The dream while awake... The things that fly within the soul... The strongest force to sustain life...

Looking at the Cancer Director, who was enthusiastically discussing hope with him, Leon pondered for a moment and gave him a gentle smile in response.

Since we can make the present world better, the "Hope" of Old Soil must be reclaimed, but as for hope itself, it's best left alone.

During the years when I struggled fiercely before joining the Cleaning Bureau, almost every step seemed like falling deeper into the mire of despair, without ever glimpsing a shred of hope's shape.

When truly sinking into the mire, rather than clasping hands together in devout prayer and hoping for gifts from fate, it's more reliable to trust in one's own hands and seize every opportunity with full effort; hope looks beautiful but feels rather unreliable.

"This is indeed good news."

After politely agreeing with the Cancer Director's words, Leon, who knew little about Old Soil, did not rush to inquire further, but asked:

"Cancer, are the other Directors present?"

"Everyone is here."

Noticing Leon didn't seem too interested in "Hope," the excitement on the Cancer Director's face slightly receded, and he curiously asked:

"Aquarius, why do you ask? Do you have something to say at the board meeting?"

"Yes."

Leon nodded, instinctively glanced at the resolution levels behind "Materialism", then explained:

"Evangeline and I went to the Source God Platform again and discovered things concerning the Cleaning Bureau and the future of all humanity, requiring the Bureau's assistance.

I hope the Bureau can quickly complete the expansion, greatly increasing the number of Cleaners, and then attempt to gradually step out of the present world to explore the fourteen dimensions centered on it."

Expansion and then stepping out of the present world?

Upon hearing this, the Cancer Director hesitated for a moment and then couldn't help but ask:

"I can understand the expansion, but why explore the fourteen dimensions outside the present world?"

Of course, it's to prepare for re- "integrating" the present world.

Upon hearing the Cancer Director's words, Leon glanced again at the "Materialism" badge on the panel... If you want to use the "Materialism" badge to remodel a dimension, you must have a relatively high resolution of that dimension.

The fourteen surrounding dimensions and the present world are complete in origin and not as "easy to understand" as the severely rule-depleted Sea Abyss realm, and they are also much more vast. It's unknown when only by myself I could finish the run, so borrowing the strength of the Cleaning Bureau is essential.

"Let's wait until everyone arrives."

Not yet figured out how to explain his ability, Leon then refused by saying:

"But I can assure you, this matter is really necessary, and if accomplished, it can make the present world much safer."

"Then let's go quickly."

Seeing Leon didn't want to say it now, the Cancer Director did not pry but nodded and pointed forward.

"They should be in the cemetery now, and coincidentally, the Director's consciousness is also there; you can just discuss whatever plans you have."

After circling around the mist-covered cemetery with the Cancer Director, Leon entered into the depths of the Sage's Cemetery, to where coffins used to be set by the third-generation elders.

And the Directors who were "taken down" by Evangeline each grabbed a tombstone as a stool, sitting around the cleared space in the middle of the cemetery, with a somewhat familiar elder's phantom standing in the midst of the seated Directors, seriously listening to the Taurus Director's report.

"You've all had a really tough time during this period..."

Looking at the cemetery not only desolate and ruinous but also carrying the stench of excrement, and examining the old, weak, sickly, half-dead Directors around, the phantom of the Cleaning Bureau Director sighed and said:

"Who would've thought the Four Pillars God would abandon Old Soil here and suddenly return to the present world to trouble you, even finding a way to bypass the Watcher's Palace, it's really... oh, if only we'd known this would happen, White Sheep and I would have chased them round the opposite way."

"Director, you don't need to worry too much about this side."

After listening to the Cleaning Bureau Director's words, the Taurus Director shook his head and said:

"Although we suffered heavy losses this time, so did the Four Pillars God, getting a big setback; with two heavily injured and one captured, they even had to spit out a lot of 'Inheritance' and 'Creation', with the captured Old King holding complete 'Connection', this time is absolutely no loss."

"Indeed."

Nodding in approval of the Taurus Director's words, seemingly sensing something, the Director slightly turned his curved spine and glanced in Leon's direction.

"Greetings, Director."

Out of courtesy, slightly bowing, facing the senior who had long been adventuring in Old Soil for humanity's sake, Leon proactively introduced himself:

"I'm the new Aquarius Director, you might not remember, but actually, during last year's summary, I met you once..."

"I know, I know!"

Smiling at Leon, the Cleaning Bureau Director, with a pointy chin and gaunt cheeks looking somewhat monkey-like, cheerfully intercepted and said:

"It's fine if others forget, but I absolutely cannot forget you, Aquarius.

The youngest Director in five hundred years, the fastest promoted Cleaner in two thousand years, the only one comparable to the third-generation elders... Thanks to you, White Sheep and I cannot easily leave the present world; if it weren't for you, the present world would have been disastrously affected by the Four Pillars God."

Ah, this...

Facing the Cleaning Bureau Director, who seemed to have a great impression of him and started with a wave of praise, Leon felt unused to it and instinctively glanced towards the Taurus Director, then slightly blushing, said:

"It's mainly everyone's merit, I'm just..."

"Hey~ Excessive modesty is hypocrisy."

The Cleaning Bureau Director, with a curved spine and hands long past his knees, gestured dismissively, praising with admiration:

"Joan has already told me about your stories, several times foiling the Slaughter King Association's schemes, cooperating with the third-generation elders to take the Realm of the Dead, capturing the True God who coveted the present world, descending alone into the abyss to aid Virgo and Scorpio, collaborating with that Sea Abyss Dominator to ambush the Four Pillars God...

Although others also contributed, those crucial hard battles were won by you. You are the great savior of our Cleaning Bureau! If we must say, calling you the savior of humanity wouldn't be exaggerated!"

"..."

After a session of intense praise silenced Leon, the Director turned his back, cheerfully saying:

"Since Aquarius is also here, let's get down to business... Everyone, I already have the complete Space-Time Beacon and can travel to the dimension where Old Soil's humanity resides at any time. Next, I need your assistance!"

After finishing the opening remarks, the Cleaning Bureau Director put away his smile and made the request seriously:

"To bring 'Hope' back to the present world, all stationed personnel from present world branches need to be halved, reassigned to headquarters, following orders, and the zodiac constellation's shielded scope should be halved; all forces are to supply the headquarters' corona.

Furthermore, all Cleaners who have crossed the difference between man and god, including the Zodiac Bureau Director and all Directors, must be stationed at headquarters, opening and maintaining the star gate to Old Soil, not permitted to leave casually unless necessary.

As for the duration... ten years should be enough!"