Myriad Realms Gatekeeper

In front of true art, the performances of other dance troupes paled completely, even appearing childish and ridiculous!

This is the dance of war that can represent the Undead Race!

Lord Earl suppressed the excitement in his heart and said in contemplation:

"This excellent creation, the inspiration comes from ——"

Daisy directly pushed Shen Ye.

She didn't answer the question herself but left it to Shen Ye!

——Because of her sincere admiration!

Shen Ye was prepared to make something up, but suddenly, an aurora flashed through his mind.

Not right.

Why should he tell a story to the earl?

He could clearly use this opportunity to do something!

"Lord Earl, our inspiration comes from a large-scale summoning ritual," Shen Ye began.

"Ritual?" The earl was somewhat curious.

"Yes, an ancient ritual ——" Shen Ye continued according to the skeleton's explanation, "to boost morale before waging war, and then the army sets out to conquer the whole world."

After thinking it over carefully, the earl couldn't help but nod slightly.

This creative inspiration represented loyalty to the Undead Race, as well as the aspirations and desires of being undead.

"A very good idea, a very good piece," the earl said as he lightly clapped his hands, changing the subject: "But for us, the Undead Race, to conquer the whole world is quite difficult, haha."

He burst into laughter as if he was in a good mood.

"Thank you for your praise." Daisy, together with Shen Ye and Lily, saluted the earl again.

The earl waved his hand.

The empty Dharma Realm disappeared.

The group once again found themselves in the study of Shadow Manor.

The earl walked to the desk and took a book off the shelf, opening it:

"This morning, the Human Race has already signed a peace agreement with us."

"I will lead an undead envoy to visit the Human Race, to wish the King of the Holy Violet Empire a happy birthday, presenting gifts and an opera performance."

——The earl had made his choice.

He decided to choose the Dark Night Ros Dance Troupe to accompany him to the Holy Violet Empire.

Madame Daisy and Miss Lily were both beaming with joy.

Shen Ye, however, seemed to be in deep thought.

The threat of beastmen was imminent.

The situation in the world had become increasingly dangerous!

The Undead sending an authoritative earl to the capital of the Human Empire to celebrate ——

In reality, was to discuss countermeasures with humans and elves.

After all, even Prince Norton had an elf of the Elf Race as a Court Grand Mage by his side.

As long as the undead earl went to the human capital, he would certainly be able to meet with the upper echelons of the Human and Elf Races.

It was probably like that.

But outwardly, he couldn't say so, to avoid provoking the beastmen or, should the tri-race negotiations fail, demoralizing the troops.

The earl chanted a Spell, reaching deep into the book and extracting several items.

"Daisy, this Specter jewelry is for you, symbolizing my friendship with the Dark Night Ros Dance Troupe; it will also make you even more dazzling on stage."

"Thank you, Lord Earl." Daisy curtsied and accepted the translucent jewelry necklace with both hands.

"Lily, your performance was stunning. This 'Dancer's Mask' is for you, which will make your portrayal even more realistic."

"Thank you, Lord Earl." Lily also received a pale and flawless mask.

"Baxter, your creative talent is exceptional. Given time, you will certainly become a diva known far and wide — but I heard you were blasted to bits on the battlefield, that won't do. Here is a badge for you."

"Thank you, Lord Earl." Shen Ye accepted the blood-red badge with both hands.

The earl gestured casually.

Two servants immediately emerged from the void beside him.

"Miss Lily, please come with me, I'll take you to the banquet hall to rest," one servant said.

Lily then left the study with the servant.

"Mr. Baxter, this way please, I'll take you to complete the protection measures," the other servant said.

Madame Daisy stayed behind, as she seemed to have something more to discuss with the earl.

Shen Ye followed the servant through the corridors and down the stairs.

They quickly moved away from the ground level.

The stairs continued downward.

Shen Ye felt slightly uneasy, but quickly suppressed his emotions.

What's there to panic about!

Even if Kevin had informed on him, he still had an escape portal at his disposal, ready to leave at any moment.

Stay calm.

He followed the servant for another seven or eight minutes. Apart from the stairs descending and the flaming torches on the walls, there was nothing else to be seen.

At that moment, a protruding watchtower appeared ahead.

Beyond the watchtower, there was nothing but an abyss-like darkness.

Every now and then, various sounds of anguish and faint cries could be heard, unceasing.

——God knows what was locked up here!

When Shen Ye stood on the platform, the servant finally spoke slowly:

"Mr. Baxter, please sign this teleportation contract."

A contract lay on the table in front of Shen Ye.

This contract was unusual.

Six streams of blood flowed like water, meeting at the center of the contract, then spreading throughout the entire document, flowing down the table and into the dark abyss below.

This contract seemed like a living entity, connected to this place through the bloodstream, inseparable.

"Let me explain beforehand." Only on m v|le|mp|yr

"This contract is the 'Soldier Summoning Array' of Shadow Manor; only those who have received the earl's badge can sign their name here and use its summoning strength.

"Mr. Baxter, once the contract is complete, you can activate the Summoning Mark on the badge to call forth a guard from Shadow Manor to ensure your safety!"

"You can use it once a day!"

Shen Ye was slightly taken aback.

At that moment, lines of faint luminous text also appeared in the void, corroborating the other party's words:

"Guardian contract signing in progress."

"By using the badge of the Earl, you can complete the registration and henceforth secure the protection of Shadow Manor."

What was there to wait for?

—He might not need the guardian of the Earl, but he did need the Earl's acknowledgement!

With that, many things would become more convenient to handle.

Shen Ye pressed the badge onto the contract.

The blood around them started to levitate, swirling around Shen Ye, as if recognizing and remembering him.

The contract was being signed!

Elsewhere.

The study room.

Madame Daisy had already departed.

The Earl sat alone on the sofa, swirling his wine glass, still savoring the feeling of having commanded billions of undead in battle.

Knock, knock, knock!

Someone was at the door.

"Thief leader Kevin from Eternal Night City wishes to make a report."

"Let him in."

The door opened.

A short-statured living corpse walked into the room, kneeled on one knee, and, bowing his head, said:

"Your subordinate has a report to make."

"Speak."

"I followed Baxter of the Dark Night Ros Dance Troupe and discovered that he has purchased contraband materials."

"What materials did he buy?"

"Materials for a large-scale summoning ritual—this is strictly prohibited."

The Earl's brow relaxed slightly.

He had thought it to be something serious.

Large-scale summoning ritual...

Then he remembered Baxter mentioning that his work was inspired by large-scale summoning ritual events.

Such a splendid creation.

Come to think of it, he himself had once hesitated, wondering whether to list the materials for a large-scale summoning ritual as contraband.

Actually—

At a time when the Orcs were rising, when there were defeats on the frontlines, when the morale of the Undead Race was low—

Such events were needed to lift spirits.

At least he himself had been inspired.

Besides, these ritual events had nothing to do with that particular matter.

He was being overly cautious.

"Convey my orders."

The Earl spoke.

Behind him, the void stirred, and two aides appeared.

"From now on, do not prohibit large summoning events any longer; we need them now," said the Earl.

"Yes!" the aides replied, hurrying off to handle the matter.

Only then did the Earl remember that there was still someone in front of him.

"Kevin," the Earl leisurely crossed his legs and took a sip of wine, "have you taken money from Baxter?"

"Yes, your subordinate has," Kevin didn't dare to conceal the truth.

"Oh? When did this happen?"

"Once when searching his residence, and once when he was purchasing materials—Lord Earl, it was freely given by him."

The Earl listened quietly, a trace of sarcasm on his lips.

Freely given?

What character do these hyenas have, as if he, the master, didn't know?

"Alright, that Diva will have a great future, so stop fixating on him, understand?"

The Earl said.

Kevin mumbled to himself, not daring to bring up the matter of his missing subordinates.

—Baxter was currently the Earl's favorite.

The Earl had already formed his judgment on the whole affair and, without any solid evidence, it was best not to provoke him.

Otherwise...

If the disappearance of his two subordinates truly had nothing to do with Baxter—

The Earl was a man who would kill.

—He shouldn't risk his life over a tussle with a Diva.

"Yes."

Kevin deeply lowered his head, responding with a sincere tone.

"Alright, go back to your tasks. By the end of the year, I want to see an income of ten million Bone Coins from you. If you fail, you'll be sent to work labor on the canal, understand?"

"Understood, your subordinate takes his leave."

Kevin rose, bowed his back, and slowly exited the study room.

The Earl sank into contemplation.

Toward those who could please him, he was always generous.

Otherwise—

Who would willingly work for him?

That Diva had exceptional talent; maybe he would need his help in the future to comprehend certain skills.

And hyenas were just hyenas, substitutable at any time for a new one.

So...

The Earl gestured behind him.

"Go, raise the security level for Baxter's protection, at least... it can make him feel more at ease..."

"Your subordinate understands."