Authorization!

"...All right."

"This mission was originally just a routine supply run, but before we set out, Bishop Molson suddenly issued an order."

"He had three of the five originally designated carriages replaced with vehicles urgently requisitioned from the Royal Warehouse and several large merchant guilds. They had been reinforced with special metal, and he personally applied seals to them."

"The mission level also rose sharply. We were ordered to deliver the supplies as quickly as possible, regardless of the cost."

"Also...before we departed, our branch hall's Soul Tool Communication Room was placed under strict lockdown. Apparently, it received a direct secret order from Spirit City."

Claude gathered his thoughts.

Lan Aotian was deep in thought.

An order from the Papal Palace, urgently requisitioned special supplies... This shipment really isn't simple.

It might even be related to Spirit Hall's recent series of major moves.

"Third."

Lan Aotian raised his third finger. "If we arrive safely, I don't want any empty credit or fame."

"I want one opportunity to enter the outer perimeter of Spirit Hall's Library Hall and consult some ancient books and records. Also...you must use Spirit Hall's intelligence network to gather information on several specific medicinal ingredients for me. Whether you find anything or not, you must give me an answer."

The first condition was a request to consult records, which was perfectly reasonable. Many powerful figures had similar needs.

The second condition was a request to gather information on medicinal ingredients, further confirming his identity as "Lin Yue," a plant-type Soul Master.

Claude breathed a sigh of relief. These two conditions were not simple either, but compared to the other demands he might have made, they were already very "practical" and "mild."

"No problem! I guarantee in the name of Platinum Bishop Salas of Spirit Hall that I will certainly fulfill them for Your Excellency!"

Claude made a solemn promise.

"Then it's settled."

"Go make the preparations. We'll depart as early as possible tomorrow."

"Also, strengthen Soul Power detection. I suspect our opponents won't let the matter rest. They may have even more concealed methods."

Lan Aotian picked up the water on the table, which had already gone cold, and took a sip.

"Yes! I'll make the arrangements immediately!" Claude bowed respectfully and withdrew.

The room fell silent once more.

Lan Aotian toyed with the Guest Elder Token from the "Shadow Tower," his eyes deep and unfathomable.

Nobles of the Star Luo Empire, assassins from the Shadow Tower, and Spirit Hall's secret supplies... This muddy water is becoming more and more interesting.

Still, risk and opportunity always coexist.

He looked at his palm, as if he could see through flesh and blood to the Palm World hidden within his body, as well as the newly acquired authorization for the "Summoning Passage."

"Come on, let me see just how deep the waters of this continent really are."

He murmured to himself, then closed his eyes again and entered a state of cultivation.

Tomorrow would be another journey filled with the unknown and killing intent.

At first light, a faint scent of blood and burnt flesh permeated the stronghold.

After half a night of rest and emergency repairs, the caravan had barely recovered its ability to move.

More than a third of the guards had been lost, and most of the survivors were injured. Morale was low.

The several Cargo Carriages, however, had not suffered much damage. In particular, the three Metal-Reinforced Carriages had only a few scratches and patches of scorched black on their surfaces. Their structures remained completely intact.

Bishop Claude and Bishop Jason wore exhaustion and worry that they could barely conceal, but their gazes were even more resolute than the night before, carrying a hint of determination bordering on desperation.

Clearly, they had recovered from their initial panic and understood that their retreat was cut off. They could only move forward.

Lan Aotian—Lin Yue—remained the calmest of them all.

He had changed into a clean, deep-blue Jinzhuang and stood at the entrance of the stronghold, gazing at the winding official road to the north. The morning wind stirred a few strands of hair across his forehead, and his eyes were deep and unfathomable.

Claude walked over to him and handed him a scroll sealed with Soul Power. In a low voice, he said, "Your Excellency Lin Yue, this is the most detailed Copy of Supply List I could obtain. As for the deeper information...my authorization isn't sufficient. But after we reach Spirit City, Bishop Salas may be willing to discuss it with Your Excellency."

Lan Aotian accepted the scroll. A sweep of his Mental Power sent its contents instantly into his mind.

The list mostly contained Rare Ore, High-Level Soul Beast Material, Finished Potion, and some Soul Tool Components of unknown purpose. The quantities were enormous, and their value was considerable.

Yet on the surface, there was indeed nothing particularly unusual.

The cargo compartments of the three special carriages were marked only "Special Goods—A, B, C," with no further explanation.

"Much appreciated." Lan Aotian put away the scroll without saying anything more.

The caravan set out again, moving somewhat faster than before.

The surviving guards were on high alert, vigilantly watching for any disturbance along either side of the road.

Tie Shan and Ying Shu were also assigned heavier guard duties. After witnessing Lan Aotian's terrifying power, neither of them dared disobey his orders in the slightest.

Lan Aotian remained near the front of the middle section of the caravan, but part of his attention was now focused on his newly acquired system authorization.

He sent a thread of consciousness sinking into the Palm Blue Silver World.

At the center of the world stood the Giant Tree Summit.

Lan Xin, Lan Yu, and Lan Ye were sparring and practicing, familiarizing themselves with the power and Combat Skills they had gained after Transformation.

Sensing the descent of the Emperor's will, they immediately stopped and bowed respectfully.

"My Emperor!"

"No need for ceremony." Lan Aotian's will manifested as an illusory figure. "There is a new ability that can be authorized to you."

He transmitted the information about the "Summoning Passage (Basic)," along with its revised detailed specifications, to the three women.

After receiving the information, all three women's eyes burst with delighted and excited light.

Lan Xin was the first to speak excitedly. "My Emperor! This ability is wonderful! It means we can take the initiative to venture outside and collect the clan members scattered throughout the outside world for you and our clan, strengthening the foundation of our world!"

As the earliest to undergo Transformation and the one with the highest cultivation, she instantly grasped the strategic significance of this authorization—expansion!

Lan Yu also excitedly waved her small fist. "Exactly! Staying here to cultivate all the time is safe, but it gets stifling! With this passage, we can go out and help! We can collect Blue Silver Grass, investigate information, or...fight!"

Her eyes sparkled when she said "fight."

Although Lan Ye was shy, she nodded firmly, her small face full of determination. "We definitely won't betray Your Majesty's trust!"

Lan Aotian was very pleased by their reactions.

What he needed were subordinates with initiative and an enterprising spirit, not puppets that only knew how to obey orders.

"This authorization is currently at the basic level. Each time, it can be granted to a maximum of three people, and the passage will remain open for a quarter of an hour."

"The outside world is fraught with danger. Although you possess Ten-Thousand-Year Cultivation, your experience is still shallow. Above all, remember to conceal your identities. You must not expose the foundation of our clan."

Lan Aotian warned them, "For the first authorization, I grant it to Lan Xin. Lan Yu and Lan Ye, you two must assist her with all your strength while cultivating harder, striving to stand on your own as soon as possible."

"Yes! Thank you for Your Majesty's trust!" Lan Xin knelt on one knee and solemnly accepted the order. Lan Yu and Lan Ye also bowed together.

"Additionally." Lan Aotian added, "When this passage is activated, with my permission, you may draw upon a portion of the Palm World Heavenly Dao's power to strengthen yourselves and enjoy my Domain Enhancement."

"But remember, this reinforcement consumes Small World Origin. Do not use it recklessly unless necessary."

"In the outside world, caution and efficiency must come first."

"You must not develop feelings for any human men."

"We will heed Your Majesty's teachings!" the three women replied in unison.