Li Jia Yi's plan appears successful for now.
Gilgamesh and Bai Ye intend to observe the situation, while Hercules has temporarily retreated.
Scathach and Lan Xi are dead.
The Swordsman and the Knight have not yet revealed themselves.
The Hanging Gardens of Babylon can continuously absorb mana to become complete.
Li Jia Yi said, "The Hanging Gardens are too massive. Even if we secretly find a place to hide them, there's a high chance they'll be discovered before completion. Since that's the case, why not bring them into the open? Others will become suspicious and dare not make a move. However..."
Senal asked, "However?"
Li Jia Yi continued, "I've only devised a method for the Hanging Gardens to be completed. But how will you lure others into the Hanging Gardens?"
Senal smiled and replied, "That's simple. We'll use what they desire the most."
Li Jia Yi inquired, "Hmm?"
Senal said, "Since we're cooperating, I might as well let you witness it beforehand."
After speaking, Senal glanced at Semiramis.
Semiramis chuckled softly and then gracefully walked forward, emanating mana.
Sensing Semiramis's mana, a circle of magical inscriptions suddenly appeared in the center of the hall, and within the inscriptions, a black ripple emerged.
The next moment, a glass display case slowly rose.
Within the glass display case, a golden cup rested, adorned with intricate carvings, exuding an aura of opulence.
Li Jia Yi exclaimed in surprise, "Is that the Holy Grail? Why do you have it?"
Senal explained, "This is a special privilege for the instigator of the wish-granting mission. The Holy Grail was in my possession from the start, but it can only be held for seven days. After seven days, everyone will know of its existence."
Li Jia Yi realized, "I see, so this is how you'll attract others to the Hanging Gardens."
Besides this...
Li Jia Yi also understood why Senal's reward for fulfilling the wish was to obtain a Noble Phantasm from the summoned Heroic Spirits.
Senal desired the Hanging Gardens of Babylon!
Li Jia Yi curled his lip, thinking he had indeed played his cards well.
Senal stated, "I've been quite honest with you. So, can you tell me your true motive for helping me?"
Li Jia Yi spread his hands, "I've always told you the truth. I just want this damn Holy Grail War to end quickly, as my Forbidden Zone mission awaits. Furthermore, do you think I stand a chance of competing?"
Senal shrugged, offering no opinion.
Li Jia Yi, with his hands in his pockets, added, "I believe I've shown a great deal of sincerity. You said we needed to enter the Hanging Gardens to talk cooperation, and here I am, having entered with genuine intent. This is Semiramis's territory, after all!"
Senal chuckled, "Alright. Then, I will grant your wish. I will end the Holy Grail War as soon as possible."
As Senal spoke, he walked towards the front and gazed into the distance from the window.
It was at this moment...
Li Jia Yi and Semiramis exchanged glances. The latter's narrowed eyes suddenly opened slightly, and she offered Li Jia Yi a gentle smile.
Li Jia Yi couldn't help but smile back.
This Holy Grail War was indeed quite interesting!
...
After a period of activity, Bai Ye finally ushered in a time of relaxation.
His daily routine consisted of eating, drinking, and drawing from the gacha.
In truth, Bai Ye had somewhat figured out the owner of the Hanging Gardens' intentions.
Their grand appearance was likely a tactic to make others suspicious and hesitant to attack, thus buying enough time to absorb mana and complete the Hanging Gardens.
However, Bai Ye was curious: even if the Hanging Gardens were completed, how would the opponent force others to enter and fight within them?
After all, the Holy Grail War was different from the Twelve Wars.
The Twelve Wars were more direct, purely about combat.
Once only one person remained, they were the victor. The Holy Grail War, however, was different.
Even if no one died, as long as the Holy Grail was obtained in the end, it signified victory. Therefore, if the Hanging Gardens were too perilous, one could simply choose not to enter.
Of course, the best approach would be to defeat them before the Hanging Gardens were completed.
After all, such a massive structure was indeed terrifying, and Bai Ye had already witnessed the power of the Hanging Gardens before.
Even in its incomplete state, the attacks from the Hanging Gardens were formidable.
However...
Bai Ye thought of Gilgamesh, that individual who exuded arrogance from his very bones!
Bai Ye felt that Gilgamesh was likely aware of the opponent's plan.
But Gilgamesh had no intention of stopping it.
Gilgamesh's pride made him indifferent to whether the opponent could complete the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. In fact, Gilgamesh was doing it deliberately.
To defeat the opponent at their strongest state was what would satisfy Gilgamesh's pride.
He was the King of Heroes, an invincible King of Heroes.
He could defeat any opponent under any circumstances.
This style...
Bai Ye felt it didn't quite align with his own. For Bai Ye, the process was never important; only the outcome mattered.
But since he had summoned Gilgamesh, Bai Ye was willing to respect Gilgamesh's wishes, especially given Gilgamesh's immense strength.
As Bai Ye pondered, he reclined on the sofa in a relaxed posture.
"Gengar," Bai Ye called out, "get me an apple."
Gengar took an apple and floated to Bai Ye's side.
Bai Ye took a bite of the apple, thinking that a break wouldn't hurt. He had been too exhausted lately and indeed needed to conserve his energy.
Especially after drawing from the gacha for several consecutive days, Bai Ye was about to receive some good news.
Steel Slime, Growth Value: 71209/100000
Bai Ye fed the Steel Slime with gacha card bugs daily, even spending Shards of God Stones to draw golden gachas. All this effort was not in vain.
The Steel Slime was finally approaching Black quality. It would take at most three days, and with good luck, two days would suffice.
"Right, I haven't drawn today's yet." Bai Ye tossed the gacha machine and said to Gengar, "Go ahead, you can try it."
Beasts were originally Bai Ye's possessions, so Gengar could also draw from the gacha for him.
However...
Perhaps it was because beasts mirrored their masters...
Gengar drew, a blue gacha.
Goodra drew, a blue gacha.
Great Vajra Palm (Martial Arts) (Blue): One of Shaolin's many palm techniques, possessing considerable power. Effects: Armor Break (When any defensive item or ability is hit by Great Vajra Palm, its effect is weakened by 25%) Internal Force (When hitting a target, the power of Great Vajra Palm is reduced by 80%, ignoring any defensive items or abilities, dealing damage to the opponent).
Invisible Detonation (Ability) (Blue): Can create an invisible remote-controlled bomb anywhere at will. The maximum number of bombs is three.
Bai Ye was speechless.
Not only were these ordinary blue gacha draws, but he also obtained two items that the Steel Slime couldn't devour!