Chapter 696: The Witch's Ambition

"Can Sunlight Blood solve the blood knights' headache problem?" Reslin looked at the demonic elixir, surprise flashing in his eyes.

PoLaRuiSi lightly nodded: "That's right."

Reslin was first a bit surprised, then thought it was reasonable.

The raw material of Sunlight Blood is the flesh and blood of the sun‑spotted viper, which contains the divinity of the "Sun‑blazing God"; even after refinement, removing the divine information makes it safe to ingest, becoming the highest‑grade demonic elixir, yet this pure energy still carries a faint holy light power.

However, even such an extremely faint holy light power, being derived from a deity, offers great benefit to mortals.

Especially the blood knights, whose cultivated "blood crystal power" is essentially holy light power, only twisted by some method.

The purest holy light power neutralizes the side effects of blood crystal power; this is not surprising.

Reslin's mind became active.

He couldn't help but look up at PoLaRuiSi; his student truly was clever, with keen eyes and delicate mind. The effect of Sunlight Blood was certainly not an accidental discovery, but a deliberate trial after discerning the energy nature of blood crystal power.

And PoLaRuiSi also keenly realized this was a very good opportunity.

An opportunity to gain the blood knights' allegiance.

However, there was still a problem.

Sunlight Blood is too precious, its production is extremely low, and now it must also supply the Weizelan Speaker and the legendary wizards; each month the remaining Sunlight Blood is not much.

Even if production is increased, the divine flesh of the sun‑spotted viper will eventually be exhausted.

Reslin was about to ask, but PoLaRuiSi had already guessed his question and proactively said, "I've secretly tested a few blood knights, diluting Sunlight Blood and adding it to their tea; the results are already in."

"What were the results?"

Reslin silently praised himself in his heart; talking with a clever person is hassle‑free.

"The stronger a blood knight's power, the worse the headache, and the more frequent the attacks," PoLaRuiSi replied seriously, "Thus their demand for Sunlight Blood also varies."

"For example, High‑rank blood knights experience a headache about every ten days; Sunlight Blood diluted sixty‑fold can alleviate it, requiring three doses of the diluted elixir per month, after which they no longer suffer mental torment. One portion of Sunlight Blood suffices for twenty High‑rank blood knights to remain headache‑free for a month."

"Mid‑stage blood knights can be diluted about a hundred‑fold, using it twice a month."

"Low‑stage blood knights dilute it to one‑hundred‑fifty‑fold; one dose per month is enough."

"As for legendary blood knights, I haven't tested them for fear of being discovered. However, I surmise that legendary blood knights' demand for Sunlight Blood skyrockets; their headaches are frequent and severe. One portion of Sunlight Blood might only sustain a legendary low‑stage knight for three to four months."

"Legendary Mid‑stage blood knights have an even shorter span, about two months."

"I've only seen one legendary High‑rank blood knight, Countess LiFuLin; she may consume a portion of Sunlight Blood every month, perhaps even more."

PoLaRuiSi's data was very detailed, making Reslin look at her with newfound respect.

Obviously, she has poured a great amount of effort into this and taken huge risks. If the blood elves discover the existence of Sunlight Blood, Countess LiFuLin would never allow her to see her; she might already have been sent to Revenge Island and imprisoned.

PoLaRuiSi accomplished all this within just over two months after entering the Santara Residence, a testament to her ability.

Reslin was still pondering.

The wizard continued, "Reslin, this is an excellent opportunity. Because of their headache flaw, blood knights develop a blood craving; the severe cases even go mad, harming their kin, so they have not yet received formal acceptance from the blood elves' higher-ups and the Regent King."

"They are ostracized on Revenge Island, forced to leave, and establish secret bases on the New Continent, proving their worth by exterminating the undead."

"Places like the Santara Residence, according to my information, number at least twenty."

"Although not as large as the Santara Residence, and some not primarily for blood knights, those dwellings still house many blood knights."

"I estimate the total number of blood knights exceeds ten thousand."

"Most blood knights possess Mid-stage or higher power; the proportion of High‑rank is nearly half. If the teacher could control the blood knights with Sunlight Blood..."

PoLaRuiSi stopped there; her point was already clear.

Without the Soul Eye, Reslin could still see the full ambition on her face. PoLaRuiSi, of course, wasn't solely pursuing teacher Lei En's grand plan; she also thought of herself, boosting her standing in Lei En's eyes to gain more favor.

Reslin was not displeased by this; he even admired it greatly.

If all his students were as capable as PoLaRuiSi, many tasks could be delegated to them, and he wouldn't have to handle everything personally, making himself so exhausted.

PoLaRuiSi's ambition is a good thing.

Ambition can drive people to work hard and reach higher goals, as long as the basic principles are maintained.

Reslin wasn't afraid that she might one day turn against him; the Soul Eye can easily discern her thoughts, and if ambition ever becomes hostility, he would not be soft‑handed.

At present, PoLaRuiSi appears completely trustworthy.

"Reslin, what do you think?" PoLaRuiSi appeared very confident, but inwardly she was a bit uneasy.

"Let me think about it."

Reslin nodded slightly, seriously contemplating PoLaRuiSi's suggestion.

An extraordinary legion of over ten thousand blood knights, its strength comparable to the Lamon Empire's Holy Light Legion. Gaining their loyalty would greatly aid his future expansion of the New Continent; claiming he felt no desire would be a lie.

But controlling the blood knights would be too difficult.

Two problems.

First, Sunlight Blood's output is limited.

With so many blood knights, according to PoLaRuiSi's figures, from the weakest to the strongest, about three hundred portions of Sunlight Blood would be needed each month!

Now, Queying spends most of each day refining the elixir; Lei En himself also helps, along with several students. Together they produce roughly three hundred portions of Sunlight Blood per month. These elixirs are supplied to the Weizelan Speaker, the legendary wizards, a few students, the elite Extreme Warriors and Gun‑Wing Knights, leaving about a hundred portions.

This is far insufficient for the blood knights' use.

Even reallocating the Extreme Warrior and Gun‑Wing Knight shares leaves a huge shortfall.

The most important point is that even if Sunlight Blood's output increases, the viper's divine flesh will eventually run out.

Reslin estimated that the tens of thousands of pounds of flesh would sustain at most five years.

He could not find a second material containing the Sun‑blazing God's divinity; Sunlight Blood is merely a temporary fix for blood knights, not a long‑term solution.

Second, would the blood knights be willing to pledge allegiance to an outsider?

Elves are proud; blood elves, a race transformed from higher elves, possess innate arrogance that makes it hard for them to bow to a human. Even if blood knights, for Sunlight Blood, are willing to serve Lei En, would the blood elves on Revenge Island consent?

Yizite has adventured on the New Continent for many years and knows the blood elves relatively well.

According to him, the total number of blood elves inside and outside Revenge Island never exceeds three hundred thousand. With over ten thousand blood knights comprising one‑thirtieth of the entire race, the blood elves' ruling class would never easily allow the blood knights to be controlled by an outsider.

There is also the issue of faith.

The blood elves have been separated from the Elf Kingdom of Aoanluo for over three thousand years, and their faith has also diverged from the mainstream elven pantheon; most have become followers of the Vengeful Goddess Ti Xi Fen.

The deity's divine power ranks mid‑level among the gods, making its morality hard to discern.

Such a drastic change in the Blood Knight Order could very likely affect their faith, and it would have to be approved by the Vengeful Goddess, which is harder than getting the blood elf ruling class to nod.

Of course, we don't have to fully control the Blood Knight Order.

If we cooperate with the Blood Knight Order merely by forming an alliance, the resistance would certainly be smaller. But to seal a pact with an ally, we would have to pay three hundred units of Sunlight Blood each month, and the price is too steep.

One must understand that the value of Sunlight Blood is incalculably high.

A magic elixir made from this divine material can boost meditation efficiency fivefold within ten days to half a month, and it slightly enhances physical condition; its potency is such that few elixirs worldwide can compare.

Lei En has never let it enter the market; it is always consumed internally.

If sold, a single unit of Sunlight Blood would cost at least three thousand Gold Shields, and it would be priceless on the market. Three hundred units would approach one million Gold Shields!

Paying a million Gold Shields each month just to secure the Blood Knights' cooperation?

Even with all the money, that's not how it's done.

And what if we run out of Sunlight Blood later? Do we just tear up the alliance?

Reslin pondered for a long time; unless there is a once‑and‑for‑all solution that completely resolves the Blood Knights' headache—without the exorbitant cost and while still controlling the Blood Knight Order.

A thought flashed through his mind.

If I could ascend to godhood and obtain the Blazing Sun divine office, I could make the Blood Knights, like the Minotaur tribes, become my followers, answer their prayers, and grant them divine blessings; that should easily solve the Blood Knights' headache.

It would also increase my followers and boost my divine power.

But getting the Blood Knights to change their faith is far from easy—that would put me at odds with the Vengeful Goddess!

Moreover, ascension is not that simple; even if successful, the Blazing Sun office was never my first choice. Its adversary is too powerful—the Sun God would never allow a new deity to encroach on its authority, and once discovered, it would lead to an endless stalemate.

The difficulties are mounting…

Reslin thought for a long while, and Lei En, far away in Glamorgan, had also been sitting in his study pondering, yet neither could devise a good solution.

But he was not ready to give up; just as Po Laruisi thought, he was determined to obtain the Blood Knight Order.

The Holy Light Legion's influence is enormous!

Whether it is pioneering the New Continent, gathering followers for ascension, or advancing his own future path to dominance, the Blood Knight Order can provide vital support. Moreover, the Blood Knights could merge with the Spearwing Knight Order, upgrade their weapons and gear, change combat tactics, and with their numerical advantage, their overall strength might rival that of the Extreme Legion!

"Um…"

Reslin stroked his chin, a flood of ideas flashing through his mind, and he drifted into a daze without noticing.

"Teacher, what have you considered?" Po Laruisi suddenly asked, seeming a bit impatient, like a child seeking credit.

"For now, still…"

Reslin shook his head, his words cutting off abruptly, then turned to look at the student, seeing on her face the expression that I had indeed guessed correctly.

Damn!

He muttered inwardly, cursing himself for not catching her drift for a moment.

His Soul Eye also perceived Po Laruisi's emotions and was not particularly surprised; clearly, she had long suspected his identity.

"When did you guess?" Reslin asked with a stern face.

"Last year."

Po Laruisi felt a bit proud but did not show it, whispering, "Teacher, I have actually been suspicious for a long time; Reslin's talent is too extraordinary. Every time we ask you for magical knowledge, the answers we receive are almost identical to yours."

"Many things, Teacher, even though you are clearly not in the tower, you know our situation perfectly."

"Also, your unconditional trust in Reslin is completely different from how you treat other students. Although Reslin rarely speaks, if you examine carefully you can see that his word choice, tone, and even accent are often just like yours."

"But the most important thing is my intuition."

The witch finally couldn't help but smile, as if guessing this matter was a great victory for her.

"What intuition?" Reslin asked.

"Of course, a woman's intuition."

Po Laruisi gave a sly smile, "When you and Teacher interact with me, although your appearances and personalities differ greatly, the feeling is extremely familiar—it's as if you were the same person."

Reslin listened with a hint of helplessness.

Sure enough, the longer someone interacts with you, the more they will notice clues.

"Besides you, who else guessed?"

"A few of us students have speculated, but we can't be certain." Po Laruisi's eyes shone as she looked at Reslin, "I should be the first to know for sure, right? Teacher!"

"Hmm, you did well," Reslin praised.

"Thank you, Teacher."

Po Laruisi was very happy, then spoke seriously, "Teacher, I can do even more."

"Oh? How so?" Reslin's gaze flickered.

"I want to stay at the Santela Residence, continue interacting with the Blood Knights, and prepare for your future plans," Po Laruisi clearly had thought this through, saying confidently, "Once I earn the blood elves' trust, I'll have them lead me to the Karnod Icefield, where there is also a blood elf stronghold."

Reslin understood her intention, "You want to keep pursuing Fu Kong Cheng?"

"Yes!" Po Laruisi's attitude was firm, "I suspect the Disaster Legion must have teleported Fu Kong Cheng to the Karnod Icefield, which is the core zone controlled by the undead; delving inside might reveal Fu Kong Cheng's location."

The Karnod Icefield occupies the entire northern part of the New Continent, its territory larger than the Empire; finding Fu Kong Cheng within it is as hard as looking for a needle in the ocean.

Moreover, it is extremely dangerous; even with blood elf assistance, survival is a one‑in‑nine chance.

Reslin frowned, "You haven't reached legend status yet; venturing into the Karnod Icefield is too risky and not worth it."

Yet Po Laruisi was not shaken at all.

"Teacher, I've already decided; Vimmerdo and his group will help me, as will the Blood Knights."

"Actually it's not just me; Darama is already on the Karnod Icefield, acting alone, also seeking Fu Kong Cheng."

Reslin was hearing this for the first time; the two students had already challenged each other, bold enough that he could not change their decision.

He thought for a while, feeling that he still could not just stand by.

Po La Rui Si suddenly felt a flash before her eyes; the thin Reslin turned into a tall, sturdy figure—it was her own teacher Lei En.

"Teacher!"

She was both surprised and delighted, seeing Lei En pull out a violet simple staff, with a streamer tied to the top, emitting a mysterious fluctuation, and said to her: "This Arcane Torrent Staff is for you to use first. If you can find Fu Kong Cheng, then it will be your reward."

Po La Rui Si naturally recognized the Arcane Torrent Staff and was also well aware of its origin.

When she took hold of this epic staff, she trembled with excitement, and confidently promised: "Teacher, I will surely find Fu Kong Cheng!"

Lei En smiled, saying, "I give you five years; if after five years you fail, the Arcane Torrent Staff will belong to Da La Ma, regardless of whether he finds Fu Kong Cheng. If you meet Da La Ma, tell him my words, without any concealment."

This can barely be considered fair; Da La Ma's side will also offer compensation.

Po La Rui Si immediately felt the pressure, she nodded heavily, "I understand, teacher."

(End of chapter)