Zhou Huai calmly nodded.

He naturally understood this logic.

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

So-called allies could at any moment become the most fatal enemies in the face of the temptation of a Divine Artifact that was enough to upend the world's structure.

Looking at his composed demeanor, a trace of relief flashed through Zhao Qingcang's murky eyes.

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

At this moment, his voice became much gentler.

"You shouldn't have too much pressure for this competition for the Divine Artifact."

"And even less should you carry all the responsibility on your own shoulders."

Zhao Qingcang slowly turned around, his deep eyes gazing at Gandalf.

"Just do your best."

"Be sure to stay safe."

"This isn't just your own matter."

"It doesn't matter even if you fail to seize the Divine Artifact."

"Behind you is the entire Great Xia Nation."

"And old fellows like us are holding things up."

A warm current surged in Zhou Huai's heart.

This old man was not just giving an order, but caring about a Junior about to embark on an expedition.

"In addition, to ensure nothing goes wrong."

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

"Although she won't participate in the competition for the Divine Artifact within the ruins, with her present, she can at least guarantee your safety along the way."

Hearing this, Zhou Huai's heart stirred.

The eccentric and unfathomably powerful Lord of Senluo was actually going to travel along?

It seemed that the Military Department truly attached the utmost importance to this trip to the ruins.

Just at this moment,

"Thump, thump."

The office door was gently knocked on.

"Come in."

Zhao Qingcang's voice returned to calm.

The door was pushed open, and a young officer with an upright posture strode in.

His expression was solemn, and in both hands, he held a staff with a peculiar shape.

The entire staff was forged from an unknown silver-white metal, and winding around the staff body was a lifelike ice crystal Dragon.

The Dragon's eyes were inlaid with two deep blue sapphires, flashing with a chilling light.

At the top of the staff, a huge, colorful crystal slowly beating like a heart was exuding a dreamy halo.

A majestic and pure magical fluctuation permeated from the staff, making the air in the entire office become a bit viscous.

Zhao Qingcang nodded to the officer.

Understanding, the officer walked with steady steps in front of Gandalf, respectfully offering the staff.

"Student Gandalf."

A gentle smile appeared on Zhao Qingcang's face once again.

"This is a small token of appreciation from the Military Department."

"A Level 40 Legendary-quality staff."

"I hope it can be of some help to you in this competition for the Divine Artifact."

Controlling Gandalf, Zhou Huai bowed deeply to Zhao Qingcang.

"Thank you, Marshal."

Without excessive polite pleasantries, he reached out and took the staff.

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

A massive stream of information instantly flooded into his mind.

【Eternal Judgment】

【Quality: Legendary】

【Level: 40】

【Type: Weapon】

【Magic Damage: +5500】

【Mental Strength: +2500】

【Affix 1: All magic damage increased by 30%.】

【Affix 2: Armor-Breaking Might, ignores 20% of the target's magic resistance.】

【Affix 3: Skill cooldown time reduced by 20%.】

【Affix 4: Crowd control skill duration increased by 100%.】

【Affix 5: Every time a skill hits a target, restores 1% of mana points.】

【Trait 1: Magic Spirit Storage, can store a magical skill within the weapon to be released at any time.】

After reading the introduction of this equipment, Zhou Huai was immediately overjoyed.

As expected of the Military Department Marshal's handiwork.

The attributes of this staff were absolutely top-tier.

Especially the fifth affix and the first trait.

With them, Gandalf's sustained capability and burst capability would both achieve a qualitative leap.

Placed among all Legendary-quality staffs, this 【Eternal Judgment】 was definitely a top-tier existence.

"Thank you for your deep kindness, Marshal!"

Zhou Huai bowed again, his voice filled with sincerity.

"Hahaha!"

Zhao Qingcang waved his hand, the smile on his face becoming even more brilliant.

"Work hard."

"The future Great Xia Nation will have to rely on your generation."

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

"Alright, it's getting late."

"Donglai, take him back to get a good rest."

"Tomorrow morning, set off on time."

"Yes, Marshal!"

Zhang Donglai respectfully bowed and took Gandalf away from this office.

...

In the blink of an eye, it was the next morning.

Before dawn, Zhang Donglai's familiar military dedicated car parked on time at the entrance of Lin Zhu's villa.

When Zhou Huai controlled Gandalf to open the car door,

he discovered that Principal Lin Zhu was already sitting inside the car.

Today she had changed out of her plain linen clothes, wearing a dark green robe embroidered with exquisite patterns, her full head of silver hair pinned up high with a rustic wooden hairpin.

Looking at her, she had a bit less of her usual laziness and a bit more solemnity.

Only that old face covered in wrinkles was hung with an unmelting frost.

Seemingly because of going on a long journey, the old woman's mood didn't look too good.

She just silently looked at the scenery outside the window without saying a word.

The temperature inside the entire carriage seemed to drop by several degrees because of this.

Zhou Huai and Zhang Donglai exchanged glances.

Naturally, the two of them didn't dare to provoke this big shot, so they could only keep silent together.

The vehicle sped along all the way, quickly arriving at the area of the Imperial Capital Military Department specially used for parking large military airships.

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

Beneath one of the airships with the most streamlined shape and largest volume, a team was already waiting in full battle array.

That team wasn't large, numbering only a sparse twenty-odd people.

But on each person's body emanated a fierce and powerful aura.

Obviously, they were powerhouses carefully selected from among the military elite.

They were the teammates who would travel with Gandalf to the Kaslandis Ruins this time.

What made Zhou Huai somewhat surprised was that Marshal Zhao Qingcang had actually come personally to see them off.

Seeing Zhao Qingcang, Lin Zhu's expression looked slightly better.

But she still kept a cold face and was the first to step down from the car.

Leaning on that withered vine crutch, she walked straight up to Zhao Qingcang.

"You surnamed Zhao."

"If I hadn't agreed to go with this group of little fellows—"

"were you planning to hide from me for the rest of your life and refuse to meet me?"

As soon as these words came out, the actions of everyone around suddenly stalled.

Those soldiers who were originally conducting final checks all pricked up their ears, but their gazes did not dare to glance over here.

On Zhao Qingcang's tranquil old face, a rare trace of embarrassment appeared.

He forced out a smile, his voice gentle.

"Lass Zhu, what kind of talk is that."

"How could I be hiding from you? It's just that I've been too busy lately with so many things waiting for me to handle."

"Nonsense!"

Lin Zhu interrupted him unceremoniously, her withered vine crutch heavily slamming on the ground, producing a dull thud.

"You just find me annoying and are deliberately hiding from me!"

"I'm telling you, you surnamed Zhao, it's useless even if you hide!"

"The thing you promised me back then—"

"Ahem, ahem!"

Zhao Qingcang hurriedly gave two dry coughs, interrupting her subsequent words, his face full of helplessness.

He glanced at the Juniors around who wanted to look but didn't dare to, lowering his voice.

"Alright, alright, so many people are watching, don't let them laugh at us."

He moved a bit closer, a hint of flattery in his voice.

"How about this, after you return from Caslantis—"

"I'll specially take three days off to accompany you, will that do?"

Hearing this, Lin Zhu let out a cold snort, and her tight face finally relaxed a little.

"Hmph! That's more like it."

She glanced at Zhao Qingcang and added another sentence.

"Go to that forest of mine."

"Fine, fine, fine, whatever you say."

Zhao Qingcang nodded repeatedly, like a child who had done something wrong.

The surrounding officers and soldiers all silently lowered their heads, watching their noses and their hearts, as if they hadn't heard anything.

But those slightly shaking shoulders exposed the fact that they were frantically holding back their laughter at this moment.

Early on, it was rumored that there were indescribable entanglements and grievances between Marshal Zhao and Principal Lin.

Now seeing it with one's own eyes,

this melon was indeed certified genuine.