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Velen looked at Anastasia, who had a serious expression, and nodded in agreement:

"Lord Anastasia, I fully support your idea. Even if they are just servants, they must be held to strict standards!"

Hearing Velen's words, Anastasia was momentarily stunned.

What kind of statement was that?

Wasn't Velen trying to recruit people into the fortress? Why was he raising the requirements instead?

Could it be that this unassuming man was actually an Ascended Rank powerhouse?

Velen glanced at Sunlord and continued, "I think the minimum requirement of Ascended Rank you mentioned is still too low!"

"Lord Anastasia, let me formally introduce you. This is Apollo. Like Senator Clinton, he is a top-tier Ascended Rank powerhouse on the verge of entering the upper plane universe!"

"Since the fortress already has a large population, we must now strive for excellence. Even for servants, the standards should be high. Only an Ascended Rank Level 9 Awakener like him meets the fortress's current entry requirements!"

Hearing this, Anastasia couldn't believe her ears.

Good heavens!

No wonder she had sensed an aura of dignity from this man, whose presence felt incredibly obscure—he turned out to be a top-tier Ascended Rank Level 9 powerhouse!

But such a high-level figure would receive immense respect and status in any force. Why would he willingly become a servant of the fortress?

If the other senators found out, they would surely feel enormous pressure.

After all, if even a mere servant in the fortress surpassed them in strength, wouldn't that mean they were inferior even to the lowest servants if they didn't work harder?

Seeing Anastasia, a woman of special status, looking astonished, Sunlord immediately sensed an opportunity!

Clearly, something was off about how a powerhouse like himself ended up joining the fortress in this manner.

If Anastasia questioned it, he could use the chance to prove his loyalty and gain her favor.

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From what he had observed, Anastasia held considerable influence—even the unfathomable Velen was affected by her. As long as he could win her over, he might one day rise again!

He was Sunlord, after all, someone who had risen from nothing.

Even though he had now fallen into ruin, he prided himself on his resilience. These hardships wouldn't defeat him—on the contrary, he would seize an opportunity even in the direst of circumstances.

And now, wasn't such an opportunity presenting itself?

However, just as he eagerly awaited Anastasia's response, she only glanced at him before refocusing on Velen.

"Velen, tell me—how much mana crystal did you spend to deceive such a powerhouse into coming here?"

Sunlord's mouth hung open in shock.

What did she mean?

Even if his true identity as Sunlord remained hidden, he was at least an Ascended Rank Level 9 powerhouse.

Could someone at this level really be 'deceived' into coming here?

What on earth was wrong with this Anastasia?

Sunlord suddenly sensed that something was off.

But he couldn't quite put his finger on it. He could only stare blankly at Velen and Anastasia.

Had he lived in the upper plane universe for so long that his thinking had become completely disconnected from these lower-plane people?

Regardless, he knew he had to act now—otherwise, he might not get another chance.

At once, he turned to Anastasia and quickly said,

"Lord Anastasia, I was not lured here by mana crystals. I became a servant of the fortress because—"

Before he could finish, Anastasia interrupted him.

"Alright, Apollo, I know Velen must have given you benefits to make you speak on his behalf. That's understandable. But what I don't understand is—you're a top-tier Ascended Rank Level 9 powerhouse! In the Titan Galaxy and other star systems, you would be one of the most powerful Awakeners. Why would you willingly become a servant? How much did Velen offer you?"

"But I'm not someone who pries into secrets. Since you voluntarily chose to join the fortress as a servant, that's between you and Velen. I won't interfere. Your strength is sufficient, and the fortress welcomes you."

After finishing her words, Anastasia turned and left.

Meanwhile, Sunlord Apollo was completely dumbfounded.

What "immense benefits" from Velen?

He had received no benefits at all! On the contrary, he had been forcibly enslaved by Velen's subordinates!

To think that he, a godly being, was now being mocked by a young girl like Anastasia—it was utterly humiliating.

A godlike being, reduced to such a state—surely, in all of history, he was the only one!

"You've had a long day. It's time to rest," Velen yawned, stretching. "Senator Clinton, Apollo has just become your servant. Let him serve you tonight. Once he gets used to his surroundings, we'll assign him proper duties."

With that, Velen walked into the fortress, and Ironback Centipede obediently followed at his side.

Watching their retreating figures, Senator Clinton turned a sinister gaze toward Apollo.

"Sunlord, you ruled with an iron fist in the upper plane universe, never expecting to fall to such depths, did you?"

Clinton truly despised Sunlord Apollo.

"Don't worry, I am a fair man. Back then, you sealed me away for over two hundred years, robbing me of my prime. Now, you will serve me here to atone for your sins. If you perform well, I might consider releasing you in a few hundred years."

Though filled with hatred, Clinton's centuries-long confinement had granted him clarity.

At the very least, his heart had found peace.

Even when facing his most hated enemy, he regained his composure after a brief surge of emotion.

Seeing Clinton's shift in demeanor, Apollo's resistance gradually turned into a more complicated expression.

Sometime later…

Following closely behind Clinton, Apollo entered the fortress and immediately saw the floating courtyard suspended in mid-air.

A mana planet!

At first glance, Apollo was absolutely certain—the entire floating courtyard was built from mana planets!

Mana planets were incredibly rare even in the upper plane universe, yet in the fortress, they were being used as building materials!

As Apollo struggled to process this revelation, Clinton shot him a glance and commanded,

"Stand guard beneath the floating courtyard. Tomorrow, we will assign you a residence and determine your specific duties."

After speaking, Clinton entered his luxurious floating estate, leaving Apollo standing there, completely stunned.

He distinctly recalled that Max had once fought Clinton over a mana planet.

But he remembered clearly—that mana planet had been no larger than a person's head, and it was still considered incredibly valuable.

Yet here, Clinton was living in an estate made entirely of mana planets?!

If Clinton had possessed so many mana planets, why had he fought Max for one?

Was he just toying with them all along?

Realizing this, Apollo felt utterly defeated.

Meanwhile…

Dark Eye Galaxy, Holy Light Temple, Sword Saint Plaza.

When Kidd finally rushed back, he was shocked to find both Mark and the Grand Senator waiting for him.

Their icy gazes sent a shiver down his spine.

Clearly, sneaking into Chaos City to avoid their training had truly enraged them.

But Kidd's panic lasted only a moment before he quickly regained his composure.

He was a Great Swordsman now—far stronger than before. What was there to fear?

Taking a deep breath, he strutted toward them with an air of arrogant defiance.

Seeing this unusual behavior, both Mark and the Grand Senator were taken aback.

They knew Kidd inside and out—when had he ever dared act so brashly in front of them?

Something was definitely off.

"How could his attitude change so drastically in such a short time?"

Staring at Kidd's smug face, the Grand Senator's eye twitched.

"I really, really want to beat him up."