Thinking, Elara looked up at Sylvan, who was still smiling across from her. "Master Sylvan, I can tell you what's lacking in this iron-forging technique. If you're interested in other matters, I can also share a few things as appropriate. But I need you to agree to two conditions."
Sylvan, who had been leaning back, shifted forward slightly. "I'm all ears."
"First, I need the Hidden Loft to keep the iron-forging technique a secret for me. Also, if any other forces come to investigate Plumera due to the divine vein blessing in the future, I need the Hidden Loft to help cover it up. Don't let the abnormalities in Plumera spread, or else..."
Elara's gaze turned cold. "There is only one Plumera. No matter what the divine vein blessing has given me, if someone tries to take it, I may do something terrible. What belongs to me, Elara, if I don't want to give it, then I'll destroy everything before handing it over."
Sylvan raised an eyebrow. She was a little surprised at how quickly Elara reacted and how ruthless and experienced her approach was.
This wasn't just asking the Hidden Loft for help. It was also a warning. If anyone tried to take it by force, no matter who it was, she'd rather destroy everything than let them succeed.
What a fierce temperament.
"And the second condition?"
"Tell me about the Skyworks Pavilion."
When Elara left the Hidden Loft, her expression wasn't exactly heavy, but it wasn't light either.
Sylvan had agreed to both of her conditions in the end. He openly admitted that everyone desired the divine vein blessing. Since Elara chose to work with him, he would naturally protect her and Plumera from being targeted.
Elara felt a little annoyed inside. She had originally thought that by removing Lord Gregory and taking the throne, she would have time to slowly develop Plumera without constantly feeling like a sword was hanging over her head.
Lord Gregory was gone, but now a situation far more dangerous than anything he ever posed had emerged.
If people truly believed Plumera had received a powerful divine vein blessing, what they would face would not just be some small faction. It would be the combined ambition and attacks of multiple major nations across the continent.
With Plumera's current strength, once that happened, it would lead straight to a bad ending. Turning things around would be nearly impossible.
Luckily, although the Hidden Loft also had greedy intentions, the technology she had shown so far hadn't made them determined to take it at all costs. At least for now, they had agreed to help her keep the secret and deal with some of the hidden threats. That had, for now, helped Elara and Plumera deal with part of the danger.
Still, Elara wouldn't trust the Hidden Loft too much.
Using a tiger to drive away a wolf, the tiger itself was still a beast.
The technology provided by System 92 would bring suspicion and ambition. But if she didn't use the technology, Plumera couldn't grow fast. Without growth, they'd remain under others' control and passive.
It was a cycle of unavoidable danger.
To break free, Plumera had to become a giant force on this continent as soon as possible. Only then would the other powers no longer dare to act recklessly, and only then could Elara finally breathe easy.
So the technology from System 92 still had to be used.
And it had to be used faster. Only rapid development would work.
But the future use of it couldn't be so rough and careless. It had to be more cautious, more discreet, and completely silent.
Especially with some of the more destructive weapon technologies.
Elara walked along the streets of Plumera City, watching the bustling construction happening everywhere. She exhaled slightly.
The Skyworks Pavilion...
It was a first-tier force on the continent, just like the Hidden Loft.
No, in some ways, the Skyworks Pavilion was even more powerful than the Hidden Loft.
You can't put all your eggs in one basket.
Elara had to connect with the Skyworks Pavilion as soon as possible.
That was the reason she proposed the second condition to Sylvan just now.
Only by having ties with the Skyworks Pavilion could she have something to counterbalance the Hidden Loft before Plumera rose to power.
Otherwise, if she kept relying solely on that one deal with Lianyi Pavilion, it would be far too risky and passive.
She had to find more paths. That was the only way to give both herself and Plumera stronger guarantees.
Also, she wanted to see what level the so-called "God-Gifted" technology, said to gather most divine vein blessings, had actually reached in the hands of the Tiangong Pavilion.
...
Inside Lianyi Pavilion,
After Elara left, Sylvan also withdrew his smile.
He was still half-reclining on the table with his chest exposed, thoughtfully staring at the teacup Elara had just used.
"She looked at my chest a few times just now?"
His fair hand held the teacup Elara had used, and he suddenly said in a calm voice.
In the empty Heaven Room, a slightly hoarse male voice came from somewhere.
"Twice. Once when you first opened your robe on purpose, and once when you placed your chest right on the table and forced it into her line of sight."
Sylvan chuckled lowly, "Only twice? Does that match her rumored obsession with handsome men?"
"No. When you pushed your chest in front of her the second time, she even frowned. She probably guessed at that moment that you were trying to lure her in."
The hoarse male voice came again. Despite the suggestive content, his tone remained completely flat, almost indifferent.
Sylvan glanced down at his own chest, lifted the cup, and took a sip of tea. The curve at the corner of his lips never changed.
"True. I made several moves, but she didn't react. Instead, she kept turning her eyes away. Heh."
Thinking of how she frowned and looked away the second time she was forced to see his chest, Sylvan chuckled again, "Maybe she was already wondering why the master of Lianyi Pavilion was behaving so shamelessly."
"Tsk. Looks like using seduction to pry divine secrets from her will be very difficult."
To figure out what was going on with this Empress of Plumera, he had paid quite a price today. What little reputation he had left was nearly destroyed. Sylvan sipped his hot tea and sighed quietly.
Just then, a waiter knocked on the door outside. Sylvan slowly pulled his loose robe shut, only allowing the male attendant in after covering his firm chest entirely.
After finishing the matter with the servant, Sylvan walked over to the second-floor window and looked out at the bustling transformation of Plumera City.
"I have to admit, this very young Empress of Plumera is quite the character. Whether she truly inherited divine veins or not, whether the secrets she holds are important or not, as long as she's here, Plumera's development won't be minor."
The hoarse voice spoke again. "It's clear she didn't know much about divine veins before, but after you brought them up and led the topic, she caught on right away. She even exchanged iron-making skills for the help and cover of Lianyi Pavilion."
"She's decisive, sharp-witted, and her judgments are spot-on. When it comes to her or Plumera's bottom line, she's ruthless and daring."
"Just with those traits alone, she's already surpassed most leaders in this world, even some in second-rate or first-rate nations who think they're powerful."
Sylvan's eyes blinked slightly as he looked out, then turned to smile at the empty space. "Shaye, that's rare. You usually say one or two words and go quiet. Today you said this much and even gave someone such high praise."
The hoarse man paused for a few seconds. "I'm just stating facts."
Sylvan hummed in acknowledgment, withdrew his gaze, and leaned by the window without another word.
After a while, the hoarse voice sounded again.
"So, what's your plan? Will you honor the deal with her?"
The corners of Sylvan's lips lifted. At some point, he was already holding the silk cloth taken from his chest, the same one Elara had held and examined.
"Of course. I'm a merchant. A merchant values credibility the most."