"Have you heard? The Grand Mage of the ancient castle has sent out invitations again! Another gathering of extraordinary beings!"
"You're not just stating the obvious. Hey, I've been looking forward to the castle gathering for a long time. Last time, I traded for a three-headed wolf's heart. If I get two or three more, my potions will be ready!"
"Me too! I got a secret technique last time. A few days ago, I went hunting in the Spirit Realm and encountered a Hellhound at the sage level. If it weren't for that secret technique, I would have—"
Similar conversations were happening all over Tianchuan City. A certain Grand Mage Wu, as the vice president of the Wild Extraordinary Association, knew that the castle gathering was always a grand carnival for wild extraordinary beings, held at irregular intervals, and most could benefit from it.
What these wild extraordinary beings needed most was a channel for communication. The castle gathering was the best channel.
As the extraordinary beings of Tianchuan City became lively again, the Extraordinary Law Enforcement Agency was overwhelmed.
"Last time at the castle gathering, there were over ten incidents of extraordinary fights and four revenge killings, and theft of extraordinary items skyrocketed."
In the meeting, the director's expression was serious:
"This time, we must maintain basic order. Every castle gathering hides the potential for extraordinary turmoil, and we must control it. Who will go to the castle to maintain order this time?"
The attendees looked at each other, no one speaking.
Everyone knew this wasn't a good job. Those wild extraordinary beings were most hostile towards their organized, official, and managerial kind.
The director frowned, glancing at a dazed woman:
"Captain Wang, your team just did a covert investigation at the castle, you're familiar with it. How about your team maintains order this time?"
"Director!"
Captain Wang's face slightly twisted:
"I... I have matters at home these days."
"The peace of Tianchuan City is always greater than any individual's family matters!"
The director said sternly:
"Fine, it's settled. If the extraordinary crime rate at this gathering is lower than before, your team will receive collective credit. Work well; I'll be retiring soon, and the deputy director will take over my position. That position will be empty then!"
Captain Wang opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but nothing came out.
Her expression was vacant, not even aware of when the meeting adjourned.
Going to the castle again.
Fear flashed across Captain Wang's face, her heart racing. The events of that day lingered in her mind—the bronze statue, the terrifying youth who resembled an evil god.
Wang Qiuyu didn't even know how to explain it to her two teammates.
"What Grand Mage? There's no real Grand Mage in the castle!"
"The owner of the castle is a genuine evil god."
She swallowed hard. After days of research, she had learned what the bronze statue represented!
The True Shepherd.
A legendary being that nearly destroyed the Great City, devouring millions of its inhabitants!
"Hopefully, this time, nothing goes wrong."
Wang Qiuyu's face turned pale, feeling as if that evil god intended to devour everyone participating in the extraordinary gathering, just as it had devoured millions in the Great City.
"Not back yet?"
In the Executive Building.
Vice Governor's Office.
Wu Liangyu looked somber. The elder had gone to the ancestral land and had not returned any news, as if he had evaporated from the world.
There seemed to be problems at the ancestral land.
He took a deep breath, suppressing his anxiety, and looked through the reports submitted by subordinates, his gaze sharpening.
Among them, the report from the Extraordinary Law Enforcement Agency prominently mentioned the "Castle Gathering."
"Castle gathering, castle gathering."
Wu Liangyu paced back and forth. According to the report, the gathering in fifteen days would attract over a hundred extraordinary beings to the castle!
This was an excellent opportunity!
But the problem was, the elder, as a sage, had mysteriously disappeared in the castle.
"Time waits for no one!"
Wu Liangyu made up his mind and dialed a phone number.
"Patriarch, it's me, Wu Liangyu. Here's the situation."
He briefly explained:
"There seems to be some disturbance at the ancestral land, but this upcoming gathering of extraordinary beings will attract over a hundred. It's truly a great opportunity to use them as sacrifices for a grand ritual; our two ancestors will surely awaken!"
On the other end of the phone, after a moment of silence, a cold voice replied:
"Your decision is correct; this is indeed a rare opportunity. We will come as soon as possible. The elder is currently in the capital of the Eastern Hong Kingdom. I'll have him head to Tianchuan City first."
"The elder?"
Wu Liangyu was clearly surprised:
"Why is he in the Eastern Hong Kingdom?"
The Wu clan had migrated to the Great City hundreds of years ago, settling there and becoming a prominent family in the entire Three Rings, deeply intertwined in the Great City.
For instance, both the head and the deputy head of the Great City's Secret Adjustment Department were from the Wu clan!
The elder was the head of the Secret Adjustment Department.
On the other end of the phone, the patriarch's voice was grave:
"He was sent by the city lord to assist the people of the Giant Whale Islands in capturing the Order Evil Cult. The oppression against our Wu clan in the Great City has become increasingly severe. After returning to the ancestral land this time, we will be able to completely sever ties with the Great City."
After a pause, the patriarch spoke fervently:
"Our clan will be great again!"
Wu Liangyu's expression grew serious:
"Our clan will be great again!"
"All is waiting for fifteen days, waiting for that extraordinary gathering!"
After leaving the ancient castle, Wei Tuantuan did not go directly home; she felt dazed, troubled.
"How do I explain going to the capital to Dad?"
Feeling gloomy, she hesitated at her doorstep, not entering.
Finally, Wei Tuantuan turned back and walked towards the antique shop at the end of the street.
"Uncle Li!"
Pushing open the door of the antique shop, Wei Tuantuan relaxed a bit and waved:
"Have you finally remembered you have an antique shop? You said you'd close for a day, but you haven't opened for several days."
Just as Li Rong'en put away a shield and spear into storage, he smiled:
"Tuantuan's here?"
His eyes were dim, but he still smiled:
"Just got a new batch of goods. Come take a look; if you like anything, I'll gift it to you!"
"So generous?"
Wei Tuantuan was surprised:
"That doesn't sound like you."
"Now, how can you say that?"
Li Rong'en laughed and shook his head, leading Wei Tuantuan to the shelf with new items, where she carefully examined each exquisite little trinket with sparkling eyes.
"Uncle Li, which of these is most connected to the extraordinary and the mysterious?"
Wei Tuantuan instinctively asked, but then recalled the bronze statue that started it all. Her face turned slightly pale, and she asked instead:
"By the way, Uncle Li, do you remember that bronze statue I bought from you last time? Where did it come from?"
Li Rong'en paused, his eyes flickering slightly, and he smiled as he waved his hand:
"How would I remember? I get shipments in bulk every time."
After a moment, he casually asked:
"Why the sudden interest in this?"
Wei Tuantuan hesitated but ultimately said nothing. She didn't want to involve Uncle Li and simply replied:
"Oh, just asking."
Li Rong'en gazed at the girl, contemplating for a moment before saying:
"Tuantuan, do you really like studying the mysterious?"
"Of course!" Wei Tuantuan replied. "You know, Uncle Li, I just skipped a grade to senior year. I originally wanted to apply for Ancient Mysticism next year, but my dad absolutely disagrees. It's so annoying!"
Li Rong'en fell silent again, seemingly making a decision:
"Do you really want to study Mysticism?"
"Definitely!" Wei Tuantuan nodded firmly. The bronze statue, the scarecrow, that terrifying youth standing atop the red moon and transforming into a giant eye—all of these only deepened her curiosity and desire for the mysterious.
Li Rong'en reached out and patted Wei Tuantuan's head, smiling:
"Uncle Li will teach you. How about that?"
"Ah??"
Wei Tuantuan turned her head in surprise:
"You'll teach me? You know about Mysticism?"
Li Rong'en didn't explain much. After hanging the "Closed" sign on the shop door, he firmly locked it, then turned back and slightly raised his hand.
In the next moment, several shelves in the shop trembled slightly, and to Wei Tuantuan's bewildered gaze, the shelves floated into the air!
Li Rong'en flipped his palm, and the shelves landed back down. He looked at the little girl:
"Want to learn?"
Wei Tuantuan nodded vigorously.
Li Rong'en's face broke into a gentle smile again:
"I can teach you, but there's a prerequisite."
Wei Tuantuan quickly replied:
"I agree!"
"You child, don't you want to hear what the condition is?"
Li Rong'en said with some exasperation, then squatted down, looking at Wei Tuantuan:
"To learn everything from me means inheriting my legacy. The unfinished tasks I leave behind will be your responsibility, and what I must protect will also be yours to guard. Do you still want to learn?"
Seeing Uncle Li so serious, Wei Tuantuan's excitement cooled slightly, and she shrank her neck:
"Unfinished tasks? What is it that needs protection?"
"I have not yet fulfilled the duties of the Pure White Knight. What needs protection is order."
Li Rong'en's voice became particularly solemn:
"Inheriting my legacy means entering the extraordinary. You will become the new Pure White Knight, the guardian and defender of order. You will be the spear and shield of the Lord of Order!"
Wei Tuantuan listened, somewhat confused. The Lord of Order sounded like a powerful deity!
Moreover, the Pure White Knight sounded really cool!
Her eyes sparkled as she mischievously asked:
"Uncle Li, what if, I mean hypothetically, if an evil god were to invade the followers of that Lord of Order, then the Lord of Order…"
"The Lord of Order will eventually bring down thunder and punishment to protect His followers." Li Rong'en's expression was grave.
"Then I'll learn!"
Wei Tuantuan responded decisively. The Lord of Order!
That was definitely a super powerful god!
No matter how strong that guy in the castle was, he couldn't possibly rival the Lord of Order, right?
If he truly had any evil intentions and knew she was the Pure White Knight of the Lord of Order, he would surely think twice.
Yes!
Wei Tuantuan beamed, and Li Rong'en also smiled, his gaze deep.
Fifteen days left.
In fifteen days, the hunters would arrive, and in those fifteen days, this child could learn as much as possible.
He gently patted Wei Tuantuan's head:
"In fifteen days, if you can meet my requirements…"
"Then you will bear the name of the Pure White Knight. Your spear will shatter all evil heresies, and you will ride forth, clearing all that opposes order."
"At that time, light will follow you, wherever you go."
Wei Tuantuan nodded, somewhat understanding, with sparkling eyes.
"Light will follow me, wherever I go."
She clenched her fists, her spirit uplifted.