Xander pointed at Ace and said to the guest: "This guy has recently been fond of going out for a night stroll."

  "Young people, can't be helped." The guest nodded and smiled, his words full of understanding and tolerance like an adult facing a child's mischief, but the hoarse and unpleasant voice sent shivers down one's spine.

  It's impossible for anyone else to make such an unpleasant sound. From this voice, Asa immediately recognized the monster that almost blew him up in the Whispering Woods, the Death Sorcerer mentioned by Bishop Ronis. And now this monster is actually speaking to him in a tone of understanding, which is absolutely bizarre.

  Shandru got up with a lazy and strange expression, as if he was just an ordinary friend who came to drink tea and chat. He threw out a sentence: "You guys chat slowly, I'll sit outside for a while." He turned around and walked out of the big house, closing the door behind him.

  "Sit down." The witch, like a courteous hostess, stretched out her hand and pointed to an empty stone table in the midst of the corpse group. In this place full of corpses, she looked just like a young girl among flowers or a scholar from ancient books, very much in harmony with her surroundings, as if she were indeed a very suitable hostess.

  Asa could hear his own heartbeat and breathing echoing hollowly in the strange, cavernous mansion filled with nothing but corpses and organs. He was now the only living thing here. He eyed the witch with a hint of wariness, hesitated for a moment before walking over to sit down.

  Since this monster appeared at Shandu's place and greeted him so politely, it shouldn't be here to cause trouble. At least Shandu had no reason to frame himself. Moreover, he was now quite curious about the Death Spirit Association and wanted to hear what this death spirit master wanted from him.

  "I thought our past misunderstandings would have made you more cautious." The witch smiled slightly. Her fake face must be Sandru's masterpiece, with some kind of magic that allowed it to change expressions. "I think I'll introduce myself first, so we can save a lot of time explaining hostile intentions and misunderstandings... I'm a witch, you can call me Vednina, simply put, I'm your classmate."

  "Classmate?" Asa glared, he had never remembered having such a relationship with anyone, let alone an undead creature. And 'Vedrina' was obviously a woman's name. Asa carefully sized up the self-proclaimed classmate for a moment, and it took some effort to associate his sinister impression with the concept of "female".

  "That's right. I used to be a student of Shandru teacher, and also a student of Ronis teacher. That naturally makes us classmates now. Now you should know that we are not enemies anymore."

  Asa was shocked, the dead spirit monster and Shandoru had a relationship that could be passed down, but with Archbishop Ronis being his teacher too was hard to believe. After the shock, there was no clarification, at least in his own impression, he never regarded Shandoru as his teacher, let alone the archbishop.

  "Don't be surprised. I'm not sure if there's still a record of me in the Magic Academy... A long time ago, when I was human, my name was Vidina T. Grefenhart, and now I'm an undead witch, a member of the most noble, honorable, and glorious organization of magic users - the Necromancer's Guild."

  "Georgenhardt? This... seems like a royal family name?"

  A low, husky sound emerged from Vidyana's throat, and Asa was taken aback for a moment before realizing it was probably a soft laugh. "Names are just codenames, surnames are given by others, they don't have any real meaning. As a lich, the highest and wisest existence, these things were abandoned long ago."

  A Sa frowned and scrutinized the monster from head to toe again, finding it hard to imagine that this monster would have such an astonishing identity. He asked: "What brings you to me?"

  Vedrina's fake face revealed a seemingly false smile. "I guess I can tell, you've been feeling really down and troubled lately."

  He couldn't help but nod in agreement. Ever since Bishop Ronis forced him to take on that job, he had indeed been feeling extremely stifled and frustrated. Everything he came into contact with, every task he faced, was something he was completely unskilled at, didn't understand, and had no idea how to handle. And now, unlike before, he couldn't just charge in and solve things his own way, almost everything was being led by others. The feeling was really unbearable, he felt like even his brain was becoming increasingly dull.

  "Teacher Ronis's biggest flaw is that he likes to impose his own ideas on others, regardless of whether they are willing to accept them or not, and whether they are suitable for doing so. This is probably a stubbornness unique to old people."

  "En en." Asa nodded again, couldn't help but feel a strong sense of resonance.

  "So I'm here to help you." said this kind-hearted classmate.

  "Help me? How can you help?" Asa's eyes lit up and asked.

  "I represent the most noble, most dignified and most glorious organization of wizards in the world - the Necromancer's Guild, to invite you to join."

  "No way. Not doing it." Asa refused almost without thinking. "I may not like being a hero, but I'd rather not be a zombie either."

  "Hahaha... The witch's laughter, though it should be benevolent, still sent chills down Asa's spine, as if the corpses and organs in the room were stirring with this sound. "I think the main reason you refuse like this is because of our guild's reputation, right? Let me explain, those are just secular people's prejudices against us, and the misunderstandings of frogs at the bottom of a well towards the sunny sky. First, I'd like to ask you, what kind of place do you think Deya Valley should be?"

  No one would bother to carefully consider or guess, the information from the mouths of bards and legends is simply overwhelming. Asa recited a passage offhand: "The ground was filled with zombies and skulls, the sky was full of ghosts and spirits, a lifeless land of death, necromancers who ate human flesh and drank human blood studied how to resurrect demons..."

  "Nonsense." Vydinaya's laughter, which was about to make the corpses jump up, interrupted Asa's recitation. "The sunrise on the highest peak of the Shadow Spin Mountains and the mirage in the Flying Dragon Desert are absolutely one of the most beautiful and wonderful landscapes on the continent. From the icy peaks of the Shadow Spin Mountains to the warm plains that are spring-like all year round, and then to the scorching valleys, the vastly different climates make all the rarest and most precious flowers and plants on the continent grow in profusion in Deya Valley. I can guarantee that there is no place more beautiful than Deya Valley on the entire continent. As for the cultural atmosphere, I'm not very good at describing it, but I can only say that we have fine wines that even emperors of various countries can't taste, and art treasures that are worth half of the imperial collection of the entire continent. At least three members are top-notch artists and musicians."

  Listening to the witch's narration of the most dangerous and evil place in a voice that was probably the worst on the entire continent, turning it into the most beautiful tourist destination, Asaha burst out laughing. This was probably the funniest joke on the entire continent. This classmate could also be considered one of the funniest undead monsters.

  But he immediately stopped laughing again. Because in response to his loud laughter, Vedenina only smiled lightly.

  Although it was a fake face, it still looked eerie, but the kind of calm and unmoving confidence like a mountain could make anyone feel it. Moreover, a witch would never come here to tell him a joke on purpose.

  "In the past decade or so, nearly a hundred people have arrived at Deya Valley after enduring immense hardships. Of course, countless others died along the way in the Flying Dragon Desert and Shadow Swirling Mountains. Those who made it to Deya Valley were mostly the most heinous criminals from the mainland, the most depraved serial killers. Killing without batting an eye was just a basic commonality among them; some took pleasure in dismembering young girls, others had a hobby of collecting human faces, and there were even those who would slaughter an entire village simply because someone looked down on them... They all hoped to join the legendary Death Spirit Guild, escape the pursuit of society, and more brazenly indulge in slaughter and corpses. But can you guess what became of them?"

  "Are they not allowed to join?" Asa asked. Whoever went to judge, these people seemed to be born as reserve members of the Death Spirit Association.

  "They don't deserve it." Videnya's voice was even more contemptuous, like a file scraping against rusty iron. "These trash don't even have the qualifications to leave their corpses in Deya Valley. They all become zombies or ghosts, forever wandering outside Deya Valley as laborers and guards. The Mortal Society is the most noble organization in the world, only the smartest, most outstanding, and most elegant people are qualified to join, many of whom are great sages, magnificent artists, or leaders of industries who laugh at the aristocracy."

  Asa couldn't help but laugh. He recalled the three names that Bishop Ronis had told him. "Aegrenail, the former president of the Imperial Adventurer's Guild, Noborino, a merchant, and Ramado, the court magician of the Kingdom of Rohndes... Are these people really all members of the Necromancer's Guild?"

  "Right." The witch was frank, without any intention of hiding. "These should have been told to you by Ronis teacher. Now do you believe? We are all such elegant and excellent people, how can we live like beggars, poor and pitiful like mice? We have the ability, of course, and more qualified to enjoy the highest enjoyment in this world."

  Asa had to admit, it was probably true. At least the famous merchant who bought a tourist city with excellent hot springs just for his own quiet bath was said to have done so. But he still couldn't understand and asked: "But your reputation won't be all hearsay, will it? Obviously an organization that deals with necromancy, how can there be so many formidable people inside?"

  "I've told you before, those are just the ignorant ramblings of frogs in a well. You probably haven't come into contact with high-level magic yet, so you don't understand. There is no kind of magic more profound, more exquisite, or more artistic than necromancy." The lich waved its dry fingers at the surrounding corpses. "Look at the human body, how precise and perfect it is. Even the most excellent dwarven craftsmanship can't compare to a single finger on a person's hand - it's like comparing fine art to a lump of mud. So unless you're extremely intelligent and talented, you don't have the qualifications to learn this advanced magic. Birds of a feather flock together, so our guild is the most noble and gathers the most outstanding talents in the world. You joining us would be an extremely wonderful thing."

  A Sa fell silent and didn't answer, thought for a moment, then asked after a while: "Why do you want me to join your organization?"

  "Because you should join the Death Spirit Association." Videnina's reply was firm in tone but vague in words.

  A faint smile appeared on Asa's face as he let out a sigh and said, "I think it's because of the World Tree's leaves and the Sun Well, and also due to your Black Star."

  Fortunately, Bishop Ronis had already told himself the reason. After so many twists and turns, and so many wonderful words, the true purpose hidden behind should be this one.

  Vedina smiled, and even her artificial eyes made of dead people's eyeballs narrowed.

  She didn't respond to Asa's words, but lightly touched on the key point: "Something that Teacher Ronis should have told you. I can probably guess what kind of cliché story it is, probably something about an evil seal destroying the world."

  "Isn't that so?" Asa felt the pressure. The things he learned from this classmate's mouth today were too abnormal, and it seemed like there was something even more astonishing waiting in the back.

  "I don't need to refute or explain, just use your own clear mind to think about it and you'll understand that it's purely nonsense. I ask you, why do we want to kill everyone and turn this continent into a dead land? Are we going to stare at skulls and zombies all over the world? Even the most ruthless vampires wouldn't have such thoughts. And what's more, we are such a noble group?"

  "Aren't you people followers of those dark gods of destruction?" Asa continued to bring up the clichés from stories and legends.

  "What faith?" The witcher looked at Asa instead. "Do you still believe in any gods?"

  "No..." Asa shook his head.

  "If even you don't believe, why should we?" The witch's reply was a bit inexplicable, but Asa felt that he vaguely understood. "Faith is for people with weak hearts to support their beliefs and spirits. Truly mature and strong-spirited people won't have faith, they will only believe, believe in what they see and feel."

  "Not destroying the world... then it's conquering the world." Asa thought hard and took a step back, changing to a more suitable reason.

  "Conquering the world? How trite, how tasteless." The witch's laughter expressed boundless contempt and disdain for these words.

  "The desire to conquer is just a passion of young people who don't know the height of heaven and the thickness of earth, or it's a morbid psychology that wants to surpass everything due to excessive inferiority complex. Can you really trample the world under your feet? Impossible. You are still you, still having joys and sorrows, and still living a tiring life. For people like us who have long surpassed worldly desires, why would we still be bound by those inexplicable desires? Moreover...". The tone of the witch's voice changed, extremely calm, yet powerful as a thousand jun. "Even if we really want to conquer the world, it won't take much effort."

  A Sa let out a sigh of relief, finally revealing a relaxed and relieved expression. Because he could finally confirm that this classmate was indeed talking nonsense. Unexpectedly, a witch actually had the skill and face to blow up such a big cowhide.

  But Vedrina didn't seem to think her leather was about to break, and continued speaking in a light tone: "Using force to conquer people is simply a synonym for stupidity. Manipulating the common people or controlling a country is far easier than creating an exquisite undead skeleton. You see, this society formed by humans is a strange thing. The countless ordinary people living at the bottom are extremely honest, kind and lovable, obediently listening to officials and laws, while officials and laws listen to monarchs, kings. So as long as you control the few people at the top, it's equivalent to controlling the entire country. With our abilities, wisdom, and means, launching a few coups, helping some easily controlled individuals usurp the throne, what's difficult about that?" Vedrina's voice was like a mournful howl, yet she spoke in a gentle tone, making it sound even more unpleasant. "Even just out of interest, the guys in the guild can single-handedly stir up a war."

  Asa had to admit that it was probably true, at least Bishop Ronis had said with his own mouth that the court wizard had sparked a decade-long war between the principality and its neighboring countries.

  "It's not a big deal to drive the whole country crazy, let them conquer the world. People don't just surrender to social classes, but also hand over their thoughts and emotions to religions, philosophies, and some inexplicable values and beliefs. Among us, there are emotional masters who can manipulate people's feelings like playing with building blocks, controlling those infatuated mortals is simpler than taming a dog. As long as you grasp the thread of these religions and beliefs, you can completely control them, and if you master the right methods, they will follow you anywhere, even to hell..."

  "Alright, alright, alright…..” Asa announced his surrender, under this classmate's unparalleled eloquence his brain was already in a state of utter chaos. Taking a few deep breaths to calm down the brain that was on the verge of boiling over, he refocused on the core issue. "I admit you guys are formidable, indeed a gathering of high-caliber individuals. But I still don't know what exactly you want me to join you for? It's really not related to the Sun Well and the World Tree's Leaf, I wouldn't believe it if you said so."

  "It's still the same, you should have joined the Death Spirit Association from the beginning." Viednina's reply also returned to that unclear place, but added a sentence. "As for those relationships, after you join, you will understand them yourself..." The green fire behind her eyes flashed. "The most important thing is, as long as you join us, you are completely free. Whatever spirits, whatever church warrants, in front of us they are simply trash. You can do whatever you want."

  Ah Sa took a deep breath. After talking for half a day, he finally heard the most tempting and practical sentence for him.

  "And I've also explained the situation of our noble organization to you, so you don't have to worry about anything. I've already completed all the procedures for joining the club and obtained the consent of more than half of the members, just a nod from you will do." Vedenina's dead eyes stared at Asa. "How about it?"

  Asa's brain worked hard for a moment, but unfortunately, she still couldn't get her thoughts straight.

  Vedrina's words just now were enough to overturn anyone's preconceived notions about the Death Spirit Association, and the conditions and prospects presented to him were incredibly wonderful. Compared to being depressed under Bishop Ronis in the royal capital, it was like a sudden change from gloom to bloom. However, he felt that there was still something not quite right, but couldn't quite put his finger on where.

  "Never mind." Asa finally sighed and refused.

  Vedrina smiled slightly, not seeming particularly disheartened. She pulled out a scroll from her bosom and handed it to Asa. "No need to make any decisions for now. Here, take this. When you're ready, just come."

  Asa hesitated for a moment, then took it. Suddenly thought of it, asked: "The vampire in the hunting ground the other day was released by you guys, right? Can you tell me who did it?"

  "We all mind our own business and don't interfere with each other's affairs. I'm not very clear about what the other members are doing."

  "Can you tell me who among us is the mole in the imperial capital?"

  "This is something I can't tell you now, but when you become one of us, you'll naturally know."

  "Alright, I've told you everything I needed to tell you. Now I'm going back to Dejaville." Viednina took out a scroll herself and unfolded it, enveloping her entire body in a blue-white glow. "I hope you won't tell Ronis teacher about my visit here, that would put Sandru teacher in an awkward position."

  "This doesn't need to be said." Asa nodded. If Ronis the Bishop were to find out that the Death Spirit Association had come to invite him, wouldn't he just throw him into the dungeon for safety's sake?

  As soon as Viednina's figure disappeared in the transmission light, Shandru opened the door and came in. He took a look at the blue and white light tail, shook his head and sighed, muttering to himself: "If you don't want me to have trouble, then just don't come."

  Asa stared at the place where the witch had just sat, dazed for a moment, scratched his head and thought for a while, then turned to look at Sandru and asked: "Was what she said just now true?" He could hear that Sandru was not far outside the door just now, and he should have heard the conversation between him and Vedenina.

  "I don't know." Shandru replied listlessly.

  Asa looked at the old man with a frown and asked, "You seem to be friends with Bishop Ronis, so why are you receiving me, his student? Which side are you on?"

  "Neither side will stand." Shandru's eyes widened.

  "What am I supposed to do?"

  "How am I supposed to know?" said Xander, his eyes widening.