Zhou Huai nodded calmly.

He naturally understood this principle.

Between nations, there are no eternal friends, only eternal interests.

So-called allies could turn into the most fatal enemies at any moment, especially when faced with the temptation of a Divine Artifact capable of overturning the world's order.

Zhao Qingcang looked at his steady demeanor, and a hint of relief appeared in his cloudy eyes.

He stood up, walked to the window, stood with his hands behind his back, and gazed at the cluster of buildings outside the window that symbolized the highest power of the Great Xia Country.

His voice, at this moment, became much gentler.

“Don’t put too much pressure on yourself regarding this Divine Artifact competition.”

“And don’t shoulder all the responsibility alone.”

Zhao Qingcang slowly turned around, his deep eyes fixed on Gandalf.

“Just do your best.”

“You must pay attention to safety.”

“This isn’t just your business.”

“It doesn’t matter even if you can’t get the Divine Artifact.”

“Behind you, there is still the entire Great Xia Country.”

“And we old guys are here to support you.”

A warm current surged in Zhou Huai’s heart.

This elder was not merely issuing orders; he was also showing concern for a Junior who was about to embark on a distant expedition.

“Additionally, to ensure everything goes smoothly.”

“Principal Lin Zhu of the Imperial Capital Academy will accompany you.”

“Although she won't participate in the Divine Artifact competition within the ruins, having her there can at least guarantee your safety during the journey.”

Upon hearing this, Zhou Huai’s heart stirred.

That eccentric and unfathomably powerful Lord of Senluo was also going to accompany them?

It seemed the military truly attached extreme importance to this trip to the ruins.

Just then.

“Thump, thump.”

The office door was lightly knocked.

“Come in.”

Zhao Qingcang’s voice returned to normal.

The door was pushed open, and a young military officer with a straight posture stepped inside.

His expression was solemn, and in his hands, he held a uniquely shaped staff.

The staff was entirely crafted from an unknown silver-white metal, and a lifelike ice crystal Dragon coiled around its body.

The Dragon’s eyes were inlaid with two deep blue sapphires, shimmering with a cold light.

At the top of the staff, a large, multicolored crystal, slowly pulsating like a heart, emitted a dreamlike halo.

A powerful and pure magical fluctuation emanated from the staff, making the air in the entire office a bit thicker.

Zhao Qingcang nodded to the officer.

The officer understood, and with steady steps, he walked to Gandalf, respectfully presenting the staff.

“Student Gandalf.”

A gentle smile reappeared on Zhao Qingcang’s face.

“This is a small token of the military’s regard.”

“A Rank 40 legendary quality staff.”

“I hope it can be of some help to you in this Divine Artifact competition.”

Zhou Huai, controlling Gandalf, bowed deeply to Zhao Qingcang.

“Thank you, Marshal.”

He didn't engage in excessive pleasantries, reaching out to take the staff.

It felt slightly cool to the touch, yet not cold, instead possessing a warm, jade-like texture.

A massive stream of information instantly flooded his mind.

【eternal sanction】

【Quality: Legendary】

【Rank: 40】

【Type: Weapon】

【Magic Damage: +5500】

【Mental Energy: +2500】

【Entry One: All magic damage increased by 30%.】

【Entry Two: Armor Penetration, ignores 20% of the target's magic resistance.】

【Entry Three: Skill cooldown reduced by 20%.】

【Entry Four: Control skill duration increased by 100%.】

【Entry Five: Each time a skill hits a target, restore 1% of Mana.】

【Feature One: Spirit Storage, can store a magic skill in the weapon, to be released at any time.】

After reading the description of this equipment, Zhou Huai was instantly filled with excitement.

As expected of the Marshal of the military.

The attributes of this staff were absolutely top-tier.

Especially the fifth entry and the first feature.

With them, Gandalf’s sustained combat ability and burst damage capability would both achieve a qualitative leap.

Among all legendary quality staffs, this 【eternal sanction】 was definitely a top-tier existence.

“Thank you for your generous favor, Marshal!”

Zhou Huai bowed again, his voice filled with sincerity.

“Hahaha!”

Zhao Qingcang waved his hand, his smile growing even brighter.

“Work hard.”

“The future of the Great Xia Country will depend on your generation.”

He glanced at the clock on the wall and waved to Zhang Donglai.

“Alright, it’s getting late.”

“Donglai, take him back to rest well.”

“Depart on time tomorrow morning.”

“Yes! Marshal!”

Zhang Donglai saluted respectfully and, taking Gandalf, left the office.

...

In a flash, it was the next morning.

Before dawn, Zhang Donglai’s familiar military special vehicle was parked punctually at Principal Lin Zhu’s villa entrance.

When Zhou Huai, controlling Gandalf, opened the car door.

He found that Principal Lin Zhu was already seated inside the car.

Today, she had changed out of her simple linen clothes and put on a dark green robe embroidered with delicate patterns, her silver hair neatly coiled high with an ancient wooden hairpin.

She looked less languid than usual and more dignified.

However, a layer of unmelting frost hung on her old, wrinkled face.

It seemed that because she was going on a long journey, the old lady's mood did not seem very good.

She just silently looked at the scenery outside the window, not saying a word.

The temperature in the entire car seemed to drop by several degrees because of this.

Zhou Huai and Zhang Donglai exchanged glances.

Neither of them dared to provoke this important figure, so they could only remain silent together.

The vehicle sped along, quickly arriving at the Imperial Capital Military Department’s area specifically for parking large military airships.

Airships, like steel behemoths, were quietly moored on the massive tarmac, full of a sense of science fiction and power.

And beneath one of the most streamlined and largest airships, a team was already standing by.

That team was not large, only a mere twenty-odd people.

But each person exuded a fierce and powerful aura.

Clearly, they were all strong individuals carefully selected from the military elite.

They were the teammates who would accompany Gandalf to the Castlantis ruins this time.

What surprised Zhou Huai a little was that Marshal Zhao Qingcang had also personally come to see them off.

Lin Zhu’s expression only slightly improved when she saw Zhao Qingcang.

But she still maintained a cold face as she was the first to step out of the car.

Leaning on her withered vine staff, she walked directly to Zhao Qingcang.

“You, surnamed Zhao.”

“If I hadn’t agreed to go with these youngsters.”

“Were you planning to hide from me for the rest of your life and never meet me?”

As soon as these words were uttered, everyone around suddenly froze.

The soldiers who were originally conducting final checks all perked up their ears, though their gazes dared not stray in this direction.

On Zhao Qingcang’s usually unperturbed old face, a rare hint of embarrassment appeared.

He forced a smile, his voice gentle.

“Lin Zhu, what are you talking about?”

“How could I be hiding from you? I’ve just been too busy lately; there are so many things waiting for me to handle.”

“Nonsense!”

Lin Zhu interrupted him unceremoniously, her withered vine staff thumping heavily on the ground with a dull thud.

“You just find me annoying and deliberately avoid me!”

“I’m telling you, Zhao, it’s useless to hide!”

“What you promised me back then...”

“Cough, cough!”

Zhao /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ Qingcang quickly coughed twice, cutting off her next words, his face full of helplessness.

He glanced at the Juniors around who wanted to look but dared not, and lowered his voice.

“Alright, alright, so many people are watching, don’t let them see a joke.”

He leaned in a little closer, his voice carrying a hint of coaxing.

“How about this, when you return from Castlantis.”

“I’ll specifically take leave to accompany you for three days, will that do?”

Lin Zhu snorted at his words, her tense face finally softening a little.

“Hmph! That’s more like it.”

She glanced at Zhao Qingcang and added another sentence.

“To my forest.”

“Alright, alright, whatever you say.”

Zhao Qingcang nodded repeatedly, like a child who had made a mistake.

The surrounding military officers and soldiers all silently lowered their heads, eyes downcast, as if they hadn’t heard anything.

But their slightly trembling shoulders betrayed the fact that they were all desperately trying to suppress their laughter at that moment.

They had heard early on that there was an unclear entanglement of grievances between Marshal Zhao and Principal Lin.

Now, seeing it firsthand.

This gossip was indeed authentic.