She seemed to ponder for a moment: "If you're perceptive enough, you could learn quite a few Forbidden Spells in here, including Breathing Techniques. Hmm... except for the Heavenly Realm, that's top secret and never to be shared."
Gu Jianlin glanced around, feeling somewhat lost.
On the display stand, mirrors reflecting ghostly faces were winking at him.
There was also a sinister Demon Blade exuding eerie ghost energy, dripping with fresh blood—utterly horrifying.
In addition, Green Jade Flying Swords hovered and darted through the air, radiating a biting chill, menacingly sharp.
On the massive bookshelves, ancient books jumped around energetically.
A grotesque skeleton, like a monstrous specimen, stood tall at the edge of his field of vision, appearing like a dinosaur.
Its hollow eye sockets, blazing with icy flames, shot a fleeting glance in his direction.
Gu Jianlin remarked, "Are all these Mythical Weapons?"
Ji Zhou replied nonchalantly, "They're all Growth Type Mythical Weapons, and each one is alive. Usually, they're suppressed; otherwise, they'd cause an uproar. Even so, managing them is exhausting, like wrangling a bunch of unruly kids—utterly exasperating."
Gu Jianlin curiously asked, "You, as a Divine General, why were you assigned here?"
Logically speaking, Divine Generals are supposed to be the Guardian Gods of the Human World, safeguarding their lands. Being stationed here feels like a waste of talent.
Though Mythical Weapons are important, no one is capable of invading this place.
Unless Gu Jianlin was mistaken, this so-called Heroic Soul Hall could likely be teleported straight to the Soul Skywell at any time.
Ji Zhou's face turned cold as she said, "Because I badmouthed the President and got sidelined."
Gu Jianlin was taken aback. "The President is that petty?"
Ji Zhou was silent for a moment before replying, "Yes, women are hard to deal with, especially a woman like her."
The parrot screeched obnoxiously.
Gu Jianlin smacked it, grumbling, "The President has screwed me over, too."
Ji Zhou glanced at him. "Yu?"
Gu Jianlin thought for a moment and replied, "Yes, initially, I found that little girl quite annoying. But later, I realized she's actually quite endearing; she has her shining moments—she's not that insufferable. By the way, do you know why she dives into alchemy?"
Ji Zhou replied indifferently, "She's not an Alchemist, yet she wants to concoct a cure to reverse contamination."
She sneered dismissively. "Plenty of people think she's delusional."
Gu Jianlin frowned, responding earnestly, "Please, don't say that. Even if it's a pipe dream, the child's intentions are good. You shouldn't belittle her like that. Besides, who says it's merely a pipe dream?"
Ji Zhou paused, taken aback.
"My father mentioned it once—there is indeed a drug capable of saving the Fallen."
Gu Jianlin said solemnly, "I'll help her find it."
Ji Zhou unexpectedly stopped mid-stride, her hand holding the teacup freezing briefly.
A trace of surprise flickered in her eyes before she quickly concealed it.
After a long silence, she said, "Yu is also a member of the Ji Family. Having a team leader like you is, in a way, her blessing. So, the President owes you one, doesn't she?"
Gu Jianlin decided not to respond, but the parrot chimed in, "Isn't that the truth? Raising uneducated children is their grandmother's failing! She won't care for her own kid, yet expects daycare to pick up the slack—and still charges a fee!"
Gu Jianlin was stunned. This parrot's intelligence was off the charts.
Even Ji Zhou glanced at the parrot in astonishment.
"This little creature is something else—shamelessly sharp-tongued."
She said with a faint smirk, "You've earned 170,000 Merit Points. Pick whatever you want. The Ether Association is the world leader in Growth Type Mythical Weapons—every single one of these was plundered… uh, I mean, collected by the President."
Gu Jianlin caught the slip immediately. "Plundered?"
Ji Zhou stayed silent.
Gu Jianlin was taken aback. Gazing at the vast array of Growth Type Mythical Weapons—easily over a hundred of them—he was stunned.
All of these were actually plundered!
He was shaken to his core and couldn't help but ask, "What kind of person is the President?"
Ji Zhou gazed at the Mythical Weapons before speaking calmly, "Cold, domineering, rebellious, ruthless, brutal, selfish, paranoid, and old-fashioned. Every trait historically associated with tyrants—she embodies them all."
Gu Jianlin instinctively felt this to be outright slander. "But the President's achievements are undeniable."
Ji Zhou let out a cold laugh. "Those aren't the President's achievements; they're the sacrifices of the people under her command. Our dear President has simply been lucky—born in the Golden Age. The ones truly deserving of praise are those who followed her along the way, shedding blood and tears."
"Sadly, they were stuck with a boss like her."
She sighed deeply and added, "Most of those people are dead now."
Gu Jianlin froze, detecting a mix of resentment and grievance.
"The world stands at a crossroads, yet she hesitates, torn between preserving the Ether Association and avoiding its devastation—indecisive and weak."
Ji Zhou said, "Calling her a Vulgar Master isn't entirely wrong."
I didn't say that—you said it.
Gu Jianlin kept his face expressionless, staying silent.
No way he'd take this bait.
"Don't worry; the President isn't here."
Ji Zhou cast him a glance. "But you'd best be careful—the President and the King of Qing have never gotten along. Two hundred years ago, they were as close as mother and son, but the President is ruthless enough to kill even her own child. Their relationship soured completely after the King of Qing nearly destroyed the Ether Association back then."