The time rewound to several hours earlier.
That was ten minutes after Mu Zhanxing called the Parthenon.
An uninvited guest arrived at Ash Riya's Saintess Hall.
"Temple Mother, good day. What wind has blown you here?"
Pamirs had long, gleaming golden hair and the striking, sculpted features typical of Hellas nobility. Her mature, fair face showed no sign of age, and beneath her dignified holiness was the kindly warmth of a benevolent mother.
Pamirs wore a smile as refreshing as a spring breeze. "What a greeting in Ningwei's style. Ash Riya, good day."
Ash Riya maintained her courteous smile. "Since the Temple Mother has broken etiquette by visiting without notice, it must be something urgent, yes?"
Pamirs's smile deepened. "It is indeed urgent. The moment I received the news, I hurried over."
A flicker of satisfaction crossed Ash Riya's eyes. She walked gracefully to stand before Pamirs and smiled.
"Is this about Archbishop Nuo Nuo? I'm terribly sorry, but Archbishop Nuo Nuo seems to believe I have a brighter future and chose a suitable master to serve."
Pamirs sighed softly, her smile unchanged. "After all, Nuo Nuo raised his price on the spot. You paid such a great price that I truly lacked the courage to raise my bid further. I wish him a wise master."
"However, I came today for something even more important. Of course, perhaps to you, Ash Riya, it is only an ordinary matter."
Ash Riya's smile blossomed. Though she knew that old fox Pamirs would never offer favors for no reason, she was in a very good mood right now.
"Temple Mother, don't keep me guessing. What is it?"
"Ningwei needs a Blessing Element resource."
Ash Riya's smile vanished.
Pamirs was immensely pleased. At close range, she admired Ash Riya's beautiful face and tightly pressed lips, her voice brimming with laughter.
"I have already prepared a portion of Pious Dew—the one the saintesses condensed during their last procession, which I traded from you using a top-grade soul seed."
"I believe Ningwei will be satisfied. He is a child I watched grow up, so I will give this Pious Dew to him for free."
Ash Riya was unable to respond for a long while.
Mu Ningwei needed a Blessing Element resource.
Pamirs knew, but she did not.
The light faded from Ash Riya's eyes. Her smile was more skin-deep than sincere. "Ningwei contacted you?"
Pamirs dearly wanted to nod, eager to see what expression Ash Riya would reveal, but she did not wish to lie over such a small matter. She could only say regretfully.
"It was Priest Mu Yu Nan."
Ash Riya knew that person. She was a Mu Clan member whom Mu Ningwei had arranged to take a position at the Parthenon after gaining a foothold.
Her talent was average. A thirty-year-old High-level Mage, she was Nuo Nuo's disciple.
But why had Nuo Nuo already pledged loyalty to her, while his disciple had told Pamirs something so important?
Ash Riya took a deep breath.
She knew the answer...
"Name your price. How much for the Pious Dew?"
Pamirs spoke unhurriedly. "For a resource of this caliber, considering its rarity, the market price is at least two billion."
Ash Riya was speechless. She had only just recruited Nuo Nuo, and the money she could produce at once still fell somewhat short of two billion.
Do I have to borrow from Uncle Hailong?
If I explain that the resource is for Ningwei, he will probably give me the money outright...
"However, I have one condition. I can sell it to you for 1.5 billion."
Ash Riya steadied herself and asked warily, "What condition?"
Pamirs smiled brightly. "Ash Riya, I want you to personally deliver the Pious Dew into Ningwei's hands."
"Do you know? Today alone, Ningwei slew a Great Monarch. That was a powerful being even I would struggle to kill, yet he accomplished it at only twenty-one."
"Ningwei should belong to our Parthenon. Ash Riya, do not be stubborn. Go repair your relationship with him."
Ash Riya stood stunned. After thinking for a long time, she finally agreed.
She was not afraid of assassination.
With Hailong stationed at the Parthenon, it would be fine even if she left.
Though she did not understand why Pamirs had made such a request, it seemed she had no choice.
Could Pamirs truly only wish for Ningwei to return to the Parthenon?
At that moment, Pamirs left the Saintess Hall with a triumphant smile. She opened her palm and slowly curled her fingers, as though she had grasped the entire Parthenon in her hand.
"Wen Tai is determined to die. Ningwei and Wen Tai have already nearly fallen out completely."
"Ash Riya made a mistake. Once porcelain shatters, even the finest craftsman cannot restore it to its original state."
"Yet I still have Ye Xin Xia as a trump card. I can use this chance to rise to power and win Ningwei over."
"Hehehe, Wen Tai, Yi Zhi Sha, neither of you managed to defeat me."
"I will gladly accept Ningwei's support."
Three days later.
Ash Riya secretly left the Parthenon.
At the same time, the Parthenon's Goddess Palace welcomed a probationary maid with impaired mobility.
"Your name is Ye Xin Xia, correct?"
Priest Mu Yu Nan asked.
Ye Xin Xia sat in a wheelchair. Her harmless-looking face was exceptionally well-behaved as she nodded gently.
"Why would the Goddess Palace recommend a probationary maid to me... Never mind. From today onward, you will work under me. Make your preparations. Tomorrow, you will accompany me to Tenomuche on business."
Ye Xin Xia's voice was soft and sweet. "Lady Yu Nan, is Tenomuche the city Lord Ningwei saved?"
Mu Yu Nan was surprised. "You are one of Ningwei's believers?"
Ye Xin Xia smiled with narrowed eyes. "I admire Lord Ningwei very much. I hope I can gaze upon his face."
Mu Yu Nan sighed. "There will be no chance."
Instead, Ye Xin Xia comforted her with certainty. "Lady Yu Nan, there will definitely be a chance."
Mu Yu Nan merely thought she was naïve.
Still, since she was one of Ningwei's believers, she would look after her a little more.
Hangcheng.
"At noon today?"
"Yes, Ningwei. Ash Riya's flight will arrive at noon today."
"I understand, Uncle Mu."
After hanging up, Fei Yi, who was lazily sprawled across the sofa digesting energy, raised her eyes. Her beautiful face looked languid.
"My King, are you going out to see Ash Riya?"
"Mm."
"With Nu Jiao?"
"That's right."
Fei Yi immediately perked up, her beautiful eyes filled with anticipation. "My King, can I hide in the shadows and watch the show... No, can I stay hidden and protect Nu Jiao?"
Mu Ningwei rolled his eyes at her. "Is the Winged Demon Gear finished?"
Fei Yi rubbed her lower belly and coquettishly winked her left eye. "I have to finish digesting your reward first~"
"Don't make it sound so suggestive... If you want to watch, then watch."
"I guarantee I won't miss a single moment!"
"You don't need to guarantee that!"
Fei Yi smiled. "My King, are you having Ash Riya meet Nu Jiao because you want her to give up?"
Mu Ningwei had not put that much thought into it. He merely wanted to tell his ex-girlfriend that he had a girlfriend now!
Although he and Ash Riya seemed to have only understood each other tacitly. They had never actually confirmed their relationship...
Oh, she did not even count as an ex-girlfriend.
Mu Ningwei prepared to head out.
He would first go to Hangcheng Academy to pick up Mu Nujiao, then take her to the airport to meet Ash Riya.
It was also a good chance to see how Mu Nujiao's challenge match was going.
A reader said that posting chapters separately made it uncomfortable to follow, because every time a new chapter came out, they wanted to keep reading, but the small amount was frustrating.
Actually, splitting up the updates was something the editor told Tian Bing to do, saying it would increase follow-up reads.
But considering everyone's reading experience, Tian Bing still agreed to combine the releases.
A promise had to be kept. Barring any surprises, future updates would be posted together, at six in the morning.
They will not be scheduled for midnight, because a reader once said that posting at that time made them unable to resist staying up to read. That was why Tian Bing used to schedule updates for midnight, but this book has never been posted at night.
Let's see how it goes. If the six-in-the-morning schedule lowers follow-up reads, Tian Bing will just QAQ and consider changing the time.
Love to everyone who has read this far~
Love!
Before you continue