"Yes, the rescue efforts will most likely be led by the Humanoid Alliance this time around," Ballom concluded based on everything he had heard so far. "Not only did the alliance lose 3 Dao Lords to surprise attacks, making a response from them likely, but in this particular area, humans have a strong presence. "In comparison to their relatively weak influence in the rest of the universe, humans actually dominate in Arch-Heaven. In fact, based on the statistics that we have collected over the years, as many as 100,000 human Earth Immortals have accidentally entered Arch-Heaven in this latest age alone! Through various means, we have already determined long ago that a majority of them are still alive.

"While these humans themselves don't necessarily have any direct relation to the Humanoid Alliance, it is much easier to establish a connection and build trust among the same race. By using this as a point of..."

Lex stopped paying attention to Ballom because Eclipse walked up and stood right beside him, seeming like she wanted to talk.

"What do you think this is about?" she asked, sounding curious.

It was such a simple question, but it put Lex in a difficult position because he needed to appear to have the insight required based on his realm. With others, the fortune cookie method could work because they would likely imagine a bunch of things on their own. To some extent, that would work on Eclipse as well. However, due to the fact that she herself was so open and upfront with her answers, he needed to give her an open and honest answer as well, or she would sense it.

"You already know that I don't usually concern myself with matters unrelated to my Inn," he answered, honestly.

"But you can make some conclusions, can't you?" she asked, not giving him an easy escape.

The Innkeeper appeared thoughtful for a moment.

"Lex recently visited Arch-Heaven, the Innkeeper said. "When he appeared in Arch-Heaven, he was above an island of Bone Meadow Crystal, hovering over Helios wisps. There were many other such islands floating through the air when he arrived. Of course, he didn't know what it was back then, or he might have just found a way to grab an island or two and bring them back with him. But the point is... this was just a few days ago.

"Either there is more than one of these domes, or this was done very recently, and very openly. Someone like that... they're not afraid of getting caught. Whatever the plan is, it is not as simple as trapping some Dao Lords. One, very easy goal to see is that they're trying to spread distrust. It seems to be working. Do you have any other insight into the matter?"

Eclipse rubbed her hand on her chin, thinking about what the Innkeeper said.

"So you think that someone used a resource as rare and difficult to find as Bone Meadow Crystal... not to get something from the Dao Lords they trapped, but merely to spread distrust?" she asked, her faint smile on her lips.

"You really have a different way of thinking. I'll bet everyone attending this party is thinking that the goal might be to farm some Dao Mist, or maybe to convert the Dao Lords, or maybe use some kind of sacrificial ceremony to do something big. Something as simple as spreading distrust as the primary goal..." Instead of answering the Innkeeper, she just mused on his words for a moment, ruminating on the possibility. The more she did, the more she realized that not only was it plausible, it was likely exactly what was happening.

Of course, there were likely secondary, and tertiary goals to this, and hundreds if not thousands of alternate agendas something like this could fulfil. But the primary agenda, the one hidden amidst all the confusion and chaos... that was the one that mattered the most.

"I like it," Eclipse said. "Yes, this is a good enough guess to gamble on. Even if I'm wrong, I won't regret it."

Lex resisted the urge to gulp. Had he accidentally convinced Eclipse to leave her garden? Was the universe about to enter the next level this very instant? Eclipse turned to look at the Innkeeper with a hint of an excited smile.

"You asked for my insight? Well, I'll tell you. This is not a plan orchestrated by Dao Lords - no, they do not have the capacity to do something on this scale. One of them is making a move, and I'm afraid until the critical moment it won't be possible to know which one of them it is. Maybe... even at the critical moment we won't realize who the actual mastermind is."

The Innkeeper nodded, even if he had no idea who 'they' were. He guessed it would be those beings above the Dao Lord realm.

"For your incredible insight, I'll tell you a little something interesting. To spice things up... I might just make a move of my own."

Eclipse looked at the Innkeeper with interest, wondering to see if he would be able to guess her intention with the hint she had given. Instead, he just looked at her plain before saying, "Just don't cause trouble inside my Inn." Eclipse's expression collapsed. She went from grinning mischievously to looking at him with a deadpan face. Teasing the Innkeeper was no fun.

"Alright I'm bored of this news conference now," she said loudly, cutting through the discussion that was going on. "Let's start the second activity already."

Without waiting for any further instructions, Harriot and the others began making preparations for the next segment, leaving the other Dao Lords

stumped. Wasn't that a little too abrupt?

"Those Dao Lords unwilling to partake in the karmic bond, now is the time to leave," announced Harriot. The three Dao Lords who weren't interested quickly departed, and Mary left as well to see if they needed anything.

Lex also considered leaving, but as the Innkeeper it would arouse suspicion if he left. His purpose was to create an overwhelming image so that no one would challenge him. Unfortunately, that meant he would need to face such things head on.