Which path should he choose?
Lin Lei's brow furrowed slightly.
Neither of these two paths was a good one. The first went without saying — the Bagshaw family had established Nilu Island and stood tall in Hell for countless years. The foundation of this ancient clan was beyond imagination; killing him would not be difficult for them.
The second path? Serving as a Red-Robed Elder for ten thousand years?
For an ordinary powerhouse, ten thousand years might not be much. But for him, it was far too long. From birth to now, he hadn't even lived a thousand years.
"Lin Lei, still haven't thought it through?" Bocwery was growing a little angry. He believed his second offer was already very generous — merely ten thousand years. A supreme powerhouse could spend over ten thousand years in a single meditation session.
"Ten thousand years is too long. I still have matters to attend to on Bloodfang Continent," Lin Lei transmitted via divine sense.
A smile immediately appeared on Bocwery's face.
Ten thousand years, a hundred years — to a powerhouse of Bocwery's caliber, there was little difference. If he truly wanted to punish Lin Lei, he wouldn't have said ten thousand years. He would have said a hundred million! After all, for a supreme powerhouse, ten thousand years and a hundred years were both insignificant.
"That's easy enough. Since you, Lin Lei, are willing to serve as a Red-Robed Elder of my clan, the Bagshaw family won't push things too far. In that case — regardless of anything else, you should still show your sincerity in apology. Let's make it a hundred years," Bocwery said.
Bocwery actually didn't want to waste Sovereign's power, nor did he want to lose one of his clan's top experts. If they could avoid fighting, they should. As long as the other party gave his family face, that was enough.
Of course, this was also because the 'strength' Lin Lei had displayed was too formidable.
If it were someone else — even a Seven-Star Demon — without Sovereign's power, Bocwery would likely have ordered their execution on the spot.
"There's no other way. It'll have to be like this," Lin Lei understood clearly.
Although he had two drops of Sovereign's power, the Bagshaw family also possessed Sovereign's power. If things truly broke down and they fought to the bitter end, spending two drops of Sovereign's power would be the lesser concern — whether he could get Dilia, Bei Bei, and the others out safely was what mattered most.
Now, both sides would take a step back.
He would stay for a hundred years. This would save two drops of Sovereign's power and keep Dilia and the others safe.
"I agree," Lin Lei nodded.
Bocwery smiled at once.
"Lin Lei, come with us," Bocwery transmitted via divine sense.
Lin Lei nodded, and at the same time transmitted to Bei Bei, Dilia, and the others: "Bei Bei, Dilia, Olivier… all of you, come with me." Though Bei Bei, Dilia, and the rest were filled with confusion, they flew over all the same.
"Let's go back!" Bocwery suddenly called out in a clear, commanding voice.
Immediately, Bocwery, the three Red-Robed Elders, Secra, Lin Lei, and their entire group flew toward West Island, with the one hundred black-armored guards following behind. As for the tens of thousands of island guardian warriors filling the sky, they were left momentarily bewildered.
It wasn't just them. Countless onlookers across Nilu Island who had been watching the battle from below were equally puzzled — why had that lordling left with the Bagshaw family?
"What exactly happened?"
"They were fighting fiercely just moments ago — so why did that dragonman powerhouse go with the people from Nilu Island?"
"He must have been afraid of Nilu Island's people. For countless years, no one has truly dared to defy Nilu Island."
"I don't think so. I'd guess that dragonman lord was concerned about his friends."
Across the entirety of Nilu Island, countless outsiders were discussing the battle that had just taken place — some marveling at Lin Lei's strength, others speculating about why he had left with the others. But one thing was beyond doubt:
That dragonman warrior was powerful.
A single kick had sent a Red-Robed powerhouse flying, and he had toyed with numerous Highgods as though they were children.
"So many powerhouses gathered here. It seems I really should accept the Bagshaw family's invitation. Time to see for myself… just what kind of experts the Bagshaw family has!" Romi & Bornosen tilted his head upward, watching as Lin Lei and the others vanished over the western horizon.
Then he turned indifferently and disappeared into the dense crowd, while the people around him were still excitedly discussing what they had witnessed.
During the flight back toward West Island, toward the Bagshaw family's domain, Olivier, O'Brien, Hsey, and the others were all sending Lin Lei divine sense transmissions, peppering him with questions. They were full of confusion.
"Lin Lei, what exactly did you agree to with the Bagshaw family?" Hsey asked urgently, his heart heavy with guilt — all of this was because of him.
"Boss, what did the Bagshaw family want us to do?" Bei Bei inquired.
"Lin Lei, are you a Highgod or a Midgod?" O'Brien also asked.
The barrage of questions left Lin Lei at a loss for whom to answer first.
"My strength… it's hard to explain in detail right now. I'll tell you everything later. Just think of me as a Six-Star Demon for now," Lin Lei replied to O'Brien. A Six-Star Demon only represented a general tier — it didn't necessarily mean one had to be a Highgod.
"Bei Bei, Dilia — they only asked me to serve as that Red-Robed Elder for a hundred years. Let's give a little ground," Lin Lei added.
Only then did Dilia relax. She herself wasn't in a rush to reach the Azure Blue Prefecture — she only hoped Lin Lei wouldn't take too many risks. The battle just moments ago had been on the verge of erupting, and her heart had been in her throat the entire time.
Fortunately, the crisis had passed.
The Bagshaw family's domain was vast, with all manner of manors and courtyards sprawling across it.
"Lin Lei, starting today, you and your companions will reside in this estate," Bocwery said with a mild smile. "Our agreement is only for a hundred years — such a short time, there's no need to formally swear an oath."
Bocwery turned his hand over, and a set of crimson robes appeared in his grasp, along with a green token.
"These are the standard garments of a Red-Robed Elder. This robe's defensive properties are on the level of a Highgod artifact. This token is the 'Green Nilu Token.' On Nilu Island, this token alone allows you to command up to one hundred island guardian warriors," Bocwery explained with a smile.
Lin Lei accepted them with a grin.
"Lord Bocwery, rest assured — during these hundred years, without your permission, I will not leave on my own accord," Lin Lei said.
Bocwery nodded, still smiling. "When the scions of the Four Divine Beast families say something, I do believe them." He understood well that great clans like the Bagshaw family and the Four Divine Beast families possessed Sovereign's power, which was distributed only to those of the highest standing.
In his view, the fact that Lin Lei had obtained a drop of Sovereign's power meant he was likely an elder-level figure within the Four Divine Beast families.
Such a person's word was trustworthy.
If he were to insist on a formal oath for something as simple as a hundred years, that would be laughable.
"Lord Bocwery, what duties do I normally need to perform?" Lin Lei asked.
"Nothing in particular. Only when some major trouble arises will a Red-Robed Elder be called upon. Just like what happened today!" Bocwery said with a chuckle. "Of course, there is one benefit to serving as a Red-Robed Elder — in the future, you'll have the opportunity to visit the secret grounds within West Island."
"The secret grounds of West Island?"
Lin Lei had heard others mention the secret grounds of West Island before — it seemed that only Hundred-Victory Champions were qualified to enter and take a look. Lin Lei wanted to press further for details about these secret grounds, but Bocwery smiled and said, "Lin Lei, I'll be taking my leave now. If there's anything you need, don't hesitate to come find me."
Lin Lei couldn't very well press the matter further.
All he could do was watch as Bocwery departed with Secra and the three Red-Robed Elders.