Chapter 697: The More, The Better

Lei En has been using the Arcane Torrent Staff very little, and Reslin now has a better Endless Storm, so keeping it in hand is wasteful; better to give the staff to Perarice to boost her strength.

For such a student with outstanding talent and ability, he does not want any mishap; the faster she grows, the better.

Besides the staff, Lei En also gave her twenty portions of Sunlight Blood.

Half for Perarice's own use, aiming to quickly advance to Legendary Wizard; the other half for her further study of blood knight consumption.

When the witch took the Sunlight Blood, the Soul Eye saw her emotional fluctuations, as if she were contemplating many matters.

As expected, Perarice will make good use of these magical elixirs to achieve greater results.

Lei En pretended not to know, and she naturally kept her composure.

"Take care of yourself," Lei En earnestly admonished, "Whether it's the blood knight or clues about Fu Kong Cheng, none are as important to me as you yourself; the matter is untenable, abandon it immediately. I have poured so much effort and resources into cultivating you; I don't want it all to be in vain."

Perarice lightly bit her lip, bowed and said, "Yes, I will certainly not disappoint my teacher's expectations."

"Hmm."

When she looked up, she found Lei En had turned back into Reslin, who said coolly to her, "Let's go out."

He deactivated the Soundproof Force Field and left the room.

Six Weizelan Wizards were sitting in the courtyard; seeing the two emerge, they quickly rose and called, "Lord Reslin."

Reslin's gaze swept over the crowd.

Their ages ranged from thirty to forty‑five, four men and two women, all senior Wizards: one seventh‑rank, three eighth‑rank, two ninth‑rank, their talent far surpassing peers of the same tier. The strongest, Weimedo, has a good chance of advancing to Legendary Wizard.

Those who become Weizelan Wizards are naturally outstanding in talent.

Originally, these people pursued a longer path in magic, so they followed GrandSpeaker Modra to the Shield Island, hoping to secure a place in a new Fu Kong Cheng.

"You should have heard Perarice say that after repelling the Cataclysm Legion, the GrandSpeaker pardoned your crimes, allowing you to become Weizelan Wizards again," Reslin said, looking at the Wizards whose faces were full of guilt.

The leading Weimedo replied, "Lord Reslin, until we find the new Fu Kong Cheng, we have no face to return to Weizelan."

"We have already made arrangements with Lady North Star to go with her to the Carond Ice Plain."

The several Wizards also nodded repeatedly.

Reslin saw their resolute attitude, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes. These people had only differed in stance before, but in principle had no major fault; they could be trusted, their talent potential was high, and having them under his command would be a good choice.

As his own power grew, the tasks multiplied, and a handful of students was no longer enough.

"This operation with Perarice counts as a test for you all,"

Reslin said calmly, "If you perform well, I will not only support your return to Weizelan, but also give you a chance to fulfill the goal you had on Shield Island years ago."

The eyes of several Weimedo's followers widened.

The goal on Shield Island?

Wasn't it to pioneer a new city, to build a Fu Kong Cheng!

Their breathing suddenly quickened, as if after a total failure they glimpsed a sliver of hopeful dawn. Could Weizelan be rebuilding a Fu Kong Cheng on Shield Island? Or is Reslin and his teacher, Speaker Lei En, behind this plan?

This was also the first time Perarice learned of Lei En's scheme, and her eyes flashed with brilliance.

"Do well, the teacher awaits your good news in Mo Du."

After Reslin finished the hint, he waved his hand, opened a portal and stepped through, appearing beside the blood elf mage Oukule.

Oukule was resting on a terrace; seeing Reslin appear, he was startled.

As the chief transporter of the Santara Residence, he had no warning of Reslin's arrival, nor understood how the other had anchored himself for such precise teleportation.

"Lord Reslin," the blood elf said, rising to greet.

"Please, Lord Oukule, see me off," Reslin said.

Oukule, looking at the solitary Reslin, couldn't help but wonder, "Lady North Star and those Wizards..."

"They wish to stay longer at the Santara Residence, and I have business in the Dark Realm, unable to bring them back to Weizelan; I hope this does not trouble you," Reslin explained.

Oukule was momentarily stunned.

The blood elf had detained these human Wizards to prevent them from revealing the existence of the Santara Residence after leaving; Countess Liflin, out of respect for Reslin and having secured Weizelan's promised support, finally agreed to let them go.

Unexpectedly, these Wizards were unwilling to leave.

"Apologies, I must consult the lady Countess," Oukule said, expressing regret before teleporting away; he soon returned, smiling, "Countess has agreed. Lord Reslin, rest assured, Lady North Star and the Wizards are honored guests at the Santara Residence; they may stay as long as they wish and depart at any time thereafter."

"Thank you," Reslin nodded.

He then added, "If the Fu Kong Cheng attacks Revenge Island, you can contact Weizelan through Perarice."

"Countess also intends that," Oukule replied.

After the agreement, the blood elf mage personally escorted Reslin to the teleportation array, sending him out of the Santara Residence through the magical gate.

Oukule had originally been worried that Reslin's mastery of teleportation might lock onto the precise underground location of the Santara Residence during transit. Yet from start to finish, Reslin never glanced at the array, prompting Oukule to silently commend this Weizelan Wizard as a gentleman.

But he did not know that the moment Reslin entered the Santara Residence through the magical gate, he had already obtained the information he sought.

Before the Key of Doors, all teleportation arrays appeared as clear as patterns on the palm, instantly comprehensible.

In the Black Forest on the ground of Aibolaken.

Reslin alone appeared near the great tree bearing the magical gate; he glanced back, a barely perceptible smile curling his lips.

The gate seemed to be at the exact center of the Aibolaken Peninsula, but that was merely a disguise. The Santara Residence was not directly beneath the gate; it lay over a dozen miles to the south, at the peninsula's southern tip, near the mouth where two rivers converge.

Based on teleportation distance and bearing calculations, the Santara Residence lay about six hundred meters underground.

The precise spatial coordinates were already firmly memorized by Reslin.

As long as he wishes, he can ignore the spatial isolation array painstakingly set up by the blood elves and teleport directly into the Santara Residence.

This blood elf's hidden stronghold was as open to Reslin as an unlocked door.

He cast a directed teleport, and his figure vanished.

The next second, he appeared at the edge of the nearby Black Forest, his gaze piercing the shrubs a few meters away; this was Yizite's "Rio Mon Shelter" in disguise.

The dark elf emerged from the shelter, surprised, "Back so quickly, come in quickly."

Reslin nodded.

He followed them into the shelter; in the warm tent space several teammates were present, and Beilake impatiently asked, "Reslin, what are those blood‑elf secret bases like? Are they in Aibolaken's dungeons?"

Asina and Daoensosu also cast curious glances.

The female giant had just sensed Lei En nearby and, via a soul contract, asked in secret.

Reslin gave a brief account of his experiences.

He did not disclose the location of the Santara residence or the blood knight's secret; he spoke truthfully about everything else, including having met Perarisu and several Weizelan Wizards, and that they were going to search for Fu Kong Cheng.

Beilake shook his head repeatedly as he listened:

"Only seven or eight high‑level Wizards dare to venture deep into Karnod Icefield; are they sick of living?"

As for the interior of the Santara residence, according to Reslin's description, it was a miniature of a typical blood‑elf city, with no Aibolaken treasure.

That left him greatly disappointed and no longer very interested.

Reslin neither affirmed nor denied Beilake's assessment; Perarisu's temperament was extremely cautious, bold yet meticulous, and would not risk suicide without certainty.

Yizite, however, focused even more on another matter.

"Reslin, are you preparing to explore the New Continent?"

A strange expectation glimmered in the dark elf's eyes, leaving Reslin a little puzzled; he nodded and replied, "Indeed, that plan exists."

"Build a new city, or a Fu Kong Cheng? Where would you choose the location? Is this your own plan, or the collective Willpower of Weizelan?"

Yizite's eyes lit up as he kept asking.

Reslin was bewildered by his enthusiasm, feeling that Yizite seemed more invested than himself; after a moment he said, "It's merely my personal idea, unrelated to Weizelan. The whole plan is still at a sketch stage; we should build a city first. As for the location, I intend to choose Shield Island."

"Shield Island…" Yizite murmured, "Rebuild on the ruins of that Fu Kong Cheng?"

"Not decided yet," Reslin shook his head.

Back then, the Mo Du aristocrats and Weizelan Wizards selected Shield Island precisely because of the superb geography at its western end.

The river separating it from Aibolaken served as a natural moat; as long as walls were erected along its banks, they could repel most of the Undead Army crossing the river, and with Fu Kong Cheng stationed in the sky, the fertile lands of Shield Island spanning thousands of square miles—equivalent to the entire Mo Du territory—were secured.

The narrow southern coast of Shield Island featured several deep‑water ports, enabling trade and a steady influx of people, troops, and supplies from the New Continent.

Subsequently, using Shield Island as a base, they would expand westward step by step, establishing a new kingdom.

The plan had no flaws; it was both steady and safe.

However, it had been Korstted's scheme from the start, and the crucial Fu Kong Cheng component went awry; years of effort were wasted. Fu Kong Cheng fell into the hands of the Heavenly Disaster Legion, the city turned to ruins, everyone was slaughtered cleanly, and even the walls were toppled by the Undead Army.

Reslin naturally did not wish to repeat the mistake.

Nevertheless, Shield Island remained the unequivocal first choice for city building; if he wanted to revive the plan, it would still require long‑term deliberation.

He was still pondering when Yizite seemed to have made a decision and solemnly said, "Reslin, if you build a city on Shield Island, I wish to take part."

Seeing that Reslin seemed not to understand, he clarified, "To be precise, my people and brothers request to join the construction of the new city and become its first legitimate residents."

"Dark elves and Demonic Hunters?" Reslin was somewhat surprised.

"Yes!"

Yizite lightly nodded, his face heavy as he said, "Among my people in the Dark Realm, many actually yearn for the surface, wishing to leave the dark underground world and escape that nation of hatred and slaughter. They, like me, are kind‑hearted, but were unfortunately born as Zhor, which causes them great suffering."

"For many years I've sought a place on the surface that could accept my people. I search for the Phoenix Crown, also hoping to return the crown to Aoroan and earn the Phoenix King's shelter for my tribe."

"And my brothers, those Demonic Hunters."

"They include blood elves and high elves, yet they are rejected by their own races and exiled from their homelands; I wish to find a new home for my brothers."

"But that's too difficult…"

At this point, Yizite's expression was very downcast.

Reslin could understand his feelings.

This stems from severe stereotypes and racial discrimination; dark elves are notorious in Ai Lun E Si, and in the eyes of most people they are outright evil beings, inherently treacherous and deceitful, embodying hatred and slaughter, almost on par with demons.

In reality, dark‑elf society is indeed like that, yet there are always a few kind Zhor.

Yizite is one such example.

However, the few exceptions cannot change the dark elves' terrible reputation; people become immediately wary upon seeing them.

Under these circumstances, it is almost impossible for anyone on the surface to accept dark elves.

Perhaps a handful of Zhor could integrate into surface society, but as their numbers grow, they would cause unease and inevitably spark conflict.

If it were someone else, even with a close relationship to Yizite, it would be hard to agree.

Yizite is kind, but he cannot guarantee that other dark elves are good; if a few dark elves cause trouble, it creates a trust crisis.

Demonic Hunters face a similar situation.

But for Reslin, it is no problem at all.

The Soul Eye can discern each dark elf's moral inclination; no evil person can infiltrate the team, and he holds no prejudice against Demonic Hunters.

Reslin asked, "How many of your people and brothers are there?"

"Eight hundred to a thousand people."

Yizite had already braced himself for rejection, but the next second he heard Reslin laugh, "Only that few? I thought you could bring tens of thousands of Zhor to help build the new city on Shield Island."

The dark elf wore a stunned expression.

Nevertheless, he was not swept away by the sudden good news and said seriously, "Reslin, aren't you afraid that evil individuals might be hidden among my people?"

Reslin smiled confidently, "I can't guarantee everything else, but in discerning the good and evil of hearts, no one can hide from my eyes. Yizite, just gather your people and Demonic Hunters; the more, the better. I will accept however many you bring, provide food and shelter, and give you a new home."

He recalled a saying from his past life: "Han Xin counts soldiers— the more, the better!"

Yizite immediately rejoiced, saying, "Great! As we enter the Dark Realm, we can contact our people."

(End of Chapter)