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As the dark golden light dissipated, Frank, sitting on the stone chair, curiously looked around at the people vaguely visible through the surrounding mist.
Sharron's azure eyes looked at the tall new member beside her, who gave her an unusually familiar feeling. She suppressed her curiosity and remained silent, secretly guessing his identity.
The rest of the members had similar thoughts, and the atmosphere became somewhat heavy. Aaron broke the silence at the right time and spoke to Louise:
"I have agreed to the Sanguine's conditions, but the transaction with the Sanguine must begin as soon as possible."
"I have already prepared all the items. After this meeting, I will request Our Lord to deliver the items to you through the Door of Sacrifice and Grant."
"All the items have been Sealed and will not harm you. The only requirement is speed; I need to receive the items for the transaction tonight, or by tomorrow morning at the latest."
Louise was stunned for a moment, and the smile that had just appeared on her face instantly froze: "Tonight?"
The Sanguine indeed do not require much sleep, but that doesn't mean they don't need it at all. Visiting Marquis Nibbs Odora at this hour...
Louise pondered for a moment, gritted her teeth, and nodded in agreement.
Since the transactions between Aaron and Louise were conveyed through prayers and similar methods, and only the exchange of Mystical Items to enhance spirituality was mentioned in the previous Chaos Council, the other members immediately began to speculate.
Seeing that someone had already started the conversation, Frank no longer remained silent. He scratched his hair and said with a chuckle:
"Hello everyone, it's an honor to attend this gathering. I'd like to purchase the Potions Professor formula for Sequence 6 'Biologist'. I'm willing to pay two thousand pounds for it."
"Additionally, I'd like to acquire some Rose Bishop flesh and blood. Some of my experiments require it. Friends, trust me, this is crucial. With this flesh and blood, I believe my experiments can advance significantly."
Frank's eyes gleamed as he continued passionately:
"Not much Rose Bishop flesh and blood is needed, a dozen grams will suffice, but I need it to be as fresh as possible."
"Hmm, it's hard to judge the value of this, but I have some unique and effective proprietary elixirs. If you're willing, I can exchange them for the flesh and blood."
As soon as Sharron heard this familiar voice, the name "Frank Lee" popped into her mind. The more she listened, the more certain Sharron became.
Then, with a somewhat strange expression, she looked at Frank, recalling Frank's mad experiments aboard the Future.
The other members, who were not yet aware of Frank's terrifying nature, were not focused on this. What caught their attention more was the information about the Sequence.
"A Sequence 6 'Biologist'? Could it be someone from the Church of the Earth Mother?"
Louise instantly came back to her senses, observing Frank with a slight frown. Through the dark golden mist, she could vaguely make out the distinct pirate attire he was wearing, and then she dismissed her previous guess and said:
"I can exchange the formula with you, but you might need to wait for a while. I know where the formula is, and once I get it, I will transfer it to you through a ritual."
Frank was overjoyed. Although he didn't get the Rose Bishop's flesh and blood, having a definite lead on the next Sequence formula was already very satisfying to him.
Checker Ward and Ferran Eddas, who had recently advanced to Sequence 7, showed no inclination to trade. They observed silently, lost in their own thoughts.
Sid Watson was surprised that there was another Sequence 7 member and was also worried about his own Sequence progress.
Perhaps due to the previous Rose School of Thought incident or some other events, Caesar Port was once again under martial law, and the underground trading market was temporarily suspended.
This led to Sid, despite having obtained the Sequence 7 'Spirit Medium' Potions Professor formula from Sharron during this period, still lacking a main ingredient: the eyes of a Netherwolf.
Feeling that his strength might be at the bottom, and despite his recent financial constraints, Sid gritted his teeth and made his offer:
"Netherwolf eyes, 600 pounds."
The transaction was quickly concluded, with Sid ultimately purchasing the main ingredient from Checker for 650 pounds.
Seeing that both parties had reached a transaction, Aaron recalled the Sequence 5 'Gatekeeper' Beyonder characteristic he had obtained from Amon's Mausoleum. His eyes flickered, but he temporarily suppressed the thought in his mind.
Seeing that no one was proposing further trades, Ferren, who had been silent, spoke up, initiating the exchange session:
"I met the local rebels in Bayam on the Rorsted Archipelago. They worship a false god named Kalvetuva, whom they call the Sea God."
"Sea God?" Louise, who was always interested in Sea news, immediately responded, "Is that the name of a High Sequence potion?"
"Kalvetuva? That Sea snake isn't doing too well, and it's almost at its end..."
"Speaking of which, I might have a chance to retrieve that Book of Calamity..."
Thinking this, Aaron spoke, interrupting the somewhat lively discussion below.
"Kalvetuva's true form is a gigantic azure Sea snake. He became the deity of the Rorsted Archipelago's indigenous people after devouring the Beyonder characteristic of a high-ranking ancient elf."
He then looked at Ferren, who had elven blood, and added with a smile:
"However, after being colonized by Loen, Kalvetuva was wounded by Jahn Kottman, the Archbishop of the Rorsted Sea from the Storm Lord Church, and has been barely clinging to life."
"Sea God is just a title. His true corresponding Sequence name is Sequence 3 'Sea King', and that Jahn Kottman is at that rank."
Everyone was slightly startled, and at the same time, excited to learn of a new High Sequence potion name. For a moment, no one spoke again.
Seeing that it was almost time, Aaron took the initiative to conclude the gathering.
...
The dark golden mist before her dissipated, and Louise had returned to the real world. She immediately stood up and skillfully set up a Wall of Spirituality in her bedroom.
Louise picked up various spiritual materials, set up the Sacrifice and Grant ritual, and softly chanted the Lord of Order's honorific name.
Aaron, who had returned to his throne, slightly raised a finger. Several boxes instantly flew from the clutter, rushing into the dark golden double doors formed by the converging prayer lights beneath the platform.
After a sigh of relief, Louise carefully put away the boxes that appeared in the center of the ritual, meticulously erasing all traces of the ritual.
Dense dark energy emanated from her back, forming a pair of illusory bat wings. This was the Wings of Darkness that Louise had condensed, granting her the ability of temporary flight. With her Sequence 6 strength, it was enough to fly to the Audra family villa in the West Borough.
To enhance her safety, Louise took out a bottle of silver-white potion and drank it. This was a special potion she had concocted after becoming a "Potions Professor." Under the moonlight, it could greatly conceal her tracks and prevent her from being discovered.
-----------------
Backlund, Empress Borough, Audra Family Villa Basement.
After Louise followed the stairs to the underground area, she found that it was not the path she took last time to meet Nibbs Odora. She secretly touched the boxes hidden in the seams of her clothes, finally unable to bear it, and asked in a low voice:
"Baron Cosmi, where are you taking me? I want to see Lord Nibbs?"
Cosmi, who looked like a middle-aged Gentleman, turned his head and scrutinized Louise from top to bottom, then replied with a respectful tone:
"Of course, I'm taking you to see Duke Olmer."
"He just arrived in Backlund this afternoon. As soon as you came, he asked me to bring you to him."
Duke Olmer... Louise subconsciously straightened her back and looked at the lamp stand on the wall beside her, as if trying to check her appearance in the reflection on the metal surface.
That was one of the three great Dukes currently in charge of the Sanguine, titled "Full Moon," over three thousand years old, and once a follower of the progenitor Lilith, a symbol of Sanguine history and glory.
Immediately, Louise's heart began to pound, after all, that respected Duke was an Angel.
With such trepidation, passing through layers of secret doors, Louise and Cosmi arrived in an iron-gray hall.
The ground and walls here were covered with various strange plants, and the vigorousness of life permeated everywhere. This familiar scene instantly reminded Louise of her second meeting with Marquis Nibbs, and she immediately had some conjectures.
Cosmi led Louise to a vibrant tomb in the depths of the hall and bowed respectfully:
"Your Grace, Louise Sears has arrived."
"Good evening, Your Grace." Louise was a little nervous, even somewhat flustered.
From within the tomb, a mellow voice, whose age could not be discerned, chuckled:
"A very outstanding young Sanguine."
"Cosmi, you may withdraw."
"Yes, Your Grace." Cosmi bowed in response and left the iron-gray yet fresh and vibrant hall.
Louise stood rooted to the spot, hearing the mellow voice from within the tomb say:
"You needn't worry. I will personally witness this transaction."
Louise's heart skipped a beat. She coughed lightly and quickly took out all the boxes from her arms, placing them on the strange plants with extending branches.
Before Louise could speak, a red glow appeared on several branches, and the boxes instantly shattered, revealing the items inside, wrapped in golden patterns.
Accompanied by a soft exclamation from within the tomb, Louise seemed to feel a surge of power. In just an instant, all the items vanished.
Louise opened her mouth, raised her finger, then lowered it, not knowing what to say. After a moment, just as she was getting anxious, the mellow voice from within the tomb sounded again:
"I have confirmed all the items. Tell that person to remember his promise."
Along with these words, two items appeared before Louise.
One was the "Crimson Eye" Louise had seen before, seemingly condensed from rich blood, resembling a miniature red moon.
The other was a heart that seemed to be still beating, entirely black, with pure light flashing at its core. It was the Beyonder characteristic corresponding to Sequence 4 'Undying'. The surface of the heart was covered with blood-colored patterns, without any aura leaking out, like a Seal.
Louise was stunned for a moment before she remembered that the Duke's promise referred to providing assistance with the item corresponding to the Sequence 3 'High Summoner' Sealed Artifact.
Seeing the young Sanguine put away the two items, the Sanguine Duke Olmer's voice slowly sounded:
"Although the Sanguine are a long-lived race, they still experience growth and aging, birth and death."
"Regardless, for a race, nurturing young members is a necessary task, and you have recently shown exceptional talent and excellent abilities, becoming one of our most valued individuals."
"Therefore, I have come to meet you personally, to give you some trials, so that you can grow as quickly as possible."
Without the slightest hesitation, Louise respectfully replied, "I am always ready."
The Sanguine Duke Olmer hummed in affirmation and continued:
"Recently, Nibbs will leave Backlund for the Southern Continent to search for the Sealed Artifact corresponding to 'High Summoner'. You shall accompany him on this journey as a trial...."
-----------------
Backlund, Empress Borough, East Tucker Family Villa.
After delivering the items for the transaction to Louise through the Door of Sacrifice and Grant, Aaron did not pay attention to the subsequent transaction process and returned to the real world.
Looking at the paper crane he had brought down from above the dark golden mist, Aaron's lips curled into a slight smile. He used a pencil to write a sentence on the blank back of the paper crane:
"Please do your best to disrupt my fate tomorrow."
St. George Borough, in a certain room, on a bed covered with tarot cards, a little boy turned over and mumbled:
"This guy is really rude, disturbing my sleep at this hour."
Placing the paper crane aside, Aaron tossed and turned in bed, not waiting for Will Auceptin's dream, but instead for Louise's prayer.
Sitting on the throne, Aaron observed the situation around Louise through the prayer light points using "True Sight." After confirming that no one was secretly peeking, he then looked at the two items placed on her altar.
Besides the "Crimson Eye" he had already seen, Aaron sensed a different aura from the 'Undying' Beyonder characteristic.
Aaron's lips curled slightly. He summoned the black emperor card and the Sun Chaser Scepter, casually condensed a light point, and responded to Louise's prayer.
A moment later, looking at the gradually forming Door of Sacrifice and Grant, Aaron raised the dazzling Sun Chaser Scepter in his hand.
As soon as the 'Undying' Beyonder characteristic appeared above the dark golden mist, it was struck by a spear so intensely white it seemed to be made of pure sunlight.
It suddenly expanded into a miniature blazing sun, with wisps of red mist rising within it, yet it seemed to possess infinite vitality, constantly driving this power to regenerate.
The golden patterns on Aaron's body flickered slightly, and the dark golden mist instantly boiled. Invisible forces emerged, seemingly interrupting that regeneration, and only then was that power finally worn away.
At the same time, in an empty underground hall somewhere, a low sigh came from a vibrant tomb....
Aaron took a breath, pressed his finger on the Sun Chaser Scepter, and after removing the negative effects, brought the black heart back from above the dark golden mist to the real world.
Without hesitation, Aaron set up a Wall of Spirituality and immediately began the ritual.
He lit the candles, burned the corresponding essential oils and herbal powders, stepped back two paces, and skillfully chanted the Goddess's honorific name in a low voice, finally speaking respectfully:
"I offer this 'Undying' Beyonder characteristic to You, wishing to receive Your grace."
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