Chapter 72

Chapter 15: Branch President?

The ability to manipulate time is considered one of the most powerful existences, but in the history of the Demon Hunter Guild and the histories of various factions, there has never been an apostle capable of controlling time. According to legend, only a few extremely rare holy artifacts possess the ability to alter time. However, legends are just legends until they are seen with one's own eyes!

But when he saw the legendary ability, and it was about to manifest in him, Ye Qi couldn't help but tremble, not out of fear, but out of excitement and anticipation...

The Time Dragon Vein possesses two types of dragon breath: the linear dragon breath that steals time and the conical dragon breath that banishes time. Creatures and objects affected by the linear dragon breath will age by 1 year for every 3 levels; for every 3 levels, creatures will suffer 1 point of Constitution damage, while objects will lose 1 point of hardness. Creatures affected by the conical dragon breath that banishes time will be unable to act and may even disappear, lasting 1 round (6 seconds) for every 2 levels (Will save ineffective). These creatures are not affected by time stopping; they are thrown into the future by several rounds and do not exist in this world until they are caught by time again.

Two more levels, just two more levels!

Ye Qi narrowed his eyes as he read the descriptions of the dragon breath that steals time and the dragon breath that banishes time, silently thinking to himself—two more levels wasn't too far off for him; perhaps in half a year or even less, he would witness the sharpness of his own dragon breath.

However, before he could witness the sharpness of his dragon breath in half a year, Ye Qi immediately experienced the sharpness of the dragon's aura—his return to headquarters and immediate retreat to his room caused concern among his companions; after all, he had been thrown by the six-armed snake demon at the Deco Manor.

His worried companions knocked on Ye Qi's door and looked at him standing in the room—though Ye Qi still wore his usual smile, a sense of tension and panic arose in their hearts. Especially Ava's purple marten, which trembled on her shoulder.

What a hassle...

Ye Qi, flipping through the book in his hand, couldn't help but smile bitterly as he thought about his clumsy attempts to cover up the situation that day. Even though his companions didn't mind afterward, he began to work hard to learn how to control his new power. However, even with his best efforts, it was impossible to master his newly awakened bloodline in just two days—thinking about the reactions of the new apostles and the guards at headquarters when they saw him, a sneer appeared on Ye Qi's lips.

Fear? Respect?

Ye Qi smiled bitterly to himself and continued flipping through the book—no matter how familiar a person is, if they harbor a sense of uncontrollable awe, they will never become friends; from the beginning, their positions would already be unequal.

"Tap, tap, tap..."

The sudden footsteps made Ye Qi frown and look up. A week wasn't a long time, so every time he entered the Tower of Knowledge to read, he would instruct the scribe not to disturb him, and he would call if he needed anything.

"Can I have an explanation?" Ye Qi stared at the scribe in front of him, tapping his finger lightly on the table. "Of course, a reasonable one!"

"Mr... Nofa... Sir..."

The scribe, stuttering, looked at Ye Qi sitting behind the desk with reverence, feeling as if he were facing a lion... no, not a lion, but a monster a thousand times more terrifying! The oppressive aura made him want to turn and run, but knowing his duties, he couldn't do that—the scribes of the Tower of Knowledge had enviable working hours, salaries, and vacations.

For himself and his family, he had to complete his work, no matter how terrifying the task—be it a dragon! With this thought, the scribe finally stopped stuttering: "Mr. Nofa is looking for you! You?"

"Sure!" In response to the scribe's question, Ye Qi nodded. "Please ask him to come in!"

Finally, he couldn't wait any longer?

Closing the book, Ye Qi squinted and looked toward the entrance of the Tower of Knowledge, where the cold-faced man was standing. Two days ago, after the battle at Deco Manor, Ye Qi had been waiting for the cold-faced man to appear—he was the greatest contributor to the slaying of the six-armed snake demon, while the cold-faced man, who had prepared for a long time, had failed to achieve his goal. Ye Qi didn't believe the cold-faced man would let it go so easily; moreover, after returning to the Demon Hunter headquarters, the rewards for the mission were only briefly mentioned, with a substantial bonus given to the senior demon hunters and new apostles. Those who made significant contributions received special rewards, like his one-week reading and transcription rights in the first floor of the Tower of Knowledge, which, though a good reward, was clearly not commensurate with the danger of the mission!

Clearly, the Demon Hunter Guild's focus in rewarding this mission was not material but something else! However, the rewards were delayed for two days and had yet to be announced, indicating that someone was obstructing the process. Given the interests involved and the ability to obstruct, the bedridden Jacob was naturally out of the question, leaving only the other participant—the cold-faced man.

"Please sit, Instructor!" Facing the cold-faced man, Ye Qi used the original title; pointing to the chair in front of him, he smiled at the cold-faced man. "Instructor, what's the matter?"

"I'm here to announce the headquarters' decision!" The cold-faced man's expression remained cold as he sat across from Ye Qi and continued coldly, "Before the raid, the headquarters decided that Mr. Jacob would take over the management of the Bay Area. However, after the incident, Mr. Jacob was severely injured and unable to take over. After Mr. Jacob's recommendation, the new apostle Ye Qi will take over as the branch president of the Bay Area!"

"Branch president?"

Ye Qi was taken aback; he hadn't expected the cold-faced man to come to discuss the distribution of benefits but to announce the headquarters' decision. After a moment of surprise, Ye Qi suddenly gave a barely noticeable cold laugh—does the headquarters see potential in me? Or are they under pressure from public opinion? Or are they planning to settle accounts later? After all, the branch president represents the dignity of the Demon Hunter Guild, and every action directly affects the guild's reputation. If a mistake is made, the Demon Hunter Guild will punish severely! And there's no shortage of people willing to frame others...

When that time comes, he would definitely be brought down, and he might even return to the Thorn Tower! As for the credit he had earned? At that point, who would remember, right?

Therefore, looking at the cold, expressionless face of the other party, Ye Qi shrugged indifferently and said, "I refuse!"