Chapter 764: Bargaining

"Regent Lord, may I ask which form of alliance you prefer?"

Asqueng was startled for a moment, not quite understanding Lei En's words. An alliance is an alliance; are there different forms?

The blood elf couldn't help but re‑examine Lei En with his single eye; four Saint Rank strongmen had been present, and he had overlooked this young human. Only now did he realize that the weakest, Lei En, was actually the one in charge, as the departing Titan demigod had hinted.

The renowned Anxiwodasi also greatly respected his student's opinion.

Asqueng set aside his contempt and asked seriously, "Lei En, Chairman, what are your insights?"

"The two parties to the pact are equal," Lei En first qualified, then explained, "But that concerns after we become allies. Before that, we must clarify one thing: why should we become allies with the blood elves?"

The Regent, subconsciously, replied, "Naturally, to join forces against the Disaster Legion."

"Even without the blood elves, we could resist the Disaster Legion," Lei En replied, perhaps with hidden meaning, his gaze drifting toward the two Holy Soul Wizards.

If Elder Suolim and Yuyan were still present, this statement would be more persuasive.

"This…"

Asqueng immediately understood, and his anger flared.

In his view, the blood elves' calamity today meant Weizelan bore at least half the responsibility.

Yongge City was still tallying casualties; the exact figures would take two or three days, but current estimates put the dead at at least thirty thousand of the race. This includes Chief Grand Mage Belova, the blood elves' only caster above Thirty‑level, a venerable figure; almost all blood‑elf mages were his students and had received his tutelage.

Furthermore, the Ranger General of the "Dawn Blade", another Saint Rank ranger of Yongge City, also fell beneath the Death Lord's sword.

Such heavy losses dealt a massive blow to the blood elves.

But as Regent, he must show sufficient strength before his people, rallying the tribe, so he can only endure his grief.

The root of all this was Weizelan's failure, which allowed the Disaster Legion to seize Fu Kong Cheng.

Considering Weizelan's timely relief, Asqueng originally didn't want to bring it up again, but now Lei En was bargaining with him?

He suppressed his anger and said gravely, "Even a weakened blood elf will not allow itself to be bullied."

"Your Excellency, the Regent, has misunderstood."

Lei En instantly saw through the other's mindset; in this disaster, Weizelan indeed bore some responsibility, the blood elves' casualties were severe, but the blood elves could not forever see themselves as victims, endlessly demanding from Weizelan.

Having intervened to rescue today and then forming an alliance, does that mean every time the blood elves are attacked, Weizelan must intervene?

Therefore, the blood elves must set their position straight.

Lei En said calmly, "Weizelan has already fulfilled the prior promise. I assume Your Excellency, the Regent, will not deny this, will you?"

"Yes," Asqueng nodded stiffly.

"Then we owe each other nothing," Lei En shrugged, "If the Disaster Legion attacks again, Your Excellency, the Regent, may still request our aid, but it will not be without cost. Of course, as you said, we can become allies; only the form differs slightly."

In fact, there was another sentence he did not utter.

In the recent battle, there was a blood‑elf Grand Mage who defected to the Disaster Legion, evidently of very high rank; Yongge City's rapid fall indicates that this traitor must have played a crucial role.

This is the blood elves' own problem; Weizelan cannot bear all the blame.

Lei En only refrained from exposing the wound out of consideration for the other's feelings.

Even so, Asqueng remained expressionless, staring at Lei En with his single eye.

He had already grasped Lei En's meaning; this line of reasoning was airtight, leaving no room for rebuttal. Most importantly, Lei En spoke with confidence because four Saint Rank strongmen stood behind him, each no weaker than himself, some far stronger.

Even Lei En himself is not easy to provoke.

Anxiwodasi cast an approving glance at Lei En.

Regarding the blood elves' relationship with Weizelan, he had already been concerned when Lei En relayed Reslin's observations from his residence in Santra.

Out of justice and a sense of duty, Weizelan certainly cannot ignore the blood elves, but responsibility is not limitless, nor can the blood elves keep demanding endlessly.

Lei En's few words cut short the blood‑elf Regent's thoughts; he did it excellently.

Weizelan had already done his utmost.

In the silence, the anger and resentment in Asqueng's eyes suddenly vanished, returning to calm, a faint smile appearing on his face: "Chairman Lei En, you are right; I had not considered it fully. The blood elves are a proud race; my people have always been self‑reliant, resisting the Disaster Legion for three thousand years without outside aid."

"I have long admired the blood elves' resilience and strength," Lei En praised at the right moment.

Asqueng nodded.

Then, making a gesturing invitation, he said, "Master Anxiwodasi, Ouroin Master, Chairman Lei En, might I have the honor of inviting the three of you to sit together in Yongge City?"

Lei En smiled knowingly.

An elf who can become Regent is indeed remarkable.

Asqueng's words sounded noble—self‑reliance and all that—but his inner assessment of the situation was accurate, showing flexibility. Had Asqueng acted rashly, disregarding his people's survival and refused the alliance, it would have lowered others' regard for him.

"It is my great honor," Anxiwodasi said with a smile, accepting the invitation.

Half an hour later.

Atop the Mage Tower in the center of Yongge City, the spacious, bright hall was surrounded by transparent walls; from any direction one could look down over Yongge City.

A strikingly charred swath cut across the entire city.

It was the devastation wrought by the Death Lord's divine punishment; all buildings along its path were razed, grass unable to grow, and it missed the Faserlin Tower by only a few hundred meters.

In fact, even though the Faserlin Tower itself escaped the Death Lord's wrath, the "Faserlin Morning Star Barrier" it sustained was shattered. Over a dozen rune array hubs placed on the walls and throughout the city were destroyed; until repaired, Yongge City was essentially naked, exposing everything to the enemy.

Without a protective barrier, Yongge City was no longer safe.

This was also why Regent Asqueng swallowed his resentment; otherwise, if Naxas' Fu Kong Cheng launched a counterattack, Yongge City would be doomed.

Lei En's gaze roamed the city.

The blood elves had already restored order; their efficiency was remarkable, having just held a collective funeral for the dead. The streets seemed somewhat empty, each blood elf's face bearing deep sorrow and an even stronger hatred.

"Alas…"

Lei En let out a silent sigh.

He had already teleported the Extreme Warrior, the Gunwing Knight Corps, and the Thundercast Celestial Soldiers back to Gotham City; Ouroin Master also returned to Mo Du, leaving only himself and his master to negotiate with the Regent.

"Master Anxiwodasi, Chairman Lei En," Asqueng entered the hall, his face full of apology, "Sorry to have kept you both waiting so long."

Anxiwodasi and Lei En both stood, "Everyone, please accept my condolences."

Thank you.

Asiqiongge gave a wooden nod; behind him were several blood elves, and he said, "Let me introduce you to the two of you."

These four blood elves were all striking, two men and two women, and they looked very young.

Lei En recognized one of them; she was Countess Lifulin.

Besides her, the other three were all Saint Rank strongmen, among them the th Level "Luomansi" Grand Mage, whom he had seen on the battlefield; he intercepted an Apocalypse Knight trying to enter the city, and just as he was about to kill him, the Fu Kong Cheng rescued him.

The remaining two: one was a female Grand Mage who had only recently been promoted, named "Ailuolana"; the last was a male blood elf called "Hadulun", whose appearance was exceedingly handsome and whose power was not to be underestimated—he was a Saint Rank Ranger.

According to Asiqiongge, Hadulun had originally been the deputy of the Ranger General of the "Blade of Dawn", and now he had taken over that position.

Lei En gained a deeper understanding of the blood elves' racial talents.

With a population of barely three hundred thousand, after sacrificing two Saint Rank strongmen and betraying a third, there were still four Saint Rank strongmen remaining.

Moreover, these strongmen had all emerged from countless battles, forged in blood and fire.

"I have met Master Anxiwodasi, Chairman Lei En."

After exchanging greetings and bows, both sides took their seats.

Lei En calmly glanced at the stunning Countess Lifulin, feeling a bit puzzled. Lifulin was merely a legend, yet she ranked alongside several Saint Rank blood elves, indicating her standing among blood elves was higher than what Polaresi had learned.

This was evidently linked to the blood knights.

According to Polaresi's intelligence, the blood elf army was divided into four main sections.

First was the most numerous and strongest, the "Blade of Dawn", with over thirty thousand members, each a battle‑hardened ranger or assassin.

Second was the Fa Selin Tower, which also served as an academy.

The academy was the blood elves' sole spellcaster school; any blood elf aspiring to the path of wizardry had to pass an exam to enroll.

The head of the Fa Selin Academy also served as chief Grand Mage; previously the role was held by Grand Mage Belowa, and now it was taken over by Grand Mage Luomansi.

The proportion of blood elf wizards was extremely high, exceeding one thousand in total.

Next came the Anti‑Magic Guard.

This extraordinary unit, composed entirely of anti‑magic users, was the most scarce in number; they took orders directly from the Regent and served as his personal guard.

Lastly was the blood knight order, a newly‑born profession of just over one hundred and fifty years.

Polaresi had learned that the blood knight order numbered over ten thousand, but due to headaches and blood cravings, they had yet to receive the Regent Asiqiongge's approval and were widely criticized and even discriminated against within blood elf society.

Most blood knights left Yongge City, scattering to various outposts across the New Continent.

Countess Lifulin was the first blood knight and the strongest of them, having reached the Legendary Peak, serving as the spiritual leader of the blood knight order.

In the previous battle, Lei En had been idle for the most part, though he had done some things.

The entire battlefield was under his control.

Through the eyes of the Thundercast Celestial Soldier, Lei En saw a wealth of information, including the blood knights' performance in combat. Overall, they were more suited to large‑scale warfare than rangers or assassins, with superior strength and defense and quite respectable attack power.

Most importantly, the blood knights' holy light countered Undead creatures; it not only dispelled evil but also healed wounds, saving many of their kin.

The blood knight order's outstanding performance could very well have changed the Regent's mind.

In fact, Asiqiongge had no other options.

Lei En's Voice of All Things heard many sounds; the preliminary casualty report was out: today over forty thousand blood elves had been killed or gone missing, many of them elite of the Blade of Dawn. After this battle, the Blade of Dawn's vital energy was severely damaged and would not recover for decades.

The blood knight order, having been teleported from the New Continent, entered the battlefield later; shortly after they began fighting, Weizelan's reinforcements arrived, allowing them to survive.

The overwhelming majority of blood knights survived.

If the Regent wished to replenish his forces and resist the enemy, the blood knight order was the only choice. Moreover, the order had proven its strength.

That was why Countess Lifulin appeared here.

Lei En's mind raced with many thoughts, forming a bottom line for the upcoming negotiations, when he heard Asiqiongge say, "Master Anxiwodasi, my people need to ally with Weizelan; what price must be paid?"

Anxiwodasi nodded, but gave no reply.

He had long ago made it clear to Lei En that the matter of the New Continent was entirely Lei En's responsibility—a personal undertaking.

The wizards who took part in the Getan battle fought in their own names, and Lei En had paid them remuneration. Even his personal intervention today was to avenge the dead Weizelan wizards, not to meddle in Shield Island affairs.

Even the closest teachers and students must keep public and private matters separate.

The blood elves, seeing Anxiwodasi remain silent and instead turn their gaze to Lei En, relinquished the initiative of the negotiations, and were instantly bewildered, their expressions odd.

The renowned Holy Soul Wizard, the de facto ruler of the Empire, astonishingly obeyed his own student so completely that no one would dare speak of it.

Anxiwodasi smiled indifferently, noting that his presence alone was enough to steady the situation.

Lei En took the floor, saying, "Your Highness the Regent, Weizelan will not ally with the blood elves." Before he could finish, several blood elves opposite him turned pale; Lei En quickly raised his hand to calm them, explaining, "It is Gotham City that is allying with the blood elves."

"Gotham City?" Asiqiongge furrowed his brow.

The other blood elves were also perplexed, especially the several Saint Rank strongmen, who were hearing the name Gotham City for the first time.

Only Countess Lifulin knew best; her Santara residence was separated from Shield Island by only a river, and on the first day Gotham began construction, her scouts reported activity on Shield Island. Afterwards, Gotham's walls rose right before her eyes, and she even sent a report to the Regent.

Previously, when Yongge City was attacked, the Santara residence was blockaded by the Undead Army.

Even magical messages were interfered with and could not be transmitted.

Countess Lifulin had no choice but to send people back to Yongge City to repel the Catastrophe Army, while also ordering Oukule to break the blockade and seek aid from Gotham across the strait.

Fortunately, Lei En and his legion arrived in time.

Countess Lifulin was meeting this neighbor for the first time, and from the moment she entered she sized up Lei En. At last she could not hold back, saying, "Chairman Lei En, your legion is immensely powerful and admirable. Yet a Gotham City that only has walls likely lacks the standing to ally with the blood elves."

Asiqiongge and the others gave a slight nod; Lifulin voiced their thoughts.

Facing the doubt, Lei En answered with concrete action.

He flicked his hand, producing a bottle of magic potion filled with a golden liquid—it was Sunlight Blood!

(End of Chapter)