Chapter 1712: Gifts and Returning to Seventon

However, Xia Duo does not deny that, provided it is handled correctly, this is indeed a rare, high-profile opportunity for Evereska to shine, and it might even allow it to unite a group of small nations to form a sixth power comparable to the great powers!

Although this is not the result Xia Duo wanted to see, for the moment, such an outcome can be considered entirely favorable news for Netheril.

Small nations are not without strength; it is just that compared to great powers, their strength is difficult to sustain. But if multiple small nations unite, they would have the capital to contend with the great powers.

With the addition of such a small nations alliance, which perhaps is also viewed as a threat in the eyes of Cormanthor, at least the pressure on Netheril from Cormanthor will be reduced significantly.

……

Xia Duo sighs in his heart that Evereska is also unwilling to be mediocre, attempting to walk an unprecedented path of using the small to contend with the large. As for whether they can become the Sixth Pole of the Northland, Xia Duo can only say he wishes them success.

"Great Elder Ankalita, I will convey your words in full to the Seven Towers. Additionally, regarding the convenience in managing the Permanent Teleportation Portal you mentioned, I believe the Seven Towers has no reason to refuse."

"Then I will trouble you, Lord Xia Duo."

After speaking, Ankalita waved his hand, and a stream of light flew in from outside the hall, falling from fast to slow into his hand; it was a beautifully packaged gift box.

He stood up, left his seat, walked all the way to Xia Duo, handed the gift box to him, and said in an easygoing tone: "A small token of my heart, I hope Lord Xia Duo will accept it."

Xia Duo did not see any Magic Aura on the gift box. Although the possibility that the aura was deliberately hidden cannot be ruled out, Xia Duo feels that there is likely no need to hide the aura for a gift given in such a public setting.

Even if it really were a Magic Item, it would be no big deal.

Considering that the possibility of it being a non-magic item is greater, Xia Duo accepted the gift. He just doesn't know if this gift counts as compensation for earlier or a service fee for now.

"Thank you for the gift, Great Elder Ankalita. If there are no other instructions, Xia Duo will take his leave now."

"Please go ahead, Lord Xia Duo."

After speaking, Ankalita looked at Laruian beside Xia Duo, handed over the Scepter in his hand, and said: "Elder Laruian, please see Lord Xia Duo off on my behalf."

Laruian bowed and replied: "Yes."

Xia Duo noticed that the Scepter was not just a symbol of power or an envoy, but a Permission Credential for the Evereska Mythallar.

However, with a group of Elf present, it was inconvenient for Xia Duo to take out the Mythallar Permission Credential that Badijiaer had given him earlier for comparison.

……

When leaving the Cloud Crown Palace, Xia Duo and Laruian still took the Flying Disk they arrived on and set the destination to the Teleportation Hall where the Nether Portal is located.

During the flight, Xia Duo contacted Iolum and Badijiaer one after another, providing a brief report on everything that had happened here.

And Iolum and Badijiaer also responded in a timely manner.

At the same time, Laruian also confirmed some details about tomorrow's visit on the disk: "Lord Xia Duo, I will be attending the Midsummer Festival in Seventon tomorrow at noon and before noon. In the afternoon, I would like to visit your Territory. I wonder if that is convenient?"

"It is convenient. Daxia Territory welcomes Elder Laruian's arrival at any time."

Xia Duo is very clear that Laruian is going to Daxia Territory to handle the follow-up of the military procurement, and of course, to make up for the negative impact caused by the malicious bet this morning.

The content of the bet has already spread, but obviously, Xia Duo does not intend to send anyone, so only one of the parties involved, Laruian, will go to the human territory on the day of the Midsummer Festival.

Although this is still some distance from the way Xia Duo expected it to be handled, it is likely the limit of what Laruian can do, and Xia Duo is still very happy to accept it.

……

Arriving at the Portal, Xia Duo discovered that the other side—that is, the Arcane Union side—had already made preparations for activation.

And on this side, Laruian used the Great Elder's Scepter to unlock the Portal management program for special circumstances. After a series of operations that were not exactly simple, the Portal erupted with a burst of intense Magic Aura.

But it stabilized within a very short time, turning into a calm mirror surface, reflecting the scene on the Arcane Union side.

"Elder Laruian, no need to see me off further, I am leaving."

After speaking, Xia Duo added in a low voice, "Looking forward to meeting tomorrow!"

Afterwards, he walked into the Portal without looking back.

……

Arcane Union, Iolum's Study.

Unsurprisingly, Badijiaer also came. When Xia Duo entered, he saw him chatting in a low voice with Iolum. Seeing Xia Duo arrive, the two immediately stopped their conversation.

"Welcome back, our victorious Ambassador!"

Badijiaer did not hide his praise for Xia Duo. After some mutual flattery, he asked about the details of the trip under Iolum's reminder. Xia Duo did not hide anything and said:

"Evereska might be much more powerful than we imagined! That Elder Laruian's eldest son is already a High Mage, and who knows how many other High Mages in their prime they have!"

Badijiaer did not feel surprised by Xia Duo's statement: "Expected. After all, Elf live so much longer than us; even if it's just waiting out time, they can outlast us!"

"Any other discoveries?"

"There is also that Elder Ankalita. As a Gold Elf, in today's world where Cormanthor is becoming increasingly overbearing, he can still receive strong support from other Elders. This is not simple!"

Hearing this, Badijiaer immediately frowned: "In his early years, Ankalita did indeed rise to power because of his identity as a Gold Elf. I have met him a few times before, and in my view, he is not the kind of Elf who cares much about power."

"Then Lord Badijiaer is likely mistaken!"

Then, Xia Duo recounted what he had just seen and heard at the Cloud Crown Palace, focusing on the performance of Great Elder Ankalita when he mentioned details about the touring delegation.

"That Elder Ankalita seems to have set his sights on the group of small nations in the Alliance, preparing to become the existence of the Sixth Pole of the Northland!"

"Has he changed so much?" Badijiaer could not help but doubt.

"Perhaps it was a performance for me to see, but it does not hinder the fact that 'becoming the Sixth Pole of the Northland' has already become one of the possibilities with the greatest development potential for Evereska's future!"

Generally speaking, Xia Duo does not just look at a person's superficial attitude, but examines the motives behind it. Obviously, Evereska now has such an opportunity to develop and grow, and even get rid of the control of the five great powers.

It is hard for Xia Duo to believe that the other party would not be tempted.

To some extent, this is actually the result of Xia Duo's intentional or unintentional pushing. By choosing this path for them, even if they don't walk it, the situation will force them to.

For Xia Duo, and for Netheril, this is enough!