The elderly employer wasn't worried that the experts he'd hired would covet his wealth and plot against him. For one thing, this was only an escort mission, and he'd never revealed how wealthy he was. For another, God Hunter missions and God Hunters were mutually selective. If he didn't go to the God Hunter Secret Vault to have the mission marked as complete, it would count toward the God Hunters' failure rate. And if the failure rate recorded in the God Hunter Secret Vault was too high—or if their solo survival rate was as high as Han's—it would also raise suspicions.
The God Hunter Secret Vault and Fiend Castle had stood firm for countless years and remained busy with business. Aside from the deterrence provided by the Sovereigns, their excellent reputations also ensured a steady stream of customers.
Naturally, low-ranking guards had no part in this drinking. A young man beside Desterie gazed at the fine wine and licked his lips without realizing it. "Big Brother Desterie, have you ever tried this 'Red Luo God Wine'? I'd really love to have another sip."
Desterie replied with a smile, "Dordoni, if you want a drink, we can just buy some in the city. You're staring at it so intently. Don't tell me you've tried it before? Is it really that good?"
Dordoni was an Earth Highgod they'd gradually gotten to know over the past few hundred years. He had only a Two-Star God Hunter badge and was quite good-natured. By his own account, he'd cultivated to Highgod in a Material Plane, so he hadn't had much time or opportunity to build up his badge rank. For now, he was still only a Two-Star God Hunter.
Dordoni was so captivated by the wine that he'd only just come to his senses and prepared to answer when Dalayer spoke first. "I've heard people talk about this wine. It can only be brewed by fermenting special ingredients from several Divine Planes: Golden Seedling from the Earth Divine Plane, Intoxicating Honey from the Fire Divine Plane, Psychedelic Spring Water from the Water Divine Plane, and Cyan Dandelion from the Wind Divine Plane. Not one can be left out.
"So every batch takes a huge amount of manpower and resources to produce. Without formidable strength and deep pockets, it's impossible to make."
Desterie was taken aback. These days, even wine had to combine earth, water, fire, and wind? He smiled. "It sounds so unusual. I'd certainly like to give it a proper taste."
Dordoni smiled wryly. "This wine is precious. Even if you have money, you can't find anywhere to buy it. Only a few major families have it in their stores."
Seeing that she'd piqued Desterie's curiosity, Dalayer smiled. "Although it's complicated and labor-intensive to make, I've heard the taste is exquisite. Unfortunately, it only helps replenish soul power. There's nothing else particularly noteworthy about it."
"A few One-Star God Hunters think they're qualified to pass judgment on Red Luo God Wine?" Six-Star God Hunter Frannie suddenly turned around and scolded them.
"Frannie!" Taylor sharply stopped her, then approached Dalayer with a smile and held out his wineglass. "This wine really is good. Would you like to try some?"
Dalayer was already as cold as ice after being scolded by a Six-Star God Hunter. Now Taylor was pestering her too, and she was furious. But she didn't notice that Desterie's expression had also turned icy as he stepped between her and Taylor.
Desterie said coldly, "Taylor, leave. Now!"
At that very moment, Desterie's passive perception activated. Beneath the Metal Lifeform, he sensed Earth Divine Power gathering and unleashing its might.
"Two One-Star God Hunters dare to give us attitude and threaten a Six-Star God Hunter? I'll make sure you— What?!" Frannie snapped.
But before she could finish, a strange black ring suddenly appeared around the entire Metal Lifeform. At the same time, a powerful force of gravity dragged at it. The Metal Lifeform could no longer move forward and began plummeting rapidly.
Desterie had already anticipated this. He stood beside Dalayer and gave her a meaningful look, signaling her to wait and see. He'd already used Willpower to spread Sovereign's Might and take control of everything around them. He wanted to see who was behind this sudden attack—and what the escort mission was really about.
As the Metal Lifeform plummeted, Blood Fist God Hunter Angola finally realized what was happening. "It's Gravity Space! Someone's using Gravity Space to capture us!"
He turned to Taylor and shouted, "Find a way to counteract the gravity!"
He cultivated the Laws of Wind and also cultivated the Earth Laws, but he had no original body, and his Earth Divine Clone wasn't here.
Taylor was just as anxious. "I can't, sir. You know that the gravity in Gravity Space always pulls downward. If I use Gravity Space too, I won't be able to lessen the force. I'll only make the gravity here stronger! The only way is to find the enemy and stop him from using Gravity Space!"
Angola cursed, clenched his fists, then willed them to turn red and ordered the elderly employer to open the Metal Lifeform.
"Everyone, get as far away as you can! This time, our opponent is no ordinary foe!" After leaving them with those words, Angola immediately charged out. He was going to engage the enemy in the shadows at close quarters and see who was stronger.
"Frannie, stay here and protect the two employers. We'll go after them!" Taylor hurriedly gave his instructions, then rushed toward the ground with the other Six-Star God Hunter.
Seeing the Six-Star and Seven-Star God Hunters acting this way, the other low-ranking God Hunters rushed out of the Metal Lifeform too. But they weren't going to fight; they scattered in every direction to flee.
Their opponent was someone even the Seven-Star God Hunters were preparing to face seriously. They didn't even qualify to stay and watch.
Seeing this, Dordoni hurriedly said to Desterie and Dalayer, "Big Brother Desterie, Sister Dalayer, we should get out of here too! We're close to Lanyu City. Maybe we can make it back safely. Come with me—I know a safe shortcut."
Even facing imminent disaster, this kid had still thought of them. Desterie's opinion of him improved considerably.
Desterie was about to refuse when he heard a cold laugh. It came from the woman guarding the two employers. "Trying to run? Not a chance!"
Her words shocked not only Desterie and Dalayer, but also Dordoni and the two employers. The white-haired old man stammered, "What are you talking about?"
"Hmph. Don't blame me for being ruthless. When wealth is at stake, hardly anyone can resist temptation. Only you fools would think of handing the treasure you found over to the family's experts, believing that would earn you their favor. And you two—I've put up with you long enough. One of you spends all day trying to seduce Taylor, and the other acts like she's better than everyone else. Now that Lord Coloid has made his move and Angola and the others are gone, none of you are getting away!"
The elderly employer's face went pale, then flushed. He suddenly turned toward the young man beside him, his voice trembling with disbelief. "Dorang, you betrayed us!"
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