His tone was filled with sarcasm:
"Last time it said the same thing, and what happened? That poor Moon Level Mage was turned into an idiot by it."
Chai Ye maintained his patience:
"This time is different. I can’t disclose the specifics, but I can assure you that it’s beneficial for the overall stability of the fifth layer."
Asmond stopped fiddling with the flowers, a shrewd glint in his eyes.
"Dragon-headed Wraith" Chai Ye is hardly the brainless lunatic that wizards are rumored to say.
On the contrary, he has a clear mind, never engaging in meaningless actions.
Since Chai Ye has stepped forward for Nari, it indicates that the seemingly useless Innate Apostle has indeed discovered something of value.
"It is rather peculiar..."
Asmond swiftly analyzed the deeper implications of this request:
"This old fellow Chai Ye is suddenly so concerned about Nari, he must be deriving some benefit."
He waved away the attendants on either side and walked to the massive floor-to-ceiling window of the palace.
Through the glass, he could see the eerie yet beautiful scenes within his territory.
The garden nurtured by emotions, exotic birds and beasts feeding on despair, and the ever-weeping fountains of tears.
"Since it’s Lord Chai Ye’s command, I can certainly open hunting privileges in the southwest region."
He made his decision:
"But I have one condition, Nari’s every activity in my territory must be accompanied by my followers.
I need... to ensure that it won’t disrupt the ecological balance I’ve meticulously maintained."
The true intention behind this condition was evident; Asmond sought to closely observe Nari’s abnormal behavior.
"This..."
Chai Ye feigned hesitation:
"Alright, this condition is acceptable. But your followers must not interfere with Nari’s normal hunting activities."
"Of course, my people are merely observers."
Asmond smiled gracefully, yet his smile carried a hint of danger.
Next is "Mad Bite" Mogron.
This Apostle, known for his brutality and tyranny, was watching his subordinates’ combat matches in his arena.
Bloodshed and violence were his greatest loves, and also the source of his power.
"Chai Ye?" Mogron’s roar was as coarse as a beast’s: "You’d better have something important; I’m in a foul mood right now."
Indeed, he was in a foul mood.
A thrilling match was just ruined by a cowardly gladiator.
That guy actually chose to surrender in the crucial moment instead of dying in battle.
"Mad Bite" Mogron is one of the oldest Apostles.
So, faced with his rough demeanor, Chai Ye was already accustomed.
"I’m here to talk to you about Nari."
Chai Ye patiently said: "It needs to conduct some hunting activities in your territory..."
"That piece of junk in my territory?"
Mogron’s roar almost collapsed the arena’s stands:
"Are you kidding me! Last time it lost an experimental specimen here, and it’s still not found!"
His fury struck the stone pillar beside him, reducing it to powder in an instant:
"That fool couldn’t even manage an almost lifeless experimental specimen; now you want it to mess around in my territory?"
"That was just an accident." Chai Ye continued to persuade:
"Besides, Nari’s current state is much more stable than before. It won’t cause you trouble."
"Stable?" Mogron coldly laughed: "How stable can an innate Chaos be? Unless..."
It suddenly halted, a cunning gleam appeared in its eyes.
As one of the oldest Apostles, Mogron keenly detected the anomaly.
Nari’s spirit is indeed more stable than before; such changes couldn’t naturally occur.
"Unless it indeed found something that could stabilize its mind."
Mogron mused thoughtfully: "In that case, I am somewhat intrigued."
Chai Ye cursed Mogron’s acuity inwardly but remained calm outwardly:
"In short, this arrangement benefits everyone, don’t you think so?"
"Alright then, since it’s you asking, I’ll give you face."
Mogron eventually agreed, but his eyes flickered with dangerous red light:
"But I also have a condition; if Nari finds something valuable, I want a share."
His tone became threatening:
"Moreover, if that fool causes any more trouble here, I’ll shred it into pieces."
"This... can be considered."
Chai Ye vaguely responded, already plotting how to handle the possible complex situation.
Finally, it was "Nightmare Queen" Selena.
This enigmatic Apostle rarely engaged in Abyss’s affairs, and her Dream Realm Palace was a bizarre space outsiders couldn’t comprehend.
"Lord Chai Ye..."
Selena’s voice was as smooth as silk, yet carried unsettling hints:
"You seem busy today. First Asmond, then Mogron, now me. All for that poor Nari?"
Her voice held a knowing mysteriousness:
"Let me guess... has it encountered some special situation?"
"You’ve been listening to our conversations?" Chai Ye’s tone turned guarded.
"Not listening, esteemed Lord." Selena chuckled softly:
"It’s perception; the emotional fluctuations of the entire fifth layer are within my scope. Nari’s status recently is indeed... special."
Her voice became even more mysterious:
"That pure maternal love and protective instinct, and the strange fluctuations from its ’baby’... Do you think I wouldn’t notice?"
Chai Ye realized he had completely underestimated Selena’s abilities.
This Nightmare Queen not only detected Nari’s anomaly but also discerned the existence of the puppet.
Now it was futile to hide anything.
"And what is your stance?"
Chai Ye directly asked: "I will certainly open hunting privileges."
Selena’s voice became more enticing:
"But in exchange, I demand to closely observe Nari’s ’baby’ at a suitable time."
She paused:
"The pure emotional fluctuations are very valuable to my research; I’m curious about what could cause an innate Chaos to produce such stable maternal feelings."
"Alright." Chai Ye reluctantly agreed.
After a round of negotiations, he found himself not only lacking the anticipated advantage but alerting other Apostles to Nari’s anomaly.
Now, all Apostles in the fifth layer began focusing on Nari and its ’baby’.
"All who’ve lived for who knows how many years, sigh..." he silently lamented.
To become an Apostle, aside from innate Chaos like Nari, indeed none are easy to deal with.
"Forget it, at least now it’s still within controllable range."
Chai Ye comforted himself inwardly:
"Additionally, with so many Apostles watching, the puppet’s true value can be more comprehensively assessed."
Meanwhile, in the depths of the Sea of Darkness, Nari was happily frolicking in its treasury.
Upon receiving the good news from Chai Ye, the joy almost overwhelmed its rationality.
"Wonderful! Wonderful!"
It circled crazily around the pouch containing the puppet, its voice filled with excitement:
"My little darling, Mommy secured the best hunting area for you!
Henceforth, I can prepare richer, more nutritious food for you!"
The puppet seemed to sense Nari’s emotional changes, and the runes on its surface began to flash brighter.
"You’re happy for Mommy too, aren’t you?"
Nari softly stroked the surface of the pouch, its voice filled with love and satisfaction:
"Rest assured, Mommy will protect you, ensuring you grow up safe and healthy."
Yet, behind this innocent joy, a larger storm was slowly brewing.