Section 8

A highly rigorous, mysterious, and standardized religious organization, whose control over human faith is so profound that it would make all the deities of Faerûn feel ashamed. The lich believes that although this is a low-magic plane, unless his half-lich mentor successfully becomes the local deity or exterminates two-thirds of humanity, he will be plagued to the point of self-destruction by the followers of this Old Covenant Church. He has no desire to attract the attention of those in black robes, even though their attire is quite appealing to the lich—hence, the usually eccentric Alex suddenly becoming a gem collector is understandable. In this perilous moment, he must also rush to the distant museum in the western continent to seize a famous gem that even a six-year-old would recognize, a task that is difficult to explain even with acute mental confusion. Moreover, he must be cautious not to be turned into a honeycomb by machine-gun fire or hit by missiles from helicopters. Otherwise, the omnipresent "eyes" of the Old Covenant Church would surely take a keen interest in a "human" who is missing half his body yet still able to move normally. Even if injured, it would be easy to expose his abnormalities. Last time, Alex managed to switch out a vial of blood from the hospital, but that was a private hospital of the Salieri family; other hospitals would not allow him to come and go as if in a no-man's land.

Yale's call was regarding an investment, and Don José believes that Alex should not yet be exposed to the true dark side. Therefore, the legitimate business that the Salieri family is expanding has become the best option

Moreover, the national power here should not be underestimated; their systems are comprehensive, detailed, and precise. The so-called extradition regulations make it difficult for even a wanted sparrow to find a branch to perch on—one can be certain that once the identity of the Lich is exposed, it will face an endless pursuit and slaughter. In this realm, nearly all humans in the *Book* are its enemies, while its spells are limited by the number of gemstones.

Unless that gem could instantly transform him into a demilich, a demilich close to godhood, one capable of breaking free from the constraints of this plane's rules... He wanted to return to Faerûn

Xude, once the most renowned director on the Western Continent, has now fallen on hard times and placed a bet. What Alex needs to do is, accompanied by some personnel from the action department, present this bet as an investment to that poor soul, and then supervise and review all plans, scenes, financial flows, and equipment. He should select a few truly good actors, instill a sense of responsibility in them, so that the director can smoothly complete all the shots, then develop the film, produce sample copies, edit the samples, finalize the visuals, print corrected copies, and produce standard copies. He must eliminate all those with intentions of piracy, sell the copies to the most influential cinema chains on the Western Continent, and once the attendance rates and critics' reviews are sufficiently high, ensure that at least half of the judges are placated, so that the director can bring home a little golden statuette.

One of the decorative pieces, an abstract sculpture, ignited rapidly. If there were high-speed cameras designed to capture the trajectory of lightning or the bursting of water balloons, it might allow human eyes to witness how that small conical flame materialized out of thin air, swiftly and accurately targeting its objective as per the creator's intent, and incinerating it completely.

What has Alex been doing recently

"Mr. Alexander," the other party's magnetic voice immediately prompted Alex to recall that seemingly polite, yet with eyes that seemed eager to conduct a microscopic vivisection, the blonde, blue-eyed undead being: "I am Yel and *Tu* Shu · Rumelika Vas..."

Of course, if given the opportunity, he would also be willing to take Alex to the nightclub, where the girls are much more enthusiastic than the cold beauties in his salons

Alex's bedroom was draped with thick curtains, yet the Lich keenly sensed the tranquility and heaviness of darkness without needing to use his eyes. The third son of the Salieri family sat on the floor by the edge of the bed, and before him lay a large, exquisite round wool carpet, now charred in places. Perhaps, apart from himself, no one could discern the marvelous patterns and the strange letters that once adorned the ruined carpet. On the ashes, within reach, lay several fine gemstones—diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and emeralds—set in gold rings or cufflinks. About one meter away, several wooden ornaments were placed.

"The hand of fire," he said softly

* * *

The phone rang

Alex retracted his right hand, which bore a ruby ring on the middle finger. Just a second ago, it was a vivid red, glistening like pigeon blood solidified under low temperatures. A second later, it dimmed, resembling a cheap plastic imitation, and the reward was merely a simple hand of burning. In this low-magic plane, it could not even compare to a single grenade.

Barbara Ward currently resides on Mulholland Drive in Beverly Hills, a place frequented by celebrities, and it is also the latest workplace of Alex

This is a good job, said Yel

Wildeck bit into the apple. No, he certainly did not intend to tease Alex; he was simply a bit perplexed. A brother who had never been willing to play in the mud, grab dogs by the neck, pry open windows, or climb walls, and who had never fought with him, suddenly became quite a competent companion. When they were together, he did not have to worry about his bullets hitting Alex's backside, nor did he have to worry about other people's bullets hitting his own backside.

Moreover, on the internet—this is truly one of the highest, greatest, and most ineffable achievements that humanity in this realm can attain—the lich often has to use his terrifying will, which has passed the death check, to pull himself out of the vast and boundless sea of knowledge. He discovers that perhaps rarer and more precious gems possess greater, stronger, and richer magical power, such as the world-renowned "Hope" blue diamond. When he saw a brief introduction about it in Alex's memory, he was still somewhat skeptical, but the detailed information found online made even the lich, who would not be moved even if Mount Heaven fell before him, tremble with awe. Does no one notice? In three hundred years, the lives of more than a dozen humans may not seem significant, but those humans did not perish due to toxins or corrosive substances; they all succumbed to "misfortune." The detailed information found online made even the lich, who would not be moved even if Mount Heaven fell before him, tremble with awe. Does no one notice? In three hundred years, the lives of more than a dozen humans may not seem significant, but those humans did not perish due to toxins or corrosive substances; they all succumbed to "misfortune," their fates having been altered! ... This is a power that belongs to deities or demigods, or liches close to divinity... If it were not for the accumulation of enough reason over two hundred years of life, the lich would probably have recklessly rushed toward that perfect crystal of negative energy. If it were not for the memories of the Old Covenant, perhaps he would have done just that. This is a power that belongs to deities or demigods, or liches close to divinity... If it were not for the accumulation of enough reason over two hundred years of life, the lich would probably have recklessly rushed toward that perfect crystal of negative energy. If it were not for the memories of the Old Covenant, perhaps he would have done just that.

Alex—the lost and pitiful lich fiddled with the few gems he possessed, patiently reminding himself, bring forth your patience, you have plenty of time, and you also have opportunities, you can gather everything you need without raising any suspicion—a single Hope Diamond is certainly not enough, but the few mentioned in the book are either set in the king's scepter or the pope's crown, or belong to the collection of some renowned individual... you can gather everything you need without raising any suspicion—a single Hope Diamond is certainly not enough, but the few mentioned in the book are either set in the king's scepter or the pope's crown, or belong to the collection of some renowned individual...

Magic

The lich within the human body gently presses against the chest of the soul, as if there still beats a fiercely pulsating heart... Whether in Faerûn or on Earth, whether alive or dead, whether evil or good... The only reason for his existence is, and will always be, this—

It is now 3:00 AM on September 1, 2056

Perhaps... Alex was slowly flipping through the webpage, "The Heart of the Goddess," a superb ruby said to grant eternal youth to its wearer, weighing 110.51 carats, currently owned by the world-renowned sex symbol of thirteen years ago—actress Barbara Ward

He seems to be infatuated with the internet," said Xude, stuffing a peeled apple into Weidege's mouth. "Once all this is over, you can take him wherever you like, but for now—make sure you rest properly." He glanced at his brother. "When did you start caring about Alex? Don't tease him; Dad will get angry.

This is the new venture of the Salieri family. As an investor and supervisor, Alex can spend ample time at elegant or vulgar banquets every day, with almost no danger, unless he is overwhelmed by overly sweet flattery or various types of beautiful women. There is no need for specialized knowledge; Wude believes that his brother's aesthetic sense is relatively normal. If he can accept it, it indicates that the items are acceptable. As for whether the use of funds is appropriate, the two accompanying accountants will be responsible for the review—they are trusted aides in financial supervision and will not commit any embarrassing blunders. There is no need for specialized knowledge; Wude believes that his brother's aesthetic sense is relatively normal. If he can accept it, it indicates that the items are acceptable. As for whether the use of funds is appropriate, the two accompanying accountants will be responsible for the review—they are trusted aides in financial supervision and will not commit any embarrassing blunders.