Chapter 426
**Chapter 226: In the Other Realm... Is Qiangyin Driving Us Mad?**
The once lively banquet hall had fallen into a deep silence.
Eyes exchanged glances, and expressions shifted among those with vested interests, while several keen observers sensed that something significant was about to unfold.
Standing behind Qiangyin, Aivina maintained her impassive demeanor, but Xiar could see the tension in her tightly clenched right hand, betraying her anxiety.
Aivina likely hadn’t anticipated that Qiangyin’s sudden visit would lead to such a situation.
“Detailed information will have to wait until the council debates conclude. If you have any questions, feel free to consult with me…” Qiangyin said with a smile, bowing his head slightly. “Now, I won’t keep you from enjoying your evening.”
He turned back, offering Aivina a gentle nod as an apology, then left the banquet with Mond and Lafayette.
Once Qiangyin’s carriage departed, the solemn atmosphere in the hall lingered.
Many high-ranking church officials had already approached Aivina to bid farewell before leaving the venue. Others from various organizations hurriedly exchanged pleasantries and exited—each needed to report this development back to their respective groups.
Even Lucy had sent one of her subordinates ahead, while she chose to stay behind—she had to show respect to Xiar, and with him not leaving, she dared not do so either.
Moreover, she was curious to see Xiar’s reaction to the news, scanning the room for his figure.
“Excuse me for a moment,” Xiar said, closing the window as he walked toward the door. Passing by Percie, he added, “I’ll be back shortly.”
“Not a problem, you all carry on,” Percie replied, fully aware of the implications behind Qiangyin’s words. She wasn’t in a hurry.
Her main reason for attending was to see Tara—she hadn’t heard from her in ages, and now that she had finally met her in person, she felt her purpose was fulfilled.
As Xiar stepped out of the room, Tara followed closely behind. They descended the stairs and headed toward the back garden.
By now, most of the guests had left the banquet, leaving behind only a handful of nobles associated with the Holy Church and those familiar with Xiar, Aivina, or Lucy—essentially, most of them were allies.
Xiar approached Aivina, who was still busy attending to the departing extraordinary individuals—after all, this was her banquet, and she was the host.
Aivina’s emotions were complex; the presence of so many extraordinary guests could have elevated her status in the Ansu City supernatural circle, a chance to shine before her family.
But Qiangyin’s disruption had essentially ruined the event. In the future, when people discussed this gathering of extraordinary beings, they would remember Qiangyin’s declaration rather than Aivina’s connections.
There was nothing Aivina could do about it; she could only swallow her frustration in silence.
It wasn’t until the crowd around her had thinned that Aivina sighed softly, lowering her head.
At that moment, a figure with red hair approached her.
“Aivina,” Xiar said gently, noticing her despondent expression. “Are you alright?”
“I’m fine,” Aivina replied, looking up at Xiar with a somewhat forced smile. “I didn’t expect Lord Qiangyin to come for this.”
Lucy, who had been watching from a distance, quietly approached and overheard Aivina’s words. She chimed in, “Don’t worry too much, Miss Aivina... Qiangyin chose to speak in an informal setting just to make a point. There’s no way this department will actually be established.”
“Of course, it won’t affect you, Miss Aivina.”
Aivina shook her head gently, remaining silent.
She was well aware of this tactic, one that Qiangyin often employed in negotiations.
First, he would propose something utterly impossible, something he had the power to achieve, applying extreme pressure on his targets, ultimately forcing them to make significant concessions to achieve even a fraction of his original goal.
It was a blatant strategy, yet others were powerless to counter it—after all, Qiangyin truly had the ability to follow through.
Those church officials returning home were likely contemplating how to compromise to prevent this issue from being approved in the council.
They wanted to manipulate the council, which was a simple task for both the Church of the God of Order and the Church of the Savior Goddess. However, the majority of the council seats were controlled by the Russell family, who found themselves caught between the Church of the God of Order and the royal family.
If one had to say which side the Russell family would favor, it would undoubtedly be the royal family.
In a saturated market, they could still distinguish between their interests.
Perhaps this was why Qiangyin chose to make his announcement at a banquet hosted by a member of the Russell family, a reminder to others not to expect any support from them.
The smaller sects had little choice in the matter; this was primarily a message directed at the two major churches within Ansu.
What needed to be clarified now was... what exactly did Qiangyin want?
What was his purpose in doing this?
Xiar pondered, already having an answer in her heart.
For the Church of the God of Order, Qiangyin was undoubtedly preparing to demand the coordinates of the Other Realm or the nodes associated with it.
These were the nodes recorded by the Church of the God of Order that had acquired the technology for “artificial divinity.”
This was crucial for Qiangyin to completely resolve his mental murmurs and further his ambitions.
He was confident he could obtain that “uniqueness,” intending to use it to explore a higher path.
The Transcendent—known as the Ascendant in ancient Ansu language.
This was a transcendence, a rise closer to divinity, a transformation that would free him from the shackles of human frailty.
As for the Church of the Savior Goddess, Qiangyin seemed to have ulterior motives there as well.
With Mond, the newly appointed pope of the Church of the Savior Goddess, Qiangyin appeared dissatisfied. This time, he likely aimed to use Mond to gain complete control over the merged Church of the Savior Goddess and the Holy Church—thus dominating the North, North Ansu.
Changing the nation’s name from the United Kingdom to the Unified Empire had always been Qiangyin’s ambition. Controlling the faith in the North meant winning the hearts of the people.
However, this would inevitably pit Qiangyin against the high-ranking extraordinary being from the Joyous Society, who was currently undergoing a promotion ceremony...
But would Qiangyin back down?
He had just “resolved” the “key person” of the Joyous Society and was waiting for the merged “uniqueness” to find him, his confidence swelling like never before.
Would a war fanatic fear war?
Not a chance.
Understanding Qiangyin’s character and the various interests at play, Xiar quickly analyzed his underlying motives... but she couldn’t voice them just yet.
Because someone was approaching them.
Windsor.
Xiar, who had intended to say something, halted upon seeing Windsor walk over. The three of them turned their attention to Windsor as she approached.
“Princess Windsor,” Aivina said, giving a slight bow.
Lucy and Xiar followed suit, greeting her in turn, “Your Highness.”
“Qiangyin is being quite rude; this is your banquet,” Windsor remarked, visibly displeased. Her gaze swept over the group, lingering on Xiar for a moment before returning to Aivina. “I’ll help you teach him a lesson.”
Among them, Windsor was likely the only one who hadn’t grasped the situation at all.
“Thank you for your concern, Your Highness... but Lord Qiangyin was merely here to show support; it didn’t have any real impact,” Aivina replied, shaking her head. “There will be plenty of time for another banquet, and besides, I’ve made quite a few new friends this time.”
“You’ve matured so much during your time away, Aivina,” Windsor said, shaking her head. “The old you wouldn’t have swallowed your pride like this.”
Aivina remained silent.
Indeed, she had been more rebellious in the past, never hesitating to express her feelings, even in Berlun City, where she would wear a cold face to those she disliked, showing no kindness.
But now, with Xiar by her side, she couldn’t afford to think only of herself.
Moreover, she understood that Qiangyin had already fallen into Xiar’s trap; the more arrogant he became, the faster he would self-destruct.
“People do change,” Aivina seemed disinterested in continuing the conversation with Windsor.
Table of Contents
