Chapter 544: Storms on the Horizon

"I'm coming."

Lei En's response was clear and resonant, and everyone in the teleportation hall heard it distinctly.

Then, people saw Master Quitu's expression freeze, the fury in his eyes quickly fading, as if he regretted his earlier impulse but could not withdraw his challenge.

Otherwise, he would be slapping himself in the face on the spot, and Naisè Floating City would become a laughingstock.

Lei En's soul eye saw Quitu's emotional struggle, his colors shifting unpredictably, and he was somewhat worried that the guy might become completely shameless and look for an excuse to avoid battle, so he provoked again: "I accept your challenge. Elder Quitu, when the time comes, show your full strength, don't let me look down on you."

The mockery and contempt on his face would be unbearable even for ordinary people, let alone a legendary wizard of such high renown.

Quitu's complexion was stiff.

He looked around; whether it was Weizelan Wizards, Naisè Floating City, or BrewotzAcademy, everyone awaited his reply.

If he backs down this time, his lifelong reputation will be ruined, and he will never recover.

Quitu realized he was backed into a corner with no way out. Yet he was not a coward; his centuries of life had seen countless storms, and he had repeatedly faced situations more dangerous than today, always overcoming them with strength and wisdom.

No matter how strong Lei En's power was, could he still kill himself?

In the past millennium, Naisè Floating City and Weizelan Floating City have clashed countless times over ideological disputes.

Naisè Wizards, with their large numbers and long lineage, generally held a slight edge, the two sides roughly even.

Yet they had not never lost.

At worst they would lose this time, which is better than surrendering.

Quitu swiftly made his decision, without a hint of doubt, and said coldly: "You need not provoke me with words. At the opening ceremony of this exchange tournament, I will request a duel with you from Sabbath Dean, as a way to add some atmosphere to the competition."

He spoke with grand righteousness, but everyone could hear that this legendary Naisè elder was already timid before the battle, unintentionally placing himself on the weaker side, thus downplaying the seriousness and impact of the conflict.

The Wizards found it unbelievable and could not comprehend.

Master Quitu had been famous for centuries; decades ago he was at the nineteenth‑level pinnacle, beginning to challenge Holy Soul Wizards, and within Naisè Floating City's council of elders, his strength ranked among the top.

And Speaker Lei En, although his reputation has surged these past years, is still young, having only ascended to legend status for three or four years.

A wizard's power requires long‑term accumulation; soul energy growth, integrating Law Seals, studying casting techniques, and so on all demand vast time.

Even with Speaker Lei En's high talent, how much can he improve in three or four years?

Even if he has a string of brilliant battle records and a dazzling reputation, Master Quitu should not feel intimidated by a junior whose age is less than a fraction of his own. Moreover, today should be their first meeting, and Quitu's excessive caution is a disgrace to Naisè Floating City.

Only Lei En understood what was happening; Quitu was truly frightened.

Of course he wouldn't let Quitu get away with it.

"It's not a sparring match, but a life‑or‑death duel," Lei En said calmly. "I'm afraid my strike might lack restraint and accidentally kill you, then I would be held accountable."

Imperial law is not decorative; a legendary wizard cannot die mysteriously.

But if it's a duel, with life and death at stake, the nature changes; afterward Naisè Floating City would have no right to pursue liability, at least publicly, at most it could only seek private revenge.

If it were someone else, facing Naisè Floating City's retaliation would have scared them stiff long ago.

Yet Lei En wanted exactly that effect.

The whole of Naisè Floating City, unless Augulevi Master intervenes personally, is utterly unafraid; they'd hammer a few and kill a few.

If they force Augulevi Master to act, naturally a teacher will deal with him, confirming whether the opponent has fallen.

And this is only part of the plan.

If Augulevi Master continues to endure, no matter how much Quitu provokes, no matter how many Naisè Wizards die, he never appears, and even the subsequent ceremony where Sabbath Dean would be inaugurated into the Supreme Council is canceled, which indirectly proves Augulevi Master has already fallen.

The other side secretly orchestrated an undead calamity, killing a few Naisè elders as blood‑for‑blood repayment.

This also lets Weizelan Floating City assert its might, deterring forces that think Weizelan's power has waned and are covertly watching.

At the same time, it gives them the upper hand in the millennial ideological dispute.

It's a three‑birds‑with‑one‑stone scheme!

Outsiders, unaware of the inside, could never guess that Lei En truly intends to kill Quitu; they think he's merely provoking him with words, which is utterly reckless.

Even Speaker Ronnie felt a bit surprised.

Quitu didn't think in that direction; in a furious grin he said, "Fine! Fine! Fine… you want a life‑or‑death duel, then it's a life‑or‑death duel! I want to test your strength, let everyone see, whether Weizelan Wizards only brag or truly are as strong as the rumors claim!"

"Let's go."

After speaking, Quitu didn't glance at Lei En again, and led the Naisè Wizards out of the teleportation hall.

Deputy Dean Mai Liwei hurriedly sent people to catch up, guiding the Naisè Wizards to the arranged lodging. When the group of Wizards finished walking, the hall erupted in a stir.

Everyone's eyes fell on Lei En, both excited and expectant, though some were skeptical.

"Roni, this time Weizelan has gotten us into quite a trouble," Mai Liwei walked over, shaking her head with a wry smile. "If the duel goes awry, BrewotzAcademy can't shoulder the responsibility."

Though she spoke to Roni, her gaze drifted toward Lei En.

Lei En smiled, "This is a feud between Weizelan and Naisè, unrelated to Brewotz; we're just borrowing the venue, so Deputy Dean Mai Liwei need not worry."

Mai Liwei had been waiting for that line, silently exhaling in relief, her face breaking into a smile.

"Speaker Lei En is truly young and accomplished, I feel inferior," she praised, then summoned a few Wizards to guide the Weizelan Wizards.

The group walked out of the teleportation hall, and a massive academy spanning several hundred acres unfolded before their eyes.

The academy is situated on the outskirts of Brewotz, the capital of East Province, bordering the Empire's second‑largest river, the Mole River; over five hundred li to the northeast lies the sea mouth, and within a thousand‑li radius the terrain is flat and endless, fertile lands formed by the river's millennia of erosion.

Looking up, wizard towers rose into the clouds, scattered throughout the academy.

Lei En instantly saw that the placement of these wizard towers was meticulously arranged, forming an immense magical array, tightly linked so that in danger they could raise a massive shield.

Beneath the wizard towers stood many uniquely styled structures.

There were lecture halls, teaching buildings, magical laboratories, apprentice dormitories, cafeterias, a grand library, towers, temples, and so on; each served a different purpose, yet all bore upward‑pointing spires, adorned with well‑kept gardens, fountains, and statues, each bearing traces of magic and exuding an air of ancient history.

Apart from being unable to fly into the sky, BrewotzAcademy is no different from a floating city.

"What a huge academy!"

A few Wizards visiting Brewotz for the first time couldn't help but exclaim.

"Brewotz is the Empire's oldest existing academy, older than the Empire itself; over two thousand years it has undergone dozens of expansions and can accommodate over ten thousand students," the guiding Wizard explained, pride evident on his face. "Thus it is also the Empire's largest supernatural academy."

"Over ten thousand students!"

"Weizelan's wizards total less than five hundred…" The young wizards were stunned.

Some wizards were unconvinced, shaking their heads: "BrewotzAcademy doesn't only enroll wizards; it's a comprehensive supernatural academy that also trains other supernatural professions. Its admission threshold is far lower than Weizelan's—anyone with a slightly better talent can get in."

The guiding wizards wanted to object, but after glancing at Ronnie and Lei En, they kept quiet.

Fortunately, not all Weizelan wizards were disdainful; one praised, "That's still a lot. BrewotzAcademy's four wizard branches have over eight hundred wizards."

"What good is having many people?"

"Naise Floating City still has two thousand wizards!"

The wizards chattered, each with a different mindset. However, most Weizelan wizards subconsciously looked down on BrewotzAcademy, feeling superior.

Because BrewotzAcademy has no Holy Soul wizards.

Those guiding wizards were sullen; in front of the Weizelan wizards, they truly lacked the confidence to argue.

"Honorable GrandSpeakers, this is the accommodation arranged by the academy."

Entering the academy's VIP area, they arrived at a garden‑style courtyard. Opening the gate, they passed a series of tranquil corridors, and a four‑story luxurious residence unfolded before them. The lobby was exquisitely decorated with a unique style; the upper floors contained dozens of rooms, enough to house everyone.

The mansion featured a restaurant, meditation room, reading area, entertainment room, and more—fully equipped. BrewotzAcademy also assigned a dozen well‑trained servants, providing service comparable to the Empire's finest hotels.

Everyone arranged their own rooms.

Ronnie dismissed the serving academy wizards and sent a message to Lei En: "We need to talk."

Lei En opened a portal and appeared in the grand study atop the building.

Through the bright glass windows, one could see a dozen similar mansions nearby, separated by gardens and woods, with wizards from all over the Empire gradually moving in.

Ronnie surveyed the study, then raised a hand to activate a Soundproof Force Field.

"Lei En, what are you really thinking?"

He furrowed his brows and asked, "I know you want to make a name for Weizelan, but there's no need for such drastic measures. Naise Floating City has deep foundations; defeating a Kuitu proves nothing—it would simply be attributed to his personal strength being inferior to yours."

"Speaker Ronnie, I didn't intend to defeat him," Lei En said softly.

"Hm?" Ronnie seemed puzzled.

Lei En replied honestly, "Defeating Kuitu is indeed meaningless, so I intend to kill him."

Ronnie was suddenly startled.

Ronnie was both surprised by Lei En's audacity—a renowned Legendary High‑rank wizard who seemed insignificant in Lei En's eyes, killable at will—and also guessed that Lei En had ulterior motives; from what Ronnie knew, Lei En was never so reckless.

"Why?" Ronnie asked seriously, "If you kill Kuitu, you are stabbing the Empire's biggest hive; the repercussions will be endless, and Naise has twelve Legendary High‑rank wizards who will never settle down."

Lei En chuckled, "That's perfect. I hope they all come to challenge me to a life‑or‑death duel."

Ronnie's brows furrowed even deeper.

"This is provoking a war between Weizelan and Naise; Augulevi Master won't let you get away with it," he said, then suddenly realized, "Is this the GrandSpeaker's intention?"

"Yes," Lei En nodded.

Even though Ronnie had weathered countless storms and was usually steady, his eyes widened in huge shock. He pondered for a few seconds, then whispered, "Is the GrandSpeaker's real target Augulevi Master?"

Lei En's eyes widened instantly, impressed by Speaker Ronnie's quick reaction.

But he offered no further explanation.

Augulevi Master may have already fallen; this is top‑secret, and until confirmed, the teacher decided not to disclose it to anyone, not even the trusted Speaker Ronnie.

Besides himself, the participating Sabbath Dean also lacks the full details.

Lei En gave no explanation, effectively tacitly agreeing.

"I understand," Ronnie said, realizing the gravity of the matter. He didn't press further, stood up, and said, "Do as you wish; I will cooperate and protect Weizelan's wizards."

While the two GrandSpeakers conferred, news that Lei En and Kuitu would duel to the death at the opening ceremony spread throughout BrewotzAcademy.

The news also leaked beyond the academy.

Within an hour, all upper‑level factions of the Empire learned of it; by the next day, newspapers in every Imperial city ran the story on their front pages, causing an explosive uproar.

One is a disciple of the strongest wizard, a centuries‑old Legendary Peak; the other is an Imperial newcomer who rose in just a few years without ever failing. Who will win the duel?

Every newspaper ran endless articles, inviting senior supernaturals to comment and analyze.

Within days, virtually every Imperial city, street, village, inn, and tavern—from high nobles to peasant farmers—buzzed with discussion. People split into two camps, each favoring Kuitu or Lei En, arguing endlessly.

Outside BrewotzAcademy, throngs of supernaturals from all regions packed the area to the breaking point.

Inside the academy, competing wizards from various major caster organizations arrived one after another.

Master Tim Kainan's Flaniss Floating City, Duke Hong Shi's ParrasFloatingCity, KangJieladeGreatSage's Aen Floating City, Storm Queen Agelalon Floating City, the Silver Star Duke's Silver Star Academy, and their dispatched competing wizards had all arrived.

Including Naise Floating City and Weizelan Floating City, the Supreme Council's Twelve Holy Soul Wizards, only seven have formed factions.

Isireke's PurpleFlameDuke, though possessing Tirise Floating City, is alone, has no students, and never participates in exchange contests.

The other Holy Soul wizards also rarely appear.

Beyond the seven major forces, there are three other academies: host BrewotzAcademy, the Eratusa Wizard Academy in the East Province, and New Oram Supernatural Academy in Thus: Thus: Thus: Shengangcheng; the Empire's ten strongest caster organizations gathered at Brewotz.

In addition, hundreds of slightly weaker supernatural academies also sent wizards, mostly just for show.

In an instant, BrewotzAcademy captured the Empire's full attention.

Yet Lei En, at the eye of the public storm, seemed unfazed, meditating and reading daily, tutoring a few students in magical knowledge, enjoying a rare moment of ease.

A few days later, a BrewotzAcademy teacher visited: "Speaker Lei En, the dean invites you to the office for a meeting."

Thanks to the Alliance Leader who tipped "Open Textbook to Page Thirty‑Four," two chapters remain owed.

Also thanks to the tips from PastBecomesSmoke, Suffocating Paulo, Moonlit Soul‑Shaking Song, linyelei1970, StarEntropy Moon Spirit, hunterNoSilence, WatchingMoonWind, Trembling Roar, dadsasdas, InfiniteStarrySky Monster, zhoushifang, fkingbitch, Liuli Haoxi and others—thank you!

(End of Chapter)