Inside the VIP room.
Long Shanyun faced the woman with utmost attention, even with a cautious and careful expression.
Someone who could make this Duke Villiduo, a regional governor, act with such caution.
Surely came from the highest echelons of the Empire.
That is, a member of the twelve-person council.
During the times when the Emperor of the East Prosperity Empire was in slumber for recovery.
The twelve-person council served as the highest authority.
These twelve individuals.
Controlled every aspect of the East Prosperity Empire.
Figures like Long Shanyun, who governed a region, ranked below the twelve members.
The woman before him.
Was the General Director of the Anomaly Bureau in each region of the East Prosperity Empire, Yao Shuimei.
A woman of such exquisite beauty, yet she controlled the most violent institution of the Empire.
Her power, methods, and temperament undoubtedly stood at their peak.
In front of her, Long Shanyun.
Whether in seniority or otherwise, was a junior; therefore, he appeared modest and respectful.
Yao Shuimei looked at the dueling arena almost entirely filled by aristocrats, and softly asked, "Today's duel, will Baiyu have an issue?"
Long Shanyun exhibited a slight awkwardness, "Director, there should be no problem.
Those two Marquis nobles.
At most, they can only hire fighters of Grandmaster Level."
Hearing this, Yao Shuimei frowned slightly, "Should? Can't you handle such a simple matter without my intervention?
Two Marquis nobles are nothing.
Do something secretly and eliminate them directly."
Long Shanyun was drenched in sweat upon hearing this, awkwardly saying, "At the time, I asked Baiyu, and he said he didn't need that, he could handle it himself."
Hearing this.
Yao Shuimei's expression eased a bit, "He says he doesn't need it, so he doesn't? If there's an accident, it will be difficult to handle then.
However.
Since Baiyu is so confident, there shouldn't be any mishaps."
"Exactly, that's what I thought too."
Long Shanyun quickly agreed.
Seeing Yao Shuimei cease the conversation, Long Shanyun asked, "Does the Divine Emperor value Baiyu so highly?"
Yao Shuimei nodded, "He is very likely related to the Dream Realm. According to current information, he should be a reincarnated powerful being..."
"Reincarnated?"
Long Shanyun's pupils narrowed slightly.
It was the first time he learned that Baiyu had such a layer of identity.
Bear in mind.
Reincarnation requires at least Tier One and above strength.
It's a method that only those nearing godhood can employ.
Yet.
Even for such powerful beings, achieving a successful reincarnation is fraught with difficulties.
One must find a compatible womb to be reborn, and start anew, giving up all previous cultivation.
Aside from those of great perseverance.
Few dare to undertake this.
For no one can guarantee a successful reincarnation, nor ensure a return to greatness post-rebirth.
Many powerful being reincarnations never make a ripple in the end.
Hence.
Every martial artist holds respect for these top-tier individuals of the Human Race, particularly those reincarnated from the immortal beings in the Dream Realm.
"Indeed, and currently it appears he can only vaguely sense his reincarnation, without fully restored memories.
The Divine Emperor has had dealings with him.
And confirmed this."
Yao Shuimei said, "If Baiyu can grow, the future of the East Prosperity Empire might see a master standing at the absolute peak.
Just like that figure from the Great City.
Every reincarnated individual's talent and comprehension far exceed that of their peers, even their physiques are unusually peculiar.
These traits are already slowly manifesting in Baiyu."
Hearing this, Long Shanyun finally understood why the Empire's upper echelon afforded Baiyu special treatment.
Moreover, the level of care was considerable.
After all.
The Freedom Alliance once aimed to foster a splendid reincarnator.
Yet due to unfair treatment, the reincarnator bore a grudge against the Alliance and defected.
That reincarnator has now almost reached the threshold of Ascension.
The Freedom Alliance deeply regrets it.
They lost not only a top powerhouse but also made a formidable adversary without cause.
If not for the foreign threat and the reincarnator considering the bigger picture, they might have come back for revenge long ago.
With such a precedent.
The East Prosperity Empire naturally won't repeat the mistake.
Yao Shuimei instructed Long Shanyun not to disclose Baiyu's information, and the two waited silently in the dueling arena.
However.
By midday.
Both Marquis Shuta and Xue An arrived at the scene with their entourages and the duelists who would fight for them today, but Baiyu had yet to appear.
An hour had passed since the agreed meeting time.
The majority of the aristocrats in the dueling arena were there for the spectacle.
And to some extent, they leaned toward Shuta and Xue An.
After all, they were all nobles of Villiduo.
It was impossible for them to side with Baiyu, an outsider.
So when Baiyu was delayed, many whispers arose at the scene.
"Could that kid have run away?"
"I think so, but fleeing won't save him from having his title stripped, though his life might be spared."
"I looked into it over the past few days, that Baiyu's backing is only the Qiong Family, it's hilarious. I really don't know who gave him the courage to come flaunt in Villiduo."
Several nobles chatted leisurely with Shuta and Xue An.
The Qiong Family.
They didn't regard it highly.
If it were a hundred years ago, during its prosperous era with a multitude of strong members, they might have feared it.
But now.
The ten families are in decline, all are toothless old tigers.
Some have even fallen so far as to sell heirlooms, reducing from martial families to commoners.
Even worse.
Are hunted by enemies, struggling to survive.
Such families are barely able to partake in the next grand competition among the hundred families, let alone possess any deterrent power?
A group of nobles chatted and mingled, waiting.
Meanwhile, Shuta and Xue An, after exchanging pleasantries with old friends, moved to the waiting area of the dueling arena.
There.
Two elderly men with flowing white hair were resting with closed eyes.
The two were simply dressed, in long robes, with lean bodies coursing with blood qi.
Yet at a glance.
They exuded an aura of returning to simplicity.
Two Tier Three Martial Artists!
Commonly known as Grandmasters.
This was the strongest fighting force Shuta and Xue An could summon.
"Master Song, Master Lin, we will rely on you later.
If there's a chance, strike to kill,"
Xue An sneered.
The Grandmasters remained seated, their eyes never opening.
Only one of them nodded slightly, sparingly uttering a single word, "Okay."
The two Marquises were not angered.
This was the arrogance of Grandmasters.
Their status did not permit arrogance before Grandmasters.
Tier Three.
Could awe all heroes.
Inviting these two not only cost considerable money but also involved calling in past favors.
As time ticked by.
Just when everyone was growing impatient, even suspecting Baiyu had fled the battle out of fear.
In the distant sky, a massive black cloud drifted this way, entering everyone's sight.
