Forceful

President Donna turned her head and saw Annie gazing off into the distance. Following the path of those azure eyes, she easily spotted the target in the crowd: a handsome young man of delicate features, with fair skin and spirited eyes. He possessed a gentle, calm temperament, appearing cultured and thoroughly well-behaved. "So this is the type you like," President Donna said, a smile curling the corners of her lips. Annie withdrew her gaze and shook her head. "President Donna, I haven't found a suitable person to date yet." Hearing that, Donna Caroline chuckled softly. Annie offered no explanation and cast her eyes elsewhere, no longer paying attention to that handsome youth from the Five Elements Alliance. She knew he was Mr. Yuanshi. The two of them contacted each other every two days to update each other on their situations, preventing any mishaps due to an information gap when coordination was required. Thus, Annie was well aware of Mr. Yuanshi's current identity. She was even more aware that he had injured Brady Mede and that Brady's cousin, Julian, intended to stir up trouble at tonight's gathering. She was somewhat worried for Mr. Yuanshi. Julian Meade was a Level 6 mid-to-late-stage Wind Mage from a prominent family, certain to possess top-tier items. Mr. Yuanshi could not expose his true class, which was akin to having his hands tied behind his back. Under such circumstances, he might not be able to defeat Julian. Even if he could win, she feared Mr. Yuanshi might inadvertently let something slip in the process. Emma led the Five Elements Alliance contingent over, raising her glass and speaking respectfully, "President Donna, on behalf of the elites of the Five Elements Alliance, I pay you my respects!" President Donna turned away no one. Raising her glass, she offered the group a brilliant smile and took a gentle sip. As she drank, her slender, snow-white neck tilted upward, accentuating the exquisite curve of her jawline. Brother Red Chicken stared with wide eyes, constantly swallowing his saliva. Even Zhao Chenghuang, typically aloof and fond of acting cool, looked somewhat dazed. "Ahem!" Emma cleared her throat. Only then did the Saints of the Five Elements Alliance snap back to their senses, hurriedly raising their glasses to drink. After offering their toast and greetings, Emma smiled humbly. "We won't disturb you further." Just as she was about to lead the group away, Donna looked at Zhang Yuanqing and smiled. "What is your name?" *Huh?* Emma froze for a second, hastily looking at Jumang beside her. *What's going on? Has President Donna taken an interest in this young man?* *Me?* Zhang Yuanqing was also taken aback, but replied, "My Spirit Realm ID is Jumang!" President Donna nodded gently, a smile blooming on her peerlessly beautiful face as she spoke in a soft, tender voice: "Come, sit over here." She gestured toward the empty seat beside Annie. *Huh?* Emma froze once more. The members of Return of the Dead and the surrounding spirit walkers were similarly stunned. *She invited me?!* Flattered and thrilled, Zhang Yuanqing thought to himself: *How did she spot an extraordinary gentleman like me out of this vast sea of people? Could it be that my charm has become like a firefly in the dark night—so dazzling, so eye-catching?* Feeling light on his feet, he sat down, catching the faint, subtle scent of her body fragrance while fixing his gaze upon Donna's breathtaking beauty. "Ahem!" Annie coughed lightly. Zhang Yuanqing gave a sudden start, snapping out of his infatuated daze. He hastily reined in his emotions, regaining his reason and composure. Annie pursed her lips, subtly pointing at herself, then at Zhang Yuanqing, and finally at Donna. Having spent many days around each other, they might not share a telepathic connection, but they certainly possessed a basic tacit understanding. Zhang Yuanqing instantly grasped Annie's meaning: Donna wanted to play matchmaker between them. Sitting upright, poised and elegant, Donna Caroline spoke in a voice as gentle as a spring breeze: "I heard you severely beat and injured Brady Mede yesterday?" Rather than answering directly, Zhang Yuanqing said, "When facing an enemy, an iron fist is the best response." Donna's smile was warm and radiant. "What level are you?" Zhang Yuanqing paused for a moment before catching on, blurting out, "Level six!" Donna nodded slightly. "I like talented young people." She promptly turned toward Annie. "Her name is Annie; she is my confidante. If you need anything in the future, you may contact me through her." The two exchanged contact information with put-on seriousness. *President Donna certainly values Annie. Her style is proper, elegant, gentle, and tender; she shouldn't be Catherine in disguise. Catherine is purely a wanton vixen through and through...* In his mind, Zhang Yuanqing drew a clear distinction between the two Dominators, concluding that Donna and Catherine likely had nothing to do with each other. Once they finished exchanging contact information, Zhang Yuanqing, as an Illusionist, suddenly sensed hostility coming from all directions. Looking up, he saw the surrounding men glaring at him with murderous expressions, as if he were an adulterous neighbor who had swooped in and cuckolded them all. This included Brother Red Chicken, World Returns to Fire, and Zhao Chenghuang. *What is this kid's deal?* *Back off! Don't you dare get close to my President Donna!* *Damn it, the one sitting next to Donna should be me! What makes him think he can...* *Drop dead! Why hasn't Julian Meade gotten here yet? Hurry up and slaughter this brat; he shouldn't be allowed to live another second!* Through emotional resonance, Zhang Yuanqing read the thoughts of these gentlemen loud and clear. Just as he was sitting on pins and needles, another group of guests entered the hall. The two leading the way walked side by side: Winni Berent and Sean Meade. The bustling hall quieted down in an instant. Everyone ceased their chatter, looking toward the true protagonists of this gathering. *Phew...* Zhang Yuanqing breathed a sigh of relief. This was the first time he had become public enemy number one simply by sitting beside someone, which gave him an even deeper appreciation for the allure of the Desire class. *If I pulled out my Charm Ring right now, wouldn't things spiral completely out of control and blow right through the roof?* While griping inwardly, Zhang Yuanqing looked toward the hall entrance, scrutinizing the members of Heaven's Punishment besides Winni Berent. Sean Meade was a typical blond-haired, blue-eyed Caucasian man with deep-set, handsome facial features. He appeared to be around fifty years old, showing no signs of aging; only faint crow's feet and eyes filled with worldly experience subtly hinted at his true years. He wore a black formal suit draped with a blue cloak, resembling an elegant and stern sorcerer straight out of a Western fantasy novel. His posture was more upright than that of most young men, and gazing at him gave an illusory sensation of being cut. Zhang Yuanqing's gaze lingered on this Chief Executive Officer for two seconds before shifting to the young man beside him. That young man also had blond hair and blue eyes, sharing a forty to fifty percent facial resemblance to Sean Meade. His golden hair was neatly combed back—the kind of exceptionally handsome man who looked dashing with his forehead fully exposed. Julian Meade! Having seen his photograph, Zhang Yuanqing immediately matched the man to the face. Julian's gaze swept swiftly across the hall as if searching for something. Then, his eyes lingered on each of the Five Elements Alliance Saints in turn, the corners of his mouth curling into a cold sneer. Donna Caroline rose with a radiant smile. Her long dress trailed along the floor as she walked with graceful, measured steps to greet Sean and Winni. "Greetings, Chief Executive Officer!" Donna Caroline smiled politely. A trace of warmth surfaced in Sean Meade's cool eyes, and he nodded slightly. "President Donna, it has been a while. You have grown even more enchanting." Behind him, Julian Meade stared foolishly at the beauty before him, quietly swallowing his saliva. Donna Caroline then looked at Winni. "Greetings, Miss Winni." Winni Berent merely uttered a cold, dismissive grunt. "Are Winni and your president on bad terms?" Zhang Yuanqing asked in surprise. Annie nodded gently and typed out a message on her phone: "President Donna was the Demon Lord's lover. While the Demon Lord was in the Free Confederation, during the three months Winni was in confinement, he spent at least half that time fooling around with President Donna. "Minister Winni is an exceptionally possessive woman. She deeply detests every woman who ever slept with the Demon Lord." *What else can I say except 'bravo'?* Zhang Yuanqing muttered inwardly. That Demon Lord seemed to have had a fling with practically every pretty woman he crossed paths with. Even the most seasoned veteran drivers in Shencheng of Soup-Brewing Province hadn't seen as many license plates as that man. After the three Dominators exchanged courtesies, they walked to the center of the hall to the sound of a melodious piano piece. As the Chief Executive Officer, Sean Meade surveyed the crowd and spoke in a clear, resonant voice: "The evil faction has disrupted the harmony and tranquility of New York County. They have initiated a war, and casualties have gradually spread from spirit walkers into political and commercial circles. This is not a regular conflict; it is a war aimed at crushing the orthodox organizations. "This is a protracted faction war. Therefore, I call upon the orthodox walkers of New York County to actively take up arms and join this faction struggle. "In a war between factions, no one can remain an innocent bystander." With that, he turned to President Donna beside him. The breathtakingly gorgeous president adopted a solemn tone. "The Association of the God of Beauty has decided to enter the war and contribute to the victory of the orthodox faction. Ladies and gentlemen, peace has drifted away, and faction confrontation has begun. "Entering the war is both an unavoidable choice and a necessary decision." Her charm was peerless, her manner of speech captivating, and her request completely irresistible. A burst of enthusiastic applause rang out. Winni Berent raised the stemmed glass in her hand. "A toast together, for the orthodox faction." Everyone lifted their glasses. This mobilization assembly proceeded very smoothly. Since the various organizations had sent representatives, it indicated they either leaned toward taking part or were hesitating and wanted to gauge everyone's attitude at the banquet before deciding where to stand. With President Donna present, the response to the call was practically unanimous. Once the representatives returned and conveyed the scene to their respective organizations, it would serve as an unmistakable signal. Next, Winni and Sean, the two leaders of Heaven's Punishment, spoke individually with the representatives of the major organizations. Time flew past. When the conversations concluded, Winni and Sean had received fairly positive feedback, and the gathering gradually drew toward its close. At this moment, Julian Meade, who had been biding his time, finally stood up and walked toward the Five Elements Alliance support team. While a few meters still separated the two sides, Julian Meade suddenly waved his hand. With a sharp, piercing wail, the howling wind echoed through the hall as over a dozen wind blades shot forth like a torrential rain, blanketing the Saints of the Five Elements Alliance. Guan Ya and the others had been on guard the moment Julian Meade began walking over, but they had not expected him to strike so decisively, unleashing an area-of-effect barrage of wind blades right in the middle of the hall. This caught the Saints of the Five Elements Alliance somewhat off guard. Guan Ya, Zhao Chenghuang, Sun Miaomiao, Yuan Ting... all six dove and rolled out of the way simultaneously, their movements looking rather disheveled. The guests who had been keeping an eye on both sides were both astonished and thrilled. No one had expected Julian to be so forceful, striking directly without any preamble or justification. Not far away, Winni frowned. "Sean..." Sean Meade glanced back at her and said calmly, "Didn't they do the exact same thing?" He was referring to how the Five Elements Alliance support team had barged into Brady's office and unleashed violence right in front of Heaven's Punishment personnel, which was no different from what Julian was doing now.