"Todd has a point. Let's use an [Initiation Trial] to test Stelle."
"Please allow me to reiterate for Ms. Stelle... up until now, she has shown no inclination to join us."
"Wow, you kid are sensible!"
Stelle hadn't expected Screwlloyd to take the initiative to help her out; he was thoughtful.
"That won't do. You killed my wolves. Whether you join or not, you must contribute an equal amount of meritorious deeds so that I won't hold this against you."
"Mmh... give us some time."
Stelle took Adrian to a secluded place to discuss countermeasures.
"Let's review the situation. I helped that woman named Benna find her sheep, but they were all eaten by wolves. The wolves weren't satisfied and planned to eat us too, so I dealt with them all."
"Then... we were taken by Todd to meet this group calling themselves the [Release Guild]. They insist on me joining, which is a bit troublesome. If I had known, I would have refused from the start." Stelle shook her head.
The moment she embarked on the journey, the way back was cut off. If she regretted it now, she wouldn't be herself.
"Join them. I believe you can do it."
"The Alliance does not prohibit merchants believing in [Abundance] Yaoshi from arriving on the Xianzhou for trade. This open and inclusive policy has brought quite a bit of trouble to the Realm-Keeping Commission in maintaining the order of the Xianzhou."
Adrian said, "This [Release Guild] is one of the troubles. The few people coming in and out are law-abiding citizens insulated from crime, but these people believe in the so-called Path of [Abundance] and firmly believe that their act of releasing life can accumulate merit and receive blessings."
"Understood, time for the Galaxy's No. 1 Undercover Hero to take the stage again!"
Stelle understood instantly. Join the [Release Guild], dismantle them from within, and maybe even get an honorary medal from the Realm-Keeping Commission...
Presumably, the legend of her [going deep behind enemy lines to outsmart the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus] was circulating within the Six Commissions of the Luofu... Wait, dismantling from within, isn't that Phantylia behavior?
When it comes to dismantling such organizations, Stelle is a professional.
If Stelle really couldn't dismantle the [Release Guild], then don't blame her for being ruthless and directly inviting an Aeon to prevent them from doing anything too outrageous.
Looking at Screwlloyd not far away... Mmh, it seems an undercover agent has already infiltrated the [Release Guild].
"I just discussed with the [Five Kindhearted Ones] about what kind of initiation trial to give us." Todd crossed her arms over her chest. Tonya emphasized repeatedly:
"It's the [Three Kindhearted Ones] now! We unanimously agree that you should solve the current problem for us."
"You must have noticed... the lives released by the three of us form a food chain. Heathmann's plants are eaten by my Faunus Red-Haired Sheep, and my little sheep are eaten by Tonya's fierce beasts..."
A troubled expression quietly appeared on Benna's face: "If this goes on, what merit are we accumulating! It's all consumed internally!"
Although the relationship between members of the [Release Guild] wasn't great to begin with, the formation of the food chain was now an internal war for them!
Among them, the saddest was Heathmann.
"Plants, unable to resist... always the biggest losers!"
"Sigh~ I don't have to worry. I will never get involved in your stupid things. The superiority of our [Microscopic Faction] comes from this!" Nannan showed a smug look.
"You from the [Perfunctory Faction], you have no right to speak here."
Tonya looked at Screwlloyd. The guy who released milk tea didn't say a word, looking very sensible. This Nannan wasn't even as good as him.
"Alright, alright, stop fighting~" Todd intervened again to reconcile. "In short, the initiation trial for our master and apprentice duo has been finalized! Find a way to solve the [Food Chain Problem] among the [Three Kindhearted Ones]."
"When did we become master and apprentice?" Stelle turned her head.
"Eh~ That's not right. Cultivating the younger generation of the [Release Guild] and helping them pass the trial is also my duty. So in a sense, we are naturally master and apprentice."
"Finding a solution that satisfies all three of us is the core of this trial. Ignore the two gods of the [Perfunctory Faction]."
Tonya had automatically categorized Screwlloyd with Nannan. Logically, he should start his own faction, let's call it the [Outrageous Faction].
"This initiation trial is quite interesting. You guys go ahead, I'll discuss it with her alone."
As Stelle was pulled away by Todd, Adrian found Screwlloyd teasing birds not far away.
"Being squeezed out, this style isn't like you."
"By the grace of [Eternity], your appearance was truly unexpected to me... Mmh, rather, that Baseballer lady is the biggest variable."
"As you can see, I am not well-received in this organization called the [Release Guild]. I tried to discuss [Eternity] with them many times and make the Church's name famous on the Luofu, but without exception, I was politely refused."
Screwlloyd looked up, his gaze locked in the direction Todd disappeared. "Mmh... a person from the [Tavern] also appeared in the [Release Guild]. Question: What is her purpose?"
Before Adrian could answer, Screwlloyd answered himself: "With the mentality of seeking amusement, it seems... Ms. Todd's ultimate goal is the same as mine."
The Church's consistent style: persuade kindly to preach [Eternity], but get treated coldly. Leaving aside Screwlloyd himself, this is simply great disrespect to Ite!
Now that HE Himself is standing in front of him, doesn't that explain the problem?!
What? You ask what releasing milk tea has to do with [Eternity]? Is this milk tea made by the [Eternity] Aeon? Answer me!
The moment he saw Adrian arrive, Screwlloyd changed his original idea. Since they were so obsessed with [Release], he would do the opposite and let these [Three Kindhearted Ones] experience the feeling of being released!
...
"The small lives released by these three people form a food chain, hunting each other, dealing a fatal blow to their friendship and faith..."
"But how can we ensure that the things they release won't form a food chain?" This question was thought-provoking but didn't stump Stelle at all.
Thought she would say low-end and formulaic answers like [Let them release in another world] or [Everyone releases only the same kind of life]? That would be dead wrong!
"Wouldn't releasing themselves solve it?" Stelle went straight to the root of the problem.
Todd's eyes lit up. She was right! Being able to come up with the same solution as her meant Stelle was qualified to join the [Tavern]!
But now, Todd had to cover up her true thoughts and couldn't expose herself too early:
"Oh my! That's a really good idea... The only downside is that it's a bit scary. I think we can let the [Three Gods] try releasing the same kind of creature."
"Three different foods form a food chain, but the same kind of animal won't hunt itself! However, the [Three Kindhearted Ones] are all stubborn. Once they decide on their path, they won't change easily."
"How about this? Let's look for commonalities among the release objects of these three people? There must be a life form in this world that can meet all their needs at the same time..."