Under the waves of the great era, no one can escape unscathed. However, even war cannot instantly destroy everyone’s lives. Most of the time, social changes are like a gradual simmer in warm water. After all, the collective nature tends towards conservatively maintaining the status quo; thousands dilute the impact brought by the era’s waves unconsciously, with change and tradition reaching a dynamic balance through confrontation and demise, jointly pushing the world upwards like a spiral.

Only when you look back years later, do you awaken with a start, realizing that on that ordinary rainy night, which drizzled gently, many people’s lives silently changed.

With Dazzling Star leading the union of five countries, the most direct impact was technology diffusion, where developed technologies from other nations could be directly utilized. The nearly explosive increase in productivity generated massive profits, akin to having many unclaimed big cakes on a table where interests had already been distributed, allowing everyone to reach for them, whether privileged or from the bottom tier — anyone who snatches it may get to eat.

The scramble induced chaos, and chaos permitted violence. This explains why the Gospel Office expanded from dozens to nearly a thousand within half a year — not only mages on the fringe mingling in the underworld but even official mages with legitimate professional credentials chose to ’go underground’, abandoning order for chaos, with the whole Gospel achieving a reviving realm where life competes vigorously.

But conservative forces remain dominant, with the Empress government still able to permeate royal power to the grassroots, and the Gospel System controls everyone’s information. Now, the Gospel equates to the coexistence of surface and inner worlds, where the surface world maintains order, while the inner world engages in the law of the jungle, with the government tacitly approving the existence of gray areas.

The offices also tactfully restrict their behavior, accepting a certain degree of financial loss without crossing the red line which causes harm to innocent civilians. The law enforcement "Red Hat" and the Abyss suppressor "Bluebeard" will not interfere with office mages fighting each other, but whoever dares to spread mage warfare to the civilian level will surely face thunderous suppression.

That’s why when Voodoo Office members saw someone in the shop, their first reaction was to drive him away. Normally, people should have fled in panic, yet the other party insisted on finishing his noodles, causing Voodoo members to be at a loss—one might add a stain on the Gospel record over a bowl of noodles—isn’t it too unworthy?

Moreover, he ate with relish and watched the Voodoo members in the rain curtain with great interest, as if the inner world’s war was his entertainment program while dining, which was infuriating.

"Friend, are the noodles tasty?"

Gregory gestured for his subordinates to be quiet, asking with interest.

"If I had to say, they’re tasty, but not extraordinarily so." The young man shrugged, "But as a late-night snack, they’re passable."

"Want to come in for a bowl? You can avoid the rain, though the boss was scared away by you."

"No need." Gregory raised his hand, instantly creating a vacuum area within the rain curtain, with no raindrops falling on him: "I’m not afraid of the rain."

Holy Domain!

An Absolute Defense impervious to water, fire, blade, and sword; once the Holy Domain is activated, there are no flaws!

This was Sesilia’s first time witnessing a true Holy Domain. In the inner world, there’s a saying ’Under the Holy Domain, all are ants.’ Even the mightiest Golden Mage could be instantaneously killed by a sniper rifle bullet to the head, dying casually like an ant; only a Holy Sanctuary Mage can control their life—as long as the magic power maintains the Holy Domain, all techniques are invulnerable, fearlessly facing dangers!

Gregory suddenly activating the Holy Domain, is that young man a mage needing Gregory’s serious vigilance? Sesilia’s heart once again sparked with hope; if they fought and chaos ensued perhaps she’d have a chance to break into Liwan District—

"It is indeed quite convenient." The young man admired: "The greatest advantage of the Holy Domain in daily life is not needing an umbrella, and preventing oil splashes while cooking."

"Quite gutsy," Gregory suddenly laughed: "As an ordinary person, being able to speak freely before me, remaining composed—many Golden Mages fail to do so. It’s a pity if you were a mage, you’d surely make great accomplishments."

He’s not a mage!?

Not only Sesilia, but all the other Voodoo Office members were briefly stunned. They assumed that this young man, daring to stay and eat noodles, must indeed be a mage, given that he was conversing with ’King’ Gregory—even if not a Holy Sanctuary Mage, at least a powerful Golden Mage, right?

"Huh?" The young man blinked. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

"I haven’t sensed any magic power waves from you; either you are a mage proficient in concealment or merely a mortal." Gregory sneered: "I heard Nabistin’s office has trained a batch of carrier pigeons, all ordinary people, who dive into mage battlefields, collecting intelligence with their lives. If killed, they can inflict greater damage, forcing opposing offices to suffer the wrath of Red Hat."

"Yet how would a mage skilled in concealment dare appear before me, Gregory? Only cowards hiding in the shadows dare not bear the king’s might. Tell me which office’s carrier pigeon you are; let me see who dares reach for Azura!"

"Is there a possibility that I’m truly here for a midnight snack?" The young man calmly said.

The rain was getting heavier, drizzling on the ground. The store’s neon lights flickered as they malfunctioned and darkened. The majesty of the Holy Sanctuary Mage flooded the entire street like mercury, with the air tense as if filled with gunpowder. Several Voodoo members trembled, not daring to breathe heavily.

The closest Sesilia felt worse, with Gregory standing before her resembling not a person but a beast wearing human skin. Not only due to his Three-winged Mage pressure, but also the fierce, bloodied aura honed from countless battles—she thought her experience in the underground world toughened her against so-called murderous intent, yet even her most feared lacquer artisan paled in comparison to Gregory.

Is this what the majesty of a Holy Sanctuary emerges from traversing countless battlefields across the Sea of Knowledge and Time Continent, climbing to the peak of mages with great resolve?

Even she, greatly affected, felt terrible, while the youth targeted by Gregory must be in... She strained to look up, only to see a figure still consuming noodles.

"Quite impressive, truly remarkable." Gregory suddenly smiled, relaxing the tense atmosphere: "It’s been a long time since I’ve seen such a daring young man... regardless of which office you belong to, come to my side; I can offer you a position as deputy."

The Voodoo underboss couldn’t help but show envy, recognizing the favor of a Holy Sanctuary Mage—this ordinary person forever eating noodles might climb above them tomorrow. Complex feelings surfaced as he shouted: "Did you hear? Hurry and come thank him—"

Whoosh.

The young man spat out a mouthful of noodles, holding back laughter with pursed lips, shoulders shaking relentlessly, finally unable to restrain a chuckle, wiping away tears of amusement, and waving: "Apologies, it’s not against you, but the number of people wanting me as a deputy seems truly endless... Do I appear to have a loyal face, why do others always want to entrust me with authority?"

Gregory showed annoyance: "So your meaning is..."

"Apologies, I’ve never intended to be anyone’s deputy." The young man wiped his mouth: "Power is more reassuring when seized oneself."

The underboss was dumbfounded, couldn’t help but shouted: "Do you know whose invitation you’re rejecting? He’s—"

"Truly regrettable," Gregory waved his hand, saying coldly: "In that case, please leave, this place is temporarily under Voodoo Office’s control."

"No problem, I’ll leave once I finish this bowl of noodles, I’ve been too busy talking to you guys... Oh, by the way, that young girl’s not one of yours, right? It’s not right to bully her, don’t you think?"

The atmosphere tightened once more. Gregory glanced at Sesilia, then at the youth, eyes revealing a chilly gleam: "Do you have objections?"

"If I’m not mistaken, you’re robbing her goods, right?" The youth spread his hands: "You, a large group, robbing a young girl—anyone would have objections, right?"

Sesilia’s wet hair clung to her face, pressed to the ground, staring blankly at the youth in the store. Hearing that he’s no mage, she felt hopeless but didn’t expect him to dare speak for her... Does he have reinforcements? He intends to steal the Sun Technique Spirit, too?

"I ask once more, which office do you belong to?" Gregory scanned for potential hidden reinforcements: "You intend to steal the Sun Technique Spirit from me?"

"The Sun Technique Spirit isn’t yours, isn’t it that young girl’s?" The youth blinked: "I belong to no office, just feel... as the strong, you shouldn’t bully others this way."