Chapter 1007: Trial of the Divine Sword

You must know, in the previous 【Projection Plane: Arcane Empire】, Xia Duo had harvested half of an academy library, including the Mithril Refining method.

And in the 【Projection Plane: Underdark】, he also had a bountiful harvest.

In addition to the knowledge of the Underdark itself and the hundreds of years of experience as a Drow, there was also Matriarch Keman's private library, the private library of an Elite Mage from the Surface Yierlan, and the guidance of a High Mage.

Of course, there was also a Mythallar key that he had already manifested to the Main Plane.

And to have more than all these gains combined, before obtaining the memories of "Laier Akalama," Xia Duo would not have dared to even imagine it; his main purpose for entering this Projection Plane was to complete the Ascension Trial at the 8th-ring level.

But now—

He felt he could absolutely give it a try; if he gave up now, even if he became a Great Arcanist the moment he returned, he would still have regrets.

Just as Xia Duo was calculating in his heart how to begin his plan, a rhythmic knocking sound came from outside the door, "Brother Laier, Father is calling for you!"

Hearing this familiar yet strange voice, a name popped into Xia Duo's mind—Sailin Akalama, the younger sister of the body he was projecting into.

A little Elf who had just come of age!

Facing such a close person, as well as the "father" he was about to see, Xia Duo quickly adjusted his emotions, sinking his human consciousness deep into the depths of his mind, driving the instincts of this body, and replied:

"I know, I'm coming right over!"

—Presumably, Father is calling me this time to talk about the Divine Sword Trial again! In his eyes, what does a mere heir count for! But how could Coronal Osons not have foreseen these things!

—Besides, the me now is not the original me!

……

Walking out of the guest room, Xia Duo saw the verdant, dense forest outside the treehouse, as well as the architectural ruins scattered in the forest that had yet to be fully cleared.

"Brother Laier, hurry up! Otherwise, Father will be angry again!"

While Xia Duo was lost in thought, the young Elf, who had already walked a long way on the narrow tree path, turned back again, grabbed his hand, and dragged him forward.

Xia Duo hurriedly followed; to be honest, even though he had had many experiences incarnating as an Elf, his experience walking on suspended tree paths in the forest was still quite limited.

It could even be said that he hadn't lived in a treehouse many times.

Elves do not live in trees as most Netherese think; in fact, most of them also live on the ground.

Treehouses are either for Commoners or are various ancient tree courtyards, towering into the clouds, accessible only to the very wealthy and noble.

Of course, the location of Xia Duo's projection body right now was merely a guest room in the Elf Court, which could be considered a Commoner's dwelling!

……

After several twists and turns, Xia Duo followed Sailin into a guest room that was eighty or ninety percent similar to the treehouse he had been in before.

Here, he met the father of this body—the Patriarch of the Sun Wing Family, a veteran Mage, Parias Akalama.

Xia Duo followed his instincts and bowed respectfully, "Father!"

"Laier, my son, the Divine Sword is about to be forged. I will ask you one last time: are you sure you will not participate in the trial ritual?"

"No, Father, I have changed my mind. I feel that if I can wield a Divine Sword, it will surely play an immeasurable role in the rise of the Sun Wing Family. As the family heir, how could I, Laier Akalama, turn my back on such a mission!"

These words naturally could not have come from the real Laier, but were Xia Duo's will; the Divine Sword Trial was the greatest opportunity of his trip to this Projection Plane!

Of course, opportunity is often accompanied by risk.

The so-called Divine Sword Trial was actually because Coronal Osons of Jielunsita felt his life was coming to an end and made a final prophecy before he died.

He prophesied that a great monarch would unite all the tribes on this land and condense them into one nation!

After the prophecy, he invited several High Mages to the Elf Court to forge the Elf Divine Swords and named the future unified nation "Cormanthor"!

There were three Elf Divine Swords in total: the Sword of Ruling, the Sword of War, and the Sword of Artistry.

Among them, the person who could pass the trial of the Sword of Ruling would become the future Coronal of Cormanthor, while the Sword of War corresponded to the military commander, and the Sword of Artistry corresponded to the leader of the Spellcasters.

Of course, the latter two would both submit to the Coronal.

As for failing the trial, the results for different Divine Swords were also different—

After failing the trial of the Sword of Ruling, the trial-taker would definitely die;

After failing the trial of the Sword of War, one would be attacked by the Divine Sword and might survive if lucky; after failing the trial of the Sword of Artistry, one would lose the ability to cast spells for at least twenty years.

The Laier Akalama that Xia Duo was incarnating as this time was an Elite Mage, and his father had originally wanted him to participate in the trial of the Sword of Artistry.

But Laier had always been unwilling to take the risk; he was confident that he could surpass his father and become a great High Mage.

But Xia Duo was different; he was projecting over, not his true body, so it didn't matter if he died or not; he was going to leave in the end anyway.

Therefore, he set his sights directly on the Sword of Ruling, which had the greatest rewards.

This sword not only represented the identity of the future Coronal of Cormanthor, but most importantly, the powerful strength contained within it was enough to allow a novice who had never touched Magic to become a High Mage in a short period of time! (Other Divine Swords also had similar power.)

At the same time, it was said that several High Mages had injected their life's Knowledge and experience into it; obtaining the Sword of Ruling meant having at least these as a baseline harvest.

How could this not make Xia Duo tempted!

As for the Sword of Artistry that Laier's father hoped he would obtain, Xia Duo didn't think much of it.

First, all three Elf Divine Swords restricted use by Elves;

Second, the Sword of Artistry was indeed the Divine Sword most suitable for Mages to use, but Xia Duo's Personal Space might not be able to manifest it to the Main Plane, and even if it were manifested, his true body was not an Elf and could not use it.

Furthermore, even if it could be manifested and used, such a powerful weapon would basically be targeted by Elves as soon as it was used; it would be better to honestly take the Knowledge.

As for the Sword of War, it also possessed powerful strength, but for a pure Spellcaster, it might not be as practical as the Sword of Artistry.

……

In the guest room.

Parias looked at his son with a firm gaze, a flash of surprise in his eyes; one must know that just yesterday, he was still painstakingly trying to persuade Laier to participate in the trial ritual.

He didn't expect that after just one night, Laier's attitude would change so much, but Parias didn't think too much about it, only assuming that his son had realized at the last moment the responsibilities required of a family heir.

"Very good! I will contact Lord Mikaier now and add your name!"

"No, Father, please wait a moment!"

"Hmm?"

Parias's eyes narrowed, his gaze, like that of a hawk, staring straight and tightly at his youngest son; had he changed his mind again?

Yet Xia Duo seemed not to feel those sharp gazes that were almost piercing his skin, and he still answered with calm composure: "Father, I wish to participate in the trial ceremony of the Sword of Ruling!"

Hearing such an answer from his son, Paliyasi felt surprised, his eyes softened, and he asked calmly: "Tell me, what are you thinking?"

"Father, my thinking is very simple. I have no confidence in the trials of the three divine swords; rather than that, it is better to choose the one most beneficial to the family. If I fail, it is merely meeting our ancestors in the Faruier Jiayuan ahead of time! But if I succeed, then—"