Lu Jun said lightly: "It's Secretary Vini at Councilor Zhu Meng's side, right?"
Blue Bat's eyes widened in shock: "You also know?!"
"Hehe," he said, "I not only know Vini, there are more problems appearing in the Hangzhou Magic Association. For example, another of the Red Cardinals' agents, Leng Jue, and the Chief Judge Cheng Ying of the Second-level Wuyi Mountain Tribunal…"
At this, Blue Bat's expression changed unpredictably, unable to help staring at the cold-faced youth across from her, his eyes seeming to smile yet not, her mind turbulent.
She had originally thought that he controlled her to obtain information on the Black Vatican.
Unexpectedly, she hadn't even spoken, and Lu Jun already knew everything—what she knew, he knew; what she didn't know, he still knew. What meaning did controlling her even have?
Seeing this, Lu Jun felt nostalgic. When he had awakened at fifteen, he had already faced oppression from the Black Vatican in Bo City. The reason he hadn't reported it to the Magic Association was because of these two people. Now, the time to handle it had come.
"I know you want to send a message to the Tribunal to deal with these two."
Lu Jun paused and continued: "But wait a little longer, let me deal with Cold Prince first!"
At these words, Blue Bat froze. To go hunt a Red Cardinal… this was quite the move.
She deeply sensed that the young man before her was unfathomable. Salan had been personally found and killed by him, and now Cold Prince was next.
"In addition, I also know the identity of a third Red Cardinal. Hehe, let's handle them all together when the time comes."
Lu Jun seemed as if explosive news alone wasn't enough; he revealed another major secret.
Hiss! Blue Bat inhaled sharply. A third Red Cardinal? She had previously only glimpsed the Red Cardinals from afar, who had caused chaos in an entire country, yet in his mouth they sounded like chickens waiting to be slaughtered—slain on a whim.
She felt awe in her heart and dared not move recklessly, lest she interfere with Lu Jun's grand plan.
At the same time, she silently thought: "Since for now, this person's overall goal aligns with mine, I'll just follow his instructions for the time being."
Then, Blue Bat recalled something and said to Lu Jun: "I… I have some intelligence to report."
"Recently, the Parthenon Temple has been searching for me and Yan Qiu, seemingly to confirm Salan's survival."
"Parthenon, huh?" Lu Jun's mind shifted. He thought: "Could it be that the matter has shown a sign?"
After the National Institute Competition, the previous generation's Goddess, Wen Tai's sister [Yizhisa], ambitiously promoted a resurrection plan in the Dark Dimension underworld, thus uniting the old followers of Parthenon Holy City to instigate chaos.
Yizhisa's target was the three contemporary Parthenon goddess candidates, intending to eliminate or subjugate them all. These three were Asharuiya, Ander, and Panny Jia.
Later, the High Priestess intervened, elevating Ye Xinxia to the fourth candidate, exposing her divine soul, and similarly entangling her in a massive crisis, nearly costing her life.
After all, Yizhisa could not allow the divine soul to remain in another's hands. Upon her return, she intended to seize control of the Temple, showing a ruthlessness that even nominal nieces Asharuiya and Ye Xinxia were to be killed.
The entire chain of events began with Yizhisa framing Xinxia for assassinating the saintly Ander, falsely claiming she was Salan.
Ridiculous—Yizhisa's own brother was Wen Tai. Could he not know his sister-in-law was Salan? This was done deliberately.
Lu Jun shook his head, guessing why a faction within Parthenon was probing Blue Bat. They likely wanted to proceed according to the original plan and did not believe someone as formidable as Salan was truly dead.
"When Han Ji announces the news, they will understand. I wonder if this time, without Salan's help, Xinxia can survive."
His thoughts wandered, unable to predict how the situation would unfold. He could only instruct Blue Bat: "You don't need to interfere, just hide yourself well."
On the Venice River, Blue Bat departed quietly, leaving only Lu Jun on a drifting sightseeing yacht.
A moment later, he sailed to the dock and returned the rented vessel.
As he stepped ashore, suddenly, a pair of jade feet in delicate high-heeled sandals appeared before him. The skin was snow-white, toes like tiny beans. Looking upward, he saw a beautiful woman in a skirt, her bearing elegant and noble.
Lu Jun was slightly stunned and said: "Asharuiya… is that you?"
On the shore, the woman's face was faintly veiled, revealing only eyes deep black with azure brilliance, exuding exotic charm.
Asharuiya smiled coquettishly: "What? Surprised? This is my territory; why shouldn't I seek you out?"
"Hehehe…" Lu Jun shook his head with a smile: "Nothing, I restrained you in the ancient capital, didn't expect you'd dare appear before me."
At his words, Asharuiya's breathing quickened, her high chest rising and falling violently.
After a moment, she calmed herself, inwardly annoyed that this guy always hit where it hurt! If she hadn't been out of options, she wouldn't have come to beg this man.
Asharuiya's beautiful eyes narrowed, and she sneered coldly: "I already said Europe is on my territory. My people have surrounded the area; I'll capture you immediately, and all the humiliation I suffered will be returned to you a hundredfold!"
Lu Jun calmly released his consciousness to scan the surroundings. Seeing no one around, he realized she was all show and no substance. At once, he understood why Asharuiya had come to find him.
As expected, it was probably regarding the Tyrant Mountain Range expedition, investigating whether Wen Tai's friend, her elder, the Black Dragon Emperor, was still alive.
Without hesitation, he mercilessly pierced through Asharuiya's lie, saying with confidence: "Then if you have the skill, capture me!"
Asharuiya, seeing that this man was utterly impervious, began to suspect her own foolishness in coming to seek his help.
She had no choice. She was truly out of options. The subordinates of the Parthenon Temple, though respectful to her, only offered respect.
Even those who had sworn loyalty were untrustworthy; there might be traitors among them. Moreover, with the Goddess selection of the Temple approaching, the atmosphere was tense and unpredictable—unsuitable for reliance.
News of the Black Dragon Emperor could not leak, or it would attract many coveting strong figures. She could only select someone completely unrelated and unaware to act in concert.
Considering character and strength, she found that among the National Institute teams that had arrived from various countries, the only suitable candidate she knew was Lu Jun—no prior connection, but enough to cooperate.
"Forget it." Asharya gave up all pretenses and said bluntly: "I want to invite you on a field expedition. As compensation, how about a Lightning-type Soul Seed?"
Lu Jun stroked his chin and chuckled inwardly. The treatment offered by her was worlds apart from how the original timeline's Mo Fan was treated.
Mo Fan had to pay eight hundred million in intelligence fees—truly an example of being sold out and still having to pay.
He, however, casually received a top-tier Lightning Soul Seed, [Tyrant Wasteland Lightning], for free—this was the difference when someone had a need from you!
So Lu Jun feigned contemplation, putting on a reluctant expression: "I don't even need a Lightning-type Soul Seed."
Unspoken meaning: pay me more!
Asharya's silver teeth clenched, nearly shattering. This guy… took the advantage and still acted coy!
For additional chapters
Versatile mage {40 chapters}
Douluo Dalu:This Soul Master is to Weird {30 Chapters}
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