"Velen, stop hiding it. You must have millennial afterlife flowers!"
Kevin quickly stepped in front of Velen, speaking earnestly:
"This mythical spiritual herb must be treasured. You absolutely can't just use it as incense!"
"No worries. I have three millennial afterlife flowers. Using one as incense shouldn't be a problem, right?"
Velen replied casually.
After learning about the effects of the millennial afterlife flower, he thought lighting one as incense would surely be an incredible experience!
The rarer something was, the more tempting it was to try!
"Velen, you really have three millennial afterlife flowers?"
Robert couldn't sit still any longer. He rushed to Velen's side, his face full of longing.
"Can you sell them all to me? No matter the cost, I'm willing to pay!"
The millennial afterlife flower was crucial for his advancement. It could preserve his soul from destruction!
As a Tier-9 alchemist, Robert also couldn't stand the thought of Velen wasting such a precious herb.
But Velen simply shook his head and turned to Anastasia.
"Since I'm now part of the Watchers' Legion, and Miss Anastasia is the captain, this millennial afterlife flower is a gift to you!"
"The second afterlife flower I must light as incense to enjoy its fragrance—no one can stop me!"
"As for the third afterlife flower, I don't have any particular use for it. If Elder Kevin helps me more in the future, I might consider giving it to him."
With that, Velen allocated the three millennial afterlife flowers.
"Velen… this gift is too precious!"
Anastasia looked at the red afterlife flower in her hand, her face flushing with excitement.
Velen was far too generous to her. First, he had given her 100,000 gold coins, then invited her to join the Watchers' Legion, and now he was gifting her this priceless millennial afterlife flower.
With Velen's extravagant style, she suspected she'd receive even more treasures from him in the future!
At this rate, she almost felt as though Velen were supporting her.
But she was supposed to be the mentor, the captain of the fortress, providing benefits to Velen and his team—not the other way around!
She instinctively wanted to return the afterlife flower to Velen, but thinking about how critical it could be for her future advancement, she hesitated.
At the same time, Robert stared intently at the afterlife flowers in front of Velen, his mind racing.
"Velen, I can help you too. If I perform well, could I get this afterlife flower?"
Kevin, hearing this, bristled with anger. "Robert, is this how you treat your friends? That millennial afterlife flower is already reserved for me!"
He needed the afterlife flower just as much!
"Velen only said he's considering giving it to you. Giving it to me isn't out of the question. Can't you yield to an old friend?"
The two began arguing.
Meanwhile, Alan paid no attention to the commotion. The only thought in his mind was figuring out how to sneak a whiff when Velen lit the afterlife flower as incense.
"Miss Anastasia, the fortress still needs people, right? Could I join as an elder?"
Ultimately, Robert, being a civilized man, couldn't outargue the crafty Kevin. He shifted strategies, aiming to stay close to Velen through Anastasia.
Anastasia's eyes widened.
"Elder Robert, are you seriously considering joining the fortress?"
She knew Robert well. Not only was he an Ascended Rank powerhouse and a Tier-9 alchemist, but his influence extended across many regions!
Having someone like him join the fortress was an unimaginable boon.
"Of course, I'm serious! I held your father when he was a child—he even peed on me! If you won't allow it, I'll take this up with him directly!"
Seeing her hesitation, Robert grew anxious.
Though he didn't know much about Velen yet, anyone who could casually bring out three millennial afterlife flowers and distribute them so nonchalantly was undoubtedly someone with unimaginable power and connections.
Missing this opportunity to get closer to him would be a lifelong regret!
Seeing Robert's eagerness, Anastasia nodded quickly.
"The fortress would, of course, welcome Elder Robert! But don't you still have many businesses to manage?"
"I'll leave all that to my juniors." Robert waved dismissively.
With a bigshot like Velen around, all other matters could wait. His priority was figuring out how to win his favor!
"Kevin, let's settle this—whoever performs better gets the afterlife flower!"
Kevin hadn't expected Robert to be so ruthless, but he wasn't about to back down. "Fine, let's see who's better!"
Anastasia, watching the scene unfold, suddenly felt a bit dazed.
Wait, what was going on?
Why was there another person in the fortress?
She hadn't planned on recruiting anyone initially.
Now, in addition to Velen and Alan, there was also an elder!
All she had wanted was to quietly level up and prepare for her revenge in the upper plane universe!
"By the way, do you all know about Tier-9 Starry Stones?"
Velen glanced at Robert and the others, asking curiously.
At his words, everyone's heads buzzed, and they immediately surrounded him.
"You have Tier-9 Starry Stones?!"
Their eyes widened, burning with intensity, and the air seemed to heat up from their excitement.
Seeing their reactions, Velen realized that Tier-9 Starry Stones might be even more valuable than the afterlife flowers!
He quickly cleared his throat. "I was just asking."
But his denial didn't fool Robert and the others.
They all stared at Velen with complex expressions, knowing he must possess such a priceless treasure.
Even Alan, after a moment of silence, looked at Velen with unwavering conviction and admiration.
"Big brother, oh big brother! Where exactly did you come from, you tycoon young master?!"
As everyone was caught up in their excitement, Anastasia's bracelet suddenly vibrated.
Kevin's expression immediately turned serious.
Anastasia glanced toward the fortress, her expression growing complicated.
"Let's go. My father has arrived—probably to inspect my progress in establishing the fortress."
Not long after.
With Anastasia leading them, Velen and the others—along with the white rabbit—returned to the fortress.
Hovering in the sky above the fortress stood a dignified man, his hands behind his back. The sheer pressure he exuded caused the surrounding space to warp slightly.
Seeing their arrival, the middle-aged man turned toward Anastasia, his eyes carrying a hint of reproach.
"Anastasia, where are the Watchers' Legion members you recruited? Didn't I tell you not to fight alone anymore?"
He had already scanned the area and found it empty of Awakeners.
It was clear Anastasia hadn't followed his instructions, leaving him deeply displeased.
Anastasia quickly stepped forward to explain. "Father, these two are the members I recruited for the Watchers' Legion! This is Velen, my vice-captain!"
Though there were only two people, it was enough to barely meet expectations.
Before her reincarnation in the upper plane universe, Anastasia had been an orphan.
Now, reborn as the Ducal Manor's eldest daughter, cherished by her parents, she greatly respected them.
Hearing this, Duke Anthony Michelstein's expression softened slightly.
He knew Anastasia well—she rarely cared about anything.
Not only had she recruited two people, but she had also appointed a vice-captain. She seemed to value this one highly.
Curious, he asked:
"What's his mana core rank?"
"Does he have a bloodline talent?"
"What level has he reached?"
A barrage of questions poured out.
Anastasia rolled her eyes but knew this was her father's way of testing her. She answered earnestly:
"No mana core. No bloodline talent…"
Hearing this, Duke Michelstein's mouth twitched.
"Isn't that just a complete waste?"
"And this is the vice-captain you appointed?!"
Velen stepped forward confidently and introduced himself:
"Duke Michelstein, my name is Velen. I provided Miss Anastasia with some gold coins and resources and was just promoted to vice-captain!"
Though Duke Michelstein held a high position, Velen, bolstered by his system, showed no hint of intimidation.
??
Duke Michelstein was utterly baffled. His face darkened as he glared at Anastasia.
"Anastasia, what are you doing? How could you sell a spot in the Watchers' Legion?"
"And you even gave him such an important position as vice-captain?!"