Chapter 1046: Great Arcanist Zhenna

East side of the Nether Palace.

Unlike the silver-white, elven-style architecture in the area where Giles Tower and the Nether Palace are located, the color scheme of the buildings here is dominated by gold and blue.

This area mainly houses the headquarters of various chambers of commerce, Arcane Associations, and offices for Mage Tower organizations or small groups from outside Seventon.

If Xia Duo were to send someone to be stationed in Seventon in the future, this would be his first choice; besides here, he could of course rent a guest room at the Arcane Union Headquarters year-round, or just any small tavern, or even a private house.

But that would be too undignified.

From the moment he stepped into this "CBD" area, Xia Duo began calculating the land prices here, but even until he arrived at the entrance of the Ming Shui Chamber of Commerce headquarters, he still hadn't figured out how much this area was worth.

In fact, even with money, you cannot buy it; the vast majority of the land here is owned, or rather, the entire Old City District belongs to the various lords within the Seven Towers Group.

Perhaps there are scattered plots in the hands of outsiders, but it is basically impossible to purchase them.

As for the New City District, including the expanded parts, it belongs to the Seventon Council; theoretically, Xia Duo could even get a share!

But in reality, a lord in the New City District only has some rental-related benefits regarding land at most; as for anything else, there is not much difference between them and ordinary spellcasters, or even commoners.

Of course, with Xia Duo's current status as a Senior Arcanist, as long as he is willing to nod, there are plenty of people willing to satisfy his wishes, but clearly, advantages are not so easily taken; there will always be some tangible or intangible price to pay.

……

"Lord Xia Duo, the Ming Shui Chamber of Commerce welcomes your visit!"

"Consultant Saide, I am also very honored to receive your invitation."

At the entrance of the Ming Shui Chamber of Commerce headquarters, Xia Duo and Saide exchanged a few polite words before entering the chamber's premises together.

"Lord Xia Duo, ever since I returned from the Nan Jing last time, I have been wondering when I could see you again. I didn't expect it to be under these circumstances. To be honest, the person who invited you this time is actually our President. I apologize for not informing you in advance."

"Mm."

Xia Duo nodded to show he understood; in fact, from the moment he received the invitation from Saide, he had guessed that this invitation might not have been Saide's personal wish.

Previously, when Saide entered the Mythallar at Maihete Lake in the Nan Jing to investigate the Murloc Tide, he encountered danger and nearly died; it was Xia Duo who rescued him back to the Savile Territory and asked Bishop Anbulier to save his life.

And what Saide truly gained was not just as simple as surviving; the Restoration Baptism performed by Bishop Anbulier restored Saide to his peak state, essentially gifting him decades of life.

If it were a personal invitation from Saide, he would never have set the location at the Ming Shui Chamber of Commerce headquarters, but would have chosen a place more equal for both parties.

Or, Saide would have taken the initiative to visit the Savile Territory, rather than just sending an invitation.

By now, if Xia Duo still didn't understand that President Zhenna of the Ming Shui Chamber of Commerce was a Great Arcanist with a hidden identity, he would be too foolish.

Right now, Saide's demeanor was clearly that of a true subordinate, rather than a consultant with the nature of a guest.

To be able to make a Senior Arcanist willingly serve as a subordinate—in Netheril, there is basically no other possibility besides a Great Arcanist.

"Consultant Saide, I wonder what business your President has with me?"

"It should be a rather important collaboration. You will know the specifics once you see the President. It is difficult for me to give an accurate answer here," Saide said with an apologetic look.

Regarding this, Xia Duo did not continue to press; he would know soon enough anyway. That President Zhenna was quite familiar with Master Bailun, and theoretically, she could be considered one of his own, so she shouldn't be harboring any devious intentions.

However, one must always be on guard; Xia Duo still sent a message to Niya, telling her that he was a guest at the Ming Shui Chamber of Commerce.

He performed this Sending right in front of Saide, and Saide did not stop him, only watching silently. Seeing this, Xia Duo had a pretty good idea of the situation.

Perhaps it really was some important collaboration.

Since that President Zhenna, Great Arcanist Zhenna, had almost revealed her identity, Xia Duo kept speculating in his heart: what kind of important collaboration could be worth a Great Arcanist personally discussing it with him?

Or rather, for a Great Arcanist, what could there be that she couldn't obtain, yet he happened to possess?

Xia Duo was completely baffled.

Soon, he didn't need to think about it, because he had already seen President Zhenna herself—

It was still the same young female image he had seen before, with a beautiful face and a tall figure, her bright golden hair draped loosely behind her shoulders.

As their eyes met, Zhenna smiled slightly, waved her hand to signal Saide to withdraw, and only then said to Xia Duo:

"Lord Xia Duo, I didn't expect that when we met again, you would have become a Senior Arcanist. That is good; this way, I am even more reassured about our collaboration!"

"Collaboration? What kind of collaboration does President Zhenna wish to discuss?"

Zhenna did not answer Xia Duo's question directly, but instead smiled mysteriously and asked in return: "Lord Xia Duo, what do you think we should collaborate on?"

"Supply of raw materials for Magic Items? Consignment sales? Or the joint development of the Keman market?" Xia Duo then suggested these few.

But Zhenna shook her head, "What I want to discuss is not these boring little businesses, but a truly grand undertaking!"

Speaking of this, Zhenna suddenly changed the subject and asked Xia Duo: "What is your opinion on the New Year Festival from a while ago?"

Xia Duo was left confused by this question; how did it turn to the New Year Festival? But the next moment, he realized: it turned out the collaboration President Zhenna wanted was indeed related to the Ascension to Godhood.

Just before entering this Reception Room, he had many guesses in his heart, including some related to the Ascension to Godhood, but once he stepped into this room, he had ruled out that possibility himself.

The Ascension to Godhood involved too much; how could she easily seek his cooperation!

But then again, for a collaboration that could make a Great Arcanist tempted, or even somewhat urgent, besides the Ascension to Godhood, Xia Duo couldn't think of anything else for the moment.

Sure enough, the influence after the Princess's Ascension to Godhood was gradually appearing. This was just a President Zhenna who had been hiding; other Great Arcanists might have also started to take action!

Thinking of this possibility, Xia Duo felt a tightness in his chest; once this "Ascension Race" began, it was highly likely there would be no day of ending.

From now on, Netheril might never have a day of peace. Could this also be a scheme of the Elves?

"Lord Xia Duo, I asked what your opinion is on the New Year Festival!" Zhenna repeated.

"Apologies, President Zhenna, I had too many thoughts and was momentarily stunned."

"Oh? Why not share them."

"The most direct thought is that perhaps from now on, everyone will take Her Highness the Princess as their goal, and I fear Netheril will be filled with endless strife!"

"You think so?"

A look of surprise appeared on Zhenna's face, "It seems you guessed what collaboration I wanted to discuss with you, but there is one point where you are mistaken!"

"What is it?"

"Not every Great Arcanist has the Ascension to Godhood as their goal," Zhenna said calmly, a sense of pride suddenly rising in her eyes.