Jiang Chen understood Arlene’s meaning. It all boiled down to benefits. Only with sufficient benefits would the Gregory Family recommend them; without benefits, the Gregory Family wouldn’t help Jiang Chen and his companions for no reason.
Not only did Jiang Chen understand, but Alice and the others did too.
Jiang Qiu said, "Forget it, Jiang Chen. Being a Divine Envoy in our world is pretty good."
"Yeah, being a Divine Envoy in the Xileruo World is too troublesome."
"Exactly! We’d rather go back to our world!"
Alice and the others chimed in, expressing their lack of interest in becoming Divine Envoys in the Xileruo World and stating they only wanted to return to their world to be Divine Envoys.
However, since there’s an opportunity, I can’t let it pass. The Human World is ultimately just a small pond. Jiang Qiu and the others will eventually reach Second-stage, or even Third-stage; they also need to improve their strength.
Jiang Chen understood their reasons for refusing.
Jiang Chen said, unconcerned, "Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing."
Alice advised, "Just do what you can. You don’t need to do anything for us; we’re already doing fine. Actually, being a Divine Envoy isn’t that important."
The others nodded, not wanting to put Jiang Chen in a difficult position.
It’s not that there are no benefits to offer. I have a Rune, the Ghostly Rune. If the Ghostly Rune is opened, there will undoubtedly be benefits inside—significant ones at that, which no family could relinquish. Black Phoenix once told me that once the Underworld opens, a town will be established within it. The benefits from an entire world would be more than enough. I need to find an opportunity to talk to Arlene, or perhaps negotiate with a high-ranking member of the Gregory Family.
They entered a territory through the Teleportation Array.
It was then that Jiang Chen realized the Gregory Family’s estate wasn’t on the ground but on a landmass floating in the sky, about the size of ten soccer fields. The Gregory Family held a high status in the Xileruo World.
Arlene introduced, "This is my Gregory Family. Only those close to us can enter. To the left is where the Covenant Beasts are cultivated, and to the right is the residential area."
She continued, "Every member of the Gregory Family has a Legion. My Legion is called the Secret Sword Legion; there are several dozen of us."
Jiang Chen joked, "Only several dozen?"
Arlene rolled her eyes at him. "What do you know? Every single one is a Second-stage Expert. It’s not like just anyone can join our Legion. Furthermore, everyone in the Legion has their own Covenant Beast, and all of them are Giant Dragons—adult ones, at that."
Angelina asked excitedly, "Can you take us to see them?"
"Of course, but the Secret Sword Legion isn’t here; they’re stationed below. The Covenant Beasts here are ones our family rears privately."
Following Arlene to the left, they walked for a full ten minutes before reaching the Covenant Beast cultivation area.
The group watched swarms of Giant Dragons soaring in the sky. These Giant Dragons were massive, even larger than the Dragon Knights’ Giant Dragons, each standing dozens of meters tall. Besides these, there were also some Abnormal Beasts that weren’t Giant Dragons.
There was a snake with nine heads.
Jiang Chen asked, puzzled, "Isn’t that a Shikigami from the Shikigami Class?"
"Yes, that’s what you call a Shikigami. They’re from a Different World. This great snake was hard to find. Look, it has nine heads, and each head can cast Magic—different types of Magic, too."
"Is that a fox with nine heads over there?"
"Yes, that’s a Nine-tailed Fox, also a Covenant Beast, and it also possesses Magic."
"And the three-headed dog?"
"That’s the Hellhound, also a Covenant Beast, and equally powerful."
Alice and the others were stunned. They hadn’t expected there to be options for Covenant Beasts other than just dragons.
Jiang Chen was contemplative. It seems the other Covenant Beasts aren’t bad either.
Arlene said, "Jiang Chen, now that you’re First-stage, you can also have your own Covenant Beast. I’ll find one for you, depending on what you need."
"Forget it. I’ll find one myself. Whatever you’d give me would likely be commonplace."
Arlene was exasperated. What does he mean, ’commonplace’? I, a dignified Angel Envoy, offer him one, and he still dares to be picky!
Jiang Chen asked, "If they want to become Divine Envoys in the Xileruo World, who’s the decision-maker?"
"What do you mean?"
"If you can’t make the decision, then take me to someone who can."
Arlene put her hands on her hips, fuming, "You haven’t even joined my Legion yet, nor have you achieved any merits for me. Isn’t it a bit much to ask for my help already?"
She was genuinely angry.
When Jiang Chen first agreed to follow me, I elevated Alice and her four companions to Divine Envoy status. Now that they’ve become Divine Envoys, he’s making another request! Is this guy only good at making demands? Don’t I, an Angel Envoy, have any dignity to uphold?
Jiang Chen said with a smile, "Don’t be angry. I naturally have my reasons."
"What reasons?"
"A ticket to a Different World."
"What do you mean?"
"A Rune."
Arlene was astonished. "You have a Rune?"
"Of course, an unopened Rune at that. Is this benefit enough? If a Different World opens up, wouldn’t it yield immense benefits?"
Jiang Chen had originally planned to give the benefits to Black Phoenix. If it were in their world, Jiang Chen would naturally have agreed. Unfortunately, the activation point was in the Xileruo World, a world entirely superior to the Human World. The Black Dragon Legion simply couldn’t control the benefits here. Only the Gregory Family could.
Arlene said thoughtfully, "This could work. Once a Different World opens, it would indeed generate enormous benefits. Establishing a town there, conquering Different Worlds—that’s our objective."
She continued, "If you give us the management rights to that world, it shouldn’t be a problem. I’ll take you to meet my father."
Jiang Chen shook his head. "No rush. You discuss it with your father first. My purpose for this visit is to gather Dragon Eggs in the Giant Dragon World to prepare for a Covenant Beast."
He added, "Besides, I haven’t even joined your Legion yet! Let’s talk more after I do."
"Alright then," Arlene agreed. She then departed with seven of her own people, while Jiang Chen took Alice and the others towards the Giant Dragon World.
Arlene rushed excitedly into the office.
Looking at her father, she exclaimed, "Father, we’ve struck it rich this time!"
Roy glanced at Arlene and said indifferently, "What are you talking about?"
"Father, I’ve discovered a Different World!"
Roy looked at Arlene, wondering if she was alright. A Different World? Where would one even come from?
Arlene said, "Father, do you remember the other world we manage, the Human World? A master has emerged there who possesses a Rune capable of opening another world."
Roy became interested. "I know. Long Zhantian told me about him. It’s Jiang Chen, the one who participated in the War of Worlds. He has a Rune? Have you seen it?"
"Of course! He showed it to me himself! It’s definitely a Rune, called the Ghostly Rune. It probably leads to another Different World."
"This young fellow isn’t bad at all; he actually managed to get a Rune."
"Yes, I didn’t expect it either. But he has conditions."
"He’s quite audacious, daring to set conditions with you. What are they?"
"He has a sister and four friends, and they want to become Divine Envoys."