Chapter 72: Dalaran Visitors, a New Concept for the Floating City

Sylvanas has been very troubled these past two days; a few days ago, Hellfire Citadel suddenly floated above Undercity. Although it quickly fell back down, it still attracted attention from other forces.

First, the Horde sent someone over to inquire. After learning that Luode and Kaido were responsible, Thrall didn't say much, merely stating that Luode, Kaido, and their companions are forever friends of the Horde, always welcome to visit Orgrimmar.

The blood elves of Silvermoon City are very interested in this floating city, even though Luode has explained that it's merely an application of his own ability and cannot make a city permanently airborne.

However, it's obvious some people don't think that way. The mage of Theramore, Jaina, along with a mage from Dalaran, came to Undercity expressing a desire to meet Luode.

"How about it? Do you want to see them? If not, I'll send them away." Sylvanas asked.

Although it was kept very secret, the news of the floating city still leaked out. Dalaran's attitude was decent; this time they didn't send people to sneak in secretly, but openly came to inquire.

Of course, the main reason is that Jaina saw the power displayed by Luode and Kaido.

Jaina prevented the Dalaran mage from secretly coming to investigate, instead choosing to visit in person herself.

However, this also gave Luode a headache. Come on, they still have one day before departing for the pirate world.

Moreover, those orcs are currently building the Dark Portal! If those Dalaran mages ran into them, that wouldn't be good.

"We must keep the construction of the Dark Portal secret." Luode said.

Building the Dark Portal concerns Luode's linking of the two worlds, fully integrating the pirate world and Azeroth world's connections, so it absolutely cannot fail.

"I will order my subordinates to carry out the Dark Portal construction underground as much as possible, to ensure the tightest protection."

"If possible, I will have blood elf mages come over to provide some cover."

"It won't be easy for Dalaran mages to infiltrate; we Forsaken aren't pushovers." Sylvanas said.

"Let's first go see that Dalaran mage! We'll figure out how to send them away, at least buying some time; what I lack most right now is time." Luode said.

"Hmm! This Dalaran mage who came this time is somewhat special; I have a slight connection with them." Sylvanas said.

"Having some relation to Sylvanas, or being a Dalaran mage, could it be your brother-in-law?"

"Human Archmage Rhonin! Vereesa, husband of the Windrunner, the youngest and most delicate of the Windrunner three sisters."

"Too bad! That little pink flower was taken by Rhonin."

"Come on! Let's go meet this Dalaran mage." Luode said.

Sylvanas nodded, followed behind Luode, and the two arrived at the reception hall of Undercity.

"Long time no see, Mr. Luode." Upon seeing him, the human female mage Jaina stood up and waved at Luode.

"It's only been a little over ten days since we last saw each other, Mage Jaina; haven't you returned to Theramore?" Luode asked.

"Last time in Orgrimmar, that lass actually wanted to come to Undercity with me, but I firmly refused."

"I never expected that this time they'd come again with a Dalaran mage."

"Hahaha! Theramore doesn't need me temporarily; you've recently caused quite a commotion." Jaina said.

"A giant floating city has appeared; this is no joke—it's a strategic-level weapon."

"Moreover, she reported the matters concerning Kaido and Luode to the Human Alliance, after all, in a sense Luode is a commoner of the Alliance."

"Exactly, the Alliance's plain-commoners, after all, they live in the Stormwind Kingdom's jurisdiction, the Westfall region."

"The Alliance's high command never dreamed that they harbored such an expert on their side."

"I greet you on behalf of Dalaran, Mr. Luode; I am one of the members of the Dalaran Council of Six, Mage Rhonin." A middle-aged man wearing a violet robe and holding a staff bowed to Luode, performed a mage's salute, and spoke.

"Hello, Archmage Rhonin; I've long admired your great name—saving the Red Dragon Queen, thwarting Deathwing's plot—I've heard of you loud and clear." Luode nodded slightly, smiling, and said.

"That's all in the past; I was just lucky back then, and I also owed much to my teacher's help." Rhonin chuckled and said.

"I'll speak plainly: what business brings you two to Undercity this time?" Luode asked.

"Mr. Luode, you're indeed straightforward, so I'll be frank as well: Mr. Luode, do you happen to master a method for producing a new type of floating city?" Rhonin said.

"The sudden appearance and subsequent descent of a giant floating city startled the Alliance."

"You should know that, aside from the Scourge legions, in the Azeroth world there is currently only one giant floating city: Dalaran."

"Although Dalaran is nominally a neutral organization, everyone knows it leans toward the Alliance, and heavily so."

"After all, the Supreme Leadership Council of Six is basically all humans; the city's residents are seventy percent human, twenty percent high elves, and ten percent gnomes. But now on the Horde side, especially in Undercity, a suspected giant floating city has suddenly appeared, naturally drawing the Alliance's intense attention."

"If the Horde were to suddenly produce a floating city fortress at this time, the impact on the Alliance would still be considerable."

"How to put it? This is merely my and my father-in-law's special ability; it cannot be used for long." Luode briefly explained his and Kaido's Flame Cloud ability.

"Kaido and my information have likely already been passed to the Alliance by Jaina, so there's no need to conceal it."

"Moreover, as for the Dalaran organization, if we can avoid offending them, it's best not to; at least at this stage Luode doesn't want to offend Dalaran."

"Mr. Luode, you mean you can produce a special kind of cloud?"

"So that the city can fly, but once you stop, the city will descend, right?" Rhonin asked.

Luode nodded.

"Then, can you produce some special clouds and store them away?"

"Could they form a natural fuel, allowing the city to sustain flight?" Rhonin said.

"This is certainly not an unsolvable problem; it's far simpler than the challenge of making Dalaran fly back then."

"If these two individuals mass-produce this special cloud, as long as it's stored properly, it can become a fuel that lets the city stay airborne."

"If this method works, the resulting floating city could even be more perfect than the current Dalaran."

Upon hearing this, both Sylvanas and Luode's eyes lit up.

"Damn, there's such a method! After transforming into dragon form, producing Flame Cloud is no trouble for him and Kaido at all—as long as they have stamina, they can make as much as needed."

"If one could truly store the Flame Cloud produced by oneself or by Kaido..."

"... and use it as a fuel reserve, then theoretically one could indeed create a permanent floating giant fortress."

"This should be feasible, right? Mr. Luode, what does producing this Flame Cloud consume—mana or something else?" Rhonin asked.

"Indeed it's feasible; as long as we make an instrument to store the special clouds they produce and then use them as fuel, the city can stay airborne for a long time."

"This effect is slightly better than Dalaran's floating city, after all, keeping Dalaran afloat in the sky..."

"... requires many archmages to expend their own mana to maintain, and even needs the power of the magic net."

But for the man before him, it was enough to just create a special cloud.

The cost was extremely low, though it's unknown what he needs to consume to produce this special cloud.

"Cough cough! I hadn't thought of that," Luode said.

I really hadn't expected that flame cloud could be used this way—no wonder they say expertise brings specialization; these mages' imagination and creative ability are indeed not just for show.

This method seems very feasible.

First, one needs to store oneself and the flame cloud made by Kaido, create a continual power device, then release the flame cloud made by oneself and Kaido, allowing a city to float permanently.

Myself and Kaido producing flame cloud, as long as there is enough food, can generate a great deal in a day.

Sylvanas hurriedly pulled Luode over, whispering in his ear: "This proposal is feasible; the mages of Silvermoon City should also be able to help you, even the Forsaken mages under my command can look into it."

We can independently create a huge floating fortress; don't agree to any of their demands.

Damn it! How could I not have thought of this trick?

Now Luode's significance is completely different; his and Kaido's stamina is enough to build several flying fortresses without problem.

We must first arm our own Forsaken, or blood elves, before proceeding.

Luode gave Sylvanas a reassuring expression, then once again appeared before Luo Ning and the others.

"Creating this special cloud is my personal secret; sorry, I cannot disclose too much," Luode said.

If that's the case, as long as a little stamina is spent, flame cloud can be produced infinitely, which cannot be spoken of.

This matter, the mages of Undercity, or rather the blood elf mages of Silvermoon City, can also help.

Dalaran not giving any benefits, what right do they have to get a share? Tonight I'll give you a chapter, today ten thousand words, OLI GEE—just finish it (end of chapter).