After listening to Qin Yu’s account, Monet sat silently in her seat. The fate of Saintess Daisyth was truly hard to accept.
How could a revered Saintess—once a symbol of purity—end up like this? It struck her deeply.
“Now that I’ve shared the intelligence, I expect compensation.”
Qin Yu hadn’t come out of kindness. Securing resources from the Church of Lumina was his real goal.
“Compensation?”
Monet’s gaze swept over him. His claims were shocking, yet unverified. To demand payment now felt brazenly confident.
“I plan to establish my own territory in the Central Continent. I need assistance.”
Monet instantly understood. Otherworlders had sought the Theocracy’s aid before; the Sanctum of Radiance always helped.
“I’ll report this to the Sanctum of Radiance and have them—"
“No,” Qin Yu cut in. “I don’t want their standard package. I have my own plan.”
He produced a bloodstained badge. Monet froze.
“Th-this is a bishop’s insignia! Where did you get it?”
“Ranawa. That name shouldn’t be unfamiliar, should it?”
Qin Yu flipped the badge, revealing the engraved name.
“Bishop Ranawa…”
Another familiar name. Monet felt dazed. The bloodied emblem could only mean…
“My condolences, Your Holiness. Bishop Ranawa was corrupted in the Bloodsoul Domain. We granted him peace.”
Monet fell silent. Perhaps it was a mercy. The Bloodsoul expedition remained one of the Luminous Theocracy’s gravest errors.
“Thank you for your compassion. For a follower of the Holy Light, death is the purest refuge when tainted by evil.”
She rose, bowing her head in solemn respect.
Trust in Qin Yu had solidified. She pledged full support for his territory.
As Qin Yu turned to leave, Monet called out:
“Mr. Qin Yu, I’ll verify Saintess Daisyth’s case personally. If true, you’ll be a valued friend of the Luminous Theocracy.”
“Good luck. And a warning—if you meet her, show no mercy. She’s no longer the mentor you remember.”
“I’ll keep it in mind.”
Monet watched them depart, then headed straight to the Papal Hall to report everything.
—
Within the Holy Capital, Tang Jihede shopped for gear with her squad. She was founding an all-female guild—strictly no men.
She’d sold two spare purple-grade weapons, raising over a million in startup funds. But the Territory Core? Nearly impossible.
Auction prices had soared past 100 million—far too steep. Tang refused to spend real cash; she prided herself on skill, not wallet power.
She’d already outfitted all five sisters in full blue-quality sets.
“Tangtang~ I love you!”
At the squad’s heart, Tang was adored. Who wouldn’t love a skilled, generous gamer?
“Ugh, stop flirting! Without a Territory Core, we can’t build our guild base. It’s a mess…”
“Just buy one with real money?” suggested Mochi Dumpling, her twin buns bouncing.
“No way! Tangtang hates pay-to-win,” interjected Candied Hawthorn, tall and sharp, her hair styled like candied hawthorn sticks.
“Then leech off a guild with hot guys!” Bingtang Xueli chirped, cleric robes swaying.
“ABSOLUTELY NOT! NO MEN!” Old Vinegar snapped, arms crossed.
“C’mon, eye candy is healthy~” Bingtang Xueli giggled.
Tang sighed. Hunting wild Territory Cores? Odds were slimmer than a lottery jackpot.
Then—her eyes locked onto a familiar figure.
“QIN YU!!!”
Her shout cut through the street. Passersby turned. Qin Yu blinked, bewildered.
“What a small world…” He walked over with a wry smile.
“Him again,” Silver Crimson Snow muttered coolly. Luna simply looked on, unfamiliar.
Seeing another girl beside Qin Yu, Tang felt a twinge of jealousy. *Is this what top players get?*
Then Silver Crimson Snow’s gaze met hers—a chill shot down her spine. *Maybe I shouldn’t have called him…*
“Tang Jiheke, right? Fancy meeting you again.”
*(He mispronounced it—and didn’t even notice.)*
Before Tang could correct him—
“Hi~! Handsome! I’m Tangtang’s friend—call me Xueli~” Bingtang Xueli beamed, stepping forward. The squad froze. *Does she flirt with every guy?*
“Qin Yu is fine.”
“Real name?”
“Guess?”
*(His ID was Wing Yu. He didn’t care if his real name slipped—who could prove it?)*
“Ahem, Xueli, wait.” Tang yanked her back. “Can we add friends now?”
“No problem. I keep my word.”
“ME TOO!!!” Bingtang Xueli blurted.
Tang braced to refuse—but Qin Yu simply said:
“Sure.”
*Wait… he agreed?!*
After refusing *her* last time?
Tang Jihede’s heart sank. *Was she tricked? Or… does he prefer girls like Xueli?*
