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After listening to Mr. Fool's teachings, "Sun" Derrick saw light erupting from the opposite side and to his side, stretching out three blurry figures.
Audrey looked around half a circle, suddenly froze, and then heard Mr. Fool's perpetually steady voice:
"This is a new member, code-named 'Sun'."
A new member? Audrey was startled at first, and her excitement, which had been due to arriving in the Southern Continent, grew even more joyful.
She was very happy to see the Tarot Club grow and expand, possessing a strong sense of ownership.
City of Silver... Unconsciously tapping the back of his chair, Aaron looked at the somewhat nervous and awkward young man, a smile playing on his lips, and immediately said:
"Respected Mr. Fool, I have collected two new pages of Emperor Roselle's diary. I wish to exchange them for an item imbued with your aura."
"Additionally, for a period of time recently, I may be in a rather special situation, so I would like to request leave for next week's gathering."
Alger, the "Hanged Man," whose thoughts were originally racing due to the addition of a new member, immediately shifted his gaze, looking at Mr. "Emperor" with some surprise.
Judging from his previous observations, Mr. "Emperor's" strength was at least at the level of a Pirate Admiral, and possibly even a Pirate King. What could possibly put such a person in a situation where he couldn't attend the gathering?
Alger remained outwardly calm, but his mind was frantically conjuring scenarios, while secretly observing The Fool's reaction to the matter.
Audrey, who had completely digested the "Spectator" potion and was preparing to leave the airship to advance to Sequence 8 "Telepathist" upon arriving in Nikifor City in West Balam, quickly entered "Spectator" mode after her initial surprise, observing the reactions of the other members.
Klein, shrouded in gray fog, was more aware of Mr. "Emperor's" strength than Alger. Although curious, he feigned nonchalance and responded:
"You may. If any of you find yourselves in an inconvenient situation on Monday afternoon, you may request leave in advance through prayer."
Alger, the member most likely to encounter such an awkward situation, finally relaxed, and then cautiously asked:
"I wish to purchase the Sequence 6 'Wind-Blessed' potion formula."
Even with the help of the acting method, he had only digested a small portion of the "Seafarer" potion, but this did not prevent him from planning ahead.
"'Seafarer' potion formula? Followed by 'Elf Songster's' 'Seafarer'?"
Alger looked at the newcomer with some surprise, paused for a moment, and then realized that the other party was using the ancient name for the corresponding Sequence 5, "Elf Songster," and not the more modern "Ocean Songster"!
Feeling a little uncomfortable under the gazes of the other members, Derrick hesitated and struggled for a while before continuing:
"I can help you get this formula! But it will take some time."
After speaking, he felt guilty for not being able to produce it immediately and forced an explanation:
"This Sequence originated from the Elven race. Although our City of Silver was once under the rule of the Giant King's Court, after the Omnipotent and Omniscient Lord appeared, the City of Silver became independent."
"The City of Silver once explored city-states under Elven rule. Due to the difficulty in finding materials, the 'Wind-Blessed' potion formula was not strictly controlled."
In every previous exploration mission of the City of Silver, members of the elite squad would more or less obtain some formulas, materials, and strange items from Monsters and from those abandoned and ruined cities.
And in this process, it was quite normal for someone to secretly keep a little something. As long as it didn't involve anything too important, the captains and higher-ups tacitly chose not to pursue it.
Over time, certain formulas began to circulate through unofficial channels in the City of Silver, but due to limitations in potion materials—for example, there was no ocean near the City of Silver—the value of "Sailor" Pathway potion formulas was not high.
Elves, City of Silver, Omnipotent and Omniscient Lord... Audrey's eyes sparkled, and she instantly recalled the ancient history Aaron had once told her, becoming even more curious about the new member's origins.
Aaron's mouth twitched slightly. He hadn't expected "Sun" to reveal his background so quickly, but he didn't speak up.
With Amon present, he had no immediate plans to explore the City of Silver. Moreover, his energy would soon be devoted to exploring the "Lost City of Newins."
Alger, the "Hanged Man," only felt that this new member was also very mysterious, but he did not inquire rashly, only lowering his voice to respond:
"Alright, I'm not in a hurry. You can state your request."
Derrick breathed a sigh of relief and hastily added:
"I wish to exchange for one Crystallized Sun Flower or the tail feather of an adult Firestone Bird."
The "Fool" who had been observing everything finally decided to step forward. He had already prepared an anonymous account at Backlund Bank, and it was time to put it to use.
After negotiation, Derrick would provide Alger with the "Wind-Blessed" potion formula, while he, as The Fool, would give Derrick the "Light Supplicant" and "Solar High Priest" potion formulas to make up the difference for Alger.
Alger, in turn, would provide Derrick with one Crystallized Sun Flower and also provide 1500 pounds in operating funds to the anonymous account of Mr. Fool's Blessed.
Considering Mr. "Hanged Man's" financial situation, Klein thoughtfully offered him the option of installment payments.
Watching the transaction conclude, Aaron could imagine the upturned corners of Klein's mouth behind the gray fog. With this series of maneuvers, he had netted a Sequence 6 formula and 1500 pounds.
Looking at the delighted Derrick, Aaron lightly coughed and said calmly:
"I must remind you, the City of Silver is different from the outside world. To trade smoothly, you had best make a list of materials that can be found around the City of Silver. This will facilitate bartering."
"Unless you want to trouble Mr. Fool every time."
Derrick was stunned for a moment, then hurriedly nodded in agreement.
Alger, who had unknowingly taken on a heavy debt of 1500 pounds, sighed inwardly. He looked at "Justice" Audrey, opened his mouth, but then worried if he could still afford the reward.
"Mr. Hanged Man?" Sensing his gaze keenly, Audrey asked curiously.
Alger thought for a few seconds before speaking:
"I received intelligence that the great pirate Qilangos, known as 'Vice Admiral Hurricane,' has secretly come ashore and infiltrated Backlund. I don't know what he intends to do. I hope you can help me find his whereabouts. As for subsequent matters, you don't need to risk yourself."
"'Vice Admiral Hurricane' Qilangos? One of the Seven Pirate admirals?" Audrey's eyes widened slightly, almost losing her Spectator state.
"Yes, he is also a Sequence 6 Beyonder, a 'Wind-Blessed' of the 'Sailor' Pathway. He also possesses a Mystical Item, also known as a Sealed Artifact. He is quite cunning and cruel, so do not attempt to confront him," Alger solemnly introduced.
Listening to Mr. "Hanged Man's" reminder, Audrey glanced at Mr. "Emperor" with some guilt, then explained in a low voice:
"I apologize, Mr. Hanged Man, but I haven't been in Backlund recently, so I may not be able to help you."
Hearing Audrey's response, Alger was silent for a moment, then suddenly turned his head and looked at Klein, saying:
"Mr. Fool, may I request your Blessed to provide assistance at a crucial moment? I will offer a price that interests you."
My Blessed is only myself... Klein eased his emotions by internally complaining, and smiled slightly:
"Provided my Blessed happens to be in Backlund."
"Alright." Alger withdrew his gaze, a mix of disappointment and anticipation.
-----------------
After discussing what needed to be discussed and sharing what needed to be shared, Klein, The Fool, seated at the head, smiled and announced that the meeting was over for the day. He then watched the three old members rise and bow skillfully, and saw "Sun" imitate them a beat later.
He pressed his right hand forward, severing the connection, but he did not leave immediately. Instead, he re-materialized the two diary pages provided by Mr. "Emperor."
Adjacent Beyonder Pathways can be interchanged at high Sequences... A mysterious organization wielding the Blasphemy Slate... After a long while, Klein finally put down the diary pages, feeling both eager and puzzled.
After calming himself, he beckoned to retrieve Mr. Azik's copper whistle from the pile of sundries. Klein wrote down a divination statement on paper, closed his eyes, and leaned back against the chair.
In the hazy, indistinct world, Klein suddenly saw a black mausoleum.
It resembled a pyramid but was inverted and embedded into the ground, almost buried.
And within this ancient mausoleum, dense black fog obscured everything.
The scene shattered, and Klein abruptly awoke, opening his eyes.
"This is definitely not the style of mausoleums in the Northern Continent, nor even the Fifth Epoch."
Using divination to recall the knowledge his original self had learned in the history department at Khoy University, as well as the information he had reviewed within the Nighthawks, Klein quickly pinpointed the origin:
"This is a 'Reverse Pyramid' from the Southern Continent, signifying entry from the human world into the Underworld. And whether in the former Balam Empire or its branch, the Highland Kingdom, only the so-called descendants of Death could build such mausoleums for themselves."
"In a sense, this is a symbol of 'Death.'"
Thinking of this, Klein was lost in thought, and a terrifying idea suddenly occurred to him:
Could it be that Mr. Azik is a descendant of Death, or rather, that he obtained such a long life because he made some kind of deal with Death?
According to the relevant chapters in the "Revelation of Night" and the internal records of the Nighthawks, Death was an evil deity who had caused a catastrophe in the Northern Continent at the end of the Fourth Epoch. That period was known as the "Pale Era."
Although the initial age of Lamud Castle is untraceable, it wouldn't be earlier than the "Pale Era," so that means...
Klein sat silently on the bronze high-backed chair, and above the gray fog, a deathly silence fell.
-----------------
East Tucker County, Osel, Duke's Mansion.
The crimson before his eyes faded, and Aaron slowly rose, putting away the gold coin he had exchanged from Klein.
After dispelling the Wall of Spirituality and opening the door, he saw his father, Gusman Weil, looking gravely at Pallez Zoroast, whose figure was somewhat illusory, sitting in the living room, while Alvin Gallows stood silently by the window.
Seeing Aaron appear, Gusman's expression softened slightly. He gestured inquiringly at Pallez Zoroast, and after receiving an 'it's fine' reply, he slowly spoke:
"The Ancestor already knows your plan. You can summon his projection if necessary. Additionally, he told me to give you this item."
As he spoke, a pale blue illusory portal opened, and a dazzling crown, seemingly carved entirely from gemstones, flew out. It was precisely the Grade 0 Sealed Artifact "Crown of Stars" held by the East Tucker family!
Because Varna's true state needed to be concealed, Aaron had not asked it to come along, but the Grade 0 Sealed Artifact "Crown of Stars," which was essentially formed by an "Apprentice" Pathway Sequence 2 "Planeswalker," might prove to be of great use at certain moments.
Aaron did not decline. He took the "Crown of Stars" and watched it gradually become transparent, leaving a pale blue mark on his left arm.
Then he looked at Pallez Zoroast, whose figure was illusory on the sofa, and smiled:
"The necessary preparations have been made, Elder Pallez, we will still need to rely on you greatly. Let us first rendezvous with our allies."
Pallez subtly glanced at the mark on Aaron's arm, and his figure dissipated, revealing the "Bizarro Pendant."
Using this anchor, Aaron nodded to Alvin Gallows, was grabbed by the shoulder by this "Ancient Bane," and instantly entered the Spirit World.
With the power of an Angel, in just a few breaths, Aaron arrived outside the "Nation of Disorder." Stepping out of the Spirit World, he saw a somewhat nervous Siatas, and standing opposite her, a stunning woman draped in a long purple robe with intricate patterns.
Having observed her with True Sight in the Forsaken Land of the Gods, Aaron recognized her at a glance: this was the oldest member of the Sanguine, Duke "Purple Moon" Liana.
Through the sub-consciousness left in the Nation of Disorder, Aaron clearly perceived that the aura emanating from this Sanguine Duke was far beyond what it had been before, already surpassing Alvin Gallows, who stood beside him.
The elevation in status brought by a complete Divine Kingdom... This thought flashed through his mind, and Aaron's face broke into a brilliant smile:
"Congratulations, Duke Purple Moon, on successfully restoring the 'Nation of Disorder.' Next, I may have to trouble you."
Liana, who had already sensed that this demigod was not simple, withdrew her gaze from the somewhat nervous Siatas, turned her head, and gently responded:
"It's no trouble at all. This was already the Sanguine's promise to you. The long-cherished wish of several epochs has finally been realized thanks to that esteemed one."
"The 'Nation of Disorder' has just been restored and still needs someone to guard it, so I will accompany you on your exploration. Moreover, if necessary, I can temporarily borrow power to break through the seal and return you all to the 'Nation of Disorder.'"
After Aaron nodded, he looked at Siatas:
"The 'Lost City of Newins' is at the bottom of the sea. At that time, I will have to trouble Your Majesty to take care of us."
Electric light shimmered around her, obscuring Liana's gaze. Siatas's right pupil turned silver, and an unfamiliar, cold voice emerged:
"You can rest assured. I have already signed the contract, and naturally, I will not violate my previous promise."
Having received a satisfactory answer, Aaron felt incredibly confident now. Four Angels, several Grade 0 Sealed Artifacts, and the ability to summon Will Auceptin's help if necessary—he dared to venture in even if Amon was hidden there.
No longer hesitating, the sub-consciousness within the Nation of Disorder slightly raised its hand, and a star above the dome suddenly lit up. This was formed by the prayer of the former Black Emperor's first mate, "Fear Viscount" Byrd Mustang.
Aaron intended to use this to pinpoint the location of the Black Emperor, and with the corresponding coordinates, he could directly traverse the Spirit World to reach it.
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