. "Still, I must say¡ªthe toilet is quite something." "It can even withstand the ninth-tier thunder tide. Just sitting inside for a while helps you breeze through it. Incredibly comfy." "Oh, right! You two want to try it out? The toilet seat is made from Starry Stone too!" A toilet for breaking through cultivation tribulations?! A toilet seat made of Starry Stone?! Gallio and Kayn felt like their entire worldview had just been demolished. This fortress¡­ Was the most recklessly extravagant place they''d ever seen. Chapter 227 - Chapter224-Isnt That Lavish Palace Your Fortresss Council Hall? "What do we do now?" "What should we do?" "I want to go inside and sit down so badly right now!" "I''ve been stuck at the eighth thunder tide for nearly a hundred years. I''ve never dared to challenge the final ninth tide... but now, a chance to ascend to the Ascended Rank is right in front of me. If only I were part of this fortress!" After the shock wore off, Gallio stared longingly at the resplendent golden Astral Aurum hut not far away, his eyes full of burning desire. Just once! Just one time! If he could stay in that little hut just once, it would be enough. "Lord Gallio, ever since I joined the Holy Fortress of the Uno Kingdom, you''ve been my guardian, always standing by my side." "Don''t worry. Once we meet Lord Velen, I''ll try to ask him to grant you a chance to enter the hut." "But whether he agrees or not, I cannot promise. After all, my relationship with Lord Velen stems from a single transaction." Hearing Kayn''s words, Gallio nodded with gratitude. "Do your best and leave the rest to fate. Your thoughtfulness alone moves me deeply." "Apollo! Entertaining guests, are you?" Just then, a rabbit¡ªyes, a rabbit¡ªlounging with its legs crossed atop a flying device zoomed past the trio. Apollo''s face turned dark the moment he heard that. He yelled at the rabbit''s retreating figure: "Entertaining guests, my ass! Can''t you talk properly, you damn rabbit?!" Wait a second... What just flew past them? A rabbit... riding a flying artifact? Hold on¡ª That rabbit... At that moment, both Gallio and Kayn felt their minds beginning to spiral into chaos. Because they both sensed something shocking from that rabbit¡ª A powerful sword aura! What the hell?! A spellbeast¡­ comprehending sword intent? Spellbeasts are dabbling in human swordsmanship now? "Excuse me, but who¡­ who was that just now?" Gallio turned to Apollo with a stiff expression, barely able to utter the question. "That? That''s just the cheeky rabbit Lord Velen raised!" Apollo snorted. "He plans to cultivate it into the number one rabbit in the entire universe. As for strength¡­ that little bastard could go a few rounds with a fortress lord if it wanted to." What the hell?! A rabbit that could go toe-to-toe with a fortress lord? Apollo''s words left Gallio and Kayn reeling. "Lord Gallio," Kayn said with a bitter smile, turning to his companion, "why do I suddenly feel like the elite knights we''re training in our holy fortress¡­ aren''t even as good as a rabbit?" "Enough! Shut up!" Gallio suddenly roared, holding his head in frustration. "Just let me¡­ be quiet for a moment!" What kind of damn fortress is this!? "Hey, Bunny Bro, wait up! Wuggy''s coming too!" "Huh? Apollo? Entertaining guests, are you?" This time, a heavily armored Ironback Centipede came sprinting toward them, pushing a Level 9 forge like it was a toy. After gaining momentum, it even performed a backflip and landed gracefully on the high-speed sliding forge. If Velen had seen that scene, he would''ve been shocked as well. Because on that smooth floor made of advanced mana crystals, the Ironback Centipede was riding the Level 9 forge like a skateboard! "Kris! Can''t you learn something useful from that rabbit?" "I''m receiving honored guests of Lord Velen here, and you guys can''t even shut up for a few seconds?!" Watching the centipede glide past them, Apollo''s expression grew even darker. "Was that¡­ your fortress''s alchemy master?" Gallio asked, stunned. Since the Ironback Centipede had already reached the Ascended Rank and was hiding its spellbeast aura, Gallio hadn''t realized what it truly was¡ªespecially since it had taken on a humanoid form. "No!" "That''s our fortress''s guardian spellbeast. An Ascended Rank Ironback Centipede!" "But yeah, it''s also quite skilled in alchemy. It has Frostfire inside its body. Lord Velen''s training it to become the universe''s number one alchemist spellbeast!" Apollo couldn''t help but marvel as he looked at the centipede standing atop the moving forge. "Damn, gotta admit, that guy really knows how to have fun!" "If it weren''t a Level 9 forge, anything else would''ve already been trashed by now!" An Ascended Rank spellbeast? A spellbeast with Frostfire that''s proficient in alchemy? One that rides a Level 9 forge like it''s a toy? Gallio and Kayn were completely dumbfounded. They were watching an Ascended Rank spellbeast using a priceless forge as a skateboard... Just what in the hell kind of fortress is this? Both men suddenly felt a strong urge to flee. God knows what other reality-shattering things they''d encounter next¡ª They couldn''t take it anymore. Their mental defenses were cracking. "Sir¡­ that Ascended Rank spellbeast just now¡­ did it also ascend using the Astral Aurum hut forged from Astral Aurum?" Gallio couldn''t hold back his curiosity anymore. "Nope!" Apollo said casually. "The Ironback Centipede only withstood two thunder tides. Then it swallowed seven bottles of God Rank Upgrade Potion and just broke through to Ascended Rank directly." "Right, maybe you guys don''t know what a God Rank Upgrade Potion is." "One bottle allows you to cross an entire thunder tide without triggering the thunder tide. No pain, no danger¡ªjust straight-up rank advancement." Just to be safe, Apollo gave them a detailed explanation. What the¡ª Pain-free Ascension?! Oh god. This fortress really has everything! Hearing Apollo''s explanation, Gallio and Kayn were already completely numb. At this point, even if Apollo told them that the fortress had powerhouses from the upper plane universe, they wouldn''t doubt it at all. "Alright, here we are¡ªthis is the fortress''s training ground!" "Those over there are our five elite members. One other is off training in sculpture. Lord Velen personally took them out for solo training." As they passed by the training area, Apollo introduced a few of the members diligently cultivating. Ha! Gallio and Kayn exchanged glances and broke into helpless laughter. Madness. This is absolute madness. They were using a top-tier magic array capable of killing Ascended Rank powerhouses¡ª Just to help members of the fortress train. Makes perfect sense. Totally reasonable. Not wasteful at all! "That guy over there cooking in the courtyard is our fortress''s only chef," Apollo added as they passed by Alan''s garden. "He''s currently using Lafite Vintage wine to cook rice¡ªjust in case someone gets hungry later." Of course. Perfectly normal. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Gallio and Kayn both nodded like wooden puppets. They were numb. Totally desensitized now. Moments later¡ª "Gentlemen, where are you two headed?" Apollo asked, noticing they were walking the wrong way. "Hm?" "To your fortress''s council hall, of course," Gallio replied, pointing to the luxurious palace in the distance. "That one? No, that''s not it." Apollo chuckled. "That''s the rabbit''s den¡ªthe one we saw earlier." What?! That grand, stately palace brimming with magical energy¡ª That was the rabbit''s lair?! Chapter 228 - Chapter225-Grand Elder! Second Elder! Why Have You Been Captured?! "Lord Gallio, let''s just go!" "This fortress of Lord Velen¡­ it''s driving me insane! I can''t take it anymore!" At that moment, Kayn finally snapped. If they stayed any longer, he felt like he''d lose his mind completely. "I can''t hold on either¡­" Hearing Kayn''s plea, Gallio felt the same urge rising in his chest. He was just about to ask Apollo if they could leave temporarily when¡ª A sweet little girl, happily chewing on candy, came skipping toward them from the distance. The moment the girl appeared, Gallio noticed something strange. Apollo¡ªwho had been unfazed by rabbits doing swordplay and spellbeasts riding forges¡ªwas now trembling from head to toe, like a leaf in a storm. What the heck? It''s just a cute little girl! Why the hell are you shaking like a leaf? "Take them over there," the girl said in a soft voice. "Big Sis has finished meditating." With that, she turned and skipped away, disappearing around the back of the fortress. Whew... Only when her figure vanished did Apollo finally exhale deeply. Gallio and Kayn both saw that the back of Apollo''s shirt was completely soaked in sweat, clinging tightly to his body. "Sir¡­ are you¡­ afraid of her?" Gallio asked, still staring in the direction the girl had gone. "Dear heavens!" "Lord Gallio, for once in your life¡ªcould you PLEASE shut up?" Kayn broke down completely. "Every time you ask a question, we end up suffering some kind of mental breakdown! Can''t you learn from the past?!" He looked like he wanted to slap a hand over Gallio''s mouth. "Afraid?" Apollo muttered. "Do you have any idea how terrifying she is?" "Let me put it this way¡ªno matter how powerful your Holy Fortress is, no matter how many Ascended Rank powerhouses you have under your command¡ªshe alone could wipe out your entire knight order!" "I''m serious! Whether you have ten thousand, a hundred thousand, even a million Ascended Rank fighters¡ªnone of it matters! She can destroy them all in a single move!" "You don''t have to believe me. But that''s the truth." Hearing Apollo''s explanation, Gallio and Kayn actually¡­ chuckled. For once, they didn''t feel frightened¡ªonly amused. Believe that? Seriously? A single little girl, obliterating an entire fortress? What kind of sick joke was that? But just then... The girl who had just walked away suddenly stopped in her tracks. She had clearly overheard Gallio and Kayn''s comments. Her cheeks puffed up with irritation, and she stomped the ground like a child throwing a tantrum. "They dare to doubt me?" "People from the Holy Fortress, huh?" "Since they don''t believe Apollo¡­" A mischievous glint flashed in her eyes as she suddenly stretched out her arms. Boom! An immense surge of mind power, vast as a starry sea, erupted outward¡ªshaking the entire plane of existence. "Found you~!" In a matter of seconds, she locked onto the Holy Fortress by tracing the residual aura lingering on Gallio and Kayn. With a flick of her slender fingers, the space before her tore apart like silk being ripped in two. Meanwhile, deep within the Holy Fortress¡ª The Grand Elder, immersed in meditation, suddenly opened his eyes wide. His pupils contracted violently. Beside him, the Second Elder jumped up with a shriek, his staff clattering to the ground. A Spatial Rift had opened right in front of them, without warning. Both elders were immediately overwhelmed with dread. "This¡­ this is¡­" Space twisted unnaturally before them. A pale, delicate hand reached out from the rift. "...Ultimate Terror!" "We''re doomed!" Before either elder could even cast a single defensive spell¡ª The tiny hand grabbed both of them and yanked them straight into the rift. "Hehe~ Gotcha!" The little girl giggled as she swung her legs joyfully, now staring at the two shivering elders in front of her, her eyes gleaming with excitement. Back in the fortress¡ª Gallio suddenly paused mid-step. A puzzled look crept over his face. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "What''s wrong?" Kayn asked. "I think I just sensed the Grand Elder and Second Elder''s presence¡­" Before he could finish, the sound of frantic footsteps came from behind. Two familiar figures came running toward them. But¡ª These weren''t the dignified elders they knew. They were puffing, stumbling¡ª And their faces were swollen like purple pig heads. "What the¡ª?" Gallio was dumbfounded. "Grand Elder? Second Elder? What are you doing here?" "And what happened to your faces?!" Kayn was equally confused. Weren''t they supposed to be in the Holy Fortress? "Grand Elder, Second Elder, what happe¡ª" Before Gallio could finish, the two elders tackled him to the ground and started pummeling him with their fists. "Grand Elder! Second Elder! Why are you hitting us?!" "Stop! Please stop!" "My nose! You''re breaking my nose!" "Grand Elder, I''m Kayn! If you must hit someone, hit Gallio! Don''t lump me in!" "Not the face! Please, not the face!" Their screams rang out as fists kept flying. "Idiots!" the Grand Elder shouted between punches. "Do you have any idea who you provoked?! Who else should we hit?!" "That girl¡ªshe could wipe out the entire fortress with just a thought!" "Because you two didn''t believe it, she dragged us out of the Holy Fortress for a beatdown!" "And you think YOU''RE the victims?! We''re the ones who got our dignity shattered!" The Second Elder''s beard was practically vibrating with rage. "I''ve lived for over eight hundred years! Never in my life have I suffered such humiliation!" "We were wrong! We know we were wrong!" Gallio and Kayn held their heads and begged for mercy. Hearing this, the two elders hit them even harder. Only when both of them were sporting their own pig-head faces did the Grand Elder and Second Elder finally stop, panting heavily. "Now do you believe us?!" Gallio and Kayn nodded furiously, like chickens pecking at rice. "Yes, Grand Elder! We believe you! We really do!" Satisfied, the two elders let out heavy sighs, turned, and immediately sprinted off in the direction of the little girl. Watching their retreating backs, Gallio rubbed his bruised cheeks and opened his mouth to speak¡ª Only to be silenced by Kayn shoving a hand over his lips. "My lord, please¡­ for the love of everything sacred¡­ STOP ASKING QUESTIONS." "If you ask one more thing, I swear I''m going to break rank and mutiny!" Gallio screamed internally, his soul cracking. "Why, WHY is my curiosity so damn uncontrollable?!" Inside the fortress hall¡ª When Gallio finally laid eyes on Anastasia and sensed her true strength¡ª He was completely numb. A fortress where even the servants were Ascended Rank powerhouses¡­ But the fortress lord was only at the peak of Hero Rank? What kind of twisted joke was this!? Chapter 229 - Chapter226-A Messenger Pigeon Ahead, a Flying Rabbit Behind? "Apollo, why hasn''t Velen shown up yet?" "Don''t tell me he snuck off again?" After getting a full update on Gallio and Kayn''s situation, Anastasia turned directly to her knight commander, Apollo, and questioned him. "Milady, His Highness Velen is still resting," Apollo answered respectfully the moment he heard her inquiry. "What?!" Anastasia instantly exploded. I''m out here entertaining guests, and you''re still snoring away?! "Still asleep?" "At a time like this? The sun is already high in the sky, and he''s still in bed?!" "Go wake him up and tell him to get to the fortress hall immediately!" Frowning slightly at the news that Velen was still sound asleep, Anastasia issued the command without hesitation. "Milady, I wouldn''t dare!" Apollo shook his head violently, his expression pale with horror. He''d rather fight that one-eyed lunatic than be tasked with waking up Velen. "Everyone in this fortress knows His Highness Velen loves to sleep in¡ªhe only wakes up naturally!" "Why not¡­ send that rabbit instead? It''s his most beloved magical pet, after all!" Without missing a beat, Apollo pushed this dangerous mission onto the bunny. "That''s not a bad idea." Anastasia nodded. "Aside from that rabbit, I doubt anyone in this fortress dares disturb my overly extravagant disciple." "Apollo, go find the rabbit and have it wake Velen up." Apollo''s suggestion was approved without resistance. However, this entire conversation left Gallio and Kayn completely dumbfounded. Neither of them had ever imagined that Velen''s status in this fortress would be so high¡ªso high, in fact, that no one dared to wake him up¡­ not even Ascended Rank powerhouses! Just how mysterious was this Velen? "Lady Anastasia, may I ask how you managed to develop this fortress into¡ª" Mmph! Before Gallio could finish his question, Kayn desperately clamped a hand over his mouth, his face contorting in agony as he begged, "Lord Gallio, for the love of the God of Light, please don''t ask that!" "What''s wrong with these two visitors from the holy fortress?" Anastasia muttered under her breath, frowning at their bizarre behavior. "They''re acting weirder by the minute¡­" Meanwhile, in Velen''s quarters. "Apollo! Are you insane?! Put me down!" "Oh, esteemed Sunlord, don''t joke like that! If I disturb the master''s rest, he''ll turn me into stew!" Apollo showed no mercy as the rabbit squirmed in his grasp, kicking its little legs in panic. Completely unfazed, Apollo raised it high like a javelin. "Listen here, bunny. I''m acting under my lady''s orders. Once His Highness wakes up, make sure you tell him to head straight to the fortress hall." With that, Apollo thrust his arm forward with force¡ª "APOLLO, I HATE YOU!" "MASTER, SAVE ME!" The rabbit screamed as it flew like an arrow through the open window. Seeing the blurred shape of the sleeping Velen and the rapidly approaching Astral Aurum wall, panic flickered in its crimson eyes. Hm? Hearing the commotion, Velen slowly opened his groggy eyes just in time to see a white blur pass over his head¡ª Thud! With a muffled crash, the rabbit slammed into the wall crafted from advanced mana crystals and then slid down¡­ landing squarely on Velen''s bed. What the hell?! What''s this stupid rabbit doing?! Crashing into walls for fun? Testing the durability of Astral Aurum walls? Staring at the dazed bunny sprawled on his blanket, Velen looked utterly baffled. "Master, there are visitors at the fortress saying they''ve come to see you. Lady Anastasia ordered that you head to the main hall right away," the bunny quickly explained, rubbing its sore head with its tiny paws. First, a messenger pigeon¡­ Now, a flying rabbit? That thought alone made Velen burst out laughing. He looked at the rabbit with admiration. "Little guy, you really know how to put on a show!" I do? What show?! I was thrown through a window by that Apollo bastard! As he watched his master walk off laughing, the rabbit was completely lost. It had no idea what Velen meant. "Who could be looking for me?" Velen muttered to himself as he headed toward the fortress hall. Fortress Main Hall "Kayn?" The moment Velen stepped into the hall and saw who the guests were, a look of surprise crossed his face. "What are you doing here?" "Velen, take them around the fortress for a bit. I''m going back to my meditation." At Anastasia''s command, Velen immediately took Gallio and Kayn away from the main hall. In the courtyard. Vintage Lafite wine aged ten thousand years. Fruit of the Saintess¡ªone of the Ten Legendary Fruits of the Singularity Battlefield. Grilled Dragon Glass steak. Gallio and Kayn stood frozen in shock, staring at the delicacies spread out across the stone table. This¡­ is how you treat guests? Thinking back to the measly reception they received back at their own fortress, the two of them suddenly felt like their entire organization was utterly pathetic. Can''t take it anymore! We''ve lost! Totally lost! Watching them stuff their faces in awe, Velen chuckled and asked, "So, Brother Kayn, what do you think of my humble little fortress?" "Lord Velen, this place makes me question my entire existence!" "To be honest, if I had known things were like this¡­ I might never have come here in the first place¡­" Kayn let out a bitter laugh, frustration oozing from his tone. Ever since he arrived at this fortress, everything he thought he knew had been turned upside down. How can someone be so recklessly extravagant? No wonder he could drop three million advanced mana crystals without batting an eye! "Hahahaha!" Velen laughed heartily at that, then cast a smug glance at the two guests. "Lord Anastasia is obsessed with meditation and doesn''t bother with fortress affairs. Everything you see here¡ªthis scale, this luxury¡ªwas personally built up by me, her loyal disciple, using vast amounts of wealth." "That''s right!" "This fortress owes everything it is today to Lord Velen''s tireless efforts!" "Just a few months ago, it was only Lady Anastasia, Counselor Clinton, Lord Velen, and me here. Later, Ironback Centipede, the bunny, and many others were all recruited by Lord Velen with massive investments!" Alan, who was busy grilling meat at the side, chimed in right on cue to sing Velen''s praises. What the¡ª The leader meditates full-time, while the disciple spends like mad to build the strongest fortress? Hearing this conversation, Gallio and Kayn felt their understanding of the world get flipped yet again. This fortress is absolutely insane! After the meal and some conversation. "Lord Velen," Kayn suddenly asked, "you''re the one ranked 100th on the Rising Magi Rankings, right?" "That''s me." Velen proudly confirmed. "Your Highness Velen, I recently came across the latest update to the Archmage Leaderboard. The notes beside your name were¡­ a bit odd. It says you defeated Aedida using some sort of special method." Velen nodded. "That''s right. So you''ve heard of my tale." Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "May I ask¡­ what exactly was this ''special method''?" Gallio couldn''t contain his curiosity any longer. He just had to know. Kayn, on the other hand, looked absolutely mortified¡ªhe had never realized his protector was this much of a gossip! Why are you asking that?! Why?! "Honestly, it wasn''t anything special." "I just paid for it." Velen said nonchalantly. Chapter 230 - Chapter227-Kelsey, Pays Respects to His Highness "Paid for it?" "The Hall of Magi actually accepts something like that?!" Gallio and Kayn exchanged glances and instantly saw three words in each other''s eyes: No. Freaking. Way. Impossible. That was the Rising Magi Rankings they were talking about! "Lord Gallio," Kayn lowered his voice uneasily, "do you think¡­ the twelve councilors of the Tarot Order might show up later and beat us senseless? Just because we didn''t believe it¡­" "Hard to say¡­" Gallio glanced nervously around. He too looked anxious¡ªterrified that a dozen old men might suddenly leap out of nowhere and launch a group beatdown. Watching the two whispering nervously in a corner, Velen looked visibly confused. Why were they hiding? Was there something they couldn''t say in front of him? "Lord Velen!" "Five days from now, the Hall of Magi will be holding the New Archmage Conference. The hundred prodigies on the leaderboard will all be gathering!" "Each participant is allowed to bring two extra people, so originally, I wanted to invite you¡ªthought I could owe you a favor while at it. But I didn''t expect you were already on the rankings." Returning to the stone table, Kayn finally revealed the real reason for his visit. He''d come to extend an invitation to Velen¡ªmaybe even score some brownie points¡ªbut it turned out the guy was already one of the hundred elite magi. S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "New Archmage Conference?" "Then how come no one informed me?" Velen was intrigued, but also clearly puzzled. "That''s impossible¡­" Kayn blinked in surprise. "The Archmage Leaderboard already dispatched messenger owls to notify everyone. Each of the hundred had their own designated owl." Velen''s lips twitched. Don''t tell me¡­ his owl got roasted? "Lord Velen!" "It''s been too long. I hope you''ve been well!" A booming voice rang out from outside the fortress. Velen immediately recognized it. "Kelsey speaks¡­ and Kelsey arrives!" "You two wait here¡ªI''ve got a guest to receive." Velen said casually to Gallio and Kayn before heading off to the fortress gate. At the fortress gates. "Kelsey Councilor! Long time no see. How''s that level 9 Forge treating you?" Velen greeted him with a smile. Thud! Without warning, Kelsey dropped to one knee and offered a formal salute. "Kelsey pays respects to His Highness!" By the God of Light! What the hell was this?! Velen stared, completely stunned. That sudden title, that kneel¡ªwhat the hell was going on? Wait a sec. A possibility struck him. "Did Sophia recruit you into the Tycoon Club?" "Indeed. And not just me. Four of the twelve Tarot Order councilors have already joined the Tycoon Club." "This time, I come under direct orders from Saintess Sophia herself¡ªto deliver her message to Your Highness and the other Rising Magi Rankings geniuses in this fortress. You''re all expected to attend the New Archmage Conference in five days." "She also mentioned that within this fortress lies the opportunity for us to ascend into Ascended Rank." "Once five of us reach Ascended Rank, we''ll be able to replace five of the eleven existing Ascended Councilor seats. At that point, we can begin seizing control of the Tarot Order." Kelsey explained Sophia''s plan in full. "My goodness¡­" "Little Sophia always had a wild imagination, but her efficiency is terrifying!" Velen couldn''t help but grin in satisfaction. It hadn''t even been that long since she left, yet she''d already roped in several Tarot Order councilors? The current chairman probably had no clue he was being overthrown from the inside. "Eleven Ascended Councilors?" "I didn''t expect the Tarot Order to have such depth. I clearly underestimated them." "But wait¡ªif there are twelve regular councilors, why only eleven Ascended ones?" Velen furrowed his brow in confusion. Moments later, he learned the truth. A little girl had¡­ captured one of the Tarot Order''s powerhouses from the Upper Plane Universe? And to return that powerhouse back to the Upper Plane, it would take a Heavenly Staircase Ritual summoned by an Ascended Councilor? But that little girl¡­ was actually here to deliver a reward? Wait¡ªsomething clicked in Velen''s memory. That little girl sounded suspiciously like the one he sent there himself! "Your Highness," Kelsey said gravely, "that little girl¡­ she''s a nightmare. She doesn''t belong in this universe!" "Heehee~" "Are you talking about me?" Gasp! That childish voice pierced his soul. Kelsey''s pupils shrank. Fear exploded in his eyes. He didn''t even dare turn around! No way¡­ she''s here?! Kelsey looked like he was about to cry from terror. "Don''t scare him. He''s one of us." "Go on, help your master with his meditation." Velen chuckled as he saw the lollipop-chewing girl standing behind Kelsey. Thud! As the girl casually walked into the fortress, Kelsey''s legs gave out. He collapsed to the ground like jelly. The trauma ran deep. "Your Highness, that girl is¡­?" Kelsey asked, voice trembling. "My guardian." Velen answered with a calm smile. A guardian?! That terrifying little girl is His Highness Velen''s guardian?! After handing Kelsey twenty-three god-tier upgrade elixirs and a spatial portal, Velen returned to the fortress. He had made up his mind¡ªhe was heading to Chaos City right away. There was nothing urgent here anyway, and the conference was a golden opportunity to meet some top-tier magi¡ªand, of course, find more ways to recklessly throw his wealth around. Outside the Astral Aurum Cabin. "Lord Velen, I''ll never forget this favor. Should you need me in the future, just give the word!" Kayn said gratefully as he watched Gallio enter the small cabin. "It''s no big deal." "¡­But I feel like I forgot something." Staring at the thunderclouds gathering above the little house, Velen''s brow furrowed. "Oh Light above!" "I forgot to warn Gallio that the Astral Aurum cabin conducts electricity!" The moment the first bolt of lightning struck, Velen finally remembered. Inside the cabin. "What is this?" "You can sit and relieve yourself? As expected of Lord Velen¡ªnothing ordinary about his tastes!" Gallio was seated proudly on the glittering Astral Aurum toilet, clearly impressed. He''d already charged up with full spiritual energy, ready to ''go'' with thunderous might. BOOM! A deafening clap of thunder surged through the cabin. Massive currents of electricity coursed through his body¡ªand directly into his¡­ "AAARGHHH!" Gallio let out a wail of agony. "Saint Light preserve me! THIS THING CONDUCTS ELECTRICITY?!" His voice trembled with shock and pain. Outside. Gallio stumbled out, hair standing on end, his backside still twitching from the volts. Kayn stared at him, utterly speechless. "Your Highness, we''ve arrived!" Just then, several young figures ran up from the distance. "Lord Velen, who are they?" Kayn asked in confusion. They were about to use the spatial portal to reach Chaos City¡ªdid these guys plan to come along too? "They''re all geniuses from the Rising Magi Rankings, of course they''re coming." Velen replied with a grin. What the¡ª This fortress didn''t even have that many people¡­ Yet somehow, multiple leaderboard geniuses were hiding here? And he hadn''t seen a single one of them before! Were they newly listed after the last rankings update? As he looked at the new arrivals, Kayn''s eyes widened in utter disbelief. Chapter 231 - Chapter228-Karos Bro, Willing to Sell That Rabbit Pet? Chaos City! Thanks to a pre-prepared Tier-9 flying artifact set as a spatial anchor, Velen and the others teleported instantly through a Spatial Portal, arriving directly in a luxurious inn suite within Chaos City. After asking the rest of the group to go out for a stroll, Velen finally turned his attention to today''s refreshed special system item. Today''s Special Item: Shadowthorn * 10,000 plants Shadowthorn: A dark magic plant found in the upper-plane universe, incredibly rare and dangerous. Just a single shadowthorn contains enough dark magic to plunge even a peak Level-9 Ascended awakener into endless darkness, causing mana disarray and severing all vitality! "Hiss¡ª!" So brutal? Velen sucked in a sharp breath. The special item today was simply beyond terrifying. Staring at the ten thousand plants of shadowthorn lying silently in his system inventory, Velen fell deep into thought. "How the heck am I supposed to use this stuff?" Knock knock knock! Right then, a sudden knocking interrupted his train of thought. "You are?" Velen opened the door to find a black-haired young man with a clean buzzcut standing at the threshold. Perched on the youth''s shoulder was a plump rabbit that appeared obedient at first glance but radiated an eerie aura. Its eyes weren''t the usual red but glowed with a sinister violet light¡ªgiving off a chill that crept down one''s spine. The hell? He''s got a rabbit too? Velen couldn''t help but recall the rabbit living in his own fortress. "Hi, I''m Karos, ranked tenth on the Rising Magi Rankings," the buzzcut youth introduced himself with a bright smile. "Oh." Velen replied flatly. He was still busy thinking about how to splurge today''s special item and had no energy to bother with Karos. ¡­?? That''s it? Just an "oh" after learning who I am? Karos felt a pang of frustration. He was a top contender in the Rising Magi Rankings, and yet Velen reacted with such indifference upon hearing his name? A little surprise would''ve been nice. Or even a mildly excited "Wow!" would do! Instead¡­ nothing. Karos suddenly fell silent. His self-confidence took a direct hit. "You came to see me for something?" Velen asked bluntly after seeing the guy still standing there speechless. "Ah, nothing special, really. Just wanted to come by and make friends," Karos explained with a smile. "You know, the whole point of this event held by the Hall of Magi is to let the elites from the Rising Magi Rankings network and get to know each other." "I see," Velen nodded slightly. His gaze drifted to the creepy rabbit on Karos''s shoulder. "That rabbit of yours seems rather... unique?" "Haha!" Karos immediately perked up. "Not gonna lie, as someone who specializes in dark magic, this rabbit is actually one of my most trusted partners." "I''ve placed a number of dark magic curses all over its body. Any ordinary person or awakener who gets close will be instantly corroded by those curses." "Karos, you damn brat!" Suddenly, an angry voice echoed in Karos''s mind. "You''re calling me a cursed rabbit?! Your whole family''s cursed!" "I told you to find a proper host body, and you stuck me in a damn rabbit?!" "Hell''s bells, why did I even choose a reckless punk like you to inherit my legacy?!" Karos froze, though he kept a straight face. The voice belonged to a powerful soul sealed within the rabbit¡ªa former peak Ascended awakener who had once dominated the Singularity Battlefield, surviving eight Thunder Tides. Though now reduced to a soul fragment, he was still Karos''s mentor, guiding him in mastering dark magic. Meanwhile, Velen''s eyes lit up with a devilish idea. Buy that rabbit at a high price, trigger a money-burning event, and cook it using all ten thousand shadowthorns. Who knows? Maybe something absurdly terrifying like a "Dark Gourmet Creation" would emerge from it. That would solve the shadowthorn problem perfectly. The rabbit on Karos''s shoulder suddenly shivered uncontrollably. Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It had a chilling feeling¡­ like something awful was staring at it. "Karos bro, would you be willing to sell me that rabbit pet of yours?" Velen asked seriously. "...Huh?" Karos was stunned. He never expected Velen to say something like that out of the blue. What did he just say? You want to buy my mentor?! That rabbit contained his mentor''s soul! Although the guy was now trapped inside a rabbit, his soul''s power was still formidable! "Velen, are you also a practitioner of dark magic?" Karos asked, trying to make sense of this bizarre request. "Nope," Velen answered without hesitation. "Then why would you want to buy my rabbit?" Karos was getting more confused. "To stew it. Make a very special dish." ...Wut?! Both Karos and the rabbit were stunned. Rabbit: Are you seriously gonna buy me just to make me into soup?! That''s unforgivable! "This guy''s way too cocky! Karos, let me at him¡ªI''m gonna teach him a lesson he won''t forget!" As both Karos and his rabbit-mentor were about to strike¡­ Velen calmly retrieved a bunch of shadowthorn from his system inventory and placed it on the table. "Look, I just happen to have the perfect ''seasoning'' right here. Now all I need is that special ''ingredient.''" "Holy crap!" "Shadowthorn!!!" Karos and the rabbit''s soul both exclaimed in shock upon seeing the eerie dark plants laid out on the table. "You little bastard! My dear disciple! Hurry up and sell me to him!" "If I can absorb the dark magic curses in all that shadowthorn, my soul power will definitely skyrocket! I might even ascend again!" The rabbit''s mentor was suddenly fired up. But then¡­ They watched in horror as Velen began taking out more shadowthorn. One hundred. Five hundred. Three thousand¡­ Eventually, he had placed all ten thousand plants on the table. Karos and the rabbit were completely dumbfounded. You''ve got to be kidding me. Ten thousand shadowthorn?! This plant only grew in the most dangerous parts of the Singularity Battlefield. Even during his prime, Karos''s mentor had spent centuries there and only managed to gather less than twenty shadowthorn in total. But Velen? He casually dropped ten thousand of them on the table like it was nothing. Who the hell is this guy?! Could he be some hidden master of dark magic disguised as a spendthrift? "Oh god, Karos, my sweet disciple¡­ mentor loves you so much. Please, do not sell me to that madman!" "This guy''s insane! Ten thousand shadowthorn curses stacked together? Even my soul can''t handle that!" "The overlapping curse energies would become apocalyptic! Even Ascended-level beings would have their souls shattered in an instant!" The rabbit-mentor was now trembling violently, overwhelmed by the dense sea of shadowthorn surrounding him. Even his voice carried uncontrollable fear. A moment later, the trembling ball of fluff leapt off Karos''s shoulder and scurried behind him, those violet eyes brimming with sheer terror. If he were to ingest that mountain of cursed plants¡­ death would be mercy. Chapter 232 - Chapter229-Not a Special Spellbeast? Then What the Hell Am I Buying It For?! "Are you selling it or not, bro? I''m open to any price." Velen stared intensely at the rabbit, his eyes locking on so hard that the poor creature began to feel creeped out. "Karos, my boy! Save me! I swear this guy really wants to throw me into a stew!" Karos quickly spoke up, "Velen, my man, this rabbit pet and I have been through thick and thin. We''re bonded, emotionally inseparable¡ªI just can''t let it go. I really can''t sell it." Sigh¡­ Velen let out a disappointed sigh. He''d thought this would be an easy way to trigger another glorious tycoon-level spending spree. But now? Seemed like a lost opportunity. "You''ve got to be kidding me!" Seeing Velen''s genuinely disappointed expression, the rabbit exploded in outrage. "Not only did he decide not to stew me¡ªhe''s actually disappointed about it!" "What the hell is that supposed to mean?!" The powerful soul residing within the rabbit''s body was on the verge of losing its mind. "Velen, these shadowthorns are precious materials that dark magic practitioners dream of having. Using them to stew a rabbit would be a complete waste!" Karos said seriously. "They''re extremely effective in enhancing dark magic capabilities. If you really want to ''spend lavishly,'' why not use them to upgrade magic tools or as the core material in black magic arrays? That would be far more useful than throwing them into a stew." Velen just shook his head. "Karos, there are some joys you wouldn''t understand. I like spending money in the most wasteful ways." "You don''t get the joy of burning cash!" ¡­??? What kind of nonsense is this? You''re telling me being a rich idiot brings joy? Karos rolled his eyes. If there was a world championship for showing off, this guy would have taken home the gold ten years in a row. Joy from squandering wealth? Ridiculous! "Velen, just think about it," Karos said, still trying to talk sense into him. "Even if you manage to brew some kind of ''dark cuisine'' using those ten thousand shadowthorns, the result would be so cursed and toxic that normal awakeners wouldn''t even be able to approach it, let alone eat it. Sure, it might work as a weapon, but if you''re really looking to waste money, why not just toss all ten thousand shadowthorns into a bonfire and cook rice over it?" Got him! That shut him up, didn''t it?! Karos felt a surge of pride as he watched Velen seemingly frozen in place, dumbfounded by the brilliance of his suggestion. "Karos," the voice of the mentor inside the rabbit echoed in his mind, "this Velen guy is no ordinary rich boy." "Just based on how he''s thinking about using those shadowthorns, it''s clear he understands the full horror of their cursed properties. If he really does create a ''dark soup'' with them¡­ I estimate it could obliterate the souls of ten Ascended Rank powerhouses." Karos''s smile froze on his face. Crap. Regret. Overwhelming regret. Why, oh why, had he tried to argue with Velen? That was such a dumb move. Why couldn''t he have just minded his own business and let the guy spend money however he pleased? Now he might''ve offended someone terrifying. He''d come here to network and make allies¡­ not enemies! What Karos didn''t know was that Velen wasn''t actually frozen in place¡ªhe was deep in communication with his system. "System, Karos is ranked tenth on the Rising Magi Rankings. If I ask him to burn the shadowthorns for me, one by one, and pay him 100,000 low-grade mana crystals for the trouble¡­ that''s reasonable, right?" Velen asked in his mind. Ding! Compensation amount is within acceptable limits. The system''s mechanical tone rang out. Ding! Reminder: If you also recruit the rabbit to help burn the shadowthorns, you can trigger an additional tycoon behavior event. "Oh?" Velen''s eyes lit up again, his gaze falling once more on the trembling rabbit. "Oh crap! He''s looking at me again!" "Karos, protect your dear mentor!" The soul inside the rabbit shivered as it felt Velen''s intense stare and immediately screamed in Karos''s mind. "System, if I get the rabbit to help as well, and offer 10,000 low-grade mana crystals as payment¡ªis that enough?" Ding! Amount too low. "100,000 then?" Ding! Still too low. 100,000 is too low?! How powerful is this rabbit anyway? "What about 1,000,000 low-grade mana crystals?" Ding! Compensation amount is within reasonable range. "Holy hell!" Velen was astonished. This rabbit really wasn''t simple. It actually required a million low-grade mana crystals just to help burn some plants? Now he was even more intrigued. If the rabbit was this valuable¡­ then maybe buying it was still a good idea. "Karos, my man, are you really sure you can''t sell that rabbit? I can offer even more this time. I promise¡ªI won''t stew it. I just feel a strong bond with it and want to keep it around." Velen said it with all the sincerity he could muster. The rabbit, meanwhile, looked ready to bolt. "How obsessed are you with turning me into soup?!" Karos was on the verge of tears. "Velen, you really don''t understand the kind of bond I have with this rabbit. I just¡­ I really can''t part with it." "Say no more, Karos. I understand. I really do. So I''ll offer more benefits." "No stewing this time¡ªI swear. I just feel like we''re fated to be together." "Seriously, I''ll pay more!" Velen looked him in the eye with unshakable seriousness. The hell? What do you mean, "you understand"? I haven''t even said anything yet! And what price are you raising from? I haven''t even quoted one! That''s my damn mentor! He''s not for sale! Yet Velen, as if he hadn''t heard Karos''s inner turmoil, started pulling out treasure after treasure. "This is a set of ten mana crystals. One dose can send an awakener into a deep meditative state, enhancing magical perception several-fold for twenty minutes." "This is a barrel of Lafite Vintage, aged for ten thousand years, fragrance unmatched, priceless." "These are one hundred Fruit of the Saintess, one of the ten most precious alchemy ingredients from the Singularity Battlefield. Delicious and grants a temporary boost to mind power." ¡­ "Karos, let me go!" "This guy''s got way too much good stuff on him. We can''t afford to offend him!" "You already pissed him off. For your sake, your mentor''s willing to make a sacrifice. Just sell me to him!" The rabbit''s mentor, seeing the stream of legendary items being casually displayed, panicked and began trying to convince Karos. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Please, mentor. Just wait. Let''s see what else he pulls out. Might as well squeeze him for all he''s worth." "You''re leaving anyway¡ªat least let your disciple reap the rewards, right?" Karos responded in mind power, silently scheming. If Velen could hear what these two were plotting, he''d be shocked speechless at how fake their "master-disciple bond" was. Ding! Reminder to host: The rabbit in question is not a genuine spellbeast. Its body is merely a temporary vessel, inhabited by the soul of a human awakener. Just as Velen was about to offer even more rare items, the system dropped a bombshell in his mind. He froze. So it''s not some rare, high-tier spellbeast? Just a human soul in a rabbit''s body? Then what the hell am I buying it for?! Chapter 233 - Chapter230-Senior, Come Help Me Burn Them Too! At that thought, Velen casually put away all the precious items he had just laid out and turned to Karos with a solemn expression. "Brother Karos, I see how deeply you care about this rabbit pet of yours. As the saying goes, a gentleman does not covet what others treasure. I''ve decided not to buy it after all." "Huh?" Both Karos and the powerful soul residing within the rabbit were dumbfounded on the spot. They had already prepared themselves for a tearful farewell. They had steeled their hearts for sacrifice. They had come to terms with the idea of handing over their dearest possession¡­ and now this guy said he wasn''t buying it? After displaying all those dazzling treasures, making their hearts itch with desire, stirring up emotions of both greed and awe¡ªhe now just walked away? Was this a prank? A joke? A calculated tease? Were you ever serious about buying it, or were you just showing off your obscene wealth the entire time? "Mentor, who the heck is this guy?" Karos quickly turned to consult the ancient soul dwelling inside the rabbit. "Where does he even come from? Why does he have so many treasures?" "How would I know?" the soul snapped, its tone unusually serious. "The moment I laid eyes on him, I sensed a deep, instinctive sense of danger. He''s definitely hiding some terrifying trump card that could kill me in an instant." "Remember this¡ªbefriending him will only bring benefits. Don''t let those shiny treasures blind your judgment." Because of Velen''s one casual remark about not buying the rabbit, the strained mentor-mentee relationship between Karos and the rabbit was instantly mended. It was as if nothing had happened just moments ago. The sudden reconciliation would surely have left Velen scratching his head if he had known. He would''ve thought: What kind of bizarre, plastic mentorship is this? "Huh?" "What''s this¡ªso many low-grade mana crystals?" Karos''s thoughts were interrupted as Velen suddenly handed him a spatial ring. Peeking inside, Karos was stunned to see an ocean of low-grade mana crystals. He blinked in confusion. Why was Velen giving him such a massive fortune out of the blue? Was this¡­ a down payment for hiring him to hunt spellbeasts? "Brother Karos, I do have a favor to ask," Velen said with a smile, his tone courteous. "Of course, I wouldn''t ask you to help for nothing. These one million low-grade mana crystals are payment for your trouble. If it''s not enough, I can add more." One million. As compensation. Karos''s eyes lit up like a child seeing candy. "Brother Velen, this is too much! Come now, you''re making me feel bad," he said, trying to sound modest. "Whatever it is, just say the word. I''ll do it even without this payment!" Despite his words, his hands betrayed him. With practiced skill, Karos slipped the ring into his robes without hesitation. "Hey! Karos, you little punk! You''re the mentee of an Ascended Rank Level 8 expert. Can''t you have a little dignity?" the rabbit spirit roared in protest. "You better share half of those crystals with me!" Velen couldn''t help but laugh at the scene before him. Karos was surprisingly entertaining. Perhaps he could even be recruited into his tycoon club. Of course, not as a student¡ªhe already had a dark-element Awakener under his wing. No way he''d take in another dark magic student. Karos could only join as a regular money-burning member. "Help me burn these ten thousand shadowthorns, will you?" "But you have to burn them one by one. Got it?" Karos froze. "Wait, Brother Velen¡­ You''re not joking, are you?" Shadowthorn? That was what this was all about? Ten thousand shadowthorns! An unbelievably rare dark-type magical plant found only in small pockets throughout the Singularity Battlefield! And he wanted to burn them?! "Brother Velen, that was just me joking around earlier! You didn''t take me seriously, did you?" Karos stammered in disbelief. "Do you even understand the value of ten thousand shadowthorns?" he cried out. "If we sold them on the black market, they could fetch a price high enough to buy hundreds of planets! Just burning them is a crime against the arcane!" "Used correctly, these could be refined into dark magic potions strong enough to cause even ten Ascended Rank powerhouses to collapse in battle. Do you know how many Ascended Knights exist in the entire Uno Kingdom? Only five!" The very idea of such a massive trove being destroyed left Karos in utter panic. He stared at Velen as if looking at a madman, trying to talk him out of it. S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Even the rabbit spirit looked dumbstruck, its little eyes filled with disbelief. "Burn them," Velen said calmly. His tone was so composed, it almost made the outrageousness of his request seem normal. "I''ve made up my mind. I won''t change it. Wealth is just a worldly possession. These shadowthorns are nothing more than resources I have no particular need for." Damn. Now that was next-level rich-guy arrogance. "You''re not even the least bit heartbroken?" Karos tried one last time. "It''s fine. Just burn them. I genuinely don''t care," Velen shrugged, completely unfazed. Karos felt like he''d been punched in the soul. "Unforgivable! This filthy rich man''s attitude is too infuriating!" the rabbit screamed. "Karos, I can''t stand it anymore. Let''s fight him together!" Shadowthorns were treasures they''d worshipped¡ªand this guy was ready to burn them like firewood? Where was the justice for shadowthorns? Karos''s hand trembled slightly as he slowly returned the spatial ring containing the one million mana crystals. "Brother Velen¡­ I can''t do this. I love money, but I just can''t bring myself to commit such an act of desecration." "I''ll add more," Velen said casually. "That''s not the point!" Karos''s voice rose. "This isn''t about money. Whether you''re serious or not, I simply can''t go through with it." "Even if you don''t care about the shadowthorns, I do! These plants are rare and powerful dark magic ingredients. If placed in the right hands, they could fuel incredible breakthroughs, enhance countless magic items¡­ You can''t just destroy them!" Karos''s words were heartfelt. He didn''t even care about owning them anymore. He just couldn''t allow such beautiful and rare plants to be incinerated under his hand. The rabbit wept tears of emotion. What a great mentee you are¡­ "Fine. Ten Enlightenment-grade mana crystals," Velen added. "Brother Velen! This really isn''t¡ª" "Twenty," Velen interrupted. "It''s not about the money, I swear¡ª" "Stop whining. Add in ten Fruits of the Saintess. Do it, or forget the whole thing." Karos was stunned. "Brother Velen!!!" "Why go this far?! Just sit down, relax. I''ll start the burning right away!" Karos fell to a crouch, retrieved his fire-tempering stones, and got to work. One by one, he burned the precious shadowthorn plants. Every time the flames consumed one, he felt like he was losing a piece of his soul. But when he thought about the rewards¡ªhe gritted his teeth and kept going. "Senior Pulitzer, would you mind lending a hand?" Velen suddenly looked at the rabbit on Karos''s back. "If you help, the million mana crystals are yours." The moment the word "Pulitzer" left his mouth, both Karos and the rabbit shivered uncontrollably. Their eyes widened in horror. He knows!? How could this kid possibly know that name? It was a name they hadn''t used in years. A name buried with their past. This¡­ was no ordinary young man. Chapter 234 - Chapter231-Student Karos Pays Respect to Mentor Velen! The rabbit was utterly in disbelief. Despite having gone to great lengths to conceal his identity, he''d still been recognized by Velen with a single glance. How is this possible? he thought, his little heart racing. Could this brat be the illegitimate son of some supreme being from the Upper Realm? What the rabbit didn''t know was that Velen had already used Fate''s Trojan on him moments ago, easily uncovering the truth¡ªthat this was none other than Pulitzer, the once-unstoppable Dark Archmage who had rampaged across the galaxy and now found himself reincarnated inside a rabbit''s body. "This brat actually knows who I am¡­ But even if I''ve ended up in this fluffy form, I still have principles!" Pulitzer raged internally. "I''m still a formidable dark magic practitioner. Those shadowthorns are precious beyond measure. How could I possibly¡­ burn them?" Unless¡­ he adds more to the deal. Just like Karos, Pulitzer was now standing there with big, gleaming eyes, silently hoping for a better offer. But the next moment¡ª "Well, Senior, if you''re unwilling, that''s fine too. Karos can handle it on his own," Velen said casually as he began to retrieve the ring full of mana crystals. He wasn''t the kind to force anyone. Pulitzer: ??? What¡­ just happened? Why the hell does Karos get to haggle and drive the price up, but when it''s me, I don''t even get a counteroffer? Are we still burning shadowthorns together or what?! "Darn it all!" Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "No, no, no! Your Highness Velen, I''ll do it! I''ll burn them right now!" Pulitzer shouted in panic the moment he saw the ring being taken back. Seeing the master-and-apprentice duo get to work, Velen watched them with amusement, thinking to himself, Once they finish burning these, I should be able to rack up three waves of system rewards. Karos and Pulitzer both looked like their hearts were being stabbed as they tossed one shadowthorn after another into the fire. Half an hour later, a system notification echoed in Velen''s mind. Ding! Congratulations, host, on a successful display of wealth! Rewards: 30 million luxury points, 3 million shadowthorn plants. "Huh?!" Velen froze in disbelief. "Did the system glitch just now?" "I just burned 10,000¡­ and now I''ve been rewarded with 3 million? What''s next, a truckload of them for free if I keep going?" Staring at the absurdly generous reward, Velen fell deep into thought. After a moment, he made a decision: "I''ll give one million to my first disciple, keep one million for myself, and hand the remaining one million to Karos." Why Karos? No deep reason¡ªhe simply found the guy pleasing to the eye. That''s it. That''s the whole reason. I''m a certified spendthrift tycoon. Do I need justification for giving stuff away? "Mentor¡­ that was ten thousand shadowthorns¡­ Just gone like that," Karos muttered via spiritual link, nearly in tears. "My heart¡­ it feels like it''s being shredded by knives." "I don''t know if Velen''s happy, but I''m dying inside." Pulitzer huffed. "Oh, please. When you were pocketing your ''payment,'' you were grinning from ear to ear. Spare me the dramatics!" But before they could continue arguing, they both saw something that nearly made their souls leave their bodies¡ªVelen was once again pulling shadowthorns out from his storage ring. "Wait, Your Highness Velen¡ªwhat are you doing¡ª" Within moments, the room was once again stacked with thorny plants, filling over half the space. Karos and Pulitzer felt like they were about to lose their minds. This pile¡­ it looked like way more than ten thousand. Heck, it might be over a hundred thousand! How were they supposed to burn all this? Even if Velen offered them twice the pay, even if someone held a sword to their throats, they wouldn''t dare burn another shadowthorn. Not a single one. Not even if God himself descended. "Relax, the two of you," Velen said, raising a hand. "This time, I''m not asking you to burn them like before. These are meant to be gifts¡ª" Before he could finish his sentence, Karos and Pulitzer exchanged a glance. No words were needed. They understood each other perfectly. Karos closed his eyes, sighed, and tossed the firestone into the pile of thorns. "Let''s just burn them!" Velen was genuinely stunned. "Holy¡ªKaros! You''re crazier than I thought. A full million shadowthorns, and you just set them on fire?!" "Burning''s underway, Brother Velen!" Karos replied, trying to remain calm, though his voice trembled slightly. "By the way, what were you saying about gifts?" "Oh, right." Velen smiled. "I meant those million shadowthorns are for you. As a gift. You didn''t have to burn them this time¡ªyou misunderstood." WHAT?! A million shadowthorns, as a gift? Karos and Pulitzer both stood frozen. And then came the explosion¡ªmental, emotional, and possibly spiritual. WHY didn''t you say that earlier?! They were a gift?! We just torched most of them! "Mentor! Quick! Save the rest!" Karos snapped out of it and dashed into the flames with a roar. "My apologies, Your Highness Velen. Please don''t mind this idiotic student of mine," Pulitzer muttered, already casting a dark-water spell. In the blink of an eye, the flames were extinguished, leaving the room a steaming mess of scorched wood and thorn. Pulitzer looked at what little remained of the precious plants and gasped. That was all that was left? He nearly fainted. "Karos! Look what you''ve done, you impulsive blockhead!" "Acting like a berserker in the Singularity Battlefield will get you killed in seconds!" Pulitzer scolded, his voice like a whip. "I¡­ I know, Mentor. I messed up." Karos hung his head in shame. "But it was just so many shadowthorns¡­ I couldn''t bear it." "Bear it? You sure didn''t hesitate when pocketing your reward!" Pulitzer barked back. "Fine then! Whatever remains, we''ll split fifty-fifty," Karos offered, trying to redeem himself. Before his words had even fully landed, Pulitzer had already transformed into a streak of dark light and dove headfirst into the pile of ashes. "Brother Velen, my foolish mentor is embarrassing us again," Karos said awkwardly as he began sorting out the scorched plants using mana. "What are you staring at? I just didn''t want Karos to feel awkward, alright?" Pulitzer grumbled, emerging from the ashes. "Of course I can use mana. Don''t doubt me." These two really are a riot, Velen thought, barely suppressing laughter. I can''t even tell anymore¡ªare they truly dumb or just pretending? Later, Velen brought up the topic of the Tycoon Club. "Tycoon Club?" Karos blinked. "You mean, once I join, I can spend mana crystals however I want?" "Exactly. All you have to do is swear loyalty to the club and to me¡ªyour Boss," Velen explained. Karos''s expression turned serious. "Brother Velen¡­ I do love money, but I can''t join." "When I messed up all those years ago, my mentor was forced onto the path of becoming a beastfolk. Rebuilding the Dark Star organization is his dream now. I have to carry that burden." Velen nearly applauded on the spot. The determination! The noble expression! The tragic backstory! Nope. Velen didn''t dare feel moved. Why? Because he had a sneaking suspicion that if he even whispered the words "I''ll add more," Karos would crumble instantly. "Well, alright then. Since you''re determined, I won''t push¡ª" Thump! Before he could even finish, Karos dropped to his knees and banged his head twice against the ground. Bang! Bang! "Student Karos pays his respects to Mentor Velen!" Chapter 235 - Chapter232-He Offended You Too? Damn it. I knew it! Velen stared at Karos, who dropped to his knees without hesitation, forehead banging against the ground. A wave of exasperation washed over him. I knew it would come to this. This guy is too slippery for his own good. He quickly asked his system, "System, this guy hasn''t gone through a loyalty check yet. Is it safe to let him join the Tycoon Club?" Ding! While he''s a bit mischievous, he passes the evaluation without issue! Ding! Host is advised to recruit him as your next official disciple! "¡­Huh? I was still debating whether to let him join as just a member, and now you''re telling me to accept him as my fifth disciple?" Velen blinked, stunned. That escalated way too quickly! Are you absolutely sure this guy won''t screw me over later? "System, I already have a senior disciple who specializes in dark magic. I''m not too keen on adding another dark-attribute student to my lineup," Velen said with concern. Ding! This individual isn''t a pure dark magic user. He was originally an array master, only picking up dark magic due to inheriting Pulitzer''s legacy! Array master? Velen''s eyes lit up. So he''s dual-classed? Interesting. Seeing that Velen had fallen silent, Karos started getting anxious. Why isn''t he saying anything? What do I do? Damn this greedy heart of mine! Why can''t I just hold back for once?! Karos gritted his teeth, stood up, then dropped again with a loud thump, banging his forehead on the ground twice more. Velen was left speechless. "Your Highness Velen, I admit I''m greedy," Karos said earnestly, eyes sparkling with sincerity. "But my loyalty to the Tycoon Club would be absolute! Plus, my skills with magic arrays might come in handy someday!" Velen couldn''t help but chuckle inwardly. "Alright then," he finally said. "Since you''ve shown such sincerity¡­ I hereby accept you as my fifth disciple!" BOOM! The moment those words left his lips, an influx of unfamiliar knowledge surged into Karos''s mind, and the Tycoon Club''s sigil glowed on his palm. "¡­Damn it. I''m doomed," Karos muttered internally. "From now on, no more asking others for money. I''ll have to start paying them instead¡­ This identity switch is too abrupt!" "Mentor," Karos said, eyes full of curiosity, "could you tell me more about my four senior brothers and sisters?" Velen nodded. "Your senior sister is a powerful dark magic user. I''m not entirely sure about the details of her background, though." "Your second senior sister is the Saintess of the Tarot Order. She''s already recruited five councilors into the club¡ªquite influential." "Your third senior brother, Kidd, is the most formidable¡ªhe''s a Sword Saint of Judgment. He''s currently expanding our club''s influence elsewhere." "Your fourth senior sister is a little girl with incredible talent in spiritual magic. She''s been making solid contributions to the club too." Karos was stunned. "Holy crap?! Our Tycoon Club''s already grown to this extent? At this rate, we''ll be dominating the Upper Plane Universe in no time!" Velen nodded seriously. "Now that you''re my fifth disciple, it''s your responsibility to recruit more people and help the Tycoon Club flourish." "Don''t worry, Mentor! I''ll make sure to complete my mission!" Karos said, pounding his chest with pride. After Velen left, Pulitzer poked his rabbit head through the door and asked, "So, what did His Highness Velen want? You two talked for a while." "Mentor! I''ve decided¡ªI''m going to rebuild Dark Star!" Karos declared passionately. "Now that we''ve got the Tycoon Club backing us, we''ll buy whatever we need!" "Need planets? We''ll buy the biggest, most luxurious ones!" "Need subordinates? We''ll hire the most elite Awakeners out there!" "Need resources? We''ll go shopping in the wealthiest systems!" "Give me one month. Dark Star will rise again¡ªstronger and grander than ever!" Seeing Karos so fired up, Pulitzer hopped onto his shoulder and gently rubbed his forehead with his fluffy head. "You brat¡­ you''ve been brainwashed by His Highness Velen, haven''t you?" the rabbit snorted. "Still¡­ sounds pretty exciting. Alright, let''s do it!" Ding! Quest issued: Host must claim first place in this month''s Rising Magi Rankings! Success reward: 50 million luxury points. Failure: No penalty. Can be declined. Just as Velen stepped out of the building, a system notification rang out in his head. "First place in the Rising Magi Rankings?" Velen frowned in thought. "Right now, I''m already at the peak of Hero Rank Tier 9. On top of that, I''ve accumulated 3.4 billion luxury points." "If I spend just 1 billion, I can break through to Supreme Rank Tier 1 instantly." But if I do that, I''ll be disqualified from the Rising Magi Rankings altogether. He narrowed his eyes. No. I''m accepting this mission. Not for the fifty million points, of course¡­ I just don''t want to leave any regrets. He muttered to himself with a firm resolve. Ding! Host, with your constant need to show off and act tough¡­ have you considered your body''s limits? "¡­Excuse me?" Velen raised an eyebrow. What does that have to do with you?! He smirked. "System, since you like talking so much, have you considered how annoying your voice is?" Ding! This system does not possess a mouth! Host''s verbal attacks are ineffective! "Well, too bad¡ªI do. Aren''t you jealous?" Ding! This system is the latest model, with vast resources and infinite wisdom! "You still don''t have a mouth." Ding! This system contains the complete Ultimate Grimoire Collection! "You STILL don''t have a mouth." ... S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. System: [Read] ¡ª No reply. Velen burst into laughter. Hah! Honestly, he thought to himself, maybe chatting with the system more often wouldn''t be a bad idea. It might even be kind of fun. "All right, System¡ªactivate Fate''s Trojan again. I want detailed intel on whoever''s ranked first in the Rising Magi Rankings, including their exact location." The moment he issued the command, a stream of complex information poured into his consciousness, and a glowing mini-map materialized in front of his eyes. "Wait, a God-Tier mentee?" Velen''s eyes widened. "The top contender¡ªLeon¡ªis from the Upper Realm, just like that guy I dealt with before?" He was clearly shocked. "I wonder if Apollo knows this Leon guy," he murmured to himself, pulling a portal crystal from his robe. After some thought, he decided to return to the fortress first and get some answers. At the Fortress. "Your Highness Velen, you summoned me?" Apollo approached cautiously, bowing his head in respect. "Apollo the Great," Velen said, wasting no time. "Do you know the name Blackgold Sovereign?" Apollo flinched. Blackgold Sovereign? The name rang all too familiar. "Yes¡­ Your Highness," he answered after a pause. "Blackgold Sovereign and I are equal in strength. For tens of thousands of years, we''ve been rivals¡ªsometimes friends, sometimes foes." Velen leaned forward. "So, can people like you freely recruit mentees in the Lower Realms?" "You mean¡­" Apollo''s expression twisted slightly. "He''s recruited a mentee down there too?" "Wait¡ªdid his mentee also piss you off?!" Apollo suddenly lit up like a child given candy. ¡­Excuse me? Velen''s face instantly darkened as he stared at the excited emperor in front of him. Even if the guy did offend me¡­ did you really have to look this thrilled about it?! Chapter 236 - Chapter233-What? Since When Can Rankings Be Traded?! "He hasn''t managed to offend me just yet." Velen glanced at Apollo, noting the excitement and anticipation sparkling in his eyes, and responded casually. "What a pity!" Apollo let out an exaggerated sigh of regret. "Your Highness Velen, whether it''s powerful beings like us from the upper plane universes, or even stronger entities beyond us, it''s against the cosmic rules to casually take on mentees from the lower plane universes." "Unless, of course, they obtain certain special artifacts from the Singularity Battlefield. Last time, when I managed to project a split avatar down here because of my useless mentee, it was entirely thanks to the power of one such special artifact." sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Wait a second. Something felt off. At that moment, Apollo seemed to recall something important. His expression shifted sharply, and he immediately turned to Velen, urgently asking, "Your Highness Velen, is Lord Anastasia by any chance from the upper plane universe?" "Hmm?" Velen raised an eyebrow slightly, a curious glint flashing across his eyes. "How did you figure that out?" "Your Highness, I deduced it based on the magic arrays laid out in the fortress hall and the spells Lord Anastasia uses." Apollo explained earnestly, his brows furrowed as if pondering a deeper concern. "However¡­ the force behind Anastasia, even among the upper planes, isn''t considered particularly powerful. Once you ascend to the upper planes in the future, you''ll likely end up following her into her territory. When that happens, you might encounter some serious trouble." Pausing briefly, Apollo''s tone grew even more cautious, "I''m worried that relying solely on the Solar Palace under my command might not be enough to protect you adequately." Oh? Velen immediately grasped the hidden meaning behind Apollo''s words. A knowing smile tugged at the corners of his lips. So that''s it. Apollo was worried that the influence of Anastasia''s backing was too low-profile, and would damage Velen''s future prestige and opportunities to flaunt his wealth and power among the elites. This Apollo¡­ surprisingly considerate. "In that case," Velen said thoughtfully, "the fortress could indeed use another steward." With a small chuckle, he turned to Apollo and added, "When the time comes, I''ll have Anastasia promote you to Steward of Servants. You''ll be in charge of managing all the fortress''s retainers." Holy crap! After waiting so long for a proper opportunity, Apollo could hardly believe his ears. His entire body trembled slightly from sheer excitement. Finally! He was about to be promoted to the fortress''s management echelon! "Your Highness Velen, Apollo shall never fail your expectations!" Apollo bowed deeply, his voice trembling slightly from emotion. "Safe travels, Your Highness!" He watched respectfully as Velen activated the spatial teleportation talisman in his hand. A radiant glow erupted, engulfing Velen''s figure, and within a flash, he vanished into the Spatial Portal. Watching Velen step into the portal, Apollo slowly straightened up, his face glowing with unrestrained excitement. Muttering to himself under his breath, he said with a gleam in his eye, "Finally, someone''s coming to keep me company!" ¡ª¡ª Chaos City. Inside a private room in a modest inn. "Four Ascended Rank knights personally attending him?" Jerry''s face was full of astonishment as he listened to Christian''s detailed recounting. "Just who exactly is this Velen?" "Young Master Jerry, do you think this Velen will attend the upcoming New Archmage Conference?" Christian, standing respectfully to the side, suddenly posed the question. Heh. Jerry heard Christian''s question and a playful smile curled at the edges of his lips. His eyes gleamed with a hint of excitement as he said, "If he really shows up, things will get very interesting." "Everything I''ve heard about him lately has certainly piqued my curiosity. I''d love to see what kind of character he truly is." Knock! Knock! Knock! Just then, a sudden series of loud knocks echoed from the door. "Who is it?" Christian stood up to answer. However, in the next instant¡ª "Holy shit!" "Velen?!" "It''s you!!!" Jake, who had rushed to open the door, immediately turned pale as a sheet the moment he laid eyes on the figure standing outside. With a terrified scream, he stumbled backward several steps, his entire body trembling uncontrollably. Holy crap! Why the hell was this guy here?! "Huh?" "Christian? So it''s you?" Velen, too, was a little surprised to recognize Jake, who was now paralyzed with fear. He had come here specifically to find Jerry, never expecting to bump into the young elite from the Rising Magi Rankings¡ªthe very one who had previously kidnapped Aedida. "You... you..." Jake stammered, unable to form a complete sentence. His mind was consumed by the terrifying memory of how Velen had so casually crushed his guardian back then. The sight of Velen now sent a cold shiver down his spine. "You''re Velen?" Hearing Jake''s terrified shout, Jerry''s sharp gaze locked onto the man who had just stepped into the room. "It seems you came here to find me," Jerry said, a spark of interest lighting up his eyes. He lounged back lazily in his chair, studying Velen with growing amusement. "So, what business do you have with me?" With Jake still trembling as he retreated from the room, Jerry rested his back against his chair, fingers tapping lightly against the armrest, waiting for Velen''s reply. "Indeed," Velen responded calmly, his tone steady and unhurried. "I''m here for two matters." "Oh?" Jerry''s curiosity deepened. "First," Velen said straightforwardly, "I''d like to purchase the top spot on the Rising Magi Rankings from you." "Second, I want to meet your mentor." Without any hesitation, Velen revealed his true intentions under Jerry''s inquisitive gaze. "How interesting." Hearing Velen''s unexpected proposal, Jerry leaned forward slightly, his eyes filled with a keen interest. This unexpected visitor was becoming more intriguing by the second. Jerry himself was a mentee of a powerful figure from the upper planes. It had been a long time since someone dared to walk up to him with such bold, almost absurd requests. Surprisingly, instead of feeling ridiculed or offended, he felt genuinely entertained. "Brother Velen," Jerry said, tilting his head slightly, a playful gleam dancing in his eyes, "You do know that private trading of ranks is strictly prohibited by the Hall of Magi, right?" "If we''re caught, both the buyer and the seller will be stripped of their rankings¡ªand that''s not even the worst part. We might even face serious penalties." "You should be aware," Jerry added meaningfully, "that the Hall of Magi is backed by the Tarot Order." "If we offend them, both you and I could end up blacklisted for good." His smile widened as he stared straight into Velen''s eyes, "So tell me¡­ are you really here to buy my ranking? Or are you trying to set me up?" Jerry''s penetrating gaze seemed to strip away all pretenses, as if trying to peer straight into Velen''s soul. "I figured you''d be concerned about that." Velen remained composed, smiling lightly. "That''s why I already made arrangements on your behalf." At that moment, he raised his voice and called out toward the door, "Kelsey, come in!" With a creak, the door was pushed open, and Kelsey walked in with steady, deliberate steps. He first bowed respectfully to Velen before turning toward Jerry. Facing Jerry directly, Kelsey solemnly announced, "You may proceed with the transaction without worry. The Hall of Magi''s restrictions do not apply to Young Master Velen." "Furthermore, once the transaction is completed, Young Master Jerry, your eligibility for the rankings will remain intact. You will still be free to challenge either Young Master Velen or any other top-ranked talents at any time." What?! Jerry was so stunned that he shot up from his chair, his eyes wide with disbelief. What the hell was happening?! Since when could rankings be traded so openly? The Hall of Magi''s rules had always been ironclad¡ªtrading rankings was strictly forbidden! Only through battle could rankings be legitimately earned! When had those rules suddenly changed? Chapter 237 - Chapter234-From One Hundred Million to Fifty Million — Who Wouldn’t Be Heartbroken?! Jerry could hardly believe it. The Tarot Order had actually bent their rigid rules¡­ for Velen. "Councilor Kelsey," Jerry forced himself to calm down, suppressing the storm of emotions raging inside him. His expression grew serious as he looked straight at Kelsey and asked, "If that''s the case, can I use the same method to buy the second-ranked spot from its holder?" Kelsey nodded slightly, his face maintaining a polite smile as he patiently explained, "You could, theoretically." "But if you do, both your ranking and the other party''s ranking, along with your eligibility to appear on the Rising Magi Rankings, will be revoked." "This rule is intended to maintain fairness and justice within the rankings. Only Young Master Velen has been granted a special exemption." What the hell?! Why?! This was blatant discrimination! Jerry''s dissatisfaction erupted like a volcano. "Why is he the only exception?!" Jerry''s voice rose uncontrollably as he glared at Kelsey. As the mentee of Blackgold Sovereign, a mighty figure from the upper planes, Jerry had always carried himself with considerable pride. In the current universe, he was a top-tier prodigy ¡ª someone admired and envied by countless others. Now, seeing Velen enjoy such outrageous privileges while he himself was bound by the rules¡ªhow could he not feel bitter? "We''re all people! What makes him so special that he gets special treatment?!" "Because he''s Velen." Kelsey''s tone remained calm and composed, without a trace of arrogance. "If Young Master Jerry feels indignant, after the transaction is complete, you are welcome to challenge Young Master Velen to reclaim the top spot on the Rising Magi Rankings." After delivering those words, Kelsey bowed slightly to Velen, then turned and left the room, pulling the door shut gently behind him. "You¡ª! Come back here!" Jerry ground his teeth, but Kelsey had already disappeared without a backward glance. "Nicely done, Kelsey!" Watching Kelsey''s departing figure, Velen silently praised him. Purchasing the number one spot on the Rising Magi Rankings would not only complete his system task, but also trigger a "wasteful spending" behavior reward ¡ª a perfect two-for-one deal. And once Jerry inevitably challenged him to reclaim the title, Velen could take the opportunity to beat him so badly that even his mother wouldn''t recognize him. Given Jerry''s prideful temperament, suffering a loss would surely provoke him to call for reinforcements. When that happened, Velen''s plan to recruit new servants for the fortress would naturally fall into place. The more Velen thought about it, the more flawless his strategy seemed. A faint, confident smile tugged at his lips. Truly, this plan was perfect! "Brother Velen, it seems I''ve underestimated you," Jerry''s gaze toward Velen grew increasingly complex, his voice tinged with admiration and resentment. "I never would''ve thought¡­ even the Hall of Magi would break its rules for your sake." "However, I won''t sell my ranking easily, no matter how much you offer¡ª" Before he could even finish, Velen interrupted crisply: "One hundred million low-grade mana crystals." Boom. Jerry felt like his mind exploded. What did he just say?! One hundred million low-grade mana crystals?! "How much did you just say?!" Jerry''s eyes widened until they were almost round, staring at Velen in disbelief, wondering if he had misheard. "Brother Velen, how many crystals did you just say?" Although Jerry, as a descendant of a magic deity, wasn''t exactly strapped for resources, one hundred million mana crystals¡­ That was still an astronomical sum even for him! Enough to shave off decades of cultivation efforts! "90 million low-grade mana crystals," Velen corrected himself smoothly, his expression utterly composed, as if the shocking offer he made a moment ago had never existed. ??? Jerry was stunned. What the hell was going on? Hadn''t Velen just said one hundred million?! How did it suddenly become ninety million? Was he messing with him? "Brother Velen, didn''t you just say one hundred million?!" Jerry asked anxiously, desperate to clarify. A drop of ten million wasn''t a small matter! "80 million low-grade mana crystals," Velen said indifferently, lowering the price even further. Crap! Jerry felt his brain short-circuit. What kind of negotiation was this?! Every sentence cut another ten million off the price! Was this guy even serious about buying? He was acting like he didn''t even need the crystals! He, Jerry, even if he starved to death, froze to death, or jumped off this building, would never stoop to taking advantage of someone''s generosity like this! Just as Jerry was about to protest, he saw Velen about to open his mouth again. Panicking, Jerry quickly blurted out, "Brother Velen! Don''t lower it anymore! I don''t need the full hundred million! Let''s settle at ninety million! Deal?" "70 million low-grade mana crystals," Velen continued smoothly, as if Jerry''s desperate plea had fallen on deaf ears. Holy crap! "Brother Velen, didn''t you just say seventy million?! I..." Jerry''s voice cracked with urgency. "60 million low-grade mana crystals." Velen slashed the price again, his voice calm and unhurried. Pfft! Jerry nearly coughed up blood on the spot. He felt like his heart was about to collapse under the relentless assault. This guy¡ª Wasn''t he the real demon here?! "70 million! Seventy million!" Jerry roared desperately, trying to cling to some semblance of dignity. "Brother Velen, I''ll sell at seventy million! Final offer!" But Velen, looking thoroughly pleased, didn''t even blink. He was thoroughly enjoying the sight of Jerry''s crumbling composure. Watching a proud peacock flounder and beg was deeply satisfying. "50 million¡ª" Velen opened his mouth again. "Stop! Stop!!" "I''ll sell! I''ll sell! I''ll SELL!" Jerry screamed, waving his hands frantically. He pointed a trembling finger at Velen, afraid that if he hesitated another second, the price would plummet again. "Any doubts?" Velen asked casually. "No, no doubts!!" Jerry shook his head frantically. You dare bargain with this guy?! You''d end up selling your soul without even realizing it! "Brother Velen," Jerry practically begged, "let''s settle at eighty million, okay? That''s fair!" Velen raised an eyebrow slightly, looking mischievous. "Forty¡ª" "Fifty million! Deal! Five-zero million!" Jerry practically wailed the words out. He had completely collapsed. He had lost, thoroughly and completely. He was so terrified that if he didn''t immediately agree, Velen might lower the price to forty or even thirty million! Why, oh why, had he tried bargaining with this monster?! He had lost so much for nothing! "You truly live up to being number one ¡ª refreshingly decisive!" Velen said with a bright smile. He then took out a spatial ring and handed it to Jerry. "This ring contains fifty million low-grade mana crystals. Once we finalize the mutual consent agreement, it''ll be yours." Jerry stared blankly at the ring in Velen''s hand. sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He felt like his heart was bleeding. No ¡ª it had shattered into a million pieces! A deal that had started at one hundred million had been cut straight down to fifty million. Who the hell wouldn''t be heartbroken?! Chapter 238 - Chapter235-So What If You Have Connections?! Jerry''s hands trembled as he reached out and took the ring from Velen. His eyes were filled with a deep, almost painful reluctance. This was five million low-grade mana crystals! And just like that, his hard-earned first place was bought away by Velen. Meanwhile, inside Velen''s mind, he was feeling incredibly smug, secretly boasting to the system: "See that, System? Didn''t I say I could secure the deal for under fifty million? Tell me, wasn''t that wasteful spending behavior executed cleanly and beautifully?" "Hmph. You, Host, have merely completed the task. Consider yourself lucky that this system chooses to overlook your antics for now," came the system''s cold and slightly exasperated reply in Velen''s mind. Holding the ring tightly, Jerry stared at Velen. For a moment, the atmosphere between the two became tense and strangely awkward. Jerry''s heart was seething with unwillingness. Hmph! As soon as this transaction is over, I''m challenging you immediately! There''s no way you can just buy my ranking with money! I''ll take it back with my own hands! Experience still counts in the end ¡ª the older, the wiser! The two locked eyes, neither willing to look away, for nearly three full minutes. Sweat was starting to mat Jerry''s hair to his forehead from sheer anxiety. "I say, Brother Velen..." Finally, Jerry couldn''t hold it in anymore. He tapped his fingers irritably against the table and said, "You didn''t prepare a duel contract, did you?" Velen blinked innocently. "Why don''t... you bring one out?" What the¡ª What did he just say?! "Don''t tell me... you don''t have one either!" Jerry almost crushed the cup in his hand from sheer frustration. "If you don''t have it, this whole transaction has to be called off!" I''m the freaking number one on the Rising Magi Rankings! Am I supposed to walk around carrying duel contracts in my pockets like a hawker, constantly challenging the second place?! Where''s my dignity as number one? Where''s my sense of style?! Of course, Jerry didn''t dare voice any of this out loud. He was terrified that if he said anything reckless, the five million crystal offer might suddenly plummet even further! Forcing out a stiff commercial smile, Jerry said, "Fortunately, I just happen to have a few contracts stored with Christian. Please wait a moment, I''ll fetch them right away!" Without wasting a second, he bolted out of the guest room and headed next door toward Christian''s room. When he arrived, he found Christian roasting marshmallows leisurely over a small magical flame. "Jerry, who exactly is this Velen guy?" Christian looked up curiously when he saw him enter. "Loose lips sink ships!" Jerry immediately glared fiercely at Christian, his eyes full of warning. "From now on," Jerry said in a stern, low voice, "you better call him ''Lord Velen.'' Don''t say I didn''t warn you." "While I may not be afraid of him, his capabilities are far beyond what you can afford to provoke!" Christian froze, instantly scared stiff by Jerry''s sudden stern attitude. He nodded repeatedly, not daring to even breathe loudly. "You should have some Mutual Consent contracts on hand, right? Bring me two!" Jerry urged, his voice low and impatient. Right now, all he wanted was to get this deal finalized and over with. Hmph, even if I lost five million crystals today, I''ll still snatch back my number one ranking soon enough! In his mind, Jerry remained confident. Velen may have bought his way to the top for now, but in a real battle, as Blackgold Sovereign''s mentee, I have nothing to fear! Grabbing the two contracts, Jerry hurried back. As he walked, he muttered under his breath, "Five million crystals is a little painful... but once I beat him down and reclaim the top spot, it''ll all be worth it!" "And when they carve the inscription under my champion statue¡­ what should it say?" Soon, the two of them activated the Mutual Consent contracts. Velen calmly handed over the spatial ring packed with five million low-grade mana crystals. "I concede!" Jerry practically shouted the words faster than an auctioneer at a black market, tightly clutching the ring to his chest like a starving man grabbing his last meal. He was terrified Velen would change his mind and snatch it back. As the Mutual Consent burned away into gray ashes before their eyes, Velen knew with satisfaction that, once the Hall of Magi processed the contract, his new ranking would be official ¡ª task complete. Meanwhile, deep within the Hall of Magi¡­ Kelsey stared at the spontaneously appearing Mutual Consent in front of him, a flicker of admiration crossing his eyes. He quickly picked it up and examined it carefully. The contract detailed a full item exchange, alongside a formal acknowledgment of defeat. The familiar format and procedures made Kelsey nod in approval. He couldn''t help but mutter under his breath, "Although I don''t know exactly how many crystals Young Master Velen spent¡­ this method of ''defeating'' an opponent is truly ingenious. We should consider promoting this tactic more widely!" Back inside the guest room¡­ Ding! Achievement unlocked! Reward: 10 million Luxury Points! Ding! Task complete! Reward: 300 million Luxury Points! Two system notifications rang out almost simultaneously in Velen''s mind. The corners of his lips lifted higher, revealing a thoroughly satisfied smile. "Having insiders sure makes life easier," Velen chuckled to himself. "The Mutual Consent had barely turned to ashes, and they''ve already processed the transaction over there. Such efficiency!" However, there was a slight disappointment. Despite the extravagant wasteful spending involved in buying the ranking, no special rewards were triggered this time. Still, when Velen checked his Luxury Points balance, he couldn''t help but feel delighted. "Six hundred and fifty million Luxury Points... not bad at all." His smile grew even wider. Just then¡ª "Velen! I challenge you!" Jerry''s voice rang out, brimming with fighting spirit. Without hesitation, he launched a formal challenge. "I refuse." Velen replied instantly, his eyes gleaming mischievously. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He had no intention of sparring right away ¡ª teasing Jerry for a while sounded much more fun. ??? Jerry froze. He couldn''t believe his ears. Was¡­ was he allowed to refuse a challenge?! "Velen, the Hall of Magi has clear regulations!" Jerry blurted out, anxiously reminding him. "If someone on the rankings challenges you with a Mutual Consent, you must accept. If you refuse, your ranking gets revoked!" "And so?" Velen smiled slyly, the corners of his mouth curving up wickedly. "Should I call Kelsey over again to explain how that rule doesn''t apply to me?" Holy crap! Jerry''s mind almost exploded. How can you be so shameless?! Now he finally realized: Velen was a "relationship household," a true insider protected by the system itself! And here he had been na?vely dreaming of a clean fight! Dammit, so what if you have connections! I have backers too! I''m no pushover either! But before Jerry could work himself into a rage¡ª "Hahaha!" Velen burst out laughing at Jerry''s crestfallen face. "Relax, just teasing you!" "I accept your challenge." "However," Velen continued, "we need to pick a private place to fight. Don''t want to disturb the others." "Fine!" Jerry, still seething with frustration, agreed quickly. "When you activate your spatial transfer array," Velen said, "Just set the destination coordinates to that flying artifact of yours." With a wave of his hand, Velen casually retrieved Jerry''s previously used seventh-grade flying vessel and stashed it into his own spatial ring. Then, without further delay, Velen activated the transfer array. In a flash of light, he disappeared from the room. Watching him vanish, Jerry''s mind raced. Where the hell is this guy planning to take me? Surely¡­ surely he''s not planning to sell me off somewhere, right?! Chapter 239 - Chapter236-You Cant Afford to Mess with a Pay-to-Win Player! Jerry was filled with confusion. "Forget it, wherever he went, it''s none of my business. Even if he encounters danger, is there anyone in the entire universe who could possibly stand against my mentor?" "Even just a projection of my mentor''s clone would be more than enough to handle anything." Thinking of his mentor''s terrifying strength, Jerry''s heart surged with confidence. Without any hesitation, he activated the spatial teleportation array and stepped into it. ... Inside the Fortress! "Lord Velen!" Upon seeing Velen appear within his personal quarters inside the fortress, Apollo immediately straightened up and bowed respectfully. "The disciple of the Blackgold Sovereign is almost here," Velen said, a flicker of anticipation flashing through his eyes. "I''ll have a little spar with him first. Once I beat him so badly he doesn''t even know where he is, he''ll surely call for backup. Then, we''ll finally get to meet the Blackgold Sovereign himself." Apollo''s eyes lit up with excitement the moment he heard those words. He nodded vigorously, rubbing his hands together eagerly. Finally, someone was coming to keep him company! Apollo couldn''t wait to meet the Blackgold Sovereign! If you''re a brother, come and be my servant! At that moment, a spatial ripple appeared, and Jerry stepped out from the rift. However, the scene before his eyes left him completely stunned, his whole body frozen in place. Holy shit! What the hell is this place!? It''s blinding my poor eyes! As far as his eyes could see, the ground was paved entirely with high-grade mana crystals, radiating intense magical brilliance! The fortress walls themselves were built from layers upon layers of high-grade mana crystals! Holy crap, even the walls are made of high-grade crystals!? What kind of fortress is this?! This is practically a treasure vault made of crystals! Jerry subconsciously clenched his fists. "I just got my hands on fifty million low-grade mana crystals... but after conversion, that''s only about fifty pieces of high-grade mana crystals..." Thinking about his recent windfall and then looking at the extravagant scene before him, Jerry felt an overwhelming sense of inadequacy. His hard-earned fortune felt absolutely worthless here! "Jerry, this is my place," Velen said with a casual smile. "What do you think? Not bad, right?" Not bad? This is absolutely insane! Jerry''s heart was in turmoil. At this moment, he even had the ridiculous urge to defect and join this ridiculously wealthy fortress! This must be what they call the unrestrained luxury of the rich! Suddenly, Jerry''s gaze shifted, and he spotted a grand, imposing palace towering over twenty meters high in the distance. He couldn''t help but blurt out in amazement: "Velen, is that your fortress''s core hall?" Velen shook his head calmly. "That''s not the main hall. That''s... the rabbit hutch." Jerry blinked. "The rabbit... hutch?" Velen nodded seriously. "I raise a spellbeast. That palace is its residence." Jerry froze. Then, he burst into loud laughter. "Hahaha! Velen, you''re such a joker!" But as he laughed, he noticed Velen''s face was completely serious ¡ª not a hint of humor. The laughter stuck in Jerry''s throat, and his face stiffened awkwardly. "No way... You''re not serious, are you?" he asked tentatively, praying for a denial. However, in the very next moment¡ª A figure shot out of the palace, soaring through the air on a longsword ¡ª a rabbit! "Apollo, are you out here picking up guests again?" the rabbit called out cheekily as it soared overhead. "...What the f*ck!" Apollo, not far away, instantly exploded with rage at the rabbit''s taunt. "You damn rabbit! I swear I''ll tear down your palace right now!" What the hell am I even looking at? Flying rabbit? Daring to taunt an Ascended Rank powerhouse? Wait, wait, that palace built from high-grade mana crystals... really belongs to the rabbit!? Witnessing all of this, Jerry felt as if he had taken a critical hit straight to the soul. A full ten thousand points of emotional damage! "Jerry, I''ll show you around the fortress later," Velen said with a laugh, noticing Apollo''s impatient expression from the side. He knew he needed to speed things up ¡ª the main goal was to lure the Blackgold Sovereign out! "For now, let''s get straight to our spar!" S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Fight!" Jerry gritted his teeth and summoned his Mutual Consent Contract. No matter how extravagant this fortress was, battles were decided by strength! If he couldn''t defeat the big boss, surely he could take down Velen, right? Both of them activated the Mutual Consent at the same time, surging magical power instantly erupting around them as they assumed battle stances. The Eye of Annihilation shouldn''t be used casually, Velen thought to himself. Then I''ll just fight him relying on my raw mana reserves and an endless stream of high-grade mana crystals! He would simply bury him under mountains of crystal-powered magic! In an instant, terrifying waves of destructive mana erupted from Velen''s body. One sword! Two swords! Three swords! ... Jerry''s brain completely froze. Behind Velen, massive swords each stretching forty meters long condensed out of pure mana. And they kept multiplying ¡ª a hundred giant swords in total, each radiating a soul-chilling, deathly aura! "This guy... was hiding his strength all along!" Jerry: I''m breaking down over here! How the hell am I supposed to fight this?! And just as Jerry was struggling to comprehend the overwhelming gap between them, the situation took an even crazier turn. Velen casually pulled out a huge pile of high-grade mana crystals and began absorbing the magical energy like a madman! The hundred massive swords that had already been summoned grew even more brilliant, and to Jerry''s horror, a hundred and first sword was beginning to take form! Holy crap! Jerry''s eyes widened to the size of saucers. "You''ve gotta be kidding me! Just because you have a mountain of high-grade mana crystals, you think you can bully people like this?!" Watching Velen''s insane behavior ¡ª madly consuming crystals to power up even further ¡ª Jerry''s mentality completely collapsed. Is this even a fight? This isn''t a battle of strength ¡ª it''s a battle of who can throw more crystals around! So what if he''s a pay-to-win player!? Just because you''re rich, you think you can do whatever you want!? "Lord Velen," Jerry said helplessly, craning his neck to look at the 101 gleaming sacred swords floating ominously overhead. "Isn''t this just a friendly spar? Isn''t this a little... too serious?" But Velen didn''t stop ¡ª he was already beginning to condense the 102nd sword! Jerry immediately raised both hands in surrender. "I surrender!" "Stop! Stop! Stop!" Although Jerry had mastered high-level magic from the upper plane universe and was virtually unrivaled among his peers, against a monster like Velen ¡ª who treated high-grade mana crystals as snacks ¡ª he stood absolutely no chance. He could maybe survive fifty giant swords. A hundred? That would be suicide! "Phew¡ª" Seeing Velen casually wave his hand and disperse the myriad golden swords into specks of light, Jerry let out a long breath of relief. But deep inside, he was wailing: "Even though my mentor is a Sovereign from the upper planes, how is it possible that there''s a freak like this hiding in a lower plane universe?!" "Does his family''s mana crystal stockpile just auto-refresh infinitely or something?!" "Fight! Keep fighting!" Apollo was bouncing anxiously on the sidelines. Wasn''t the plan to beat him up so badly even his own mother wouldn''t recognize him!? Why did it suddenly stop?! I even set up a camera for recording! "Jerry," Velen said smoothly, casually straightening the gold-embroidered cuffs of his robe. Jerry''s mouth twitched uncontrollably at the sight. Since when did you get so proper and gentlemanly all of a sudden? "What now?" "Since you''re clearly not in the mood to fight anymore," Velen said with a meaningful smile, "let''s move on to the second matter." "I want to meet your mentor." Chapter 240 - Chapter237-You Betrayed Me for Two Hundred Million?! Jerry''s mouth twitched uncontrollably. "Lord Velen, although I don''t know why you insist on meeting my mentor, forgive me for being blunt ¡ª across the entire Titan Galaxy, even across the whole lower plane universe, there''s no one qualified enough to make him descend in person." "One hundred million low-grade mana crystals," Velen said with a beaming smile, raising a single finger. Jerry gasped sharply. "You... You''re trying to bribe me!" "I would never, ever sell out my mentor!" Jerry declared with righteousness. "Two hundred million." "Lord Velen!" Jerry almost cried out. "My mentor is the Blackgold Sovereign from the upper plane universe! If he finds out that I summoned him down here just for money¡ª" "Four hundred million." Jerry''s knees buckled, and he nearly collapsed on the spot. "F-Four hundred million?!" What the hell!? Just because you''re rich, you think you can do whatever you want? But damn it ¡ª Jerry''s heart was wildly tempted! He struggled internally like a madman. "Will mentor kill me? No, even if he breaks my legs, for four hundred million crystals, it''s totally worth it!" Just as he gritted his teeth and was about to give in, Velen suddenly changed his tune: "Forget it. Two hundred million will do." "???" Jerry almost coughed up blood. "You¡ªyou''re bargaining with yourself like this is a damn auction?!" "Are you in or not?" Velen said lazily. "If not, I''ll find someone else." He made a show of turning to leave. "Meet! I''ll arrange it right now!" Jerry scrambled frantically, fearing Velen might lower the price again. He pulled out a crimson scroll from his storage ring as fast as he could. "System, how''s that?" Velen said smugly in his mind. "I told you I could settle this with two hundred million." [Ding! Host, if you keep lowballing him like this, I''m afraid you''ll break Jerry''s spirit completely.] "You don''t understand," Velen scoffed. "This is the art of business negotiation!" [Ding! Host, your true art is being shameless!] Hearing the system''s deadpan roast, Velen retorted without missing a beat: "At least I have a face. Unlike you, who doesn''t even have a set of facial features!" [Ding! Host, you¡ª!] ¡ª¡ªBOOM! Before the system could finish, an overwhelming surge of magical energy erupted across the fortress. The fabric of space cracked open like paper, and from within, a middle-aged man draped in a flowing crimson-gold robe burst forth. "Who dares to harm a disciple of the Blackgold Sovereign¡ª" But before he could finish roaring, he froze mid-sentence. Because standing on either side of him, seemingly appearing out of nowhere, were two beings exuding terrifyingly oppressive auras. To his left was a sweetly smiling little girl, licking a lollipop. To his right was a red-haired, one-armed man radiating a chilling, bloodthirsty aura. Blackgold Sovereign''s pupils shrank violently. What the hell!? Isn''t this supposed to be the lower plane universe?! "How could there be monsters like these here?!" "Yo, Blackgold old pal, long time no see!" Apollo suddenly bounced out from behind, enthusiastically waving a broom. Hearing a familiar voice, Blackgold Sovereign instinctively glanced over ¡ª and instantly widened his eyes in disbelief. "Apollo...?!" "Blackgold Sovereign, it''s been a while!" Apollo greeted gleefully. "This... this can''t be happening..." Jerry, who was watching from the side, turned completely to stone. That guy wearing a janitor''s uniform... actually knows my mentor?! Blackgold Sovereign himself was dumbfounded. He never imagined that his old rival, Apollo, would actually appear here in the lower plane universe ¡ª and it wasn''t even a mere projection! It was his real body! Blackgold Sovereign''s face turned dark as a storm cloud. "Apollo?! What are you doing here!?" "It''s a long story~" Apollo said with a mischievous grin. "You''ll find out soon enough." "Little girl, fetch his real body," Velen ordered. With a casual swipe of her tiny hand, the lollipop girl tore another rift into space. Blackgold Sovereign''s face changed dramatically. He tried to scatter his projection and escape. But a cold voice from the red-haired man pinned him in place: "You''d better behave. Otherwise, bringing down your real body will be the least of your worries." Blackgold Sovereign had no choice but to grit his teeth and endure. Moments later, his true body was forcibly summoned, and his powers were sealed. Now he stood pitifully in the middle of the crowd, powerless. Apollo pretended to comfort him. "Don''t worry, Blackgold Sovereign. The seal''s only temporary. Once you return to the upper plane universe, you''ll recover naturally." Taking a deep breath, Blackgold Sovereign turned a sharp gaze toward Apollo and Jerry. "What the hell is going on here?!" "Because of your precious disciple," Apollo said with an exaggerated sigh, "Lord Velen learned of your existence." He grinned wickedly. "And I suggested that Lord Velen personally ''invite'' you down. After all, cleaning the entire fortress by myself was getting pretty boring. I needed a buddy." "....." Blackgold Sovereign fell silent for three full seconds. Then ¡ª he exploded. "APOLLO!!! I''LL NEVER FORGIVE YOU!!!" Snatching up his staff, he swung it furiously at Apollo. Apollo danced around nimbly, dodging every blow while shouting: "Calm down! Calm down! Full board accommodations included! Plus, we''ll even give you an Astral Aurum Toilet!" Jerry collapsed onto the ground, staring into the sky, hollow-eyed. It''s over. My mentor''s been tricked into becoming a janitor... Velen nodded with satisfaction. "Not bad. Looks like we just found a new gardener for the fortress too." "I''m going to kill you!!!" Blackgold Sovereign roared, genuinely wanting to throttle Apollo. He had been living a good life in the upper plane! And now, all because this damned Apollo thought "it''s too lonely cleaning alone", he got forcibly dragged down ¡ª sealed and humiliated! "Mentor!" Jerry scrambled to his feet. "Calm down! Please!" "Remember, you still have to work under Apollo from now on!" "What did you just say?" Blackgold Sovereign froze. Jerry clung to him tightly, refusing to let go. "Mentor, Apollo is in charge of all the servants here now. You''ll be working under his management! If you hurt him... your job might get even worse!" Blackgold Sovereign took a deep breath, visibly restraining his rage ¡ª he truly couldn''t bring himself to hurt his beloved disciple. "Jerry," he said through gritted teeth, "tell me: how did they force you to call me down?" After stabilizing his emotions, he fixed a burning gaze on Jerry. "Mentor, you know me. I''ve always respected you the most!" Jerry said sincerely. Blackgold Sovereign nodded. "And then?" S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "At first, I refused!" Jerry insisted. "But then Lord Velen... he offered me two hundred million low-grade mana crystals... and, well, you know... at that price... I really couldn''t refuse..." Jerry explained tearfully. "WHAT?! Two hundred million low-grade mana crystals ¡ª and you sold me out?!" Blackgold Sovereign was so enraged he grabbed his staff again. "After all I''ve done worrying about you ¡ª you backstabbing little brat!" He chased after Jerry, swinging his staff wildly. Jerry ran like his life depended on it, tears streaming down his face. "Blackgold Sovereign! You mustn''t!" "Calm down!" "This is your carefully selected, beloved mentee!" From the sidelines, Apollo cheerfully fanned the flames: "Exactly! Which is why you must strike hard and fast! Best to kill him in one blow before you get softhearted!" "YOU BASTARD!" Jerry screamed, dodging and cursing Apollo at the same time. "Apollo, you''re despicable!" "Apollo, for once you said something right!" Blackgold Sovereign laughed heartily ¡ª but noticeably didn''t speed up. He was only venting his anger verbally. Deep down, he could never truly hurt Jerry. "Wait, wait!" Apollo quickly backpedaled when he realized Blackgold Sovereign might actually land a hit. "I was joking! Don''t really smash the kid into dust!" After the chaotic chase finally subsided, Blackgold Sovereign turned serious again. "Apollo," he asked, "you have a mentee in the lower plane universe too, don''t you?" "Is he in this fortress as well?" Chapter 242 - Chapter239-If You Can, Please Feel Free to Humiliate Me! As evening approached, on the streets of Uno Kingdom. Steven took a deep breath as he arrived at the door and knocked. "The door''s open, come on in!" A voice called out from inside¡ªit was Velen. Creak! The door swung open, and Steven, battered and bruised, staggered into the room. "Jerry, it''s time for you to accept my¡ª" Steven''s words caught in his throat the moment he saw the scene before him. There, lounging casually, was Velen, nonchalantly scratching his bare foot. Steven froze, his mind blank. Brothers, am I hallucinating? Did I just walk into a room with a barefoot guy scratching his foot? Where''s Jerry? "Hey, man, sorry. Looks like I got the wrong room," Steven laughed awkwardly and turned to leave. Three seconds later. Wait a minute... Something''s not right! Steven frowned. Isn''t this Jerry''s room? Suspicious, he turned back, re-entered the room, and stared at Velen, confusion written all over his face. "Hey, uh... are you sure you''re in the right room? This is supposed to be Jerry''s, right?" "Jerry''s already left," Velen said with a casual smile. "You must be Steven. I''ve been waiting for you for a while." "Left?" Steven''s brows furrowed. "Was he scared?" He couldn''t help but find Velen''s demeanor a little... off. Why does this guy feel so suspicious? Velen just shrugged. "Who knows? Anyway, since you''re already here, why rush off?" But Steven had no intention of sticking around. He had come to challenge Jerry, and Jerry was gone. What was the point of staying? ??? Seeing Steven about to leave without even acknowledging him, Velen was momentarily dumbfounded. Is this guy seriously just ignoring me? Me, the dignified Lord Velen, being ignored?! Just then, a system prompt echoed in Velen''s mind. Ding! A random mission has been issued: Please make Steven remember you before he leaves the room, using a special and extravagant method. Mission success will award 50 million luxury points. No penalty for failure. You may decline. "What?" S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Velen''s mind raced. Make him remember me in a special and showy way? Staring at Steven, who was about to step out the door, Velen was about to call out to him with an offer... when he suddenly noticed something. There, by his feet¡ªthe soul crystal tear footbath! Wait a minute¡­ I have the perfect plan for an extravagant stunt! Even though I''ve used the soul crystal tear to soak my feet, its soul-enhancing effect hasn''t diminished at all. If I drench him with soul crystal tear, that''s definitely both special and ridiculously extravagant. It''ll be unforgettable! With that wicked idea gleaming in his mind, Velen made his decision. "Hey, Steven!" he called out. Steven paused, turning back to look at him. Velen''s lips curled into a mischievous grin. "Steven, want to see something fun?" Steven blinked. "Something fun?" Before he could react, Velen grabbed the footbath and hurled it toward him! Holy sht!* Steven''s eyes widened in shock. Sploosh! The next second, Steven was drenched, standing there like a soaked rat, utterly stunned. What the hell just happened?! How could a top-tier prodigy at Hero Rank Lv.9 like me not dodge that at all? Steven was frozen, utterly bewildered. Meanwhile, Velen stared at the soaked Steven, equally confused. I just wanted to splash him a little to show off¡­ why did it work so perfectly? Ding! Congratulations, mission completed. 50 million luxury points awarded! Ding! To achieve the effect you desired, the system secretly had a member of the Tycoon Guardians suppress Steven''s spiritual sense. That''s why he couldn''t dodge your attack! ??? When did that happen?! Velen was completely stunned by the system''s explanation. System! I was just fooling around! You actually sabotaged him so he couldn''t dodge my footbath attack?! "You bastard!" Steven roared in fury, his gaze burning with rage as he pointed at Velen. "You¡ªYou actually splashed me with footbath water!" Velen blinked innocently. "If I said it wasn''t intentional... would you believe me?" Steven: You wanna take a wild guess? In all my years alive, this is the first time I''ve been humiliated like this! "You''re dead meat!" Steven bellowed, fists clenching, ready to charge at Velen. "You dared to humiliate me with footbath water! I''m going to kill you!" But right then¡ª Drip by drip, the soul crystal tear slid down Steven''s wet hair, trickling onto his face, and even landing on his lips. Subconsciously, Steven stuck out his tongue and licked the droplet. Instantly, his entire body froze. Whoa... Steven''s eyes widened as he tasted the strange, miraculous flavor lingering on his tongue. A brilliant light flashed in his eyes¡ªan expression of utter astonishment and pure delight! This flavor¡­ it''s divine! He stood there dumbfounded, staring at the sparkling droplets of soul crystal tear scattered across the floor. "Steven... what are you doing?" Velen frowned, watching as Steven carefully summoned his magic, meticulously gathering every last drop of soul crystal tear into a series of exquisite little vials. Velen was completely baffled by the sight. "Bro... uh, was it really that serious?" After finishing his collection, Steven turned to Velen with a bright, sheepish grin. "Lord Velen," Steven said, his voice filled with surprising humility, "I was wrong just now. I spoke rashly." Then¡ªlicking his lips, a faint blush creeping onto his cheeks¡ªhe added: "If possible... please feel free to humiliate me as much as you want!" ??? Velen felt like he had been struck by lightning. Did... did I just hear him correctly? The second-ranked prodigy on the Rising Magi Rankings... was now begging to be humiliated? Velen''s eyes widened in disbelief. "You... what did you just say?" "And by the way¡ª" He couldn''t help but ask, his curiosity bubbling over, "Why were you collecting those droplets just now?" Upon hearing the question, Steven''s expression crumpled. This guy... he''s either a complete lunatic or a devil incarnate! He knows exactly what those droplets are, yet he still used them to soak his feet? Steven felt like screaming. Does this man not have a conscience?! Letting out a deep sigh, Steven composed himself and explained honestly, "Of course, I collected them to use for cultivation later." "This soul crystal tear is a priceless treasure for those of us who practice Light Magic." "If I keep consuming it over time, it could even boost my chances of breaking through the Thunder Tide barrier." Steven''s eyes gleamed with a desperate kind of hope as he asked, "Lord Velen, do you have any more of that footbath water? I''ll buy all of it!" Chapter 243 - Chapter240-Mentee? Male or Female? Are They Good-Looking? "Drink it?" Velen felt his scalp tingle, utterly shocked at Steven''s sheer audacity. This guy¡­ was he seriously planning to drink the footbath water I used?! "Brother Steven, that was the water I soaked my feet in!" Velen couldn''t help but point out. "So what?!" Steven straightened his back, eyes burning with determination. "Lord Velen! What I want is your footbath water! If it were anyone else''s, I wouldn''t even consider it!" Hiss! Velen sucked in a cold breath. This Steven truly lives up to his reputation as the eternal runner-up! The level of endurance and shamelessness he possesses is terrifying! He''s actually willing to drink my footbath water! Steven''s eyes glimmered with fervent hope as he gazed at Velen. "If it''s water you bathed in, not just soaked your feet, I would still take it without hesitation!" "As long as you''re willing to humiliate me, I''m willing to accept it!" With that, Steven tilted his head back and gulped down the bottle of footbath water in one go. He then closed his eyes, wearing an expression of solemn sacrifice. "Come! Humiliate me however you please!" Velen was utterly speechless. Talk about not knowing hunger unless you''ve starved... Only now did Velen truly realize how valuable soul crystal tear was. Steven had been forced to the point where he would gladly drink someone''s used bathwater just to grow stronger! But even so, Velen still felt a little uncomfortable letting someone drink his discarded bathwater. It wasn''t guilt¡ªmore like... it just felt weird! Just then, a system prompt sounded in Velen''s mind. Ding! Reminder: This Steven would make a great mentee for Apollo. "Huh? Steven would be a great mentee for Apollo?" Hearing this, Velen fell into deep thought. Ding! Please note: Apollo is currently in servitude under the Fortress rules. Whether to allow him a new, suitable mentee is up to the host''s discretion. Velen stared at Steven thoughtfully, contemplating whether to bring him under Apollo''s wing. The guy was even willing to drink footbath water... watching him, my heart really aches a little. This kid had clearly been through a lot. Meanwhile, Steven, seeing Velen lost in thought, grew even more excited. Yes! This is it! Lord Velen must be thinking about how much more soul crystal tear he''s willing to share with me! If I could get a whole tub of it, I would laugh myself awake even in my dreams! Steven didn''t care whether it was footbath water or bathwater. As long as it was soul crystal tear, he would gulp it down without hesitation! Real men didn''t fuss over trivial things¡ªwhatever it was, drink it in one shot! After a moment of pondering, Velen said, "I''ll need to ask Senator Ethan about this first." Turning to Steven, he instructed, "Wait here for me. I''ll be back soon." "No problem, Lord Velen! I''ll be right here!" Steven responded excitedly. "Wait for me," Velen said again, before opening a Spatial Portal and stepping through. He must be going to fetch more soul crystal tear! sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Steven thought, growing even more excited. Lord Velen is such a generous and kind soul! He could hardly believe his luck¡ªbeing gifted something as precious as soul crystal tear! At this point, Steven no longer cared about how the water had been used. Soul crystal tear is soul crystal tear! Who cares? I''ll take it all! Overflowing with excitement, he ran to the door and shouted down the hall, "Boss! Where''s the boss? Bring me a bathtub¡ªthe biggest one you''ve got!" ¡ª Fortress. Senator Ethan''s Courtyard. "Lord Velen? What brings you here?" Senator Ethan looked slightly surprised to see him. "How much longer until Apollo''s servitude contract ends?" Velen asked bluntly. "Is it possible to release him earlier? I just found a very fitting mentee for him¡ªsomeone skilled in Light Magic, a perfect match for Apollo, the Sunlord." Upon hearing this, Senator Ethan sighed deeply. "Lord Velen, it''s true that I once hated Apollo to the bone. But after making him a servant, I''ve come to understand many things." He spoke candidly, laying bare his true feelings. "If he hadn''t sealed me away for two hundred years, I might never have met you, Lord Velen. Blessings and misfortunes are intertwined¡ªthat''s just life." "Now, I no longer harbor deep hatred toward him. Maybe after another century or so, I''ll free him from servitude." "In that case," Velen said, "it''s fine to arrange a mentee for him now." "Senator Ethan, please let Apollo know: I''ve found a Light Magic user suitable to become his mentee. Have him get ready." After speaking, Velen activated another Spatial Portal and vanished from Senator Ethan''s courtyard. ¡ª Apollo''s Courtyard. "What?!" Apollo almost cried with joy when he heard the news from Senator Ethan. "Lord Velen found a mentee for me?" "Finally! I''m no longer alone!" His heart swelled with gratitude. Lord Velen always thinks of me... He''s too kind! Apollo''s hands trembled with emotion. You have no idea how painful it''s been watching Blackgold Sovereign and his mentee Jerry flaunt their affection in front of me every day! Now he finally had his own mentee too! I''m not lonely anymore! "Senator Ethan, thank you!" "If it weren''t for you, Lord Velen might not have thought of bringing that Light Magic user over. I, Apollo, will forever remember this kindness!" Overwhelmed with gratitude, Apollo eagerly awaited the arrival of his new disciple. Meanwhile, Blackgold Sovereign, who overheard the news, quietly left Apollo''s courtyard and hurried back to his own residence. ¡ª Fortress. In Blackgold Sovereign''s courtyard, he found Jerry (also known as Christian) and said, "Christian, I have good news for you." "Lord Velen has found a mentee for Apollo. From now on, you''ll have company." "Huh?" Jerry looked puzzled. "Someone to keep me company?" He perked up instantly. "Mentor, who''s coming?" "Which major force from the Upper Plane Universe do they belong to? Did their mentor get captured too?" "And... is it a man or a woman? Are they tall? Good figure? Are they good-looking?" Jerry fired off questions in rapid succession. Blackgold Sovereign''s face turned green with rage. You bastard! You''re not concerned about anything else except how good-looking they are?! "Lord Velen found a suitable mentee for Apollo¡ªnot for you!" "Stop dreaming!" "In all likelihood, they''ll build a small residence nearby to focus on training." Blackgold Sovereign glared sternly at Jerry. "I''m warning you now: You are my mentee, Christian." "You might not have to surpass everyone, but you must never lose to Apollo''s mentee!" Jerry, however, was still fixated on one thing. "But Mentor, is Apollo''s mentee a boy or a girl?" Blackgold Sovereign exploded with fury. "You little¡ª!" Fuming, he started searching around the courtyard. "Mentor, what are you looking for?" Jerry asked, puzzled. "My wand! Where''s my Blackgold Wand?!" "Your wand?" Jerry blinked. "What do you need it for?" "To blast your stupid turtle head from top to bottom with a destruction spell, you little brat!" Chapter 244 - Chapter241-Steven! Jerry! Its You! "What are you trying to do?!" Hearing his mentor''s brutal declaration, Jerry was utterly dumbfounded. How did it come to this? Why does he want to kill me all of a sudden?! "You little brat!" Blackgold Sovereign roared. "No wonder your level progression has been so slow these past few years! Turns out you''ve been wasting your time thinking about all these filthy things!" "And you still dream of ascending to the Upper Plane Universe?! Even if I gave you ten thousand years, you wouldn''t make it!" "Forget ascending. I''ll blast you straight to the heavens right now!" After thoroughly cursing Jerry out, Blackgold Sovereign finally remembered that his wand was inside his spatial ring. He immediately retrieved it, and with a wave, unleashed a forbidden spell at the already fleeing Jerry. "Don''t you run, you little bastard! I''m going to blow you to pieces!" ¡ª Chaos City. When Velen returned to the inn''s guest room through a Spatial Portal, he was stunned by what he saw. Right in the middle of the room was a huge bathtub, nearly one meter tall! Velen stood there, completely speechless. What the hell happened while I was gone? Then his gaze fell on Steven, who was squatting nearby, looking at him with wide, eager eyes full of hope. "Lord Velen! You''re finally back!" Steven said with excitement. Finally! He''s here to bring me the footbath water! "Steven, I found you a powerful mentor. Do you want him?" Velen, ignoring the sudden appearance of the bathtub, looked seriously at Steven. ??? A mentor? What mentor? I even got a bathtub ready! And you tell me you weren''t fetching more soul crystal tear but instead went to find me a mentor? Where''s my soul crystal tear? Are you still going to give it to me or not?! Steven''s mind spun in confusion. "This isn''t what I signed up for!" "Lord Velen, with all due respect... I''ll pass on the mentor." Steven shook his head, looking utterly disappointed. "I''d rather have the footbath water!" After all, back on the Singularity Battlefield, Steven had acquired an extremely powerful Light Magic inheritance. As long as he focused on cultivating it, he was confident that he would eventually reach Ascended Rank and successfully ascend to the Upper Plane Universe! The one who left behind that Light Magic legacy was a powerful Light Mage who had already achieved ascension. Seeing Steven''s reaction, Velen decided to pull out his trump card. "Your mentor has a lot of soul crystal tear," Velen said, feigning deep regret. "Since you don''t want to acknowledge him, I guess he''ll just keep using the soul crystal tear to wash clothes and cook meals." What?! Steven froze, utterly shocked. "Lord Velen, my kind and noble mentor... doing laundry and cooking for himself?!" "As his mentee, that''s absolutely unacceptable! I must be the one doing all that for him!" Steven declared, righteous indignation flashing in his eyes. His sudden change of heart left Velen speechless. Steven''s mind had flipped so fast that Velen almost thought he was dreaming. The moment Steven heard that his would-be mentor was using soul crystal tear for menial tasks, he immediately changed his stance. He couldn''t wait to acknowledge this mentor now! "Lord Velen, please take me to meet my mentor right away! Those chores should be my responsibility as his mentee!" "Let''s go quickly! My heart aches just thinking about it!" Steven urged him anxiously. After all, in Light Magic, the purer one''s soul, the stronger the magic. With enough soul crystal tear to continuously purify his soul, Steven believed he could absolutely defeat Jerry one day. By then, reclaiming the number one spot on the Rising Magi Rankings would just be a matter of time! "Here, use this flying device. Once you arrive, activate the Spatial Portal linked to it," Velen instructed, handing Steven a flying artifact. "Lord Velen, just how strong is my mentor?" Steven asked as he boarded the device. "An Ascended Rank powerhouse," Velen said lightly. "The kind who can fight a hundred enemies of the same rank at once!" Of course, he didn''t mention Apollo''s real identity. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. If Steven knew Apollo was actually a Sunlord from the Upper Plane Universe, he might be too terrified to go through with it. Hiss! Even just hearing this vague description made Steven gasp. It sounded unbelievable. After all, even the Uno Kingdom only had five Ascended Rank Knight Commanders. If his mentor could fight a hundred at once, didn''t that mean he could easily crush the entire Uno Kingdom''s top forces? Wasn''t this too insane? Steven felt a little dizzy, unable to fully accept what he was hearing. "Alright, I''ll head to the fortress first. Afterward, just use the Spatial Portal to follow." With that, Velen activated a portal and disappeared from the room. ¡ª Fortress. Apollo''s Courtyard. "Huh? Jerry? Why are you here? Where''s Apollo?" Velen asked curiously as he stepped into Apollo''s courtyard and found only Jerry lounging around. "Lord Velen, Apollo got tricked away by my mentor," Jerry said with a laugh. "He wants me to spar with Apollo''s new mentee first, to see if they''re really worthy." "Oh? Is that so?" Velen gave Jerry a sly, knowing smile. Seeing Velen''s grin, Jerry felt a bit embarrassed and coughed awkwardly. "Well... actually, my mentor just wants me to bully Apollo''s new mentee a little," Jerry admitted sheepishly. "Bullying, huh?" Velen chuckled. When you see who it is, you might not be so eager anymore. Just then¡ª "Lord Velen! I''m here!" A Spatial Rift opened up above the flying device, and Steven''s excited voice rang out. "A guy?" Hearing the voice, Jerry immediately showed a disappointed expression. Damn it. It''s not a cute girl? Wait a second... Why does that voice sound so familiar? Jerry frowned. The voice stirred something in his memory¡ªhe was sure he had heard it somewhere before! The next moment, a head popped out of the portal¡ªSteven''s head. Their eyes met. "Steven!" "Jerry!" Both of them cried out in shock at the same time. Damn! It''s him?! Seeing Steven, Jerry was completely stunned. Why the hell is this guy here?! "Lord Velen, why is Jerry here?" Steven asked, bewildered. "Lord Velen, why is Steven coming here?" Jerry exclaimed, equally confused. After their simultaneous cries of surprise, both turned their heads toward Velen, demanding an explanation. Chapter 245 - Chapter242-Stop Asking! Both Our Mentors Are Just Servants of the Fortress! "Wait, Your Highness Velen!" "Steven... could it be that he''s Apollo''s mentee?" S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Jerry suddenly thought of something, his face filled with shock as he looked at Velen. "Velen!!!" Before Jerry could finish his words, a furious voice rang out from not far away. Anastasia stood at the entrance of the grand hall, her expression thunderous as she shouted. Velen was getting more and more out of line! Why was he bringing in random people into the fortress like it was a public market? "Who are they?" "Another group you recruited from the outside?" "Velen, do you even acknowledge me as the lord of this fortress anymore?" Anastasia''s voice was sharp as she questioned him. Seeing Anastasia flying over on a magic flying device, Velen quickly instructed the two, "You two, leave for now!" "Jerry, take Steven down to the base of the peak to settle into a temporary residence. I''ll come find you later!" ¡­ "My god!" "Am I seeing things? Is the entire ground of this fortress paved with advanced mana crystals?" As Steven rushed out of the fortress, he finally noticed the dazzling ground beneath his feet. Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined he would one day be running across a field of endless advanced mana crystals. This fortress was too outrageously luxurious! Even the greatest forces in the universe couldn''t possibly afford to lay down this many advanced mana crystals at once! How ridiculously wealthy must his mentor be? Suddenly, Steven felt extremely certain¡ªcoming here was definitely the right choice! "Jerry, is His Highness Velen''s fortress really this extravagant?" "And by the way, earlier you said something... you know my mentor?" "His Highness Velen told me that my mentor could take on a hundred Ascended Rank powerhouses by himself! He must be a senior senator of this fortress, right?" Steven looked at Jerry with bright, eager eyes. "Senior senator?" Jerry sneered without mercy, shattering Steven''s fantasy. "Steven, you''re overthinking things. Your mentor is just... a servant of the fortress." ??? Steven was completely stunned. My mentor... is a servant? Impossible! Absolutely impossible! "Jerry, stop messing with me. How could my mentor possibly be just a servant?" But the moment Steven met Jerry''s sincere, utterly serious gaze, he instantly fell silent. ¡­ "No way..." "Jerry, you''re not joking, right?" "My mentor, the one who could defeat a hundred strong Ascended Rank opponents, is just a servant?" Steven''s eyes were wide with disbelief. How could this be? Forcing an Ascended Rank powerhouse to serve as a mere servant... Across the whole universe, no force could possibly pull that off! "I really didn''t expect that the mentee Velen found for Apollo would turn out to be you," Jerry said casually. "But actually, it''s not a bad thing. You''re no threat to me, and knowing this will definitely make my mentor very happy!" "Huh?" Steven blinked. "Wait, the mysterious mentor you kept talking about... he''s here too? What does he do in the fortress?" "My mentor is also a servant!" Jerry said with a tearful voice, revealing the cruel truth. ??? Steven''s mind was completely blown. Jerry¡ªthe once top genius of the Rising Magi Rankings! And himself¡ªthe second-ranked genius! And yet... their mentors were both servants of this fortress? Who would believe such a ridiculous story?! "Brother Jerry," Steven stammered, "how many servants does this fortress have? Could it be that every servant here has taken a Rising Magi genius as their mentee¡ª" Before Steven could finish, Jerry exploded, roaring furiously, "Enough questions! Is your mouth rented or what? Why won''t you stop asking?!" "There are only two servants in this fortress, one is your mentor, the other is mine!" "That''s it, no more!" "Let me tell you, not just anyone can become a servant here. Even I¡ªonce the Rising Magi Rankings'' number one genius¡ªam unworthy to be a servant here!" What??? Steven was even more shocked. "Brother Jerry... what do you mean once the number one genius? What happened?" Jerry looked as if his soul had been ripped apart, his heart in agony. "Brother Jerry, what are you looking for?" "Need me to help?" Steven asked sincerely, seeing Jerry searching around frantically. "My wand!!!" "My super-ultra-mega idiot-destroying wand!!!" "I''m going to blast you, you damned eternal second place!!!" ... Inside the fortress''s grand hall¡ª "You recruited another Ascended Rank servant?" "Those two just now... are the mentees of our two fortress servants?" After hearing Velen''s explanation, Anastasia stood frozen in place. Looking across the entire fortress, there were still many who hadn''t even accepted mentees yet. And yet, the servants were the first to find some? Was this real life? Was this how things should work? "Velen, seriously, does this make any sense?" "By the way, how''s their talent?" "Since they''re the mentees of our fortress''s servants, if they''re not too bad, let''s just accept them into the fortress." After a moment of silence, Anastasia decided to just lie flat and accept her fate. Adding two more members to the fortress wasn''t a big deal. At this point, she was already completely resigned. Tomorrow, even if Velen brought back two random people claiming they were Sovereigns from the Upper Realms, she''d probably believe it too. "Hmm?" Velen was a little surprised by her reaction. Could it be that after all his relentless efforts, Anastasia had finally been conditioned into acceptance? "Mentor, their talents... leave much to be desired. They aren''t fit to join the fortress yet." "Let them build temporary residences at the foot of the peak and focus on training. Apollo and Blackgold Sovereign can guide them personally." Although surprised, Velen still firmly declined to admit them into the fortress. "They''re that bad?" Anastasia looked doubtful. "But they were ranked first and second in the Rising Magi Rankings... surely their talent isn''t that terrible?" Velen shook his head. "They don''t know how to show off wealth." Anastasia''s lips twitched fiercely. Velen was... well, just as outrageous as ever. "Fine, arrange it however you see fit." She waved her hand, dismissing Velen and returning to her magical practice. Velen looked at Anastasia''s determined figure and nodded seriously to himself. As expected of Anastasia¡ªtruly hardworking and diligent! ¡­ At the base of the fortress. "Steven, what happened to your injuries?" Velen asked, noticing Steven building a simple hut while covered in bandages. Steven nodded earnestly. "Your Highness Velen!" "Before arriving at Chaos City, I encountered a battle genius!" "Although he''s currently only at Titan Rank level 9 peak, once he grows, I''m sure even Jerry won''t be his match!" "My wounds... are from suppressing my power to spar with him!" Steven explained urgently. Hmm? Velen raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Steven''s words. "And what''s his name?" Velen asked. "His name is Nikola!" Steven answered firmly. ??? Nikola? Hearing that name, Velen froze on the spot. Chapter 246 - Chapter243-Bro, How Does It Feel to Lose Your As soon as he heard the name, an image flashed through Velen''s mind: Nikola¡ªthe very Nikola to whom he had bestowed the Fenrir bloodline. Could it be... the Nikola Steven mentioned was the same one from the Aurora Trade Guild, the one who now possessed the Fenrir bloodline? Had that kid already become so strong? "Your Highness Velen, that guy already defeated Northen, the ninety-fifth ranked genius on the Rising Magi Rankings!" Steven added urgently. "He''s here to participate in the New Archmage Conference. I guarantee he''ll challenge more geniuses during the tournament and will absolutely make a name for himself!" "You might want to keep an eye on him!" Already ranked ninety-fifth on the Rising Magi Rankings? "I''m not sure if it''s the same person," Velen said thoughtfully. "The Nikola I know was only at Elite Rank level 9 peak back then. Even with the Fenrir bloodline, it shouldn''t have been possible for him to break through to Titan Rank level 9 peak so quickly." He lowered his head, lost in thought. Well, whatever. Sooner or later, he would meet this Nikola and find out. "Alright then, you two just focus on your training here," Velen said casually. After giving his orders, Velen activated a Spatial Portal and left for Chaos City. He had a feeling that this year''s New Archmage Conference was going to be especially interesting. And maybe... just maybe, he could rake in a huge amount of luxury points this time! ... Chaos City Strolling leisurely through the bustling streets of Chaos City, Velen was still pondering whether the Nikola Steven mentioned was the same Nikola he had once helped. If they were the same, maybe he should consider recruiting Nikola into the fortress as a new member. "Your Highness Velen!" A familiar voice suddenly called out behind him. "Christian, my dear brother?" S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Seeing Christian hurrying over, Velen remembered something. "Your Highness Velen!" "We agreed to meet at the succubus tavern! Where the hell did you disappear to?" "I''ve been looking for you all day, visiting every succubus house in Chaos City. I''m exhausted!" Christian immediately started complaining the moment he arrived. Velen: ??? You searched for me by running through every succubus house in Chaos City? In your eyes, is my dignity as His Highness Velen worth that little? Don''t you know I''ve never even held a girl''s hand before? "You searched for me... by running through all the succubus houses?" Velen asked, on the verge of losing his mind. Christian looked completely serious. "Your Highness Velen, haven''t you heard the saying?" "A real man takes every succubus house across the stars as his home!" "Wherever he passes, on every planet, he should leave behind his legend. And when he returns in the future, he''ll feel like he''s coming home!" Christian explained earnestly. The heck?! What kind of absurd, perverted philosophy is that? Velen felt his worldview collapsing. This guy loved such places¡ªfine¡ªbut could he not drag Velen into it too?! A short while later... "Young Master Christian, come play with us!" "Young Master Christian, ever since you left, I''ve been missing you every single day! Stay with me again tonight, please?" "Young Master Christian, I''ve got fine wine ready. Come tell me more of your thrilling stories!" As they passed by a succubus house, Velen witnessed a scene that left him absolutely speechless. Christian was completely surrounded by a group of succubi. He looked like he was in pure heaven¡ªrubbing a tail here, stroking an ear there¡ªacting like he wished he had eight hands. At that moment, Velen began to understand what Christian''s twisted idea of "home" meant. "Look around you, Your Highness Velen!" "Listen to the affectionate calls!" "Hear the loving words of longing!" "This... this is the feeling of coming home!" Christian said proudly. "When it comes to blowing money and showing off wealth, I might not beat you, Velen. But when it comes to being welcomed home like this, you''re way behind me!" "So, Your Highness Velen," he asked smugly, "do you feel it now?" Velen gave him a playful smile. "Christian, my dear brother," he said, "you clearly don''t understand the real art of squandering wealth." "Since you claim you''re better than me... tell me, have you ever experienced the feeling of losing your home?" Christian froze. For some reason, he suddenly had a very bad feeling about this... What the hell was Velen planning? "You all listen carefully!" Velen suddenly turned to the group of succubi and declared loudly: "Anyone who walks away from him right now¡ª And promises that even if they meet him again, they''ll reject him at the door¡ª Will immediately receive 10,000 low-grade mana crystals from me!" As he spoke, Velen casually took out a space ring, and with a casual wave, whoosh! Hundreds of thousands of low-grade mana crystals poured out, piling into a gleaming mountain at his feet. Christian''s heart gave a violent jolt when he saw that mountain of crystals. The bad feeling in his heart grew stronger... "Let me warn you all first!" Velen continued, his voice casual but firm. "This pile of crystals isn''t easy to take. If you take them but break your promise... don''t blame me for being merciless." He hadn''t even finished speaking when the succubi exploded into action! "Young Master, money doesn''t matter! Honestly, I never wanted to entertain Christian Young Master anyway!" "Young Master, you don''t know how much we''ve suffered... Christian Young Master is fast as lightning, soft as noodles! If it weren''t for survival, I would''ve kicked him out ages ago!" "Young Master, thank you for saving me from this hell! I''ll never have to serve Christian Young Master again!" One after another, the succubi exposed Christian''s "legendary" performances, with no mercy at all. Christian stood there, stunned. Fast as lightning? Soft as noodles? What the hell are you talking about?! I''m extremely popular precisely because I''m so capable! But the damage was already done. After Velen finished distributing the mana crystals, he casually strolled toward the succubus house. Christian''s unease grew stronger by the second. A few minutes later¡ª "Your Highness Velen, what did you just do in there?" Christian asked nervously as Velen returned. "Nothing much," Velen said with a smile. "Just made sure that from today onward, Chaos City has one less ''home'' for you. No matter when you come back, they won''t let you in. In fact, they won''t even open the door for you." !!! Christian was utterly dumbfounded. Ding! Congratulations, Host, for successfully squandering wealth and showing off! Reward: 10 million luxury points, plus 1,000 Endurance Potions! Endurance Potion: Grants the user prolonged, vigorous stamina. Velen: ? Endurance Potion? He didn''t know whether to laugh or cry. What was he supposed to do with this stuff? Still, the potion''s effect sounded... interesting. "Fascinating. I wonder how long the effects last." After checking the special reward, Velen looked thoughtfully at Christian, who was still frozen like a statue. He muttered under his breath: "I destroyed one of your homes... and as compensation, gifted you a thousand doses of endless stamina." Christian shivered violently. At that moment, a wicked idea suddenly popped into Velen''s mind. Since destroying one "home" could trigger the luxury point rewards¡ª Then what if he destroyed several more? He could rake in even more luxury points! And perhaps... guide Christian onto the "right path" once and for all? What a brilliant idea! "Christian, my dear brother..." "Don''t hold back on my account!"