A mage's journey begins with a battle mage.

Chapter 362, Bill 666

The moment Admiral Field uttered those words, the atmosphere, which had just eased, turned cold again.

"That's true, but each situation needs to be analyzed specifically."

Jiang Shuzhou began to demonstrate his ability to smooth things over.

"Besides, General Field, you must have other options since you're so opposed to the bill, right? Why don't you share them so we can all discuss them?"

Field fell silent; he truly had no good solutions.

"I will not agree to this bill under any circumstances."

He said it coldly, then turned and left.

Without lingering at all, it seemed they had no intention of continuing the conversation with Jiang Shuzhou.

"What's the situation now?"

Jiang Shuzhou looked at Kevin and asked.

"The situation was complicated before you came. Sometimes it was 4 to 3, sometimes it was 3 to 4, but it was impossible to pass either way, which is why we came to you."

Kevin covered his head, seemingly quite troubled by the situation.

"Aren't you afraid it'll become a 4-4 split?"

"This...you wouldn't do that, would you?"

Kevin's words carried an air of uncertainty.

"Of course, but I have a few small requests."

"It's not a big deal, it's just a few minor changes."

Jiang Shuzhou said with a smile.

Didn't I already give you the things? Isn't that much money enough?

Although Kevin thought this way, he could only remain polite.

"You said, as long as it's not excessive, it's fine."

"Look at what you're saying, do you think I'm that kind of person?"

"All my suggestions are reasonable."

Jiang Shuzhou looked at Kevin, then took out a map of the Federation, which was covered with many points.

This is the site where the shelter was built.

"Look at this little shelter, is it enough for so many people? If you ask me, we should add more. That way there will be less resistance. After all, nobody wants to be unable to get a shelter and end up dealing with those lunatics outside, right?"

Jiang Shuzhou's words sounded righteous and dignified, as if he had no selfish motives whatsoever and was entirely concerned for the safety of the people.

But actually?

Jiang Shuzhou planned to perform a prophetic ritual and, incidentally, harvest some souls.

After all, many people will die on that day.

Although Jiang Shuzhou currently does not have the ability to directly collect souls, it is common knowledge.

As long as the mind does not slip, there are more solutions than difficulties.

As long as the elemental concentration meets the requirements, ritual magic can be used.

This kind of ritual usually involves arranging and combining certain things to form a complex and intricate pattern, ultimately achieving a certain effect.

Without a doubt, Jiang Shuzhou intended to use the ritual to achieve his goal this time.

As is well known, for some reason, none of Jiang Shuzhou's predictions have ever come true, and he receives no response no matter who he predicts.

So this time, Jiang Shuzhou is going to go all out; he's going to use this chaos and these countless souls to make a prophecy.

Of course, this is not a prediction about myself.

Although prophecy is very useful and can provide guidance, one of the most important rules for many prophetic sorcerers is that they cannot prophesy about themselves.

Prophecy is the observation of destiny; through fragments of words and scattered information, prophet priests are guided.

But fate is unchangeable; once it is observed, it cannot be altered.

It's alright to predict others or a certain event, since whether something can be accomplished is a relatively easy question to answer.

For example, if the prediction is that it cannot be accomplished, then don't do it. In the end, it will naturally not be accomplished, and there will be no major consequences.

Even if you do it, the final result will be that you fail.

But if it's a prediction about oneself...

If it's a good result, that's fine; if it's a bad result, then it's all over.

Like Schrödinger's cat, when fate is not spied upon, everything is unknown, but once fate is spied upon, it is too late, and fate will be set.

This is the self-fulfilling nature of prophecy.

Whatever you do, the prophecy will come true.

Therefore, most prophecies will receive some ambiguous statements, not because they lack clarity, but because people dare not have them.

These ambiguous statements can maximize the safety of the prophet.

After all, these words can be interpreted in many ways.

Everything that can be done to the greatest extent possible to avoid a predetermined fate.

Jiang Shuzhou has always had several questions, the first of which is about alchemy.

Jiang Shuzhou has always conducted experiments alone, but as the scale of his experiments has grown larger, he has become somewhat short of people around him.

Denoz could only work as an assistant; she had no talent for alchemy.

Jiang Shuzhou now wants to find a talented ox or horse... no, an apprentice. Jiang Shuzhou will input his ideas into this apprentice, and then the apprentice will produce the results, which Jiang Shuzhou will then publish with his name on it.

Simply put, Jiang Shuzhou wants to become an academic tyrant.

Of course, this is normal for an apprentice, since most high-level alchemists do this.

But Jiang Shuzhou didn't do that, mainly because he couldn't find a talented apprentice.

For an ordinary high-level alchemist, all they need is a reasonably talented apprentice, since they don't have much else to teach besides that one subject.

But for Jiang Shuzhou, it was completely different.

He possesses several alchemy techniques, including those related to flesh and blood, magical items, and magic circles, all of which require apprentices to learn.

Such talented apprentices are highly sought after, because if trained properly, they are guaranteed to become high-level alchemists, and they will be proficient in multiple disciplines. Who wouldn't want that?

If Jiang Shuzhou tried to find it on his own, he probably wouldn't find it even in his next life, so he thought of the prophecy.

This is perfect for carrying out this ceremony, regardless of whether it succeeds or not.

"If it's there, great; if not, so be it. Better to have nothing than something bad" is Jiang Shuzhou's principle.

Denuozhi was Jiang Shuzhou's most satisfactory apprentice, or rather, slave. After all, he studied diligently and was able to reach the sixth rank in a short time. He would soon be able to advance to the high rank and contribute to Jiang Shuzhou.

Jiang Shuzhou only needs to provide some resources to obtain a loyal high-level mage, which can only be described as a very worthwhile deal.

So now, Jiang Shuzhou wants to make another move.

Kevin fell into deep thought as he watched Jiang Shuzhou, who was calculating with great skill.

It's not that the requirements are too high; on the contrary, it's quite simple.

Will there be any problems?

Kevin's brain began to race.

Then, he thought for a long time but couldn't come up with anything.

He really couldn't imagine what benefits Jiang Shuzhou could gain from this.

Could it be that they're planning to take kickbacks from the construction business?

"If that's the case, then there's no problem."

Kevin said.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Shuzhou smiled slightly.

Then he extended his hand.

"make a deal?"

"make a deal."

Kevin was taken aback for a moment, then shook hands with Jiang Shuzhou.

Now, he was under Jiang Shuzhou's control.