Using military credentials still poses a risk of identity exposure—these documents are not very common.

Moreover, the City Guard is not part of the military system, and cross-system verification can easily attract attention.

Anyway, in the abandoned industrial area, there are no legitimate forces present, so it’s unlikely that anyone would notice any anomalies in spiritual power.

Sure enough, even though Qu Jianlei’s use of illusion technique was quite noticeable, he managed to get through without incident.

During the day, everyone casually strolled around, looking just like tourists.

However, Qu Jianlei didn’t take it so easy. He chose a desolate factory building and crafted a secret camp beneath its foundation.

—Regardless of its usefulness, it’s always better to be prepared.

After six days of this life, the preparations were mostly in place, and Bentley and others’ states gradually adjusted.

Before this, they had all felt somewhat relaxed—the idle lifestyle indeed tends to erode one’s will.

Previously, Qu Jianlei wanted to remind them that it was far from the time to "disarm and return to pastoral life."

They had to remember that they didn’t even have real formal identities, nor awakening records.

If they thought they were safe at this moment, they would deeply regret it if something happened!

However, he couldn’t really caution them, as many things are hard to comprehend without experiencing them firsthand.

If he kept pressing the issue, it might create an anxiety-inducing effect, preventing everyone from enjoying life.

In the previous days of cultivation in the cave on Transfer Star, the harsh environment helped everyone regain some sense.

Now, after spending a few days on Celestial Sharp Star, everyone truly found their previous wandering mindset—except for Xiang Xue.

Flower Scorpion and Bentley’s changes were the most noticeable, and even Claire said, "This sense of thrill is still there!"

This little girl on Blue Star would definitely be the typical rebellious brat.

Qu Jianlei finally announced to everyone, "It’s time to focus. Up next, we’ll launch an attack on the Divine Text Association."

Currently, the Divine Text Association’s Supreme is on Celestial Sharp Star, and the Anomalous Management Division also has a Supreme.

The two Supremes are quite close, and the Supreme from the Anomalous Management Division has a team of over ten people.

This team not only includes Awakened individuals but also various technical talents, even full-time assistants.

In addition, not far from there, the military has an elite combat group ready to provide support if needed.

Additionally, two other forces’ Supremes are also assisting with the investigation.

Four Supremes working together, plus the support of elite military squads, allow them to conduct a thorough search on Celestial Sharp Star.

In fact, even the Guardian Supreme Optimus of Celestial Sharp Star promised to step in for rescue at any time.

Five Supremes—this battle is indeed tough.

However, before coming here, Qu Jianlei was mentally prepared and had made some plans.

Upon hearing that they could begin preparing for combat, everyone surprisingly breathed a sigh of relief, "We can finally start."

Strictly speaking, there are more than just five Supremes on Celestial Sharp Star—at least seven.

The two additional ones are Nelson and Buckingham, the latter having fought alongside Qu Jianlei in the past.

Buckingham has a good relationship with Qinghu and is aware of the feud between Qinghu and Arc Light, so he ignores the Anomalous Management Division’s request for assistance.

He’s involved in pharmaceutical research, and it’s normal for scholarly Awakened to dislike conflict, right?

Nelson is a local on Celestial Sharp Star, known for his enthusiasm, but he too refused to participate in the Anomalous Management Division’s investigation.

He explained it clearly, "I have too many friends on Celestial Sharp Star. If it involves them, I’ll be in a difficult spot."

Faced with such an honest response, the Anomalous Management Division surprisingly had no effective way to handle it.

The Anomalous Management Division indeed has overwhelming power, but the issue is its detachment from reality.

For someone like Nelson, if pushed too hard, employing underhanded tricks behind the scenes could become a headache for anyone.

Ordinary locals aren’t scary; complete suppression is enough, and if worse comes to worst, even killing is an option, achieving a deterrent effect at the same time.

But a Supreme local... that’s frustrating, especially when protected by imperial law, making an assassination not so easy.

Fortunately, Nelson, insightful as he is, didn’t think he could simply stand up to the Anomalous Management Division.

On the contrary, he treated the Anomalous Management Division very well, often volunteering to lend small favors.

Otherwise, how could he have friends around the world, just from this level of emotional intelligence, not every Supreme has it.

On this day, he heard that the Divine Text Association’s Supreme Silver Bear’s fifth wife gave birth and sent a generous gift.

Silver Bear isn’t particularly lecherous, he’s just lived long enough, so having five wives naturally makes sense.

He cares deeply for this wife, but being in the world of martial arts, there are always things more important than his wife’s childbirth.

After receiving Nelson’s gift, he was very pleased—at least worth a million, it’s quite thoughtful.

Silver Bear clearly understood that this guy was giving such a heavy gift just to buy some peace.

Yet, he couldn’t help but think: if Nelson gives me so much, then... what about others?

For those in high positions, weddings and funerals are ways to collect wealth, and the Empire is no exception.

Silver Bear got intrigued by Nelson’s intentions, but being a passing Supreme, he couldn’t overdo it.

So, he invited other Supremes for a drink to celebrate the birth of his fifth wife’s first child.

As for anything below the Supreme? He wouldn’t invite them at all—the dignified Supreme cannot afford to lose face.

On the surface, his message is that he doesn’t want Awakened individuals below the Supreme to give gifts.

I couldn’t be bothered to invite you, so don’t bother sending gifts—I am not the kind of person who covets gift money.

However, among the Awakened who got the news, who would dare not send a gift?

Drinking or not drinking is a minor matter, but sending a gift at least shows goodwill towards the Supreme, doesn’t it?

Whether one can take this opportunity to curry favor is hard to say, but undeniably: without sending a gift, there’s no chance to curry favor!

And not to mention, there’s another saying popular among the Awakened circle.

The Silver Bear Supreme might not remember who gave gifts, but he might remember who did not.

Thus, with this wave of operation, the Silver Bear Supreme amassed a bit of petty cash, while he only needed to invite the other six Supremes for a drink.

However, it’s quite unfortunate that only four Supremes accepted the invitation.

The Supreme from the Anomalous Management Division came with a cold face, which wasn’t surprising, as Cold Face and Silver Bear have always been close.

These two are both outsider Supremes and have shown a strong dragon stance, aiming to supplant the local powers.

Then there was Nelson—he couldn’t help with serious matters, so he certainly wouldn’t be impolite about trivial ones.

The third one was Buckingham—he didn’t actively help the Anomalous Management Division, but supporting this event, at least, showed a stance.

The fourth was Optimus, naturally, as the Guardian Supreme, having a proper attitude towards the Anomalous Management Division.

He would support what’s feasible, but wouldn’t intervene when it’s improper.

Silver Bear hosting this banquet, whether Optimus came or not is fine, but he still came.

At least it can show that he doesn’t have much aversion to Silver Bear, in case someone spreads rumors in the future, today’s actions serve as evidence.

Interestingly, the two Supremes close to the Divine Text Association didn’t come.

However, this isn’t surprising; these two Supremes feel their relations are established well enough, so there’s no need to display further through minor affairs.

Thus today’s arrangement seems a bit humorous; only one Supreme close to Silver Bear, Cold Face, has come.

Instead, three Supremes with generally ordinary relations have coincidentally arrived.

This matter seems humorous, but thinking it through, it’s really nothing strange.

The dignified Supremes celebrating a newborn’s birthday, it sounds off, not to mention the subject isn’t present.

So those who come are either very close or have ordinary relations that need maintenance.

Silver Bear naturally understands this point, and he is quite courteous to Nelson, Buckingham, and Optimus.

What about the Supremes of the Divine Text Association? In daily life, they still have to behave.

For more free-flowing conversation, Silver Bear even dismissed the attendants.

Tonight’s weather forecast predicts rain; all Supremes plan to admire the rain, with the banquet originally scheduled to end at ten pm.

But by nine-thirty, it still hadn’t rained, so they agreed to delay for half an hour.

Delaying once begets a second time, especially when everyone is having a joyful time drinking.

Yet, by almost midnight, still no rain had fallen.

Silver Bear glanced at Optimus, drunkenly speaking, "Guardian, your planet’s weather forecast is not good."

Optimus gritted his teeth, damn, can weather forecasts really be under my control?

However, his face showed no expression, simply indicating, "I only guard, not manage rain."

Silver Bear truly drank a lot, then glancing at Buckingham, slurred out.

"Buckingham, old, old Bai... give us some rain."

He knows Buckingham is the Ice Attribute, equating the Supreme later mostly to Water Attribute, so creating rain shouldn’t be a problem.

However, Buckingham’s face instantly changed, "Sorry, I’m not feeling well lately."

Damn, you’re joking? We’re all Supremes, and you’re asking me to make rain for you?

Technically, using a technique to produce some rain isn’t a big deal.

But one Supreme ordering another Supreme, that’s a bit improper.

Technically, Supremes using techniques, it’s quite normal, half-drunk it’s fitting to be carefree.

Meanwhile, it shows other Supremes of similar Cultivation Level how exquisite one’s micro-operation is, earning applause.

But the crux of the issue is, this must be voluntary!

If the relationship is good enough, requesting such is no big deal—it’s also giving the other a chance to demonstrate.

But if the relationship is just mediocre, such a request is a bit insulting.

Now Buckingham feels that way—your mouth moves, and I must demonstrate for you all?

What do you take me for, a street performer?

He didn’t even want to find detailed reasons anymore, simply stating not feeling well, and definitely wouldn’t take action.

(Updated, summoning double monthly tickets, subscriptions, and recommendations.)