System's Reward!

[Ding! The host has been detected actively participating in and leading the first-ever killing of multiple human Soul Masters (2 Soul Emperors, 1 Soul Saint, 7 Soul Kings, 5 Soul Ancestors...), meeting the hidden stage requirement for "Defy Heaven and Change Fate."]

[Calculating reward...]

[Reward issued: Palm Blue Silver World authorization expansion module—Summoning Passage (Beginner).]

[Summoning Passage (Beginner): The host may grant authorization to the clan members within the Palm Blue Silver World, allowing them to go outside and mobilize part of the Palm Blue Silver World's power, opening a spatial passage that can be maintained for fifteen minutes and collecting more Blue Silver Grass.]

[Three non-Blue Silver plant-attribute living beings that have fully acknowledged the host as their master and whose life forms are compatible may also enter.]

[Any living being that enters the Small World will have its aura form a closer connection with the host. The host may sense its precise condition and location at any time and transmit thoughts between two points.]

[Note 1: After a unit enters the real world, it may still receive part of the Palm World Heavenly Dao's power with the host's permission and enjoy part of the enhancement from the host's "Blue Silver Emperor Domain."]

[Note 2: Killing hostile units will help raise the authorization level and unlock abilities such as longer durations, greater numbers, and control over greater distances.]

Lan Aotian's heart stirred. He slowly opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing in their depths.

This reward... is rather interesting!

It was not a direct increase in cultivation or a divine weapon. Instead, it expanded the ways he could use the power of the Palm World!

"Summoning Passage" meant he could summon the clan members cultivated within the Small World to the real world for a limited time to assist him in battle!

Although it was only at the beginner level for now, allowing him to summon only three people with no more than Ten-Thousand-Year Cultivation for a short duration, this was undoubtedly a new trump card!

Just imagine: at a critical moment, he could summon Lan Xin, with fifteen thousand years of cultivation, along with Lan Yu and Lan Ye, who both had ten thousand years of cultivation. All three had undergone Transformation and possessed the cultivation of ten-thousand-year Soul Beasts, enhanced by the Blue Silver Creation Technique. Combined with his own domain... they would be enough to deal with many unexpected situations or carry out split missions that required more manpower.

Moreover, the system had explicitly stated that killing hostile units could raise the authorization level.

It was practically encouraging him... to participate in battles in moderation and clear away obstacles.

It seems the system also wants me to be more aggressive on this path.

The corner of Lan Aotian's mouth curled up almost imperceptibly.

He had never been softhearted to begin with, and this reward from the system suited him perfectly.

He immediately tried to communicate through his thoughts with Lan Xin inside the Palm World.

"Lan Xin."

"My Emperor!"

Lan Xin's response carried her usual reverence, along with a trace of worry. Clearly, she had vaguely sensed that the host outside had experienced a battle.

Lan Aotian's voice was calm. "There's no need to worry. Let me ask you this: if necessary, would you, Lan Yu, and Lan Ye be willing to leave the Small World temporarily and handle some matters in the outside world for me? There may be risks."

"At My Emperor's command, I would not hesitate even if it meant certain death!"

Lan Xin's thoughts were utterly resolute and entirely without hesitation. "It is our honor to help My Emperor shoulder his burdens! Lan Yu and Lan Ye will certainly feel the same!"

Lan Aotian was very satisfied. "Very good. Continue cultivating in peace for now and stand by at any time."

"Yes!"

After cutting off the connection, Lan Aotian was even more satisfied with this new ability.

With it, his actions in the future would be much more flexible.

At that moment, footsteps came from outside and stopped at the door.

"Lin Yue, Your Excellency, may I have a word with you?"

It was Bishop Claude's voice, carrying clear respect.

Lan Aotian gathered his thoughts and said calmly, "Come in."

Claude pushed the door open. He had changed into a clean bishop's robe, but his face was still somewhat pale, clearly showing that his injuries and exhaustion were no light matter.

In his hand, he held a black token stained with blood, along with several letters sealed by special Soul Power.

"Lin Yue, Your Excellency, forgive me for disturbing you so late at night."

"These were found on that Female Soul Saint."

"The token is a Guest Elder Token of the 'Shadow Tower.'"

"We cannot open the seals on the letters without damaging them for the time being, but the markings on them... seem to be connected to certain border nobles of the Star Luo Empire."

Claude placed the token and letters on the only intact small wooden table in the room.

The Shadow Tower?

Lan Aotian searched his memories.

It was an underground assassin organization active in the gray areas between the two great empires. It was fairly well known and would accept any assignment as long as the price was right.

However, it had never been mentioned in the Original Work.

Border nobles of the Star Luo Empire?

This water is murkier than expected.

"It seems someone doesn't want this shipment—or us—to reach Spirit City safely," Lan Aotian said calmly.

"Yes."

"There have been two attacks in succession, each more vicious than the last."

"The second one even involved a Soul Saint Guest Elder of the Shadow Tower... That must have come at a considerable cost."

"Although this shipment we're escorting is important, it shouldn't, in theory, be enough to drive the person behind the scenes to such madness..."

Claude's expression was solemn.

After a pause, he lowered his voice. "Unless there is something even more deadly in this shipment that we don't know about, or... the other party's target was never merely the shipment from the beginning."

Lan Aotian glanced at him without replying.

This did not surprise him. Spirit Hall was not a monolith either; struggles between its Branch Halls and factions in various regions had never ceased.

This shipment sent from Sylvester City might well be entangled in some internal power struggle.

"Lin Yue, Your Excellency."

"The journey ahead will likely be even more dangerous."

"Relying solely on me, Jason, and the remaining guards, we truly lack the strength to handle it."

"Your Excellency's strength is unfathomable. I sincerely ask that you continue to lend us your full assistance!"

"After we reach Spirit City, I will certainly report your merits to Bishop Salas, and even to the Papal Palace!"

"Whatever your request, so long as Spirit Hall can fulfill it, we will not refuse!"

Claude's tone grew even more earnest.

This was a formal request accompanied by a binding of interests.

Having witnessed Lan Aotian's terrifying strength, Claude knew full well that if they wanted to reach Spirit City alive, this mysterious "Lin Yue" was their greatest reliance.

Lan Aotian pondered for a moment.

He had already been heading toward Spirit City. Protecting the convoy along the way would allow him to observe the protagonist's group and the others, while also earning Spirit Hall's favor, making it easier to approach or use them in the future.

Now that Claude had made his intentions clear, it saved him some trouble.

"All right." Lan Aotian nodded. "But I have three conditions."

"Please, Your Excellency!"

"First, all actions along the way must prioritize reaching our destination safely. If we encounter irresistible circumstances, or if I believe the route must be changed and the convoy abandoned to preserve our lives, you must follow my recommendation."

"That... is acceptable!"

Claude thought it over briefly before agreeing through clenched teeth.

Staying alive was what mattered most.

"Second, I need to know the detailed inventory of this shipment, as well as... information on any special items that may be present. I don't want to die without knowing why."

A troubled look appeared on Claude's face.

"I can give you the inventory."

"But as for the special items... to be frank, Jason and I are only following orders to escort the shipment. I'm afraid only Bishop Salas and several lords of the Papal Palace know the specific contents."

Lan Aotian stared at him for several seconds. After confirming that he did not seem to be lying, he said, "Then tell me everything you know about the unusual aspects of this mission."