In an instant, the surroundings fell deathly still. Only the sounds of the battle in the distance were still raging onward.

"As you all know, our alchemy guild is the largest of our world. However, the south, north, east and west guilds are always seeking to usurp us. As apprentices we allow to use the land of our alchemy guild, it's your turn to lend a helping hand.

"Each Venerable will be taking on two assistants. You will help with any miscellaneous tasks we Venerables have and also will be the line of communication between us and the Runners. Form up!"

Quickly scanning, Gunter pointed toward two apprentices. "You two, come with me. The rest of you pick as you see fit."

It was then that something the Venerables never thought would happen occurred.

Dyon, who had been passively watching the changes was suddenly swarmed.

"Pick me!"

"No, pick me!"

"Please, Venerable, pick me! I may be getting older, but I'm willing to do anything! I have experience those two young birds can't possibly have!"

Dyon's lip twitched. He had to admit that the mature aesthetic that the middle-aged woman carried wasn't bad, but

Two baleful auras erupted from Dyon's side. Lilith all but drew her sword.

As Immortals, none of them ever thought they'd feel such pressure from two little girls. But many of them couldn't help but take a step back.

Lilith glared at Dyon. "You're only allowed to pick men."

'' Dyon was speechless. 'What happened to my smiling, carefree Lilith? Plus, does she think that I'm some sort of sex fiend?'

He looked toward Saru for help, but she seemed to not notice his gaze. She looked off into the distance as though finding the skyline's rising sun very interesting.

Dyon scratched the back of his head. "Alright, only men then."

Quickly scanning, Dyon's Immortal Sense easily saw through them all. In truth, he didn't need assistants. They would only slow him down. But, when he heard that he could use them to communicate with the Runners, he decided against rejecting them.

Something told him that interacting with these Runners as a 'mortal' would make it very hard for him not to come out of this with his hands bloody. It was better for them all if he experienced the least number of annoyances possible.

Since these apprentices had already experienced his alchemy prowess when he put that hook-nosed old lady in her place, he, of course, didn't have to worry about their dissent.

The other Venerables, completely oblivious to what had happened, sat completely stunned. What had Dyon done in such a short amount of time to gain this level of fanaticism? Even Deputy Gunter, who hadn't gone very far with his two assistants, stood frozen.

He spared a glance toward them, only to see a very well-

hidden reluctance in their eyes. His assistants would actually rather go with Dyon? What the hell was going on?

Venerable Taline clenched her jaw tightly, chanting to herself inwardly in an attempt to calm down.

'The brighter he is, the easier he'll fall the brighter he is, the easier he'll fall'

Maybe what those watching were all equally surprised about was just how much control the women by Dyon's side seemed to have on him. They had never heard of a powerful man bowing to his lovers in such a fashion Especially not in public, maybe they'd only make a few concessions in private

Finally, Dyon chose two. A middle-aged man by the name of Emery, and another who seemed to have a foot in the grave by the name of Belin. Following this, he made his way to the 'barracks' of the alchemists.

The city walls were very thick. Built of brown stones, there was a five-meter diameter from front to back.

The alchemists were each given a section of the wall to control. As a member of the strongest guild, Dyon controlled a five-mile radius of the northern wall. Since there were only battles of a few thousand to each wall, though, he was only responsible for about 100 people.

For a mortal war, something like only having 100 people to a ten mile diameter was bordering on ridiculous. However, for a war of cultivators, and especially immortals, such a density could actually be considered quite high.

Still, it was basically child's play to Dyon.

What was more annoying to deal with than anything else was the strong reaction his 'Runners' had to realizing they were working for a mortal. It seemed the greatness of his certification exam despite being watched by so many went over the heads of those too stupid to understand what had happened.

To make matters worse, unlike other alchemists and experts who immediately understood how special his robes and badge were, to these so very intelligent 'Runners', it just 'proved' he was a fraud.

Dyon's 'Runners' were two burly men who seemed to have carved their own bodies out of gravel. They had a rustic and especially tanned appearance that made it obvious their skin tone was definitely several shades lighter than it was showing now.

They were a pair of twins known as the Rock brothers. Dyon really hoped they didn't choose this moniker themselves are they'd be able to give his daughter a run for her money in a competition of terrible naming.

But Dyon wouldn't put it past these two. He could almost see the pebbles that made up their brains rolling behind the reflections of their eyes.

"Deal with them." Dyon said to Emery and Belin. "I'd rather not have these annoyances flying around."

Hearing these words, the Rock brothers exploded with rage. They had yet to say a single word, yet Dyon dismissed them off-handedly.

To Dyon, however, he had seen everything that needed to be seen. He could already sense their disdain and displeasure, their mouths were quirked as though there were words they were waiting to say on the tips of their tongues. Why would he give them the time of day?

"Yes, Venerable!"