The woman had beautiful, wavy burgundy hair, fair skin, and a tall figure unlike most women in the Sum Country.

It was easy to tell she was of mixed heritage.

The woman wore an elegant dark green gown and carried a refined black purse. Her dress and manners seemed out of place in the surrounding environment.

She seemed aware of this, as she repeatedly checked the restaurant's sign at the entrance.

Not until she made eye contact with Lu Yuan did she finally walk in.

It wasn't Lu Yuan's extraordinary appearance or demeanor that attracted her, making her identify him as the person she was supposed to meet.

It was simply that Lu Yuan was the only one in the restaurant, smiling and waving at her.

The woman walked up to Lu Yuan, removed her sunglasses, revealing lake-blue eyes, and hesitated before asking, "Lu Yuan?"

She spoke the Sum Country language fluently, without an accent.

"Yes."

Lu Yuan nodded; he always used his real name online.

"I am White Grass. You can call me by my Sum Country name—Bai Ying."

"Alright."

He ordered two bowls of hot soy milk from the owner and gestured for the woman to sit. "Please, sit. Let's talk while we eat."

The woman looked at the old wooden table and chairs before her, hesitated for a moment, then set down her bag and sat opposite Lu Yuan.

Lu Yuan handed her the chopsticks and bowl he had prepared, smiling. "Burnt Rock is a small place; we don't have any fancy cafes. I figured you're probably tired of those anyway, so I thought I'd let you try some local specialty snacks. The buns here are quite good."

"Thank you."

Bai Ying picked up a bun with disposable chopsticks and placed it in her white porcelain bowl. She paused before remarking, "Buns aren't exactly a local specialty, are they? Actually, I lived in the Sum Country until I was fifteen, so I've eaten most things you have… But yes, it's a taste I haven't experienced in a long time."

Bai Ying took a small, elegant bite of the bun, her movements reminiscent of someone from high society.

After politely tasting the "delicacy" Lu Yuan recommended, she put down her chopsticks and glanced around. Seeing that only the husband and wife who owned the breakfast shop were in the back room and there were no other customers, she lowered her voice and asked Lu Yuan, "How is your friend who got involved with the Elephant God Religion?"

"It's my sister."

Lu Yuan picked up a bun and dipped it lightly in chili sauce. This breakfast shop's chili sauce was homemade with raw green peppers, giving it a sour and spicy kick that was perfectly to Lu Yuan's taste.

"She's doing very well now. But one of her senior mentors disappeared not long ago."

"Is his surname Xia? Xia Weimin?"

Bai Ying's lake-blue eyes flickered as she quickly spoke.

An expression of 'surprise' flickered across Lu Yuan's face. "How do you know?"

"We're both in archaeology. I've heard things."

Bai Ying responded vaguely, then said seriously to Lu Yuan, "Actually, the real reason I came here was to advise you: stop investigating this matter."

"Why?"

Lu Yuan couldn't help but 'frown,' putting down the bun he was about to bite into.

"My sister's archaeological team genuinely encountered terrifying monsters—the ones in those sketches I sent you. I'm now convinced the Elephant God Religion's curse is real. I can't rest easy until I uncover the truth and lift any potential curse from my sister."

Bai Ying frowned, seeming to want to say something. After a moment of consideration, she said in a complex tone, "But the truth might be far more complicated than you imagine. Those monsters the Sum Country archaeological team encountered in Xixu, after excavating the Elephant God Religion ruins, are just the tip of the iceberg of how terrifying this whole affair is. Let me be blunt…"

Bai Ying paused, then said gravely, "Your sister's mentor, Professor Xia Weimin, is likely already dead. Because he secretly took the 'key'…"

"The 'key'?"

Lu Yuan seized on the word 'key' Bai Ying had used, his eyes glinting.

"Yes. The 'key' that unlocks a sealed chapter of the Elephant God Religion's history."

Bai Ying emphasized, "Many people want this 'key'. It's a massive vortex. Right now, you're still outside it. But if you continue to dig deeper, you'll likely be sucked in and torn to shreds…"

"Can you be more specific?"

Lu Yuan glanced at the owner's wife, who was approaching with their two bowls of soy milk.

Bai Ying remained silent, waiting until the owner's wife had set down the soy milk and left. Only then did she say seriously to Lu Yuan, "What I'm about to tell you might be shocking, but I assure you, it's true. Prepare yourself."

"Go on."

Lu Yuan picked up the freshly delivered hot soy milk and took a gentle sip.

Bai Ying took a deep breath, then said with profound solemnity, "Do you believe… that ancient gods like the Elephant God… truly exist in this world?"

"Hmm?"

Lu Yuan's expression shifted. He held his soy milk, his gaze fixed intently on Bai Ying.

"Even though I've been involved in related archaeological work for a long time, I always believed the gods recorded in myths and legends were merely how ancient peoples personified the unknown forces of nature. But now…"

She shook her head. "I realize I was wrong. This world is far more mysterious and vast than we imagine. I only recently learned that there has long been a group of people tracing the shadows and footsteps of ancient gods. And they've even acquired some compelling evidence."

Pausing here, Bai Ying stared directly at Lu Yuan and said, word by word, "Have you ever seen superhumans capable of wielding divine power, individuals who, without relying on any technological enhancements, can contend with Mecha and firearms using only their own abilities?"

COUGH, COUGH—

Lu Yuan choked on his soy milk, looking at Bai Ying with a 'stunned' expression.

Bai Ying, however, seemed to have anticipated his reaction. With an understanding look, she continued, "I know it sounds absurd, but it's true. I've seen such people with my own eyes. They can command lightning and fire, control crows, rats, and bats as their messengers… even their physical forms become distinctly different from ordinary people. They call themselves emissaries of the gods, walking the line between light and darkness…"

Lu Yuan wore an expression of 'bewilderment'.

Bai Ying continued, "...the 'key' is their means of unlocking divine treasures. This time, the Sum Country's archaeological team unearthed such a 'key.' So, this Elephant God Religion incident involves very deep and extremely dangerous matters."

Bai Ying glanced at Lu Yuan and advised, "I know you possess a certain strength, far exceeding most people your age. But this matter truly isn't something an ordinary person like you can get involved in. Your sister doesn't have the 'key,' so she should be fine. Therefore, it's best you abandon this investigation immediately and extricate yourself from this affair. As for what I've told you today, treat it as a secret. Bury it deep and never speak of it…"

Bai Ying stood up, picked up her small purse, and looked earnestly at Lu Yuan, saying in a low voice, "Think carefully about it. I hope we… can have a chance to meet again."

With that, Bai Ying turned and quickly left the small shop.

Lu Yuan sat alone in the breakfast shop, silently finishing both bowls of hot soy milk. He appeared to be pondering Bai Ying's words.

In reality, he was using his clearance to search for information while simultaneously issuing an order to the White Bears concealed nearby to 'escort Bai Ying safely away.'

"The 'key'…"

Lu Yuan searched the Yellow Bear's internal database and quickly found the information he was looking for. …Most Evil God Secret Realms are open-access. However, a small portion require special items to sense and activate. The latter generally possess a higher degree of danger and exploration value…

Looking at the displayed information, Lu Yuan thought, "So, that glowing stone sphere my sister and her team excavated in Xixu is the 'key' to the Elephant God Religion's Secret Realm. This Elephant God Religion's Secret Realm must be quite significant… Yellow Bear seems to have overlooked it this time… No."

He quickly shook his head, dismissing the thought. "I'm a Gold Bear now. Since I've taken an interest in this, it means Yellow Bear also considers it important and is involved. It's not just for my sister; this matter needs to be investigated further."

Watching Bai Ying's retreating figure, Lu Yuan recalled how earnestly she had explained the existence of Evil Divine Servants to him. He couldn't help but chuckle softly before continuing with his unfinished breakfast.

CLICK, CLICK, CLICK—

Bai Ying, her high heels clicking, strode quickly to a black van. The vehicle's door slid open, and she swiftly ducked inside.

"All said?"

A tall, blond-haired, blue-eyed man in the front passenger seat asked her in the Havelian language.

Bai Ying nodded. "I've given him all the necessary warnings. If he insists on pursuing it and something happens, it won't be my fault."

The tall man chuckled. "Your net friend is the core disciple of some Ancient Martial Arts school in the Sum Country. His strength is quite decent among ordinary people. Perhaps that's the source of his confidence…"

Bai Ying shook her head. "Some people are always accustomed to measuring the entire world by their own limited understanding. The results, however, often only prove their own foolishness and ignorance. It's rather tragic…"

"Alright, as long as you've relayed the message, there's no need to focus on these insignificant characters any longer."

The tall man continued, "The organization speculates that this newly emerged Elephant God Religion Secret Realm could be the most valuable one in decades. The Sum Country doesn't seem to realize its significance yet, but they'll find out eventually and get involved. Our objective is to acquire as many 'keys' as possible before the Sum Country can react. That way, when the Secret Realm truly opens, we'll have more leverage and secure greater benefits. Miss Irina, you're an expert on the history of the Elephant God Religion. We'll undoubtedly need to rely on you during the upcoming operations. I hope you'll cooperate fully…"

"I understand."

Receiving Bai Ying's affirmation, the tall man glanced out the car window, scanning their surroundings. He said in a low voice, "The Sum Country's Extraordinary organizations have sharp noses; they're already onto us. We need to leave this place quickly. We can't let them discover our true objective."

With that, the man instructed the driver to start the vehicle, and they quickly departed.

Back at the breakfast shop, while Lu Yuan was finishing his last steamer basket of buns, he received a communication request from a subordinate.

The applicant was one of the White Bears stationed in the vicinity, codenamed 'Peregrine Falcon'.

This was Lu Yuan's first direct conversation with a subordinate member within Yellow Bear.

He hesitated for a moment, and then chose to answer.

"Sir."

The person at the other end of the line seemed even more nervous than him, his voice was shaking as he spoke.

Understandable. Ordinary White Bear Guards rarely had opportunities to interact with Red Bears, let alone a Gold Bear like himself.

In the Old City Circle, he was an undisputed heavyweight, a VVIP figure practically residing in the clouds.

"Speak."

Lu Yuan didn't deliberately alter his voice, replying while slowly chewing a bun.

"The Havelian woman you met with has left. And… there appears to be an Egersis from Havel following her."

"Egersis?!"

Lu Yuan's eyes glinted. He then nodded. "Alright, I understand."

"Apologies for disturbing you, Sir. Goodbye, Sir."

Peregrine Falcon ended the call.

"Egersis."

As Lu Yuan dipped a bun into chili sauce, he also searched for information on this organization.

He discovered that 'Egersis' was an official Extraordinary organization in Havel, similar to the Sum Country's Yellow Bear. The Distant Star Federation also had a comparable organization called the 'Sun Guard.'

"Egersis, Sun Guard."

Lu Yuan mentally noted the names of these two organizations, finished the last bun from the steamer, and drank the remaining soy milk in his bowl.

Then he settled the bill and walked out of the breakfast shop, his expression unchanged, as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred.

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