Chapter 735: King of the Hill

Time Stop is too important to Reslin; other Nine-ring Techniques are irreplaceable and also set the ceiling for the future Grand Mage path, so this is not worth the cost.

Moreover, Lei En has other plans for Reslin.

Reslin's ultimate goal is to become a deity; currently only a few know his true identity, and making it public for a member of the Supreme Council is short‑sighted.

Even if Reslin ascends to Grand Mage, he should not join the Supreme Council.

"Forget it," Lei En said after serious consideration, ultimately abandoning the idea, "I'll enter the Supreme Council myself."

He is already level seventeen; only two magic souls away from challenging a Holy Soul Wizard, merely a matter of time.

The Mo Du faction has already seized the initiative of the Supreme Council, so waiting a few more years is fine. Moreover, Ouroin Master's ticket cannot be revealed for now; it must be used unexpectedly at the most critical moment to achieve maximum effect.

The crucial point is that Augulevi Master is hidden behind the scenes; this terrifying mastermind Lich is unlikely to allow the Mo Du faction to gain control of the Supreme Council.

The current situation may be Augulevi Master's limit of patience.

Both sides are still allies for now; before they have enough strength to counter Augulevi Master, it's best not to provoke him.

We must find a chance to hint to the teacher.

Lei En thought to himself.

He continued chatting with two Holy Soul Wizards for a while, confirming the construction of Gotham City, then turned to discuss the Aeks Combat School.

When the school was mentioned, Ouroin Master became especially pleased.

A few days later.

On the first day of New Era Calendar year 2533, the Aeks Combat School officially opened.

Over 120 students entered the school; these boys and girls, aged twelve to sixteen, with bright, hopeful faces, stood neatly on the plaza, watching the principal and the teachers on the podium.

Ouroin Master was delivering a passionate opening address.

Behind him, Lei En stood silently.

He could feel many students' gazes on him, full of admiration and curiosity; as he looked back, some met his eyes boldly, while others lowered their heads.

These students selected from across the nation each possessed extraordinary talent and great potential.

Placed in any other Fu Kong Cheng they would be highly sought after, truly first‑rate Wizard apprentices.

"They are the future pillars of the Combat School."

Lei En focused on about ten of the students; the Soul Eye had already grasped their talents and formed some ideas about their future magical paths.

There were also fifteen teachers on the stage.

Two days earlier, Ouroin Master formally introduced the recruited teachers to Lei En for a final review. It was Lei En's first time seeing so many Combat Wizards, each of considerable strength, especially the Combat Wizard named "Mei Lin," who left a deep impression on him.

Mei Lin is a Legendary High-rank, with a very youthful appearance.

At first glance, this Combat Wizard's impression is not his power but his strikingly feminine beauty; he even wears a magic robe embroidered with bright flowers, making it easy for people to mistake him for a lady.

Even Lei En, in terms of looks, is half a step weaker than Mei Lin.

However, he paid more attention to Mei Lin's strength.

The Soul Eye saw that Mei Lin is a level‑nineteen Combat Wizard, having only recently fused a magic soul, and still needs some time to reach the Legendary Peak; despite being under sixty years old, he is absolutely the world's top prodigy, and his strength is beyond doubt.

Mei Lin excels in swordsmanship, following the path of an agile Wizard supplemented by Arcane; his combat style is like a swift‑wind Sword Saint, but even faster than a swift‑wind Sword Saint.

Earlier, Lei En had heard of the famed "Flower Sword Saint"; before his own rise, Mei Lin was one of the most renowned Combat Wizards besides Ouroin Master.

Lei En originally wanted to spar with him, but was met with a cold refusal.

Mei Lin is not from the Empire, clearly not a pure‑blood human, his background is mysterious, yet Ouroin Master trusts him greatly. After Lei En observed him with the Soul Eye, he confirmed Mei Lin posed no problem nor ill will toward him; he is merely aloof, evidently affected by the other half of his mysterious bloodline.

Aside from Mei Lin, the other Combat Wizards were very enthusiastic toward Lei En.

However, Lei En found three individuals among them problematic; he did not expose them on the spot, and later told Ouroin Master that they had been persuaded to withdraw.

Then Lei En recommended three teachers as replacements.

One was Anweila, and the other two were very unfamiliar Combat Wizards, seemingly under thirty; Ouroin did not scrutinize them closely and agreed.

Anweila naturally needed no suspicion; she is more than qualified to teach the students.

The other two, in fact, are Thundercast Celestial Soldiers.

They are not wearing Thundercast armor, their appearances have been altered to be unremarkable, and now stand on the podium, blending among the dozen teachers without drawing attention.

Below the stage, among the students, there are Lei En's duplicates.

These two duplicates were created when Lei En uploaded the "white version" of his brain into clones; they appear about sixteen, can undergo Soul Transformation like normal people, and will grow together with the students.

Thus, there are four of Lei En's duplicates in the Aeks Combat School.

He did this not to target anyone specifically, but to conveniently monitor the school's situation, wholly for the strengthening of the Combat School.

After the opening ceremony, Lei En left.

He still has many tasks; the school affairs can be left to Ouroin Master, and only when a student completes the Soul Transformation ceremony and merges the first magic soul will he need to step in.

Back at Jin Gang Fort, Lei En glanced at the soul‑energy pool and immediately created another Thundercast Celestial Soldier.

For the past half‑month, a Thundercast Celestial Soldier has been born each day.

Now, the number of Thundercast Celestial Soldiers has reached forty; just within Jin Gang Fort, over a dozen handle weapon and armor production, three guard Sword Bay Town, and the rest are dispatched to Shield Island to join the team clearing the island's undead.

As the number of Thundercast Celestial Soldiers grows, the speed of clearing Shield Island accelerates.

Of course, the power consumption also rises faster.

Having delegated domain governance to his substitutes, Lei En could devote himself entirely to research; before long another week passed, and the Thundercast Celestial Soldier count surpassed fifty!

In the mechanical alchemy chamber, Lei En suddenly stopped, looking toward the teleportation hall outside.

"Finally arrived."

Bulestein has been silent since returning to Rongyanbao; he was given only ten days, and today is the ninth day, exceeding his expectations.

His mind leapt to the side of the teleportation array, where a stout dwarf materialized.

"Lei En."

Bulestein's expression was somewhat gaunt, but his eyes were extremely bright; looking at Lei En, it was as if he saw a golden treasure.

The Soul Eye shows the dwarf's emotions are somewhat complex, Lei En says, "Lord Bulestein, it's been so long since you returned; I thought you had abandoned this project."

"Impossible!"

Bulestein shakes his head in denial, sighing, "It's just that this matter involves too many things, more difficult than I imagined, so it has been delayed until today."

Lei En sees his unhappy face and asks, "What's the situation?"

"His Majesty the King asks you to go to Rongyanbao," Bulestein, fearing to upset Lei En, turns and hands the project to someone else, carefully explaining, "Lei En, Rongyanbao is very eager about your city‑building plan; my craftsmen are excited, eager to head to the New Continent immediately, but…"

"But what?" Lei En furrows his brows.

"I can't explain it clearly at the moment," Bulestein scratches his beard, looking embarrassed, "Lei En, the three kings wish to speak with you in person."

"Three kings?" Lei En is a bit surprised.

"Yes, the Rongyanbao King, the Thus line: Zhigao Shan King, and the Lone Peak King," Bulestein replies, "The stone mason guild of Rongyanbao cannot handle such a large project alone, so His Majesty Magnus informed the other two Dwarf Kings to discuss it together."

Lei En instantly feels displeased; Rongyanbao's approach violates commercial ethics.

There are five dwarf kingdoms in the Shi Jie Shan Mai; if they collude to pressure and raise prices, the city‑building plan will inevitably be affected.

Moreover, I am the employer, the principal, and you, a subcontractor's grandson, dare to make so many demands, asking me to visit you?

They say elves are the most proud race; dwarves are no better.

Lei En hums.

"Lord Count," Bulestein feels uneasy, almost pleading and using honorifics, explains, "I am the chief stone mason of Rongyanbao, must obey His Majesty, but I assure you with my life and dignity that Rongyanbao has great sincerity for this project; however, on some issues, the three majesties wish to discuss with you in person."

"If you truly have sincerity, you should come to Jin Gang Fort yourself," Lei En is unmoved; discussing matters on others' grounds is never as good as on his own.

Bulestein helplessly says, "A Dwarf King cannot easily leave his own people."

Lei En does not intend to concede and is about to refuse when the teleportation array ripples; a familiar dwarf teleports from Rongyanbao, sporting a fiery rooster‑crest hairstyle, a massive wine‑stained nose, and a Soul Spear hanging at his waist.

"Zuo Er Tan." Lei En's face lights up with surprise, and he immediately greets him.

"Hahaha… Lei En!" Zuo Er Tan rushes forward, enthusiastically hugging Lei En's waist, giving a hearty pat, then steps back two paces, sizing Lei En up, shouting, "It's been years; you've changed so much I almost don't recognize you."

"You, however, are still the same as before."

Lei En is delighted to see his old friend; the Soul Eye glances and smiles, "Not entirely unchanged; congratulations on your promotion to Legendary."

"Just the early stage of Legendary; I heard you've already reached Legendary High-rank, and Roger has advanced to Legendary Mid-stage. If I don't work harder, I won't have the face to meet you," Zuo Er Tan shakes his head, his face full of endless emotion, "When we first met, you were just an ordinary person. Even then I knew you'd achieve something, but I never expected you'd reach such astonishing heights!"

"That also owes much to your help," Lei En modestly smiles.

Zuo Er Tan shakes his head, chuckling, "Hehe, actually I only wanted to make a little money back then."

"That doesn't affect our friendship," Lei En shakes his head; he hasn't forgotten that when he first crossed over, he stayed at the "Basil" inn and received much care from Zuo Er Tan.

It can be said that Zuo Er Tan was the first friend Lei En made after arriving at Ai Lun E Si.

Reunions after a long separation are always joyous.

Although Lei En has realized that Zuo Er Tan's visit this time has another purpose. Sure enough, after catching up, Zuo Er Tan's expression turns serious, saying, "Lei En, I've already heard of your city‑building plan; I'm here because His Majesty Magnus asked me to invite you to visit Rongyanbao."

Lei En falls silent instantly.

Zuo Er Tan feels an inexplicable pressure, thinking that Lei En now is truly different from before; he sighs silently, continues to persuade, when Lei En finally speaks.

"Fine." Lei En smiles, "Since it's your invitation, I certainly won't refuse."

Zuo Er Tan and Bulestein are both overjoyed.

"Thank you, Lei En," Zuo Er Tan sighs in relief.

"Among friends, we needn't be so formal," Lei En waves his hand, asking, "Shall we set off now?"

"The sooner, the better," Bulestein says, the most eager.

"Please wait while I make some preparations."

Lei En says he needs to prepare, yet remains standing still. The two dwarves look puzzled; after a dozen seconds, heavy footsteps echo outside the teleport hall, two squads of towering Extreme Warriors stride in side by side like a human wall, a massive pressure bearing down.

Zuo Er Tan's complexion shifts slightly, noticing the twenty‑four blue‑armored super‑beings, each stronger than himself.

Bulestein has seen Extreme Warriors before, but this is his first close encounter, and he is equally stunned.

"Lei En, are they your Extreme Warriors?" Zuo Er Tan looks at the warriors nearly twice his height, shocked to the point of numbness.

"Yes," Lei En nods.

Going to Rongyanbao poses no real danger, but the momentum must not wane. These two squads of Extreme Warriors aren't there to fight; they're there to bolster the scene.

"Let's go."

Lei En steps onto the teleport array and casts.

The spacetime coordinates between Jin Gang Fort and Rongyanbao have remained uninterrupted; transporting more than ten people, opening a portal saves energy.

Soon, a teleportation gate opens.

Bulestein and Zuo Er Tan go first, the two squads of Extreme Warriors follow in single file, Lei En walks last, donning Mithril Light Armor. Before entering, he mentally commands Thunder God's Hammer to slip into the void, lingering in the Alchemical Chamber.

Thunder God's Hammer is the dwarves' clan treasure; bringing it to Rongyanbao, if the dwarves detect its presence, will inevitably spark a dispute.

Opposite the portal stands a magnificent Great Hall.

After Lei En passes through, he sees over a hundred dwarf guards in the hall, each clad in thick Rune Armor, wielding large shields, bearing war hammers or battle axes, only their eyes visible, like metallic statues.

They are the dwarves' elite, Steel Shield Guards!

In front of the teleport array stands an immensely muscular dwarf, his splendid Rune Armor radiating intense lightning, he wears no helmet but a gem‑set golden crown, his thick brown beard bound with copper rings, hanging over his chest, covering most of his body.

Noble, majestic, powerful!

Lei En quickly scans with his Soul Eye; this is a Saint Rank dwarf warrior, whom dwarves specially call the King of the Hills!

He already knows the other's identity: the Rongyanbao King—Magnus *Copper Ring!

These past two days have been so tangled; my condition was already poor, and at home I adopted a stray cat that wildly disturbs me, I almost want to throw it away… If I miss another update this month, the Perfect Attendance Award is gone, tragedy…

(End of Chapter)