Chapter 1009: Empire Tremors

After the resolution passed, the Supreme Council did not adjourn; it then proceeded to negotiate the dukedoms for the two Grand Mages.

Because the titles are nominal, there was no need to argue over the choice, size, or borders of the lands, so the result was settled quickly and reported to the God of Magic for approval.

The Empire has no emperor; only the God of Magic can confer the dukedom.

The procedure is symbolic.

The deity statue in the Supreme Palace trembled slightly, and VijesCui's voice rang in everyone's mind, announcing the conferral of the Duke of White Raven on Ma Youfu and the Duke of Azure Rainbow on Ao Xi Li Ya, and personally congratulating the two Grand Mages.

Both were meeting a deity for the first time, and they rose excitedly to give thanks.

The Holy Soul Wizards also hurriedly offered congratulations again.

Lei En muttered to himself that the God of Magic's titles were too casual, still following the color‑plus‑something naming convention. Ao Xi Li Ya's "Duke of Azure Rainbow" was acceptable, fitting her traits, but the Duke of White Raven lacked any gravitas.

Are there white crows in the world?

As the Supreme Council gains more members, each will need a dukedom title; what will we do when the colors run out?

"Adjourn."

Tim*Kenan, as the initiator of this meeting, now wants to waste not a single minute; after the goddess's conferral, he immediately ended the projection.

Kai Ersi Tong's projection also faded slowly.

"Everyone."

Lei En suddenly spoke, calling back the Holy Soul Wizards who were about to leave.

He said casually, "The Treasury will open applications for special funds tomorrow, and the first batch will be disbursed within three days. I know some colleagues are short on cash; fifty million golden shields aren't enough to build a floating city, and they also lack manpower…"

A few under‑resourced Holy Soul Wizards' eyes lit up.

Tim*Kenan and Kai Ersi Tong, who were leaving, also halted.

"Each additional floating city adds to the Empire's strength," Lei En said with a smile. "Therefore, in my personal capacity, I am opening loans, floating‑city design services, Iola Core subcontracting, construction teams, building‑material sales, and all related businesses, guaranteeing quality and speed, and offering the most generous low‑interest incentives. You are all welcome to consult me."

The Holy Soul Wizards stared dumbfounded.

They had never imagined in their lifetimes that anyone would lend to Holy Soul Wizards, let alone subcontract Iola Cores and floating cities…

It's sheer fantasy!

Yet, coming from Lei En's mouth, the words sounded surprisingly credible.

Who in the Empire doesn't know Lei En is the world's richest man, his wealth measured in billions, owning the eastern coast of the New Continent; just to build the Magic Torch Tower, he produced four Iola Cores, and the entire dwarf race is his vassal.

For years there have been rumors that Lei En has built several uniquely designed floating cities, yet none have ever been publicly unveiled.

A few Holy Soul Wizards eager to build floating cities were instantly intrigued.

"Hmph."

Tim*Kenan let out a cold hum, his complexion growing even sicker, and the projection vanished completely. Kai Ersi Tong, expressionless, also exited the Supreme Palace.

Prophet Medif asked urgently, "Lei En, are you in He Palace right now?"

Lei En nodded, "Yes."

"Good, I'm coming right away."

Medif's projection vanished in a hurry, and Ouroin Master and Sabbath Dean also indicated they would soon visit He Palace.

Howai Master clearly had intentions as well, but ultimately remained silent.

"I have some idle money; the wizards of A Ge La Long's floating city are currently free, and Ho Ha Wen is resource‑rich. With money, it's enough to build two or three floating cities. Anyone interested can come find me at Zhu Bile Mountain City; everything is negotiable."

Storm Queen suddenly interjected with a playful step, smiling brightly, "Lei En, you wouldn't mind, would you?"

Bastard!

Lei En cursed inwardly, yet his face remained smiling, "Your Majesty, the Queen, is willing to aid the Empire; that's a good thing. How could I possibly mind?"

"Truly worthy of the Empire's Consul, devoted entirely to the Empire," Storm Queen praised.

Lei En felt a bit helpless.

He lends money to Holy Soul Wizards to become their creditor.

At the same time, the Holy Soul Wizards' floating cities must rely on his construction; before they're completed, they would never dare turn against him.

He can also profit in the process—a win‑win.

Storm Queen's sudden appearance now was directly opposing him; she clearly had no other intention than to snatch the business.

Sure enough, Howai Master's mind shifted upon hearing Storm Queen's words.

All seven sisters were raised by Howai Master, so their relationship is naturally close; if they could borrow money from Storm Queen to help build floating cities, Howai Master would certainly favor her. Moreover, the wife of the Heistav City Lord, Leia*Aorosan, is also one of the seven sisters.

This couple controls Thus: Thus: Shengangcheng and the entire Tuerde Trade City‑state, extremely wealthy, and can easily lend tens of millions of golden shields.

Howai Master is my biggest target client!

Ouroin Master, Prophet Medif, and Sabbath Dean, these three were originally members of the Mo Du faction, so no need to win them over—they're already allies.

Even if I later need to overthrow the Supreme Council, they might still support me.

"Inadequate in success, abundant in failure!"

"Among the seven sisters, only Kuilu is not merely clever," Lei En glanced at Storm Queen, ignored her flattery, and exited the projection room directly.

Chief of Staff Frank, accompanied by He Palace officials, sat outside the projection room; they were responsible for the meeting minutes and watched the entire Supreme Council session.

When Lei En emerged, everyone rose with a rustle, their faces filled with deep reverence.

"Consul Sir."

The officials called out respectfully.

Lei En, while walking back to the adjacent office, ordered, "Compile today's meeting minutes into a document, detail the resolutions passed, let me review it, then circulate it to all the Empire's provinces and cities."

"Understood!" they replied, taking the order.

Soon, the document was produced.

The document clearly listed the Supreme Council's series of resolutions: adding two new members, ceasing to confer dukedom lands, the Consul and Grand Sage relinquishing their dukedom holdings, the Seien Plateau soon being annexed into the Empire's territory, the Supreme Council's special funds, and so on.

It also reflected that these resolutions were led by the Consul.

Lei En finished signing and immediately handed it to his subordinate to send out.

That day, the entire Empire was in an uproar!

Any single piece of news in the document would normally be a major event, but today they all occurred at once; when the contents spread, from senators and nobles, legendary wizards, down to common farmer peasants, the Empire's hundreds of millions of people were left dizzy and stunned by the news.

Shock, excitement, numbness, elation…

The reactions varied in countless ways.

Wherever one went, the heated discussions could be heard.

"Didn't we hear yesterday that Master Ma Youfu was promoted? How did it become two people? I had never heard of Ms. Ao Xiliya before."

"Yeah…"

"I've actually heard of her; she's a student of Master Anxi, said to be a rare great beauty in the world, but her low-key personality kept her from fame."

"Now the whole Empire knows Ms. Ao Xiliya."

"She isn't even Speaker Weizelan, yet she entered the Supreme Council directly," a wizard of Fu Kong Cheng, Weizelan whispered, "I heard Speaker Dalandeng wants to step down from his speaker seat and give it to Ms. Ao Xiliya."

"Only Duke Qinghong would look down on a mere Speaker Weizelan."

"Alas… Duke Qinghong!"

"When will I be able to enter the Supreme Council and be granted a ducal title?"

"Today's dukes aren't like the old ones! No fiefs, just empty titles; while that's good for the Empire, for those legendary wizards aspiring to the Supreme Council, it crushes their drive—a bad sign."

"If the Empire gave me fifty million Gold Shields, I'd be willing to give up my fief."

"Dream on!"

"Consul, you are too impressive; you actually got this proposal passed."

"The Consul set an example, relinquishing Duke Ousian's fief, even annexing his private land, Sein Plateau, into the Empire, expanding the Empire's territory by a third. With such a contribution, even reluctant Holy Soul Wizards must support him."

"Indeed…"

"The Consul's term is just past the halfway point, and the Empire's national strength has risen a notch; we see daily changes in our lives, and life is better than before."

"Hope Lei En can serve several more terms as Consul, preferably a full four terms!"

"There has never been a greater Consul in Empire history than him."

"Yet no Consul wields more power; he even dominates the Supreme Council, and Holy Soul Wizards must obey the Consul! If he serves four consecutive terms, will the Supreme Council even be necessary then?"

Then a silence fell.

Occasionally someone mustered the courage to continue, "I don't care whether the Consul holds power or the Supreme Council governs the Empire; it doesn't affect me. Whoever can give me a better life and earn me more money, I will support."

"Without the Consul's governance development, I wouldn't have my achievements today."

"You all say, has the Consul ever thought of becoming emperor…"

"Silence!"

As the discussion deepened, people inevitably touched on this, then dared not say more.

Similar discussions occurred throughout the Empire.

What many didn't know was that their remarks reached the Consul's ears directly.

Lei En hasn't established an intelligence department loyal solely to himself, but he places great importance on information—enemy conditions, subordinate actions, public sentiment—he wants first‑hand data on all of them.

The Supreme Council would never permit the Consul to set up such an organization, yet it doesn't stop him.

In the past year, Lei En created over two thousand Thundercast Celestial Soldiers; they disguised themselves in various identities and spread across the Empire's major cities. Provincial capitals, economic hubs, Fu Kong Cheng, magical academies, churches, Empire ministries, extraordinary legions, and noble factions all harbored varying numbers of Thundercast Celestial Soldiers, forming a massive intelligence network.

More Thundercast Celestial Soldiers will join in the future.

Lei En plans to let a portion of the Thundercast Celestial Soldiers develop sub‑networks, extending their reach to the Empire's grassroots; any important locale within the Empire, towns with populations over fifty thousand, must have their own eyes and ears, and any slight stir must be reported instantly.

The Voice of All Things and the All-Seeing Eye make each Thundercast Celestial Soldier like an all‑weather radar.

One Thundercast Celestial Soldier can monitor a vast area, continuously gathering information, filtering it, and forwarding the summary to Lei En's core.

Lei En sat in his office and listened for a moment.

The Empire's people's reactions were overall as Lei En expected; through this reform, his supporter count and personal prestige surged to unprecedented heights, his peak far surpassing any previous Consul.

But he is still some way from being able to claim the throne; the resistance is too great.

"Wait a bit longer."

"When the Empire's strength rises another notch, producing even more dazzling achievements, people will become accustomed to my rule, the Supreme Council's presence will wane, and the new generation of citizens educated by Empire schools will mature; then the timing should be ripe."

Lei En is very patient about this.

His attention returned to the present as Prophet Medif, amid the reverent gazes of He Palace officials and Rick Guard, walked into the Consul's office.

"Your Excellency, Prophet," Lei En rose to welcome.

Lei En hadn't seen the true form of this Holy Soul Wizard for years; no one knows which hidden plane his tower stands on.

Medif's appearance has not changed a bit since the first meeting at Bruworz Academy years ago.

He is tall and slender, his visage that of a man in his forties; his ordinary face bears narrow eyes and a thick beard covering cheek, upper lip, and chin. He wears a dark robe, a cloak woven from raven feathers draped over his shoulders, a high collar that can be lifted as a hood, and a black‑red cape attached at the back.

His mysterious wizard attire instantly signals that he is a big shot.

"Lei En."

Medif calmly said, "It's been several years."

"Everyone, step out," Lei En waved his hand, ordering his subordinates and guards to leave the office and activating the Soundproof Force Field set up in the room.

Medif's expression instantly turned urgent, completely discarding the prophet's demeanor, and he lowered his voice to ask, "Lei En, can you really help me build Fu Kong Cheng, lend money and people?"

"Of course," Lei En said earnestly, "How much does Your Excellency the Prophet wish to borrow?"

"Fifty million Gold Shields!"

On his way here, Medif had already decided; since he was bold enough to ask, he went straight to the point, saying quickly, "I will fabricate the Iola Core myself, but I lack manpower, and the Fu Kong Cheng lacks all materials, so I hope you can help recruit workers, purchase supplies, and coordinate the entire construction of Fu Kong Cheng. The price is negotiable; with Fu Kong Cheng I will definitely repay you."

After speaking, he looked at Lei En with some apprehension.

"No problem," Lei En agreed almost without hesitation.

Mei Dif was overjoyed, not expecting Lei En to be so easygoing; he rubbed his hands excitedly and said, "Can we finish building the Fu Kong Cheng within twenty years?"

Lei En pretended to consider for a moment.

Mei Dif's heart jumped, and he also thought it was hard, immediately rephrasing, "Finishing it within thirty years is also fine."

"Then let's set it at thirty years," Lei En's eyebrows relaxed.

More than half an hour later.

Lei En saw off the pleased prophet, and barely sat down for a few minutes before Sabbath Dean arrived. Sabbath Dean only borrows money; the entire Bruworz Academy's teachers and students are his backing, so he can build the Fu Kong Cheng himself without borrowing people from Lei En.

The Iola Core and the Fu Kong Cheng's outer shell must be built simultaneously for maximum efficiency.

So the startup capital must be at least seventy million, perhaps more, and the special fund will take forty years to fully raise; the twenty‑million Gold Shield shortfall is the amount Sabbath Dean wishes to borrow.

Lei En essentially lent it to him as an interest‑free loan.

That night.

Ouroin Master visited in secret, and he also obtained from Lei En the things he wanted—funds and manpower. Ouroin Master fully trusted Lei En, even commissioning Lei En to fabricate the Iola Core, and chose the New Continent as the construction site for the Fu Kong Cheng.

Lei En did not want to betray that trust; not only did he grant the most generous discount, but he also resolved in secret to build a Fu Kong Cheng that fully met Ouroin Master's expectations.

After waiting a few days, Howai Master did not come to visit.

Not until over a month later did Lei En's intelligence network notice changes in Zhu Bile Mountain City; Storm Queen covertly mobilized massive resources, sending them into the mountains west of Huo Ha Wen Principality, and the wizard of the A Ge La Long Fu Kong Cheng also appeared frequently.

There, that is Howai Master's hermitage, Shadow Valley!

Howai Master's choice was obvious.

Lei En had long anticipated this news, so he was unsurprised and had no time to dwell on it; what occupied his mind now was another, more important matter.

Viola is about to give birth!

(End of chapter)