Along the spacious corridor.
Obsidian pillars cast shallow reflections on the bright, neat stone slabs of the floor.
Tang Zheng and Judicial Chief Gride walked on the marble tiles, and occasionally, attendants briefy bowed as they passed by.
Judicial Chief Gride's voice was soft, his wrinkled cheeks causing his eyelids to droop: "Team Leader Tang, there are a total of 7 countries on the land where humanity resides."
"Located in the central area are the Re-Estize Kingdom, where Team Leader Tang is from, and the opposing Bahharuth Empire."
"To the northwest is the Argland Council State, and to the northeast is the Casannas City Alliance."
"To the south are the Roble Holy Kingdom, our Theocracy, and the Dragon Kingdom, all connected in a line."
Tang Zheng nodded and smiled slightly: "Your Excellency Judicial Chief, you know the countries very well."
This kind of general information is probably only known to ordinary commoners about their own country, but how could an Adventurer of Tang Zheng's level not know?
The other party clearly wasn't simply trying to introduce the seven countries.
"Haha."
Judicial Chief Gride let out a light, aged laugh, not answering directly, but instead sighed with emotion: "That we weak humans can survive on this land is the grace of God."
"Team Leader Tang, you should know about the Council State bordering the Re-Estize Kingdom."
"It is said that it is a country built primarily by Demi-humans, with not many humans living there, and the ruling class consists of terrifyingly powerful creatures like Dragons."
Tang Zheng responded, his eyes flashing as he noticed Judicial Chief Gride furrowing his brow when mentioning the "Council State."
As a Council State primarily composed of Demi-humans, it could be described as an enemy state to the Slane Theocracy, which advocates for human supremacy.
Furthermore.
Did the other party's sudden mention of the Council State indicate that the Theocracy had already investigated his identity?
The fake identity Imina had secretly created for him was from a village located on the border between the Kingdom and the Council State.
The reason Tang Zheng had arranged this identity here was because of the antagonistic relationship between the two countries, making it impossible for the Slane Theocracy to conduct a detailed investigation.
Of course, this had certain drawbacks.
But Tang Zheng didn't need it to be perfect. When the Great Tomb of Nazarick descended a few years later, the truth or falsity of his identity would be meaningless.
"That's right."
Worry flashed in Judicial Chief Gride's eyes: "That is a country established 200 years ago, after the war between the 13 Heroes and the Demon Gods."
"It implements a system of managed and coordinated councils. In addition to the Councilors elected by the various Demi-human Races, there are 5 Dragon Lords who serve as Supreme Councilors for life."
"Hmph, it sounds good, but it's nothing more than a union of Demi-human Tribes under a different name."
Judicial Chief Gride let out a light snort at this point, seemingly quite disdainful and disgusted with the Council State's system.
A strange expression flashed across Tang Zheng's face.
To be honest, the "council system" was actually more advanced than the feudal systems of various countries or even the theocratic systems.
The Council State is just an experimental base. This system clearly originated from Players.
Did the Platinum Dragon Lord obtain the information to experiment with such a system from one of the 13 Heroes who was a Player?
Tang Zheng couldn't help but think more.
How much information the Platinum Dragon Lord had obtained from the Players was completely unknown, and furthermore, the other party was quite cautious...
No system could be simply copied and applied rigidly.
The appearance of the so-called "Lifetime Councilors" completely negated the advanced nature of the council system, but this was also normal. In the Different World, strength was ultimately king.
"Dragon Lords! They are existences far beyond human imagination, on a completely different level."
Judicial Chief Gride sighed softly:
"No matter how much effort and wisdom humanity puts in, they cannot bridge the gap in power."
"Team Leader Tang, do you know that 200 years ago, in addition to the establishment of the Council State, the Dragon Kingdom was also established?"
Tang Zheng's gaze slightly condensed. He turned his head to look at Judicial Chief Gride beside him, meeting the other party's somewhat deep blue eyes.
"We've arrived at the room."
Judicial Chief Gride stopped, pointing to the white wooden door beside them, his aged voice letting out a light laugh:
"May the Gods guide us."
As the Judicial Chief, whose status in the Theocracy was second only to the High Priest and who held authority over the law, the attitude Gride displayed would be enough to cause a stir among the faithful outside.
However.
In Judicial Chief Gride's eyes, Tang Zheng was not only a strong individual who had entered the "Hero Domain" level, but also a top-tier Genius Alchemist among humans.
Such a talent was extremely rare, even within the Theocracy.
After speaking.
Judicial Chief Gride turned around, his aged body slightly hunched, and gradually walked away down the long corridor.
The entire room, constructed with a large amount of wooden furniture, was filled with a sense of simplicity and solemnity. Bookshelves were placed on the walls.
Tang Zheng immediately noticed the various scriptures. Without even looking, he knew what these books primarily recorded.
"Still using the strategy of 'righteous cause'?"
A faint smile appeared at the corner of Tang Zheng's mouth, and he felt a slight ease internally.
Judicial Chief Gride's repeated mentions of the Council State and the Dragon Kingdom were nothing more than telling him the plight of humanity.
This was similar to the "changing humanity's destiny" rhetoric he used at the beginning – it was a bit of flattery.
However.
The phrase "changing humanity's destiny" was a bit alarming.
The moment he heard the other party say it!
Tang Zheng's heart tensed up. If the Integration Potion he unexpectedly created truly had that level of effect...
He would have to worry about being met with a World-Class Item like Nation and City Incinerating!
"Comparing it to the Dragon Lord... so the actual effect it can achieve should be within that range."
Tang Zheng silently analyzed the hidden information revealed during Judicial Chief Gride's conversation with him.
"Come out."
Walking towards the sofa in the living room, Tang Zheng spoke indifferently.
Crack!
The window of the guest room was suddenly pushed open.
Clementine's agile figure flipped in from outside the window, turning around, like a nimble wildcat.
"The room is quite nice~"
Clementine glanced around the room, her eyes curving into a smile, and she walked smilingly to the sofa opposite the center of the Great Hall and sat down:
"The Theocracy values you highly, there are even Wind Flower Scripture members monitoring outside."
Tang Zheng looked at her calmly: "Wind Flower Scripture?"
"You didn't know?"
Clementine put on an innocent look, her tongue licking her lips, and she shook a finger:
"There are six colored scripture units in the Theocracy. Besides the Sunlight Scripture you know, there's also the Fire Extinguishing Scripture, Water Light Scripture, Wind Flower Scripture, Earth Dust Scripture, and the most mysterious and terrifying—the Darkness Scripture."
"The Wind Flower Scripture is mainly responsible for intelligence and infiltration."
Clementine's voice paused, her fair neck leaned forward, and she tilted her head, smiling:
"I am a member of the Darkness Scripture. Although there are only 13 members, the weakest among them are powerhouses who have entered the Hero Domain~"
After saying this.
Clementine stared intently at Tang Zheng, finding that there was not a trace of surprise, shock, or any other expected emotion on his face.
"How boring."
Clementine pouted, pulling her leaning body back, and shrinking into the sofa. A look of disappointment flashed across her wild face:
"I almost forgot, you're a monster too. The Hero Domain is nothing in your eyes."
This information was clearly state-level intelligence, yet Clementine spilled it all out in one go.
"A team composed of 13 Hero Domain experts, that's truly a luxurious lineup." Although Tang Zheng had already known this information, he still felt a sense of awe towards the Darkness Scripture.
This could be said to be the strongest small team among humans!
"A annoying guy died before, so there were originally 12 people, but another one was added recently. It's a guy with the title 'Divine Domain Shackles' who uses chains."
Clementine spoke unhappily, seemingly dissatisfied with this person.
"Oh, is that so?"
Tang Zheng was a little surprised and said flatly: "Judging by the name, they seem like a troublesome type."
Clown Brother was killed by him, so the Darkness Scripture should have been missing a member. This Divine Domain Shackles was originally meant to replace the defected Clementine.
Unexpectedly, he now replaced Clown Girl's brother.
"How are the inquiries you were asked to make?" Tang Zheng asked.
"It's currently at a restricted level."
"At least even Astrology Thousand Miles doesn't know, which means the potion you made is very important, and only those at the High Priest level know about it."
Clementine looked at Tang Zheng with great curiosity, her eyes containing both some awe and some disbelief.
She knew how arrogant those High Priests were!
"In that case, there's no need to investigate further."
Tang Zheng waved his hand, signaling that Clementine could leave.
"Using someone and then telling them to leave, you're truly a heartless man~"
Clementine spoke playfully, her round, slender legs extending from her Black Robe as she stood up, looking like someone who had been abandoned.
Tang Zheng ignored Clementine's mournful look and suddenly spoke, "What do you think are the chances of controlling the Midnight Scripture?"
"Impossible!"
Clementine's voice suddenly became sharp, the feigned innocence on her face vanished, and she looked at Tang Zheng in disbelief.
She had already revealed information about the Midnight Scripture before, and knowing that information, Tang Zheng could still ask such a question.
Clementine suddenly realized that the man in front of her seemed even crazier than she was!
Could it be!
He came to the Slane Theocracy not just for the potion.
Various thoughts flashed through Clementine's mind. She didn't even notice the excited madness on her wild cheeks, her fingers unconsciously playing with her weapon.
Clearly.
She was also considering this possibility; it was much more interesting and insane than destroying the Theocracy!
"It's impossible."
Clementine added again, her voice trembling, "The power of God-Humans is beyond the imagination of mortals; it's an unattainable power!"
"If we could really control the Midnight Scripture, we could indirectly control or influence the entire Slane Theocracy!"
Tang Zheng didn't speak, just smiled and shrugged, as if to say he was just joking.
Clementine's purple pupils widened slightly, and she thought of a possibility. Could this man in front of her also be a "God-Human"?
Thinking of his monstrous strength!
Besides the terrifyingly talented "Aberrant Ones," this was the other possibility.
...
The next day.
May 11th.
That student of the Judicial Chief Gride appeared before Tang Zheng again, leading Tang Zheng away from the guesthouse and into a carriage, heading towards the central temple.
In the carriage.
Tang Zheng looked at the blonde youth sitting across from him. He asked in confusion, "Why aren't the people from the Holy Kingdom here?"
"Your Excellency Tang, the people from the Holy Kingdom are being personally hosted by my teacher."
The blonde youth quickly replied respectfully.
"Is that so?"
Tang Zheng nodded, his gaze looking at the scene outside the carriage.
It seemed the Theocracy didn't want the people from the Holy Kingdom to participate in the upcoming matters with him. However, what would the people from the Holy Kingdom do?
Tang Zheng suddenly sensed something, and a slight, almost imperceptible smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
The next moment!
"—Neigh!"
The horse pulling the carriage suddenly let out a sharp neigh, as if startled, and forcefully stopped its forward movement, its hooves scraping against the ground with a harsh sound.
The sudden stop.
Caused the carriage to shake violently. The blonde youth inside the carriage couldn't react in time and was thrown by inertia against the carriage door frame, letting out a dull thud and a cry of pain.
"What's going on?"
Holding his head, the blonde youth got up awkwardly and spoke to the outside of the carriage with some shock and anger.
This was the God Capital, and the carriage had the church's symbol on it. Who would dare to stop a carriage under these circumstances!
Thinking of this!
The blonde youth reached out and propped himself against the door frame, turning to look at Tang Zheng apologetically. The other party was a distinguished guest personally introduced by his teacher.
If he was affected, it might hinder the upcoming talks!
As a result.
The youth found that Tang Zheng was still sitting steadily inside the carriage, completely unaffected by the sudden stop. He then realized that the other party was a strong individual in the "Hero Domain."
"Are you not hurt?" Tang Zheng asked with concern.
"You make light of it, Your Excellency Tang."
The youth's face flushed slightly. He quickly waved his hand, then got up and walked towards the outside of the carriage. He wanted to see who dared to stop the carriage.
Lifting the carriage curtain!
The youth immediately noticed a conspicuous black figure blocking the front of the carriage.
The figure wore a black short cape, a black round hat, and even a black mask covering their mouth and nose.
This attire, completely different from that of their Slane Theocracy, made the blonde youth immediately realize that the other party was one of the people from the Holy Kingdom.
"You..."
Just as the blonde youth was about to say something, he was immediately met with a pair of cold, sharp, and terrifying eyes like those of a hawk.
An invisible killing intent surged!
The blonde youth froze on the spot for a moment, cold sweat breaking out on his forehead, as if any movement or word would result in him being instantly shot down by the other party.
"Pabel? What are you doing here? Come on up."
A gentle chuckle came from inside the carriage, and the faint killing intent that enveloped the blonde youth instantly vanished.
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