The High Priest couldn't help but lean forward.

"Please enlighten us, Sage."

Frederick also showed an expression of deep interest. They had just been discussing the Crossbridge Empire when Lucio suddenly mentioned it, drawing their full attention.

Lucio flipped the Judgment card between his fingers, his voice calm but carrying an undeniable authority.

"The rise of the Crossbridge Empire is no accident; it is the inevitable result of the surging river of destiny."

"Since the cataclysm at Godfall Gorge, the Eastern Region has been in turmoil and division for hundreds of thousands of years. It is time for someone to restore order to this land."

Frederick and the priests fell into deep thought upon hearing this.

Lucio's meaning couldn't be clearer—the Crossbridge Empire was the product of fate.

Frederick furrowed his brow and asked, "Sage, are you saying that the Eastern Region is destined to be ruled by the Crossbridge Empire?"

Lucio let out a meaningful laugh, causing everyone in the hall to exchange glances.

No one doubted his judgment.

Lucio's tarot abilities were a manifestation of his insight into the world's will.

Lucio stopped laughing and scanned the room with his piercing gaze.

"The river of destiny surges forward, and the paths of the stars will eventually converge."

"If no one stands up to unite the Eastern Region, then the Crossbridge Empire will naturally have to bear that burden. However…"

He gracefully stood and walked toward the stained-glass window, bathed in the morning light that gave him a divine aura.

"Who will unify, and the fact that the Eastern Region will be unified, are two entirely different questions. High Priest Frederick, I believe you understand the difference."

One priest, eager to hear more, urged, "Please speak plainly, Sage!"

As Lucio turned, the Emperor card stood upright between his fingers.

"Whoever can align with this great tide will seize the advantage."

"And those with the ability to seize this opportunity include Veynar, Empress Selene, White Wing Abbey, and… you, Skyborne Church."

He walked back to his seat.

"That is the reason I have come to visit today."

Frederick's heart trembled, and he exchanged a quick look with the priests.

Lucio's words were direct.

"Sage, are you saying you are willing to help Skyborne Church unify the Eastern Region?"

He suppressed his excitement.

Not to mention anything else, just the opportunity to gain Lucio's help was already a great fortune for Skyborne Church.

"It depends on whether Skyborne Church truly has the will to do so."

Lucio withdrew his gaze, his tone carrying the detached wisdom of a sage.

"If there is no grand cause worthy of full effort, even if a god invites me, I would never leave Heart of Earth."

"Since I have chosen to leave Heart of Earth, I must inevitably be a part of writing a legendary chapter."

In the rapid exchange of mind power, the High Priest spoke first.

"His insight is unquestionable. The Eastern Region is indeed on the brink of transformation. The appearance of the Crossbridge Empire is just the prelude, the key lies in the coming competition."

"Sage Lucio chose us because he saw the potential of Skyborne Church to unify the Eastern Region. Regardless of how things play out, we must find a way to keep him with us."

Other priests nodded in agreement.

"Sage Lucio's expertise in tarot divination is profound. His abilities are beyond doubt. We should listen to his specific plan first."

"…"

After considering the opinions of the priests, Frederick turned to Lucio with a serious expression.

"We deeply agree with the great trend you spoke of."

"As for the Selene Empire, we do not know enough about them."

"However, the Crossbridge Empire is powerful. On the surface, they command over two hundred thousand Stellar Rank troops, and they have just absorbed the Goldflow Empire. Their iron fist seems unstoppable."

"We were just discussing how to handle this situation!"

Lucio nodded lightly.

"The Crossbridge Empire has around two hundred thousand Stellar Rank soldiers on the surface, but the real number may be as high as three hundred thousand or more. The church's concerns are entirely justified."

"However…"

He shifted his tone.

"Have you considered, High Priest, that if the power of the entire Eastern Region is united, the number of Stellar Rank warriors would be considerable as well?"

"Not to mention the numerous Sage Rank and even Divine Envoy Rank strong ones."

"If we can effectively harness this power, how long do you think the Crossbridge Empire's two hundred thousand soldiers would last?"

Lucio smiled meaningfully.

Frederick no longer hid his inner desires.

"If Skyborne Church has the will to unify the Eastern Region, what should we do next?"

Lucio pondered for a moment.

"If the High Priest has that will, then the rise of the Crossbridge Empire could become the sharpest sword in the Church's hand."

"Aurek's ambition is vast, and his methods are ruthless. He will not tolerate any independent force, but it is precisely this that makes the various forces of the Eastern Region uneasy."

"Now, countless factions are eager to rid themselves of him, hoping to unite and eliminate this common threat."

"Why doesn't Skyborne Church seize the opportunity, take the lead in forming an alliance, and deal with the Crossbridge Empire first?"

"By doing so, you not only win the support of many but also use this war to greatly weaken the core strength of other forces in the Eastern Region."

"Once Veynar falls, many factions in the Eastern Region will be left vulnerable."

"Then the remaining major opponents will only be the Selene Empire and White Wing Abbey."

"Since Selene has already cooperated with Veynar, they will naturally become involved."

"And what the Church needs to do is ensure that White Wing Abbey is completely dragged into this vortex."

"As long as the foundation of Skyborne Church remains relatively intact, the future of the Eastern Region will be in the hands of the High Priest."

Lucio spoke smoothly.

Frederick listened intently, while the priests fell into deep thought.

They were seasoned and powerful individuals, and they knew the key to the matter.

If Skyborne Church went against the current, the outcome was uncertain.

The Crossbridge Empire commanded hundreds of thousands of soldiers, and their tyrannical conquest would surely provoke a united alliance in response. Skyborne Church could not stay uninvolved.

If they sat idly by, once Veynar wiped out other forces, the Empire's army would eventually march straight to the Church.

Who would be able to stop them then?

Wouldn't it simply hand White Wing Abbey the opportunity to benefit from their inaction?

Frederick and the priests silently reached a consensus. He turned to Lucio and solemnly asked:

"Sage, would you be willing to stay and lend us your strength?"

Lucio gracefully placed a hand on his chest and bowed.

"If Skyborne Church truly has the will to claim the Eastern Region, I, Lucio, will offer my full assistance."

"When the Church's holy light shines across the Eastern Region, that will be the time I return to Heart of Earth."

"Wonderful!" Frederick laughed heartily.

"With the Sage wielding the Card of Destiny to guide our path, Skyborne Church will surely usher in unprecedented glory!"

Lucio smiled and nodded.

"Since the High Priest has made his decision, we must act swiftly."

"Only by laying the groundwork now can we seize destiny!"

"The rise of Skyborne Church requires the fall of the old order in the Eastern Region. The Crossbridge Empire must be defeated, the core of the other factions must be destroyed, and White Wing Abbey… will surely be surpassed by us."

Frederick suppressed his smile and said solemnly.

"Consolidating the forces into an alliance is something Skyborne Church can take the lead on, but whether we can make it happen depends on your talents, Sage."

"Of course, others will handle part of the work for the Church."

Lucio replied calmly.

"I will handle the rest. The Church only needs to step forward and ensure White Wing Abbey is firmly bound to our war machine, charging ahead."

He gently moved the world card on the table.

"As for how to make Veynar and the other factions consume each other… leave it to me to execute!"

Frederick felt a surge of curiosity about who would secretly stir the pot, but wisely refrained from asking.

He knew such monumental decisions needed to be discussed with the Church's more ancient guardian priests.

They knew Lucio better than anyone.

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