“What do you mean?” The man naturally wouldn’t back down so easily. “The Black Lotus is originally ownerless, and I found it first, so it’s mine…”
“Is that so?” Vermilion Bird interrupted him. “Why didn’t you go find the Black Lotus before we killed the python?”
“Who asked you guys not to send someone down into the water first? It’s not our fault!” the man respond. Just as he spoke, about twenty or thirty Caucasian men and women surrounded them, each exuding a fierce aura.
“From what you’re saying, are you considering the second option?” Casey calmly spoke up. As he spoke, a chill filled the air around him.
“What do you want to do?” The man furrowed his brows. “I warn you, if you dare…”
“Three seconds!” Vermilion Bird interrupted. “I’ll give you three seconds to consider. Once time is up, I’ll make the choice for you!”
“You bastards, who do you think you are? Are you planning to rob us?” one of the man’s fellows pointed at Vermilion Bird.
“We can always call upon the Guardians to settle this!”
Before the man finished speaking, Vermilion Bird swiftly swung his blade. Without any surprises, after the blade’s arc, an arm fell to the ground and blood spurted out.
“Ah…” The man screamed in agony as he crouched down.
“You’re…” The man holding the Black Lotus furrowed his brows.
“Two seconds left!” Vermilion Bird interrupted him.
The man’s eyes narrowed, and he quickly turned and dashed away. As he ran, he shouted, “Stop them for me!”
However, after hearing his words, not a single person among the twenty-plus individuals dared to make a move. They weren’t fools. The scene of Billy and the others slaying the python was still vivid in their minds. They knew they couldn’t provoke such powerful beings.
“My apologies, wrong choice!” Casey’s voice rang out simultaneously. As he spoke, a crescent-shaped blade flashed like a shooting star and effortlessly sliced across the man’s waist.
Due to inertia, the man stumbled forward a few steps before collapsing, twitching for a few moments before going still.
“I gave you a chance, but you didn’t cherish it. Can’t blame anyone else!” Casey picked up the Black Lotus and spoke.
Ten minutes later, Billy and his group returned to the snow carriage. Alice Scott and her grandfather were also brought aboard. Then, Billy had Night Orchid describe the recent events in Glavale’s City and the Eastern Polar Domain to Alice Scott.
“What? Is it true?!” Alice Scott exclaimed in surprise after listening to Night Orchid. She didn’t expect so many major events to occur in less than a month.
Samuel Scott, standing by her side, was equally shocked. These events were clearly beyond his expectations.
“How many people does Snowflakes Sect have now?” Billy asked calmly.
“If we count everyone, there are about a thousand people!” Alice Scott replied.
“I’ll have two thousand more people sent to you from the city. I have a task for you!” Billy continued.
“Please give instructions, Commander Gardner. Within my abilities, I won’t refuse!” Alice Scott was surprised for a moment before speaking up.
“I want you to take control of all non-governmental organizations in the other four regions, excluding the Central Polar Domain, within a month. No matter what method you use, whether it’s assimilation or direct elimination! Can you handle this?”
Upon hearing his words, both Alice Scott and Samuel Scott took in a sharp breath.
“Other than the Central Polar Domain, there are about thirty different-sized power organizations in the other four regions,” Alice Scott organized her thoughts and continued, “Frost Palace and Snowstorm Pavilion no longer exist. If you send two thousand more people to Snowflakes Sect, theoretically, completing this task within a month should not be a big problem. But what if the Guardians get involved?” Alice Scott expressed her concern.
“You don’t need to worry about the Guardians, I will handle them,” Billy reassured her.
“Alright!” Alice Scott nodded vigorously. “As long as the Guardians stay out of it, I guarantee the completion of the mission!”
“Good!” Billy nodded in agreement. “Also, go back and tell your grandfather and father that they can return to the city at any time.”
“If your father is willing, he can still hold the position of Deputy City Lord.”
“Thank you, Commander Gardner!” Alice Scott’s eyes lit up with excitement as she respectfully bowed to Billy. She didn’t expect the day for her family to return to the city would come so soon.
“That will be all for today,” Billy nodded slightly. “After you finish your current tasks in the next two days, go to the city. I will have Lord Reynolds assign two thousand people to you. I look forward to good news from you in a month!”
“Understood!” Alice Scott responded solemnly. Then, she turned to bid farewell to Harleen and the others before leaving the carriage.
“Stout, let’s head back to the city!” Billy instructed as soon as they left.
“Got it!” Stout replied and drove the carriage forward.
“Boss, how should we handle the Millennium Black Lotus?” Casey asked as the carriage moved.
“Give it to Azure Fang, Bob, Ian, and Felicia!” Billy replied after a brief moment of thought.
Apart from the lotus seeds, there were more than a dozen petals in the Millennium Black Lotus, just enough for Azure Fang and the others to share.
“Okay!” Casey nodded in agreement.
“Boss, what about the beast core from the monster?” Stout asked while driving.
“Give it to Casey.” Billy responded.
There was a reason behind this arrangement. Azure Fang and the others were only one opportunity away from their breakthrough after using the spiritual fruits and stones from Snowstorm Pavilion. With the Millennium Black Lotus, there was a high chance that all four of them would reach the Eighth-rank Sovereign Realm. Furthermore, Billy wanted to have another Saint Realm expert by his side as soon as possible. According to his plan, they would soon officially enter the Central Polar Domain. Before that, he needed to help his fellows grow as quickly as possible.
“Alright!” Stout replied loudly.
“Boss, why not give the beast core to Ms Knight and Ivy?” Casey hesitated for a moment.
“We don’t need it!” Harleen and Ivy exchanged glances before speaking up. “It would be a waste to give us the beast core!”
“Casey, use it yourself!” Ivy added. “Harleen and I should be able to break through soon, so we don’t need the beast core.”
“Alright then!” Casey didn’t insist any further.
“You can use it while you’re in the carriage! I’ll keep an eye on you!” Billy continued.
“Okay!” Casey and Azure Fang’s group nodded simultaneously. Then, the five of them sat cross-legged, activating their cultivation techniques and entering a state of meditation.
As expected, the outcome was just as Billy anticipated. In less than two hours, all four of Azure Fang’s group successfully broke through to the Eighth-rank Sovereign Realm without any surprises.
“Not bad!” Billy smiled faintly as he looked at the four of them.
Harleen and the others also felt happy for them, their faces beaming with smiles.
“Thank you, Boss!” Azure Fang’s group thanked him in unison.
“Take some time to stabilize your cultivation and consolidate your progress!” Billy instructed.
“Alright!” The four of them nodded vigorously.
“Billy, why does Casey’s aura feel so unstable?” Harleen spoke up after the snow carriage had traveled for about half an hour.