Chapter 1499: Eastern Proverbs, the Verdant Tower Alliance

By setting a relatively clear version for the Independent Arcane Fire Device, the group's goals became more defined and the project was no longer sluggish; Xia Duo felt even more motivated.

As for the new results from the David String project team, they were temporarily sealed away as reserve technology, to be used when the Independent Arcane Fire Device undergoes future upgrades.

……

In the evening, Xia Duo went to the Ming Shui Chamber of Commerce as promised. The meeting location was changed to the Spring Hall; perhaps feeling that the previous hospitality was lacking, Xia Duo was arranged a banquet as soon as he arrived.

During the meal, Zhenna talked about her meeting with Huo En, mocking herself quite a bit regarding the misunderstanding: "It turns out that for all these years, Huo En has always thought I was Master Bailun's daughter!"

"Then, does he have any intention of seeking Ascension to Godhood in the commercial field?"

"Not at all. It was just some adjustments made by Jilan Tower to its affiliated chambers of commerce in response to the new situation of the underground war. Just as you said, once things were spoken openly, the misunderstanding naturally resolved itself. However—"

Speaking of this, Zhenna paused deliberately, then raised her wine glass, staring at the slightly trembling liquid inside, and said with a hint of resentment:

"However, Huo En suggested that I update my personal information at the Arcane Union, and from now on, I can no longer hide behind the scenes. You tell me, is this a loss or a gain?"

"Of course it's a gain. The creed of the Ming Shui Chamber of Commerce is 'Integrity as the Foundation.' In my hometown, there is a similar saying, but it adds another phrase: 'Harmony is Precious.' Resolving a potential conflict is more important than anything else."

Zhenna nodded, appearing thoughtful, while Xia Duo continued: "As for whether to hide behind the scenes, on this point, I actually have a different opinion."

"Oh? What opinion?"

"Hiding behind the scenes can certainly grant one a first-mover advantage that is difficult to obtain while standing at the forefront, but in my hometown, there is a very famous proverb called 'Looking at the Sky from the Bottom of a Well'!"

"Sitting in a well to observe the sky—wouldn't that mean one can only see that small patch at the mouth of the well?"

"Yes. By constantly hiding behind the scenes, one's perspective also becomes confined to the background. As some of the few pioneers of Netheril, if we don't even have the Courage to face our opponents head-on, how can we accomplish anything?"

In fact, there was one more thing Xia Duo didn't say, which was—if one constantly hides behind the scenes, it might make one accustomed to using various conspiracies and clever schemes to succeed.

When the time truly comes to face things head-on, one might just wither away.

Lu Xun once said, "Those who achieve great things through conspiracy have never existed since ancient times." Whether it is the Ascension Path for an individual, or the path to prosperity for an organization or a country, these can all be called great things, and there is no way to take shortcuts.

"What you say makes a lot of sense, but I have a question now—"

"What question? Please speak, President Zhenna!"

"I have seen many Easterners in the past, but they were not as eloquent as you. Can you tell me why that is?"

"Haha! President Zhenna is overthinking it. You can't expect an Apprentice who has just come into contact with Magic to argue with a mentor of high prestige, can you?"

Xia Duo used the Apprentice-mentor example to actually refer to status differences. He himself did not believe that anyone's status was inherently high or low, but in Netheril, even among Apprentices, there would be distinctions of rank and status!

Once Xia Duo said this, Zhenna understood immediately. No matter how eloquent the Easterners she had met in the past were, if they did not have a status equal to hers, they might not have said anything at all, but—

"I am becoming increasingly interested in your hometown. I previously saw mentions of the ancient and mysterious 'Eastern Kingdom' in Elven literature, and I always thought it was an Elven fantasy. Now it seems the Eastern Kingdom truly has its mysteries! Can you tell me about your hometown?"

"Of course I can, if President Zhenna wishes to hear it. It's just that I was only an ordinary person in my hometown, and many secret matters were not things I could come into contact with. I hope President Zhenna can understand."

Xia Duo's words contained many excuses, but his attitude was sincere, which did not make one feel annoyed. Seeing this, Zhenna did not insist further. "Then forget it. I hope that one day I can personally travel to the mysterious Eastern Kingdom."

"It will certainly not disappoint you."

……

In the time that followed, the two began to chat idly, from the underground war to the issue of rising material prices on the Surface, until it was nearly midnight, when Xia Duo finally took his leave.

The next day, the discussion on the new plan for integrating the Arcane Energy Field mechanism continued. By noon, during their meal, Xia Duo and Buluode were still arguing intensely.

Although Iolum rarely spoke while eating, he listened carefully, nodding in response occasionally. Luowei and the others could also interject a few words from time to time, and the atmosphere was very harmonious.

After lunch, Iolum suddenly said: "I have something to attend to at the Arcane Union this afternoon, so I won't go to the Laboratory. You all continue discussing!"

"Teacher, what matter at the Arcane Union requires your personal attention? Can't it be left to Councilor Haichenisi to handle?"

"Another Great Arcanist has been born; do you think I should go or not?" Iolum gave Buluode a sidelong glance and prepared to leave.

Seeing this, Xia Duo hurriedly asked: "Is it President Zhenna of the Ming Shui Chamber of Commerce?"

"Hmm, I know about Zhenna's situation. This time there is another one: it is Councilor Kaboer's older brother, Keluosi of the Southern Verdant Tower Alliance. He also just submitted his latest information," Iolum explained.

"Keluosi? And Zhenna?"

Buluode, who was to the side, exclaimed in surprise. Fortunately, both of these people were already considered to have public identities; otherwise, he would likely have been the biggest source of the leak.

Iolum did not blame Buluode for making a fuss; he himself was also very surprised by this matter. Zhenna was one thing—he had known about her for a long time—but Keluosi was different.

The Southern Verdant Tower Alliance is an interest alliance led by the Verdant Tower, consisting of more than a dozen Mage Tower organizations, with many territories in the south as its foundation.

Within this alliance, Senior Arcanists are actually not rare; the only thing lacking is a Great Arcanist who can serve as the alliance's spokesperson and leader.

In the past, the outside world unanimously believed that the person closest to being a Great Arcanist was Lord Huo Ke, and he did indeed later become a Great Arcanist.

But the Verdant Tower Alliance did not think so; they always firmly believed that the next Great Arcanist would definitely come from within the Verdant Tower Alliance.

In addition to the alliance possessing several renowned Senior Arcanists, a more realistic issue was that the Verdant Tower Alliance was in dire need of a Great Arcanist.

But unfortunately, reality is often not as one wishes.

First it was Lord Huo Ke, then it was Sikumu of Giles Tower. Gradually, the outside world's view of the Verdant Tower's persistence was more like watching a joke. This situation even had an impact on Iolum to a certain extent.

He once thought that the potential of the Verdant Tower had probably reached its limit.

Unexpectedly, just a few days after Xia Duo's identity was made public, Keluosi submitted an information update. Was this an accidental breakthrough under public expectation? Or was it a forced disclosure under public expectation?

Iolum was more inclined toward the former, but why was it Keluosi and not someone else? Perhaps the Verdant Tower Alliance still hides other Great Arcanists.

But regardless, as long as the other party does not make it public, then one acts as if the other party does not exist.