On the Legendary Ship.
Baiyu and Erza waited in the main hall.
"You mentioned the mark; we can try it later. If I can imprint it, it confirms your scepter is indeed a Forbidden Divine Weapon."
A glimmer of brilliance flashed in Erza's eyes, her light green long hair emitted a fresh fragrance, floating beside Baiyu.
On the Legendary Ship.
She could ignore gravity.
And as for her strength, unless someone could easily defeat the entire Legendary Ship, she was invincible.
On the Legendary Ship.
It's her absolute domain.
"Yes, no rush. I'll meet them first, and you can observe to see what's up with that mark."
As Baiyu finished speaking.
Qiao Wan and Qiao Ying entered the hall of the Legendary Ship.
On the Legendary Ship, Erza had control over the situation; every action of the sisters was under her control.
Moreover, Baiyu had left a mark on them.
With a thought.
He could draw upon their power.
On the Legendary Ship, although no one restricted their freedom, they couldn't possibly escape.
"Have you figured it out?"
Baiyu sat on the Iron Throne where Qiong Yue had once sat, staring at the two women, with a half-smile.
Qiao Wan remained silent.
Her face still carried an angry expression, clearly bearing deep hatred towards Baiyu.
Qiao Ying, on the other hand, was much calmer.
She looked at Baiyu and said, "We have no way to leave, and even if you let us go, we wouldn't be at ease."
Indeed.
Even if Baiyu let them go now, they wouldn't dare.
The mark on their bodies was no trivial matter; as long as it existed, Baiyu could threaten them anytime.
No one wants to have leverage in someone else's hands.
Especially.
When the leverage is so deadly.
Moreover.
Although they are Tier Four Martial Artists, this was their first time inside the Legendary Ship; their first time aboard it.
Having witnessed this terrifying war machine.
They abandoned other thoughts.
This matter.
Could only be negotiated with Baiyu, seeking a peaceful resolution. Even if Longyuan's Dragon Head came, they wouldn't gain an advantage.
Not to mention.
Baiyu is an Imperial Count, with formidable power around him.
At that moment, Qiao Ying felt deep regret.
If they had investigated more thoroughly, considered more carefully, and not rushed, they wouldn't be in this situation today.
Of course.
It's possible.
If they hadn't relied on Baiyu to escape, they might have been captured by the Anomaly Bureau that very night.
Thinking too much now is pointless.
"Here's the deal, you help me for three years.
After three years, I should be able to find a way to deal with the mark on you.
By then.
We part ways amicably.
For Martial Artists with a long lifespan, three years is nothing; some people shut in for that long," Baiyu pondered briefly, offering a condition.
Qiao Ying agreed without hesitation: "Alright, three years it is, but I hope you understand we're only partners.
We won't be risking our lives for you, nor will we carry out suicidal tasks."
"Of course."
Baiyu stood up and said, "You won't regret the decision you made today."
Qiao Ying said nothing.
Qiao Wan snorted coldly, glaring fiercely at Baiyu, then looked warily at the girl floating next to him, pulling her sister out of the hall.
After they left.
Beside him, Erza shook her head like a rattle: "No way, I can't decipher the mark on them."
"Does that mean the Light Caller's Staff has truly reached the Forbidden Divine Weapon level?"
Baiyu's eyes lit up.
If that's true, then he's profited from this Nightmare Difficulty.
What's this nightmare difficulty, anyway?
Erza nodded and extended her wrist: "Mark me with the staff, only then can I discern it."
Baiyu hesitated not.
His task required three believers to complete.
Now, with Qiao Wan and Qiao Ying counting as two, the final choice was Erza.
Though unsure of success.
Still.
Experimenting can't be wrong.
Once charged, the Light Caller's Staff should imprint on both, even if Erza's unique life essence prevents the mark.
Baiyu still had a margin for error.
Moreover.
The Enlightenment Society's mark, Erza is the most suitable candidate.
Both Baiyu and she believed so.
After marking.
Communication would be smoother, and Erza could feedback Blood Qi to Baiyu.
Not like before.
Where she could only draw solely from Baiyu.
Furthermore.
Erza is crucial in Baiyu's Bright Enlightenment Society; her loyalty ensures his dominance.
He had already tested.
Baiyu could pull Qiao Wan and Qiao Ying into the Dream Realm.
The headquarters of the Bright Enlightenment Society.
The dilapidated palace filled with stone pillars.
Of course.
Baiyu chose not to do so.
Without fully understanding these sisters, he won't expose too much.
Thus Baiyu agreed to three years.
After three years.
With his current growth rate, he would definitely suppress the two women.
By then.
He would hold absolute power.
Now, the two Tier Four Martial Artists are greatly beneficial to Baiyu.
Soon.
At Erza's request.
Baiyu brought out the Light Caller's Staff.
"This... metal, I've never seen before."
Erza's eyes gleamed.
Her fingers gently stroked the staff's smooth surface, a bit of green light seeping out.
The light continuously flowed above.
Yet.
Left no trace.
"Very solid, material harder than Living Iron; I can't analyze the rest."
Erza toyed with the staff.
Clearly.
Her database lacked information on this material.
After playing for a while, she attempted to infuse it with Blood Qi, soon mimicking Qiao Ying and Qiao Wan's scene.
The staff emitted dazzling light.
Light condensed into countless dots, gradually floating towards Erza.
Eventually, all dots converged.
Forming an Enlightenment Society mark on her arm's skin.
Classic repetition!
As the staff's light faded.
Baiyu received a prompt from the Scholar Space about completing the Nightmare Task.
Yet.
In that instant.
He suddenly felt three strange spiritual powers surge into his mind.
These forces didn't harbor malice.
However.
The overwhelming spiritual force placed immense pressure on Baiyu.
This wasn't good news.
Baiyu's Spiritual World was essentially being crushed by three other spiritual worlds, leaving him agonized.
Followed by.
Various eerie whispers and mumblings.
He now understood the true pitfall of Nightmare Difficulty; recruiting a believer meant bearing their spiritual world's pressure!
