The yers in the venue were once again left dumbfounded.


    At this moment, Sterl was also struggling to process the situation. If there had been any room for pretense before, now tossing this loyal group of yers right in front of him felt a bit excessive.


    This was a severe blow to the morale of the other yers in their faction. Even in a world where a divine being''s power could crush everything, the enthusiasm of the people executing tasks or their deliberate sluggishness made a significant difference in efficiency.


    These two gods were practically undermining the foundations of the Golden Kingdom and Ashen factions!


    Sterl''s heart was filled with caution, as this situation could only indicate one thing: he must possess something that could offer them even greater benefits. The benefits gained from other yers in [Transcendence] likely revolved around killing and looting equipment… Just like his own [Consume] ability, which could only be triggered by defeating other yers.


    Looking at the yers who had copsed on the ground, Sterl merely said coldly, "It''s fine to let them go."


    "Aren''t they also loyal members of your faction?" he added casually.


    Sterl reasoned that his current identity was a disguise anyway, and the yers from the three major factions bore him no grudges. Or perhaps it was that the targets of their hatred were too broad and scattered.


    Just like earlier, when everyone was shouting in anger but no one dared to act, individual yers were extremely frustrated with the enigmatic demigod, but it wasn''t to the extent of a life-and-death feud.


    There was no need for Sterl to kill them. His principle was to avoid harming others unless absolutely necessary; if there was even a slight necessity, then he would act decisively.


    The two gods were taken aback by his words, then chuckled as they said, "No problem, young friend. You are indeed kind-hearted."


    With that, they waved their hands slightly, sending the yers back into the crowd and lifting the bindings ced on them.


    Those yers, feeling as if they had narrowly escaped death, took a moment to crouch on the ground before finally managing to stand up, trembling all over. They knew that the earlier scene was no mere act. The gods had genuinely intended to y them, but had dyed their strike to appease the mysterious demigod, ultimately leading to their reprieve. They had brushed against death.


    The other yers from the three factions watched in silence as these few yers exhibited such a demeanor, their eyes glinting with an indescribable light.


    Meanwhile, the yers themselves were confused; the hatred in the eyes of the Ashen and Golden Kingdom members towards the mysterious demigod had somewhat dissipated. Mostly, it was due to the fact that even the gods were treating him so gently, willing to let people go, which left them feeling strangely ttered and bewildered.


    The hatred had lessened a bit—until a furious roar echoed from the sky.


    "Damn it, have you two lost your minds?"


    "Hmm? How dare you!"


    Marlon descended from the heights, roaring with rage, his figure enveloped in a dark purple aura reminiscent of the night.


    He had just been trapped by the two gods using theirbined powers. It was only through a full burst of divine authority that he managed to escape, and now he was extremely agitated.


    As the yers from the three major factions looked on, their expressions changed once again!


    Especially the members of the Hall of Valor, who had suffered heavy losses, eagerly watched the unfolding scene.


    Yes!


    The other two factions'' gods could potentially win over the mysterious demigod, but what about the Hall of Valor? They couldn''t possibly sway him, could they?


    Their entire faction had been put in such a dire situation; if they were let off lightly, how could they establish themselves in the future? The reputation of the Hall of Valor would be in tatters. Would anyone still want to join them? Powerful beings above the demigod level could easily traverse mountains and rivers to align with other top factions!


    Moreover, Marlon''s furious demeanor only added to the tension.


    A glimmer of hope surfaced in the eyes of the yers from the Golden Kingdom and Ashen.


    The yers from the Hall of Valor looked at him with excitement as if they were witnessing the arrival of a savior.


    At that moment, however, Marlon ignored the many yers under hismand and made a beeline for Sterl.


    The yers from the Hall of Valor watched as this god, flying through the air, seemed to be dissipating, losing all his energy, and they felt something was off.


    Combining this with the previous events, an ominous premonition settled in their hearts.


    "It can''t be."


    "Our organization and unity in the Hall of Valor are far stronger than Ashen and the Golden Kingdom."


    "Lord Marlon is definitely here to uphold justice for us."


    One by one, they spoke with conviction, though it was unclear whom they were trying to convince.


    …


    Yet, Marlon only approached the mysterious demigod with a smile.


    "Sorry to keep you waiting."


    "Don''t worry; even with two gods here, they can''t threaten you as long as I''m around."


    "The Hall of Valor will always be your strongest support."


    "As long as you are a part of the Hall of Valor, we will never abandon you."


    As Marlon spoke, he radiated a golden light.


    The surrounding yers from the Hall of Valor were deeply moved; his words were so profound, indeed this was our god! Could the gods of the other two factionspare? They didn''t care about the lives of their followers at all!


    Lord Marlon would only say that the Hall of Valor would always be our support!


    Instantly, the yers from the Hall of Valor felt their backs straighten; withoutparison, how could the gods of the Golden Kingdom and Ashen be anything? They didn''t care about the lives of those below them at all!


    Following such a faction was truly unfortunate, while the Hall of Valor was different.


    Lord Marlon''s earlier fury was all about seeking justice for them! Even if that mysterious demigod was favored by the two gods, it didn''t matter because they wouldn''t dare offend a powerful being of equal rank just to protect a demigod.


    We''ve won!


    We can finally take a breather.


    The yers from the Golden Kingdom and Ashen indeed disyed expressions of difort and resentment in the eyes of the Hall of Valor yers.


    However...


    Why were their feelings of difort and resentment directed at us instead of the demigod?


    Why did Lord Marlon say that even with two gods present, those two gods wouldn''t act against us?


    Wait a minute!


    Why did Lord Marlon speak while never looking at us, but only at that mysterious demigod? Hold on...


    Could it be?


    Someone, filled with dread, recalled a certain fact and quickly opened the merit leaderboard.


    "Holy crap! That mysterious demigod is one of us in the Hall of Valor; he''s ranked first in merit!"


    "What?? This guy is one of our own? You''ve got to be kidding!"


    "I don''t believe it! I can''t ept this!"


    "Wait! So Lord Marlon wasn''t even talking to us!"


    In an instant...


    The mindset of the Hall of Valor yers shifted from extreme joy to utter despair.


    They looked at the mysterious demigod in disbelief...


    That guy...


    That guy...


    Was actually chatting with three gods, creating a harmonious atmosphere.


    Including Marlon!


    The only difference between Marlon and the previous two gods was that he was more enthusiastic.


    "My young friend, the fact that you can unleash such a terrifying attack with your current strength—truth be told, it''s not the Hall of Valor that has nurtured you, but you have brought glory to us!"


    "Really, seeing you makes me understand what it means that heroes emerge from youth."


    "If you ever need anything in the Hall of Valor, juste to me. Talents like you should receive more support."


    From Sterl''s perspective, Marlon''s ttering words were more extravagant than Gloria''s praise for him!


    And the more excited Sterl became while chatting with the three gods, the more the surrounding yers'' mental states began to crumble.


    The yers from Ashen and the Golden Kingdom suddenly felt refreshed, as if their difort had lessened.


    It was vital to note that the Hall of Valor had suffered the most losses, yet their so-called losses were all caused by an internal ally?


    Moreover... who didn''t know that the Hall of Valor was a loosely organized faction? The mysterious demigod imed to be one of their own, but in reality, he had very little connection to the Hall of Valor.


    Instead, he could leverage this identity to gain Marlon''s favor, while the ordinary yers of the Hall of Valor suffered losses for nothing!


    "Haha! This is hrious."


    "Let''s just say the people of the Hall of Valor have a good sense of humor."


    "Thank you all! I was feeling terrible, but now I feel much better."


    The members of Ashen and the Golden Kingdom mocked them, primarily because they were now too afraid to insult that mysterious demigod.


    They dreaded ending up like that unfortunate fellow who had been captured and left to his fate.


    The mysterious demigod had expressed that they would let it go this time, but the next time? That was uncertain...


    As for the yers from the Golden Kingdom—


    "What nonsense are you all talking?"


    "I''m feeling great, thanks!"


    "That mysterious demigod is one of us! Just wait until we dominate you on the battlefield!"


    They gritted their teeth, yet all they received in return were pitying looks from the yers of the Golden Kingdom and Ashen.


    Goodness, now not only had their mentality crumbled, but they had alsopletely lost it!


    Do you even believe what you''re saying?


    ...


    Then, the few gods finally revealed their true intentions.


    "Additionally, you should be able to secure first ce on this merit leaderboard."


    "The two big shots from that ce you should know want to meet you."


    "We wonder if we have the honor of taking you to see them."


    Sterl was taken aback, finally feeling as if the truth was revealed.


    He had cracked the case!


    From analyzing their words, it seemed that his performance had caught the attention of someone mysterious from the upper realms.


    That made sense.


    Sterl thought about it; wasn''t his own Twilight guild also focused on recruiting talented yers?


    The reason the three gods remained silent in the face of their yers'' significant losses was that the individuals from the upper realms were tied to their interests, and they couldn''t afford to offend them.


    Otherwise...


    Why would Sterl want to hide?


    After all, there were plenty of legends in the Hall of Valor about geniuses whose talents were snatched away by powerful beings.


    However...


    At the same time, it wasn''t necessarily a good thing that the people from the upper realms sought him out; their abilities and resources could easily strip away talents, skills, and professions.


    At this moment, seeing the three gods speak with such earnest expressions, especially the two gods from the Golden Kingdom and Ashen, it was clear they were genuinely anxious.


    Sterl didn''t hesitate much; he slowly opened his mouth—