"Not a formal meeting—Megor III reached a tacit understanding with part of the Yaoshi Church in advance," Daniel reported. "Barring mishap, this will become the final result of the meeting..."

"...It seems the Changming Order has its own tangled web of relationships, but that Megor III's control clearly stands above all factions," said Gaoyang, who knew factional politics, internal strife, and reshuffling all too well. He showed no surprise—indeed, he rather approved. "He is decisive and wise. Now is not the time for leisurely meetings and debate. He must ensure the entire Order speaks with a single voice in short order... and ensure that when this 'Outsider Wanderer' takes over his Order after the affair is over, those who remain within it are the ones he has vetted..."

"My lord, do you need me to take any action in support?"

"No need. Let matters take their course. Megor III has accumulated seven hundred years of wisdom; he will handle everything," Gaoyang said. "What concerns me is only the technology and knowledge of the Eternally Sleeping. As for how this Order develops... once I have remade it, it will naturally follow a healthy path."

Then he paused and asked casually, "And on your end? After being 'invaded' by me, this 'Outsider Wanderer,' has my 'security chief' run into trouble?"

"...I have been commended," Daniel's voice came with some hesitation and faltering. "Though I failed to 'stop' your 'invasion,' the Pope and more than half of the Underworld Pivot Church believe I at least caused you trouble and demonstrated the power of mortals... They believe I accomplished what they could not, and have earned merit."

Gaoyang: "..."

Faced with Gaosong's brief silence, Daniel's voice grew even more cautious: "My Lord, do you feel that... there is a problem?"

Gaoyang: "...No, no problem. Everything is fine."

How should he put it—for a moment just now, he had actually felt a twinge of guilt, wondering whether he had been a bit too ruthless in screwing over those Evernight Sleepers. But on reflection, cultists had no rights anyway, so he calmly accepted the current state of affairs.

And besides, as an Outsider Wanderer, he could not afford to be casually mired in embarrassment before Daniel—it would be damaging to his image.

And then, in the midst of his conversation with Daniel, Gaoyang suddenly sensed something.

He laughed inwardly: "It seems the news you spoke of is about to arrive—sooner than I expected."

The old mage's voice rose in turn: "Then, my Lord, I shall take my leave first."

Daniel's psychic imprint departed quietly. After erasing all traces, Gaoyang redirected his shallow consciousness into the mental network and answered a voice that had been calling to him without pause.

Following his intuitive sense, he looked to his side and saw a hazy, soft point of light emerge abruptly in the air; then the light condensed into a classical-style lantern with a crystal shell.

Selina Geer, in a long white dress, her bearing serene and gentle, stood beside Gaoyang holding the lantern.

"Hello," Gaoyang said with a slight nod to this familiar yet unfamiliar "Lantern Saintess." "I didn't expect you to come in person."

"Relying on the dream realm, I have more means of self-protection than the other followers," Selina said softly. "Contact with the 'Outsider Wanderer' carries great risk for us."

"I can understand your concerns, though I think they are unnecessary," Gaoyang said with a smile. "I was just wondering earlier how you would contact me, since I never left you any 'contact information.'"

Selina's expression was calm: "We truly cannot pinpoint your location, but we believe that so long as we call your name throughout the entire mental network, you will certainly hear it—you must be listening in on the mental network."

"That doesn't sound like something worth being happy about... but it does accord with the facts," Gaoyang said, raising an eyebrow. "So, have you come to tell me the Evernight Sleepers' answer?"

"We can agree to your request," Selina said without preamble, giving the answer Gaoyang already knew. "Although the Xuanji Order still needs to discuss it further, we are already able to give you a reply."

Gaoyang showed no surprise at all; he maintained his composed demeanor: "It sounds as though your situation is indeed urgent—good. This choice is best for everyone."

"We have conditions," Selina said suddenly. "Or rather... we wish to make our stance clear in advance."

"Let's hear them."

"We can swear loyalty to the 'Outsider Wanderer' and accept the 'incorporation' and 'reformation' you mentioned, but all of this is founded upon the laws and rules of the mortal world. We will not believe in a new deity. If one day you set foot upon the path of godhood..."

Before Selina could finish, Gaoyou cut her off: "That day will never come. And if it does, then all our agreements are void."