Chapter 734: Absolute Power

A project of thirty million to over a hundred million Gold Shields!

Bulestein's eyes bulged round, as if they would pop out of their sockets, framing his face's thick fiery red beard, looking extremely comical, he exclaimed, "Lei En, are you joking with me?"

"Yes," Lei En replied.

The dwarf's expression instantly froze, as if in an instant he had fallen from the heavens into the Abyss, feeling an endless sense of loss.

"I told you, how could there possibly be a project worth over a hundred million..." Bulestein muttered, seeing Lei En's expression half‑smile, half‑grimace, suddenly shuddered, realizing Lei En wasn't joking. His voice even trembled a bit, he grabbed Lei En's arm and hurriedly asked, "What project? Could it be the Floating City?"

Aside from the Floating City, he couldn't imagine any project requiring so much money.

But dwarves don't build the Floating City; at most they'd lend a hand.

"It's not the Floating City," Lei En said with a smile, shaking his head, "I'm planning to build an entirely new metropolis, wholly my own city, which in the future must accommodate at least one million residents."

"A city of a million people shouldn't require that much money, right?" Bulestein was somewhat puzzled; he was an expert in this field, quickly calculated the approximate cost, and said it wouldn't exceed twenty million Gold Shields at most.

"Because the city's location is rather special and far away," Lei En replied.

"Where?" Bulestein guessed vaguely.

"New Continent, Shield Island."

The dwarf's first reaction, like Ouroin Master's, was that the failure of the Weizelan Floating City was known to all, so he thought Lei En intended to rebuild a new township.

Lei En flatly denied it, briefly outlining his own plan.

Bulestein listened attentively, also calculating in his mind.

According to Lei En's plan, a city of that magnitude, even with only the most rudimentary infrastructure, would require an investment of twenty to thirty million Gold Shields, and the construction period would be very long; the initial phase alone exceeds five years, and even twenty or thirty years wouldn't be enough for full completion.

This is absolutely an unprecedented massive project, rarely seen in dwarf history.

The stone mason guild of Rongyanbao mobilized entirely, but none could take on such a huge project, so they would definitely have to invite craftsmen from other dwarf kingdoms to assist.

Of course, the compensation would also be astonishing.

He had collaborated with Lei En twice before; the wage standards differed. Usually the pay is negotiated based on project difficulty. Building a city isn't very hard, but considering the work is on the perilous New Continent, there must be appropriate risk compensation, at least one‑third of the invested cost.

If calculated at thirty million Gold Shields, that's ten million Gold Shields!

Even in the Third Epoch, the dwarves' golden age, the stone mason guild of Rongyanbao had never received a single contract exceeding ten million Gold Shields.

And possibly even more.

Gold's allure to dwarves is lethal; whether gold, mithril, or adamantine, the craving for precious metals runs in every dwarf's blood.

Bulestein's breathing became rapid.

He strained to stay calm and asked, "Lei En, can you muster that much money?"

"Before construction begins, I will pre‑pay one million Gold Shields," Lei En said calmly, "After breaking ground, we will pay the wages on a regular monthly basis in priority; if the money doesn't arrive, you may halt work, ensuring the dwarf craftsmen suffer no loss. The specific remuneration details can be discussed once you confirm taking the project."

Such a sincere offer left Bulestein with no further doubts.

In his mind, he already had an answer.

If the city were to be built merely on the Empire or the Old Continent, Bulestein could agree immediately, but traveling to the peril‑filled New Continent, involving the lives of thousands of dwarves, he cannot decide alone; he must obtain the king of Rongyanbao's consent.

Bulestein thought for a moment, then said cautiously, "I must return to Rongyanbao and discuss with His Majesty the king before I can reply to you."

"Please do so promptly."

Lei En had anticipated this, saying, "Whether you take the project or not, my plan will proceed as scheduled; I will wait for you at most ten days."

In other words, if no reply comes within ten days, he will seek another construction crew.

Bulestein instantly felt a sense of urgency.

Dwarves are the world's finest architects and craftsmen, but not only Rongyanbao; there are also the Zhigao Shan, Lone Peak, Mithril Palace, and Nine Peaks Valley kingdoms, all within the Shi Jie Shan Mai, and the five great kingdoms are both brotherly peoples and rivals.

With Lei En's capability, contacting the other dwarf kingdoms wouldn't be difficult.

"I'll return to Rongyanbao immediately."

Bulestein turned and left, thinking that the massive fortune of ten to over thirty million Gold Shields must not slip from his grasp; he must persuade the king to agree.

Lei En saw him step onto the teleportation array, disregarding even the dwarf craftsmen finishing work at the school.

Soon after.

Over two hundred dwarf craftsmen completed all their tasks, and Lei En opened a portal for them, passing through Gra Morgan Castle and Jin Gang Fort, finally teleporting back to Rongyanbao.

A squad of Extreme Warriors and two squads of Gun‑Wing Knights began to be stationed at the Ax Combat School.

The already‑hired over a hundred school staff were also teleported to the school; they included ordinary people and the extraordinary, handling the students' clothing, food, shelter, and daily life, everything proceeding orderly, only awaiting the start of classes.

"Lei En, come over."

While transporting the school's teaching tools and household items to Lei En at Ax via the Nebula Ring, he heard the teacher's transmission.

He used a badge to open a portal directly to the top level of the Weizelan Tower.

"Teacher."

Lei En greeted, but did not see Ouroin Master.

Anxiwodasi sat on a spacious sofa, pointed to the opposite seat, and after Lei En settled, his faint smile faded, his expression turning somewhat solemn, and he asked:

"Ouroin told me you are already preparing to build a city on Shield Island?"

Lei En nodded calmly, "Yes."

"Isn't this a bit too hasty?" Anxiwodasi sighed, "The lesson of Modra is still fresh, it hasn't been long since it passed."

Mentioning Chairman Modra, his gaze dimmed slightly, "Although Weizelan's strength has recovered somewhat in recent years and its influence is at its peak, you and I both know that Weizelan's overall power is still far below what it once was, and the debt pressure has only lessened. If you build a city now, neither militarily nor economically can Weizelan provide you sufficient support."

Because Lei En had previously hinted at the city plan, Anxiwodasi was not surprised.

He just hadn't expected it to start so quickly.

"Teacher, most things don't require complete preparation before acting; as long as you have confidence, you should act decisively, the earlier the better," Lei En said with confidence.

Anxiwodasi's gaze flashed, "How confident are you?"

"Seventy percent," Lei En replied.

"That's so high..." Anxiwodasi exclaimed, noting that building a major city on the New Continent is far from easy.

He originally thought that a thirty‑percent chance for Lei En was already high, but it turned out to be seventy percent.

Seeing the teacher deep in thought, Lei En continued, "Teacher, actually there are two more reasons that push me to speed up the city‑building."

Anxiwodasi raised his eyebrows slightly, signaling him to speak.

"First, pioneering the New Continent is a tremendous achievement, expanding the Empire's frontier, especially on the east coast where the Aibolaken region and Shield Island have the best geographic conditions; if we succeed in occupying them, it carries great symbolic significance. This is equally important to me personally; when I later run for Consul, it will be my most dazzling political accomplishment, earning the Empire's senators' support and their votes."

"Ge Niu Si's term still has thirteen years left, so I must within those thirteen years build Gotham City and reach a certain scale, only then will it be persuasive."

Lei En revealed his true thoughts to others for the first time.

Anxiwodasi slowly nodded; he supports Lei En's campaign for Empire Consul, and indeed, as Lei En said, successfully building a city on Shield Island is the best campaign boost.

Expand the frontier, enlarge territories.

Most Empire senators are nobles or lords; for them, nothing is more enticing than this.

"Second point." Lei En's expression grew solemn, "I recently crossed the Kanode Icefield and found the Undead Army of the Disaster Legion swelling dramatically; even in border regions far from the Ice Crown Fortress, undead tombs are increasing, and their strength is growing…"

Anxiwodasi's complexion changed slightly, "The Death Lord has obtained the Book of the Dead."

"I guessed the same," Lei En nodded.

Originally, the artifact Book of the Dead hidden in the Weizelan Tower was seized by the Lich Sazastan, whose power is not inferior to the Death Lord, even somewhat stronger.

However, no one expected that the Book of the Dead would finally fall into the hands of Death Lord E Sa Zi.

The Holy Soul Lich's personal power may be even greater.

However, the Death Lord controls all Death Knights in the world, leads the massive Disaster Legion, excels at large‑scale war and slaughter, and can unleash the Book of the Dead's terrifying power.

This is bad news for the entire Ai Lun E Si.

"The Death Lord has obtained the artifact, allowing him to continuously summon undead armies from the Abyss netherworld; each day, the Disaster Legion's strength grows a bit."

Lei En said gravely, "Also, the Eternal Chosen Aikon of the Netifu Demon has accelerated his conquest of the whole tribe; no one can stop him now."

"The longer we delay, the more disadvantageous it becomes for us."

"Therefore, we must hammer a nail into the New Continent to check these two Abyss forces."

"These two great forces are not a solid block; Shield Island lies at the junction of the Kanode Icefield and the Eastern Plains, backed by the Fallen Star Sea, with no rear worries. If we can hold our footing on Shield Island, it will be like inserting a blade into their gap, a sword pressing against their backs, preventing them from acting rashly."

After Lei En finished speaking, he looked at Anxiwodasi's reaction.

Anxiwodasi pondered for a long while, yet still hesitated, shaking his head, "Your intention is good. But have you considered the risk—can a single city's strength withstand the siege of the two great Abyss forces?"

"If we don't try now, it will only become harder later."

Lei En replied firmly.

Seeing the teacher's thoughts waver, he pressed on, softly saying, "Teacher, Gotham City will be the best bait to lure the new floating city of Fu Kong Cheng, and while the Disaster Legion's strength hasn't swollen beyond countering, this will be our sole chance to avenge the Weizelan Wizards."

Anxiwodasi couldn't help but be moved; this reason finally touched him.

"Fine!"

"I will fully support your building a city on Shield Island," Anxiwodasi stood and said, "Economically, I cannot provide support. But I will permit the Weizelan Wizards, in a personal capacity, to go to Shield Island and help you construct the city, provided you pay the fee."

"Thank you, Teacher, money is no issue," Lei En smiled.

With the Weizelan Wizards' involvement, the odds of building Gotham increase, and openly bearing the Weizelan banner attracts more potential allies and investors, as well as the New Continent's supernal beings who come to join.

"What a pity…"

Anxiwodasi shook his head, lamenting, "You intend to build a city that belongs to you; otherwise I will propose at the Supreme Council to have the Empire allocate funds and dispatch troops, using the nation's power to construct Gotham, which benefits all parties."

"Never mind," Lei En replied decisively.

He is selfish; Gotham City must remain his private domain, with absolute control. Once the Empire intervenes, its nature changes, and even the political achievement would be shared.

Anxiwodasi naturally understood these, only testing slightly; seeing Lei En's resolute attitude, he gave up.

He waved his hand.

Ouroin Master emerged from the void, looking at Lei En with a smile, "Since Anxiwodasi has decided to support, I have no hesitation."

"Master!"

Lei En was first startled, having not noticed that Ouroin Master was hidden nearby.

Then his heart leapt with great joy.

It turned out Ouroin Master had been listening to his conversation with the teacher; he had already agreed, but would determine the level of support based on the interview outcome with the teacher.

Now it seems Ouroin Master will fully support him!

Two Thirty-level Holy Soul Wizards, plus the pledged Titan Elder, with these three, Gotham City's top‑tier combat power is already enough to confront the Disaster Legion and the Death Knot Seal head‑on, even slightly ahead.

Top‑tier combat power above Saint Rank is what Lei En feared most; now he can be at ease.

For the supernal army below Saint Rank, he has absolute confidence.

Additionally there is a deeper factor: Ouroin Master's joint advance with the teacher signals his stance; he has already aligned with the Mo Du faction!

In that case, the Mo Du faction now holds six votes in the Supreme Council!

Although only half, it cannot fully control the council, but under majority rule, any proposal without Mo Du faction's consent can never pass.

Even if the Naiser faction and Balance faction unite, they would have only six votes.

Just one vote short, the Mo Du faction could fully seize the Supreme Council and thus grasp the Empire's supreme power!

Lei En couldn't help but wonder whether to let Reslin avoid being bound by "Time Stop", choose three simpler Nine-ring Techniques, quickly promote to Grand Mage and enter the Supreme Council, creating a seven‑to‑six vote situation, giving the Mo Du faction absolute advantage?

(End of Chapter)