Chapter 1038: Anxiwodasi's Ascension Technique

New Era Calendar year 2545, month 8, He Palace.

In the summer afternoon, a cool breeze drifted through the Consul's residence garden; in the exquisite pavilion, Lei En and Luo Jue sat across from each other, each holding a handful of cards, their faces focused as they played card after card in turn.

As the game progressed, Luo Jue's expression grew increasingly solemn.

Zuo Ertan sat beside them, watching.

He occasionally turned his head to glance at Lei En's cards, then at Luo Jue, his face showing words unsaid, looking rather anxious.

"Sorry."

Lei En played a card and laughed, "I win again, Master Luo Jue."

"Fine, you won," the legendary Demonkin with a head of white hair yet a youthful face admitted helplessly.

"Ah!"

Zuo Ertan lamented, finally able to speak, "Luo Jue, you shouldn't have played that earlier card; there might have been a chance to win…"

Luo Jue tossed the remaining cards onto the table, somewhat disheartened, "Useless; not playing is still a loss."

His greatest hobby in life is playing cards.

Since two years ago, after accepting Viola's invitation under her crown, entering He Palace, and serving as the sword instructor for Lei En's son Ao Ke Ta Wei Si, he often had chances to spar with Lei En.

At first the two were evenly matched, but gradually Luo Jue lost more than he won.

By this year, he could hardly win a single game against Lei En. Zuo Ertan, hearing this, traveled far from Rongyanbao to Nuosiruier to advise him, and after the game they reviewed together, yet the situation remained unchanged.

He kept losing, kept losing.

Luo Jue has been on a losing streak all month, even growing weary of card games, contemplating never playing again.

"Another round?" Lei En asked with a smile.

"No," Luo Jue put away his cards, shook his head, "Let's stop here for today." He turned his gaze outside the pavilion, where a short yet very agile figure practiced on the garden clearing, brandishing a silver longsword repeatedly, seemingly tireless.

Luo Jue stared for a while, praising, "Recently Ao Ke Ta Wei Si's progress is huge; at only five, he's already brought the Empire's military swordsmanship to the top, surpassing many senior demon swordsmen."

"It's thanks to your teaching," Lei En said, also watching his son.

"I wouldn't take credit," Luo Jue said calmly, "Ao Ke Ta Wei Si's talent is exceptional; he's born to practice swordsmanship, and any teacher would do no harm."

He had never seen a child with such talent.

He is innately clever, picking up anything on the first try without needing a second lesson; diligent and hardworking, the training he undertakes on his own shows no cheating, even quietly exceeding expectations; despite his young age, he is exceedingly courteous, respects teachers, and conducts himself with decorum, endearing himself to others.

Ao Ke Ta Wei Si will surely become a great talent in the future!

Luo Jue recalled Lei En of those days.

Each time he taught Ao Ke Ta Wei Si, he couldn't help but wonder, if he had decided back then to have Lei En become his disciple, making Lei En a Demonkin, what would he be like now?

Perhaps Lei En wouldn't become Consul nor have his current authority, but his strength would not be far behind.

A Demonkin could also become the first Saint Rank powerhouse!

Now Lei En is a Holy Soul Wizard, while he only just broke through his bottleneck last year, reaching sixteen-level Demonkin, advancing to Legendary High-rank, still far from Saint Rank.

Having missed Lei En back then, perhaps his son could make up for the regret…

The Soul Eye saw Luo Jue's emotional shift; Lei En guessed his thoughts and smiled inwardly.

Ao Ke Ta Wei Si is a divine son; his talent could not be lacking.

Nevertheless Luo Jue's words were modest; even with great talent, a good teacher is needed. If Ao Ke Ta Wei Si were taught by him instead, it wouldn't be any better than now.

Luo Jue added, "The Empire's military swordsmanship is hard to advance further; I intend to teach Ao Ke Ta Wei Si the 'White Wolf Swordsmanship.' Lei En, what do you think?"

"You're his teacher; decide as you wish," Lei En sensed Luo Jue's request; swordsmanship was fine, but regarding the choice of transcendent profession, he shouldn't be swayed, so he said softly, "Master Luo Jue, Ao Ke Ta Wei Si will hold his first Soul Transformation ceremony next year."

After the first Soul Transformation, a transcendent profession must be chosen.

"So soon!"

Luo Jue and Zuo Ertan were shocked; Ao Ke Ta Wei Si will be only six next year, and at such a young age could become a transcendent?

Normally, a common person undergoes their first Soul Transformation between fifteen and twenty.

"Lei En, if Ao Ke Ta Wei Si becomes transcendent so early, could it affect his physical development?" Luo Jue asked, somewhat worried.

"No need to worry; I've arranged it," Lei En showed a confident smile, saying, "Ao Ke Ta Wei Si will become a battle wizard, embark on the transcendent path early, and study magical knowledge. It will only benefit him, never harm him."

"Then that's good," Luo Jue sighed inwardly.

In truth he also understood that as Lei En's heir, Ao Ke Ta Wei Si must follow his father's path to become a battle master, not a despised Demonkin.

Regarding the choice of transcendent profession, Ao Ke Ta Wei Si has no say.

"Come, come, come..."

Zuo Ertan, uninterested in these matters, shifted his seat, pulled out his cards and shouted, "Lei En, I'll play you; today I must win a game against you!"

He had been at He Palace for months and had never beaten Lei En even once.

Nevertheless, despite repeated defeats and relentless attempts, he never felt discouraged, swearing he would not return to Rongyanbao until he beats Lei En.

"Come on."

Lei En gladly accepted the challenge.

A moment later, having won three consecutive games against Zuo Ertan and about to start the fourth, he suddenly stood and said, "Zuo Ertan, I have something to attend to; let's play tomorrow."

Zuo Ertan was still eager, but also knew Lei En's current duties as Consul of the Empire kept him busy, making it impossible to spend all day playing cards.

After Lei En left, he grabbed Luo Jue to continue playing.

Lei En's spirit leapt to his own room, summoned a clone, activated a phase beacon, and instantly teleported to Fu Kong Cheng in Weizelan, entering the central Weizelan Tower, his spirit then leapt into a spacious hall beneath the tower.

On the hall's floor lay a massive rune array.

It was the Hes Magic Array!

Anxiwodasi stood outside the array, eyes fixed on Luo Ning seated within, observing Luo Ni's aura fluctuations while recording the array's operation.

His clone Bu Lei Si assisted nearby.

"Teacher."

Lei En stepped forward and greeted.

Anxiwodasi gave a slight nod, said nothing, and kept watching the rune array.

A few minutes later, Roni opened his eyes in the center of the array, his face brimming with uncontrollable excitement, and exclaimed, "Fantastic! GrandSpeaker, this rune array can actually assist me in merging Law Seals; the difficulty has dropped by more than half, and the merging speed is faster!"

He has already merged two Law Seals of the Nine-ring Technique; merging a third will let him ascend to Holy Soul Wizard.

This array not only saves a great deal of time, but also greatly raises the success rate!

How could Roni not be excited?

Anxiwodasi also smiled, then looked at Lei En and said joyfully, "Lei En, we succeeded; the rune array has been fully modified."

"Congratulations, Master!" Lei En said with a smile.

Roni only now noticed Lei En's arrival and stepped forward to greet him.

Anxiwodasi halted the rune array, his chest swelling with achievement, his snow‑white beard trembling lightly, and shouted, "After this modification, the rune array not only serves Wizards and assists merging Law Seals, but also boosts the success rate of merging magic souls, breaks through the Soul Transformation bottleneck, stabilizes soul structures, reduces conflicts; any human, regardless of extraordinary profession, can wield tremendous effect!"

Roni listened, his eyes wide in amazement.

If GrandSpeaker's words are true, then all extraordinary beings will benefit.

On humanity's extraordinary path, the two toughest hurdles are ascending to Legendary Peak and ascending to Saint Rank; each hurdle is like a thousand troops crossing a single‑plank bridge.

If the difficulty of these two hurdles drops, the numbers reaching Legendary Peak and Saint Rank will increase dramatically!

Humanity's overall strength will surge!

Roni, usually steady and unflappable, at this moment was overwhelmed by the colossal surprise, his voice trembling, "GrandSpeaker! Your magnificent magical invention will change the world, rewrite history; its importance is in no way less than the Iola Core!"

Anxiwodasi, however, calmed and shook his head, "It is not my invention."

"Huh?" Roni didn't understand.

Until today, he hadn't known what magical knowledge GrandSpeaker had been researching these years, until he was summoned to take part in the rune array test.

"This was fashioned from a modified Hes Magic Array," Anxiwodasi said, pointing at the rune array on the ground.

"Hes Magic Array!"

Roni was shocked, then a realization dawned; he had heard of this famed magic array, the elves' supreme secret, and praised, "Successfully modifying the Hes Magic Array alone showcases GrandSpeaker's wisdom."

"Hehe…"

"The Hes Magic Array was delivered by Lei En; I have studied it for years and finally did not waste my effort." Anxiwodasi said proudly, habitually stroking his beard, his gaze pausing on Lei En, and admonished, "Roni, the Hes Magic Array is of great significance; you must keep it confidential for now."

"Yes, GrandSpeaker." Roni looked at the rune array, his eyes flashing.

Anxiwodasi smiled, "Don't worry, Weizelan will supply you and Kaidejia with materials, helping you quickly ascend to Holy Soul Wizard."

Aoxiliya entered the Supreme Council and also joined the Weizelan Council, expanding it to seven members.

Now the Weizelan Council has two Holy Soul Wizards and one Grand Mage.

The other four: Roni and Kaidejia are level‑19 Wizards, at Legendary Peak, striving for Holy Soul Wizard; Kelaoaosi is a red dragon and cannot use the Hes Magic Array; Dalandon is just at level‑18, still far from level‑19.

Having successfully modified the rune array, Anxiwodasi naturally prioritized his own people; with Roni and Kaidejia's talent and the Hes Magic Array, they will surely ascend to Holy Soul Wizard within ten years.

Four Holy Soul Wizards plus one Grand Mage.

Then, Weizelan's influence will reach a terrifying height!

Roni also foresaw the possible future, inhaled deeply, and solemnly said, "Thank you, GrandSpeaker, for your cultivation; I will follow you for life, contributing all my strength for Weizelan's floating city and for the Mo Du sect."

Anxiwodasi nodded with satisfaction.

At this point, Lei En suggested, "Master, the name Hes Magic Array is unsuitable for public use, lest the elves cause trouble; please rename it."

Roni agreed, "Lei En is right."

Anxiwodasi glanced at the silent Breis beside him and declined, "Lei En, you also contributed much to the Hes Magic Array modification, and you delivered it; let you name it."

Because Roni was present, Anxiwodasi didn't say everything clearly.

In fact, he knew that the real driving force behind the Hes Magic Array modification these years was Breis, namely Lei En. He merely set the general direction, often offering an idea or approach, and Breis could promptly give a precise answer, as if after countless tests, almost never erring.

It was precisely this miraculous ability that boosted research efficiency by over a hundredfold, and through repeated trial‑and‑error, they finally charted the correct path.

One by one, the difficult problems were solved.

By today, the Hes Magic Array modification was complete, and Breis claimed over seventy percent of the credit.

Lei En saw at a glance the teacher's inner conflict and couldn't help but chuckle softly.

The teacher yearned to immortalize the Hes Magic Array in history, to join the ranks of the greatest Wizards alongside Augulevi Master, yet could not bring himself to concede any credit, claiming it all as his own.

"Alright."

Lei En agreed.

Anxiwodasi instantly regretted, yet felt awkward retracting his words; hearing Lei En say, "Master, I have two ideas: the first is 'Anxiwodasi Ascension Technique', the second is 'Weizelan Ascension Technique'; I prefer the first. What do you think, Master?"

The old Wizard paused, understanding Lei En's sincere intention, but still wore a modest expression, "Then I'll follow your suggestion and choose the first."

"Anxiwodasi Ascension Technique!" Lei En nodded, "Congratulations, Master."

Roni shouted, "Congratulations, GrandSpeaker!"

Anxiwodasi stroked his beard, his joy and satisfaction beyond words, smiling fully, "Alright, we can congratulate once the rune array is officially announced. Roni, you go back first; Lei En, follow me."

Roni left at the sound of his name.

Lei En followed the teacher, teleporting to the top floor of Weizelan's high tower; Anxiwodasi glanced at the trailing Breis and whispered, "GreyEagle's recent actions, you know them, right?"

"Heard of it." Lei En nodded.

This year is his final year as Consul.

By tradition, the incumbent Consul must, between early May and late August, convene the Empire's council members at the Temple of Truth, establish a campaign committee, and arrange the next Consul's election matters, including registration, agenda, voting time, and so on; this is the incumbent Consul's duty.

Only a few days of August remain, yet the campaign committee is still unformed; the entire Empire watches the movements of the Consul's Palace.

Lei En plans to convene the Empire's council on the last day of August.

However, at this Empire council he will face opposition; GreyEagle Duke Tim*Kenan, for months has repeatedly summoned members of the Balance and Naiser factions, preparing to raise a motion, to legislate that Holy Soul Wizards may not serve as Consul!

After the proposal passes the Empire council, it will be submitted to the Supreme Council for a vote.

If it had been earlier, this proposal would inevitably have been rejected by the Mo Du Holy Soul Wizards, but not long ago the situation changed.

Naisè Fu Kong Cheng's Elder Ke Luo Nuo Man Se was promoted to Holy Soul Wizard three months ago.

Ke Luo Nuo Man Se was ennobled as the Red Crystal Duke and took over Naisè Fu Kong Cheng from the Supervisory Group, becoming the lord of the floating city—a literal leap to the heavens. At that time, before Lei En entered the Supreme Council, the three factions had agreed that a Naisè elder could inherit Naisè Fu Kong Cheng, a result acceptable to all parties.

Only they hadn't expected it to happen so quickly.

The crucial point is that Ke Luo Nuo Man Se's entry into the Supreme Council gave the Naisè faction an extra vote; allied with the Balance faction, they now have eight votes, exactly matching the Mo Du faction.

From then on, the Mo Du faction lost absolute control over the Supreme Council.

This gave GreyEagle Duke the opportunity, so he seized the chance to propose legislation that would prevent Lei En from being re‑elected as Consul, further weakening the Mo Du faction's power.

When the Supreme Council reaches a tie, a second vote must be held.

It takes three tied votes before the decision is voided.

In any of the three votes, if even one Mo Du member defects or abstains, the proposal passes.

Anxiwodasi cannot guarantee that his allies won't be swayed by Tim*Kenan; he cannot understand why Lei En refuses to let Reslin enter the Supreme Council, because that would let the Mo Du faction regain the initiative, and no amount of Tim*Kenan's meddling would help.

He glanced at Bureisu beside him and said, "If you don't want Reslin exposed, you could let Bureisu join the Supreme Council. I know he is also a Grand Mage."

"No need, it's meaningless," Lei En declined.

"What are you really thinking?" Anxiwodasi asked, puzzled, "Don't tell me you've already abandoned the plan to become emperor."

Lei En smiled, "Of course not; everything is under my control."

Anxiwodasi was silent for a few seconds, vaguely guessing why Lei En didn't care about Tim*Kenan's proposal, and finally couldn't help asking, "When do you plan to act?"

"Ten…"

Lei En uttered a word and paused.

"What?" Anxiwodasi was bewildered, "October?"

Lei En continued, "Nine, eight, seven…"

Anxiwodasi froze for a moment, then realized Lei En was counting down, leapt from his chair and shouted, "What are you doing?"

"Hahaha…"

Lei En stopped counting, "Teacher, don't get excited; I was only joking with you."

"I'm just an old bone; I can't endure jokes like this," Anxiwodasi gasped, genuinely frightened. He knows exactly how terrifying Lei En's power is; from the Iola Core he created, one can infer that Lei En possesses at least four Star Destroyers!

Once Lei En truly acts, it will be a thunderous strike.

In the end there are only two outcomes: either the Empire's people suffer an unprecedented catastrophe, or the Empire ushers in an entirely new era!

(End of Chapter)