Deterioration (Celebrating Alliance Leader Hetang V Tingyu!)

"My current strength is insufficient... I would like to wait a while before taking the test."

Sulu pondered for a moment before answering.

Although he is powerful, he will not help the Shadow Council to commit murder and arson.

"Okay... we won't pressure newcomers."

To his surprise, the ' Speaker ' readily agreed, "It's just that your authority... is limited to the newcomer level, is that alright?"

"No problem!"

Sulu nodded.

"So... let's move on to the next topic. ' Lori Festival ' is just around the corner, and with the Federation's actions, there will be a lot of outsiders... I hope everyone will remain restrained and calm..."

The Speaker surveyed the room, his gaze icy, radiating a terrifying pressure.

'As expected... this Shadow Speaker is a fourth-tier professional... Lori Festival? It's a festival commemorating the founding of Lori City... a grand parade and celebration held in winter, hmm? It seems Owen's birthday is also on that day, and I even received an invitation...'

Sulu listened indifferently.

Soon, it was time for the free exchange session.

"Scholar... I have news about the intelligence you asked me to gather last time!"

A fragrant breeze wafted by, and the ' Saintess's' voice drew closer.

"Oh?"

Sulu's eyes lit up.

He had previously compiled a list of extraordinary creatures he needed and that might be common on the West Coast, and commissioned the ' Saintess ' to gather clues as a supplement to his own research.

I didn't expect to see results so quickly.

"I will pay you."

"Very good... None of the magical creatures you described— 'Pouch-beak Bird,' ' Pocket Mouse,' and ' Gale Falcon' —have appeared, at least not near Lori City ... Only one matches your criteria— Chikutal!"

This is a horse-like supernatural creature, ferocious, bloodthirsty, and incredibly fast.

"What's the address?"

Sulu recalled the information about Chikutal and asked.

"I can do this for free, as long as you tell me... are you good at making Curio?"

The ' Saintess ' moved even closer.

"No... it's just for the ceremony, I'll pay for it."

Sulu's expression turned serious, and he immediately denied it.

Low-level superhumans who are skilled at making Curio or mysterious potions will inevitably have low combat power unless they do it part-time, making them easy targets for powerful forces!

'Perhaps... it's because of this speculation that I so easily joined this circle?'

A thought crossed Sulu's mind: 'And all of this... is a test? Are they planning to control me at the right time?'

"Alright, alright... what a boring little guy."

The ' Saintess ' smiled and pulled a scented note from her person, "My people saw traces of it in this area yesterday, but there's no guarantee it won't leave..."

"Thanks."

Sulu handed the address to Gold Dragon, kept it safe, and remained silent throughout the rest of the gathering until it ended.

One by one, the dark figures got up and left, and soon only a few people remained in the Shadow Hall.

They were all official members of the Shadow Council, possessing terrifying power in Lori City, and the ' Saintess ' was one of them.

"I believe... the ' Scholar ' is a craftsman or potion maker. Judging from the materials and information he's gathered, and the abilities he's displayed before, his spells and ritual skills are merely a cover and a disguise... Although he's on guard, I'm confident I can bring him into our ranks..."

"Saintess," she said languidly.

"We can try... but it's best not to do it recently!" The Speaker's voice turned indifferent. "I'll reiterate, recently is important. Before ' Lori Festival,' you all better behave yourselves."

"No problem."

The official members responded one after another.

Although they didn't know what the ' Speaker ' was planning, the matter was clearly very important, and the other party's ruthlessness and iron-fisted methods had already won them over.

The next day, early morning.

Sulu told Margaret to get ready; he was going to take her and Harlock on a hunting expedition for ' Chikutal ' in the countryside!

"Hunt?"

Margaret looked at Sulu: "Now autumn is over..."

Autumn is the hunting season; animals that have to go hungry during the winter don't have shiny, beautiful fur.

"It's not an ordinary animal!"

Sulu smiled and offered a reminder.

"Okay..." Margaret muttered, and quickly packed up.

It's clear that the little girl is quite excited.

After spending time together, Sulu realized that the other party was just an ordinary girl who had some longing for the Mystic World, but she didn't know how she got involved with the Ancient Serpent Society.

Perhaps... when Old Mad was copying random materials back then, he accidentally copied some confidential information from the Ancient Serpent Society?

They were written in ciphertext, like the symbols on the manuscript?

Sulu suppressed his thoughts and began to recall information about ' Chikutal,' a name from Ancient Hebraic that translates to 'the fierce horse of blood and wind.'

It was a magical creature resembling a horse, with sharp teeth, that liked to eat raw flesh and blood.

Furthermore, possessing certain flesh-and-blood magic abilities and mastering the power of wind, an adult ' Chikutal ' is at least equivalent to a second-tier professional, making them very difficult to deal with.

'But... who says hunting has to be a direct confrontation?'

A smile appeared on Sulu's lips.

Bang! Bang!

Just then, the apartment door was suddenly slammed open.

"Not ringing the doorbell means they're in a hurry and it's urgent?"

Sulu went to open the door, Owen rushed in like a whirlwind. "It's terrifying... it's terrifying..."

His complexion was worse than before, his eyes were bloodshot, and he looked like he hadn't slept for days.

"What's going on? Quiet!"

Sulu had to resort to Words of Arrogance to get the agitated man to sit down and gradually calm down.

"As expected... you possess mysterious power, you must save me!"

Owen gripped Sulu's arm tightly.

"What happened? Did you have another nightmare?"

Sulu subtly broke free and glanced at Margaret beside him.

"Yes... but that's not all!"

Owen ushered Kingdom out, his voice urgent. "That well... appeared in my villa! Just this morning, it seemed to appear out of nowhere."

"Um?"

Sulu leaned forward, something he truly hadn't expected. "And then?"

"What else do you want?"

Owen clutched his head. "I know... my nightmare, it was a premonition, a curse! One day in the future, I'll be dressed in my finest clothes, fall into Ancient Well, and die there! No... I'm not married yet, I don't want to die!"

"Ancient Well that suddenly appeared? A curse?"

Sulu pursed his lips, sensing that this was likely a paranormal event, and that the other party had a strong ability to influence reality.

Some of his actions went beyond the scope of his "Sean" persona.