Soon after, the appearance of Lynch made Rica understand how the High Priest in Nagariel knew the word "Foundation".

Unlike other foreigners settled locally who pretended to conform to local religious customs, Lynch did not make the gesture of blessing to wish everyone happiness; he just looked on calmly and said "Hello".

Even to the High Priest, Lynch simply said "Hello" as their way of greeting when they met.

He glanced at Rica, who lowered his head under Lynch's gaze, still somewhat fearful of him, as the pain from his broken bones was not easily forgotten.

Rica's retreat and bowing caused him to miss noticing the hope that shattered and turned ordinary in the eyes of the High Priest when he acted this way.

"You leave first, I have something to discuss with Mr. Lynch," said the High Priest, looking at his most favored youngest son, who bowed, opened his hands, and left backward.

He did not resist, because in this room, whether Lynch or the High Priest, they were both figures he could not oppose; he had neither the will nor the ability to resist.

Watching Rica leave from Lynch's mouth, the High Priest stood up, moved closer to Lynch, and faced this young man without sitting cross-legged, as it would be disrespectful to a strong person.

Lynch might not be a "strong person" in the traditional sense, one with great physical strength, but he was the kind who possessed and wielded great wealth, stronger than someone with mere physical power.

It was only natural to meet him with due respect.

"This way, please, the air here isn't very good..." The High Priest invited Lynch to walk past the room's furnishings and out through a small door on an inconspicuous side of the wall at the back, and suddenly everything opened up brightly.

The natural environment was no less than that of the Provincial Governor's house, with tall tropical trees unique to the region standing upright and a clean path paved with small stones on the ground.

A refreshing breeze delighted the senses; whether the Provincial Governor or the High Priest, they were people who knew how to enjoy life.

"Bolorika told me about his experiences in the Federation recently. He didn't tell everything; he hid something. I could tell. I hope you can tell me what else happened besides those ordinary things he mentioned?"

As they walked, the High Priest voiced his confusion.

He could see that his youngest son had undergone tremendous growth. As a father, even though these children might think he doesn't pay enough attention to them, he has always cared deeply, especially about his youngest son.

He knew what a wicked child he was; from an early age, he behaved like a scoundrel, as he was born into such a family. His father was the High Priest, and Rica's status was even higher than the sons of the Provincial Governor. He could do anything he wanted with impunity.

By the age of fourteen, he was no longer a virgin, delighting in biting and torturing those of the opposite sex, emotionally volatile.

But it didn't matter; after all, he had chosen well in his past life and been reincarnated into a good family this life, becoming the child of the High Priest. These actions were his due.

Every religious believer thought this way, more convinced that as long as they could endure all current injustices, they too could be born into a family like the High Priest's or Provincial Governor's and enjoy the same power and pleasures inflicted upon them today.

Rica returned from the Federation this time, changed, becoming more composed, modest in demeanor, not as flamboyant and reckless, finally resembling a normal person.

This brought much comfort to the High Priest, but he was also very curious about what could have caused such a huge change in this child.

It was a good change, especially for times when he could no longer use his power to shield the child; now, every bit of growth, every bit of progress, would reduce his future risks.

He looked earnestly at Lynch, "Even if some things... I wouldn't hold it against, I'm just very curious about what made him grow."

Lynch did not hesitate or show any reluctance unlike the High Priest imagined; he straightforwardly uttered a word — pain.

"I broke his bones, Your Excellency the High Priest, while he was conscious. Of course, I had my reasons for doing so."

"You know, the Federation is a society governed by law. What he considered normal here could get him imprisoned for life there, so I used pain to teach him a lesson."

"In the Federation, he is just an ordinary person, not anyone's child, and has no privileges!"

The High Priest nodded repeatedly after hearing this, "Very good, you did very well. I'm too old, sometimes reluctant to discipline these little ones harshly. You've helped fill that gap for me."

The High Priest, his face full of wrinkles and tattoos, looked somewhat benevolent, yet no one knew he had recently ordered the Dharma Protector to execute those who destroyed the Temple.

The so-called kindness and leniency were emotions born only towards his own child.

Towards other people's children?

That might just be a kind of luxury wish.

"I haven't been to school, don't have the education you talk about, but I know people learn to walk and run by stumbling. The forms might be different, but the essence is the same, like the truth."

"After Bolorika returned, he talked to me about some things. He hopes that everyone in the family will settle in the Federation, and I have received some..."

He chuckled, "Information, my old adversary has already sent his family on a cruise to the Federation, is that right?"

The two walked on, as the light grew stronger, it seemed they were about to exit the woods.

The intense light outside the woods made it hard for Lynch, who was in the shadows, to see what lay beyond. He focused more on the High Priest, "Yes, I saw them off onto the ship."

"I also agreed to Bolorika's request. I decided to send my children to the Federation. They are unfamiliar with the environment there, and I'm worried they might make mistakes."

"So...", the High Priest paused slightly here, "I hope you can give them some help, regulate their behavior, and teach them how to become people suitable for living in the Federation."

"At the same time, I also hope to entrust you with something..."

"What?", Lynch asked.

"Help me establish a Foundation. I worry that they might resent each other over the money I hold, or even do something foolish. I'm also afraid they'll encounter swindlers and be left with nothing."

"The only person I can trust is you, Mr. Lynch. If you can help me, then all you need to do is ensure their livelihood."

As they were about to exit the woods, the High Priest stopped, looking at Lynch with a bright glimmer in his cloudy eyes.

Making this decision wasn't easy for him, entrusting his lifetime's savings to someone he's not very familiar with, and letting his children be subjected to this person. It doesn't seem like a wise choice at first glance.

But it is a very clever choice. The High Priest has spent years dealing with the mystical, and people noticed only the process of him conveying ideas on behalf of gods, forgetting that his greatest ability in life was judging people.

He has seen many people, too many for him to count. Among them were the poor, the rich, the powerful, and the lowly. He has a thorough understanding of human nature.

From Rica not daring to mention his conflict with Lynch, to him lowering his head in submission and retreat in front of Lynch, it taught the High Priest an important lesson.

If Lynch harbored malice, none of his children would escape. Now, they are in Nagariel, under the High Priest's control. Even his favored child wouldn't dare meet Lynch's gaze, and once in the Federation, they might grovel if they misbehave.

Rather than letting them attract malicious intentions by holding wealth that doesn't suit their status, it's better to use part of this wealth for their stable livelihood.

The High Priest may live another ten years, and the money he earns later won't need to be distributed to Lynch.

This is a transaction, exchanging the operational control and equity of a Foundation for his children's quiet and prosperous life.

"Why not?", Lynch agreed without much consideration, "I will send them to school, hire people to teach them what they need to know to live in the Federation, and within my capability, I'll handle the troubles they cause. I'll do my best!"

With this answer, the High Priest let out a sigh of relief, stretched out his hand, "Come with me, I'll show you something good..."

The two crossed the woods, stepped over the boundary of light and shadow, and after their pupils quickly adjusted to the light, a mountain of gold appeared before Lynch.

A mountain, in every sense of the word, made up of gold bars and gold ingots, forming a small hill over two meters high, scattering gold bars and ingots all over the place.

The High Priest walked forward, picked up one, weighed it in his hand, and then tossed it to Lynch.

The shock in Lynch's heart quickly subsided. He caught the gold ingot the High Priest tossed and examined it closely.

Soon he realized that the value of this small mountain of gold wasn't as much as he imagined, as its composition didn't seem very high.

Some areas showed obvious whiteness, others had a purplish or reddish hue. These are not characteristics of pure gold, with too many other metals mixed in. Calling it gold alloy seemed more accurate.

The High Priest stood before this heap of gold, looking at these gleaming little things, and sighed deeply, "This is what I've amassed in my lifetime..."

"What do you think, how much are they worth?"

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