Duncan strode in and stood directly next to the Mother of Great Bliss.

"Begin."

The Mother of Great Bliss looked Duncan up and down, gazing at his attire, her eyes resting on his sword, showing no displeasure, only signaling to Vera and others nearby.

Clearly, in her view, Duncan had not yet fully integrated into the ideology of the Joyous Sect.

Nor had he deeply understood the pleasures of hedonism.

The Joyful Priests began to chant, while outside the Divine Hall Guards drew their swords, tossing several weapons to the ground; simultaneously, beautiful Joyful Priestesses approached on both sides, chanting and covering these weapons with fresh flowers.

During this season, many flowers were hard to come by.

The flowers used in this ritual were conjured up by Druids and Mages at a cost, and enhanced with spells to keep them vibrant and lively.

Waves of enchanting melodies filled the air.

After the Joyful Priestesses completed the holy ritual of "Discarding Violence," minstrels began to play, and artists performed songs and dances, church members began to find their dance partners, and elegantly dressed men and women danced gracefully in the garden courtyard.

The atmosphere instantly became joyous.

"Master."

Vera’s expression was tinged with nervousness, she carefully asked, "May I invite you for a dance?"

The Mother of Great Bliss wanted her to influence Duncan’s perception of matters, at least so he wouldn’t be so out of place, to fit the style of the Joyous Sect.

A person who rarely smiles and seldom pursues pleasure is difficult for others in the church to accept.

Duncan slowly shook his head without uttering a word, only glancing at the Mother of Great Bliss.

It seemed she sensed his gaze; the Mother of Great Bliss showed a hint of disappointment, watched the dance with lack of interest, then led a group of priestesses to the back courtyard, arranging for Duncan to join.

Inside lay the private space of the Mother of Great Bliss.

Duncan noticed that nearly everyone entering was female, as the Mother of Great Bliss also approached him, smiling meaningfully, hinting, "Relax." 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

"Learn to enjoy joy in due time."

The interior of the villa was extremely lavish, like a palace-like club. Soon, minstrels began to play instruments, attendants danced, and after the dance commenced, free and easy leisure time followed.

Duncan stood awkwardly, frowned, observed his surroundings, found a secluded corner, placed his longsword down and sat on a plush sofa.

As soon as he sat down, a female attendant immediately poured him a drink and offered him delicious food.

This spot was not far from the Mother of Great Bliss; should anything unexpected occur, he could react in an instant.

Unsheathing the sword was impossible.

Without weapons in human form, his strength was at least halved.

Time passed slowly as the ball came to an end, the banquet transitioned into free time. Elegantly adorned figures entered the garden courtyard’s resting area, while the Mother of Great Bliss lounged lazily on a gilded sofa, appearing languidly beautiful, fingers playing with a crystal glass, listening to the laughter around, letting two female attendants massage her shoulders and legs.

Her gaze fell upon Duncan, who drank alone in the corner; the Mother of Great Bliss frowned slightly, called Vera and another priestess with a breath like orchids, saying, "Tonight, he must experience the meaning of joy in life."

"Do you understand?"

Vera and the other Joyful Priestess respectfully nodded.

The banquet quickly moved into its second phase.

As the central hall cleared, the Mother of Great Bliss rose lazily, barefoot floating in the air, radiant and extraordinary, she loosened her long hair, which cascaded down to her calves, and under the accompaniment of songs and melodies, she began to dance solo, praying for the Goddess of Joy’s favor; her posture was extremely graceful, dance steps transcendent, her entire being hovering mid-air, seeking divine resonance with beautiful, joyful dance moves.

Yet for some reason, the Mother of Great Bliss faced Duncan seated in the corner, her ruby-like alluring eyes fixed on him, as a joyful sprite, charming and lively.

Truly a peerless beauty.

It’s not surprising that the Goddess of Joy, Lierla, blessed her, Duncan raised his cup, drank deeply, sat with dignity and appreciated the divine grace-seeking dance.

But at this moment.

Vera and another Joyful Priestess sat beside him, the two exchanged a glance, Vera spun like a joyful butterfly, seated herself on Duncan’s lap, her slender waist swaying gently. At this moment in the central hall, the Mother of Great Bliss’s dance shifted from joyful to alluring, adding seduction and enchantment, her entire being began to rotate mid-air; under the crystal light, her long legs and full contours appeared almost reflective.

Unintentionally, the Mother of Great Bliss glanced in their direction, her movements uninterrupted, continued dancing gracefully, while surrounding chants seemed to echo, hinting at the sacred light cascading down.

This is the Goddess of Joy, Lierla’s divine grace.

Whenever the Mother of Great Bliss holds a ceremony, the Goddess of Joy almost always responds in some way.

In the corner of the banquet hall, on the sofa, Vera swayed her slim waist under the Mother of Great Bliss’s gaze, her delicate figure trembled for a moment, then she gently raised her hips, reached behind, and with the assistance of another Joyful Priestess, she loosened the discreet buttons of her long gown quickly; under the dimming crystal light, the red skirt spread out like a blooming rose.

Such discreet skirt designs, derived from the Goddess of Love’s priestesses, were partially integrated into the attire of the Joyous Sect.

Vera swayed her waist gently, following the Mother of Great Bliss’s ceremony, subtly shifting her body.

Divine grace had descended.

All around, Joyful Priests joyfully sang, praising the Goddess of Joy, while the Mother of Great Bliss bathed in the glow of divine grace, resembling a radiant beautiful goddess.

Even the goddess’s reflection appeared on her.

Joy, charm, dance.

Threefold domain’s sacred ritual was completed, the Mother of Great Bliss stopped, cast a meaningful glance toward the corner, then laughingly returned to the luxurious sofa.

——Sensory Sharing (Divine Technique).

A faint spiritual light fell upon Vera; she now needed to find some joy and hoped this man wouldn’t disappoint her. After all, she rarely took initiative to feel others’ senses.

The Mother of Great Bliss’s delicate figure trembled slightly, then returned to a lazy and composed state, simply lying on the plush sofa, letting the attendant beside her fetch a velvet blanket.

As long as integrating into the Joyous Sect’s atmosphere, she had the confidence to gradually win over this man to her faction.

The corner echoed a suppressed murmur.

After a while, the Mother of Great Bliss took a deep breath, calmed her emotions, slowly got up, walked unhurriedly, stood under the dazzling crystal lights, began elevating a new batch of Joyful Priests.

Tonight marked the beginning of transforming Duncan-Starfall to one of their own.

The ambitious Mother of Great Bliss was already prepared to infiltrate the Wealth Church from the inside out.

.........