Rachel stood up, looked at the rushing river in front of her, shook the water off her hands, and said calmly, "Unfortunately, we can never step into the same river at different times."

As Sabrina watched her retreating figure walk towards the temple, her gaze gradually lost focus, a look of anxiety and uncertainty appearing on her face, and her thoughts drifted to an unreachable distance.

Amidst the strange looks from the Mother Goddess's followers, Rachel walked through the temple's corridors and stood at the doorway of Elder Eliade's room.

She took a deep breath, composed herself, and reached out to knock on the door.

"Come in, the door's open."

The aged voice in the room made Rachel pause in her movements.

Lowering her head, Rachel gently pushed open the door and said softly, "Excuse me, I'm coming in."

Wearing a gray robe, Iliad sat in his favorite root-carved wooden chair, his white beard almost touching the ground.

He put down the "Compendium of Microorganisms" in his hand and smiled at Rachel: "You are much more polite than before. I remember when you were little, you would kick the door open when you came in."

Rachel chuckled twice and looked at the book in the old man's hands: "Are you reading a book written by Terence?"

Elijah shook the book in his hand: "That old man's writing habits haven't changed at all. He insists on writing a long paragraph of evidence and analysis when a principle can be explained in just a few sentences. It's a headache to read."

“Every lecture by Master Terence at Musi University was always packed. Some people were even willing to climb onto the roof beams to take notes while holding onto the rafters.”

Rachel's exaggerated expressions and lifelike movements made Elijah burst into laughter.

"That old guy's favorite things are writing books and giving lectures. The more people praise him, the happier he is, haha! Even when he's seriously ill, if someone invites him to give a lecture, he'll run faster than a rabbit!"

The sight of the elderly man before her, so happy he looked like a child, brought a nostalgic look to Rachel's face.

“You have been on good terms with Master Terence for a long time.”

Iliad laughed and shook his head, saying, "No, no, no! It's not that we're close, but rather that he's the guy in the Emerald Alliance who loves to argue with me the most."

Rachel nodded: "I've heard you mention the Emerald Alliance, four young scholars who travel far and wide in search of truth."

"More than forty years ago, Theodore and I were stewards in the Elder Council. In order to pursue our studies and also to get away from the internal turmoil at the time, we found an excuse to travel together across the continent. On the way, we met two students from the Royal Academy of Tyro—Abel and Terence."

"After spending a few days together, the four of us discovered that we shared common pursuits and hobbies. So, these four young people, unaware of their own limitations, formed an oddball hobby club—the Jade Alliance."

“When I was young, I called Terence the Stone. He had a terrible temper and could argue with you all day over a single word or sentence. If you didn’t give in, he would nag you incessantly, even while you were sleeping.”

“Although Abel is the youngest of the four of us, his calm demeanor and thoughtful mind make him seem like the oldest among us. Sometimes, he won’t say more than three sentences a day; but other times, a single sentence he utters can keep you thinking for three days.”

"And then there's... Theodore, sigh, that old bastard. In his youth, he was outspoken, reckless, and belligerent. He once got into a fight with a gang of thugs over a prostitute and nearly lost his life. He even got into a jealous fight with a prince, and in the middle of the night, he went to his bedside and urinated into his mouth... But when it came to scholarship and the pursuit of truth, his passion was second to none... His death was such a pity..."

Seeing Iliad immersed in grief, Rachel remained silent, simply waiting for him to recover.

Once the old man had calmed down a bit, Rachel said, "When I was young, I heard you mention the Emerald Alliance more than once. But look at the situation now, of the four of them, only Terence has achieved true academic freedom."

Iliad gave Rachel a sharp look, waiting for her to continue.

Rachel bravely met the other's gaze and continued, "Abel has chosen to side with the church and is now under house arrest; you, though one of the three elders of the Presbyterian Church, are surrounded by people who only covet power and authority and scorn scholarship; and Theodore..."

Eliard waved his hand and said, "What you're trying to say is that of the original Jade Alliance, only Terence is still thriving, and all of this is thanks to Twilight City. So, you want to persuade me to cooperate with Twilight City?"

Rachel looked at the books on the table and said in a low voice, "Elder Iliad, this is not a matter of glory or not, but the matter that you value most, and only Twilight City can help you accomplish it."

Iliad frowned: "The thing I value most?"

Rachel took out a document from her bosom and gently placed it on the table: "This is a royal decree issued by the Holy King of Muxi City."

Iliad picked up the document and read the heading: "Trial Measures and Related Regulations for the Popularization of Different Species?"

“I grew up under your protection, and what I heard most often was how the alien race was discriminated against and persecuted in this world. Therefore, your greatest wish is to use all your knowledge to achieve the freedom and dignity of the alien race.” Rachel’s eyes shone brightly: “This document is the answer I have found.”

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