For a short instant, Gulistan blinked in surprise. Clearly, she'd not expected such brazen words to pa.s.s Konrad's lips.

　　"You're even more shameless than I last checked. Impressive."

　　Setting two cups before them, she poured them tea then set the jugs aside to settle in the opposite seat.

　　"It's a special beverage. Useless for the Pure Self by your side, but very helpful in meridian condensation. Have a taste."

　　Gulistan explained, her tone having returned to seriousness. After examining the beverage through the system and making sure nothing wrong existed within, Konrad's eyes s.h.i.+fted back toward Gulistan, not sipping it still.

　　That she could see through the difference between Pure and True Self was no surprise. However, she could also see through his cultivation, an impossible feat for Saint-level experts unless he allowed them to.

　　And he didn't.

　　Therefore, Konrad could conclude that Gulistan's cultivation was at the Divine level. But what rank in particular, he couldn't say.

　　"Can you see through her cultivation?"

　　He asked the system while they exchanged silent glances.

　　"Well, this is just a Divine Incarnation. It doesn't really have cultivation of its own and draws power from the main body. Therefore, I can't estimate her true cultivation level. But in any case, she can probably pinch anyone you've met so far between two fingers."

　　The system replied to Konrad's dismay.

　　"Afraid the tea is poisoned?"

　　"Not really, I'm just surprised. You're not exactly an example of motherly love. Are you sure you want to waste such resources on me?"

　　Konrad's serious tone showed no jest.

　　Doubting Gulistan's intent was natural. After all, his previous self had gone through untold sufferings in her hands. From getting thrown into a snake pit to being cast out in the city's outskirts to fend for himself, there was no abuse he'd not endured.

　　Now suddenly she was offering top-level goods? Showing some wariness was inevitable.

　　Konrad's words drew a sigh from Gulistan's scarlet lips.

　　"Konrad, between you and I, there are many misunderstandings. Allow me to clear things up."

　　All playfulness vanished from Gulistan's eyes as she stared into Konrad's.

　　"Before, you were a useless piece of trash. I mistreated you, hoping to stimulate you, but to no avails.

　　That being case, your life mattered little. Though getting boned by your father was and will always be the most pleasurable event of my life. I didn't go through the ordeals of nine months of pregnancy to raise a waste."

　　Yvonne's eyes contorted into a frown. Even in her centuries-long existence, rarely had she ever seen such implacable candor.

　　"You were not born from two loving parents romping under the sunset. You were born, because I convinced my father to grant me the opportunity to almost deplete the merit quotas of house Serkar while sacrificing thousands of worthy lives for the sake of summoning lord Talroth into this world and obtain his blessing.

　　I got all I wanted. Therefore, you were an additional price, not a boon. A burden, not a glory."

　　Yvonne's frown deepened. However, Konrad's indifference remained, as if the words couldn't affect him.

　　"At first, when his majesty made giving birth to and raising you to G.o.dhood the price of his blessings, I thought you would be a double opportunity. On the one hand, I could lay down the foundation for my rapid ascension, and have my house become the mightiest of the Ancient Crystal World, on the other hand, I could raise a lethal weapon to bring down the Celestial Church once and for all.