The Clues

Following this revelation, Du Chen pondered, a grand act of benevolence it might be, but did he truly possess the capability to undertake such a monumental task?

"Detail the entire sequence of events for me! And make sure it's the *complete* account!" Du Chen commanded, his voice sharp with cold intrigue.

Helen was ecstatic; her intuition hadn't betrayed her. While Francis typically disdained meddling in personal affairs, when confronted with a matter of life and death involving a multitude of lives, she was certain he would intervene.

"Your Excellency, a friend of Sulan's managed to eavesdrop on a conversation between Rogliff and a servant named Jacob. They were discussing how..."

To earn Du Chen's trust, Helen recounted the eavesdropping incident with meticulous detail, even describing Rogliff and Jacob's expressions and tones of voice. However, the crux of her lengthy explanation boiled down to a single, chilling truth: Rogliff, under the guise of inviting experts to decipher sacred artifacts and save lives, was in fact planning to use his own sacred artifact—and the person trapped within it—to assassinate all High-level Battle Gods attending the Assembly, leaving not a single one alive.

Du Chen's brow furrowed. What was the esteemed Left Elder thinking? Had he gone utterly deranged? After vanishing for decades, he suddenly reappears, only to immediately conspire to slaughter a legion of High-level Battle Gods.

Why would he wish to eliminate so many High-level Battle Gods? Had he lost his mind?

Du Chen's voice dropped to a cold cadence. "You mean you haven't uncovered his detailed plan or his ultimate motive for targeting the High-level Battle Gods?"

"No, not yet. But I am vigorously pursuing every lead. The moment I have any news, I will report to Your Excellency immediately!"

Candlelight flickered erratically on the wall. Du Chen gestured with a dismissive wave. "You may leave. Continue with your investigation."

Hearing this, Helen hesitated for a moment before swiftly flying out the window. Du Chen watched the candle on the wall, then suddenly spoke, "You heard everything. What are your thoughts?"

The candle's shadow gradually coalesced, forming into a human figure – Tigu. His injuries had mostly healed, allowing him to resume his protective duties by Du Chen's side—a factor that contributed to Du Chen's interest in this grand act of benevolence. "If Helen's account holds true, then something significant must have transpired during the Left Elder's decades-long disappearance. Otherwise, he wouldn't be mad enough to plot the murder of so many High-level Battle Gods!"

"Regardless of what happened during his absence, the Assembly of Battle Gods is about to commence. I must put a stop to this!" Du Chen declared with unwavering resolve.

Tigu's shadow flickered, a hint of confusion in his tone. "Why? We're still uncertain whether the Left Elder is friend or foe. There's no need for us to confront him directly. Those High-level Battle Gods attending the conference are irrelevant to us; their demise wouldn't mean anything."

"Tigu, you talk too much!" Du Chen inwardly shook his head. Tigu's strength was commendable, but his insight was lacking. What did he mean, 'their demise wouldn't mean anything'? Rogliff's current attempt to eradicate a large number of High-level Battle Gods was an act that defied the entirety of human society. It would undoubtedly attract numerous formidable cultivators to investigate. Once the Left Elder's identity was exposed, everyone associated with the Yessar Church would be branded as heretics and cultists. Could they truly disassociate themselves from such a catastrophe?

Du Chen gazed at the Water River scenery outside the window, a thought suddenly blossoming in his mind: Flaying's injuries should also be healed by now. What could he be doing?

***

In a small room on the topmost floor of the Battle God Academy library.

Illuminated by a Luminous Pearl, the room was bathed in a soft, white glow, which rendered Sherine's face an eerie, deathly white. She clutched her chest with one hand while the other rested on a painting on the table. "Flaying, I have completed the task you entrusted to me! Take it!"

Soundlessly, Flaying materialized opposite Sherine. He picked up the painting, his gaze sweeping over it. The background depicted a verdant grassland, with a circle of milky-white walls enclosing over a dozen tower-like structures in the foreground. At the center of these towers lay a lone tomb.

"Phil's tomb? I asked you to predict Phil's whereabouts, not her tomb! I've already inspected her tomb; it's empty!"

Flaying's voice was seething with fury!

Sherine coughed twice, her complexion growing even paler. "No one can precisely predict the future. All I can do is depict vague clues! But this clue is undeniably accurate! I can affirm and guarantee it!"

Flaying, shrouded in a swirling black mist that obscured his features, let out a scoff. "Then what, pray tell, is the meaning of this painting?"

"The clue to finding Phil lies within her tomb!"

"Her tomb, you say?" Flaying submerged the painting into the black mist, then asked, "And how are we to deal with the Spirit Seed on Francis? Have you devised a solution?"

Sherine began to cough violently, rendering her momentarily speechless. She could only shake her head. After calming her breath, she stated, "Philip's alchemy has reached the Divine Realm. Unraveling his Spirit Seed is beyond my capabilities. To my knowledge, apart from Philip himself, no one in this age possesses the power to break the Spirit Seed!" She glanced at Flaying, still wreathed in black mist. "I'm sorry, but I cannot assist you with this matter."

"I will find a way myself!" Flaying declared, turning to leave.

"Wait!" Sherine called out, stopping him. "Don't you wish to hear me play a tune? It could help you recover your strength more quickly!"

"You need not concern yourself with my physical well-being!" Flaying's tone softened slightly. "Besides, after completing this painting, how much spiritual energy do you have left to spare for me?" With that, Flaying vanished.

"You've changed, truly changed!" Sherine muttered to herself, shaking her head alone in the small room. From beneath the table, she drew out another painting, a hypothetical sketch she had made not long ago—Du Chen, Jamis, and Bovin by the Water River, shoulder-to-shoulder, chatting amiably as if in casual conversation.

***

Du Chen intended to rescue the High-level Battle Gods attending the Assembly. According to Helen's intelligence, the crucial opportunity lay within Rogliff's sacred artifact and the individual held within it.

However, Rogliff's warship was still at sea, its defenses impenetrable. Thus, Du Chen could only bide his time, awaiting an opportune moment while also anticipating Flaying's arrival once his injuries had healed.

The day of the Assembly of Battle Gods drew near, and Du Chen found himself increasingly busy. On one hand, he had to participate in the mid-year examinations; on the other, as a Student Council team leader, he bore the responsibility of assisting the teachers in organizing the gathering.

At the deepwater dock, Du Chen was directing two juniors in setting up welcoming banners. Observing the agile Jason versus the dawdling Porter, Du Chen's brow furrowed slightly. "Hey, Porter, pick up the pace! All the banners must be hung before this evening!" Du Chen grumbled inwardly. This Porter, truly! Not only was his emotional intelligence abysmal, and he was known for embezzling funds meant for impoverished students, but he was also exceptionally lazy. Such a person was utterly useless!

Hearing Du Chen's reprimand, Porter lowered his head, offering no reply, though his movements did quicken slightly, albeit not by much.

"Francis, our Publicity Department has finished its work! I've brought a few classmates to help you!" Annie approached with several students, carrying a basket filled with pastries. "These are homemade! Please, try some! I put a lot of effort into them; they should taste delicious!"

Everyone nearby cast knowing glances, and Du Chen's scalp prickled with unease. Heavens above, what was wrong with this Annie? Why was she always clinging to him?

Du Chen desperately wanted to shout at Annie, 'What exactly do you see in me?! Tell me clearly, and I'll change it, alright?!'

Fat Jason bustled over, grinning. "Team Leader, why don't you chat with Annie for a while? It's good for fostering communication between different Student Council departments! I'll take care of your work; I guarantee there won't be any problems!" With that, he picked up the banner in front of Du Chen, climbed a ladder, and diligently began working on the crossbar.

Du Chen watched Jason's portly figure helplessly, only to hear Annie's voice beside him. "You don't want to try them? These pastries..."

"Uh... haha, no, it's alright. Work is more important. Porter is too slow; I'd better go help him!"

Du Chen skillfully dodged Annie and hurried to Porter's side. Porter was currently standing on a long bench, arms raised, attempting to affix a banner to the wall. Du Chen, noting Porter's sluggish movements, stepped onto a chair beside him with an exasperated sigh. He suddenly clapped an arm around Porter's shoulder, whispering in his ear, "Brother, can you speed it up a little?"

Porter flinched, startled, and actually shivered. He hastily stammered, "Y-yes, yes, Team Leader, I'll finish it right away." He then glanced down at Du Chen's arm on his shoulder. "Team Leader, I..."

From a distance, Annie sighed inwardly. What was she doing wrong? Why did Francis always seem to avoid her? If only he would place his hand on *her* shoulder like that...

How could she even have such thoughts? Annie asked herself, why did she always feel such a peculiar sense of security around Francis?

Meanwhile, on the bench, Porter cursed inwardly, 'Oh, heavens, make the damned Francis remove his hand already! His posture is far too intimate!'

Not one to give an inch, Du Chen noticed Annie approaching and edged even closer to Porter. "Porter, do me a favor..."

"Yes, yes!" Porter blurted out anxiously.

As Du Chen and Porter were pressed so close, Du Chen's nose suddenly caught a very peculiar scent. He couldn't quite pinpoint it, like the crushed juice of many flowers and herbs mixed together, wafting through the air. It was somewhat fragrant, yet also carried a faint, fresh, fishy undertone.

Du Chen touched his nose, about to speak, when cannons boomed across the dock. "Boom! Boom!"

This was the signal for a foreign vessel entering Battle God Isle. Du Chen followed the sound, watching as a black, three-masted warship sailed into the deepwater dock. Outwardly, it bore a striking resemblance to the large black ship Du Chen had won from Rogliff, yet it differed in many subtle details. For instance, this ship featured numerous dark, ominous gunports along both its flanks.

Helen, who was masquerading as a Student Council officer and also working at the dock, swiftly ran over. "Francis, could you please come with me for a moment? I need a small favor!"

Once Du Chen and she had moved away from the crowd, Helen whispered, "Rogliff has arrived!"

Du Chen nodded slightly, discreetly observing the ship. Soon after, Rogliff's sturdy servants began carrying a massive, cloth-draped chest from a specially designed deck. "This is Rogliff's sacred artifact!" Helen explained, much to Du Chen's astonishment. He knew Rogliff's sacred artifact could hold a person, meaning it wouldn't be small, but this particular artifact was ridiculously huge—the size of a shipping container from his previous life. Judging by the twenty-odd servants carrying the chest, the steel deck beneath their feet trembled with every step they took.

"Rogliff's protection over this sacred artifact is extremely stringent!" Helen shook her head, resigned. "These twenty-odd experts rotate in maintaining battle qi shields around it. The slightest ripple near the sacred artifact will immediately alert them!"

Is that so? Du Chen mused. He wondered if his own Lotus Sacred Artifacts, which emitted no aura, could approach the sacred artifact unnoticed. For a moment, Du Chen found himself immensely intrigued by the identity of the person trapped within the sacred artifact!