“Now that the Annihilation Branch is without a leader, they must be in dire need of an excellent manager to guide them onto the right path.”

Lán Qí, wearing a concerned expression, spoke as he picked up a bag of documents from the nearby cabinet.

Opening it, he found a special magic card that shimmered with a pinkish glow.

This was none other than the Annihilation Saint’s [Saint's Proof - Annihilation].

“While you were asleep, Xia Ya already helped me deliver the card stripped from Ā Niè Luò, along with all his documents. We’ll set off tomorrow and head to Box Mountain Province in broad daylight.”

Lán Qí shook the [Saint's Proof - Annihilation] in his hand, smiling as he spoke to Xī Dé.

“...I originally thought that the [Transformation Art: Human] demonic inscription you have, the one that bypasses the Empire’s detection, was outrageous enough. I didn't expect that even more outrageous is that you can create a targeted [Transformation Art: Human] based on your understanding.”

When Xī Dé initially saw Lán Qí create a purple rare card in front of her, she felt that he was at least a Silver-ranked card maker in the Southern Continent Card Maker Association. Now, thinking about it carefully, she felt she was being too conservative.

Just this ability to perfectly replicate the appearance of an enemy after seeing them once could be described as divine craftsmanship.

“Fortunately, my luck wasn’t bad. I initially thought that, in the worst-case scenario, it might take three or four days to make it.”

Lán Qí gestured with his fingers, sketching patterns in the air casually as he explained.

Currently, the only two card makers in the world who can create this “ancient demonic inscription transformation art that can bypass the Prótós Empire’s magic detection” are him and Tǎ Lì Yǎ.

But Tǎ Lì Yǎ cannot create perfectly disguised targeted transformations; only he can.

Of course, that's only if he has enough time to make the card.

The process of making a targeted transformation card is much more troublesome than the regular version, and it will probably fail many times before a finished product can be successfully created.

“...Meow.”

Cat Boss froze.

When a person looks exactly like the Annihilation Saint, the Empire’s detection magic can’t find any disguise magic on them, and they’re carrying the [Saint's Proof - Annihilation], then they *are* the Annihilation Saint.

If this guy goes to Box Mountain Province now, he can escort Xī Gélì Dé back to the Imperial Capital in broad daylight. Even if the Annihilation High Priests detect the power of the curse mark on Xī Gélì Dé, no one will stop him!

Cat Boss hadn’t realized before that Lán Qí had this dangerous ability to perfectly disguise the appearance of others.

Actually, it should have realized it when it saw the Great Love Poet, a knockoff summon of Tǎ Tǎ’s image. As long as this guy is willing and patient, he can basically knock off anyone.

It now even suspects that Lán Qí is hiding a transformation art that can actually turn him into Luò Lún!

This newbie in Ī Kè Lǐ Tè has already tormented Luò Lún so much with a few casual actions. If he personally turned into Luò Lún and helped Luò Lún matchmake, then Cat Boss would only want to move away from the royal capital Ī Kè Lǐ Tè!

During the brief silence in the workshop, Lán Qí canceled the Annihilation Saint transformation and changed back into the appearance of Luò Jī · Mài Kǎ Xī.

“But I can’t bind this [Saint's Proof - Annihilation] right now.”

Lán Qí looked at Xī Dé helplessly and said.

The Saint's Proofs of different branches are mutually exclusive. If he carries the [Saint's Proof - Tyrant], he can no longer successfully bind the [Saint's Proof - Annihilation]. And unbinding the pink divine seal, in addition to needing materials and procedures, will also cause the unbound person to fall into a period of weakness. As long as it reaches the pink divine rank, even a zero-order card is like this.

But if he wants to temporarily unbind the [Saint's Proof - Tyrant], he still has to say hello to Xī Gélì Dé first.

“There’s no need to unbind it. Just give your [Saint's Proof - Tyrant] back to me. I can temporarily take it away for you in the form of a confiscated punishment.”

Xī Dé stretched out her hand, not caring at all.

“Anyway, whether you have this proof or not, you’re still my person.”

Lán Qí nodded and returned the Tyrant Saint Seal to Xī Dé. Then Xī Dé took it and merged it into her Bishop's Proof, the silver moon crown saint seal that radiated an orange glow.

And just like that, Lán Qí successfully bound this new [Saint's Proof - Annihilation].

Looking at the proof of the Annihilation Saint, Lán Qí only felt that his academic research trip was indeed not much of a deviation.

“Haa, so sleepy.”

Lán Qí walked to the window, opened the curtains, looked at the distance under the starry night sky, and stretched hard.

“We should set off tomorrow. We can’t let the Annihilation Branch continue to cause trouble for the Empire’s residents in the Box Mountain Province’s transportation hub.”

He said with a yawn, his voice slurred as he covered his mouth. He was about to fall asleep just from yawning.

…

Far away on the other side, Northwest Province, Milford Territory.

In the early morning in Milford Main City, the thin, grayish-blue clouds on the horizon were gradually dyed a faint gold by the light. The air was filled with the fresh scent of dew and bushes in the flower garden.

At the entrance of the Milford family’s mansion, the magnificent building was softly illuminated, appearing even more solemn and quiet.

In front of the mansion was a wide stone square. A gorgeously decorated classical-style deer carriage had already been parked, ready to depart. The Milford family crest was engraved on it. Two silver-gray demonic reindeer were groomed to a bright shine. They shook their hooves, as if they also felt the excitement before the trip.

The Milford family’s Countess, Mǐ Xiū Lā, and Xī Bó Lì Ān, dressed in attire more suitable for travel, stood at the door, still exuding the exquisite elegance of nobles.

Servants quickly placed the luggage of all sizes into the cargo compartment of the deer carriage, while the steward held a handwritten book and spoke with the servants to check and confirm that all matters were prepared.

Hopefully soon, they can be sent to the magic energy rail train station in Milford Territory, and then they can go to the Prótós Royal Magic Academy in the Imperial Capital, Hè’ěrluómǔ.

The Milford Earl stood in front of the porch. He was as expressionless as usual, but the worry that occasionally flashed in his eyes still betrayed his reluctance to let his daughter go to the Imperial Capital.

“Earl, we’re leaving.”

Xī Bó Lì Ān saluted the Milford Earl, who was not far away, thanking his family for their week of care and their irreplaceable help to the church.

The Milford Earl nodded, signaling the two of them to get in the carriage.

“Mǐ Lì Ān, take care. If you encounter trouble, come back. The Milford Earl's Mansion is your home at any time.”

While escorting the two to the car, he stared at Xī Bó Lì Ān and said.

Although they had not spent much time together, his family liked this lonely but strong and kind priestess very much. If everything settles down in the future and she wants to stay in the Prótós Empire, their family is also willing to formally adopt Xī Bó Lì Ān.

“Thank you, Earl.”

Xī Bó Lì Ān felt a little sore in her nose and thanked him sincerely. Every step of this trip to the Northern Continent can be said to have been contrary to her wishes, but every day has left her with precious memories that she will never forget in her life.

“Mǐ Xiū Lā, after leaving Milford Territory, listen to your sister in everything, understand?”

The Milford Earl then looked at his daughter and warned.

“Okay.”

Mǐ Xiū Lā got into the carriage and nodded seriously. She knew that her sister was very strong, very smart, and a kind person. There were still many dangers along the way, so listening to her sister was definitely the right thing to do.

“You must be careful of the main force of the Annihilation Branch guarding Box Mountain Province, especially since the Annihilation Saint is very likely to be in Box Mountain Province. If you encounter this man, don’t let him pay any attention to you or suspect you. He is an inhuman madman. He is capable of anything and cannot be judged by common sense and logic.”

The Milford Earl looked at the two in the car, holding the door of the carriage, and finally exhorted.

“Mm.”

Xī Bó Lì Ān knew that the Milford Earl said this specifically to her.

Although she had spent seven dreamlike days in Milford Territory, it was time to wake up. The real difficulties were all ahead.

And she, no matter how difficult the road ahead is, will not have the slightest hesitation or fear!

I haven’t slept for two days. I feel dizzy when I’m writing, and I can’t stand it anymore.

(End of this chapter)