Galliot Duchy, White Swan Castle.

Surprisingly, the return of Aiven and his group didn't stir any waves, except for Mei, who initiated the Dream Cruise. In the communication confirming everyone's safety, not a single person came to greet them.

Even Mei, after picking up Aiven and the Jelos couple, excitedly dragged Aiven away, just because something more important happened in this castle.

Ten minutes later.

Outside a luxurious bedroom in the annex of White Swan Castle, people were already gathered, led by Aunt Daphne and mother-in-law Nymph, with almost every female core member of the family present.

Aiven, dusty and without changing his clothes, stood beside the carved walnut bed in the center of the room.

He placed his left hand gently atop the head of a small bundle in Apsuya's arms, the "Black Iron Cross Badge" indicating his identity as a Saint automatically appearing on the back of his hand.

Though not a proper Holy Professional and without any significant Divine Art, the only thing he could boast of was the impressive "Blessing".

Dong! Dong! Dong!...

In a gentle wave-like white Holy Light, distant and solemn bell sounds gradually filled both inside and outside the room, those present didn't find it harsh but felt their spirits had been thoroughly cleansed.

Meanwhile, a group of bare-bottomed phantom angels flew around the bundle, singing hymns in pure childish voices:

"Come, praise the God of Compassion, the Hand of the Goddess supports us;

Forever kind at the year's start and end, grace crowns my years;

Day and night, going in or out, the gracious Lord constantly guards us;

Endless grace supplies my needs, earnest guidance with deep affection..."

Finally, together, they placed a small halo signifying blessing on the baby's head, named personally by Aiven as Abel, before disappearing into the air.

This ceremony was akin to having the Pope present in person, bestowed by the secular Monarch of this country and a rare Saint of the Goddess, in a word, "prestigious".

Milan beside him giggled foolishly, and several female relatives on Apsuya's side almost paid homage.

After the ceremony ended.

The women in the family surrounded Apsuya, eager to see the new member.

This was the first offspring of the small team since the territory's baby boom began, and born under the duchy's advocacy for ethnic integration, it was highly significant.

"Let me see."

"Let me see too, oh, so cute, I want one."

Seeing the playful crowd, Stephanie, standing on the outskirts, though still youthful in appearance, was actually not young, couldn't help but feel a stir in her heart, lightly pinching Jelos's arm beside her.

Even for the spectacle alone, it's worth having a child!

"Shoo shoo, look another day, let Suya and little Abel rest well."

The bustling crowd was driven out by Aunt Daphne with her hands on her hips, who gradually took over some of Olivia, the duchy's Governor's household chores after staying at White Swan Castle.

And until leaving Apsuya and Milan's room, Aiven finally got a chance to look at the group he hadn't seen for nearly two months, yet was instantly shocked.

Even repeatedly doubting whether he had traversed into a parallel world within the chaotic rules of the Broken Star Sea.

Most notably was the Snake Witch Serra, who returned to her cool summer outfit, suddenly appearing younger by several years, her already lithe body like a beautiful snake, exuding a sense of clarity as if all burdens had been lifted.

Indeed, "clarity".

Originally targeted by Silver Knight Japher wielding the Holy Sword, Serra was severely wounded by the domineering Divine Power of Dawn, barely escaping to Celebes Island.

Perhaps due to the severe injuries then, close to four hundred years old now, she only barely advanced to Senior Grand Wizard, likely forever without hope of reaching Tier 4 Crown.

But now in retrospect, though her power hadn't grown much, the sense of emptiness and blockage had vanished.

Mother-in-law Nymph had also made great strides on the Tier 3 path, possibly advancing to Senior level in the coming years. Not to mention, my sister was merely a step away from a Tier 4 adult Giant Dragon.

Especially Olivia and Angie, the two Upper-Rank Wizard reserves, already reached the limits of Official Wizard in Spiritual Power, their spiritual radiance nearly overflowing from their pupils.

Clearly receiving great benefits.

With just a little adaptation, they might attempt the Tier 3 breakthrough within days.

Aiven couldn't be happier, having support from his people truly growing strong is far better than any external backing.

To solidify control over this vast land, to stand firm amidst the chaos between nations, to progress further on the Extraordinary Path, to live timelessly alongside the heavens...

It's unrealistic and rather tragic to rely solely on one individual's struggles.

Learning from them this was due to an unprecedented large-scale "Spiritual Overflow", even though he missed this fortunate event, Aiven felt no sense of loss.

After newlyweds confided with each other, Olivia went to organize the accumulated affairs, preparing to present them to the bona fide Monarch for handling.

Aiven grabbed Angie beside him, striding into the Witchcraft Garden:

"Let's go, Angie, I'll show you something precious."

...

Whiz!

A streak of golden light shot across the entire iron oak forest in the Witchcraft Garden, tumbling down from a distance due to insufficient kinetic energy, and pierced into a rock with a thud.

In the process, the iron oak wood, as dense as steel, and even the Treasure Tree which had grown for many years were as fragile as paper in its presence, offering no resistance whatsoever.

Aiven waved lightly, and the Golden Holy Spear·Lance, which had flown twenty kilometers away, suddenly disintegrated and turned invisible, then appeared in his hand. He then handed it back to Angie, whose silver eyes were sparkling like little stars.

Through exploration and experimentation, they had discovered that this double-edged lance, seemingly made of pure gold, besides significantly enhancing the "Demonized Empowerment" effect of the Golden Chain, possessed a very simple and direct capability—Tunneling.

To boast a little, this Holy Spear could be considered, to some extent, the strongest weapon against barriers, mental barriers, witchcraft shields, and living bodies.

The reason lies in that it has not deviated from the essence of the Intronic Genetic Sequence: Golden Chain and can be regarded as a branch of the Life Tree (the original gene), thus suppressing all material and abilities produced by life itself!

It is similar to the witchcraft Flesh Destruction created by Aiven, yet far surpasses it by many levels.

Moreover.

Although the Lance has already materialized, it should be far from reaching its end. It can be said that its ultimate strength is limited only by the number of extraordinary creatures in the world; the more it collects, the stronger its power should become!

When they find the projection of the High-dimensional Being's presence in the three-dimensional world, like piecing together a puzzle, within countless lower-level extraordinary life forms' bodies.

Then, through the Vitalist School, they completely piece these parts together to form a complete Golden Holy Spear·Lance, and then implant it into the Native Species representing the entire biosphere.

Then, how powerful would the beings that obtain the complete Golden Chain be? Would it mean that "He" is almost indistinguishable from the world itself?

Just imagining that future made the teacher and apprentice tremble with excitement.

Using it as the pioneering knowledge for Angie's promotion to Upper-Rank Wizard could not be more suitable.

"Angie, come and replicate it."

"Okay, teacher!"

Although Angie was the discoverer of the Golden Chain, she never imagined that something originally just a research tool could grow to such an extent.

Moreover, staying at home with the endless nourishment from the teacher felt absolutely wonderful.

However, at the crucial replication phase, they encountered a serious problem.

"How could this be?"

Something that should inherently be a sort of information capable of infinite replication, after transforming into the Holy Spear, could not tolerate any duplicates. If replicated continuously, it would fall apart upon reaching a critical point.

At most, they could only extend the chain to its form before the Holy Spear's manifestation, although the empowerment efficiency greatly improved, it was a far cry from the wonder of the Lance.

"Angie, this Holy Spear is yours now."

"Huh?!"

Upon discovering an unknown anomaly, Aiven unhesitatingly handed this extremely powerful weapon to Angie.

A Golden Chain refined to such an extent guarantees her status to achieve Upper-Rank Wizard in the most robust manner, and as the pioneer, she is indeed the most qualified person to further perfect this path.

Both in terms of value and emotion, she was the perfect choice for the Holy Spear. Sufficient to add another critical branch to the Life Tree during the ascension ritual.

Moreover, despite being a rescue mission this time, Aiven's gains were extraordinarily rich.

Not only had their allies grown significantly stronger, but when necessary, the Duchy could already simultaneously mobilize four Legendary Battleships: Crown of Miracles, Jade Coronet, Sea Soul, and Theseus.

On the journey, from the hands of "old witch" Baba Yaga, they obtained the Chimera Secret Ceremony; from Zongderilic, they acquired complete technological sets of Floating Battleship, Single-Person Flying Device, and Magnetic Ore technical data.

In the Storm Belt, they acquired 70 Essence Fruits of the Sea God's Sons; in the Golden Kingdom, successfully materialized the Golden Holy Spear·Lance; and obtained the Divine Gift: Oath Prison Lock from the Sky Goddess Kurutena, significantly assisting the current rampant situation of Ancient God forces.

While Angie felt joy in her heart, she also felt a heavy responsibility, carefully putting away the Holy Spear. Suddenly remembering something, she looked up at Aiven and said:

"By the way, teacher, when we were at the Cloud Sea Secret Realm, we saw..."

"Eh, is this true? Has Ye He'er lost her mind?"

At the scene of the Spiritual Origin distribution, Lady Crow Ye He'er suddenly attacked another High-Rank Totem God, Melro, disregarding the tremendous benefit before her and the Duchy as a formidable enemy.

Moreover, not sure what method she utilized, Melro was severely injured and immediately withdrew from the Secret Realm.

Upon hearing this, Aiven couldn't help but touch the Divine Gift: Oath Prison Lock in his pocket again.

Effect: Using the World Will as the guarantor, and the Lock as a Token, no one below a Demigod can violate the oath. It can even defy the individual's will to some extent, forcing a bind.

The limitation is at most three slots.

At that time, Aiven found the gift indeed novel, as a free and unfettered Sky Goddess would surprisingly gift someone a restricting treasure.

Upon hearing Angie's news, a glint flashed in his eyes, as he had already decided on his first intended object of use!