Everything that’s happened these days has been like a nightmare for Gerhard.

"No, no, no, no, don’t spin me!"

In the deep of night, inside the Earl’s castle, Gerhard suddenly awoke, sitting up in bed with a jolt.

He came to his senses, already drenched in cold sweat.

"Dreamt of that damned Fallen Star Beast again..."

As soon as he closed his eyes lately, he’d see that scene of being tossed around by the Fallen Star Beast, followed by those demonic whispers:

"[Resurrect at Marika Wedge Stone]"

In the end, the nightmares would constantly blend together, turning into a Fallen Star Beast with Marika’s statue head, charging at him with hooves pounding!

That feeling of terror, he still couldn’t find the right words to describe it.

"Damn those quack doctors, those Calming Potions are useless!"

Gerhard wiped the cold sweat from his forehead haphazardly, lay back down but couldn’t sleep, so he just stared blankly at the ceiling.

Then, the unbearable memories from a few days ago surged back with the tide.

Not to mention making a fool of himself in public while naked, though embarrassing, the shame didn’t compare to losing the battle against Tepi.

Tepi, that guy, was now an official!

Appointed by Lanle as some "Sain Administrator" sort of official, it’s utterly baffling. Never heard of such a title, it’s like child’s play, he absolutely couldn’t accept it!

But, his opinion seemed irrelevant...

As a staunch supporter of the Warrior Reform among the princes, Lanle was the most trusted by King Banto, and whether in power or prestige, he was the highest among the princes.

The third prince Temude had many military achievements, his prestige second only to Lanle, but unfortunately, like the old king, he was a traditionalist not supporting the Warrior Reform, so his influence in court was far behind Lanle.

Not to mention, the Court Great Magic Sage was Lanle’s teacher and naturally would support him.

So Gerhard, as an earl, really couldn’t cause any waves.

If he couldn’t cause waves, then so be it. On the surface, he’d be well-behaved, but behind the scenes, causing trouble for Tepi, just to vent his anger, is that not allowed?

No, because Tepi even managed to win over someone unexpected — General Uffie!

Gerhard still couldn’t understand why Uffie would be willing to back Tepi; they seemed totally unrelated!

But that’s how things turned out, he scratched his head raw but couldn’t fathom the reason.

Just not long ago, Tepi was under him in every aspect; how did things reverse in the blink of an eye, in just a few days?

The reversal was so drastic, it seemed like someone rewrote history’s pages!

Now he could only watch as Tepi made a grand display around the Teleportation Gate of the Sain Dungeon, while he could do nothing.

"I, I feel so aggrieved..."

In the deep of night, his voice echoed with grievance throughout the castle.

It had been several days since his competition with Tepi.

Out of the desire to watch the spectacle, Lanle stayed in this Black Stone City, though he still hadn’t entered the Sain Dungeon; after all, he wanted to see other people as the spectacle, not become it himself.

If people couldn’t summarize an absolutely safe route or guarantee his safety in the Sain Dungeon, he absolutely wouldn’t enter!

On the other side, Tepi was adjusting to his new identity, having just adapted, and was making sweeping changes to the area around the Teleportation Gate of Sain Dungeon.

The Teleportation Gate appearing in Black Stone City was a major headache for the city’s administration.

Fortunately, it was at the city’s edge near the outskirts, and the visual effects of its appearance cleared out the surrounding buildings, creating a large open space.

So this open space and some surrounding areas naturally became Tepi’s jurisdiction.

Putting aside the tedious task of compensating and resettling the affected residents, which required a lot of effort,

Tepi selected magicians and workers to form a construction team to rebuild this area, with various shops serving adventurers being essential; selling the rights to these shops would yield a considerable profit.

As for matters related to the Teleportation Gate, like rules and regulations, he planned to copy those of the Giant Stone Dungeon and open it to adventurers once the surrounding construction was complete.

He couldn’t keep it closed even if he wanted to, not Sain Dungeon! Remember the fate of Count Philip of Yanor Kingdom back then.

Who would dare restrict Sain Dungeon?

While carrying out public constructions, Tepi also didn’t forget to profit for himself, never forgetting his main profession.

The "Golden Lion Commerce," founded single-handedly by him, had already begun taking on orders related to Sain Dungeon.

Despite not yet finding a way from Nimgefo or Galide to other areas of Sain Dungeon, its habit of eventually linking these areas together had led people to assume that one day, these regions in Warrior Country would connect with those in Yanor Kingdom.

So even if it’s just a Teleportation Gate, what it represents is Warrior Country’s people being able to obtain the entire Sain Dungeon’s resources conveniently!

The Greening Grass of Fran Fort and various detoxification Moss Balls, the magic of Reyalucaria Magic Academy, the powerful monster materials from the forest areas, the... from Casas Underground Tomb...

The largest number of orders Golden Lion Commerce received were for various ingredients from the gourmet area! Orders from the gourmet area far exceeded those from other areas!

This is perhaps the clearest interpretation of the saying "food is the priority of the people."

It’s foreseeable that if Tepi seizes this opportunity, it might be uncertain whether his personal power increases, but his wealth would certainly balloon like a sponge soaked with water.

As for the future issues arising from the linking of various Sain areas allowing Yanor and Warrior Country people to visit each other rapidly... that’s the King’s problem to worry about, what’s it got to do with him?

And since the future linkage is a foregone conclusion,

that man may soon meet Tepi once again.

"So please guide me, General Uffie!"

In Tepi’s temporary residence near the Teleportation Gate of the Sain Dungeon.

He knelt halfway in front of Uffie, speaking in a voice unfit for a middle-aged man, his eyes full of longing— a desire for strength.

Fanen and Isha turned their heads awkwardly, choosing not to look at the scene, leaving Uffie to worry alone.

Uffie held her forehead with a face that showed she didn’t know what to say, looking somewhat unable to hold back, truly troubled inside.

The reason for their reactions was all because...

Tepi explained his reasons for wanting to become stronger, including his grievances with Leon.

Speaking of which, were there really grievances?

"Well, Mr. Basque, pardon me for being blunt..." Uffie now had a very complex expression, difficult to describe.

"You getting beaten by Leon, I think is entirely your own doing."

Who would’ve thought that Leon’s father was actually Tepi, and with such a bitter past, even more ridiculous is that his villainous father is currently my collaborator, and now he’s kneeling and asking me to teach him.

This really is a mess.

Uffie was already somewhat wanting to refuse, even contemplating ending the collaboration with Tepi, "You know, Leon is my father’s disciple... your son is my father’s disciple, and I have to teach my father’s disciple’s father?"

How on earth should this seniority be arranged!?

"Most importantly, Mr. Basque, the things you’ve done seem really, really bad in my eyes, so how can I help you seek revenge on Leon?"

Even though Tepi was wealthy and she had an agreement with Gapar for a match, needing someone to confront Leon, her values were still those of a normal person.

"No, you misunderstood."

Tepi stood up confidently and said, "Leon and I have already reconciled."

I don’t buy your Haunter!

What kind of father and son reconcile only to still think about hitting back?

Uffie’s cheeks twitched, helplessly waving her hand and saying, "Stop trying to deceive me. If you truly reconciled, why are you still fixated on beating him back?"

"I’m really not lying to you."

Tepi clenched his fist, face full of reminiscence, and said:

"The day Leon and I confronted each other, he told me with his own fists that he was a stronger person than me, and his forgiveness was the privilege of the strong."

Can fists really speak? Uffie forced herself to resist the urge to quip.

"I felt many emotions from his fist—his hatred, anger, joy, sadness... From that moment, I realized I was wrong, and I owed him from the past."

"So, your way of apologizing is to go and beat Leon again?" Fanen finally couldn’t help but speak.

"Yes, exactly so!"

Tepi nodded seriously and said:

"I can feel that every time Leon and I exchange fists, he grows stronger, the more we beat each other, the stronger he becomes, not just in strength but in his mind as well!"

He suddenly laughed, revealing a smile that seemed a bit mad to outsiders.

"Since we can no longer interact like normal father and son, then I think, at the very least, I can use mutual beatings to make it up to him."

"To make Leon the strongest person in the history of the Basque Family!"

The room fell silent.

Everyone present looked at him dumbfounded as if they had been petrified.

Tepi stood up straighter.

After a while, Uffie finally reacted.

"Although I can’t figure out how your mind works, but..."

She suddenly slapped Tepi on the back and laughed heartily, "It feels very impressive! I admire you greatly!"

Uffie snapped her fingers and said, "Since you’re doing this for Leon’s good, then no problem, I’ll help you with this!"

"Thank you very much!" Tepi was overjoyed, suddenly feeling several years younger, like an old lion regaining its vigor.

"You want to cultivate Leon into the strongest person in your family’s history? Why not think of it another way."

Uffie, sounding like the demon Mephisto whispering, said, "Why don’t you become the strongest person in the history of the Basque Family first?"

Tepi suddenly clenched his fists, looking at Uffie with eyes that seemed to be ablaze.

"Hurry and finish your commerce matters, open up the Dungeon."

Uffie confidently said, "I’ll take you to fight the Omen Demon! I already know how to defeat him!"

These past few days, she hadn’t been idle, constantly replaying the battle with the Omen Demon and seeking ways to defeat him. Now she finally had enough confidence to say she knew how to win.

Fanen and Isha exchanged glances, feeling that somehow these two had struck a chord with each other.

It’s just too weird.

So, not long after, Tepi lifted the restrictions on the Teleportation Gate.

The people of the Warrior Country could freely access the Sain Dungeon.