[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-dragon-of-a-thousand-faces":3,"chapter-the-dragon-of-a-thousand-faces-the-dragon-of-a-thousand-faces-chapter-202":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Dragon of a Thousand Faces",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2269848,4431,"Chapter 202: The Returnee","the-dragon-of-a-thousand-faces-chapter-202",202,"\u003Cp>The giant’s dining hall gradually became a giant’s town; the construction teams were remarkably efficient. When noble spellcasters began to work, efficiency naturally didn’t lag.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The most straightforward method was turning stone into mud and casting Stone Wall spells, rapidly erecting fences and spires.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once spellcasters or crossbowmen entered, it was enough to deter most lawbreakers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And this was merely a temporary measure before the mage tower was built.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A spellcaster with preparation and one without are two different strengths; a spellcaster with a mage tower and one without are two different dimensions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the mage tower was truly established, high mages could perform strategic casting within it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With support from the relevant mage tower structures, under conditions approaching limitless mana, super-towers capable of strategic-level overmagic enhancements could be deployed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The range of strategic magic could cover the entire “newly built district,” granting it fortress-level defense strength; even against a beast surge, magic descending from the sky could easily destroy most invading creatures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That also means, after this underground district is established, it will become the starting point and safe zone for underground exploration.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This seemed like good news, but someone immediately panicked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Senior Li En, I have a commission that must be handled urgently.” Daimon was flustered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The newly built forward fortress was good for others, but not necessarily so for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You mean the passage? That does need quick attention.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The passage near the docks also led to some location in the underground ruins, even having a mechanical steamship built there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If this side’s spatial transfer passage stabilizes, the value of other passages will plummet—this naturally alarmed Daimon, who had invested heavily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The current assets at the docks couldn’t withstand such disruption.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li En fell silent. He hadn’t anticipated that a speck of progress in this era would land on him like a mountain—his newly invested assets might vanish in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That meant dozens of jobs: logistics shops, dried-food stalls—all set up—and now you tell me the “rail line” is rerouted? Of course you’d lose everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t panic. It’s probably not the worst scenario. Might even be good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li En thought for a moment, then smiled to comfort Daimon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On one hand, he had personally passed through that passage, reached the other side of the underground river via steamship—but hadn’t gone further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the sensation of the boat’s downward slope and the soil composition of the opposite bank’s walls, it was far deeper than this side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other hand, the argument was even more convincing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We haven’t encountered cultists, right? I inquired—no Beast Cult presence was seen in these shallow layers. They must be deeper down, and that passage likely leads to their original activity zones.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li En’s words were practical. He patted Daimon’s shoulder, understanding his anxiety had clouded his judgment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“From a broader perspective, the Mirror Spirits will accelerate exploration. The deeper passage will gain greater value. Didn’t we previously deem it too dangerous to develop? As development proceeds, our passage will become more valuable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Daimon nodded, hoping so—but—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’d be best if—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, after we return, we’ll begin preparations. We can’t delay. Let’s place a ‘Seeking Marker’ here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uh, isn’t that expensive?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Worth it. I’ll borrow from Sallyman—she likely has a third-ring mage.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Seeking Marker” was a rather mediocre third-rank conjuration spell—he was the first to develop it, originally as an “anti-thief magic.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It applied a semi-permanent mark to your personal items; once lost, activating the mark allowed you to sense and locate them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason it was mediocre was that, as a semi-permanent effect, its sensing ability was weak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This meant its detection range was short—perhaps only three or four kilometers at most.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The weak mark could easily be affected or blocked for various reasons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Veteran thieves could place several low-tier magical items together to disrupt your perception.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Higher-ring versions of similar spells weren’t nonexistent, but as permanent “state alterations,” their cost was too high, making them even less worthwhile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While its anti-theft effectiveness was marginal, underground explorers found another use.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’d drop items marked with the spell in labyrinths or underground ruins; when they needed to retrace their steps, the mark provided guidance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Buy several. Charge it to our funds—it’s normal business expenditure.” Daimon immediately understood: this was official business; he had no reason to let his senior bear the cost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Daimon instantly grasped Li En’s meaning: leave the item at this forward base, then enter from the dock passage and use the coordinate marker to guide upward. This might reveal a connecting path, allowing them to determine the dock passage’s height and position from the side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it was truly close, that passage could now be developed along a new route.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This unexpected development accelerated everyone’s pace. Before the storm truly hit, no one could say whether this was good or bad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s go. After returning, prepare—we’ll depart within three days.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li En made a promise; this matter couldn’t be delayed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While the royal family poured massive effort and funds into development, their small enterprise had to find a way to integrate into that tide, avoiding their investment being wasted outright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For Li En, he could now relax slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The “Snake’s Pact” still weighed on him. Staying underground offered no real alternatives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Acting on the Snake’s choices always felt like walking into a trap—should he just pick the one choice he absolutely shouldn’t?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, sunlight—so comfortable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if he could see such pleasant sunlight for only two days, it still brought genuine comfort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, most life forms are beings that crave sunlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not necessarily. Some life forms die in light; for others, night is their day.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The snake, who had been wandering somewhere wild, suddenly reappeared on Li En’s shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It lay listlessly on him, yet Li En was surprised he smelled no alcohol.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where did you go partying?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“.Too painful. Being a teacher is too painful. Being a stupid teacher is too painful. Being a lazy, stupid teacher is pure hell. I want to die. Ah, I’m already dead—why must I suffer this even after death!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The snake rolled over Li En’s head, coiled around his neck, nearly knocking him to the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the snake to be this way, Li En was curious—what kind of divine beings were these new juniors and juniorettes?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But after rolling around, the snake glanced at Li En and sighed—again, this man bore the look of death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Other heroic souls could slack off—but why did he have to babysit this one and ensure his survival?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Maybe I should just let him die. After all, the karmic debt is Li Ensu’s fault.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The snake considered slacking off and fleeing—but then remembered the gift he’d just given, and those headache-inducing divine pupils. He sighed and spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li En, you must strive to live.” For the first time, the snake felt a touch of sympathy for Li Ensu—why did this Li Ensu have to bear the ancient black mark of the Thousand-Faced Dragon?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I advise you to accelerate the awakening of your Dragon Vein—quickly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At his current state, Li En would surely die. The opponent he might face this time was extremely troublesome—even the snake himself dreaded confronting such a problem. After all, who wants to face one of their biological nemeses?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cryptic words made Li En frown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He naturally wanted to further awaken his Dragon Vein—but could that be rushed?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Awaken Dragon Wings as soon as possible. At least upgrade your Dragon Eyes by one tier. Otherwise—you know what I mean. Just keep going. Stay alive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The snake’s words unsettled Li En, but before he could ask more, the snake vanished without a trace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn cryptic bastard.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Li En complained about the snake’s riddles, a dark shadow was speeding across mountains and horizons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a winged shadow—a black beast like a cloud. They arrived swiftly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the shadow was vast enough to blot out the sun, the farmland and inns beneath felt nothing—as if the sky’s darkness didn’t exist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet another caravan, headed for the same destination, still lay ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the road to Huicheng, vehicles and personnel stretched far along the slopes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its scale, stretching beyond sight, was less a caravan than a marching legion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The massive caravan carried supplies and numerous armored knights. On the largest, most luxurious carriage flew the white lion emblem crowned with a royal diadem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this nation, only two people could bear this emblem—one was already in Huicheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Going down there netted me several gold coins. Adventuring’s profitable.” Meanwhile, Li En himself was cheerfully tallying the spoils of his first adventure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1430,"2026-06-19T21:45:42.084Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","5605ef7626e3eabac56263ac386c895e524885f45fabec5beb28857772a53267","the-dragon-of-a-thousand-faces-chapter-203","the-dragon-of-a-thousand-faces-chapter-201",362,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-dragon-of-a-thousand-faces-cover.jpg"]