"So, just do me a little favor, just use your connections, big artists?"

The girl's trailing voice echoed for a long time in the little world within the giant tree, and the people seated around the massive wooden table remained silent, for these great artists who have weathered the storms of a hundred years, the current scene would not cause them to lose their composure.

Yet, the young man at the end of the table, despite his strong facade of calmness, was betrayed by his rapid breathing and the slight trembling of his shoulders, revealing his inner tension.

Anyone could sense the terrifying power contained in that small card, enough to obliterate everything inside this giant tree and flatten the entire mountain.

At this moment, Lancelot's nerves were as taut as a tightly drawn string, staring intently at the composed blonde girl at the other end of the table.

The sacred glow emanating from his body, ready at the slightest movement from the opponent to unleash the ability of the Holy Hall Knight, using Holy Light Protection to withstand the power of that card to the greatest degree, sacrificing himself to win a lifeline for the teachers bearing their mission in the room.

"Lancelot, no need to be nervous."

Hearing the girl's direct call of his name, Lancelot hesitated for a moment.

"Your uncle instructed me to take good care of you; you may leave this room," Xu Xiaoyou said expressionlessly, spreading her hands.

"Uncle Charles?"

Lancelot quickly came to his senses, refocusing his attention on the girl.

Standing up, Lancelot gathered a Lion Heart Shield in his hand, the lion's phantom roaring behind him, the golden mane scattering and forming a cross-shaped shield emblem, the resolution to protect others burning in his azure eyes, the fearless courage forging the armor on his body!

He stepped forward, countless soldier illusions appearing behind him, flags waving, war drums pounding, war horses neighing.

"No, I will not retreat, nor will I stand idly by as you trample on the teachers' will and people's hope!"

The mimicry Lion Heart Shield in Lancelot's hand suddenly transformed into a giant shield barrier, with Alloy Guard Shields extending from both sides and fitting together.

"I wager the honor of the Withered Flower family; I challenge you to a duel, do you dare to accept?"

Xu Xiaoyou rubbed her forehead; should she say he's at that hot-blooded youthful age?

The next moment, the Hundred Bone Whip tore through the void, instantly piercing through Lancelot's defenses and directly wrapping around the young man's neck; with a tug from the blonde girl's hand, Lancelot half-knelt on the table in embarrassment, the sacred glow extinguished.

"How...could this happen?" Lancelot looked incredulous, unable to imagine that his proud protection ability, as a Three Tier Holy Hall Knight, could not hold against this bizarre whip.

Sharp bone spikes grew on the Hundred Bone Whip, tightly wrapped around Lancelot's neck, where any further movement would instantly shred his throat.

The crowd silently watched this scene, Ventel and Daphne covering their faces, shaking their heads and sighing helplessly.

"I'm not interested in your endeavors. On the other hand, if I were associated with Belvedere's faction, wouldn't this be the perfect time to wipe you all out?"

Sitting people exchanged glances, communicating silently, while time quietly slipped away.

"Tell us your demands." Ventel knew the situation had completely fallen into the blonde girl's control, he said in a deep voice.

After a brief consideration, Xu Xiaoyou spoke: "I need to create some public opinion, the bigger the buzz, the better."

"Then you can go to Belvedere; the Morning Star Newspaper, King's Times, Queen Street Daily, Olympus Post, nearly all mainstream media are under the control of Starry Gallery," someone joked halfway.

"The president of Snail Sound Bank, ambassador of the Cleaner Association, Monster Talk Safety Consultant, chairman of Life Daylight Foundation, director of Life Daylight Education Committee, nearly all members of the upper echelons of the Star of Art authority are members of CAR (Council on Art Relations)."

"Belvedere indirectly controls all media through these individuals, steering public opinion direction, keeping all potential changes in his grasp, and directly controlling the Star of Art's sole violent institution, the Tuning Institute."

Xu Xiaoyou wasn't surprised, rather, it was within her expectations; the Star of Art seeing such a pathological development in nearly a hundred years, people's mindset must have been tightly controlled by Belvedere through the media.

"Coincidentally." At this time, a girl in the crowd spoke with a smile. "Among us, there are CAR members too, like me."

"I won't disturb everyone here any further. If you're willing to trust me, then come with me, only I can help you."

The girl in a black and white long dress, the fitted dress printed with floral accents, subtly revealing healthy straight legs beneath the slightly concealed hem, she lifted the skirt edge, the white lining extended from the spacious black sleeve, revealing her white slender wrist, with deep peaceful ink eyes, possessing a mysterious allure.

Xu Xiaoyou's attention was entirely on the shoulder of the opposite girl's long dress, the Square Q logo, remarkably noticeable.

The diamonds in playing cards symbolize wealth, and Square Q is the queen of wealth.

Walking over to Xu Xiaoyou's side, the girl placed her hand on her shoulder and winked at the people present.

The tension in the air dissipating, Xu Xiaoyou, in a gesture of goodwill, withdrew the [Fire God's Dao Opening] card back into its slot, untied the Hundred Bone Whip from Lancelot's neck, and everyone gradually let down their guard.

Ventel watched from afar as the girl hooked her arm around Xu Xiaoyou's shoulder, finally shaking his head, and turned to Daphne, who sheepishly tried to shrink down under the table, clearly surprised by Xu Xiaoyou's stunt.

"Daphne, I think your head's getting senile, intending to invite someone as ridiculous as her to become one of us in the Tree of Eternal Life."

Hearing the reprimand, the small old man showed a rare seriousness on his face, climbed out from under the table, and said: "Haven't you felt that we've cautiously stayed within a strict established framework for too long?"

"Everything occurring under known constants, heading in predictable directions, unable to alter any outcome, it's been like this for a century."

"But the outcome is, our power grows ever weaker, while Belvedere's energy strengthens. Careful consideration of everything leads to a slow death; is this the conclusion you wish to see, Ventel?"

Ventel fell silent, the little old man's words echoed beside his ears.

"Everything under strict logical frameworks fails to exhibit any artistry; art requires absurd variables, like the ridiculous and tragic absurdities in operas."

"What we need now is exactly a variable, one that barges into the Star of Art, audacious enough to tear open Belvedere's seemingly built garden, in fact a cage."

"Your meaning is, to persuade her to be a member of the Tree of Eternal Life?" Ventel pondered for a long time before speaking.

"No, just like this is fine; let her fly freely. Under the watchful eyes of the gods, only carefree birds can fly into the eternal garden and pick fruit from the trees."