Chapter 287

"The remains of the 'Blood Emperor,' the remains of a deity... could they contain a Sequence 0 Beyonder characteristic? No wonder the 'Iron and Blood Cross Order' dreams of entering that Trier of the Fourth Epoch...

"But what does this have to do with me? I'm a Sequence 7, I don't even dare to think about becoming a demigod, and I haven't even considered the matter of advancing to Sequence 6 'Conspirer.' For now, I'm just thinking about digesting the 'Pyromaniac' potion. Considering high-sequence or even deity-related items is purely because I'm too full and have nothing to do!

"Besides, according to Madam 'Magician,' similar items always carry negative effects. Tsk, negative effects involving divinity could easily kill me..."

Lu Mian, who possessed quite a bit of high-end occult knowledge, was not incited by Gardner Martin. As his thoughts raced, only a cold sneer remained in his heart.

He looked at Gardner Martin and asked with a naive expression:

"If that Trier of the Fourth Epoch really has the remains of the 'Blood Emperor' Tudor, why don't the Church of the Eternal Blazing Sun and the Church of the God of Steam and Machinery take it away, instead of leaving it to us, the 'Iron and Blood Cross Order'?

"Even if only 'Hunters' can enter safely, with the resources they possess, cultivating high-sequence 'Hunters' is just a matter of time, and the Fifth Epoch has already lasted over 1,300 years."

Gardner Martin was silent for two seconds before answering:

"There are other factors restricting them, and those do not constitute obstacles for us.

"I will tell you the specific situation after we find the entrance to that Trier of the Fourth Epoch."

Isn't this just saying "I don't know why either, but we have to try"? Uh, the boss might know the reason, but he's afraid that saying it will scare us. He can't just tell the members present that because the underground hides so many dangers—the kind that even deities cannot solve, and one must rebuild a Trier on top of the Fourth Epoch ruins to seal it—that's why the two major churches don't attempt to enter. Hehe, in a state of low corruption, who would still dare to go underground after hearing such words? Lu Mian tried hard to control himself, not letting his eyes or posture reveal the slightest bit of superiority.

Compared to the "Iron and Blood Cross Order" members here, he, who knew the general situation underground and had seen the "invisible sea of fire," the "Shadow Tree," and the "crypt anomalies," was indeed qualified to be superior.

Of course, he had no way of knowing for the time being to what extent "Chief" Gardner Martin and "Supervisor" Olsen had grasped the situation underground.

The latter, who was suspected of having entered that Trier of the Fourth Epoch, might know more secrets.

Gardner Martin did not continue the topic of the "Blood Emperor" and the Fourth Epoch, turning instead to look at Lu Mian:

"Do you have any needs recently?"

Yo, are you going to give out initiation benefits? Lu Mian was instantly invigorated and said with unusual sincerity:

"I want magical artifacts of a more bizarre type to make up for the deficiencies in my own Beyonder abilities.

"If there are no similar magical artifacts, you can give me the corresponding Beyonder materials, and I will try to find an 'Artisan' to make them myself."

He almost said the technical term "Beyonder characteristic" directly, forcibly pretending to be a bit embarrassed, pausing for a moment, and changing it to "Beyonder materials."

Although in the occult gatherings in Trier, many people would also say "Beyonder characteristic," they used it more to refer to the two main potion ingredients that had already fused together.

Of course, some people had long ago discovered that Beyonders also belonged to the category of extraordinary creatures and would also precipitate materials that could be used to concoct potions, vaguely sensing one aspect of the "Law of Beyonder Characteristic Indestructibility."

Normally, Lu Mian saying the word "Beyonder characteristic" would not attract suspicion or attention, but he was now facing a "Conspirer," and he could not let the other party make any associations.

"Heh, you really dare to ask?" Albus, who was crossing his legs and shaking his foot, looked at Lu Mian and mocked.

The expressions of Parsifal, Vincent Lorrain, and others were also more or less off.

When they joined the "Iron and Blood Cross Order," they hadn't dared to make such a request!

Lu Mian glanced at Albus and laughed with a face full of sarcasm:

"Why wouldn't I dare to ask?

"I'm not some trash who thinks I can't handle such a reward.

"If the organization rewards me ten points today, I will inevitably be able to repay one hundred points in the future!"

With a swoosh, Albus put down the right leg he had rested on his left knee, his gaze staring at Lu Mian's eyes like violent flames.

Black, Parsifal, and the others also showed dissatisfaction; only Faustino maintained the posture of a butler throughout.

Lu Mian's words just now had insulted them too!

"Alright." Gardner Martin stopped Albus's response and said to Lu Mian with a smile, "You've seen it too; as the 'Chief,' I must be fair. If I were to give you a magical artifact directly now, they would all protest.

"Rest assured, our 'Iron and Blood Cross Order' is not a stingy organization. After you complete a few missions and accumulate enough merit, I will give you a few magical artifacts for you to choose from yourself.

"Before that, in every mission, I will also, depending on the situation, give participating members suitable magical artifacts for temporary use, to be returned after the mission ends, ensuring the safety of the members and the completion of the mission to the greatest extent."

Lu Mian nodded, indicating he could accept that.

He hadn't held much hope just now; he just felt that making such a request wouldn't lose him anything—what if the "Chief" was in a good mood and agreed directly?

Gardner Martin deliberated and added:

"I will tell René that the money you previously advanced will be considered a reward from me, and you will still be able to receive your full share from the Breeze Dance Hall afterward."

"Thank you, 'Chief'." Lu Mian did not hide his joy.

This was equivalent to his initiation benefit being 12,000 Vergold, which could be said to be quite good.

And in this way, most of the money he spent on advancing to "Pyromaniac" came from the "funding" given by the "Aurora Order" and the "Iron and Blood Cross Order," with himself paying less than a third. His "thank you" was sincere.

Gardner Martin cut a piece of medium-rare steak, chewed, swallowed, and said:

"Is there anything else you want to ask?"

Lu Mian asked deliberately:

"How should I master the 'Pyromaniac' potion in a short time?"

He was testing whether the "Acting Method" was public knowledge within the "Iron and Blood Cross Order."

Gardner Martin laughed and said:

"A very good question.

"Mastering a potion requires starting from the name of the potion, trying to get close to it, understand it, and manifest it.

"In addition, I must also tell you a maxim: fire can burn others, but it will also hurt yourself."

Lu Mian listened attentively and had a rough grasp of the corresponding situation:

The "Iron and Blood Cross Order" concealed the "Acting Method" and its accurate interpretation from ordinary members, using more vague descriptions and constraints composed of imperfect 'regulations,' 'warnings,' and 'maxims' instead, letting members know that this is okay, without knowing why it is okay.

This could help ordinary members avoid some risks and allow them to gradually have their own insights in the process of getting close to the potion name, accelerating digestion to varying degrees, but it could not push them to summarize an acting code that was more suitable for themselves.

In other words, they were easier to "master" the potion than wild Beyonders and could advance with shorter intervals, but except for those who were very "talented" and naturally close to the acting requirements, they could not compare to Beyonders who knew the "Acting Method."

Lu Mian suspected that one had to reach the rank of "Sergeant" and become a key cultivation target of the "Iron and Blood Cross Order" before one could be taught the complete "Acting Method."

—He believed that a secret organization like the "Iron and Blood Cross Order" with a history of several hundred years must have mastered the "Acting Method."

By comparison, Madam "Magician" of the "Tarot Club" had given a large amount of very high-end occult knowledge from the beginning, including the "Acting Method."

As for Mr. K, Lu Mian didn't know if it was because he was too devout, putting his heart and soul into prayer and doing things, and forgot to teach the "Acting Method," or if he felt that one would naturally come into contact with it upon reaching the "Iron and Blood Cross Order," and knowing it too early would easily lead to exposure.

"'Pyromaniac' just means letting you go set fires! Go set a fire at the Parliament Building, burn it down, and you'll be able to master the potion in a short time." Albus incited Lu Mian in a tone of watching the fun without fearing that things would get bigger.

Lu Mian sneered in response:

"I am a 'Pyromaniac,' not an 'Arsonist.' Meaningless arson will only hurt myself."

"How do you know it's meaningless? Fire burning is the meaning." Albus sneered coldly.

Lu Mian immediately clicked his tongue:

"Then I might as well let your hair have flames burning on it."

After the two communicated in a quarrel-like manner for a while, Gardner Martin stopped this discussion that was becoming increasingly worthless and closer to personal attacks.

Lu Mian changed the subject, testing what the "Iron and Blood Cross Order" knew about the underground:

"I went to the catacombs some time ago and felt there was some kind of anomaly there, but I couldn't find the problem. 'Chief,' do you know what the situation is?"

Gardner Martin looked at the "Supervisor" Olsen beside him and deliberated before saying:

"That has nothing to do with the actions of our 'Iron and Blood Cross Order,' you don't need to know.

"I can only tell you now that the danger hidden there will not be smaller than that Trier of the Fourth Epoch."

Lu Mian nodded thoughtfully, and while enjoying the food, he asked various questions.

During this process, he found that Vincent Lorrain was relatively silent and didn't speak much; Parsifal and "Blood Glove" Black were both friendly and good at chatting, but very slick, rarely revealing valuable information; Faustino tended to treat himself as a butler rather than a formal member of a secret organization.

Only that young man with dark red hair, Albus, although his mouth was vicious and he loved to mock, his occasional words could still bring Lu Mian some inspiration.

Shortly after 10 p. m., the initiation ritual ended. Lu Mian was the last to leave 11 Spring Street and boarded the carriage belonging to the Breeze Dance Hall.

Just as the carriage started moving, Lu Mian's heart suddenly tightened, and he looked up at the opposite seat.

There was an extra person there, the "Supervisor" Olsen, who looked like a starving bear.

That trader who played the monster underground!

(End of chapter)