"At the time, I was following Sect Leader Kavise’s orders to sabotage Radiant City. Afterward, when I went to report back to Sect Leader Kavise, I encountered someone outside the leader’s room, heavily concealing themselves. That person had a peculiar scent, the same scent associated with Aiman; I couldn’t possibly be mistaken."

Xiao Jie respectfully explained.

Standing nearby, Mai Han furrowed his brow and glanced more than once at Xiao Jie, as if also sensing Xiao Jie was not ordinarily sinister.

The fact that Aiman was a traitor could have been exposed much earlier, yet Xiao Jie chose this moment.

Lulavi glared at Aiman with a menacing light.

"Aiman, explain yourself clearly."

"Lord Lulavi, you must believe me, Xiao Jie is framing me."

Aiman, increasingly anxious and fearful, vehemently denied it!

"Oh, you say Xiao Jie is slandering you, but why would he slander you alone and not someone else? As far as I know, you two have no interaction, let alone any conflict. Also, on the day Xiao Jie returned to report, where exactly were you?"

Enlock asked with a gaze as icy as ever.

Aiman involuntarily took a step back and eventually knelt down, pleading in panic, "Lord Enlock, Lord Lulavi, spare me. I was also forced; Sect Leader Kavise made me do it, and I didn’t dare disobey."

Upon hearing this, Lulavi rushed forward without saying a word, thrusting a hand directly into Aiman’s chest, as thick blood splattered out.

"No, spare me."

Aiman, blood gushing from her mouth, pleaded persistently.

It must be said, her Life Force was indeed extraordinarily tenacious, for even that couldn’t kill her instantly.

However, Lulavi ignored Aiman’s pleas and pulled out her heart, then crushed it, splattering blood everywhere.

Aiman immediately collapsed, dark red blood flowing, staining the whole area.

"Whoever betrays Lord Enlock, this is the consequence."

Lulavi admonished everyone present.

"Yes."

The Congregants of the Fallen God Sect responded in fear.

"Alright, the farce ends here. Everyone except Lulavi should leave."

Enlock ordered coldly.

"Yes!"

Xiao Jie and others responded in unison and began to leave.

Notably, Xiao Jie and others didn’t control their Mechas; they left them in the treasury.

As Mai Han left the treasury, he keenly sensed someone following. However, he wasn’t keen on engaging with Xiao Jie, so he simply ignored him and went his own way.

"Wait, Mai Han."

Xiao Jie hurriedly caught up at that point.

"What is it?"

Mai Han looked at Xiao Jie warily and asked haughtily.

Xiao Jie displayed a radiant smile and said to Mai Han, "Nothing much, I just thought that the two of us could get closer and help each other. After all, in this world, one can’t go it alone."

"Why should I get close to you?"

Mai Han gazed coldly at Xiao Jie.

"Regardless, we come from the same place. Those two inside aren’t necessarily reliable. Continuously associating with them won’t end well."

Xiao Jie lowered his voice.

Mai Han sneered, "Oh, is that so? But I think you’re no saint either. You first betrayed the Federation to join the Demun Empire, then betrayed the Demun to side with Kavise, and now you’re with Enlock."

"Don’t say that, you’re no different; you betrayed the Federation as well. We all did what we had to."

Xiao Jie replied unflinchingly.

"Don’t be so dismissive. If I recall correctly, you seem to have offended someone important, didn’t you? Now you’re like a stray dog."

Mai Han mercilessly struck at Xiao Jie’s sore spot.

Upon hearing this, a flicker of anger passed through Xiao Jie’s eyes. He said sternly to Mai Han, "That’s right, I did offend Su Mo. I never expected that guy to climb so quickly and so high, which left me as a stray dog, constantly seeking new alliances and moving around, finally joining the Fallen God Sect. But had I not done this, I would’ve long been crushed by his revenge."

Mentioning Su Mo, Xiao Jie was filled with gnashing hatred, unable to suppress his fury and resentment.

Because of Su Mo, he now lived like a Rat, unable to show his face.

"Enough of your complaints, I’m not interested in your nonsense. But since you’re offering to cooperate, why should I trust you? Who knows if you won’t just turn around and sell me out like you did just now?"

Mai Han stared intently at Xiao Jie.

Hearing this, Xiao Jie broke into a slight smile, lowered his voice, and said, "Come with me."

Mai Han followed Xiao Jie to a secluded corner.

Xiao Jie cautiously looked around, then took out a special potion vial containing a faint golden liquid.

"What is this?"

Mai Han was slightly taken aback.

"It’s a Divine Blood Gene I secretly stole from the Divine Clan laboratory while exploring the Divine Clan Relics. You should know that we follow Enlock and Lulavi’s orders because we were injected with a special mutating virus, making us their pawns forever. But this Divine Blood Gene Reagent can not only enhance your strength but also free you from their control."

Xiao Jie explained to Mai Han.

Mai Han’s eyes immediately changed, although he still asked warily, "Would you really give me something this good?"

"There are two vials in total, one for each of us. Isn’t that enough to show my sincerity?"

Xiao Jie beamed brightly.

"Alright!"

Mai Han accepted it and put it away.

"That’s settled then. From today on, we’re companions, in life and death together!"

Seeing Mai Han agreeing to join his side, Xiao Jie was elated. It wasn’t that he absolutely had to win over Mai Han, but he had no choice.

He was acutely aware that his combat skills were really lacking, desperately needing a strong combat partner, and Mai Han was the best choice.

...

Inside the treasury.

Lulavi said fearfully to Enlock, "I’m sorry, Lord Enlock. It was my mistake that almost let Aiman succeed."

"Did you really think I didn’t know Aiman was a traitor?"

Enlock replied with a twisted smile.

"This? Why didn’t you eliminate her?"

Lulavi was equally shocked.

"Getting rid of her would be like startling the snake, then Kavise would find out."

"Is it okay to kill her now?"

"It’s fine, we have leverage now. We can find an excuse to brush it off. But I’m disappointed in you, for being less observant than Xiao Jie. I’ll give you one more chance; if you make such a mistake again, you know the consequences."

Enlock said soothingly.

"Yes, yes, but Lord Enlock, about Xiao Jie..."

Lulavi began to say.

Enlock raised his hand to interrupt, "No need to discuss a clever Ant. He still has some value now, so let him live. Don’t worry; he won’t stir up much trouble."