Li Jiayi's plan appears to be successful for now.
Gilgamesh and Bai Ye intend to observe the situation, while Heracles has temporarily retreated.
Scathach and Lan Xi are dead.
The Swordsman and the Knight have yet to reveal themselves.
The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, fueled by vanity, can continuously absorb mana to become complete.
Li Jiayi stated, "The Hanging Gardens of Babylon are too enormous. Even if we secretly find a place to hide it, there's still a high probability it will be discovered before completion. Since that's the case, why not bring it into the open? Others will be filled with suspicion and thus dare not act rashly. However..."
Senal asked, "However?"
Li Jiayi continued, "I've only helped you devise a method for the Hanging Gardens of Babylon to become complete. But how will you lure others into the Hanging Gardens of Babylon?"
Senal smiled and replied, "That's very simple. Of course, we'll use what they desire most."
Li Jiayi inquired, "Hmm?"
Senal said, "Since we're cooperating, I might as well let you witness it firsthand."
After speaking, Senal glanced at Semiramis.
Semiramis let out a soft chuckle, then gracefully walked forward, exuding mana.
As the mana from Semiramis was felt, a circle of magic inscriptions suddenly appeared in the center of the hall, and within the center of those inscriptions, a circle of black ripples materialized.
In the next instant, a glass display case slowly rose.
Within the glass display case rested a golden cup, adorned with intricate carvings, radiating a brilliant, opulent aura.
Li Jiayi exclaimed in surprise, "Is that the Holy Grail? Why is it in your possession?"
Senal explained, "This is a privilege afforded to the initiator of the wish-granting task. The Holy Grail has been in my possession from the beginning, but its holding period is only seven days. After seven days, everyone will know of the Holy Grail's existence."
Li Jiayi understood, "I see. So this is your method to attract others into the Hanging Gardens of Babylon."
Besides this...
Li Jiayi also realized why Senal's wish-granting task reward was to obtain a Noble Phantasm from one of the summoned Servants.
Senal desired the Hanging Gardens of Babylon!
Li Jiayi curled his lips, truly a cunning plan.
Senal continued, "I've been quite candid. Therefore, can you tell me your true objective in helping me?"
Li Jiayi spread his hands, "I've always told the truth. I just want this damned Holy Grail War to end quickly. My Forbidden Zone mission awaits me. Secondly, do you think I have any chance of competing?"
Senal shrugged, neither confirming nor denying.
Li Jiayi said, hands in his pockets, "I believe I've shown considerable sincerity. You said that to talk about cooperation, one must enter the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. See, I've entered with great sincerity. This is Semiramis's domain, after all!"
Senal chuckled, "Alright then, your wish shall be granted by me. I will end the Holy Grail War as soon as possible."
As Senal spoke, he walked forward and stood by the window, gazing into the distance.
It was at this very moment...
Li Jiayi and Semiramis exchanged glances. Her half-closed eyes suddenly opened a fraction wider, and she offered Li Jiayi a slight smile.
Li Jiayi couldn't help but smile as well.
This Holy Grail War was indeed quite interesting!
...
After a period of busyness, Bai Ye finally ushered in a time of leisure.
His daily routine consisted of eating, drinking, and drawing from the gacha.
In truth, Bai Ye had somewhat guessed the intentions of the owner of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.
Their grand appearance was likely a tactic to sow suspicion, thereby deterring attacks on the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, and consequently granting them enough time to absorb mana and complete the structure.
However, Bai Ye was curious as to what method the owner would use to force others into the Hanging Gardens of Babylon once it was complete.
After all, the Holy Grail War was different from the Twelve Battles.
The Twelve Battles were more direct, simply a matter of combat.
Once only one person remained, that person was the victor. The Holy Grail War, however, was different.
Even if no one died, as long as one could obtain the Holy Grail in the end, they were considered the winner. Therefore, if the Hanging Gardens of Babylon were too perilous, one could simply choose not to enter.
Of course, the best course of action would be to defeat the opponent before the Hanging Gardens of Babylon were completed.
After all, such a colossal entity was indeed terrifying, and Bai Ye had already witnessed the power of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon before.
Even in its incomplete state, the attacks from the Hanging Gardens of Babylon were formidable.
However...
Bai Ye thought of Gilgamesh, that fellow whose arrogance emanated from his very being!
Bai Ye believed that Gilgamesh was likely aware of the opponent's intentions.
Yet, Gilgamesh had no intention of intervening.
Gilgamesh's pride made him indifferent to whether the opponent could complete the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. In fact, Gilgamesh was doing this intentionally.
To defeat the opponent when they were at their strongest would satisfy Gilgamesh's pride.
He was the King of Heroes, the invincible King of Heroes.
He could defeat any opponent under any circumstances.
This style...
Bai Ye felt it truly didn't align with him. For Bai Ye, the process was never important; the result was what mattered.
But since he had already summoned Gilgamesh, Bai Ye was willing to respect Gilgamesh's wishes, especially given Gilgamesh's immense strength.
Lost in thought, Bai Ye reclined on the sofa in a relaxed posture.
"Gengar," Bai Ye called out, "fetch me an apple."
Gengar, holding an apple, floated to Bai Ye's side.
Bai Ye took a bite of the apple, feeling that a period of rest was not without its benefits. He had been too exhausted lately and indeed needed to conserve his energy.
Especially after drawing from the gacha for several consecutive days, Bai Ye was about to receive some good news.
Steel Slime, Growth Value: 71209/100000
Bai Ye fed the Steel Slime daily using gacha card bugs. He even spent fragments of Divine Stones daily to draw golden gacha pulls. All of this was not without its rewards.
The Steel Slime was finally nearing Black quality. It would take at most three days, or perhaps just two if luck was on his side.
"Right, I haven't drawn today's yet," Bai Ye said, tossing the gacha machine and then addressing Gengar, "Go on, you can have a go."
The beast taming was Bai Ye's domain, so Gengar could also draw from the gacha for him.
However...
Perhaps it was because all beast tamers resembled their masters...
Gengar's draw yielded a blue gacha.
Goodra's draw yielded a blue gacha.
Iron Palm (Martial Art) (Blue): One of Shaolin's many palm techniques, possessing considerable power. Effects: Armor Break (When any defensive item or ability is hit by Iron Palm, its effect is reduced by 25%). Inner Force (When hitting a target, Iron Palm's power is reduced by 80%, ignoring any defensive items or abilities, dealing damage to the opponent).
Invisible Detonation (Supernatural) (Blue): Capable of creating an invisible remote-controlled bomb anywhere, with a maximum of three bombs at any given time.
Bai Ye was speechless.
It was one thing to get ordinary blue gacha pulls, but to get two items that the Steel Slime couldn't consume was another matter entirely.