The Apostle Association in the Capital of Freedom.

  Near the fixed-point teleportation device, several first-order apostles were chatting idly, their eyes sweeping over the teleportation device beside them from time to time.

  "Tsk-tsk, the fixed-point teleportation device. I really don't know what's so remarkable about this Chen Yue that made Deacon Venia go to such great lengths. What's even more outrageous is that even Deacon Cless Nor agreed to it." One of the apostles said enviously.

  This kind of fixed-point teleportation device is different from the one in the dueling arena. As long as there is a fixed-point device and it's not too far from the Capital of Freedom, one can teleport back at any time and any place. In terms of quality and specifications, it is far superior to ordinary teleportation devices. Under normal circumstances, it's impossible to use it. Unexpectedly, it was used for a low-order apostle at this time. Thinking of this, these apostles couldn't help feeling both envious and jealous.

  "It's all for the qualification of a disciple." Another apostle chimed in, and his words were filled with a strong sense of envy. "A disciple, and the kind that can be dispatched to a third-level country. That's the master of a region. Who wouldn't be jealous? In the past, even the three deacons wanted to get this qualification, and it was delayed because they couldn't reach an agreement. Now that there's a turning point, who would give it up easily? It's normal to use the fixed-point teleportation device."

  The rest of them all showed expressions of approval.

  You should know that the disciple qualification that Chen Yue and West were competing for was different from ordinary disciples. In the Apostle Association of the Sky Leaf Empire, apart from the three deacons, there were also seven disciples. However, these disciples were under the jurisdiction of the deacons. In terms of power, they couldn't compare with the disciples who controlled a region. For the same reason, even among deacons, deacons in fourth-level countries lived a much more comfortable life than those in fifth-level countries, because they were the real rulers.

  "Hey, I'm afraid Deacon Venia and Deacon Cless Nor are going to waste their efforts. I think this Chen Yue just ran away out of fear. Their gambling agreement can't be carried out, and in the end, it will be a bargain for Deacon Piyaro for nothing." The apostle who spoke first sneered. Piyaro was the name of the third deacon.

  Hearing this, the others all sneered with a hint of ridicule, taking the opportunity to vent their envy and jealousy. No one refuted.

  As the day of the gambling fight approached, the rumor that Chen Yue was afraid and absconded became more and more prevalent. It seemed that there was a force behind it fueling the flames. At this moment, Chen Yue's reputation had reached an all-time low. If it weren't for considering Deacon Venia's face, someone would probably have already shouted the slogan of expelling this shameless person from the Apostle Association.

  Even if someone wanted to refute it, without Chen Yue's return, their words would have no weight at all.

  Coupled with the silence of the three deacons, this rumor almost became an established fact. Many people were waiting to see the jokes of Venia and Cless Nor.

  "What are you guys blabbering about here?" Suddenly, a voice full of anger exploded nearby, scaring several people so much that they almost jumped up on the spot.

  Hurriedly looking back, their faces immediately turned as pale as paper, and they lowered their heads, not daring to look at the person who came.

  "Lord Macedonia."

  The one who spoke was a third-order apostle and also one of the seven disciples of the association. More importantly, he was a disciple who inclined towards Venia's faction. Remembering that their gossip behind the scenes had been overheard by the other party, they all felt uneasy in their hearts.

  "Keep your mouths in check." With a heavy snort of anger, Macedonia didn't mean to pursue the matter further. He glanced at the teleportation device beside him and frowned slightly. "Is there still no news?"

  The several apostles breathed a sigh of relief and quickly replied, "No, it's been three days, and no news has come back at all."

  One of the apostles boldly said, "Lord Macedonia, I'm afraid there won't be any news even until the deadline. You don't need to come and ask every day."

  Although the others didn't speak, the expressions on their brows clearly showed their agreement.

  Glancing coldly at them, Macedonia surprisingly didn't refute. He had no interaction with Chen Yue and knew nothing about Chen Yue's character and conduct. Privately, he might not necessarily disagree with the rumor that Chen Yue had absconded. However, Venia surprisingly had full confidence in Chen Yue, and he couldn't reveal his true thoughts. Moreover, if this gambling agreement really couldn't be carried out, then Venia's faction would definitely lose a lot of face, and the apostles who were close to her would also be greatly humiliated. This was something he couldn't accept no matter what.

  For apostles with extremely long lives, what they were competing for was nothing but face.

  Now the key lay with Chen Yue, so it was no wonder that he came to ask about it every day.

  "Alright then. Once there's news about Chen Yue, come and inform me immediately." Before leaving, Macedonia reminded them again.

  Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

  The several apostles replied respectfully, but in their hearts, they thought that there would be no such opportunity.

  "It seems that there's no chance to get close to Lord Macedonia." One of the apostles muttered in a low voice, looking at the teleportation device with reluctance. Then, an incredulous look appeared on his face, and then he exclaimed in a lost voice:

  "There's, there's someone teleporting over."

  "What?" The others quickly turned their heads to look at the teleportation device when they heard this. When they saw the light representing positioning flashing on the teleportation device, they all felt extremely astonished in their hearts.

  "Could it be that they've found that Chen Yue?"

  Macedonia, who hadn't gone far, also heard the exclamation. His body turned around like lightning, and his eyes stared intently at the teleportation device.

  "Go and locate it." Macedonia said in a deep voice.

  Only then did these apostles come to their senses. Putting aside their complicated feelings, they hurriedly went to locate it.

  With the completion of the location, a strong light was projected from the teleportation device. Everyone narrowed their eyes involuntarily. After the light disappeared, four figures appeared in front of the teleportation device.

  One third-order apostle and two first-order apostles were the three-person team that had been sent to search. However, this time, there were four people teleporting over.

  Everyone's hearts skipped a beat. Everyone, including Macedonia, focused their eyes on the fourth person.

  In the next moment, Macedonia frowned tightly.

  There was no apostle badge representing identity. Instead, there was a long sword hanging from his waist. He looked more like a fighter than a noble apostle.

  This person was Chen Yue.

  As if sensing the rather impolite gazes of everyone, Chen Yue frowned slightly and coldly looked back. Those who met his gaze couldn't help but feel a tremor in their hearts. They were forced to turn their heads away by Chen Yue's almost tangible gaze, and even Macedonia was no exception.

  "How terrifying." These low-order apostles had never experienced such a scene before. Looking at Chen Yue who didn't hide his imposing manner at all, fear couldn't help rising in their hearts.

  "Are you Chen Yue?" Clearing his throat slightly, Macedonia, who was the strongest in strength, was the first to react. After sensing Chen Yue's intimidating imposing manner, even though he had some prejudices against Chen Yue before, they disappeared completely at this moment. Macedonia didn't notice his own expression at all, which was surprisingly kind.

  "Who are you?" Sensing the other party's kindness, Chen Yue withdrew his imposing manner and asked hesitantly. The other party had a third-order badge hanging on his chest, so he was undoubtedly a third-order apostle. However, from his tone, one could sense a faint hint of condescension. Obviously, he was not just an ordinary third-order apostle.

  He didn't know, but it didn't mean that Moya and the others didn't.

  Carefully pulling Chen Yue, Moya and the others saluted one after another: "Greetings, Lord Macedonia."

  Even the third-order apostle was no exception. Although their strength wasn't much different, the status of a disciple was higher than that of ordinary apostles. Not to mention him, even ordinary fourth-order apostles still had to salute.

  "So it's a disciple."

  Chen Yue suddenly realized. He had been in the association for too short a time. Of the seven disciples, he had only met one. Immediately, he also bowed and saluted.

  "Chen Yue pays his respects to Lord Macedonia."

  "Hahaha, good, good." After confirming Chen Yue's identity, Macedonia immediately burst into hearty laughter. His previous worries disappeared completely. What made him even happier was that just from his demeanor, he could sense Chen Yue's outstandingness. Would such a person be afraid of the gambling fight and abscond?

  Macedonia scoffed at the idea.

  Those apostles also had the same thought. They looked at each other and could see the bitterness in each other's eyes.

  Those rumors and speculations were really nonsense.

  ...

  "Let's go, Chen Yue. Deacon Venia will surely be very happy to see you back." Looking at Chen Yue with satisfaction, Macedonia remembered the purpose of this trip and immediately said.

  Chen Yue nodded. Indeed, he should go to see Venia as soon as possible.

  After thanking the two apostles who had gone to search, Chen Yue and Moya followed Macedonia and walked towards the Emerald Tower.

  On the way, Moya quietly told Chen Yue about Macedonia's deeds, especially his stance, which was mentioned first.

  For the first time, Chen Yue had a clear concept of the internal forces within the Apostle Association.

  Centered around the deacons with the highest status, quite a number of apostles attached themselves to the three of them respectively, forming three equally powerful forces. Among them, there were three third-order disciples who respectively inclined towards the three deacons. Besides these three forces, there was also a neutral force formed with four disciples as the core, outside the three major forces.

  Three of these four disciples were fourth-order powerhouses. Therefore, although the fourth force was relatively the weakest, it wasn't a soft persimmon that anyone could squeeze. And it was precisely because of their existence as a buffer that the balance of the Apostle Association was formed.

  "I'm afraid it's this neutral force that's fueling the flames behind the scenes." Chen Yue's heart skipped a beat, and he had a vague idea.

  Originally, it was incredible that Venia and Cless Nor would agree to Piyaro's additional condition. You should know that that additional condition was of no benefit to them at all and instead had a taste of helping others for nothing. Under normal circumstances, they couldn't have agreed to it. Piyaro was no match for the two of them. However, that additional condition was still passed. Then, there was only one possibility, that was, the fourth force had joined in.

  Chen Yue stroked his chin, and his train of thought gradually became clear.

  He didn't know what agreement Piyaro and the fourth force had reached. However, it was most appropriate for the fourth force, which seemed to have no benefit on the surface, to take actions behind the scenes.

  Smearing Chen Yue's reputation and forcing Venia and the others to expel Chen Yue from the Apostle Association. In that way, the gambling fight would exist in name only, and the qualification of that disciple would easily fall into Piyaro's hands.

  Unfortunately, Venia and the others withstood the pressure and didn't expel Chen Yue. And with Chen Yue's return at this time, everything would change.