Chapter 1006: Plain Ticket

Bureisi has seen the teacher.

Anxiwodasi sized up this young man who was both familiar and unfamiliar; the flame power on Bureisi gradually contracted, his aura became subtle, showing no sign that he was a Legendary Peak mage, and the brilliant, sharp aura turned plain and unremarkable.

"Is this your magical clone?" he couldn't help but confirm again.

One Reslin already defied normal logic; what's up with this Bureisi?

Among the common spells that create clones, the Nine-Ring Illusion Technique can only create a magical clone at half the master's level, and Bureisi's level clearly exceeds half; the Projection Technique has a distance limit, and the projected clone wields the same power as the master.

Astral Projection, Soul Vessel, Advanced Enslavement Technique, Psychic Clone and other spells all differ from Bureisi's case; their characteristics don't match.

If Lei En didn't say it himself, no one would guess that Bureisi is a magical clone.

Anxiwodasi is not proficient in clone spells, nor has he researched them, so he couldn't discern it at first.

"Teacher."

Bureisi answered for Lei En: "That's a secret of mine; please forgive me for not being able to reveal it for now."

"So mysterious..." Anxiwodasi didn't press further, but out of curiosity he casually said, "Lei En, do you have many clones?"

"Indeed, a few," Lei En replied evasively.

Ao Xiliya, standing nearby, almost burst out laughing at his words: over ten thousand clones and you call that just a few?

Lei En keenly sensed Hongcai Long's reaction, fearing she would be exposed, and quickly changed the subject: "Xiliya, you're about to enter the Supreme Council and be ennobled as a Duke; have you thought about which territory you want?"

Anxiwodasi's attention was also drawn.

Ao Xiliya shook her head and calmly replied, "I want to give up the Duke title and don't want any territory; it's too troublesome."

"That's not allowed!" Anxiwodasi immediately objected, "Without territory, how will you gather wealth and resources to build a Fu Kong Cheng?"

"I don't want a Fu Kong Cheng either," Hongcai Long said softly.

Anxiwodasi was stunned, then a bit puzzled, "Didn't you once say your greatest dream was to own a Fu Kong Cheng of your own?"

Ao Xiliya gave no answer, but glanced at Lei En.

Anxiwodasi instantly understood; she no longer cared for the Fu Kong Cheng and wanted Lei En's Star Destroyer, his face immediately showing resignation. Anyone who has witnessed a Star Destroyer's power, after a simple comparison, would prefer the Star Destroyer.

What is a Fu Kong Cheng? I'm truly unfamiliar.

Not to mention Ao Xiliya, Anxiwodasi himself is also eager for a Star Destroyer, but lacks the funds to build one and cannot abandon Weizelan's Fu Kong Cheng, which is the foundation of the Mo Du Sect.

"If you want a Star Destroyer, you need money," Anxiwodasi advised, "A Star Destroyer costs more than a Fu Kong Cheng, at least two hundred million Gold Shields. Without territory, how will you obtain two hundred million Gold Shields? You can't just have Lei En give them to you, can you?"

Ao Xiliya thought it over carefully; the teacher's words made sense.

She then said, "Lei En, I will choose a Duke's fief to give you to govern; all its revenues will belong to you. How about exchanging it for a Star Destroyer?"

She felt uneasy, because this was a huge bargain for Lei En. A Duke's fief is valuable, but certainly not worth two hundred million Gold Shields; even a century of management would struggle to recoup a Star Destroyer, and governing incurs costs, demanding much time and effort, with risk of loss.

Even if the two were soulmates, the request was excessive.

Lei En said nothing.

Ao Xiliya assumed he was unwilling; though a bit disappointed, she didn't press, and softly said, "It's fine, you needn't be troubled. Teacher, I'll hand the Duke's fief to you to manage, as an economic source for Weizelan."

She was aware of Weizelan's massive debt, but didn't know the teacher had made a deal with Lei En, who took on all the debts.

However, Anxiwodasi was quite pleased.

This could greatly ease Weizelan's economic pressure; if managed well, perhaps years later they could amass two hundred million Gold Shields and ask Lei En to build a Star Destroyer for the Mo Du Sect.

Thus they could have both a Fu Kong Cheng and a Star Destroyer, a win‑win.

Anxiwodasi was about to agree when Lei En spoke, seeming to have thought it through, and smiled, "Xiliya, I can give you a Star Destroyer, but not in exchange for a Duke's fief; I require you to relinquish the territory."

"Huh?" Hongcai Long was bewildered.

Anxiwodasi also didn't understand; giving up the fief while Lei En still gives a Star Destroyer—doesn't that mean a total loss?

"Lei En, perhaps you could clarify your words," the old Wizard frowned.

"Hahaha..." Lei En smiled, "I intend to use this opportunity to amend the Supreme Council's regulations, starting with Ao Xiliya; thereafter, any Duke titles conferred upon members entering the Supreme Council will be merely nominal, with no territories attached."

"They won't agree," Hongcai Long was shocked, also not understanding Lei En's motive.

Anxiwodasi immediately guessed Lei En's intention.

Lei En wants to be emperor; in his view the entire Empire is his territory, and each time a Duke's fief is granted out, it's a loss to him.

These Duke fiefs are kingdoms within a kingdom, heedless of central orders and untaxed.

When Lei En becomes emperor, even territories owned by the Holy Soul Wizards of the Mo Du Sect will be thorns in his eye, meat on his bone.

Not to mention the few hostile Holy Soul Wizards, who could hardly obey Lei En's commands.

Thus the fewer Duke fiefs, the better.

Once the Hesi magical array is completed, the number of Holy Soul Wizards will explode; Lei En wants to amend the Supreme Council's rules now before his imperial ambition is exposed, to prevent more Holy Soul Wizards from being ennobled as Dukes and gaining territories, which would make future handling even more troublesome.

Anxiwodasi gave Lei En a deep look, shook his head and sighed, "Your plan hasn't succeeded yet, and you're already thinking ahead for the future."

"Plan early, and it'll be easier later," Lei En replied calmly.

The two's conversation seemed like a riddling game; Ao Xiliya looked bewildered, "Teacher, Lei En, what are you talking about?"

"Xiliya, you'll understand later," Lei En didn't want to explain much, and laughed, "If you give up the Duke's fief, I'll give you a Star Destroyer. Deal?"

"Deal!"

Hongcai Long agreed without hesitation.

Even though her demeanor was indifferent, seeking only magical knowledge and almost without desire, a verbal promise that bought a Star Destroyer still made her so delighted she nearly leapt, her heart pounding, fearing Lei En might regret.

"But I have a condition," Lei En added, "The Star Destroyer is currently of great use to me, so I can't hand it over just yet."

Aoxiliya finally managed to calm down, "When will that be?"

"At the latest, no more than twenty years," Lei En said seriously, "Perhaps after just a few years, you'll have your own Star Destroyer."

"Alright, I can wait!" Ao Xiliya gladly agreed.

Just twenty years.

For the long‑lived Hongcai Long, twenty years is brief; she need do nothing but wait to obtain a Star Destroyer, which is truly worthwhile!

Anxiwodasi couldn't help but feel a bit envious.

"Master," Lei En suddenly turned his head, "if you can help me make this happen, I am willing to donate ten million Gold Shields to Weizelan as support for the Weizelan Wizards, or equivalently a batch of black soul elixirs of the same value."

He launched another monetary offensive.

But he phrased it cleverly, not saying the ten million goes to the Master, but donating it to the Weizelan Floating City, which is essentially the same.

Anxiwodasi thought for a few seconds, then nodded, "I'll try my best."

Lei En continued discussing with the two how to speak and vote at tomorrow's Supreme Council, and they didn't disperse until late night.

The next morning.

Lei En arrived early at the Consul's office, and along the way heard He Palace officials and guards whispering the same news: Ma Youfu's promotion to Grand Mage had spread.

When the time came, he entered the projection room.

Extreme Warrior, Rick Imperial Guard and Chief of Staff Frank stood with officials outside, while Lei En stood in the middle and activated the rune array.

After a surge of intense magical flux, Lei En's vision warped, and he entered a magnificent palace floating in endless void, with a bronze long table in its center and at the far end a hundred‑meter statue of the God of Magic overlooking the table below.

Supreme Palace!

Soon, figures appeared on both sides of the bronze table, taking seats in order.

This meeting was convened by GreyEagle Duke Tim*Kenan, so he arrived first and took the foremost seat on the left side of the table.

On that side, to his right sat in order KangJieladeGreatSage, Howai Master, PurpleFlameDuke, Black Robe Duke, and Hong Shi.

On the opposite side, the Holy Soul Wizards arrived within half a minute: Anxiwodasi, Ouroin Master, Prophet Medif, Storm Queen, Silver Star Duke, and Sabbath Dean.

Lei En sat to the left of Sabbath Dean, at the far end of the table.

The projection of a Holy Soul Wizard entered, instinctively looking toward the seat opposite Lei En, which was empty for now but would soon have an occupant.

"Everyone has arrived."

Tim*Kenan wore a confident expression, his bald head shining, his short black beard neatly trimmed, and he rose, saying, "Everyone, allow me to introduce a new member, one of the Eight Leaves of Flaniss, my student, Ma Youfu!"

As he spoke, a projection of an elf mage appeared in the Supreme Palace.

"Ma Youfu has seen all of you, Masters."

The handsome, refined wood elf bowed respectfully to the Holy Soul Wizards on both sides of the bronze table, his complexion modest, yet his eyes brimmed with uncontainable excitement and curiosity.

The Holy Soul Wizards also examined Ma Youfu.

"Truth endures forever!"

Everyone sang in unison to the God of Magic, signalling the start of the meeting.

Tim*Kenan immediately said, "Ma Youfu has been promoted to Grand Mage; I propose that Ma Youfu formally join the Supreme Council. Those opposed, please raise your hand."

The palace fell silent.

Since the Supreme Council's founding, this is the first time a non‑human member has joined, and as a Grand Mage.

Although Ma Youfu is an elf, he was born and raised in the Empire, entered Flaniss Floating City to study magic at a young age, and today rose to Grand Mage. His lineage and inheritance are impeccable; he is a pure Imperial citizen.

As for the difference between Grand Mage and Holy Soul Wizard, no one cared.

Mages are the oldest spellcasters; wizards arose by imitating mages. Without the Blood Soul Curse, humans would rather be mages than wizards.

In truth, a Grand Mage ranks above a Holy Soul Wizard, and at the same level, a Grand Mage's power is slightly superior.

No one questioned Ma Youfu's eligibility to join the Supreme Council.

Throughout, no one raised a hand to oppose.

After waiting half a minute, Tim*Kenan loudly announced the resolution passed, making Ma Youfu the fourteenth member of the Supreme Council.

As he finished announcing, the statue of the God of Magic trembled slightly, a silver radiance shot from its eyes onto the bronze table opposite Lei En, engraving the words: Ma Youfu*Flame. That is Ma Youfu's full name.

"Welcome, Master Ma Youfu."

Anxiwodasi, on behalf of the Mo Du faction, extended goodwill.

Hong Shi, smiling, nodded and said, "The Supreme Council gaining another Grand Mage is a boon for the Empire."

The Holy Soul Wizards sensed the implication behind his words.

Ma Youfu's entry gives the Balance faction an extra vote; together with the Naiser faction they can hold seven votes, exactly half. Though they still cannot reclaim control of the Supreme Council, they can at least counter the Mo Du faction, preventing its sole dominance.

For the past five years, the Mo Du faction has fully controlled the Supreme Council, and Lei En, as Consul, has effectively ruled the Oriense Empire.

This state is a massive failure of the balance ideology, and a disgrace!

Tim*Kenan had long had enough.

Consequently, he spared no expense, draining nearly half of Flaniss Floating City's decades of reserves, finally promoting Ma Youfu to Grand Mage and shifting the Empire's balance.

"Ma Youfu, please sit," Tim*Kenan said.

"Yes."

Ma Youfu took the empty chair, and after sitting, gave Lei En a slight nod and softly said, "I have met you, Consul."

He knew the Hes magical array was given by Lei En, and that Lei En had saved Otiluk's life; despite differing stances, he still felt favor toward Lei En, revering his great power, and even as a Grand Mage, he remained very cautious.

"Congratulations, Master," Lei En replied with a smile.

Their exchange drew Tim*Kenan's attention, and he shot a stern glance, displeased with Ma Youfu's humble posture.

Ma Youfu promptly sat upright, saying nothing.

Tim*Kenan continued, "The next agenda is to determine Ma Youfu's ducal title and assign a domain…"

"GreyEagle, hold on," Anxiwodasi abruptly interrupted him.

"What?"

Tim*Kenan was very displeased; the Supreme Council's members confer ducal titles and lands as standard procedure. The Balance faction barely added a Grand Mage, and he had already chosen a domain for Ma Youfu, intending to develop it carefully and build another floating city.

Could Anxiwodasi, seeing Mo Du's decline, be willing to break the rules?

"Anxiwodasi, what do you mean?" Tim*Kenan's eyes flashed with danger; if Anxiwodasi truly opposed, it would be a blatant challenge.

"GreyEagle, I'm not targeting you," Anxiwodasi stood, his gaze sweeping the Holy Soul Wizards on both sides of the bronze table, smiling, "In fact I also have an announcement: my student, Oxi Liya, has also been promoted to Grand Mage."

Instantly, Tim*Kenan's expression froze.

(End of chapter)