The gathering was held at a grand villa situated adjacent to a river on the Isle of Man. The dark river surface mirrored the vibrant neon lights of the city, rippling gently under the night breeze, with riverboats and cargo ships gliding slowly past, their lights shining steadily. Four chauffeured vehicles dispatched by Tianfa arrived and came to a gentle halt at the villa's parking area. The lead vehicle opened its doors, and Zhang Yuanqing, dressed in a black formal suit, stepped out first, then gracefully turned to extend his arm to Guan Ya, who followed with impeccable elegance. Sun Miaomiao and the others descended one after another, gathering around the two. The men wore identical black formal attire, while the women's gowns varied in style and color, appearing more vibrant and elaborate. Guan Ya wore a light blue off-the-shoulder gown with a full skirt that flowed to the ground, the front opening revealing her long, slender, and fair legs as she walked—simple, elegant, and refined, perfectly suited to her age of twenty-seven. Shina Reo wore a white gown with a princess-inspired silhouette, featuring two lace blossoms on her shoulders, exuding a gentle, sweet, and obedient charm reminiscent of a young princess Sun Miaomiao wore a black semi-sleeved silk dress with a knee-length silk skirt, paired with low-heeled sandals—mature yet elegant, elegant yet with a fresh, nature-inspired charm. Under the guidance of the hostess staff, the guests passed through a courtyard featuring a fountain and arrived at the brightly lit hall. The villa was clearly designed specifically for banquets: the hall had no walls, supported by nine elegant pillars that arched upward to the ceiling, where a series of ornate crystal chandeliers radiated a warm, bright glow. Tables covered in white linen were set with an array of delicacies, fruits, and beverages, and servers in wine-red V-neck uniforms moved gracefully from table to table, serving glasses of champagne and plates of dishes. Along the windowside, comfortable sofas and round tables were arranged for guests to rest and relax. On the left side, four open terraces provided spaces for enjoying views, smoking, or simply enjoying the breeze. Emma's assistant wore a business suit, carefully inspecting the venue setup, sampling the desserts, ice cream balls, and dishes, asking servers to remove any unsatisfactory items and have the chefs reprepare or remake them. Spotting Zhang Yuanqing and the others approaching, she smiled warmly and welcomed them, saying, "The reception will begin in three minutes. Guests usually arrive a few minutes late—please sit down for now." She turned to Zhang Yuanqing, implying something, and remarked, "You're looking in great shape today. Minister Wei-Ning clearly values you—don't let her down." Was she encouraging me to face off against Julian? Of course—should I win, Sean's executive reputation would suffer; if I lose, Wei-Ning wouldn't look too bad, after all. I'm part of the Five Elements Alliance anyway. Zhang Yuanqing returned a smile: "The Wood Spirit's condition has always been excellent." As they spoke, Red Chicken had already raised his glass, sipping on sparkling wine and then crunching on salt-baked lobster. The sky returned a twitch at the corner of his mouth: "The banquet hasn't even started yet. Pay attention, don't embarrass yourself." Emma's assistant smiled gently: "He's a fire master—don't hold him to such high standards." The sky returned a twitch, feeling slighted. Time passed steadily, and soon the banquet welcomed its first guests. Leading the group was a middle-aged man dressed in a light blue suit, around forty years old, with short, dark golden hair neatly combed to the back, his temples and beard well-trimmed and tidy, a subtle fish-eye crease forming at the corners of his eyes—every aspect exuding refinement. Emma approached Guan Ya and the others, her gaze following the guests as she smiled: "He's Lei Liu, a senior steward of the Merchant's Guild—part of the 'interest-driven' faction!" "The interest-driven faction?" Zhang Yuanqing asked. "The Merchant's Guild is divided between the 'integrity-driven' and the 'interest-driven' factions. The integrity-driven faction adheres strictly to contractual principles, emphasizing honesty and trust as their foundation." The Ideals of the Interest-Driven faction are simply "Only interests endure forever." They never value integrity—they pursue profit above all, even engaging in morally compromising ventures. "Rayli Eugene is one of the key figures in this faction," Emma explained with a smile. So, there must surely be a double agent among them... Zhang Yuan thought to himself. Emma's assistant welcomed the group and introduced everyone. The key figure from the Interest-Driven faction, with her bright, sharp, and worldly eyes, smiled warmly and said, "I'm a businessman—someone who always puts profit first. As long as I can charge a price, anyone can be my god. If you have any needs, just let me know." Rayli Eugene smiled pleasantly and added, "For instance, information about Julian Mede. I can provide that to you completely free of charge." Zhang Yuan had originally intended to politely decline, but upon hearing about the free offer, he said, "Then we'll listen carefully." "Listen carefully? Ha! You really know how to talk—what’s your name again? Oh, Junmang, right? Rayli Eugene leaned slightly forward, speaking softly: "Julian Med has a divided reputation at the Heaven’s Judgment Headquarters. He was once investigated by the Headquarters’ Prosecution Department on charges of collusion with evil professions and accepting bribes from them. To some upright figures, he’s seen as a negligent official. His weaknesses include being easily offended, having a narrow mind, and holding grudges—always ready to take issue with even the smallest provocation, and he’s also known for his charm and romantic inclinations. "Yet he also has strengths—strong execution skills and high natural talent. In managing subordinates and interpersonal relationships, he stands out as an exceptional leader. To his subordinates and friends, he’s seen as a principled and loyal leader who consistently defends them, stepping up whenever needed—just like…" He glanced at the members of the Five Elements Alliance, smiled, and gave them that look of "you know what I mean." Guan Ya chuckled, "Thank you for the reminder—I’ll certainly collaborate with you at some point." After a few polite exchanges, Rayli Eugene and his team moved toward the dining table to enjoy Not long after, another group of guests arrived, with a black chocolate lady in a deep-dress leading the way. The lady wore a sleek, sensuous black gown, with full, sensuous lips, a slender face, prominent cheekbones, and smooth, lustrous black hair elegantly gathered high at the crown. "Mrs. Dubaugh-Ball, a senior steward of the Merchant's Guild, known for her integrity," Emma introduced. The black lady in a formal evening dress glanced toward Raylee Eugene, then shrugged with a teasing tone. "I think Raylee Eugene just said: as long as you do business with me, you're my God." "Oh my, what a group of professionals—without any sense of professionalism! Reputation and contractual integrity are the most vital things for merchants." Kaya smiled and nodded in agreement. "Mrs. Ball, I completely share your view. Also, your Chinese is truly excellent." "Thank you for the kind words. Proficiency in multiple languages is a fundamental quality of any successful merchant." Mrs. Bower smiled and leaned close to Guan Ya, speaking softly, "Julian Med is difficult to handle, but he's well known for his charm. With just a glass of wine, he can be soothed—especially a lady as beautiful as you. The Chinese have a saying—well, something like that: 'turning swords into plowshares.' " Guan Ya's smile remained unchanged. "Encouraging ladies to use their beauty as a tool isn't exactly a mark of virtue," she replied. Mrs. Bower's smile faded; she shrugged, "The true virtues of a merchant are pursuing profit and managing risk." Her expression instantly grew cold, and she turned her attention away from the members of the Wu Xing Alliance, leading her subordinates straight ahead. Zhang Yuanqing caught the edge of her ear twitching, and heard Mr. Dubaing Bower say, "These Chinese are so arrogant and dismissive—they simply won't listen to good advice. In their own words, they're 'not showing appreciation.'" The phrase "not showing appreciation" was said in Mandarin. One of her subordinates huffed, "Indeed. I hope Julian Med will give them a good lesson—otherwise, the banquet will be The members of the King's faction all furrowed their brows, except for Red Chicken, who couldn't understand the foreign language. The rest felt a growing sense of displeasure. At that moment, another group of guests walked in from outside the villa—dressed in casual attire, not the formal evening wear typically reserved for banquets. Leading them was a tall man, standing at 1.90 meters, with a rounded belly, a full beard, curly hair, and an unpolished, relaxed appearance, exuding a faint saltiness reminiscent of the sea. He held a bottle of beer in his hand. If one hadn't seen him in such a setting, he would have immediately struck Zhang Yuanqing as a fisherman or a wanderer seeking food at a harbor. His subordinates, though equally unrefined, carried an air of arrogance, like a group of unruly, self-assured street toughs. But you won't get me to help you—because I don't want to fight Julian. That guy's no pushover; I'm here just to watch the show. Even if you praise my spiritual realm ID, I won't consider stepping in." Crank, pouring beer with the inherent arrogance of a sea nymph and a lively, personality-driven charm. Emma smiled. "Cronos is the name of the mythical giant sea monster from Norse legend—he's been particularly proud since registering under this ID." Impolite, arrogant, and somewhat tedious, yet without any clear hostility. That's the common impression among the members of the Departed faction. Where is Julian? Didn't he come to cause trouble?... Zhang Yuanqing welcomed one wave after another of guests—members of the Department of Divine Judgment, local civic organizations. The Department of Divine Judgment members completely ignored Zhang Yuanqing and the others, showing a clear stance—only needing to write "You're in for it" on their faces. Among civilian organizations, there are groups led by Nigo that maintain orderly structures, as well as ethnic Chinese organizations such as Hong Bang, Bao Lin Tang, and Hei Long Tang. Just like these ethnic Chinese groups, the several organizations have ignored the Five Elements Alliance's delegation, maintaining a clear "don't even come near" attitude. As the first employee to join Tianfa, Shinoya Ryō quietly explained: "Civilian organizations tend to align closely with the Executive Department, since the Executive Department serves as their 'immediate superior,' while the Supervisory Department primarily handles internal oversight." In essence, she meant that since our team has clashed with the Executive Department, no civilian organization would extend any goodwill toward us. As she spoke, Zhang Yuanqing noticed a familiar face entering the room—a young man with a refined appearance and a scholarly demeanor. It was none other than Wind God's Wings, the faction opposing the Black and White Alliance. Behind him were six subordinates, one of whom was the head of Group Six, with a spiritual realm ID of "Self-Improvement Without Ceasing." Had they come as well? Indeed, the Anti-White-Black Coalition is a major organization among the Chinese-American community, and Feng Shen Zhi Yi is one of the key successors nurtured by the faction—sending him makes perfect sense. After Feng Shen Zhi Yi entered the hall, Zhang Yuanqing surveyed the room and then walked straight over. "Feng Shen Zhi Yi, Senior Councilor of the Chinatown Anti-White-Black Coalition," he said, nodding to Guan Ya and the others, speaking in a simplified, home-style Mandarin: "I heard Julian Mede wants to cause trouble with you. My suggestion is to ignore him for now. If you absolutely can't avoid him, and if none of you has a Level Six rank, I can step in to fight on your behalf. However, Julian has significantly more experience than I do, and I'm not entirely confident in my victory." Guan Ya smiled and nodded, accepting the host's kindness. Upon hearing the guest's accent and seeing his thoughtful demeanor, Red Chicken Brother immediately embraced him warmly, becoming friends and inviting Feng Shen Zhi Yi to drink wine together. As time passed, the number of guests grew, elegant ladies in flowing gowns and distinguished gentlemen in black formal attire clinked glasses and engaged in graceful conversations. The delegations from the Five Elements Alliance held their wine glasses, somewhat awkwardly clustering together. Except for the absence of members from the Goddess Association, members from the Executive Department viewed them with hostility, the Integrity faction of the Merchant Guild held them in disdain, and various civilian organizations likewise treated them coldly. Guan Ya and her companions, unwilling to face the situation of a warm face meeting a cold back, found themselves gathering in groups, speaking only to one another. Among the other regional travelers present, many had come specifically for the festivities—watching the drama between senior stewards was a natural delight, especially since the other side consisted of official representatives from the second-largest region. Back then, when the Archmages led their delegation to the Five Elements Alliance, their three Saint-level officers were thoroughly thrashed by the Prime Immortal, losing face and dignity. Now, with the tides of fortune turning, it was time for the Five Elements Alliance to witness the true strength of the Free Federation. The sound of swallowing continued. ……Zhang Yuanqing forcibly concentrated his spirit, suppressing his admiration, desire, and compassion, only then did his consciousness regain clarity. In his mind, he recalled the lady's profile: Tanna Carolin, president of the Association of the Goddess of Beauty's New Covenant District Branch, an Eighth-Level Sovereign, renowned as the most beautiful woman in the New Covenant District, possessing a charm that no ordinary person could resist. Her lovers were proportional to her allure—well-known politicians, top tycoons, high-ranking officials within orderly organizations, and even prominent figures from the chaotic faction—were all among her circle of close associates. Moreover, Tanna was known for actively mentoring emerging talents, occasionally inviting gifted young members from various organizations to stay over at her home. Amid the ongoing conflict between the orderly and chaotic factions, the Association of the Goddess of Beauty has firmly aligned with the orderly side, yet has remained untouched by any retaliatory actions or attacks from the chaotic faction. No one could withstand the power of love and desire, nor could anyone harm them. Behind Lady Danna, eight voluptuous professionals of passion—angelic faces with divine physiques—followed. Zhang Yuanqing spotted Anne among them. Anne was an exceptionally striking beauty, her golden hair flowing gracefully, her clear blue eyes like spring water, standing out even among the crowd of passion professionals. Yet, now trailing behind Lady Danna, she appeared merely a supporting figure. As Zhang Yuanqing watched, a surge of deep affection and desire welled up within him, making him eager to immediately declare his love to this ethereal beauty, to spend a night of romance with her. Should she refuse, he would take bold action, even resorting to force. Calm, calm… he quickly composed himself, banished distractions, and silently reflected: Passion professionals are truly a career that defies convention. Knowing the bus is packed, you still insist on squeezing in, breaking your own back. Knowing the road is bustling with traffic, you still drive tirelessly, only to lose yourself in the journey and the scenery along the way. At that moment, Anne stepped forward and whispered a few words into the ear of the president, Donna. Donna smiled gently, and with her right hand, wearing a black silk glove, she reached out into the air, drawing a sheer outer garment from the void and draped it over herself. Instantly, her figure seemed veiled in a dark curtain, her captivating charm softened and contained—transformed into a woman whose beauty and grace were flawless, yet one who never overwhelmed or distracted the observer. The gentlemen and ladies enchanted by her presence gradually regained their composure, some deeply moved, others quietly irritated, all gazing at Donna with complex expressions as she maintained a gentle smile and moved with her staff toward the window-side lounge area. The men in attendance gradually approached, each holding a glass of wine, displaying their polished manners and eloquence, like peacocks spreading their feathers. Donna warmly engaged with each of them, offering attentive and courteous words of greeting and conversation, and gracefully stepped back to one side, unwilling to stray too far. Yet none of them received any special treatment. Hong Ji nodded softly, "Really beautiful. I want to sleep!" Tian Xia Gui furrowed his brow, "Pay attention to your words—don't embarrass yourself." Saying this, he quietly swallowed a lump of saliva. Guan Ya and Sun Miao Miao rolled their eyes, while Shina Reo also subtly tucked in her chin, maintaining a composed demeanor—women, by nature, often harbor inherent resistance and caution toward the profession of love and desire. "Actually, I think they're quite ordinary!" Zhang Yuanqing noticed the glances from Sun Miao Miao and Guan Ya, and promptly issued his opinion with firm conviction. Ema approached, smiling, "Go say hello. Madame Tangna was invited by Minister Wei Ni. With her presence, the mobilization meeting can proceed smoothly, and the orderly faction can unite effectively." Then, she smiled warmly at the men in the group, saying, "Executive Officer Xiong will be attending the banquet later tonight—Madame Tangna will be with him." She was subtly reminding the men not to become overly enthusiastic, or risk displeasing the Chief Executive Officer. Tian Xia Gui nodded. "Will Julian Med follow his father?" "Not only Zhang Yuanqing is waiting for that person, but the saints who have returned from the realm of the dead are also waiting. At the rest area by the window, Mother Donna turns her head to look at Anne beside her, her voice gentle: 'You've never been to the New Covenant County before, haven't you? Besides the men from the Sea God Church who are a bit rough, the young people from the other organizations are all excellent. Why not try picking someone to get close to? Have you someone you're particularly interested in?'"