Chapter 2794: Red Lotus Two figures emerged from the city portal into a surge of noise and movement. Dawnstar City revealed itself in layers. Crumbling stone streets overlapped with newly constructed arcane structures, while hovering transport platforms drifted overhead. Vendors shouted from narrow alleys, selling everything from mana-infused trinkets to illicit reagents, and the air itself carried the mingled scents of incense, exhaust, and blood. One was a man wrapped in a dark, hooded cloak, his aura deliberately restrained. The other was a striking woman with azure-blue hair that shimmered faintly even under the city’s polluted sky. Despite their appearance, the guards posted near the portal barely spared them a glance. In a city as chaotic as Dawnstar, half-blood Magus from Utopia were hardly rare. "So," the woman said, her voice bright with curiosity, eyes darting across the bustling streets, "where are we heading, brother?" The hooded man slowed, scanning the surroundings as though uncertain of their destination. His hesitation did not go unnoticed. A beautifull woman in flowing silk garments soon approached them, a faint fragrance lingered around her as she leaned slightly toward the man, her smile alluring. "Good evening, handsome sir," she said smoothly. "If you are new to Dawnstar, I warmly invite you to visit our newly opened establishment—The Red Lotus Hall." The man paused. Just long enough to reveal his interest. The azure-haired girl’s expression darkened instantly. "Brother Emery—why you—!" Before she could finish, the man raised a hand. The woman stiffened, realizing she had said something she shouldn’t have. "I’m sorry, brother..." Emery exhaled, rubbing his temple beneath the hood. "It’s fine.. Let’s... just follow her." The two figures were none other than Emery and Glita. After consuming the Superior Gene Elixir, Glita—the fey half-blood who had spent most of her life in the lower realms planet—had undergone an extreme transformation. Her bloodline purified to new heights, ascending to Mythical Rank Seven, while her cultivation surged from Crescent Magus to Halfmoon Magus in one explosive breakthrough. With her newfound confidence—and strength—Emery decided to take her along for this trip. Yet Emery himself was far more cautious than before. Three months ago, he had turned Dawnstar upside down. His actions had dealt a major blow to one of the city’s largest criminal organizations, the Midnight Brotherhood. Even now, the city had not fully recovered from that upheaval. As a result, he moved with caution, a new face, a new identity. His presence was sealed, his aura suppressed to the level of an ordinary Magus-realm. As for why he returned to this place— It was precisely to observe the newly constructed entertainment establishment. "Welcome to Red Lotus Hall." The moment they crossed the threshold, Glita stiffened. Rows of beautiful women greeted them in perfect synchronization, their smiles radiant and practiced. Soft crimson lanterns floated overhead, bathing the hall in warm light. Enchanted instruments played slow, seductive melodies, while illusory lotus petals drifted through the air, dissolving before they touched the ground. The scent of rare incense mixed with wine and silk. Private balconies lined the upper levels, half-hidden behind veils of shimmering fabric, while guarded corridors hinted at spaces reserved for only the most privileged guests. Glita’s face burned. Emery, however, walked forward calmly, his steps unhurried, his expression neutral. That calm unsettled her more than anything else. Brother... just what kind of person are you really? "I’ll report all of this to Sister Morgana later," she muttered internally. Then she reconsidered. "No... Sister Gwen will be more than enough to knock some sense into him." They were guided deeper into the hall, past layers of increasing luxury, until they reached what was advertised as Red Lotus Hall’s most exclusive private room. The door slid open. Glita stopped cold. A familiar woman sat inside, legs crossed, sipping wine with a smile. The very same person who was just on her mind Gwenneth of Brittania "Ah," Gwen said cheerfully, "Glita. You came here as well?" "..." Glita’s mind went blank. Her thoughts screamed in unison. What is happening here?! Gwen laughed softly as she watched Glita struggle to make sense of the situation. The panic written across the girl’s face was almost endearing. She clarified the truth. Red Lotus Hall was not an indulgence, nor a coincidence. It was Emery’s venture—constructed with a deliberate and singular objective. Beneath its luxury and allure, the establishment functioned as an intelligence node, designed to absorb information from every stratum of Dawnstar City. The city itself was the true target. This was the planet that Emery suggested to be the foundation of his future operations within the Alpha Quadrant. Before the explanation could fully settle, the private room admitted two more figures. Nix, the succubus, followed by Tessa Karat. With their arrival, the operation’s core was complete. Nix delivered her assessment efficiently. In its short time since opening, Red Lotus Hall had already succeeded in drawing attention from the right circles. Influential figures from established factions and the underworld alike had begun to frequent the establishment, lured by its reputation for luxury and discretion. However, these individuals were experienced survivors, accustomed to secrecy and deception. Extracting meaningful intelligence from them would require patience. Emery accepted this without concern. Trust, after all, was never forced—it was cultivated over time. His attention then shifted to Tessa. "So," he asked, "what’s your assessment? Is this planet a feasible choice?" Her opinion carried the greatest weight. Over the past month, Tessa had moved quietly through Dawnstar’s political landscape. She had spoken with Magus Alliance officials and sector magisters, observed the governing factions from within, and studied the fragile balance that held the city together. Her conclusion aligned closely with Emery’s own findings. "Yes," she said. "The conflict between the governing factions creates opportunity. The planet has vast untapped resources—and its history as a former Magus Alliance stronghold gives it strategic significance." It aligned perfectly with the intelligence Emery had extracted from Barnet before his death—and from the captured remnants of the Dark Brotherhood. This was the very reason he had chosen this planet in the first place: a mid-tier realm world governed by a problematic Grade Two faction. Yet Tessa hesitated. "Yes... But beyond managing the drama between the governing factions, we must also address the deeper source of corruption spreading through this city." Tessa’s concern was not abstract. Dawnstar’s underworld had grown inseparable from the lives of its citizens. Criminal organizations controlled transport routes, ration distribution, trade, and protection networks that replaced official authority. For many residents, these syndicates were not criminals to be reported—but employers, providers, and enforcers of order where the government had long since failed. Emery was familiar with them. During his assault on the Midnight Brotherhood’s compound, he had already crossed blades with several of the city’s most influential underworld leaders. Given sufficient time, he was confident he could dismantle them completely. However, Gwen’s expression darkened as she considered that approach. "I’ve befriended some of them," she said. "Not all are bloodthirsty murderers. Many took questionable jobs because they had no alternatives." Tessa agreed. Eliminating these groups outright would not guarantee Dawnstar’s recovery. If handled poorly, it could just as easily deepen the city’s wounds and push its people further into ruin. Emery leaned back, exhaling slowly. "So," he said at last, eyes sharpening, "what’s the plan?"