Contrary to Pei Yan's guess, the conference of refuge controllers held on the fourth day actually wasn't held in any refuge but was set in the plains within the newly conquered Napas Valley. One reason was that the people were skeptical of the message from Sifuer contributing the Disaster Territory and needed to inspect the site themselves. Another reason was to encourage mutual suspicion among the controllers, making this neutral location more suitable.

As guests invited by the initiator Sifuer, Pei Yan and his party arrived early at the conference venue following the host. Watching the long tables set up under long canopies on the cleared grassland and the busy maids running back and forth, Pei Yan casually grabbed a fruit from a maid that looked like an apple but was similar to a plum. He took one bite, juice filling his mouth, and then handed the plate to his sister beside him, saying, "Sis, try this. It's quite good."

Pei Jin took the plate, picked out one fruit and distributed the rest to others. As they ate, they listened to the continuous military music emanating from the valley entrance, and squads of Demon Race Legions, all wearing identical armor but with different patterns, walking slowly into the valley.

Soon, they saw Sifuer's right-hand man, Res, riding a fast horse, galloping to the tent. He dismounted quickly, whispered a few words by Pei Yan's side, then exited the tent and rode off again into the dust.

"What did he say?" Gu Shenghui tossed the core of the fruit onto an empty spot and casually asked as he wiped his hands with a tissue.

"Someone broke the rules. Each controller was supposed to bring up to three hundred attendants, but some brought over a thousand. Bailang is arguing with them at the valley entrance." Pei Yan leaned against the chair next to Gu Shenghui, crossed his legs, and scoffed.

"Looks like they're targeting us." Gu Shenghui glanced around but didn't see Jiang Feiyang's figure, then looked at Liang Qian beside him and asked, "Is everything ready?"

"Except for the hidden hilltop by Jiang Feiyang, I've made preparations for all places where troops are stationed in advance." Liang Qian rubbed her hands, showing both excitement and nervousness, and replied.

After she finished, Pei Yan said; "I've instructed Sifuer to place the troops of those who might cause trouble in the areas we prioritize for attention. You have no idea how challenging it is for me to persuade Sifuer to bring only a hundred or so guards to maintain order on-site, without extra aides attending, yet she agreed. She's practically entrusting her life to us."

"To succeed, one must take risks." Xie Chujun smiled as he took a bottle from a maid, poured and drank by himself while continuing, "Your generation is stronger than ours. When it comes time to act, be clever and don't hesitate. Let's stick to the plan."

"Understood!" After hearing these words, looking at the crowd slowly walking towards the venue, the Investigation Office group responded in unison, putting away their previous playful demeanor, fixed their clothes, and stood neatly behind the main character of the banquet, Gu Shenghui.

Soon, a tall, heavyset man arrived at the tent escorted by a team of light cavalry. He dismounted with the help of five servants, observing the Demon Race soldier kneeling beneath his horse, remaining upright despite the bear-like pressure from the heavy-set man's body. Turning his head slightly, Wang Wenze whispered to Pei Yan, "After hearing from you for so long, I thought all Demons were tough guys, but didn't expect them to do such groveling things. A real eye-opener today!"

"In a big forest, you find all kinds of birds! This scene is my first too; judging by his posturing, he must have a lot of clout." Pei Yan smacked his lips and whispered back.

While speaking, the newcomer, under the guidance of a maid, wandered into the tent, glancing around before quickly fixing his gaze on Gu Shenghui, seated to the side of the main spot. Seeing Gu Shenghui smile politely, the man not only disregarded the gesture but also smirked disdainfully, tossing his whip to a nearby guard and casually pulled a chair to sit down.

Seeing this, Pei Yan nodded and said, "He's a piece of work. Watch, this man is in for a bad time!"

After the man took his seat, other controllers began arriving. The newcomers' attitude towards the Investigation Office was nuanced; some were as disdainful as the robust man, others returned smiles politely, and some kept a detached stance, sitting down without regard to anything else around them.

As more controllers arrived, the area outside the tent was soon filled with personal guards adorned in different patterns. Far on the hillside, on the open ground, camps formed distinct groups, large and small, with flags representing their respective lords raised high.

At the end of the procession was the host of the conference, Sifuer. She appeared in a daughterly manner, accompanied by her sister Reina and an old man with youthful features. They walked with laughter and conversations towards the tent.

Seeing Reina's figure surprised Pei Yan slightly. Sifuer cherished her sister deeply, willing to clear a path with few attendants herself to leave behind elite troops for her protection.

Yet now, amidst this risky situation, she brings her sister to face danger – does she trust our side to this extent?

While he was still puzzled, Sifuer had already accompanied the elder into the tent. All controllers who arrived earlier stood up to greet the elder upon seeing him. The elder, holding Reina's hand, nodded back in return with a smile, led by Sifuer to sit opposite Gu Shenghui, placing Reina on his knee, letting her play with his necklace without minding, as he closed his eyes to rest.

Once the elder was seated, all controllers took their seats again. Pei Yan focused his gaze on the whole venue, noticing fifteen lords besides Sifuer. Behind each stood two personal guards in fine armor. All fifteen lords fixed their eyes on Sifuer standing in front of the main spot.

After a series of pleasantries that almost made Pei Yan doze off, Sifuer changed the topic to the conference's main purpose. Clearing her throat with two soft coughs, she said, "Everyone should have received the news of the captured Star Lord. You also received images I sent regarding the conquest of the Bull Territory's Disaster Pillar. The purpose of calling you here is to discuss the feasibility of a rescue plan for the Star Lord."

"Are those the allies from the Keystone Dimension mentioned in your letter? Did they break through the Disaster Pillar?" The fat man who first entered the tent spoke, raising his chin inquiringly towards the silent Gu Shenghui sitting under Sifuer.