At the edge of Stonelake City's bustling marketplace stood a governnt building, bearing the inscription "Stonelake."
In the Erald Empire, governnt buildings held significant importance.
With the existence of ancient gods and their divine blessings, it was said that humans, in their inherent weakness, had received divine rcy.
This rcy manifested as official positions, a unique profession in this world.
Becoming a mayor instantly granted one the initial strength of the Erging Ability realm.
Similarly, there were county executives, governors, and a hierarchical system of five official ranks, all bestowed with divine blessings.
Upon receiving this divine infusion of power, individuals could further cultivate their psychic powers, akin to a sudden enlightennt.
These officials served as guardians of the ancient gods, expanding their territories and safeguarding the human realm from chaos.
However, perfection was an illusion in this world.
As humans cultivated their psychic powers and grew stronger, they gradually began to disregard the Erald Empire's officials.
This disregard, coupled with the conflicts arising from the pursuit of resources, which often contradicted the principles of governance, deepened the rift between the two sides.
The role of the Sunshine Mansion's governor was to oversee the dukes of each county, as well as the nurous sects, clans, and independent cultivators within the mansion's domain.
Governor Miles, hailing from an ordinary family, had been the envy of his peers ever since he ascended to the position of a fourth-level official, tasked with overseeing the entire mansion.
They considered it an eight-lifeti blessing to be appointed governor of such a prosperous Dragon's Favored Land like the Sunshine Mansion.
With the divine blessing already granting him Basic Mastery, achieving Advanced Mastery was well within reach, given sufficient precious materials.
However, at this mont, the usually composed middle-aged man, envied by all, found himself plagued by a throbbing headache, sensing that his comfortable days were coming to an end.
Seated before him was a disheveled woman, accompanied by a lively child who seed as clueless as a simpleton.
Their expressions were vacant, and their words, when they finally ca, were even more baffling.
"Greetings, Governor Miles. I'm here to kill Heavenly Path. We'd appreciate your cooperation. Otherwise, I'll have to kill you."
As soon as the words left her mouth, the seemingly dim-witted child leaped down from the rafters, his expression turning icy cold as he brandished a gleaming silver spear.
Their madness was undeniable!
...
Heavenly Path had been orchestrating his plans within the Sunshine Mansion for millennia.
Many influential figures within various factions were, in fact, his projections.
With a single thought, Heavenly Path could bend the entire Sunshine Mansion to his will.
This was the source of both fear and apprehension towards him, as well as the reason for his own unwavering confidence.
If he so desired, he could mobilize all the major forces within the Sunshine Mansion in an instant.
For the Blackwoods to even consider assassinating Heavenly Path, they needed to be prepared to face the combined might of the entire mansion.
And within the Sunshine Mansion, there was only one major force that remained untouched by Heavenly Path's influence:
The governnt!
The Blackwoods knew all too well that they stood no chance against Heavenly Path alone.
"..."
Within the heart of the governnt building, Miles, one of the most powerful figures in the entire Sunshine Mansion, found himself blatantly threatened by Alia, without a shred of courtesy or pretense.
Observing Isaac's unwavering loyalty to Alia, ready to strike at a mont's notice, Miles beca convinced that any hint of refusal would be t with swift and brutal death.
Despite his initial shock, Miles was a shrewd man.
He quickly deduced Alia's identity and, after a mont's contemplation, fixed his gaze upon her, his brow furrowed.
"A Blackwood, are you? Which one might you be?"
"Alia."
Having revealed her identity, Alia settled into a guest seat with a sense of ease.
Beside her, Isaac, relieved that the initial tension had subsided without bloodshed, also relaxed, shooting a bewildered glare at the alchemist.
He couldn't comprehend where she found the audacity to threaten Miles so boldly, especially since he could sense that she was no match for the governor.
"Alia Blackwood?"
Miles was taken aback upon learning the identity of this audacious woman.
The Blackwoods had a renowned alchemist, sought after by countless individuals seeking to heal old wounds and ailnts.
Rumors of Alia's extraordinary dicine and her exceptionally high success rate in alchemy were widespread.
Over a century had passed, and Alia's legend had faded into obscurity.
Miles only rembered because, during his visit to the imperial court two years prior, the ailing ancient god had ntioned a divine healer residing in the Golden Empire.
Several Basic Mastery Psychics had been cured under her care, and it was said that if she were to break through to Basic Mastery herself, even those at the Advanced Mastery realm would treat her with utmost respect.
His Majesty had also lanted that if only the Blackwood's Herb Saint had survived and grown stronger, she might not have been able to prolong his lifespan, but she could have at least alleviated his suffering in his twilight years.
"Excellent, excellent, excellent!" Miles couldn't help but exclaim in delight.
He had assud Alia to be dead, but to think that the Herb Saint had survived.
Given ti, Alia could potentially ease the ancient god's pain.
But then, a sigh escaped his lips.
He feared that he wouldn't live to see the day the ancient god regained his vitality.
Alia frowned, puzzled by Miles's erratic behavior, alternating between laughter and sighs despite being threatened.
However, she brushed it aside and addressed him in a serious tone, "Governor Miles, did you understand what I just said?"
Snapping out of his reverie, Miles pushed all other thoughts aside.
Alia's threat was the most pressing matter at hand.
He pondered for a mont.
While the majority of the world remained oblivious to Heavenly Path's true nature, how could he, as governor, be unaware?
"I'd heard tales of the Blackwoods' decisiveness, but to witness it firsthand is truly sothing else. Miss Alia, your arrival has been quite...eventful, to say the least."
Miles forced a wry smile as he slowly settled into his seat.
"But tell , even if I were to agree, how did you co to seek my help?"
The Forebearer had sent her.
However, she couldn't reveal that.
Instead, Alia replied, "Governor Miles, you've held this position for two thousand years. Your duty is to oversee the Sunshine Mansion. To be unaware of Heavenly Path's existence would be a dereliction of your responsibilities."
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