Chapter 360: Winter Approaches

After spending a pleasant morning, Lei En finally teleported to Fu Kong Cheng.

"Master."

At the top floor of the Weizelan tower, Anxiwodasi, as always, sat behind a desk studying magical lore. He set aside the tome in his hands, gave Lei En a careful look, and, surprised yet accustomed, smiled and said, "You've leveled up again."

"Yes, Master," Lei En nodded.

"In just over a year, from level six to level nine, your speed..." Anxiwodasi stroked his snow‑white beard, his face full of emotion.

If Lei En told him tomorrow that he had already ascended to legendary, he wouldn't be surprised.

"I recall your birthday is at the end of the year, right?" Anxiwodasi suddenly asked. After Lei En confirmed, he calculated silently and said, "If you can ascend to legendary before your birthday, you'll break Kaiersi Tong's record, at least three months ahead of him, becoming the youngest legendary wizard in history."

Lei En hadn't thought about that.

He remembered that the duke dubbed "Human's Number One Prodigy," Hong Shi, Kaiersi Tong*Ka'ersè, became a legendary wizard at twenty‑two.

He is also twenty‑two now, but won't turn a full year until the end of the year.

It's only March now, still far from year‑end.

Lei En is just one step away from legendary; once he prepares the legendary magic soul, breaking Hong Shi's record is highly probable.

But he didn't dwell on it, leisurely sitting at the desk, and said, "Master, I'm just a legendary wizard, not a Holy Soul."

Anxiwodasi was amused by his relaxed tone.

Yet he sensed the implication: his student had lofty goals, not taking the legendary realm seriously, as if it were merely a threshold easily crossed.

"I look forward to the day you ascend to Holy Soul; I believe it's not far off," Anxiwodasi said with deep encouragement.

His eyes were quite expectant, wondering what surprise this prodigious student might deliver.

Lei En said no more about it.

He then briefly recounted his journey to the Saien Plateau to the Master.

Even though Anxiwodasi didn't ask, Lei En always voluntarily mentioned his circumstances after each outing; it was trust between teacher and student, also building rapport.

Anxiwodasi was happy to listen.

He has many students, but Lei En is the most special.

While other students are still buried in Fu Kong Cheng studying and strengthening themselves, Lei En has already accomplished many astonishing deeds outside.

Whether for Anxiwodasi himself or for Fu Kong Cheng, Lei En will be a great asset in the future.

One could even say Lei En's contributions to Fu Kong Cheng far exceed the benefits of his status as a Holy Soul Wizard student.

Having finished the matter, Anxiwodasi began teaching Lei En.

Today's focus was the method of ascending to legendary.

Drawing on his experience as a Holy Soul Wizard, he gave Lei En the most detailed guidance and many key points of the ascension process.

Even though Lei En had already done his homework, after hearing the Master's explanation he still felt greatly benefited.

This gave him a stronger grasp on ascending to legendary.

"Alright, that's all for this lesson," Anxiwodasi said after lecturing for a full two hours, feeling he had said everything, and signaled the end of class.

"Thank you, Master."

Lei En did not stand, but suddenly said, "Master, I have a very important matter concerning Fu Kong Cheng's debt issue."

"Debt..." At the mention of those words, the Holy Soul Wizard furrowed his brow.

Lei En chuckled softly, "Master, you should know that last year I hired the Dragonstone Mercenary Corps to patrol the territory. Their commander, Aimilisi, comes from Kangjiatuo; her true identity is actually a member of the Zhuogengbao family, a dragon‑born."

Anxiwodasi sounded surprised, "Are there still members of the Zhuogengbao family alive?"

As a Holy Soul Wizard, one of the most learned people in the world, even though Kangjiatuo lies thousands of miles away, he was familiar with dragon‑born families.

"Yes, Aimilisi is indeed a dragon‑born apostle, and for years has been scheming to restore her nation..." Lei En described Aimilisi's situation in detail, emphasizing her request to Weizelan, limiting the war to mortals, excluding deities, and the price she was willing to pay.

When Anxiwodasi heard the latter part, he could no longer sit still.

"Thirty million Gold Shields!"

"Lei En, can you be sure she can produce that sum?"

The Holy Soul Wizard's tone was somewhat urgent, even bordering on a loss of composure, showing how much pressure the one‑hundred‑million Gold Shield debt placed on him.

Thirty million Gold Shields would not only solve the immediate crisis and give Weizelan Fu Kong Cheng a breather, but war is the best means of raising funds, offering many opportunities during and after the conflict.

Perhaps, relying on this restoration war, there will be hope to see Fu Kong Cheng clear all its debts.

"Master, Aimilisi has that wealth," Lei En nodded confidently; without the Soul Eye, he wouldn't dare guarantee it.

In fact, even if Aimilisi couldn't produce thirty million Gold Shields immediately, it wouldn't have a major impact. The Kangjiatuo kingdom's territory is sizable, roughly a quarter of the Empire or seven to eight provinces; after Aimilisi ascended the throne, gathering that sum within a few years wouldn't be hard.

Give Aimilisi ten more chances, and she still wouldn't dare default.

Otherwise, Weizelan Fu Kong Cheng would appear over the sky of Jin Silan, the Kangjiatuo capital, the next day.

Anxiwodasi slowly nodded, a thoughtful expression on his face.

A few minutes later, he said, "I must speak face‑to‑face with that dragon‑born." With that, he waved his hand and opened a portal; opposite was Lei En's castle chamber, almost adjacent to Aimilisi.

Aimilisi startled, but upon seeing Lei En, she felt at ease and stepped out.

"Lei En..." she called, then turned and saw Anxiwodasi, instantly recognizing him as one of the Empire's three great leaders, Master Anxiwodasi, the supreme leader of Weizelan, and became very nervous, barely maintaining composure, bowing and respectfully saying, "Aimilisi*Zhuogengbao has met Master Anxiwodasi."

"Hmm, no need to be formal," Anxiwodasi smiled kindly.

His gaze swept between Lei En and Aimilisi, immediately noticing something yet not exposing it, finally settling on Aimilisi, observing her twice, and nodding, "Indeed, a dragon‑born apostle, a member of the Zhuogengbao family."

Aimilisi instantly realized that Lei En had already told the Holy Soul Wizard about her affairs.

Her mood grew uneasy again, as if awaiting final judgment.

Unexpectedly, Anxiwodasi asked few questions, only made casual small talk before opening a portal and letting Aimilisi depart.

Before entering the portal, she looked back at Lei En, her eyes full of unease.

"Master?" Lei En asked.

"Her dragon‑born status should be fine, but I will send people to the Barshi Sea Nation to investigate her background. If it can be verified and the possibility of a conspiracy ruled out, I will, in principle, approve her request to let Weizelan Wizards join the restoration war," Anxiwodasi said cautiously, making his decision.

The Barshi Sea Nation is a duchy on the Empire's northeastern coast, racially mixed, loosely governed, long nicknamed the "Nation of Mercenaries," and most people worship the Lord of Storms.

Ships sailing from the Empire to Kangjiatuo and the Old Continent all stop at Barshi's capital city, Haitok.

After escaping from Kangjiatuo, Ai Mi Li Si grew up in Haitok; most of her subordinates are also gathered there, operating under the cover of a mercenary corps.

She had said this last night; the Soul Eye can verify that everything is true.

Lei En felt a weight lift from his heart; once the teacher gives permission, the Six‑person Council will basically pass.

The teacher, plus himself, and Speaker Da Lande, who looks up to the teacher above all, make four votes in total, so no mishap will occur.

The chance that the other three Speakers will oppose is very low.

After all, this sum is too crucial and timely for Fu Kong Cheng; it must not be missed.

"I'll convene the Six‑person Council right now," Anxiwodasi was even more proactive than Lei En, waved his hand, and the surrounding scenery shifted, producing six high‑backed chairs; in the center of the floor a bright, translucent Weizelan purple eye emblem hovered as if suspended in the air.

This is Weizelan's meeting chamber.

The Speakers received notice, teleported in, saluted Anxiwodasi, and then took their seats.

In less than half a minute, everyone was present.

"Speakers, this is an emergency council concerning Fu Kong Cheng's finances," Anxiwodasi began, then handed the floor to Lei En, "Lei En, please brief us on the situation."

Lei En stood up and reiterated Ai Mi Li Si's restoration plan and request.

As expected, the four Speakers were all very surprised and fell into contemplation.

Lei En sat down after speaking.

He used the Soul Eye to silently observe his colleagues: Red Dragon Kelaoaosi was quite excited, clearly moved by the hundred‑thousand Gold Shields; his student Roni remained calm, seemingly uninterested; Speaker Kai De Jia was eager but showed no sign; Speaker Da Lande stroked his chin, showing no inclination.

This time it should be stable.

"Everyone, please speak," Anxiwodasi broke the silence.

Speaker Roni spoke first, looked at Lei En, and asked, "Is that dragon‑born's identity trustworthy?"

"Definitely no problem," Lei En replied decisively.

Roni nodded and asked no further.

Speaker Da Lande, however, expressed some concern, "If Weizelan sends Wizards to intervene in Kangjiatuo's war, even under a personal banner, could it draw the Empire's Consul's accountability?"

"There may be some trouble," Anxiwodasi had already considered this, "so we must keep everything secret before acting, especially from other Fu Kong Cheng and Holy Soul Wizards, giving them no chance to intervene. As for the Consul, leave that to me."

His words unmistakably revealed his stance.

Kelaoaosi immediately said, "As long as that dragon‑born can guarantee not to interfere with the gods' worship and restrain her subordinates to reduce killing, I have no objections."

Speakers Kai De Jia and Da Lande also nodded in agreement.

A raised‑hand vote passed unanimously.

Next, the Six‑person Council discussed numerous details concerning Kangjiatuo's restoration war.

Finally it was decided that Weizelan would dispatch thirty elite Wizards—half Mid‑stage and half high‑stage—plus two legendary novice Wizards, led by Speakers Kelaoaosi and Kai De Jia.

Lei En would attend in the name of the Earl of Glamorgan.

Of course, the premise is that Ai Mi Li Si pre‑pays five million Gold Shields, along with half the Wizards' fees.

After the council ended, Lei En rushed back to the castle to tell Ai Mi Li Si the news, which thrilled her beyond measure and gave Lei En a wonderful experience.

Half a month later, a dirigible loaded with hundreds of boxes of Gold Shields landed on Fu Kong Cheng's platform and quietly delivered them into Weizelan's high tower.

Ai Mi Li Si fulfilled the first advance payment.

With the money in hand, the Wizards who had gone to investigate the Barshi Sea Nation also returned, confirming Ai Mi Li Si's identity and some of her hidden forces; the Weizelan council had no further doubts, and that day selected the thirty elite Wizards, awaiting Ai Mi Li Si's pre‑war preparations before marching to Kangjiatuo.

Meanwhile, Lei En was also seeking a chance to ascend to legend.

The war's horn has already sounded; the deathly winter is about to arrive.

Tomorrow we start a new chapter; please give a few monthly tickets and recommendation votes, thanks!

(End of chapter)