Natasha slowly explained.

"The chaos in the Savage Lands is partly due to the Shadow Clan's rampage there."

"But the deeper cause is that the Highland Royalty is controlling things from behind the scenes. The more chaos there is, the more stable the Highland Royalty's rule becomes."

"Finally, there is the Blade Domain,"

She pointed to an area on the map, marked with sword-like symbols.

"It's a domain dominated by knights and swordsmanship masters, home to many powerful beings from across the continent. Perhaps influenced by their environment, the people there tend to be unyielding and stubborn."

"Compared to others, these people might be more difficult to deal with."

Natasha specifically mentioned two crucial divine artifacts.

"The Highland Royalty controls a miraculous spring known as the Purification Divine Spring."

"It is said that the spring's water can reverse fate, reshape talents, and bring one closer to the natural laws and elemental powers, greatly enhancing one's innate abilities. It can even forge a pure elemental heart."

"Beyond that, the Ring of the Firmament Church in the Peak of the Firmament holds a secret realm called the Sacred Baptismal Pool."

"Bathing in it not only accelerates one's advancement but also absorbs divine energy, allowing one to comprehend the profound laws of the universe."

"The Ring of the Firmament Church has relied on this to accumulate its strength over hundreds of thousands of years, surviving countless trials."

She lowered her voice, speaking with a touch of mystery.

"There are rumors that the Sacred Baptismal Pool was brought back from the upper god realm by an ancient being!"

"Your Majesty,"

Natasha's eyes gleamed with excitement.

"If the empire could obtain these two divine artifacts, it would certainly cultivate countless strong beings."

"Especially the Sacred Baptismal Pool, which is incredibly mysterious. It is said to have helped the Ring of the Firmament Church cultivate more than one being who successfully entered the upper god realm."

After explaining in detail, Natasha further reminded,

"Your Majesty, please allow me to add that the Ring of the Firmament Church's foundation is far beyond that of White Wing Abbey or Skyborne Church."

"More importantly, since the Divine Gate to the upper god realm has been sealed, preventing entry to the divine domain, it also means... that the Ring of the Firmament Church likely has individuals within its ranks who could enter the upper god realm!"

Aurek was not surprised by this.

His gaze had long since extended beyond the Eastern Domain and was now focused on the entire Eura continent.

What Natasha had mentioned were the most powerful forces on the continent. To compare them to the minor, second-rate, or even so-called dominant forces of the Eastern Domain was, without a doubt, foolish.

However, both the Purification Divine Spring and the Sacred Baptismal Pool were extraordinary divine artifacts.

If they could be obtained, they would be immensely helpful for boosting the empire's overall strength and cultivating top-tier warriors.

With this thought in mind, Aurek had already devised a plan.

After a while, Natasha returned to the Violet Rose Trade Guild, as the matter of integrating the Elemental Assassin network with the guild's operations needed to be gradually set in motion.

Aurek stepped out of his study, just in time to encounter Suvorov returning to report.

"How's the situation with the Selene Empire?"

Aurek inquired.

"We've discovered a Divine Cleric rank Nature Spirit, but… its form is quite unusual."

"Unusual?"

Aurek asked, a little confused.

Suvorov described it.

"They seem to lack a fixed physical form, unlike typical Divine Cleric rank beings."

Hearing this, Aurek thought of a possibility.

"Since Elizabeth was able to return to the Eura continent from the god realm using a special method, perhaps she also has a way to summon beings from the god realm in this special ethereal form."

"If that is the case, the power behind her may not be something to take lightly."

Suvorov raised a question.

"My lord, if she has the ability to summon upper realm beings, why did she form an alliance with the empire in the first place?"

"Wouldn't it be easier to use those powers directly to sweep through the Eastern Domain?"

"Her decision to cooperate—does it imply some kind of restriction preventing her from freely using these powers?"

Aurek fell silent.

Suvorov's conjecture was not without merit.

It mostly stemmed from the concern that if this empress were pushed too far, she might suddenly call for more powerful beings from the god realm, triggering an all-out conflict with the empire.

Currently, the empire was indeed lacking in top-tier, high-level combat strength.

"Keep her steady for now, until she makes her next move."

Aurek ordered.

"Once we've dealt with the Shadow Clan and the other forces from beyond the realms, we'll take further action. But the Elemental Assassins must keep a close watch on all developments in the Selene Empire and stay alert."

"Understood, my lord."

Suvorov bowed in acknowledgment.

"Additionally, prepare for action,"

Aurek's gaze sharpened.

"I'm going to take the Savage Lands, and the Purification Divine Spring controlled by the Highland Royalty must be seized."

"As you wish, my lord!"

Suvorov responded.

...

"Your Majesty!"

Angie quickly approached, holding a scroll respectfully.

Aurek took the scroll and unfurled it.

It listed a collection of precious resources obtained from Eastern Domain forces like White Wing Abbey and Skyborne Church:

"Soul Crystals, Thought Flowers, Purple Crystal Dragon Aloe, Ancient Sacred Tree Sprouts…"

The list recorded rare magical plants, mystical herbs, and treasures of the world, each one priceless.

They would greatly benefit the cultivation of high-tier warriors.

Currently, the Crossbridge Empire was in need of top-tier power, and with these divine resources, the empire could rapidly cultivate such forces.

This was certainly a very valuable acquisition!

Once the Shadow Clan and the forces from the Central Domain were dealt with, Aurek planned to explore the ancient rift deep within Godfall Gorge!

The secrets hidden there intrigued him greatly.

...

At the Edge of the Eastern Domain, near the Savage Lands.

"Leader!"

A shadowy figure reported with a slight tremble in his voice.

"The entire fourteen Shadow Guilds were wiped out in the Bilarmesa Forest."

"The ones who killed them were the Crossbridge Empire's God Fire rank warriors, over fifty of them—strange giants with a rank around God Fire rank five, their combat strength is terrifying."

Douglas' pupils contracted sharply, the darkness within them growing denser.

He had focused so much on Godfall Gorge, but now, Crossbridge Empire had dealt a heavy blow from behind.

Losing fourteen God Fire rank warriors at once!

Even he could not suppress the fury in his heart.

"We must prioritize eliminating the Crossbridge Empire!"

Douglas' voice was cold and cutting.

If he didn't wipe them out, once the Shadow Clan clashed fully with the guardians of the gorge, Crossbridge Empire's interference would severely affect his entire plan.

...

Imperial Treasury.

"My lord, these carts of magical energy potions need to be checked."

A team of Imperial guards rolled in several carts, requesting Lighton to inspect them.

These were sent over from the Magic Apothecary Department.

Lighton stared at the towering stacks of potions in front of him, astonished.

"Place them here for now; the rest haven't been counted yet."

He felt his spirit become invigorated; being the finance minister was truly exhilarating!

Magical energy potions, which were scarce in the outside world, were being delivered by the cartload here.

Not only were there ordinary magical potions, but there were also even rarer superior-grade potions.

The entire Eastern Domain's resources for potion-making had been refined by the Life Sorcerers into magical potions, and the quantity was beyond imagination.

Aurek had ordered that the most top-tier magical plants, divine herbs, and extraordinary treasures be kept aside to enhance the strength of figures like Sophia, Josephine, and Overthunder.

With the accumulation of hundreds of thousands of years from Skyborne Church and White Wing Abbey, along with the treasures of overlord forces like the Ondor Council and the Sea of Silent Extinction now in the empire's hands, a group of top-tier warriors could easily be nurtured!

Boom!

A sudden buzzing sound resonated from the palace!

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