The overlord of the gods is interrogating the alien female spy.

　"Ahem...that's not bad."

　Wang, on the other side, picked up his wine and took a sip. He thought that after spending some time on the frontier, he had become accustomed to the strength of the wine there, but he still coughed twice from the spiciness. Then he also realized what was hidden in this wine.

　This Qilin's abilities are truly unexpected.

　"I've just added some nourishing ingredients. If you like, please drink more; it's good for your health."

　This pot of wine is the product of Chen Lingxu's experimentation with his own abilities; all his powers can be tasted in this wine. But whether one can understand it depends on whether the drinker has the comprehension.

　After this round of drinks, Chen Lingxu understood that their ranking was not just empty talk.

　As the first to be born, as another 'year' (Shuo), he was also the first to taste the wine.

　Then comes Wang, who ranks second. Although his physical abilities seem poor, his comprehension is many times better than that of a certain bottom-ranked student.

　"cough……"

　Then look at Xi Gua. After taking a sip of wine, she was coughing. If there weren't so many people around, she probably would have stuck out her tongue and had to drink milk because of the spiciness.

　After a few rounds of drinks and some polite conversation, the organizer of the banquet finally revealed his plan.

　"What do the giant beasts look like in the eyes of the Celestial Venerable?"

　"A giant beast? If I think about it, I saw one ten thousand years ago. But that was all I knew, so I don't know much about what the other giant beasts on this planet are like."

　The giant beast that Yuanshi Tianzun subdued possessed the memories of a thousand years, as everyone knows.

　The Beast of Time, whose power is not to be underestimated among the giant beasts, although it is still somewhat inferior to Sui, has already proven the strength of the Primordial Celestial Lord by being able to subdue it.

　"but."

　Chen Lingxu glanced at Xi Gua, whose face was flushed red, and spoke again under the gaze of the others.

　"Now, I'm also quite interested in that old man buried beneath this city."

　Did you notice?

　That makes sense. Given that he is the leader of the Beast Kingdom, it's quite reasonable for him to have such a strong vision and understanding.

　Wang wasn't surprised and went along with what he said.

　Xi, who had just been thinking about when to hint to him to make herself appear reliable enough in front of her older brothers and sisters, was stunned by her second brother's words.

　What do you mean by "they all took down Sui together"?

　What does it mean to give true freedom to the film industry?

　...They are just small branches that have grown from that giant beast, like tributaries of a great river. Can they really destroy the source and truly live in this world?

　"I see. Just as I expected."

　After learning about the relationship between Sui Pian and Sui, and the relationship between Sui and Yan, Chen Lingxu had already anticipated this situation.

　"But how can you guarantee that you won't be wiped out the moment Sui wakes up?"

　The plot of a clone being instantly killed by the main body is a classic scenario. Chen Lingxu didn't even need to think to know that something would go wrong. Among the people present, at least one would die at Sui's hands because of this plan. In a more serious case, all eight Sui clones in this city would be sent away, allowing Sui to be instantly resurrected.

　It cannot be guaranteed.

　No one knows what the outcome will be after awakening Sui. Maybe they'll all enter the dungeon together, only to have the entire team disconnect as soon as the boss appears, leaving only Qilin Tianzun to fight Sui.

　"I do have an idea."

　Seeing their hesitation, Chen Lingxu went along with it and offered his services.

　He voiced his thoughts.

　"I have long since transcended the mortal realm and created my own network of authority."

　After the sun rose twice, the number of 'named' subordinate positions, which originally had only seven, has now expanded to fourteen. In addition to the seven from the furnace, Chen Lingxu can now recruit twenty-one powerful subordinates.

　These retinues will protect this radiant Emperor, expanding and extending His power. Besides the most powerful 'Named Ones,' there are two other types of retinues: the Immortals and the Enlightened Ones, one for every seven of the former, making their numbers numerous.

　Chen Lingxu could hand over the seat of the immortal to these old people, but that would be too wasteful.

　Even if she is as weak as Xi, it is only because her human body is relatively fragile. As the original body of the film, her strength is still considerable and she deserves to be named.

　Chen Lingxu could also use them to reassemble a Sui, subdue it as a named individual, thus saving eleven slots.

　But it's unnecessary. He's attracted to good looks, not physical strength.

　Besides, even if the reconstructed Sui is stronger, he still can't surpass himself in terms of numerical value.

　Shuo already understood what he meant.

　The behemoths can use their power to create unique followers. Just like the ink-like creatures in the painting, Xi, as their master, can decide their fate at will.

　These beings, like the "familiars" created by the year itself, are difficult to escape the control of the year as their source, no matter how strong they become.

　Now, another 'god' has extended an olive branch.

　"I need to find time to deal with real opponents and won't waste too much time on mundane affairs. Therefore, I urgently need manpower to help manage this civilization."

　Instead of searching the entire universe for lumberjacks, we should wait patiently. Once we develop Terran civilization, they will naturally follow our lead.

　When we finally wipe out this cosmic cancer, and the lumberjacks' heads roll all over the ground, everyone will be at peace.

　However, Chen Lingxu was too lazy to waste his time adjusting the development direction of civilization bit by bit and in detail, so he needed people to work for him. These people all had deep feelings for the Great Yan Dynasty, and with the Golden-Winged Bird on the other side, it was perfect to give them these jobs.

　"I am not an unreasonable person. If you are willing, you can sign a contract and join my team. I will also guarantee your safety in the upcoming battle. If you are not willing, then come back to me when you think of a way to save your lives."

　Chen Lingxu did not reject Wang's proposal to cooperate in eliminating Sui.

　He glanced at Xi, who happened to look at him, and he unabashedly captured her gaze.

　"I will help you deal with Sui. Not because of the interests of the Great Yan, nor because your plans are fun."

　Xi watched as he picked up his glass, raised it to her in greeting, and saw him smile at her.

　"It's just because I really love someone so much that I can't bear to see her die like this."

　It's like when she's painting and gets so engrossed in the work that her brushstrokes become so sharp they pierce through the paper.

　With a buzzing sound, a string in Xi's head snapped.

　Chapter Seventy-Nine: Little Evening Melon

　To ensure everyone's safety, the plan to hunt down the "Year" was scheduled to take place after all the Year films had been collected.

　After eating, I walked down the street.

　Xi felt that the effects of the alcohol hadn't worn off yet, and looking at the Qilin walking ahead, she felt that he was swaying unsteadily.

　"The one surnamed Chen..."

　With a flick of the fingertips, one grasps a large tail.

　"Ok?"

　Xi followed up with his response with a question.

　"What did you mean by what you just said?"

　What do you mean by "because he likes someone so much that he doesn't want anything to happen to her, he chose to help Sui Pian get rid of Sui"?

　He, the person he was talking about...

　Thinking about his smile, and the direction he looked when he drank, Xi felt she really shouldn't have drunk those two glasses of wine.

　He's drunk again, and he's going to embarrass himself again.

　"What do you think I meant by those words, Xi?"

　"How do I know..."

　The person in front stopped, and if she didn't stop as well, she would crash into them.

　Xi was thinking, but her feet wouldn't stop, and she headed straight for him, but before she could get any closer, she tripped over her own feet and fell.

　"Drunk?"

　Little Dragon Girl threw herself into his arms, and Chen Lingxu didn't stand on ceremony. He grabbed her and held her close, pinching her smooth, delicate chin to look into her moist, misty eyes.

　"I'm not drunk."

　My mind was a bit hazy, but my little mouth remained as stubborn as ever.

　"As for that matter, it's up to you... for whomever you want."

　"Really? Then I'll tell you. I actually did it for Jie."

　Ugh?

　Shouldn't we say it's for her sake? This person... why doesn't he play by the rules?

　"Jie is beautiful, gentle and virtuous, and her speech and manners exude an undeniable scholarly air. Whoever marries her will be truly blessed."

　Xi was stunned for a moment, and then, listening to the various praises he was giving about that older sister, she remembered that the older sister was right next to her.

　In other words, the Qilin might have been looking at the person writing the words, and the words it spoke might not have been directed at her...

　"You bastard...you, you like..."

　"You who likes writing, why don't you go with her? Why are you following me..."

　"Didn't you follow me, Xi? You got drunk after just two drinks, you can't even speak clearly, you're not watching where you're going, and you even bumped into me."

　Why does this guy... only criticize her whenever he talks to her?

　Damn it, she shouldn't have had any such delusions. Humph, it's all because of this alcohol; she's lost her mind and can't think straight anymore. From today onwards, she's quitting drinking!

　"Then go! Let's each go our own way! You, you let me go!"

　She was already drunk and didn't have much strength, and this guy was holding her waist very tightly.

　She didn't want to listen to the other person praising her sister while simultaneously attacking her...

　"It seems you really are drunk, Xi. Now that I've told you, if you sober up, will you still believe what you said?"

　"Of course... I... I hold a grudge incredibly. That Chen guy... this isn't over between us!"

　"I see. Then I'll tell you."

　Her body was held tighter, and she was lifted up, bringing the man's face closer and closer to hers.

　"It's not because of Jie, nor because of the Nine-Colored Deer. It's just because of you, because I like you so much right now, I like you to death, so I won't let you leave me. No matter what age we are, nothing can stop me from keeping you by my side."

　"asshole……"

　Here, probably still on the street... In broad daylight, he picked her up, held her in his arms, kissed and bit her, and said such lewd things. What a lecherous man! Nine-Colored Deer and that stinky writer should stay away from him.

　"Ah Xu, you're back. Xiao Xi... what happened to her?"

　Not knowing how far they had walked, or how long they had been held by this guy, Xi vaguely heard the voice of the Nine-Colored Deer.

　I can't, and I don't want her to see me like this...

　Fueled by alcohol, Long Niang put on a show of being completely drunk.

　"Our great painter tried to show off to me during dinner, but she passed out after only two drinks. I took her home, Lulu."

　"Okay. Shall we come over here later?"

　"Let's see if there are any other miscellaneous tasks."

　"Ok."

　She felt the surroundings sway again, and then she was placed on a bed.

　"Still not awake? I don't remember you being this drunk. Are you trying to hide the fact that I'm holding you because you're drunk?"

　Qilin scratched her palm a few times with his hand.

　This guy... how come he's so childlike in this respect?

　"Hmph. The Nine-Colored Deer is waiting for you. Aren't you leaving?"

　Xi's head was still spinning, and she really wanted to sleep for a while.

　"Are you willing to let me leave like this? Hmm? Xi? Xi Bao?"

　His face came closer again, and the way he spoke to her and the way he addressed her made it seem like they were very familiar with each other.

　When Xi opened her eyes again, he had already followed her into bed.

　"I...I don't want to talk to you right now..."

　Little Dragon Girl's hands were supporting his chest, as if she wanted to push him away, but the powerless look of her hands made it seem more like she was trying to refuse him.