Chapter 1007: Abolishing the Feudal System

In the Supreme Palace, the sound of a falling needle could be heard.

"Ao Xi Li Ya?"

"Who is this person? Why is this a Grand Mage again, not a Holy Soul Wizard?"

The Holy Soul Wizards on both sides of the bronze long table wore expressive faces, while the members of the Mo Du faction had received word in advance, so they remained calm.

The seven from the Naisè faction and the Balance faction were greatly shocked.

Kai Si Er Si, Ma Youfu and others immediately looked at the GreyEagle Duke seated at the head, and Tim*Kenan's smile gradually faded.

He stared intently at Anxiwodasi and said in a deep voice, "Anxiwodasi, you aren't joking, are you?"

Anxiwodasi laughed, then waved a hand; a tall figure materialized beside him, the projection becoming clearer. The Holy Soul Wizards' eyes lit up—it was a stunningly beautiful witch, though her demeanor was slightly aloof, as if keeping others at a distance.

"Ao Xi Li Ya has seen you all," the Rainbow Dragon bowed and then fell silent.

She was far more composed than Ma Youfu had been earlier.

The Holy Soul Wizards couldn't help but appraise the striking new member, their eyes full of wonder; she intentionally radiated a powerful magical aura, undeniably a Saint Rank.

"Grand Mage?" GrandSage Kang Jielade asked.

"Yes, GrandSage," Anxiwodasi replied for Ao Xi Li Ya, "Ao Xi Li Ya is not human; her true form is a dragon. When I took her as a student years ago, I deliberately concealed this. Only Lei En and I know this secret; please keep it confidential from now on."

The difference between Holy Soul Wizards and Grand Mages might be hidden from others, but the Supreme Council will eventually find out.

Therefore, Lei En and the teacher discussed and decided to reveal themselves.

However, they would only disclose the dragon identity; Ao Xi Li Ya's status as a Rainbow Dragon would remain secret.

Upon hearing she was a dragon, the Holy Soul Wizards grew even more curious. Tim*Kenan snorted, "A dragon joining the Supreme Council—doesn't seem appropriate, does it?"

"Elves can join; why can't a dragon?" Anxiwodasi retorted immediately.

Tim*Kenan said in a low voice, "It's different."

"Different how?"

Anxiwodasi replied swiftly, "Regarding origin, both dragons and elves are intelligent races; regarding lineage, over thirty years ago when Ao Xi Li Ya was a juvenile dragon, I took her as a student, making her a member of Weizelan—the Supreme Council can send investigators to Weizelan; regarding faith, Ao Xi Li Ya is a devout follower of the God of Magic and has walked far on the path of truth."

"Ma Youfu is a Grand Mage, and Ao Xi Li Ya is also a Grand Mage."

"GreyEagle..." Anxiwodasi glared at Tim*Kenan, shouting, "Since Ma Youfu can join the Supreme Council, then Ao Xi Li Ya can too!"

Tim*Kenan opened his mouth, but could not utter any objection.

He was left speechless.

The other two members of the Balance faction, Howai Master and Ma Youfu, could not refute, especially Ma Youfu, who internally agreed with Anxiwodasi's view.

The four from the Naisè faction—PurpleFlameDuke and Black Robe Duke—remained silent; the GrandSage shook his head helplessly. He didn't want Mo Du to dominate alone, but Anxiwodasi's words were irrefutable.

Only Kai Ersitong was unwilling to accept it.

He couldn't help but say, "I had never heard of Ms. Ao Xi Li Ya before, nor that she had reached the Legendary Peak; she suddenly became a Grand Mage. Allowing her into the Supreme Council without verification seems too hasty, doesn't it?"

He paused, then explained, "I'm not doubting Ms. Ao Xi Li Ya's strength; I just wish to be cautious, after all this is merely a projection..."

Projections can mask aura.

"I am in Weizelan; you can send someone to verify, or I can personally witness the Holy Soul Wizards' power," Ao Xi Li Ya responded immediately to the doubt.

There was no trace of fear on her face; instead, a faint anticipation lingered.

Even as she spoke, she stared directly at Kai Ersitong, her bright eyes carrying a hint of provocation.

The Holy Soul Wizards, seeing Ao Xi Li Ya's combative demeanor, knew it couldn't be faked. Anxiwodasi also had no need to let a student masquerade as a Grand Mage; such a lie would be exposed at the slightest poke, bringing no benefit to Mo Du or Weizelan.

Kai Ersitong was only testing; now he has an answer in his heart and cannot afford to lose face.

"Verification is unnecessary then."

Stepping forward was the GrandSage, kindly saying, "A true Grand Mage cannot be faked; I believe Ao Xi Li Ya has already been promoted. The Empire added two Grand Mages in a single day, which is a good thing. Congratulations, Ms. Ao Xi Li Ya!"

"Thank you, GrandSage," Ao Xi Li Ya expressed respect to the highly esteemed GrandSage.

"Alright," Anxiwodasi clapped his hands and said solemnly, "I propose that Ao Xi Li Ya join the Supreme Council; those opposed, please raise your hand."

The Holy Soul Wizards glanced at each other, their gazes fixed on the two giants Tim*Kenan and Kai Ersitong, yet none ultimately raised a hand.

After half a minute, Anxiwodasi immediately announced the proposal passed, and Ao Xi Li Ya became the fifteenth member of the Supreme Council.

"Welcome, Ms. Ao Xi Li Ya."

"Congratulations to you."

The Mo Du Holy Soul Wizards also offered their congratulations.

The other two factions remained silent; Tim*Kenan's complexion turned very grim, his once shining bald head dimmed. He had labored hard to finally elevate Ma Youfu to Grand Mage and into the Supreme Council, only for Mo Du to immediately gain another Grand Mage.

It was originally six votes to seven; now it is seven to eight.

Nothing has changed!

Mo Du still firmly controls the Supreme Council.

This rendered years of effort futile; Tim*Kenan felt a harsh slap to the face, burning hot, feeling like a joke.

The statue of the God of Magic again emitted silver radiance, engraving Ao Xi Li Ya's name on the bronze long table, exactly at the empty seat to Lei En's left.

Ao Xi Li Ya calmly took her seat.

She appeared calm on the surface, but as a soul companion, Lei En sensed her inner excitement; he turned his head and gave a subtle smile to congratulate, and Ao Xi Li Ya returned with an almost imperceptible smile.

Both seats were at the far end of the long table; only the opposite Ma Youfu could see Lei En's expression, instantly sparking some speculation.

Seeing Ao Xi Li Ya receive the God of Magic's approval and sit down, regret was useless; Tim*Kenan quickly composed himself.

The top priority was to confirm Ma Youfu's ducal title and lands, expand Flaniss Floating City's sphere of control, and increase economic returns.

Moreover, they had to act before Ao Xi Li Ya; the Empire's good territories were few.

"Now we should discuss..."

Tim*Kenan began to speak, but was interrupted again.

"Master Kenan, please wait."

This time the interrupter is Lei En; he tapped twice on the bronze long table, then rose directly, gave Tim*Kenan a slight bow to apologize, and said gravely: "As Consul, I hereby submit a proposal to the Supreme Council concerning the Empire's future development."

Tim*Kenan was almost going crazy, suppressing his anger, he said: "If something is so important, can't we wait until the two new members have been granted duke titles and territories?"

"Apologies, Master Tim*Kenan." Lei En ignored his anger, "What I want to say is directly related to duke titles and territories."

At those words, the Holy Soul wizards who were unaware of the details looked at each other in confusion.

Lei En raised his voice: "Have any of you considered that the Supreme Council now has fifteen members, seven of whom hold territories, and the two new members are about to receive duke territories. Combined, these territories account for one quarter of the Empire's total area, and they are the Empire's most vital lands. If we include the influence radii of these territories on surrounding regions, the figure is even larger, nearly half of the Empire."

Tim*Kenan sensed trouble.

Not only him, the other Holy Soul wizards also realized what Lei En was about to say.

"What's wrong with that?" Duke Silverstar asked.

"From each Holy Soul's personal perspective, of course there is no problem, but from the Empire's overall situation, it is highly detrimental." Lei En replied: "For the past millennium, the Empire has been seeking ways to reclaim noble territories and bring them back under direct central administration."

"All previous Consuls have spared no effort in carrying this out, suppressing local nobles, curbing their power and influence, and treating it as their own achievement."

"This is the national policy set by the Supreme Council."

Lei En's gaze swept over the crowd, especially the most senior Holy Soul wizards, and continued: "In other words, this is a resolution passed in the Supreme Council, and you all originally voted in favor."

"Yet the current situation is that the Supreme Council on one hand demands the Consul to reclaim noble territories, while on the other hand it is conferring duke titles and territories."

"Isn't that contradictory?"

He paused, his gaze sharpening, and said in a deep voice: "Or perhaps the true purpose of the policy to reduce noble territories is to reclaim the lands and then grant them to ourselves?"

Those words carried weight; the implication was that the Holy Soul wizards were using their authority for personal gain.

Everyone's expression changed slightly.

In fact, they had all considered this issue and understood it clearly, but as vested interests, no one voiced it plainly. Saying such a thing would offend other Holy Soul wizards, regardless of whether they hold duke titles and lands, none would be pleased.

But Lei En was unafraid and continued:

"I don't know who originally initiated the proposal or who voted in favor; it's enough that you all know the gist. I don't want to dig up meeting records from over a thousand years ago."

"I will state just one fact."

"A thousand years ago, the Empire had 345 noble houses; today only 62 remain. The number of nobles has greatly decreased, yet the total area of all fiefs is larger than it was a millennium ago, almost half larger, merely under new owners."

"After all, a duke's domain can equal the holdings of five counts, twenty viscounts, or fifty barons."

"Why this is so, I need not elaborate."

Lei En's tone softened, "In the future, as the Supreme Council's membership grows, each will be granted a duke title and lands; sooner or later, the Empire will run out of territory…"

"How could that be possible?"

Tim*Kenan couldn't help but retort, "Lei En, don't forget that duke titles and territories are non‑hereditary; after one's death, the land is reclaimed by the Empire."

"Master Tim*Kenan, the times have changed." Lei En looked at him, shook his head and said: "In the past ten years the Supreme Council added three members; I anticipate that in the next ten years at least two more will be added, possibly three or four. Holy Soul wizards live up to two thousand years, and most nobles cannot inherit for that long. Once a duke's territory is granted, it cannot be reclaimed for at least a thousand years."

"So what of it?" Tim*Kenan replied dismissively, "Territories granted to Holy Soul wizards remain part of the Empire's domain; they are not seceded."

"In my view, that is a split!"

Lei En said with lofty righteousness, "Duke territories do not pay taxes to the Empire, possess independent judicial and administrative authority, form their own system, and can harbor hidden populations. Each territory granted away weakens the Empire's overall national power."

"Currently, duke territories are few; everyone obeys the Supreme Council's will, and they can remain unified within the Empire's framework."

"In the future, as Supreme Council members increase, factions will become complex and conflicts endless…"

At this point, Lei En's face bore a hint of mockery.

The Holy Soul wizards' expressions also grew uneasy; since the Supreme Council's founding day, internal factional struggles have never ceased and have intensified.

Lei En continued, "I do not wish to see a day when the Supreme Council, due to irreconcilable contradictions, completely splits and dissolves, and the Empire is consequently divided by the Holy Soul wizards into dozens of large and small duchies and kingdoms."

The Holy Soul wizards fell silent.

Kai Ersitong frowned, "That's merely your imagination; under the goddess's radiant light, the Empire will never disintegrate."

"Foolish." Lei En gave a contemptuous smile.

"Most events cannot be foreseen before they occur, but that does not mean we do nothing. We must look further ahead, not just at immediate gains. I suppose you need no instruction from me on this principle?"

Kai Ersitong's face flushed red then white; each time he faced Lei En in direct confrontation, he could not stay calm, and a few words would inflame him.

Yet Lei En's words held some truth and occupied the moral high ground, constantly claiming they were for the Empire's greater good.

The other Holy Soul wizards wore thoughtful expressions, clearly swayed by Lei En.

Kai Ersitong took a deep breath, suppressing his anger, "Then what do you propose to do?"

He did not believe that if Lei En dared to touch the personal interests of the Holy Soul wizards, even members of the Mo Du faction would not support Lei En.

"Very simple."

Lei En's eyes moved away from Kai Ersitong, scanning each Holy Soul wizard seated on either side of the bronze long table, and he solemnly said, "I propose that, starting today, new members of the Supreme Council may still be granted the duke title, but only as a nominal title, without receiving any territory."

Before he finished speaking, the Supreme Palace erupted in uproar, and a Holy Soul wizard immediately rose to object.

"Quiet!"

Lei En let out a loud laugh.

He slammed his fist onto the bronze long table; with a bang, a huge sound echoed through the Supreme Palace, shaking the entire building.

Even though it was only a projected avatar, Lei En's domineering aura still immobilized everyone.

The Supreme Palace fell silent at once; the Holy Soul wizards stared at Lei En, their faces showing displeasure, yet Lei En showed no fear, and said in a deep voice, "Let me finish speaking."

"New members will no longer be granted territories, but will receive compensation: upon entering the Supreme Council they receive ten million Gold Shield cash, and every ten years thereafter another ten million Gold Shield, for a total of thirty million Gold Shield paid in three installments, all funded by the treasury."

"Holy Soul wizards who have previously relinquished territories may also receive this subsidy."

"Holy Soul wizards who already hold territories may surrender them in exchange for thirty million Gold Shield from the Empire."

"Everyone, please consider this carefully."

After Lei En finished, he looked at the Holy Soul wizards whose reactions varied—some deep in thought, others somewhat stirred—his mouth twitched a barely perceptible smile, and then he sat down.

(End of Chapter)