Wulan galaxy.
"Malone, wait a moment."
Just after the latest Immortal Council session ended.
Aisharnir, head of the Heart of the Banyan Tree headquarters, called out to Speaker Malone before he could leave the planet and board his personal spacecraft.
"What? Have today's affairs been dealt with?" Surrounded by a host of bodyguards, Malone stopped in the corridor and turned back.
"The country is stable and peaceful now. Public security is better than before by who knows how much, and there are far fewer affairs to handle. There's nothing much to deal with." Aisharnir smiled. "It's just a few minor matters I'd like to seek your advice on, Mr. Speaker."
"We've been friends for so many years, and you're still putting on this act? Fine." Malone calculated the time. There was about an hour until the next meeting, and the travel time would be just about right.
"Want to have a drink aboard my ship?" he asked with a smile.
"With pleasure." Aisharnir nodded and smiled.
Their guards and bodyguards merged into one group and headed toward Wulan Star's spaceport.
Not long after, inside the Speaker's personal spacecraft.
Malone and Aisharnir entered an absolutely isolated confidential chamber. Two surging currents of psychic energy swept across every device around them, while all guards, bodyguards, and secretaries were dismissed.
Only then did the smile on Aisharnir's face abruptly change.
"The situation has taken a turn for the worse again, Malone."
"Is this about Councilor Qinghe? I already know." The ease on Malone's face swiftly faded, replaced by concern.
"Have the Revival Society's tentacles already reached this place?" He looked wistfully at a cup placed on the table.
"I dispatched my trusted people, but they found nothing. Yet it is precisely because they found nothing that it is terrifying.
"Because Qinghe had previously