Chapter 474: Lady Flora

The medicinal power of the Opening Meridian Tincture continuously flowed into the tiny magical vein Gao De had selected, merging into it in harmony with the Infinite Breathing Method.

After this continued for about half an hour, the medicinal power of the Opening Meridian Tincture within Gao De’s body was completely depleted.

He opened his eyes and casually took a bottle of Opening Meridian Tincture from the box beside him, draining it in one gulp.

While waiting for the medicine to take effect, he thought for a moment, then took out two more bottles of Opening Meridian Tincture and drank them all without hesitation.

【Your immunity to toxins has increased by 85.9%. Your body’s organs have improved their ability to digest, metabolize, and expel various toxins by 84.5%.】

Since entering the Sea Sentinels, he had consumed over a thousand bottles of the Opening Meridian Tincture—famous for its violent medicinal power and severe toxic residue.

This dosage could kill two elephants.

Yet under the effect of 【Adaptation】, this terrifying accumulation had granted Gao De nothing but a body increasingly inhuman.

It had even given him the confidence to undertake this very act.

After three bottles of Opening Meridian Tincture entered his stomach, his complexion rapidly flushed crimson under the medicine’s stimulation, his entire body prickling as if pierced by countless needles—like enduring torture—sweat drenched him instantly.

Gao De endured the stabbing pain, adjusted his breath, and slipped into the long, steady rhythm of the Infinite Breathing Method.

The final magical vein was once again stretched open, the medicinal power surging in like a flood.

The fragile magical vein had never seen such a scene—it swelled instantly, swaying and twisting like a small yellow flower, as if about to burst under the pressure.

Yet the vein was remarkably resilient, maintaining a state on the brink of rupture but never breaking.

In this state, it gradually grew tougher.

Tempered a hundred times into steel.

The medicinal power slowly dissipated.

And this magical vein began its transformation toward the standard of the main magical vein.

This continued for about an hour.

A layer of golden light glowed from this magical vein, lingering without fading.

Success achieved.

The Leo Mont Magical Vein Network is complete!

Gao De exhaled a long, turbid breath and opened his eyes.

His complexion had returned to normal.

Gao De gently tested his mana flow—every channel felt smooth, with not the slightest obstruction.

“Such a silky feeling—I feel lighter all over,” Gao De couldn’t help but sigh.

According to Gao De’s understanding, magical veins were somewhat akin to the traditional concept of meridians.

Reshaping magical veins was similar to changing the tendons and washing the marrow, so the body’s newfound lightness was no illusion.

But the true benefit of successfully constructing the Leo Mont Magical Vein Network lay elsewhere.

The normal spellcasting process is this:

A mage must draw mana from the abdomen and direct it to the spell’s model within the Spell Star Sea.

Only after being “converted” by the spell model does the mana become the corresponding spell.

Then the mage transports the transformed spell out of the Spell Star Sea and releases it from a part of the body.

Mana is the “raw material,” the spell model is the “conversion machine,” and the mage’s body is the output terminal.

Roughly speaking, that’s the concept.

Among output terminal choices, the hand is by far the most common.

This is the most practical choice in reality.

You could, of course, choose to release spells from your chest like Ultraman.

But the problem is, normal people normally wear clothes.

Releasing a spell from your chest means the first barrier the spell must overcome is your chest clothing.

That means you’d have to tear off your clothes every time you cast a spell.

Of course, special mana-conductive gear, like rune armor, can transmit spell energy.

But such equipment is rare—not everyone can possess it, and even those who can don’t wear it constantly.

Another issue: if you cast a spell like 【Flame Arrow】, it’s not just about tearing clothes—it’s “setting yourself on fire.”

Lastly, the body’s innate main magical veins all connect to the limbs, but not necessarily to the chest.

Only a few mages ever learn the Breathing Method and reshape their main magical veins.

So without question, the optimal casting location is the hands—always exposed and most accustomed.

Just as subterranean creatures most often release their innate magical abilities through their mouths.

But some spells are special, designed to act on specific body parts.

For example, 【Detect Magic】 can only function through the eyes.

【Great Stride】, if cast upon oneself, affects the feet.

But only these specific spells work this way.

Because when these spells were created, they were inherently “adapted” to these body parts.

In this casting step, the full success of the Leo Mont Magical Vein Network becomes clearly advantageous.

Its most important effect is making mana transmission smoother and more convenient.

On this newly built “highway,” mana no longer needs to take detours.

Thus, whether mana travels from the abdomen to the Spell Star Sea or the spell travels from the Spell Star Sea to the casting point, the time required is reduced.

That is, casting speed increases.

Though the improvement isn’t dramatic, it operates constantly.

Little by little, with many spells cast, you gain the time equivalent to one extra spell.

Thus, this is a combat mage’s technique.

—In normal casting, the slight speed boost from the magical vein network matters little.

But in battle, that extra speed can grant you the initiative—or allow you to cast one additional spell.

And that initiative, or that extra spell, could very well decide victory.

Additionally, mana always suffers some loss during transit; shortening the path reduces loss, slightly enhancing spell potency.

But this enhancement is so minimal it’s negligible—everyone values the casting speed boost.

Gao De stood up.

Since the Marakko Water Beast mission, he had lived a two-point life: dormitory and Collingwood Arcanum.

The Leo Mont Magical Vein Network was successfully constructed; his sword techniques, after three months of practice, were already mastered; and the 42nd drop of liquid mana had solidified days ago.

More importantly,

Gao De extended his hand, palm upward.

At his mental command, the silver rune representing Interdimensional Teleportation flashed and vanished.

It had been three months and twelve days since Gao De last used Interdimensional Teleportation.

Combined with the twelve days of prior charging, it was enough for a round trip to the North.

He should return to see—assuming no mishaps, the Columbus should have reached Valar Bay some time ago, he thought to himself.

Because he had full control over the Leo Mont Magical Vein Network’s progress, Gao De had long planned today’s return to the North.

After today’s sword technique class at Collingwood Arcanum, he informed his sword instructor the lessons were finished.

But before that, one more thing remained to be done.

Gao De thought, then snapped his fingers lightly, dismissing 【Summon Pet】.

Then he activated the spell model, selected an unoccupied space in the room, and cast 【Summon Pet】 again.

The next instant,

A familiar little figure appeared before Gao De’s eyes.

Having just arrived from the North, Flora’s mind hadn’t caught up—her tiny face was filled with confusion.

“Hmm.” Seeing Flora hadn’t noticed him, Gao De made a sound to get her attention.

“Huh?” Drawn by Gao De’s voice, Flora finally saw him.

Then she let out a loud question.

“Master, why are you here?!”

“Because I summoned you here, Lady Flora,” Gao De explained patiently.

“Summoned me?”

“I promised Lady Flora that before my next return to the North, I’d take you out to explore here.”

“Oh right!” Flora remembered.

“Shall I take Lady Flora out for a stroll?”

“Yes, yes, yes!” The little figure’s eyes lit up instantly.

It was a bright, clear day—the sun shone directly on the earth, warm but not scorching, the temperature pleasant.

As soon as they stepped out of the dormitory, Flora was already delighted.

The Sea Sentinels dormitory was located in the Mage District of Doen City—the Fanzhulun District, one of the busiest areas in Doen City.

Flora’s tiny head swiveled everywhere, looking left and right, as if she could never get enough.

“Is this where you live, Master?” came the tiny, delicate voice beside Gao De’s ear.

“Yes, isn’t it lively?” Gao De replied.

“Lively.”

"Do you like it?"

"I like it."

After passing through the bustling Vanzolun District, Gao De hired a carriage and headed straight for Bibo Court outside Duoen City with Lady Furoula.

At the lakeshore, ripples spread, and a round, pointed head surfaced.

"Pfft!" Tuanzi sprayed water from its nose, expressing joy at Gao De’s arrival.

The high-grade geopulse creature flesh he brought from the Northern Frontier had long since been entirely fed to Tuanzi.

With the aid of these high-tier food sources, Tuanzi’s body had noticeably grown a little larger over the past three months.

"Master, what is this?"

"This is my beast companion, Tuanzi." Gao De brought Furoula here specifically to introduce her to Tuanzi.

"Beast companion?"

"Lady Furoula is not just a magic pet—she is someone extremely, extremely important to me," Gao De said seriously.

"Master, you are too~"

Furoula flapped her tiny wings and flew to Tuanzi’s front.

She was so small she looked like a little butterfly.

Interestingly, though Tuanzi had never seen Furoula before, it immediately took to her, enthusiastically spraying water at her.

It was likely due to Furoula’s innate Natural Heart.

After playfully interacting with Tuanzi for a while, Furoula flew back.

"Is Tuanzi impressive?"

"Very impressive."

Her eyes instantly sparkled as she gazed at Tuanzi, delighted—though she didn’t know exactly why.

"Say goodbye to Tuanzi first. Then we’ll walk around the city again before returning to the Northern Frontier."

"Oh~" Furoula reluctantly and with difficulty bid Tuanzi farewell.

The two—large and small—returned to Duoen City by carriage and arrived in the East District.

Compared to Vanzolun District, the East District was much older but had more everyday charm.

Along the roadside stood many small stalls, mostly selling vegetables and fruits, or offering services like shoe polishing.

Among these stalls, occasional pushcarts emitted mouthwatering aromas, selling various snacks.

Sizzle!

As they passed a stall selling fried fish and chips, Furoula’s attention was instantly drawn by the sizzling sound.

"Master, what is that?"

"Fried fish and chips. Small fish are coated in flour on both sides and deep-fried, served with potato strips fried until crispy. The texture is quite good."

"Quite good?"

"Mm."

"Mm?"

Gao De smiled. "Lady Furoula wants to try some?"

"I could give it a try," Furoula said with feigned nonchalance.

"Then let’s try some."

Gao De approached the stall. "One portion, with the smallest fish you have."

The vendor looked up and saw Furoula perched on Gao De’s shoulder. His expression immediately turned solemn.

Clearly, through Furoula, he recognized Gao De as a noble mage.

He immediately paused his work and swiftly selected several small fish from a nearby basket—each tiny, with shimmering silver scales.

He carefully cleaned them, scraped off the scales, removed the innards, rinsed them thoroughly in clean water, until their bodies were pure white and spotless.

Then he took a large bowl, poured in the right amount of flour, added a pinch of seasoning, stirred quickly into a thick, well-balanced batter, grabbed a fish by its tail, dipped it into the batter, and gently rotated it so both sides were evenly coated.

Next, the vendor lifted the lid off a nearby pot of boiling oil and dropped the battered fish inside.

As the fish touched the hot oil, it sizzled violently; the batter rapidly expanded and changed color, soon turning from white to a tempting golden brown.

While frying the fish, the vendor took potato strips cut into even lengths from a nearby basket, placed them in another strainer, and fried them together.

Throughout this entire process, Furoula stared intently at the vendor’s hands, not blinking once.

When both the fish and chips turned golden and crispy, the vendor lifted them out with the strainer, let the excess oil drain, then respectfully wrapped the portion in palm leaves and handed it to Gao De with a broad smile: "Your fried fish and chips, please enjoy."

Gao De paid and thanked him.

"Crunch!"

Furoula held the fried fish and took a bite—crunch!

Even though it was a small fish, to Furoula it was as massive as a giant.

What others could eat in one bite would take her half a day to finish.

"How does it taste?"

"Pretty good—crunch!"

Walking down Dezuo Linjie, whether it was the acrobats juggling on the street corners, the musicians playing accordions, or the vendors selling all kinds of snacks, Furoula watched everything with wide eyes, her exclamations never stopping.

"Will Phoenix ever become this lively?" Suddenly, Furoula looked up at Gao De, seriously asking.

"Yes, but it will take a very long time."

"How long is 'very long'?"

"Maybe ten years, or twenty, or even longer," Gao De replied after thinking.

Furoula immediately began counting on her fingers.

Through Gao De’s persistent brainwashing, Furoula, determined to maintain her image as a wise being, had already developed a basic grasp of the profound discipline of "arithmetic."

Learning was painful, but using it was immensely satisfying.

"Three hundred sixty days a year, ten years is three thousand six hundred days, twenty years is seven thousand two hundred days."

"Is that really long?" Furoula exclaimed in surprise, eyes wide, utterly confused as she stared at Gao De.

Gao De: "."

Forget it—you immortals are impossible to explain this to!

Dezuo Linjie was long, but all roads end eventually. Soon, the "Wolma Magic Materials Shop" at the corner came into view.

"Lady Furoula."

Gao De called out to Furoula, who was still enthusiastically flapping her wings, flying to every stall to inspect them closely.

"Lady Furoula."

Gao De called again.

Only then did she hear him and flew back.

"Was it fun?"

"Very fun! Master, you didn’t lie to me!"

"Compared to this, would you rather stay here than go back?"

Such a bustling, vibrant cityscape was something she had never seen in the Northern Frontier—at least not yet.

"Hm?"

Furoula looked up at Gao De; Gao De looked down at Furoula.

One gaze was serious and calm; the other, pure and unclouded.

"Because Phoenix is a bit rundown," Gao De explained.

This stumped Furoula; she blinked.

She didn’t understand what Gao De meant.

So she asked directly.

"But Phoenix is our city—this isn’t, is it?"

"And isn’t it true that after 'very long,' Phoenix will become just as lively?"

"Lady Furoula could try harder—maybe make it happen even faster."

Lady Furoula clenched her tiny fist and made a decision that was extremely difficult for her.

Yes, even if Phoenix was rundown, it was still their "home."

Even if Duoen was dazzling, it ultimately had little to do with them.

If you think your hometown is bad, build it up and make it better—not flee from it or despise it.

A simple truth, yet few understand it.

"Lady Furoula has great wisdom."

Gao De fell silent for a moment, then sincerely praised her.

"That’s right!"

Furoula didn’t know why the master was praising her, but she gladly accepted it.

(End of Chapter)