Chapter 48: Supreme Reappearance

Viola let out an almost inaudible hum and said, "She is a visiting wizard from ParrasFloatingCity. Last year she followed her master to Longshande, where she spent three years of magical exchange in the Wu Shi Ta. For some reason, after meeting me she's been constantly at odds with me."

Lei En heard this and couldn't help but gape, "She comes from ParrasFloatingCity—so what's her relation to Duke Hong Shi?"

"Feilis's master is a student of Duke Hong Shi," Viola said, her eyes showing a hint of reverence as she mentioned the duke.

Lei En sighed, shaking his head; Feilis is actually a disciple‑grandson of Duke Hong Shi, no wonder she dares to challenge Viola—she truly has that confidence.

When it comes to Duke Hong Shi, virtually everyone in the Empire knows his name.

Even beyond the Empire, all the sentient races of the Ai Lun E Si world have likely heard the legend of this figure.

Duke Hong Shi's full name is Kelsong*Karse, one of the Empire's Holy Soul Wizards and a member of the Supreme Council.

This Holy Soul Wizard has set a series of astonishing records.

Barely two years old he already displayed remarkable innate spiritual power; at ten he underwent the Soul Transformation ceremony, achieving a perfect Soul Transformation and becoming a wizard of the Law Seal School.

At twenty‑two he ascended to legend, founding the "Spiritualist" profession, adding a new advanced branch to the Law Seal School, and becoming the youngest legendary wizard in history.

More than thirty years later, at fifty‑eight he performed his seventh perfect Soul Transformation, becoming the youngest Holy Soul Wizard in Empire history!

He also became the youngest member of the Supreme Council, was granted the title of Duke of the Empire, and chose Parras City on the northern grasslands as his fief.

Within a century he amassed countless resources and successfully built his own floating city.

It should be noted that the Empire has twelve Holy Soul Wizards, each a duke, but only seven possess floating cities!

Duke Hong Shi is already over three hundred years old, and no one has yet broken his records—not even anyone close.

Perhaps Duke Hong Shi isn't the Empire's strongest transcendent or even its strongest wizard, but he is universally acknowledged as humanity's first genius—calling him epoch‑shaking isn't an exaggeration.

By contrast, the Silver Star Duke attained Holy Soul Wizard status decades before Duke Hong Shi; he was said to be over two hundred then, yet to this day he has never built a floating city, only a wizard tower.

In both power and reputation, Duke Hong Shi is clearly a cut above.

As the direct disciple‑grandson of Duke Hong Shi, Feilis can truly be proud and stride across the Empire. ParrasFloatingCity has always been renowned for its wealth, so it's no surprise she's decked out in such lavish gear.

When Lei En heard Feilis's background, he could guess why she's always at odds with Viola.

The high‑rank wizard is also a woman; what makes other women jealous are simply wealth, status, fame, power, and looks.

Especially looks, which rank first and most incite women's competitive spirit.

In this regard, men are similar; they usually don't compare their own looks but rather compare the looks of their women…

Feilis's lineage is among the Empire's elite; she's a genius wizard apprenticed to humanity's first genius, exceptionally beautiful, lacking nothing. Whether in ParrasFloatingCity or elsewhere in the Empire, people instantly respect her, and wherever she goes she is met with praise.

One could say the entire Empire can find few peer women who match her in all aspects.

Then in Longshande, Feilis met Viola.

Viola is the great‑granddaughter of the Silver Star Duke, a level‑6 Ten Thousand Spirits Wizard; her wealth, status, and fame are comparable to Feilis's. The two have equal strengths, but in looks Viola far outshines.

The beauty of moon elves is well known, and Viola inherited her mother's virtues,

even among moon elves, few can match her.

Feilis is also a rare beauty, but compared with Viola she appears somewhat dim, and they aren't even the same rank.

Any man with normal taste would undoubtedly favor Viola.

A woman accustomed to being pursued by men, when faced with a major blow, can easily lose emotional balance and develop intense jealousy if she can't adjust quickly.

Feilis likely is such a case, so she tries to steal Viola's spotlight by flaunting her wealth.

The behavior is childish, yet it does affect Viola.

At least today's market earnings will be discounted.

Lei En glanced at Viola; a hint of helplessness was on her face—she clearly understands the situation but, constrained by Feilis's status, says nothing.

It's hard for an ordinary person to offend by acting so shamelessly as Feilis does.

The market continues, but many patrons keep crowding Feilis, inquiring about the Frostfire Ring and admiring the rare masterpiece, causing the transaction volume to noticeably drop.

Lei En saw a hint of pale red in Viola's soul color and knew she was angry.

But he couldn't think of any solution.

He whispered jokingly, "How about we kick her out?"

"If you're not afraid of offending a legendary wizard or anyone from ParrasFloatingCity, then go ahead," Viola shot Lei En a decidedly unladylike glance, which oddly made him feel a lightness in his bones, as if they'd shed a few pounds.

Lei En shrank his head; as a mere level‑1 wizard, even after swallowing a demon‑leopard gall he wouldn't dare.

Rogues are irritating, and a well‑connected female rogue is even more of a headache…

The two chatted with a few patrons a while longer; Lei En befriended two transcendants, felt a pang of hunger, was about to grab something to eat when Feilis caused another stir.

The surrounding patrons instantly swarmed around.

Lei En and Viola exchanged a glance; tonight's market was not going to be profitable.

As the organizer, Viola had to go over.

As he approached, a man said, "Lady Feilis, the demon‑soul of my mountain‑giant is not far off in value from your Frostfire Ring—perhaps even higher. You'll need to compensate me with a Gold Shield."

"Mountain‑giant's demon‑soul!"

Both Lei En and Viola felt a jolt; someone truly wanted to trade with Feilis.

They pushed into the crowd; a plain‑looking, gaunt man with a cold aura spoke to Feilis, his light‑blue robe faintly exuding icy chill.

He must be a bloodsource sorcerer, his lineage fused with ice blood, no wonder he covets the Frostfire Ring.

Lei En activated his Soul Eye to confirm; indeed it was an ice sorcerer, his profession level at seven, qualifying as a high‑rank sorcerer.

But the most striking thing was the soul stone in his hand.

This soul stone was unique, a half‑size larger than ordinary ones, likely not made of white crystal but of a rarer gem that lets the contained demon‑soul endure longer.

The soul stone was earth‑yellow; aside from its mirror‑smooth surface, it resembled a riverbank pebble.

Inside, a strange demon‑soul flickered.

Mountain giants are immensely powerful; even juveniles equate to high‑rank transcendants among humans.

A giant's demon‑soul carries at least one enhanced "Strength" element; if it's an adult giant, it may possess four or five elements, which is common and highly marketable.

Especially for melee superhumans, a giant soul is an excellent sub‑soul that can greatly enhance physical attributes.

A high‑rank giant's demon soul selling for several thousand Gold Shields is quite normal.

"Sorry, this giant demon soul alone isn't enough; I don't want to trade with you," Feilis glanced and then withdrew her gaze.

She isn't interested in that demon soul; as a Law Seal Wizard she cannot fuse demon souls, and she herself doesn't want to sell the Frostfire Ring.

"Is that so?" the ice sorcerer said indifferently, scanning the crowd before calmly adding, "My mountain‑giant demon soul comes with an Earth Pulse; would you trade for it?"

"What?"

"Earth Pulse!"

"This demon soul actually contains a Supreme Element!"

As soon as the ice sorcerer finished speaking, a murmur rose in the hall; everyone reacted, eyes fixed on the soul stone in his hand.

Everyone thought how eye‑opening today was—first a premium enchanted ring, then a giant demon soul bearing a Supreme Element!

Even Feilis's complexion changed dramatically; like the others, she couldn't help closely examining the soul stone in his hand.

Earth Pulse, this Supreme Element is simply famous!

One of the Empire's Three Divine Churches, the Earth Church, has a special superhuman vocation called "Earth Nun," whose core is built upon a series of Elements related to the Earth Pulse.

All Earth Nuns are human females; their primary core Element is called "Earth Source," a rare‑grade supernatural Element.

The Earth Source grants the nuns numerous abilities.

As long as both feet stand on the ground, or any part of the body contacts the earth, one's physical strength is boosted, fatigue is reduced, stamina recovers faster, skin becomes tough, one gains affinity with the earth Element, higher resistance to earth spells, and a power bonus when casting earth spells!

One Element is equivalent to possessing four to five Elements simultaneously!

If it weren't for the condition requiring contact with the earth, the Earth Source alone would already qualify as a Supreme Element.

However, after undergoing multiple Soul Transformations, the nuns' Earth Source can evolve into Earth Pulse.

Earth Pulse is the fully enhanced version of Earth Source; as long as one's feet touch the ground, strength, endurance, recovery, defense, resistance, and casting are all greatly amplified, and an additional tactile sense is gained, allowing one to perceive nearby targets through ground vibrations.

Earth‑Pulse‑endowed nuns are each fearless super‑warriors!

As a Supreme Element, Earth Pulse stands alongside Iron Body and may even be more renowned.

But that's not all; Earth Pulse can further advance to the ultimate upgrade, called "Heart of Earth"!

Heart of Earth lets a person draw life force directly from the earth continuously, no longer requiring contact with the ground, and grants immunity to all earth spells.

With Heart of Earth one almost attains an Undying Body, so it is a legendary Element!

Which demon soul the Earth Nuns fuse to obtain Earth Source is the Earth Church's deepest secret, unknown to outsiders.

However, the higher‑tier Earth Pulse has several sources.

Mountain‑giants born with innate mastery of earth spells indeed have a certain chance to acquire Earth Pulse; many have heard of it.

It was unexpected that the ice sorcerer before us already possessed one.

If his words are true, then this giant demon soul's value indeed exceeds that of the Frostfire Ring, and even a bit more.

Viola's eyes lit up; if she can seal the deal, today's transaction will be hugely profitable.

She was about to step forward to conduct the trade, but Lei En gently grasped her arm; turning back, she saw Lei En silently shake his head, his lips moving to utter a word without sound.

"Fraud."