In the courtyard stood a cherry tree, with countless petals falling like pink tides, drifting in the wind. Sparkling under the sunlight, they landed on the artificial mountain and pond, causing gentle ripples in the water.

Amid the sound of the waterwheel's movement, golden koi swam joyfully in the pond.

Yet, from somewhere unknown, blood began to flow slowly into the pond, the sinister scarlet hue spreading eerily.

"I went to headquarters this morning, only to learn that you've stepped out."

Huai Yin sat on the tatami, picked up the steaming tea cup from the wooden table, took a small sip, and commented lightly, "This heart-cleansing tea from Ying Province is quite good. I never tire of drinking it."

Opposite him sat an imposing and indifferent woman. She wore a golden phoenix crown, her frost-white hair neatly tied into an elegant bun, accompanied by a dark gold luxurious ceremonial robe that made her look like a beauty from ancient times.

Her aura was cold and commanding. Despite her almond-shaped eyes being seductive in shape, they displayed no trace of allure. A faint crimson eye shadow accentuated a murderous intent, while her sharp, regal eyebrows exuded icy dignity. Her facial contours were steely and unyielding.

However, her gaze carried the weariness of centuries, making her seem genuinely aged.

This outfit wasn't a mere attempt at dressing up.

She had worn this for hundreds of years.

As for someone addressed as "Your Grace" by the King of Qing, there was only one in this world.

The President of the Ether Association.

Codename: Taihua.

"The current Susano isn't behaving himself, so I decided to teach him a lesson."

Taihua remarked indifferently, "Just killed a few of his sons, that's all."

Huai Yin glanced at several corpses lying in the courtyard outside and chuckled, "You mean you killed all his sons, right?"

"Once and for all."

"Aren't you worried they'll rebel?"

"With you still alive, they aren't worth worrying about."

"Even so, killing all of them may not have been necessary. Some of them were quite respectful to me."

Taihua responded coldly, "Years ago, your teacher taught you this: when cutting weeds, you must remove the roots. Susano, that filthy old dog, is nearing his end. All his scheming is for his sons. Killing them completely ends his hope."

"So you cut off his lineage."

Huai Yin chuckled, "Still, I can understand. People nearing death always hope to leave something behind."

Taihua asked, "Which is why you've taken on a disciple?"

Huai Yin, still holding the teacup, feigned surprise, "How did you know my disciple can meditate in ten seconds?"

Taihua's expression remained impassive: "Hm."

Huai Yin said thoughtfully, "Sometimes, a disciple being too talented becomes a problem. I have only a few years left. I thought I'd teach slowly, but who could have guessed they'd master meditation in ten seconds, and grasp the Realm of Freedom within a week. Now, I have no choice but to teach Forbidden Spells. Once those are taught, I won't have much else left to offer."

He lowered the teacup and admired the falling cherry blossoms: "Who knew that having a talented disciple would also be troublesome."

Taihua stared at him icily.

"Hmph."

She remarked, "In just half a month, from an ordinary person to the Second Rank, and mastering the Breathing Technique—indeed impressive."

Before her lay an ancient bronze mirror.

Within the mirror reflected a raging storm, a soaring motorcycle, and a radiant youth bathed in light.

The image froze, as though it were a masterpiece painting.

Huai Yin chuckled, "Naturally, my judgment has always been exceptional."

Taihua gave a deep glance at him and said, seemingly casually, "Besides talent, the boy is courageous as well. I've already sent someone to meet him, giving him a chance to make a request directly to me."

Huai Yin laughed, "That kid is arrogant. I doubt he'd ask for anything outrageous."

Taihua nodded slightly, "Indeed, nothing outrageous. He merely asked me to step down and see, with my own eyes, the plight of those people—for Mu Feng, for the Unclean, and for those waiting in the shadows."

She sneered, "The greater the power, the greater the responsibility—how eloquent."

Huai Yin narrowed his eyes, "That does sound like words he'd say. The boy is too soft-hearted, taking everything upon himself, meticulous to the point where you shouldn't take him too seriously."

"I feel the gist of his comment implies he sees me as incompetent."

Taihua glanced at him, "He even called me a Vulgar Master."

Huai Yin froze, his expression turning solemn: "That rebellious disciple!"

Who knows if it's just his rebellious phase or whether he's simply been given too much leeway.

Why does he dare to mock anyone!

"Hmph."

Taihua said indifferently, "See it I shall."

·

·

On the top floor of the Deep Space Technology Building, in the office.

Gu Jianlin sat on the sofa drinking a cold glass of cola, his head lowered, focused on the Merit display of the Deep Space Network.

His Merit Value had already soared to thirty thousand.

In the history of the Peak City District, no newcomer had ever earned such a high amount of Merit.

And that was simply the reward for his principle of "being kind to others" over the past half month.

Of course, Merit was not the real focus.

The Ether Association's leadership had also given him many other rewards this time, such as priority access to the Omega Sequence Resource Library—things money could never buy.

"You do realize that everything you just said will be reported straight to the President, don't you?"

Lu Zijin chewed on a french fry, her eyes gleaming with amusement as she looked at him: "I told you not to provoke, but you didn't listen."

Gu Jianlin said calmly, "Minister Lu, I was merely speaking the truth. If one leads the entire Extraordinary World, then they must carry the responsibility. If they can't handle words of truth, they shouldn't be sitting in that position."

In the birdcage, a green-feathered parrot squawked loudly, "Exactly, exactly!"

Lu Zijin rolled her eyes and said lightly, "Let me remind you of something: domestically, the thirteen division ministers and the Night Watcher special department were all trained by the President. Although the Omega Sequence operates independently as a transcendent military group, this was her idea, including the later Catastrophe Plan."

"You could argue the Omega Sequence essentially falls under her military command."

She continued, "And she is merciless. The previous generation's President was her husband, and after the Ancient God Chaos two hundred years ago, she almost single-handedly upheld humanity's world. As peaceful as reality may be now, the battles against the Ancient God Clan were equally fierce. The world we enjoy today was carved out by her leading her forces."

Gu Jianlin paused for a moment, wondering how old she must be.

Lu Zijin continued, "Although we are all her students, none of us have ever dared to speak to her like this. Even when vying for power in private, no one crosses her line. Because anyone who challenges her authority—whether they are her hand-raised students or her own children—she kills without hesitation."

Gu Jianlin narrowed his eyes.

"Even a vicious tiger does not devour its cubs!"

The green-feathered parrot squawked, "Savage and tyrannical!"

Lu Zijin stated meaningfully, "The President appreciates you for your talent, but never trespass her boundaries. Unless you become so powerful she has no choice but to use you."

Gu Jianlin contemplated briefly, "Is it true that the President once fought the Candle Dragon Venerable?"

"Yes, roughly a few hundred years ago."

Lu Zijin replied indifferently.

Gu Jianlin hesitated for a second, "Is the President herself a Catastrophe?"

Lu Zijin shook her head, "No."

Gu Jianlin breathed a sigh of relief.

However, Lu Zijin then added calmly, "But all the Catastrophes were trained by her."

Gu Jianlin's hand shook, spilling cola on the table.

The green-feathered parrot's pupils shrank to a pinpoint.

"Because the concept of Catastrophes was only introduced in modern times. In her era, such classifications didn't exist."

Lu Zijin added with a faint smirk, "Oh, by the way, the President is also the Master of the King of Qing."

At that moment, Gu Jianlin felt like there were two versions of himself.

Because he mentally cracked open.

The green-feathered parrot flapped its wings frenetically inside the cage, screaming, "Is it too late to change owners now?"

"Although their relationship is close, in this Extraordinary World everyone's goals differ. The President and the King of Qing aren't necessarily always united. They've had numerous disagreements early on."

Lu Zijin sighed and said helplessly, "Originally, I wanted to advise you to rein it in once you enter the Omega Sequence; to stop provoking others entirely. Sure, some of them are useless, but it's better to keep human relationships in check. Leaving face for others means leaving space for future encounters."

She shrugged lazily, "Now it seems unnecessary. Since you've already provoked the President, everyone else pales in comparison. Suit yourself."

Gu Jianlin rubbed his face, wondering why no one had warned him about this earlier.

But it didn't matter.

He was simply speaking the truth, upright and unyielding.

Even if the sky falls, that remains true, whether it's the President personally or not.

After all, he'd already provoked the Candle Dragon Venerable.

The President hardly made a difference.

Let the storm rage ever fiercer.

"Oh, by the way, don't worry too much about Zicheng and Chen Qing. Once their injuries heal and they ascend, they'll naturally return. Right now, you're quite famous; even some captain-level leaders lacking potential are fighting tooth and nail to latch onto your glory. Some are even campaigning to clear your father's name, denouncing the Judgement Court."

Lu Zijin smiled mischievously: "As for Guardians, you can pick and choose freely."

Gu Jianlin shook his head; this world was just like that.

For many, truth doesn't matter.

Only interests matter.

When he was weak, he was just the son of a Fallen.

Now, with his strength, his father turned into someone wronged.

Indeed, fists are the ultimate truth.

"Your spirituality is already three-quarters full. Want me to send over some Spiritual Secret Medicine? You need to advance soon—Second Rank barely passes in the Omega Sequence. If you don't climb the ranks quickly, others will overtake you. After all, you're young and newly awakened."

Lu Zijin's eyes twinkled mischievously as she said coquettishly, "But don't lose hope. As long as you reach Fourth Rank soon, I'll sweet-talk my dad and offer you the entire Lu family's resources."

A loli appearance paired with an older sister voice.

Normally, this would be quite delightful.

However, thinking of her actual age, Gu Jianlin found it slightly unsettling.

The green-feathered parrot rotated its eyes dramatically: "Bleh."

Gu Jianlin: "..."

In that instant, deathly silence overtook the office once again.

Lu Zijin glared coldly and said, "Maybe we should stew this bird."

·

·

At noon, Gu Jianlin left the Deep Space Technology Building holding the birdcage.

The green-feathered parrot had yet again become a bare-feathered parrot.

It trembled pitifully, tears in its eyes, seething with resentment.

The poor creature—its newly grown feathers had all been plucked again.

For now, Gu Jianlin's schedule was considerably free.

With the opening of Qilin Immortal Palace imminent, the division no longer assigned him any tasks. All attention was focused on Black Cloud City, which had reportedly been reconstructed and developed into a near-transcendent military base.

Nearly all investigators would be heading to Black Cloud City to undertake exploratory missions.

And members of the Omega Sequence wouldn't just participate in these missions—they'd endure grueling supernatural training.

As long as they were present at Black Cloud City during training sessions, their location wasn't a concern.

Other times, they were free to do as they pleased.

Suddenly, a cold voice sounded.

"Gu Jianlin."

He turned around to see a chilling aura descending upon him.

Han Jing stood at the entrance of the building, arms crossed, looking at him coldly, saying pointedly: "There's something I need to discuss with you."

[PS: This book first launched on Qidian Reading App—see you tomorrow evening at 8:30.]