Chapter 271

Although there were some skirmishes on the fengbao yang, the White Continent was generally very peaceful, at least on the surface.

In the Radiant Empire's Royal Horse Ranch, a national horse racing event had just ended, and staff were busy maintaining the ranch.

At one corner of the ranch, Empress Zhuo Ya was riding side by side with Luosen's puppet doppelganger.

When Luosen controlled the puppet, its outward behavior showed no difference from a living person, making Zhuo Ya feel that talking to it was no different from talking face-to-face.

Zhuo Ya sighed with feeling: "Time really flies; in the blink of an eye, it's been almost two years since that night."

Luosen felt the same; seeing Zhuo Ya's brows and eyes bright, he smiled and asked: "Any good news?"

Zhuo Ya pursed her lips and smiled: "You obviously know, yet you still ask me."

I only know the rough outline; the details still need you to tell me.

Zhuo Ya also didn't hide it: "The island-seizing campaign is going very smoothly, we've captured several large islands, obtained several dragon hoards, and discovered several mines."

"There is a silver mine with astonishing reserves. There is also a Titan God Iron mine, with proven reserves exceeding 30 million tons."

Titan God Iron is titanium white ore, and titanium is practically a perfect metal—its physical properties are perfect, and it has many uses in the arcane arts.

Luosen couldn't help feeling a bit envious: "Tsk tsk~~ This haul is truly huge."

Zhuo Ya glanced at Luosen: "The haul is big, but after these good things circulate through my hands, at least seventy or eighty percent will end up taken by you."

Two years later, the Natural Empire's arcane industry has been expanding violently, reaching a point where just looking at the data makes Zhuo Ya tremble with fear.

For example, the annual crude steel output actually reached fifty million tons, more than three times that of the Radiant Empire.

Likewise, the production numbers of various lightning vehicles actually reached two million units.

A year ago, the Radiant Legion still had a war-hawk faction toward the Natural Empire; now that faction exists only among the populace.

On the other side, Luosen shrugged: "It's not taken for nothing—our people have put in real labor, so it's earned."

At that moment, the two walked to the end of the racetrack, where there was a well-maintained royal garden.

They then dismounted and proceeded on foot.

"Luosen, in a month it will be my birthday, which coincides with the great victory at Dragon Island, so I plan to hold a splendid celebration—half for my birthday, half to celebrate the troops' achievements."

Upon hearing this, Luosen immediately understood Zhuo Ya's intention: "You're planning to invite me, aren't you?"

"Exactly, do you still dare to come to Bu Ye Gong?"

Zhuo Ya looked at Luosen with a smiling, narrowed gaze; her gorgeous, charming face showed a hint of provocation, but deep in her eyes lay a hint of anticipation.

Ordinary people couldn't detect that hint of anticipation, but Luosen's Legendary strength had been optimized to Legendary 3.8, and he had also synthesized a Legendary +8.4 wig, extremely close to the theoretical limit of 8.92 Legendary, raising his base soul strength to 12.2.

His current acuity rivals that of Legendary 14 Moon Goddess Duola, allowing him to see Zhuo Ya's thoughts crystal clear.

His heart stirred slightly, and he chuckled lightly: "What do I have to fear coming? I'm just afraid Your Majesty won't dare to see me."

Zhuo Ya's eyes lit up slightly: "Then I should really send out the invitation?"

"Send it."

"When the time comes, I'll send you a great gift to properly improve the relations between our two peoples."

In this Dragon Island victory, the Natural Empire provided the Radiant Empire with considerable useful weapons.

Although the aid wasn't cutting-edge weapons, their performance is highly reliable, never failing, clearly superior to the Radiant Empire's own production, and the troops love using them.

Consequently, the Radiant Legion's impression of the Natural Empire greatly improved, but the populace still retains its former arrogant attitude, unable to change quickly.

That's why Luosen said what he did.

Having received a clear reply, Zhuo Ya was very pleased, her steps noticeably lighter.

Luosen, however, warned: "Although things have been good lately, we still need to be on guard against the Elves."

"How?"

"I sent some battlefield observation ships to the Storm Continent, closely observing the battles between the Elves and the fusion monsters."

"I found that the Elves' combat strength is very strong, and among them exists a golden-appearing modified lifeform whose combat strength is extraordinary."

Zhuo Ya laughed: "It's not just you who sent observation ships to the Storm Continent—I sent some too."

"So rest assured, I've made thorough preparations in defense."

Luosen indeed felt much more relieved: "By the way, I've made some breakthrough progress in researching Elf fruits."

"More precisely, I've obtained a magical device for identifying Elf fruits—convenient and precise. I'll later share the forging manual with you."

"That's good."

Zhuo Ya was very pleased and immediately replied: "I'll pay for it—how does 3 million Thalra sound?"

"You decide the amount—I don't mind."

Zhuo Ya didn't dwell on it and asked further: "If the Lord of Truth were to return, and if it launched an all-out attack from the void, do you have a countermeasure?"

"I have—I've set up many Endless Crystal Arrays, called the 'Great Demon-Slaying Formation,' specifically to protect our important personnel and facilities."

"Alright, I've done the same."

Pausing, Zhuo Ya sighed: "Legendary crystals are indeed good, greatly enhancing mortals' power to oppose gods and demons, but they have also plunged the Nawaat Republic into division."

This happened two months ago, and Luosen knows it too.

The Nawaat Republic successfully slew the Mistress of Bliss, completely eradicating the planar demon threat; the populace rejoiced, believing good days had arrived.

But less than two months later, the long-suppressed high-level contradictions between gods and demons erupted completely.

The republic split into three, becoming the Sky Republic, the Glory Republic, and the Colon Empire, and they began a three-way confrontation.

"Ah~~ Who could have predicted this outcome?"

Luosen sighed, and he again thought of the wilderness soul‑burning guardian mage Arlena, leaving him with a tinge of regret.

Thus, the two began chatting again about the past of the Nawaat Republic.

Both are well‑versed and knowledgeable; even idle chatter is a match of wits, so the more they talked, the more they clicked, eventually almost losing track of time.

Unaware, they had walked deep into the garden.

Only when the maid came to remind them at the end did Zhuo Ya snap back, laughing softly: "I've already begun to look forward to the birthday banquet a month from now."

A gentle breeze brushed the garden's blooming flowers, making them sway, highlighting her splendid beauty like a mythic flower goddess descending. Luosen felt heat rise within, his gaze bristling with aggression, causing Zhuo Ya's cheeks to flush.

"I am also very looking forward to it."

Due to the massive rollout of lightning communicators, a direct communication line was established between the Natural Imperial House and the Radiant Imperial House.

Thus, the Empress sent out a state banquet invitation, and Weilan received it immediately.

The other side extended a state‑gift invitation; Luosen could either politely decline or respond with an equally grand state gift.

These days, an emperor traveling abroad is a huge matter; a single mishap could mean the emperor dies overseas.

If the emperor had an heir, that would be fine, but the problem is the heir is still swirling inside the empress's womb.

So when Luosen relayed the news to the cabinet, it met unanimous opposition.

In no time, State Minister Klub rushed to the lakeside study.

Before he arrived, a voice rang out: "Your Majesty, you must be cautious!"

Emperor Luosen sat calmly; after Klub entered the study, he shut the study door.

"I intend to go, but not in person."

"Ah."

Klub was a bit puzzled by this.

"I will use the Transformation Technique to create a substitute to go in my place, and tell the outside world that I went personally."

"It preserves Empress Zhuo Ya's face and avoids risk."

"Anyway, I will attend the banquet, have nothing to do but sit there, pose, make a few speeches—nothing more, so there's no need to worry about being exposed."

"Uh—if I were exposed, the Empress's face would not look good."

Although the two nations' relations are strained, the money flow is still hefty; if the Empress feels slighted, future earnings will certainly drop.

"Then I'll craft the goblin more finely. With a true god's aid, mortals won't detect any flaw."

Klub was left speechless: "Then, I wish Your Majesty a smooth journey."

The matter was settled.

Luosen watched Klub walk away, propped his cheek with his hand and thought: "After over two years of cultivation, Zhuo Ya's feelings for me have deepened. Though the Radiant Imperial House upholds chastity, if I truly go to Mei Da Xilin, she certainly won't refuse me."

Should I go or not?

After a brief consideration, Luosen decided to go.

"I've toiled to create so many fine things; going to Mei Da Xilin to embrace the beauty there is only natural."

He casually rummaged his spell‑artifact vault and sighed inwardly: "There are too many good things, I can't use them all."

With his current means, unless he clashes head‑on with a massive legion, dying is actually difficult.

Of course, embracing the beauty is only one goal; another is to guard against Elves' retaliation.

He proposed the idea of seizing Dragon Island, taking most of the benefit, and naturally he must also help deal with the ensuing trouble.

The Empress's birthday banquet news naturally reached the Sacred Elves Empire.

Sun God Ao Sela was secretly angry over the loss of Dragon Island; upon hearing the news, his inner flame flared, shattering millennia‑old tranquility and showing on his face.

"Alright, you seized Dragon Island and are holding a banquet to celebrate, huh?"

"I've lived thousands of years and never had such grandeur; your Empress, not even a hundred years old, really…"

"I'll turn your birthday straight into a death day!"

But the Radiant Empire is no pushover; ordinary Elves warriors are indeed no match for the Radiant Legion.

They must deploy Golden Warriors.

But this makes it big; his word doesn't count.

So they headed straight to Moonrise Land.

In front of the treehouse, he recounted the whole matter to Duola, unable to hold back complaints.

"Frankly, now we should focus on the Human Empire, not cross‑oceans to deal with those hybrid monsters."

Duola replied: "Ao Sela, stop venting at me; vent at the Master, it's more effective."

Ao Sela gave a wry smile: "I only dare vent at you. So, does the Master agree to me using Golden Warriors?"

"The Master agreed, but Golden Warriors are scarce, so only three, lest they disrupt the Storm Continent's situation."

She paused, then added: "The Master also said, this time he is not returning alone; he brings back two equally powerful companions, forming the Life Divine Court."

"Thus, the day of his return marks the resurgence of the ancient order."

Ao Sela was startled, feeling both exhilarated and fearful: "May I know the true names of the two gods?"

"The Master did not say."

"Alright, you hurry and prepare to go."

For some reason, Ao Sela vaguely sensed a hint of anxiety in Duola's tone, but he said nothing, assuming it was a misperception.

After he turned and left, Duola, the Moon God in the treehouse, let out a light sigh.

"Three mighty deities, now that's truly troublesome."

She could think of no way to counter them.

"We must tell Luosen this."

Luosen has a lower‑tier Elves puppet in the forest, but that puppet resides at the forest's edge, far from her.

The gap between upper‑ and lower‑tier Elves is far greater than that between human nobles and commoners, almost never interacting.

Currently, the forest is riddled with the Lord of Truth's eyes; she truly dares not send him a message.

After much thought, she gritted her teeth: "I can only make another trip to Weilan."

(End of Chapter)