Chapter 514: Wind Control, Wind Transformation, Possession

Gurgling~

As soon as it appeared in the room, the green figure spat out a series of small vortices from its “mouth,” sending gales raging through the enclosed space.

Only then did it realize its mistake and hastily clapped a hand over its mouth.

With the exit blocked, its own body took over—its chest bulged out, then its shoulders, as if a ground squirrel were burrowing wildly inside it.

The green figure, with unmistakably human-like expression, scratched its head with its free hand.

Seeing its ridiculous state, Gao De could only sigh and pinch the bridge of his nose.

“I’m really at my wit’s end with you.”

This green figure was naturally the Storm Soul he had sent out—mistaken by Master Theodor and Count Roland for a “phantom spirit” annihilated alongside the wind dragon’s energy core in the torrent.

The Storm Soul certainly lacked the strength to withstand that torrent of wind elemental energy.

But it was no phantom spirit; it had evolved from the [Wild Alertness+] Wild Soul.

Thus, Gao De could always reclaim the Storm Soul by dispelling the spell.

But that was only ideal.

At the time, the Storm Soul had already strayed far from its master, deep into the secondary wind elemental plane—logically, it should have long since slipped from Gao De’s control.

Fortunately, Gao De possessed one exceptionally rare and powerful ability.

Mandora’s Eye.

It allowed him, even across such vast distances, to instantly perceive the Storm Soul’s movements and condition.

Thus, in the very instant before the Storm Soul was about to be erased by the torrent, he detected the danger and dispelled [Wild Alertness+].

He snatched the Storm Soul from death’s jaws, and before a crowd of at least fourth-circle masters, created the illusion that the Storm Soul had heroically sacrificed itself.

The outcome, naturally, was excellent.

First, because of the Storm Soul’s sacrifice, he—as its master—would receive greater compensation.

Second, the principle of “possessing a treasure invites peril” holds true everywhere: a special phantom spirit that swallowed a fifth-rank wind elemental creature’s energy core was bound to draw envy.

Whether the phantom spirit itself or that fifth-rank elemental core, both were “treasures.”

Now both treasures were shattered, so others would only feel gratitude and regret toward Gao De.

Like if you truly won the lottery, most people won’t be happy for you—but if you nearly won, after everyone exhales in relief, they’ll genuinely pity you.

The outcome was good, yes, but the process still left Gao De shaken.

If not for his third-rank Mandora’s Eye granting him long-range vision, which first-circle mage could clearly see the wind network’s imagery across such a distance and cancel [Wild Alertness+] at the last possible moment?

In that case, the result would’ve been: his hard-earned first-stage Storm Soul reduced to a “blank slate,” forcing him to start all over again.

That loss would’ve been severe.

In fact, without a third-rank Mandora’s Eye, Gao De would’ve either, the moment the Storm Soul entered the wind network, dispelled the spell out of caution and pulled it back from the secondary plane—thus never encountering the “snake swallowing the elephant” scenario—or, reckless and careless, let the Storm Soul act freely, ending in a catastrophic explosion and total loss.

But thankfully, there were no “what-ifs.”

Still, reprimand was necessary.

Gao De scolded the Storm Soul for its recklessness.

Only after finishing did he thoroughly examine the Storm Soul’s current state.

It wasn’t complicated.

One word sufficed to describe it: overfed.

A first-stage Storm Soul, in rank, was merely a first-rank energy entity.

A first-rank energy entity swallowing a peak fifth-rank wind elemental creature’s energy core—could it possibly not be overfed?

Being overfed was already lucky; most other first-rank beings couldn’t even swallow it—or would explode the moment they did.

One could only say the Wild Soul’s potential was truly extraordinary.

But no matter how extraordinary its potential, digesting this fifth-rank wind elemental core would take years, not days.

Gao De had no complaints about this.

One shouldn’t complain after getting lucky.

Once this fifth-rank wind elemental core was fully digested, the Storm Soul would undoubtedly advance to its second stage, forming its own energy core.

From then on, the Storm Soul would gain the ability to absorb ambient energy independently, fueling its own further advancement—no longer reliant on external feeding as it was now.

This was essentially equivalent to a mage’s own cultivation ability.

In other words, once it reached the second stage, even if left unfed, given enough time, the Storm Soul would naturally evolve into a “boss.”

And mages who practiced the [Greenwood Longevity Scripture] had one major advantage over others: longevity.

This was perfectly suited to the Storm Soul.

Thus, facing this foreseeable bright future, Gao De ceased scolding the Storm Soul, which had nearly cost him a “reboot.”

After confirming the Storm Soul’s condition posed no major issues, he began exploring its abilities.

After all, it had absorbed so much wind elemental energy to evolve from Wild Soul to Storm Soul—surely it couldn’t still be limited to just lighting fires, pitching tents, organizing packs, gathering firewood, and picking up trash?

Though honestly, even those tasks were already quite useful.

After Gao De asked, the Storm Soul immediately transmitted some information.

Instantly, Gao De, who had merely been curious, froze.

After a long pause, he slowly came to his senses, unable to suppress his joy—he slapped the Storm Soul’s shoulder hard, grinning broadly.

“Good job!” Gao De suddenly remembered he should name the Storm Soul; his mind flashed with ideas, and he had his answer: “Boeing! Good job, Boeing!”

“Good job,” Gao De suddenly remembered—he ought to name the Storm Soul too. His mind flashed with ideas, and he immediately decided, “Boyn, good job, Boyn!”

Boeing’s transmitted information was limited, because fundamentally, it was still a first-rank entity with few abilities—or rather, only three.

First: Wind Control—similar to a wind elemental creature’s command over air currents, allowing it to form whirlwinds and turbulent flows, though limited by its rank.

Second: Wind Transformation—Boeing could instantly turn into wind, reaching inaccessible places with wind-like speed and freedom.

But this ability was currently sealed due to the undigested energy core within it.

—Boeing itself could become wind, but the energy core inside it could not transform along with it—unless it severed its own arm and abandoned the core.

The third ability was the source of Gao De’s overwhelming joy and the reason he named the Storm Soul “Boeing.”

The final ability was the very source of Gao De’s uncontrollable joy and his decision to name the Storm Soul “Boyn.”

Boeing could briefly possess Gao De, allowing Gao De to use some of its abilities.

In terms of combat power, the boost was minor.

The most practical ability—Wind Transformation—could not be used by Gao De, since he was a physical being.

As for Wind Control, its power was limited and couldn’t compare to Gao De’s own spells.

As for Qi Control, its power was limited and could not compare to the spells Gao De could cast himself.

Boeing could fly.

So, after possession, under the Storm Soul’s enhancement, Gao De himself would gain flight—even as a first-circle mage!

Flight—this was a supernatural ability only third-circle mages could master, the most obvious distinction between them and lower-rank mages.

I can fly, you can’t—no matter if my combat power is weaker, my ability to advance or retreat gives me a massive advantage.

And even setting that aside, anyone granted flight would be ecstatic.

Especially Gao De, from a technological world, whose joy was even greater.

Since ancient times, humans had yearned for the sky, dreamed of flying freely like birds.

Gao De had just experienced [Flight Spell] firsthand, feeling the stark difference between flying under one’s own power and riding a vehicle—and he’d still been savoring it—when suddenly, he now possessed this ability.

Gao De had only just experienced the [Flight Spell] firsthand, truly feeling the vast difference between flying under his own power and riding a vehicle through the air—he was still savoring it when, in the blink of an eye, he gained this ability.

Try it.

Knowing he could fly, Gao De eagerly began testing it.

He focused his mind and gave Boeing a slight nod.

Boeing instantly understood—the green form lunged toward Gao De, completing possession in an instant.

Boyn instantly understood, his blue body slamming into Gao De and completing possession in an instant.

A green vortex enveloped Gao De, stirring rapid air currents, making his body feel immensely lighter.

In the possessed state, Gao De sensed an extraordinary sensitivity and strange control over the ever-flowing air currents around him.

He merely clenched his fist—and a miniature vortex formed exactly as he willed.

The power aside, the sensation was Qimiao —like gaining some kind of superpower.

But this was just a side dish.

The main course was flight.

Gao De directed the green vortex above him upward.

Then, with astonishing lightness, he floated into the air.

Since the room had a ceiling, he rose only a meter before stopping—but even so, he felt exhilarated.

Overwhelmed by joy, he even felt a little ashamed of his earlier scolding.

Boeing, I was too loud just now.

Gao De didn’t push Boeing further; after experiencing it, he dispelled the spell, letting it rest and digest the wind dragon’s energy core.

He, meanwhile, washed up, cast [Comfortable Deep Sleep+] on himself, and went to bed.

“The refugees of Wusola Village have been trapped for three days—they need a fleet for rescue! Hai-Lun Branch Town is out of grain—send supplies immediately!”

“Deploy all healing mages, plus physicians! After the flood, epidemics may spread—and could cause greater damage than the flood itself—strict prevention is essential!”

“Send city guards too! In disasters, some always take advantage—looting and plundering must be strictly investigated and punished; protect the refugees’ lives and as much of their property as possible!”

The city guards will go too—under a disaster, some always take advantage of the chaos, looting and plundering; such behavior must be strictly investigated and severely punished, to protect not only the victims’ lives but also as much of their property as possible!

“All disaster victims from Ma Weisong Town, gather here! Come to me for registration of household information!”

When Gao De woke up, refreshed and alert, and rushed back to the municipal square, the place was already thronged with noise.

The Fengluo threat had been resolved, but the disaster was not over; relief efforts were still underway in full swing.

Thus, even though it was a great victory, there was no time or mood now for celebration or reward.

Gao De understood this well, so the moment he woke, he came straight here to rejoin the relief work.

The good news was that, now that the Fengluo threat was gone, Oakland could finally spare its full strength for disaster relief.

Moreover, the endless whirlwinds had dissipated, and the three-day-and-three-night downpour had finally ceased.

While Gao De slept, Lord Roland had not rested at all; he had been tirelessly compiling disaster reports, directing relief operations, deploying personnel, and assigning tasks.

The disaster victims from the nearest villages and towns to Oakland had already been brought to the city by dispatched fleets.

Large numbers of victims were disembarking from rescue boats, registering with clerks, gathering by their original villages, and being examined by physicians to check for contagious diseases.

On the other side, hot meals had long been prepared; after inspection and clearance, each person received a hot meal to warm their bodies.

Gao De stood nearby, watching for a while, then listening for a while.

“Recruit a group from within the city and send them to Terryl Town and Helen Branch Town to drain the fields!” Lord Roland’s voice cut through the clamor; he pointed to several red dots on the map marked with water stains.

Relief, relief—saving lives is paramount, but not the only priority.

After rescuing the victims, there is still much work to be done.

For instance, saving the crops.

If the flooded wheat fields are drained promptly, though not all can be saved, many will still survive.

Thus, in every disaster zone, besides rescuing and relocating victims, teams must be assigned to salvage the farmland.

“Push the production of stone slabs harder—the breach must be repaired as soon as possible; I need those slabs preliminarily in place within one day!”

“Also, requisition carts from the city’s horse caravans and merchant guilds; as soon as the slabs are ready, send them straight to the breach.”

“.” Lord Roland issued constant orders based on the varying conditions of each village and town.

As the supreme ruler of the Oakland region, Lord Roland had immense experience handling disasters.

Even just watching from the side, Gao De found the situation overwhelming and impossibly complex, yet Lord Roland directed everything with perfect order and calm, making him feel utterly at ease.

This required more than just knowledge of disaster response—it demanded absolute familiarity with the size of each village and the city’s available resources and manpower.

From this alone, it was clear Lord Roland was a diligent, Zhengwu -focused administrator, not the fat-headed, incompetent nobleman common in biographical novels.

Everything was steadily improving.

“Zhuagu Town lies at lower elevation; flooding remains severe, and large numbers of water beasts have gathered there. They must be cleared promptly, or they will scatter later and become a nightmare.”

At that moment, a drenched mage hurried over to report the latest disaster update to Lord Roland.

Lord Roland thought for only a few seconds, then immediately ordered: “Deploy all idle official mages there, and summon any willing civilian mages in the city to join them!”

This news arrived late; most of the city’s official mages had already been dispatched on other relief missions.

Lord Roland knew manpower was insufficient, so he immediately decided to recruit non-official mages.

Gao De finally heard a task suited to his abilities; his eyes lit up, and without hesitation, he stepped forward and volunteered.

(End of Chapter)