Chapter 46: The Prosperous Spine Peak City

After a decade, seeing that familiar face again, Vlamé felt a flood of complex emotions.

She was now over thirty, having endured countless life-and-death struggles, her appearance and demeanor no longer those of her younger self.

But Lin Yu—ignoring the elfish ears he used for disguise—his face remained exactly as it had been ten years ago, identical to the handsome boy in Vlamé’s memory…

This is what it means to be an immortal god!

Vlamé sighed softly in her heart, yet smiled slightly and said, “Yes, it’s been a long time!”

Meanwhile, Old Vol froze for a moment, then realized this was the Lord’s former appearance.

Indeed, the Lord’s changed appearance was merely an illusion.

From the very beginning, he had been eternally youthful!

Old Vol understood at once, quickly bowed deeply, then turned sharply and sternly ordered the guards who hadn’t recognized Lin Yu to patrol elsewhere.

Once all the guards had departed on their orders, Old Vol finally exhaled in relief.

He knew Lin Yu disliked attention and hated being surrounded by kneeling subjects, so he acted this way—never kneeling on one knee as he did in private to show loyalty.

Seeing his arrival caused no commotion, Lin Yu gave Old Vol an approving glance, then smiled and said:

“Flattery like that is fine to say to others, but Vlamé lived in the castle for years—no one understands me better than she does, not even you!”

Old Vol made no rebuttal, only smiled and said, “My Lord, that’s not flattery—if not for your protection, the people of Spine Peak would labor endlessly to no avail…”

Lin Yu chuckled helplessly and waved his hand. “Enough, go attend to your duties.”

“Yes!”

Old Vol bowed respectfully, then left with a cheerful grin.

“I knew it!” Vlamé walked up to Lin Yu with a smile. “Knowing you, you might quietly watch over them, but you’d never personally involve yourself in town construction!”

“Correct.”

Lin Yu turned his head, gazing at the surrounding town, and said softly, “Spine Peak’s current state owes much to my protection, but also to Old Vol and the people’s tireless labor…”

“Understood!” Vlamé smiled lightly. “The masses shape history—I haven’t forgotten!”

With that, the two exchanged a glance and smiled, as if rediscovering the bond they’d shared ten years ago.

Lin Yu’s gaze turned to the silent elf girl beside her.

“She’s your disciple?”

“Yes.”

Vlamé patted the elf girl’s shoulder with a smile.

The elf girl remained calm, bowing to Lin Yu with perfect imperial etiquette.

“Elven Mage Fylleen, pays homage to My Lord!”

Lin Yu smiled. “No need for formalities—call me Lin.”

Vlamé pushed Fylleen forward, grinning. “Lin, don’t underestimate her—she’s the apprentice of the great mage Vlamé, and the destined hero who will defeat the Demon King!”

Perhaps because Vlamé spoke with such certainty, Fylleen grew embarrassed.

She shifted uncomfortably, sighing, “Can’t you ever say something else? It’s so awkward…”

Lin Yu smiled gently and looked at the two women. “Shall we take a walk?”

“Of course!”

Vlamé readily agreed, dragging the reluctant Fylleen behind Lin Yu.

Walking along the wide central avenue, Lin Yu led the way, enthusiastically introducing them to Spine Peak.

Though he rarely appeared in person, every blade of grass, every brick and tile of this town had been imprinted in his mind through his powerful spiritual perception.

Vlamé listened with a smile, deeply pleased by Lin Yu’s transformation.

Letting Old Vol and the others settle here had truly been the right decision!

Otherwise, this alien god who had lived alone for a decade might never have become so human as he is now…

Fylleen beside them had no such inner reflections.

Yet seeing the scene before her, she couldn’t help but marvel.

“This town is truly extraordinary!”

Lin Yu loved hearing this—he immediately grinned and asked, “What’s so extraordinary?”

Fylleen glanced at him, then pointed to the blacksmith’s shop nearby. “If I’m not mistaken, the metal he’s hammering is magic steel ingot—only introduced to the market three years ago!”

So that’s what impressed you…

Lin Yu felt a flicker of disappointment and sighed. “Correct.”

Fylleen gazed calmly at the young blacksmith. “Magic steel ingot is said to be as hard as dragon scales, with excellent magic conductivity—armor and weapons forged from it are top-tier even in the imperial capital.”

“As far as I know, even the Empire’s finest blacksmiths require teams to forge with it.”

“Yet this young blacksmith hammers magic steel ingot as if it were ordinary metal—yes, strength plays a part, but the real reason lies in his hammer and anvil.”

Here, Fylleen furrowed her brows, stroking her chin in thought. “I’ve never seen the material of this hammer or anvil—but since they can hammer magic steel ingot, their hardness must be even greater.”

“…”

Vlamé stared at the blacksmith’s hammer, sensing a faint familiar aura.

After a moment’s thought, she quietly silenced her voice and said in a strange tone, “Lin, I sense the presence of Longlong Rock—could this hammer and anvil…”

Lin Yu glanced at her, whispering back, “Yes. You know Longlong Rock used to eat metal—three years ago, its digestion evolved again, and its excrement…”

“Stop!” Vlamé sighed. “No need to say more—I understand.”

Lin Yu hesitated, then whispered again, “Actually, magic steel ingot comes from the same source—just a slightly different diet, with added magic crystals and magic gems.”

“What?!”

Vlamé’s eyes widened, then she groaned. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner…”

Lin Yu smiled faintly. “Have you ever worn armor forged from magic steel ingot?”

Vlamé fell silent, nodding with a wistful expression.

Lin Yu couldn’t help laughing.

Their conversation was shielded by Vlamé’s barrier.

Fylleen remained oblivious, continuing calmly: “Moreover, the bellows and forge aren’t ordinary either—based on their magic fluctuations, they’re powered by pure magic crystals…”

“And the carpenter’s axe and chisels are also made of magic steel ingot…”

“The clothing in the tailor’s shop retains traces of magic—likely woven with textile magic…”

Fylleen analyzed as she carefully observed the town.

She hadn’t realized—until she looked closely!

Fylleen was stunned: every object in the town—the building materials, roof tiles, road bricks, even every resident’s clothing—was saturated with magic.

Tools forged from magic steel ingot were possessed by nearly everyone.

Rare woods, scarce elsewhere, were used here merely for construction.

Guards wore top-tier gear; shops sold rare goods impossible to find outside…

Fylleen’s gaze moved further, noticing every shop hung with expensive, luxurious magic lanterns; the tavern’s door at a distance was made of the same material as her staff, possessing formidable defenses against high-level magic.

Compared to this, her former elven village seemed like a primitive tribe!

…What kind of town is this?!

Fylleen stared, dumbfounded, as if her entire worldview had been shattered.

(End of Chapter)