From Secret Clan to the Divine Dynasty

Darren continued, "Our plan is this: you Winged Folk will 'secretly transport' a Forbidden rare artifact, pretending to want to trade it with us Cyart people."

"Then, our trade 'accidentally' leaks out, which will lure the Sea God Cult to plunder this important Forbidden rare artifact."

The Winged Folk seemed contemplative, offering no reply.

He paused for a moment and continued with a laugh:

"Right, to ensure that we draw out the Sea God Cult, the Forbidden rare artifact must be a triple-digit numbered treasure, and you'll need to bring more Transmutation-level Extraordinary Exponents as escorts."

"If it's only a four-digit Forbidden rare artifact, it won't be attractive enough, and if the escorting force is too weak, or too strong, it won't be able to lure out that damned High Priest Sky Blue."

The Winged Folk silently considered for a long time, gazing into Darren's eyes, likely trying to determine if this Cyart person before them was trustworthy.

"Let me think... "

Darren was very aware that the Winged Folk were far from foolish, their slow demeanor mainly due to the language barrier.

This race lived all over the Nine Seas, including a significant portion of the White Sea's east coast belonging to the Winged Folk, while another large part was inhabited by the glacier inhabitants living around the great glaciers.

The "donut"-shaped great glacier split the Claud World in two, with the Ouden Continent inside the "donut," and on the outside, three distinct foreign continents, each with their own customs and climate.

"Good, trust, cooperate."

The Winged Folk nodded, their response stumbling and halting.

"Ha ha ha ha ha ha! That's great!"

Darren, all smiles, wanted to embrace the other but was swiftly dodged, so he simply reached out to shake hands with the Winged Folk, and then they exchanged talismans that symbolized their alliance.

He narrowed his eyes and muttered, "Winged Folk, I hope our collaboration is pleasant."

After that Winged Folk left the ship, the Fischer family's steamboat didn't immediately return to the port on the East Coast, instead heading to a nearby island.

"Next, we must complete the 'Black Knight's' ascension ceremony."

By now, Darren had completely mastered the Power of Consecution of the 3rd Rank.

He was about to perform the 4th Rank ritual of the Path of Shadow.

To ascend to a "Black Knight," one must create enough slaughter, and the more powerful the target, the more complete the ceremony.

That island was under Sea God Cult's influence, and thousands of natives there worshiped the Sea God, so taking their lives was a reasonable act for Darren.

"Old Dog, bring out all the blood I need..."

After preparing, Darren casually donned his Iron Mask, waiting to reach the targeted island.

The Fischer family's steamboat carried more than just Darren as Extraordinary Exponents; alongside him were a dozen others who had come together.

They were Extraordinary Exponents summoned from various families along the East Coast, actually unaware that the primary goal of this mission was to assist Darren in his ascension ceremony, believing they were there to annihilate the Sea God Cult's living forces.

Among them, three others were also quite formidable.

One was "Old Dog," who had followed Darren from Rhea, another was "Daybreaker" Yeager, who also needed to complete his ascension ceremony, and the last was the emerald elf Marzo.

Yeager came quietly onto the deck, and upon seeing him, Darren said, "Mr. Mayor, you're not slow in advancing, I suspect even the 5th Rank is within your reach."

"Maybe it's because I've always maintained 'ambition,' which is what the Path of Conquest requires most of all," Yeager answered modestly with a smile.

Darren shook his head, replying, "Ambition is ambition, yet you mentioned ambition, Mr. Mayor, you really are hypocritical, ha ha ha ha ha!"

After pondering for a moment, Yeager responded impassively:

"Moore had mastered the 3rd Rank of Consecution before me, but his ascension ceremony is a bit complicated, so it's taken him several years and it's still not resolved."

Darren knew there was discord between Yeager and Moore, and actually, his father and others were all aware of these things, just that they hadn't bothered to intervene.

As long as neither the Daybreakers nor the Proselytes did anything out of line, there was no need for the direct members of the Fischer family to step in and administer justice.

Darren reminisced for a moment and said, "I remember the Ascension ceremony of the 4th Rank of the Path of World Order, 'Arbiter,' required an Extraordinary Exponent to justly judge a hundred sinful Extraordinary Exponents before ascension could be achieved.

Taking the time for 'a hundred Extraordinary Exponents' and 'justice' is quite necessary, many cases are very complex, and it takes a long time to investigate thoroughly."

He chuckled and continued:

"Those who follow the Path of World Order really are an unfortunate bunch, but luckily, even if they judge one person wrong along the way, it doesn't negate all their previous work, it still counts."

Just then, Old Dog brought a letter to Darren, who after glancing at it, frowned and said:

"Karno has temporarily left the family."

Yeager didn't seem particularly surprised, merely inquiring calmly, "Why?"

Darren was silent for a moment, then cheerfully said:

"That guy refused the political marriage with the Frosac family and asked Sunbelle to be his lover. Father and Vanessa were initially not too happy, but they eventually agreed to his decision, probably because... there was a bit of an accident later on."

When Yeager heard that the political marriage was rejected, he was startled and quickly said, "An accident? Frosac being refused for a political marriage could impact the Fischer family, couldn't it?"