Transcendent Dawn

Inner Circle, a high-end restaurant.

As the real core of the Green Tree Castle, the Inner Circle has the top resources in the Federation, with chefs from all around the world, some of whom were even once royal chefs.

Now, they all serve the Inner Circle.

Su Lu very much appreciates this, after all, it’s always better to enjoy a good meal than not.

His pursuit of enjoyment belongs to the kind of person that will not chase for better, but won’t refuse more comfortable experience if available.

This mentality made it difficult for him to take on occupations that require high moral integrity, such as [Martial Monk]!

“Hey, su Lu!”

A voice drifted over as Su Lu was enjoying a portion of Chris Palace’s secret fried lamb chops.

“Oh, it’s you, Siegfried!”

He looked up and saw a plump young man with a round face and a kind smile. This was also a member of the Inner Circle who had a fondness for gourmet food. Su Lu had casually chatted with him a couple of times and gradually became friends due to their common hobby.

Most of the formal members of the Inner Circle were Occupational Persons, but Su Lu had not inquired about their private affairs.

All he knew was that this Siegfried was a genius in the field of mechanics, who had been absorbed into the Inner Circle to specialize in research related to steam power and large-scale machinery, completely different from his own work with the telegraph.

“Have you heard…”

However, Siegfried wasn’t in his usual cheerful mood today. As soon as he sat down, his voice became low: “Something big has happened in the Federation!”

“Oh?”

Su Lu was startled.

He had been engrossed in intense training and exploring the Mental Realm, and had not really paid attention to the outside world: “What happened?”

“Take a look!”

Siegfried handed him a newspaper.

This wasn’t some ordinary city paper or merchant paper, but an internal reference document from Green Tree Castle itself, with no attempts at censoring Transcendent information.

Su Lu took it and the first thing he saw was a city burning in the night, and it looked eerily familiar.

“Shocking! Nia City suffers horrific attack on National Day!”

Seeing the headline, Su Lu almost spit out a mouthful of orange juice: “It’s Nia

City? I’m sorry… That’s where I went to college, it’s like my second hometown!”

“I understand, I understand!”

Siegfried put down the dinner plate that was blocking his face: “I’ve been there before, it’s a beautiful place…”

Seemingly uncertain of how to offer comfort, after uttering a sentence, he found himself at a loss for words.

Su Lu steadied his emotion and read on: “It’s reported…this was a premeditated, utterly terrifying Transcendent attack. The catastrophic impact caused almost half of Nia City to burn, and over a hundred thousand casualties…According to a follow-up investigation, a spokesperson from the Federal Eleventh Bureau said that this was most likely the work of Demon followers, and promised to intensify the fight against Demon cults.”

‘So…my speculations were true.’

Su Lu put down the newspaper, murmuring to himself in his heart.

Although he had suspected this and received subconscious warnings, these could have been wrong too.

But now, there was no room for doubt any longer.

‘The Ancient Snake Society? And that Archbishop of the Goddess of Light? What are they planning by orchestrating such a catastrophe? Is it to demonstrate power to the Federation? Or perhaps a sacrifice to the Demons?’

‘Even though I had warned Green Tree Castle, it seems to have had no effect…No! Could it be that my warnings drew attention to this situation?

Hastening the villains to strike?’

Su Lu felt a chill as he pondered.

If he hadn’t left in time and was still in Nia City, who knows what would have happened to him.

‘As for the House of Dolls…Well, if it’s burned down, it’s burned down. Seems like I’m not cut out for real estate investment…’

He silently commented to himself, then looked at Siegfried: “Hey, buddy…Do you have any more inside information?”

Originally, he was just casually asking.

But to his surprise, a mysterious expression crossed Siegfried’s face: “Well…there’s something. I heard from my mentor during a conversation with the Sixth Seat that the event in Nia City was very similar to a certain sacrificial ritual, used for to ‘Leqend’!”

Everyone in the Inner Circle of Green Tree Castle was a formidable figure, whether [Arcane] or [Mage], they were all known for their extensive learning. Besides, given their relationship with the Federation, knowing about some high-end intelligence was expected.

“Legend?”

Su Lu took a long breath: “It’s faster than I imagined!”

The progress of the Dawn of the Gods was faster than he had imagined.

If the last appearance of a legend-level creature in Posey Port could be considered an exception, then the subsequent ritual for the advancement of the legend in Nia City would signify that the forthcoming Federation would be a stage for legendary giants!

“You feel it’s too fast too, don’t you?”

Siegfried ate his hamburger fiercely and spoke with his mouth full: “I am afraid the future world will be shrouded in war!”

“Why do you say that?” Su Lu asked curiously, considering it from a Transcendent perspective.

“War is nothing more than the redistribution process of resources and interests…” Siegfried gulped down the last bite of his hamburger: ‘Whether it’s the Twilight of the Gods or Dawn, it signifies the change in the power structure, which will lead to redistribution of interests… isn’t it quite normal if an uneven split leads to clashes?”

“That makes sense.”

Su Lu sighed; indeed, there isn’t a single fool within the Inner Circle: “But let’s not talk about other things yet. Just among the nations, the reason they’ve been able to coexist peacefully for the last hundred years is because of the presence of the world’s fringe, a place like the Dark Continent that can be developed…But with the arrival of the Dawn of the Gods, the Dark Continent has suddenly become ten or even a hundred times more dangerous. Holding on to a few colonies would be a tremendous feat, let alone any possible retreat…Unable to plunder resources from the outside, they will only turn to fight amongst themselves internally.”

“A very sharp observation, I think you can totally write a paper on it, won’t be worse off than some international observers…Of course, it can only be published internally! ”

Siegfried drank all his milk in one gulp: “I need to go do some experiments now, Su Lu…Are you sure you don’t want to join our Steam Group?”

Even though they just casually chatted, Siegfried found that Su Lu, not only a genius on the telegraph, had a very unique perspective on steam power.

“No, thanks!”

Su Lu declined with a bit of a toothache.

He was very clear about the unspoken rules. Even within the Inner Circle, there are factions.

He had been labeled by the Ninth Seat when he entered the Inner Circle through the electrical research institute; a few internal exchanges were okay.

But once he switches over to the Steam Group, even Professor William might start seeing him in a negative light. Switching factions could tantamount to sabotaging one’s own prospects.

Unless he demonstrated astonishing talent, none of the former glory would matter in the end if the outcome was not good..