Chapter 2171: Probing

Although Xia Duo intended to keep a low profile, he still underestimated the shock his actions in the south had caused in the Northland. When he arrived at Evereska, he was surprised to find that, apart from Suweilisi of Keman, the several Envoys who had previously visited the Floating City were all present!

"Prince Baside, Elder Laruian, as well as Mage Tailun and Lady Xierdalanna, such courteous treatment truly makes Xia Duo feel overwhelmed."

"Lord Xia Duo is strong but not bullying, powerful but not overbearing; you care for the peace of the Northland and firmly uphold the order of the Northland. Welcoming you here is entirely our own wish."

Prince Baside and Xierdalanna clearly could not say these words that bordered on flattery, but Laruian was different; Xia Duo had previously planned a path for the Small Nations Alliance for Evereska.

Although there were some setbacks due to the assassination of Elder Ankali, the relationships between the various small nations of the Northland are now steadily advancing, and Evereska has played an important role in this.

The connection between Xia Duo and Evereska goes far beyond this. After the Floating City demonstrated its true power in the south, the Evereska Council of Elders unanimously believed that the future of the Northland would be greatly influenced by Xia Duo.

And previously, when facing the Envoys of various countries, Xia Duo had expressed that he would not seek hegemony, not expand, not seek a sphere of influence, and not engage in an arms race. Is this not the most reliable friend Evereska could have in the future situation of the Northland!

Yes, the Evereska Council of Elders defined Xia Duo as a "friend," not an ally or anything else. This contains both respect for themselves and respect for Xia Duo.

Coming to welcome Xia Duo this time, it was initially only Laruian, and only later did Xierdalanna and Tailun join. Given Prince Baside's status, he should not have appeared here, but also because of his status, he could choose more.

Otherwise, it would be like Suweilisi of Keman, whose status does not allow him to do such an undignified thing.

"Lord Xia Duo, the Alliance Assembly is scheduled for noon, still several hours away. I have organized a tea party near Dawn Plaza, and Consultant Suweilisi is also there. If you have no special arrangements, why not move there for a chat, and we can head directly to the Covenant Hall at noon."

Elder Laruian's suggestion was very sincere, and coupled with the high-level courtesy just shown, Xia Duo really could not find a way to refuse. Besides, that so-called tea party was probably not just a tea party!

They likely want to probe his stance before the Alliance Assembly. Aside from the matter of weapons of mass destruction spells, they will likely also ask about his physical condition.

With the power Xia Duo now possesses, his physical condition is no longer just his own business; it also affects the hearts of the leaders of other countries in the Northland Alliance.

From the Portal to Dawn Plaza, it only takes a short walk, and then there is a Magic Ship already prepared, traveling along the Manda Water System within the city of Evereska toward Dawn Plaza located in the center of the city.

In the Projection Plane 【Evereska Independent】, Dawn Plaza also exists, but it was named "Duli Guangchang." It is unknown what accident occurred in reality for the name to change.

And in Laruian's introduction, the name "Dawn Plaza" has been used for thousands of years, and it was called this name even before independence. This does not match the history of Evereska in the Projection Plane that Xia Duo knows.

However, history is just like that; a slight change in the thoughts of a certain person can lead to two completely different directions of development.

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And now, the Northland Alliance seems to have reached such a turning point that is far greater than before.

"Lord Xia Duo, this way, the tea party is in the Jingmi Huayuan north of the plaza."

"Mm."

Crossing the plaza to the north, after walking only a few steps, Xia Duo saw an exquisite garden hidden and looming amidst the green trees. He had been to Evereska several times before, and almost every time he had passed by Dawn Plaza, yet he had never noticed that small garden once.

It is unknown whether it was deliberately concealed by a Mythallar, or if he was too preoccupied with too many things at the time to notice, but regardless, seeing it today still made him feel very happy.

As Xia Duo's party approached, two of the tall beech trees automatically parted their branches, as if welcoming everyone. At the same time, faint sounds of string plucking drifted from within the garden.

The next moment, Xia Duo saw Suweilisi in the garden handing the instrument back to the musician. The other party seemed a bit embarrassed when seeing him.

"Consultant Suweilisi, your zither skills are truly excellent. Although there were only a few segments, I heard the complex emotions of leisure and sorrow intertwined. It seems Keman is still not at ease with me!"

"Lord Xia Duo, I—"

Suweilisi wanted to refute Xia Duo, but could not refute the feelings expressed in the performance just now, and certainly would not deny his own skill just to deliberately refute him.

At this time, Laruian fully exerted his role as the host, using a few jokes to turn the topic to the tea party itself, "The tea I prepared this time is premium Eastern tea from the Wuweilun era, preserved in the Adofeier Fortress of Siluwende. I invite Lord Xia Duo to taste it."

"There is actually premium Eastern tea from the Wuweilun era still preserved?" Xia Duo asked in surprise.

The reason he cared so much was not because of the tea leaves themselves, but because he wondered if this would affect his future premium Eastern tea business. It seems he must find an opportunity to inquire about what exactly was unearthed in Adofeier Fortress.

However, this expression of his appeared to Laruian as nostalgia and longing for the tea of his hometown.

Subsequently, Laruian pulled out a tea table and personally brewed tea for everyone, or rather, this is also a type of tea art inherited from ancient times. While performing, he introduced:

"In the Wuweilun era, it is said that the most famous was the tea produced from the original tea plants brought back from the Eastern World by Mage Nuode. Unfortunately, the premium Eastern tea kept in Adofeier Fortress belonged to the trade goods exported in bulk at that time, and it is far from the original Eastern plants of Nuode."

Although he said so, Laruian appeared quite proud. One can imagine how many years the fall of Wuweilun caused the Northland tea culture to regress!

And now, Xia Duo has officially stepped onto the Northland stage as an Easterner; perhaps he can lead an Eastern trend once again.

"Good tea!"

Suweilisi pinched the small teacup with three fingers, sniffed it at the tip of his nose, and sighed incessantly, "The last time I drank Eastern tea of this grade was at the celebration banquet after the most recent Divine Sword Trial. I didn't expect Siluwende to have such a collection. It seems necessary to go there for a visit after this Alliance Assembly."

"Hmph!"

Seeing Suweilisi's almost undisguised attitude, Tailun could not help but snort coldly, though he also understood that with Siluwende's current situation, it is impossible to refuse Keman's trade requests, or even those of Evereska.

Otherwise, where would the tea leaves in Elder Laruian's hands have come from?