As the ancient Chinese saying goes, when something is abnormal, there must be something strange behind it.
This person might be a problem.
Andrew recalled Denise's traits—Strange Darlings could transform endlessly, splitting into countless avatars. Other than that, Denise didn't seem to have any special qualities...
Accumulated time is wealth, is foundation, and is a shortcoming Andrew cannot make up for.
He took a deep breath. In terms of wisdom, he probably couldn't compare to these high beings tempered by countless ages.
Looks like I'll need to pay some attention.
Andrew put away the relevant files. Just as he was about to open the door, the Star-Gate Communicator buzzed.
It was actually a message from Finch Huang.
Finch was his personal disciple and the current sect master of Green Mountain Sect. Back in the Demon Era, Andrew had accepted Finch into the sect, but rarely had time to teach her. Still, Finch surpassed all martial artists, rising straight to Starlight Tier.
Finch?
How long has it been since this child last contacted me? Andrew opened the message and immediately understood.
Now Finch has reached Third-Stage Starlight and wants to build Green Mountain Sect into a true star-sky sect, recruiting disciples widely.
She is currently scouting locations and hopes that Master Andrew can personally oversee the founding of the new mountain gate.
Rebuild the sect gate...
Andrew glanced over the message again, falling silent.
Whenever he thought of Green Mountain Sect, he would recall that aged, stooped figure.
I'll discuss it with Finch later.
First, let's see what this Governor Hanson wants with his visit. Andrew opened the door and headed to the guest hall.
......
A banquet?
A welcome banquet to wash away the dust of my journey?
Andrew's gaze was odd. He looked closely at Governor Hanson's serious expression, which didn't seem like a joke. "All the governors of the Mory Sector are inviting me, the Inspector Envoy, to a banquet? Sounds like a Hongmen Banquet to me."
Governor Hanson, with his rugged, slightly chubby square face, showed some confusion. "Inspector Envoy, we're hosting this banquet to welcome you. What is a Hongmen Banquet?"
Governor Hanson controlled one hundred thousand star systems and considered himself knowledgeable, but he had never heard the term 'Hongmen Banquet.'
It's nothing.
Andrew took a sip of exotic fruit juice, then filled a whole cup and handed it to Hanson. "This is a special fruit juice supplied by Archaic Hall, meant to refresh and sharpen the mind. Give it a try?"
Hanson's eyes lit up. He accepted the juice with both hands.
Archaic Hall—one of the Human Race's three great halls. He had only visited it once in his life.
Hanson gulped down two big mouthfuls, even more enthusiastic than before. "Don't be fooled by the governors' glamorous appearances; we have our own hardships and difficulties. This time, we've come to invite you to the banquet... All the governors will be present, joining hands with the Law-Enforcement Pavilion to build a better future together... Governing the Mory Sector isn't easy. Communication is the right way forward."
Such honest, sincere official-speak—Andrew almost couldn't bear to refuse.
Besides, the governors are the true authorities in the Mory Sector: resource allocation, population development, even the promotion of cultivation and evolution all fall under their purview.
Let's set a time.
Andrew stroked his chin. "It just so happens I want to meet all the governors too."
Hanson's face brightened. He clapped his hands and stood up with a smile. "After six life-planet day-night cycles, all the governors will be present."
Six days from now? Looks like this was planned in advance.
Andrew looked at Hanson. "The timing is fine, but the banquet location should be close by."
Inspector Envoy, it's entirely up to you.
Hanson was full of enthusiasm, grinning broadly.
As long as Andrew agreed to attend, the location didn't matter. Hanson didn't believe Andrew could keep his composure in front of so many governors.
This was no ordinary welcome banquet.
It was a direct test from the sector's powerholders to the Inspector Envoy.
In Hanson's eyes, agreeing to the banquet meant agreeing to compromise—everything could be negotiated.
A moment later.
Governor Hanson left the Law-Enforcement Pavilion. He returned to his own ship, leisurely pulled out his communicator, and activated a holographic screen. One serious face after another appeared; many governors were closely watching.
The governor's own cultivation was secondary; what mattered was the clan or faction they represented and whether it could support such power. A strong governor could control a million stellar systems; a weak one, only a few hundred. The size of their domain was directly proportional to their backing.
In the Mory Sector, the strongest governor was known to command one hundred twenty thousand stellar systems—still far from the million-level.
"Governor Hanson."
Denise exhaled, "He controls one hundred thousand stellar systems and used to have a good relationship with Brunelle...with the previous inspector-general."
Hearing this, Andrew let out a light hum.
"What do you mean?"