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After chatting with the siblings for a bit, Yaeger left the commoner’s district alone. She decided against taking Aurora with her, considering the general danger and tension in the current situation. It wouldn’t be appropriate to bring someone like Aurora, who was helpless in combat, especially since she had only just recovered from her illness. Yaeger resolved to take Aurora with her only after everything had settled down. She thought it best for Aurora to enjoy her newly regained simple life for now.

As Yaeger walked through the commercial district, she noted that it was still bustling with people and incredibly lively. However, the atmosphere was tenser than the previous day. Soldiers patrolled the streets with a heightened sense of alertness, their bloodshot eyes scrutinizing everyone as if they were criminals. Only when Yaeger, recognized as the Black-hearted Princess, appeared did the soldiers visibly relax, before quickly dispersing without a word.

“It’s not like I’ll bite you,” Yaeger muttered to herself, feeling disheartened about the military’s conduct. She contemplated the need to discipline them properly if she ever got the chance, seeing their readiness to flee as a sign of potential desertion in actual warfare.

With these thoughts, Yaeger continued towards Layna’s Item Shop. On her way, she caught a glimpse of a vaguely familiar figure. He was a man in his mid-twenties, not particularly handsome or tall, but he emanated an aura of power.

‘Strange, where have I seen him before?’ Yaeger thought, her mind racing to place the vaguely familiar figure. Despite her efforts, she couldn’t recall anyone fitting his description. Her confusion lingered until a thought struck her. ‘Could he be Old Man Tian?’ she pondered, recalling that Mylene had mentioned Old Man Tian’s recent foray into the game, possibly with a younger avatar.

“Wow. I finally have the chance to take revenge,” Yaeger said with a joyful smile. Just as she was about to act on her plan, a notification beeped in front of her. She looked at the message sender: [Yunuen Lin].

What’s going on?” she wondered, slightly puzzled, as it was unusual for Yunuen to message her. Clicking on the message, she read Yunuen’s invitation:

After reading the message, Yaeger heaved a sigh of relief and looked back, only to find that the man she suspected to be Ronald Tian had disappeared. “Oh no, he ran away,” she lamented.

The crowded Jade City made it difficult to find someone once they’d left her sight. “Forget it. I’ll settle the score once I’m back in real life,” she decided, then turned off the interface and changed her plans. Instead of pursuing the man, she entered the commercial district to pick out a birthday gift. After shopping for a while, she found a beautiful necklace at a reasonable price.

With time still on her hands, Yaeger contemplated her next move. “It’s still early. Why don’t I check out the Cathedral Of Light?” she thought. Since Yunuen and Little Fairy were out and Layna was likely asleep, there was no point in returning to the Item Shop.

She then opened her inventory interface to examine an unknown fragment she had obtained after defeating the Eleventh Apostle by the reservoir. The fragment, which needed purification, could only be handled by an Advanced Bishop or someone of higher rank. This necessity led Yaeger to decide on visiting the Cathedral Of Light.

Yaeger arrived at the grand cathedral after a brief journey of just over two minutes. “It must cost a lot of money to build such a massive cathedral,” she observed aloud, taking in the structure’s grandeur.

The cathedral, adorned with white jade, exuded an air of opulence, even the stairwells outside were crafted from expensive fine jade. To Yaeger, this display of wealth seemed like vanity and wastefulness, yet she recognized it as a norm; even in real life, places of worship often embraced luxury.

“It’s so easy to make money from believers,” she muttered, stepping inside. In the Jade Empire, where divine influence was secondary to the ruler’s power, the church’s political presence was minimal and unassertive.

Inside, a cleric greeted her but quickly became nervous upon recognizing her as the infamous Black-hearted Princess. Yaeger calmly requested, “I’m here to meet your Bishop.”

“I’ll inform the Bishop immediately!” The cleric, appearing quite anxious, quickly scampered away, moving as if avoiding searing hot ground beneath their feet.

“Making me seem like an evil villain…” Yaeger muttered, frowning at the cleric’s exaggerated reaction. She continued her walk inside, feeling slightly misunderstood by the cleric’s behavior.

The cathedral hall was impressively bright and spacious, adorned with a massive statue at its end. The statue, depicting the goddess of light, radiated beauty and sanctity. “In an era where Gods don’t exist, what can you do?” Yaeger whispered to the statue, a hint of contemplation in her voice. Unsurprisingly, there was no response.

After a short wait, the cleric returned, accompanied by a chubby middle-aged man dressed in luxurious robes, who looked to be around forty. “Miss [Princess], I’m told that you require my presence,” the man spoke with a gentle tone and demeanor, seemingly unfazed by Yaeger’s notorious reputation. To him, everyone who came to him seemed like lost lambs seeking guidance.

“I need you to purify something. We can negotiate a price,” Yaeger stated succinctly.

“Oh. Can I see it first?” the middle-aged man inquired, his eyes showing a spark of curiosity. “By the way, I am one of the twelve Bishops of the Cathedral Of Light, Eir Pinocchio. You can call me Bishop Eir,” he introduced himself.

“Sure, Bishop Eir. Here’s the thing,” Yaeger responded, handing over a fragment slightly larger than her thumb.

Upon seeing the fragment, Bishop Eir’s reaction was immediate. His heart began racing, and his pupils constricted, his formerly gentle expression replaced by one of shock.

“What is this?” he asked, his face transforming rapidly before settling back into his typical, relaxed demeanor.

Yaeger observed this swift change with a hidden grin. She realized Bishop Eir had likely recognized the fragment’s significance. It was a sacred item, albeit a tainted one.

“Not sure. I picked this up. Can you help me purify the dark energy stuck on top of it?” she inquired, maintaining a façade of ignorance.

Inwardly, Yaeger was well aware of the fragment’s nature. As a mature individual, she chose not to reveal her knowledge, opting for a non-violent approach unless provoked.

‘I am really a kind, magnanimous, and gentle person,’ she thought to herself.

“Well… I have to bring it inside for further inspection first. If it’s convenient, could you let me have it temporarily?” Bishop Eir asked, his outward calmness belying his inner excitement.

“No problem,” Yaeger replied with a smile, understanding that while the Bishop might escape, the church itself could not. She contemplated the consequences if Bishop Eir dared to abscond with the fragment and decided to take a calculated risk. After subtly infusing the fragment with some life energy, she handed it over to him.

Bishop Eir accepted the fragment and quickly walked into the inner chamber. Yaeger waited patiently. After about fifteen minutes, he re-emerged and returned the fragment to her.

“Miss [Princess], based on my examination, this fragment that is covered with dark energy has no value. So…” he began to explain, but before he could finish, Yaeger’s fist connected with his face.

The force of her punch sent him reeling back like a cannonball.

“So you’re going to claim the fragment yourself?” Yaeger asked, her voice edged with grim determination as she retracted her fist.