Chapter 395

Friste

Dean

Friste Dean

In an extremely short time, the person in charge made the decision: "You must not mention this to anyone else; I will report it upward immediately. As for how the higher-ups will handle it, I will give you no guarantees or promises."

Grand Sage

Michel Grand Sage

Michel Grand Sage Tower

Supreme Council

Celestial God Civilization Heavenly Court

Wizard Civilization

Celestial God Civilization

Dean Fúlǐ sītè showed no concern for the person in charge's nervousness, saying leisurely, "Upon receiving the news, I have already had all members of our Ruìwòsuǒsī Academy's advance team ready for emergency response. If anything goes awry, no matter the outcome, we will knock out a few teeth of anyone who dares to scheme against us."

Ruowosuosi Academy Vanguard

Vanguard

Xu Jing Heavenly Master

Ancestor Heavenly Master

Luotesinuo

Heavenly Master's Mansion

We might also include "Heavenly Master" title alone (original: Heavenly Master). We'll add.

Heavenly Master

Also "Saint" title: original: Saint.

Moreover, there is another possibility.

That is, regarding Michel Grand Sage's successful promotion with the support of the Heavenly Court of the Immortal‑God Civilization, the five Saints of the Wizard Civilization's Supreme Council actually welcome it.

As long as Michel Grand Sage does not truly stand opposed to the Wizard Civilization.

Even if Michel Grand Sage wanders between the Immortal‑God Civilization and the Wizard Civilization, sitting on the fence between the Heavenly Court and the Supreme Council.

The five Saints of the Supreme Council will compromise for greater interests.

In short, from the moment the person in charge of internal affairs answered the encrypted video call sent by Dean Frister, they were already involved.

Moreover, the situation is extremely difficult.

To escape this difficult predicament, the person in charge, even if unwilling, must follow the path pointed out by Dean Frister and report upward.

So when Dean Frister hung up the communication, he did so with confidence.

However, notifying the person in charge of internal affairs at the Supreme Council's parallel‑universe office once does not mean that Dean Frister and the Ruowosi Academy can rest easy.

As for the Supreme Council, even if Michel Grand Sage's defection to the Immortal‑God Heavenly Court is true, it should be handled cautiously.

If the matter could be settled silently, that would of course be best.

Stability, above all.

But this outcome serves the Supreme Council's interests, not those of the Ruowosi Academy.

What interests best serve the Ruowosi Academy?

Naturally, it is Michel Grand Sage's death, the division of his tower, and thereafter the Ruowosi Academy having one less mortal enemy.

Therefore, Dean Frister, after hanging up one encrypted video call, immediately initiated a new encrypted video call.

This time, the contact is not just one person, but three.

Having what others lack is enough to feel smug.

Lacking what others have easily breeds envy.

The Wizard Civilization has four Ninth‑level Grand Sages stationed in the parallel universe, including Michel Grand Sage.

Although the other three Ninth‑level Grand Sages are not facing the end of their lifespans like Michel Grand Sage, each has their own reasons for giving up the chance to become a Saint in their own universe and coming to the parallel universe to gamble on a hope.

A hope of promotion.

So……

On what basis does the Immortal‑God Heavenly Court support Michel Grand Sage instead of one of those three?

This is a question.

Of course, Dean Frister also considered whether the Immortal‑God Heavenly Court might be secretly supporting not just Michel Grand Sage alone.

After a brief consideration, Dean Frister stopped making such speculations.

Whether the Immortal‑God Heavenly Court supports or does not support other Ninth‑level Grand Sages is irrelevant to the Ruowosi Academy.

The only thing the Ruowosi Academy needs to consider is preventing Michel Grand Sage's promotion.

Gathering his thoughts, Dean Frister focused on waiting for the three encrypted video calls to connect.

While Dean Frister was waiting, Lotessno, acting alone, had already reached his destination.

A Saint is a Saint; many means are beyond the conjecture of wizards below the Saint level.

Even though Lotessno is merely a reincarnated Saint, he does not yet possess the full power of a Saint in complete form.

However, at a certain cost, Lotessno can exert some of a Saint's abilities.

Through a series of means incomprehensible to Sage‑level and even Grand Sage‑level wizards, Lotessno traveled from the border of the Immortal‑God Civilization—which would take a top‑tier star‑void vessel nearly two months to reach—to the Heavenly Master's Mansion at the heart of the Immortal‑God Civilization's territory.

"Long time no see, Saint Lotessno."

"Xu Jing Heavenly Master had long been waiting outside the Heavenly Master's Mansion; upon seeing Lotessno he immediately greeted him and gestured, saying, 'Ancestor Heavenly Master has already brewed the tea and is awaiting the Saint's arrival in the hall.'"

Lotessno followed Xu Jing Heavenly Master's lead into the Heavenly Master's Mansion, walking and saying, "Xu Jing Heavenly Master, I have a question; I don't know whether I should ask it or not."

"Saint, speak freely; if Xu Jing knows, he will certainly not conceal it."

Xu Jing Heavenly Master laughed in reply, making a promise.

Then I asked.

Luotesinuo nodded and immediately asked, "What exactly is the Heavenly Master's Manor scheming? I can't quite fathom the Heavenly Master's Manor's layout. I've poured so much effort into my cheap older brother Linke Grand, yet you seem to want nothing in return, merely keeping him busy running back and forth, never stopping, yet giving him no clear goal to busy himself with."

After hearing Luotesinuo's words, Xujing Heavenly Master pondered a moment and countered, "Could it be understood that the Saint is sincerely concerned for Linke Grand the wizard?"

That can be understood that way.

Luotesinuo candidly acknowledged this, then added, "After all, by blood relation he is my elder brother in this lifetime; by the twists and turns of my reincarnation process, our bond is truly deep. You know, we who play with fate or are played by fate place great importance on this. According to your Celestial Civilization's saying, it's called bearing burden; or according to the Buddhist school that has vanished in the river of time, it's cause and effect."

Bearing burden is bearing burden, cause and effect is cause and effect; they are not equivalent. Moreover...

Xujing Heavenly Master's expression turned solemn as he corrected, "The Buddhist school has not vanished in the river of time; it merely separated from the Celestial Civilization and formed its own lineage."

After a pause, Xujing Heavenly Master sighed helplessly, "The saying of the Age of Dharma Decline was actually first proposed by the Buddhist school."

Is that so? That's actually a secret I've never heard before.

Luotesinuo let out a sigh. Xujing Heavenly Master shook his head: "It's not really a secret; just trivial sesame and millet—past is past, no need to dwell on it."

Well then, perfect timing before meeting the Ancestral Heavenly Master; please, Xujing Heavenly Master, clear my doubts.

Luotesinuo followed Xujing Heavenly Master's train of thought with a reply, steering the topic back to Linke Grand.

Good.

Xujing Heavenly Master answered and then said, "Without hiding it from the Saint, our Heavenly Master's Manor actually wants nothing in return from Linke Grand the wizard."

Want nothing in return?

Want nothing in return!

Really? I don't believe it!

If the Saint does not believe, this humble daoist need say no more; no matter how much I say, if the Saint does not believe, then they do not believe.

After a brief exchange, Luotesinuo learned a secret from Xujing Heavenly Master, yet the question he raised received no clear answer.

The main hall where the Ancestral Heavenly Master resides had now been reached.

It seems this is Xujing Heavenly Master's strategy: one word—delay.

Luotesinuo did not press further, merely giving Xujing Heavenly Master a deep look before stepping into the hall.

The main hall remained as tranquil as it was last time I came.

The only difference was that, besides the Ancestral Heavenly Master, there was another person seated in the main hall.

Luotesinuo instantly recognized who that person was, and a faint cold smile appeared on his face.

"Ancestral Heavenly Master, long time no see."

Turning his gaze from that person, Luotesinuo greeted with a smiling tone and then asked, "I don't know why the Ancestral Heavenly Master suddenly invited me; what urgent matter is there? I just accompanied my cheap older brother in a rush to the battlefield of Ruowosisu Academy's advance detachment, preparing to help the academy's advance detachment defend against an attack from Michel Great Sage."

"Please sit, Saint."

The Ancestral Heavenly Master did not directly respond, gesturing with his hand to the cushion on his left and amiably said, "If you have anything to say, sit down and we can talk."

Saying that, the Ancestral Heavenly Master lifted the teapot and poured a cup of tea.

Luotesinuo raised an eyebrow, complied, sat on the cushion, and faced the other person.

According to Celestial Civilization etiquette, the left side is honored in a gentleman's residence.

At the Ancestral Heavenly Master's place, Luotesinuo sat on his left, which is even more honored.

The other person also understood this clearly, yet harbored little resentment.

"Come, try my tea art."

The Ancestral Heavenly Master lifted the teacup before him and offered a slight gesture to both left and right.

Luotesinuo and the other person gave face, immediately lifting their teacups and lightly tapping them together in the air.

The courtesy was sufficient, yet this ritual seemed somewhat mismatched.

It resembled neither the Celestial Civilization's etiquette nor the Wizard Civilization's etiquette.

However, these are minor details; none of the three present paid much heed.

Each took a light sip of tea, set down their cups, and the talk formally began.

The Ancestral Heavenly Master spoke first: "We are able to sit together today for no other reason than pure self-interest."

After glancing left and right and seeing the two visitors had no objection, the Ancestral Heavenly Master continued: "My interest is simple—to let the Heavenly Master's Manor survive the Age of Dharma Decline unscathed. The Saint's interest is whatever the Saint says it is. As for Michel Great Sage, it's also simple: before his lifespan ends, to ascend to Saint, or, with the Heavenly Court's help, to switch cultivation to become a Heavenly Venerate."

Hah...

Luotesinuo let out a sudden snicker.

"Why does the Saint laugh?"

The Ancestral Heavenly Master paused, seeming surprised, and asked.

"Nothing much, just thought of something funny but irrelevant. Ancestral Heavenly Master, please continue."

Luotesinuo wiped off his smile and gave a casual reply.

The Ancestral Heavenly Master chuckled, indifferent to Luotesinuo's slight mood, turned his head toward the other guest, Michel Great Sage, and said: "Today, Michel Great Sage sought me out, saying he wanted to have a frank face-to-face chat with Saint Luotesinuo, so I urgently contacted Saint Luotesinuo. Now that you two are both here, if there is anything, just communicate between yourselves."

As his words fell, the Ancestral Heavenly Master's figure vanished from the main hall.

However, both Luotesinuo and Michel Great Sage knew that, as long as the Ancestral Heavenly Master wished, he could hear any conversation taking place within the main hall.

The Heavenly Master's Manor is the Ancestral Heavenly Master's home turf.

Looking at Michel Great Sage's white hair and aged visage, Luotesinuo genuinely wanted to laugh.

However, out of respect for the rank of a Ninth-Rank Great Sage, Luotesinuo held back his laughter.

As for courteous treatment……

Sorry, Luotesinuo cannot do that.

Know that the one who has done the most to sabotage his reincarnation layout is not Linke Grand, but this Michel Great Sage before us.

Even this Michel Great Sage before us seeks to seize the position of the Prophecy School Wizard Saint.

Luotesinuo not laughing does not mean he is willing to speak up voluntarily.

The hall fell into silence after the Ancestral Heavenly Master left.

Finally, Michelle Grand Sage broke the silence herself, her voice hoarse as she said:

"Lottesno Saint, all past events are over."

"I failed to secure the position of the Prophecy Department Wizard Saint, and my life's work was also completely lost, as the price."

"Now I accept the funding of the Immortal God Civilization Heavenly Court; the reason is simple—to stay alive."

"Today I asked the Ancestral Heavenly Master to step forward and invited Lottesno Saint for a talk; I simply wish to beg the Saint not to always think of killing me, but to give me a peaceful environment for promotion—can you do that?"

"I have voluntarily exposed my weakness to the Saint, and I also ask the Saint to forgive me a little."

"However, during the voyage of the Starry Sky Flying Vessel over the past two months, Lottesno was extremely bored and could not stand Lin Ke's insulting gaze, so he frequently felt murderous intent toward Michelle Grand Sage each day."

"The killing intent emanating from the Saint's rank can cross the endless void and descend upon Michelle Grand Sage."

"This feeling, while not reaching the terror of a sword hanging over one's head ready to fall at any moment, is nonetheless like a prickling sensation on the back."

"After Michelle Grand Sage sensed that the killing intent came from Lottesno, she first contacted the Supreme Council, hoping to have it mediate."

"The Supreme Council agreed and put it into practice, but it failed."

"Lottesno refused to have any contact with the Supreme Council."

"Left with no choice, Michelle Grand Sage did not hesitate to expose herself, and could only ask the Heavenly Master's Mansion to act as an intermediary to resolve this."

"So Michelle Grand Sage still does not know that, beforehand, Lottesno already knew of his defection to the Immortal God Civilization Heavenly Court."

"Being kept in the dark is no different."