The ancient temple was shrouded in twilight, where millennia-old dragon sandalwood burned silently, tendrils of smoke curling around.

Threads of twilight streamed down through the cracks in the dome.

Light and shadow shifted, intersecting and intertwining.

In front of a tilted, damaged stone statue, Taihua stood with hands clasped behind her back, quietly raising her head to gaze upward, her phoenix robe fluttering in the wind.

Her silhouette was steeped in loneliness, yet her golden robe shimmered brilliantly in the twilight.

After a long time, alchemical array patterns began to light up on the stone floor, intricate and arcane gold symbols rippling outward. Phantom-like silhouettes coalesced like specks of light, eventually solidifying into form.

Fifteen figures in total.

Among them, thirteen were branch directors from various jurisdictions.

In addition, there were leaders of two special departments.

The leader of the Nightwatch Department, codenamed Lin Dong.

The First Saint of the Judgement Court, codenamed Li Huo.

This was neither the real world nor the Ancient God Realm.

But rather a spatial Mythical Weapon of the Ether Association, named the Illusion Realm.

"President, don't attempt to use the Illusion Realm to conceal your coordinates. I know where you are now! You've gone to Ying Province!"

Chen Xingli stood amidst the shimmering golden array patterns, his expression solemn and stoic, rigid and unyielding: "I've just received a call. The Ying Province Branch has expressed strong protests. This is no longer the age of ignorance and barbarity. Under our initiative, Ascenders across the globe signed the Hei Mameni Soul Contract to jointly uphold peace and stability in the Human World. How could you go to Ying Province on your own and kill Susano's sons?"

This man, who immediately began questioning upon arrival, was the director of the First Branch, stationed at headquarters.

He was also the most powerful among the thirteen branch directors.

Lu Zijin smirked beside him. The President's infamous reputation for ruthlessness was already well known.

Only Senior Brother, this straightforward fool, dared to criticize her relentlessly at every meeting.

The other high-ranking officials, however, kept their eyes down, pretending to see nothing and hear nothing.

"I didn't go to Ying Province on my own."

Taihua said evenly, "I went openly and honorably."

Well, that's the President for you!

In the otherwise silent room, only Chen Xingli stepped forward once again.

He rebuked her with righteous indignation: "You were the one who proposed the contract, yet you took the lead in violating it, committing wanton slaughter. How could you behave this way? At the very least, you should consult with us first."

Taihua didn't even turn her head. Her single reply obliterated his argument: "I am a barbarian."

Deathly silence.

Chen Xingli's face immediately flushed red with anger, unable to utter a word.

Everyone watched the First Branch director, stared at his enraged expression, and inwardly clicked their tongues.

Evidently, this was not the first time something like this had happened.

"The Hei Mameni Soul Contract was indeed proposed by me, but I am a supervisor, not a contract-bound party. The East is the Land of Divine Revelation, while Ying Province is too close, possessing a certain heritage—precautions must be taken."

Taihua stated calmly, "Those not of our kind must have different hearts."

She paused briefly, then scoffed: "Besides, some of Susano's sons dared to show me disrespect."

Chen Xingli glanced at the surrounding high-ranking officials and interrogated in a low voice: "How do you know this? You're not part of the Bai Ze Clan, nor are you on the witch's path. Did you act on mere rumors without any proof?"

Taihua shook her head. "I dreamed it."

Inside the ancient temple, dead silence fell once again.

Chen Xingli took a deep breath as his phantom figure began flickering and dissipating.

The high-ranking members present knew that this branch director was likely about to storm out in anger.

Sure enough, with a stiff face, Chen Xingli said coldly, "If there's nothing else, I'm going to deal with the consequences of your misconduct. The Ying Province Branch is extremely dissatisfied; if mishandled, it might lead to significant issues."

At this moment, Taihua replied, "Don't concern yourself with the Ying Province matter. The focus now is on the exploration of Qilin Immortal Palace. What lies within the palace remains unknown."

"It has been confirmed that the Qilin Immortal Palace likely houses Ancient Gods from both the Candle Dragon and Qilin Clans."

She paused for a moment: "The Kui Dragon Ancestor resides inside the Immortal Palace."

The high-ranking officials felt a chill race through their hearts.

Throughout history, there were only a few Ancient Supremes, and their appearances were rare.

The real threat was always the Primordial Ancestors.

"Don't worry. Two thousand years have passed. Whatever the Kui Dragon Ancestor has been plotting, it is now extremely frail. Not long ago, Bo Jun clashed with it and confirmed that its retained strength is minimal."

Taihua spoke in a composed tone.

That was convincing. If faced with a fully restored Ancestor, even a Seventh-order Transcender would stand no chance.

In the real world, escape might still be possible.

But in the Ancient God Realm, death was certain.

"You must remain vigilant; there is still a living member of the Qilin Clan inside the Immortal Palace—at least ancestor-level."

Taihua's voice grew colder as she continued, "It might even be the Qilin Venerable's true body."

For a moment, everyone in the temple froze, holding their breath—so quiet they could hear each other's heartbeats.

"Though Qilin Immortal Palace has not met the criteria of a forbidden-level super ancient ruin, its variables are too many, even Divination Masters and witches cannot accurately predict them. If the exploration goes well, it will be straightforward. If not, we may have to confront two Supremes simultaneously."

Taihua said coolly, "Two thousand years ago, the Candle Dragon Venerable suffered severe injuries to seal the Qilin Venerable. It's highly likely something was left behind in the Immortal Palace. Do you think it might return to claim it?"