Within the dungeon, without the Stinger Queen and Quinn's control, the remaining Dragon-Armored Stingers devolved into a disorganized swarm. Their levels and power remained, but their coordinated lethality dropped by more than half. Outside, Wu Xu and the others were already engaged in tactical skirmishes, systematically picking them off.
There was still a little time before the dungeon officially concluded. Yao knew that once it ended, news would spread. While outsiders might not grasp the details, the participants inside understood plenty. With their intelligence, would they eventually connect the dots to the TK Group and the Heretics? Of course, they didn't know shewas Oxus. She'd only used her Four Fields after they'd fled, and hadn't revealed any other signature abilities. But she feared being intercepted before even leaving the Arcane Palace district.
Forget the other players; the TK Group and the Heretics themselves would never let her go. She was the wrench in their plans. They would hunt her relentlessly.
Well, honestly, these were secondary concerns. If she could hide the Shard successfully, these were minor details she could handle.
Yao contemplated for a moment, then looked at the Sequence Minor Celestial Script. Originally, she intended to use it on her Second Sequence. She had little confidence in her innate talent—manifesting the Densityless Tendrils for her First Sequence had been a stroke of incredible luck. What if her Second Sequence manifested something useless, wasting all those S2 crystals? The Script was insurance, guaranteeing at least a baseline competency.
But now, things were different.
Yao decisively applied the Sequence Minor Celestial Script to her First Sequence.
"If the Densityless Tendrils can evolve to a higher genetic purity after advancing two tiers, reaching the Gene Tree... Once they connect to the Gene Tree, not only will the tendrils be nurtured, but I can also use the Gene Tree to hide the Shard withinit."
Her perspective, shaped by her meta-knowledge, allowed her to see the upper echelons of power. She understood the essence of Sequence abilities was genetic material. The Shard's essence was derived from Order, which also fundamentally influenced genetics. They were part of the same system. All genes ultimately belonged to the Gene Tree, and the Gene Tree could assimilate Order.
In the future, at Levels 70, 80, 90, power would branch into myriad forms, racial abilities a riot of colors. But in the end, it all returned to three pillars: Genes, Principles, and Soul. They were one, differing only in hierarchy.
Yao was gambling on a probability.
"If I succeed, the Shard is hidden. If I fail... I'll hand it over to someone who can protect it and trade it for benefits." Logically, her chances weren't low. The Script guaranteed a two-tier advancement. And she'd successfully assimilated the Psychic Ocular Fragment on the first try, proving her soul was indeed unique. "Maybe a 55% chance? Even if it fails, there's a fallback."
Her mindset was calm, already prepared for failure. Figures flashed through her mind: Zhou Miao, Liu Wushi, Xiao Lun. The latter two were trustworthy due to their character and positions. But the first one she thought of... Zhou Miao. It surprised even her. Did she subconsciously trust Zhou Miao? That woman was cold, ruthless, skilled in manipulation, formidable and stubborn, her schemes enough to send chills down one's spine. Every interaction with her reminded Yao to tread carefully, not to step on her real boundaries, to carefully align her own value with Zhou Miao's interests. That was the way to survive.
Yet... faced with this, it was Zhou Miao she thought of. "Perhaps the more ruthless and powerful a person is, the more reliable they are for major affairs. For something this big, I'd need Zhou Miao. No need to worry about morality or other trivialities." Yao knew her own character had limits. Otherwise, she could simply ambush and eliminate the other dungeon survivors right now. But she hadn't. This world hadn't reshaped her to that extent yet. So, she hoped others could be more ruthless than her. To eliminate future troubles.
But it was best not to rely on anyone. She didn't like depending on anyone in this world.
Yao continued her recovery, leisurely finishing her drink.
Fifteen minutes later, a searing pain erupted throughout her body. Every cell associated with her genetic structure seemed to be tearing apart and reforming. She gasped, the bottle slipping from her hand.
It felt like a thousand lifetimes passing in a dream, awakening to find the world changed. In reality, it lasted only seconds. She was drenched, blood oozing from every pore, the stone beneath her soaked crimson.
Dizzy for a moment, she quickly regained focus, extending her left hand... A tiny tendril, glowing with Orange light at its limit, tinged with faint golden radiance, crept from her fingertip.
"Beyond peak Orange is generally Violet-grade energy authority. But if the talent is terrifying enough, one gains recognition, entering an intermediate stage: the Golden Radiance state. A Golden Sequence manifestation is also known as a Quasi-Violet Preparatory Stage. Even after advancing to Violet grade, it remains exceptionally powerful because this intermediate stage provides an extra period of nurturing and energy enhancement." Essentially, an extra 'Golden' tier raised the overall ceiling. Both would be Violet, but a Violet supported by a Golden foundation was a cut above the rest.
Overall, she had gambled and won.
Just then, massive combat noises erupted from outside. Wu Xu and the others were likely unleashing their ultimate abilities. The dungeon was ending.
"South Dawn... truly strong," Yao sighed, then decisively used the Golden Radiance tendril to swallow the Monument of Luminal Order Shard before retracting it into her Gene Tree.
It seemed like a desperate move, but with the right technique, it was a one-step solution. Yao carefully manipulated the Golden tendril to wrap around the Gene Tree with the Shard. The moment they connected, she felt it—the transcendent power of Order influencing her entire genetic system. Full integration would take time, but it was enough to conceal it. Even a Level 90 powerhouse couldn't penetrate the three supreme barriers of Soul, Gene, and Principle to peer into another's Gene Tree.
She was secure.
Ding. Deer Origin Mountain Range – Dragon-Armored Stinger Swarm Dungeon concluded. Settlement beginning.
Settlement: Output MVP – Solo contribution 35%. Comprehensive Performance MVP – Solo contribution 65%. Evaluation: 'Turning the Tide in Dire Straits.' Comprehensive Coefficient: 13.0 (Exceeds 10.0 threshold). Achieved Perfect Clearance. Ranked among this year's Ten Perfect Dungeon Clears for the Arcane Palace. Special reward: 100,000 Arcane Palace. Dungeon rewards: 1. Medal of the Desperate Strategist (Arcane Palace Violet One-Star Honor Medal). 2. 'Thousand Birds Returning to the River' Principle Tome (Violet-Grade).
Yao was momentarily stunned. The dungeon's mutation had elevated the rewards. Being deemed an 'impossible' dungeon that she cleared with minimal cost through strategy resulted in an exceptionally high rating and correspondingly lavish rewards. She felt a twinge of guilt—she'd benefited from an outsider's perspective.
Wu Xu and the others, having slaughtered most of the swarm, likely received substantial积分 rewards too. Surviving and clearing an 'impossible' dungeon was an achievement in itself.
Yao was the first to exit. As she stepped out, her Psychic Ocular twitched, sensing several incredibly powerful spiritual energies approaching rapidly. Her gaze pierced through layers of spatial barriers, locking onto their sources.
Trouble.The Temple's orange-robed entourage. And among them... an Attendant. Why seek her out? They didn't know her. It had to be about the dungeon. A perfect clear with exceptional rewards—the Attendant couldn't be unaware. This boded ill.
Every world, every organization had its scum. And this was scum she couldn't afford to offend.
Her mind raced. She couldn't leave the Arcane Palace now. The Beluke branch was under their jurisdiction. They would have ordered the guards to block the exits. Making a scene, accusing them? Futile. Without concrete evidence, such ugliness would be swept under the rug. And she had no idea about this Attendant's backing within the Temple.
She recalled that Attendants often served as aides to Divine Scions and Daughters. Those Scions and Daughters were guaranteed future High Elders at minimum. The Empire had only nine, their status rivaling the royal lineage, candidates for the position of Divine Patriarch/Matriarch. Even those who lost could become heads of major Temple departments. If this Attendant dared such brazen acts, she likely had a Scion or Daughter backing her. That was far more terrifying than the Li family or the TK Group.
Handing over the rewards might not even save her.
This world truly has it in for me.
Thinking fast, Yao used a Golden Radiance tendril to conceal a miniature camera, shrinking it to a filament and hiding it within her left eye, protected by an Arcane Lockto prevent interference. They would certainly use Arts to jam electronic signals. Hurry!As an afterthought, she hid another micro-camera in her sleeve.
Whoosh...A large, scattered group materialized at the dungeon exit. Wu Xu and the others looked dazed. It was over? They cleared it? Their frantic slaughter of the swarm stemmed from fear the Stinger Queen fight had failed, trapping them. They'd exhausted all resources and trump cards just to survive. And now... it was done.
"So... while we were fighting for our lives, someone soloed the Orange-grade Queen?" Carolodiel's expression was a mix of disbelief and crushed pride. Among the top five of any of the four academies, none readily acknowledged others as superior. Even facing the current number ones like Frolosius, they believed they could surpass them in time. But now... Carolodiel was forced to contemplate that there were heavens beyond heavens.
He glanced at the 'familiar stranger,' who was moving swiftly, heading towards other passages, likely searching for the MVP. That person must have exited. He wanted to know, needed to know if it was who he suspected. If it was... His steps were almost unsteady, weakened by his wounds, one hand pressed to a bleeding abdomen. He moved through the passages but found no trace of his target. Instead... he saw the orange-robed figures.
Drip. Drip. Blood fell. The Arcane Masters watched the group in silence. The smarter ones had already guessed the situation, their expressions turning complicated. Wu Xu and the others exchanged glances.
"This dungeon clearance was quite impressive. The Temple naturally has rewards. We also require a detailed report. Now, who was the MVP? Are they present?" The Attendant's beautiful face wore a seemingly amiable smile, but beneath it lay cold avarice and pressure.
Who would dare lie?
Hearing the general account, the Attendant turned her gaze to the 'familiar stranger.' "Ah, your disguise... if I'm not mistaken, you are Jiang Yousi of South Dawn Academy. No wonder you protected your academy mates. Your performance was commendable."
Wu Xu and the others all stared at Jiang Yousi. Shocked by his identity as the rising star andthat his disguise, imperceptible to them, was seen through by the Attendant at a glance. They were all transparent before her. They were around the same age, yet the gap was so vast.
Jiang Yousi's lips tightened. He lowered his head, voice hoarse. "The dungeon was difficult. If too many died, we wouldn't have cleared it."
"How modest. So, do you know the MVP? I'd very much like to meet..." Before she finished, the Attendant's eyes narrowed, her full lips curving slightly. "Found you."
The next moment, Yao, intercepted by two orange-robed experts, pretended to look pale. She knew they couldn't see through her current disguise. Five seconds later, she and the Attendant were alone in a side room.
"You're a smart person. You understand what I mean. Don't waste my time. The longer we take, the more suspicious those outside become, wondering what I've done to you." The Attendant's face was peach-blossom lovely, her smile calm and assured, but she deliberately released a crushing pressure.
Yao felt it—even Wu Xu and the other South Dawn geniuses combined couldn't withstand two moves from this woman. Herself included. Unless she had time to digest her new gains... but she didn't.
"What does Your Excellency mean?" Yao played dumb.
The Attendant's expression cooled, though she didn't lose her temper. Her voice grew thinner, colder. "Resources in this world belong to the capable. Wasting them on trash is just that—a waste. Of course, you are excellent. But mediocre excellence. It's a pity some resources won't reach their full potential with you. My suggestion is to trade them for resources more... suitable for you. S1 crystals, S2 crystals, some Orange-grade equipment scrolls, things like that."
Hmph. Pennies for a treasure.Who knew an Attendant could be so stingy?
Yao feigned shock and reluctance, bowing her head. "Your Excellency, I barely managed to clear that dungeon. I wanted to strive for myself... and I didn't get anything that good..."
"I am informingyou, not asking for your opinion. You seem to misunderstand 'don't waste my time.'" The Attendant was growing impatient, especially after checking her wrist device and finding no records linking this person to any major noble family or significant background. Just a freelance Arcane Master. No hidden dangers then.
She felt this lowly ant was utterly wasting her time.
Yao: "Would Your Excellency really kill me? I don't believe the Temple allows such things. Surely not all Attendants, let alone the Divine Scions and Daughters, are like this. They would protect me." She acted desperate, seeking a sliver of hope.
The Attendant laughed, disdainful. "Under normal circumstances, of course I wouldn't. But what if you were a rebel, attempting to assassinate me during my commendation? After I kill you, who do you think they'll believe? Me, or you? Oh, wait, you'd be dead. You couldn't speak." Her smile turned venomous. "As for protection... I told you. See who they believe. A low-born commoner like you?"
"By the way, are you recording this?" She sneered. "Grassroots climbers like you have some talent but no sense. Do you really think I'd let you record this?"
Crack!The camera in Yao's sleeve shattered.
"You... are seeking death." The Attendant raised a delicate hand, light gathering at her fingertips, killing intent palpable.
Yao pretended to be terrified, bowing lower, voice choked with humiliation. "The dungeon only gave me three rewards. An Orange-grade Pet Heart, which I used. A Principle Tome, which I also used. But... there's this."
The Attendant, initially thinking this fool was still prevaricating and ready to strike, paused. She watched as the figure before her produced an object.
A medal, shimmering with a violet glow. Her pupils contracted.
Ecstasyblossomed in her heart and on her face. By the stars, a Violet One-Star Honor Medal!!Only a third of the 148 Attendants possessed such a medal. She didn't. With this, she could definitely catch up to those ahead!
Barely containing her excitement, she snatched the Medal of the Desperate Strategist, though her face remained stern. "Is there more?"
Unbelievable!Yao was genuinely shocked. Among 148 Attendants, they'd bred such a greedy, shameless creature? What a waste of a pretty face. A venomous, avaricious snake.
"There's nothing else, Your Excellency. I only cleared the dungeon through a fluke, so it gave this medal as an exception. If it had been a hard-fought victory, the rewards might have been different. You... surely understand."
The Attendant knew she was being greedy. "Good. You know what's good for you. Remember, don't speak of this outside. In the future... I will naturally extend my protection. Great fortune awaits you."
Yao felt her skin crawl at the word 'fortune.' She wanted to retort, Would you like this 'fortune' yourself?
The Attendant opened the door and let her out. Wait, what about the promised exchange of resources? Gone? Just an empty promise of 'protection'?
Yao's horizons were truly expanded. Gritting her teeth, she kept her head down and left.
Once she was out, the Attendant's eyes turned icy. Two orange-robed figures slipped in. She whispered two sentences. Anyone who could earn that medal had extraordinary potential. She was an Attendant, not a fool. This ant was far more talented than she'd assumed. Such humiliation would breed resentment. If he grew stronger in the future... he'd be a threat. Therefore... eliminate him!Once he left the Arcane Palace, there were countless ways to make him disappear silently.
Yao felt the gaze on her back, knew killing intent had been stirred. Yet, her mind grew calmer. She walked out, face pale, just as Jiang Yousi and the others finished receiving their dungeon rewards.
Their eyes met briefly. But Yao's gaze flicked upward, noting the security camera in the upper corner, before looking down.
Wu Xu and the others took one look at her and knew something was wrong. They felt no schadenfreuge, only a sense of impending disaster. Was Beluke Province this unlucky, to get such an Attendant? If it happened to her today, could it happen to them tomorrow?
"This person seems to be a freelancer, no backing."
"Even with the academy behind us... we should leave quickly." The Deans of the Four Academies were powerful, well-connected. This Attendant wouldn't dare move directly against them, only targeting the weak. But they were still afraid. The Temple's influence was immense, and who knew who backed this Attendant?
As they prepared to leave, Jiang Yousi walked towards Yao instead.
His palms were sweaty. Step by step, he approached, only to see the person completely ignore them, turning to walk another way.
Huh?
The two orange-robed men who had followed Yao out frowned but didn't move. Good, they saw the target heading for... the aptitude testing chambers?
Yao entered an aptitude testing instance and swiftly selected the Neurological Reflexes category, then chose the High-Difficulty level.
"Warning. Warning. The High-Difficulty Neurological Reflex test is extremely dangerous. Recommended for Level 70 and above. Please return after Level 70."
Yao ignored it, confirming her selection. The world shifted around her.
Neurological Reflexes? Testing reaction speed. She knew Jiang Yousi suspected her. To dispel his doubts, she needed to prove her reflexes were exceptional enough to explain her dungeon performance. He might then attribute it to innate talent rather than prior knowledge. If he was who she suspected, he would stop pursuing this line. Though he might investigate her other identity, 'Yao.'
She couldn't afford distraction. The test began.
The two orange-robed men thought their Attendant was being overly cautious. A talented but rootless genius, having handed over the treasure, wouldn't dare make trouble unless he wanted to die. Unless... he sensed the Attendant's killing intent. But if he had, he wouldn't have handed it over so readily. He was buying safety with the treasure.
Just as they thought this, 125 seconds later, the test concluded. The exit indicator lit up. They waited for the person to emerge, ready to tail him once he left the Arcane Palace.
The person emerged.
Holding something.
A plaque. A golden assessment plaque. A reward.
As Temple attendants, they recognized it. A golden plaque signified an exceptionally high rating. That was abnormal. The aptitude tests were notoriously strict, used by the Temple to screen talent. To earn a golden plaque... that was Scion/ Daughter-level aptitude. Impossible!
But the golden plaque also granted the right to apply directly to the Temple, bypassing lower levels and reaching the Elder council directly.
That was his plan all along!
The two attendants paled, immediately sending a message to the Attendant in the room, who had just finished binding with the medal, smug with joy. She was startled, instantly teleporting out just in time to see the pitiful weakling she'd bullied minutes ago activate the golden plaque.
"HALT! You dare!" The Attendant and her two subordinates attacked simultaneously. Even if it broke rules, they could explain later. But they couldn't let him contact the upper echelons. Because the Attendant knew—anyone who earned a Violet Star medal was no fool. He wouldn't contact the Temple higher-ups without evidence, especially within the Arcane Palace. He must have another card. It had to be crushed!
To become an Attendant, even a greedy one who preyed on the weak, required basic judgment. She never expected this. But faced with it, she acted.
Three experts of their level attacking together! The force of their assault stunned everyone in the grand hall. Wu Xu and the others, about to leave, were frozen in shock. And the target of the attack... seemed to have anticipated it. He activated the World of Wind, his Ocular Art piercing spiritual flows, allowing him to dodge a full second before the attacks landed.
Whoosh!In the world of wind, he was the breeze itself. A flip, a landing, a finger pressed to his left eye.
Hummm!
The video from the concealed camera was projected via Arcane Art.
A massive, clear image appeared on the pristine,relief-adorned white marble wall of the Temple hall.
The spacious hall, holding at least two thousand people, saw the scene, heard the voices...
The Attendant's words, every ugly, contemptuous syllable, echoed for all to hear.
The first few sentences were enough to damn her. No one present was a fool.
Stunned silence. Then, murmurs.
Bao Li and the other local officials felt their brains short-circuit.
We're finished!
The Attendant's face froze, then contorted with rage, her beautiful features turning grotesque. "Outrageous! You dare slander me with fabricated illusions! Execute him!"
She raised her hand to strike, her Principle radiance blindingly powerful. She had fiveFields! The pressure was suffocating. Yao felt the chill of imminent death...
And then.
"How lively. It seems more than just a talented individual has appeared."
"Our Temple also has its share of... 'talent.'" The voice was cool, elegant, like tender willow branches swaying in a spring breeze. A soft, azure light, gentle as water, filled the space. Everyone seemed to hear the sound of water, smell the ocean.
A projection appeared. A young man in blue and gold robes adorned with aquatic patterns. Soft, ice-blue hair fell to his shoulders. His eyes were a light amber, phoenix-shaped. Around 180 cm tall—not exceptionally tall in this world—with a slender build. His features were on the softer side, scholarly and beautiful, carrying a youthful, candid openness. Overall, he reminded one of a blooming blue-flowered plant swaying in the sea.
A man compared to a flower—his beauty was undeniable. But his aura and pressure surpassed his looks.
For this was a Divine Scion. Nickname: Lan You.
Bao Li and the others rushed over, kneeling, trembling. Wu Xu and the others were even more awestruck. This was the highest-status individual they had ever seen, theoretically above even their Deans. The Empire had 36 provinces, 4 academies each—144 Deans. But only nine Divine Scions and Daughters.
Lan You had seen the video.
So he said... 'talent.'
His thoughts aligned with Yao's.
Among the 148 Attendants, they'd indeed managed to recruit a 'talent.'
A real piece of work.
The Attendant's face drained of color. She fell to her knees, sweat pouring, but still attempted to defend herself. "Your Highness! I was framed! He used illusions to control me... made me say those things against my will! Please investigate, restore the Temple's honor, do not let outsiders damage the Temple's authority and supreme reputation!"
Yao thought: When fighting for survival, intelligence does come online. Knowing the video can't be falsified, she claims mental coercion. And subtly suggests that for the Temple's reputation, the Scion should pin the blame on the outsider. That's the optimal political solution.It aligned with societal rules.
Would this Scion, Lan You, comply?
Lan You seemed gentle, scholarly. He murmured, "It certainly damages our reputation. It's being livestreamed, you know? Did you forget this hall projects to the public screens outside the plaza?" The location was originally used to attract Arcane Masters, showcasing the grandeur within. The Temple stood aloof, but the Empire needed talent, and so did the Temple. In this era, talent was paramount. This practice had existed for years—why else build in the city's busiest district?
The Attendant knew, of course. But the situation had unfolded too quickly. Now, looking up, she saw the damned ant had landed right within the camera's range, and the projection was perfectly aligned... It was being broadcast live to the entire city center.
This was the provincial capital's busiest area. How many were recording and sharing right now?
The situation had escalated. Beyond her ability to contain. It would require intervention from the level of High Elders, Provincial Temple Heads, or even a Divine Scion.
"Your Highness, I was truly—"
"Can you be silent?" Lan You asked, smiling.
Even as a projection, his presence was terrifying.
Many understood: This Attendant was finished. Lan You would handle it, handle everyone involved. The two orange-robed attendants trembled.
Then, light shimmered. Crackling electricity announced another projection. The scene was distant—a brutal plain of slaughter. A magnificent, mechanized Dark Warhorse clad in purple flames stamped upon the desolate ground. In the background was carnage; here, a moment of attention was spared for this matter.
As the projection solidified, they saw a figure on horseback, blurred but imposing. Chestnut hair that seemed to melt into light, eyes a piercing gold that held a shattered, icy sharpness. Silver robes, a staff. Tall, with a slender frame outlined by the flowing silver. The hand holding the reins wore a lightning-engraved ring that crackled with power, controlling thunderbolts that fell like meteors upon monsters in the distance.
The face held a classical blend of Eurasian features—European bone structure with an Asian, pale delicacy. Someone who might be found in a backyard in autumn, wrapped in a black sweater, lost in a book or tinkering with machinery, indifferent to the snow outside. But when those eyes turned cold, even the line of the jaw seemed aloof and arrogant.
One on the left, one on the right. Divine Scion and Daughter. Their brilliance rivaled the sun and moon. And these were just projections. What were their true selves like?
The crowd was mesmerized.
Lan You: "Zhuo Yi, you're busy with that and still handling this? Ah, I forgot. She's your Attendant."
Many hearts skipped a beat. Yao's fingers curled slightly. Bad. This exceptionally greedy Attendant really did serve a Divine Daughter? And one who seemed powerful, high-ranking, given Lan You's respectful tone.
Seeing her backer arrive, the Attendant's eyes lit up. "Your Highness! Your Highness! I was framed, I—"
The video was still playing. It was about to reach the part where she said 'low-born commoner.'
Yao suddenly stopped the playback.
The Attendant's eyes flashed: He's afraid?
Yao thought: Afraid of what? The moment the video went public, this Attendant was doomed. And she probably doesn't realize that at the Scion/Daughter level, they understand true crisis management. Sweeping things under the rug is the worst tactic. An Attendant isn't worth that level of disgrace. A swift, iron-fisted, 'just' execution to quell public anger might even bolster their reputation for fairness.This required no deliberation.
Yao knew she would leave here unscathed today. Future trouble? That was for the future.
Divine Daughter Zhuo Yi glanced at Yao, her gaze fleeting. A finger twitched. A terrifying thread of light sewed the Attendant's mouth shut. Then she looked at the orange-robed attendants.
"What do you know of this?" Her voice, perhaps from prolonged battle, held a tired, slightly hoarse quality, like the scent of bitter lotus.
The attendants trembled, claiming ignorance, framing, or vouching for the Attendant. Birds of a feather, sinking together.
Before they could finish, Zhuo Yi extended a hand. Through spatial manipulation, threads of light jumped across space into the hall, piercing the brows of the attendants and the Attendant, weaving through their bodies.
In an instant, the Arcane Cores in their abdomens... shattered.
Simultaneously, their memories were extracted, swirling into semi-transparent orbs carried away by the threads.
"The Elder Council from the Main Temple will handle the sentencing. Preserve these memory fragments. As for them... imprison them. Put them in the same cells as the criminals they once arrested."
"According to the memory fragments, locate all those coerced or robbed of treasures. Compensate tenfold. For any killed, provide restitution as per regulations." Zhuo Yi's tone was flat, cold, efficient. Ruthlessly decisive. Cripple first, no patience for interrogation—direct memory extraction. Then throw them to the mercy of the criminals who hated them... a fate worse than death.
She clearly despised such affairs, but this had implicated her. Strictly speaking, she bore responsibility for negligence.
"Zhuo Yi, I told you before to be careful choosing Attendants. You never bother, avoid contact with people. The Main Temple had no choice but to assign you the dregs none of us wanted. See? Trouble. Next time, pick carefully. Let me vet them for you, alright?" Lan You's tone was gentle, effectively distancing Zhuo Yi from the mess, emphasizing that the Scions/Daughters themselves were not involved in such squalor.
Yao suddenly felt these Scions and Daughters, chosen from the empire's pinnacle of monsters, understood something. Even in competition, when it came to protecting the Temple's overall interests, they wouldn't publicly undermine each other. They might even cooperate.
"Unnecessary. Trouble." Zhuo Yi's response was terse. She manipulated the light threads containing the items released from the crippled individuals' storage. She naturally saw the medal. For someone at her level, it was insignificant. She casually tossed it back to Yao.
But Yao stepped forward. "Your Highnesses."
Lan You and Zhuo Yi looked at her.
Then, she dug into her own eye, pulling out the bloodied camera embedded there. It was a rushed job, connected to ocular nerves, messy. Blood dripped.
She offered the camera. On this matter, she didn't wish to escalate further. Or, having retrieved the medal, this was her reciprocation—handing over the complete, unedited evidence. And it seemed she had no backup copies.
Zhuo Yi, as the superior, watched Yao wipe the blood off the camera and hand it over. She fast-forwarded to the stopped point and watched the rest privately, sound isolated. Lan You watched too. Their expressions remained neutral, but internally, they had already executed the foolish woman on the ground a thousand times over. Attendant selection standards need tightening.'Low-born commoner'? If that got out, it would hand a blade to the Temple's enemies.
But this person was shrewd. Pausing earlier was to control the fallout.
Zhuo Yi had the light threads deliver the camera to Bao Li and the others.
Lan You, meanwhile, casually tossed over the Attendant's storage pouch.
Yao caught it instinctively.
"Compensation for your eye. And a reward for exposing this."
The wealth inside must be astronomical.
But Yao's mind was crystal clear. First, she didn't know the Attendant's background, nor how the higher Temple echelons truly viewed this. The current resolution wasn't enough; she needed to protect herself. How to minimize future retaliation from the Temple, or being sidelined? The Temple valued reputation. They wouldn't move openly against someone publicly vindicated.
Then...
"No need. Retrieving what is rightfully mine is enough." If she profited too much, public sympathy could turn to envy. Later, if her identity were exposed and she faced trouble, few would side with her; they'd think she asked for it. Human nature was selfish, yet people admired perceived nobility and integrity. Giving up gains was painful, but a clean escape was best. Moreover, possessing vast wealth might attract unwanted attention. The incident was too high-profile; excessive scrutiny was bad. Her fake identity might be unraveled.
"Thank you, Your Highnesses, and the Temple authorities, for upholding justice."
Her measured response, courageous yet strategic, already impressed. Willingly giving up such wealth made even Zhuo Yi glance at her again. This was an Attendant's fortune.
Lan You's eyes shone with appreciation. "Any other requests?" He was gentle, adept at Reassuring.
As the one whose 'dog' had caused the trouble, Zhuo Yi remained aloof, businesslike. But, other requests?
Everyone watched as the young man seemed to ponder, then asked, "Is the Temple still recruiting Attendants?"
...Was he angling for an Attendant position?
"I'd like to apply. See if I can pass the exams someday."
"Your talent is high, aptitude strong. Your neurological reflex scores are exceptional, no wonder you achieved such a high comprehensive coefficient. And a special Ocular Art... impressive. Whose retinue are you applying for?"
"Your Highness... can I apply to all nine? Higher chances."
Was he casting a wide net?Apply to all nine?
But Lan You and Zhuo Yi saw through it. He wasn't seeking the position; he was mitigating damage to the Temple's reputation from the incident, reducing future retaliation risks. By voluntarily attaching himself to the Temple as the victim, it showed public confidence in the Temple's fairness. Quite thorough. Miles ahead of the trash on the floor.
Lan You: "My Attendant positions aren't full. I lack one." He glanced at Zhuo Yi. "You lost one. Really not taking anyone?"
Zhuo Yi's form began fading into spatial distortion, as if returning to the battlefield.
"I dislike being bothered."
"I won't have another Attendant."
And so, the matter concluded. A relatively perfect resolution, at least for the public watching.
The two major figures departed. Bao Li and the others, with complex and fearful hearts, took away the individuals who moments ago held high status, now mere cripples. The hierarchy of strength and status was ironclad. But in any circle, any organization, one had to play by the rules. Stepping beyond them meant leaving the safety zone.
They watched the person who had reversed the situation, wiped out an Attendant indirectly, now hands in pockets, expression cool and pensive, walking past Jiang Yousi.
Jiang Yousi was deep in thought. Ocular Art, neurological reflexes... So that's it? Even the Divine Scion acknowledged his dungeon-clearing ability. It was his own skill, not what I thought.And this person was so different from her. Shewas all-encompassing, gentle, strong yet reserved, witty and elegant. This person seemed burdened with melancholy, dipped in a vat of sorrow.
Yao was indeed feeling lingering fear. Her fingers trembled slightly as she used her 100,000 Points to exchange for S2 crystals. After obtaining 1000 S2, she leaned against the wall of the exchange chamber, letting out a long breath.
Then, a ping. She looked up. Her Arcane Palace account showed a transfer of 1,000,000Points.
No sender name. Likely a private account.
Yao was silent for a moment, then exchanged it all for S2.
Next, return and digest the resources. As for today's events spreading, the chance of it being traced to 'Oxus' was minimal. If even the Temple Scions/Daughters and the Attendants were investigating, the TK Group and Heretics wouldn't dare stick their necks out. A fortunate turn of events.
On her way out, she encountered Carolodiel, who proactively invited her to dungeon-run together in the future and even extended an invitation to join East Glory Academy. "With an academy backing you today, that person wouldn't have dared be so arrogant." He didn't understand how someone so strong had no background. Perhaps there were secrets.
Yao politely declined. Wu Xu said, "We're all injured. Seek treatment first. Can we exchange contact info? Might be useful later." A dungeon-clearing master with such adaptability was a treasure. Worth befriending.
Interestingly, Jiang Yousi lingered nearby, seemingly still unconvinced.
"Forget it, I don't want to stay in the Arcane Palace any longer," Czech said, still shaken. "I heard the Sage's Clinic is quite good. Let's go there for treatment."
"Pah, you just want to see Physician Fu, don't you? Wanting to see a beauty."
"What nonsense! I just think Physician Yao seems... nice..."
Yao frowned, glancing over. She saw Jiang Yousi's expression change dramatically.