Chapter 140: A Thorn in the Flesh and Eye
Xu Zhi’s letter quickly attracted the attention of the Federation’s upper echelons, especially due to the proposed deal mentioned within—it was something they took very seriously.
Just as Xu Zhi had written, she seemed to understand the Federation’s current predicament perfectly: powerlessness.
And her proposal was incredibly tempting.
It would not only allow the Federation’s Transcendents to enter Cloud City, but also help solve a deadly problem for the Federation—though the price to be paid was enough to make one’s heart ache.
“What do you all think?”
At that moment, the key decision-makers of the Federation were all gathered in one place.
“What else is there to say? Either agree or refuse.”
“Thanks for the nonsense.”
“Just make a decision already. I’m losing people every day. Soon, I might not even be able to sit here myself.”
“What do you mean by that? You think we should accept? Just because of a letter?”
“This isn’t a small matter!”
“Not a small matter? What is a small matter anymore in the Federation? Make a decision already!”
“Wait. She’s inside Cloud City, yet knows this much about what’s happening in the Federation. What if she’s in cahoots with those people?”
“If we fall for it and trust her, we’ll be done for!”
“Done for? Aren’t we already dying, just slowly?”
“Only difference between a slow death and a swift one.”
“Might as well give it a shot. Unless—do you have any better ideas?”
The dozen or so people argued noisily. Calls came in and were picked up by assistants throughout the meeting. Everyone was clearly busy, yet still took time to gather—proof of how seriously they viewed this matter.
In the end, more people chose to take the risk.
Not because they trusted Xu Zhi, but because—there was simply no other choice, was there?
If it failed, all they would lose was a team of Transcendents sent into Cloud City and the deposit payment.
Xu Zhi hadn’t asked for much up front. That was part of why she was so sure the Federation would accept.
When you’re at the end of your rope, even the slimmest hope is still hope.
What finally pushed the Federation to act was an urgent internal call—another Archbishop had appeared.
The timing couldn’t have been more perfect, as if deliberately planned to force their hand.
“Everyone, submit two names for who should go into Cloud City for the trade.”
“A final team of ten will be selected to enter with the deposit.”
After the plan was finalized, Lin Zizhen received an order from above—to write a reply on behalf of the Federation, agreeing to the deal.
The letter’s content had already been drafted. Lin Zizhen only needed to copy it onto paper and give it to Zhen to deliver.
Maybe the higher-ups thought printing it out would seem insincere.
This strange sense of ceremony didn’t really matter to Xu Zhi.
When she received the reply, she was even a bit surprised the Federation had made their decision faster than she had expected. She thought Zhen wouldn’t return until tomorrow.
What she didn’t know was: the followers of the [Cup] attribute were even more desperate than she imagined.
Almost as soon as they read Xu Zhi’s letter, two Archbishops decided to push the deal forward at once. They accelerated the emergence of a third Archbishop, who was still in the process of ascending—basically forcing their growth.
Then, they immediately leaked that news to the Federation.
“We can’t wait any longer. We must seize this chance.”
“There might be a trap. That incomplete kin aura—she appeared with it.”
“So what?”
In the darkness, a young boy grinned savagely, bloodlust in his eyes:
“No matter how many schemes they have, they’re meaningless before absolute power.”
“You don’t want to wait until we need to rely on strategy just to kill her, do you?”
“The Lord cares about her. If He wants her eliminated, we can’t give her time to grow.”
“Get ready. The three of us are going in together.”
Three Archbishops heading into Cloud City—that alone showed how seriously they were taking this.
“As for that kin of hers… if they’re useless and only cooperating under duress, just kill them. If they’re still useful, we’ll train them.”
“But seeing how they were the first to step onto the path and still haven’t ascended… probably useless. Might as well eat them—let me absorb some power.”
His voice practically drooled with hunger, itching to catch Yu Shenwei.
“Do as you like,” a woman slumped in a chair replied lazily.
“Then, can you use your power to get us three spots in the team?”
“Of course.”
Altering someone’s perception was the simplest thing in the world for her—it was her specialty.
If Xu Zhi knew this, she’d probably say: “What a coincidence, that’s kinda my specialty too.”
But for now, Xu Zhi had no idea what powers the incoming Archbishops possessed.
She had asked the Narrator, but the response was:
[It has obscured all attempts at divination. I can’t see anything.]
“Wow, they’re really going all out to kill me, huh?”
Being seen as a thorn in the flesh, a major threat—honestly, it felt pretty good.
Seeing her so smug, the Narrator couldn’t help but warn her again:
[Be careful.]
Xu Zhi chuckled, “Don’t worry. It’s not like I’m getting carried away—I just find it amusing.”
What could she say? She was just… really looking forward to meeting the Archbishops.
“It’s settled. We’ll open the gate tomorrow at dusk.”
Xu Zhi calculated a bit and decided that would be an auspicious time.
She wrote the entrance time and location in a letter and sent Zhen off to deliver it to the Federation.
It was still only 4 PM. She sent it early so the Archbishops would have plenty of time to sneak into the team.
“Twenty hours should be enough, right?”
[Was that a divination gesture? It didn’t look right.]
“Exactly, because I can’t actually divine anything.”
[…] Get serious!
“Aww, don’t be mad.”
Xu Zhi smiled, trying to soothe the Narrator. “Even if I can’t divine, tomorrow really is a good day.”
Yi and Gouzi had both fallen into deep sleep from leveling up to 30. They’d likely wake around tomorrow morning.
That alone made tomorrow an auspicious day.
Meanwhile, outside—in the Federation…
After receiving Xu Zhi’s second letter, the Federation still hadn’t finalized all ten participants.
But they had confirmed one name: Lin Zizhen.
Not for any complicated reason—simply because he was “familiar” with Xu Zhi. Plus, she sent her letter directly to him. That “special treatment” landed him this rare opportunity, even if Xu Zhi only saw him as a useful tool.
No Transcendents didn’t want to go to Cloud City.
It meant escaping the Federation, now ravaged by Archbishops, and entering a land overflowing with energy.
Who wouldn’t jump at the chance?
