Chapter 772: The Tara Do Giant Thunder Elephant

Fabian's words had just finished when a portal opened in the study, and Lei En stepped out, asking, "What magic soul?"

"Uh…"

The wind elf glanced at Lei En, then at the substitute seated behind the desk, stared dumbfounded, and after a few seconds stammered, "M-Master, which one is the real you?"

The two lords looked identical, even their clothing matched perfectly; it was impossible to tell them apart.

"Both are me," Lei En smiled.

"Huh?" Fabian finally caught on, guessing it was Lei En's duplicate technique, and felt even more reverence.

In fact, these past days he had already been suspicious.

Since a little over three months ago, the lord suddenly became diligent, handling official affairs and managing the domain daily in the study. He even began regular inspections in Gelamogen and Aogusidu Principality, pouring almost all his time into it, and could be seen at any moment.

As the head steward of Gelamogen, Fabian was involved in most of the domain's affairs and was probably the person who knew Lei En's movements best.

Then, he found that the lord seemed to be everywhere.

Clearly, he was in the office this morning taking his report, yet at the same time he heard the lord had appeared in Gotham City.

Or perhaps news of the lord's appearance came from the Imperial Capital, while the person was right before his eyes.

This made Fabian uneasy, yet he dared not ask.

"Master," the wind elf, suddenly realizing, asked very cautiously, "How should I tell which one is you and which is your duplicate?"

"No need to tell, they're all me," Lei En replied, then understood the steward's concern: he feared someone might impersonate him. If Fabian got used to his duplicate, he could fall into a mental trap, subconsciously treating anyone who looked like him as a duplicate.

This was indeed a significant risk, but also easy to resolve.

Lei En nodded, "I'll give you a password that only the two of us know; if the next line doesn't match, it's an impostor."

"Understood, master," Fabian listened attentively.

"Strange change, even change not, symbols look at quadrants."

The wind elf's face stiffened; the phrase was spoken by Lei En in Chinese, which she couldn't understand at all, so she humbly asked, "Master, please say it again, I didn't hear clearly."

"Hahaha…" Lei En let out a mischievous laugh.

After repeating it several times, Fabian finally memorized it, but still didn't grasp its meaning, uttering the password in a strained tone over and over.

"Alright," Lei En's smile faded, "What magic soul has appeared in Nuosiruier?"

"Tara Do Giant Thunder Elephant," Fabian replied, "Viola, under the crown, sent word that the Imperial Capital's largest magic soul trading market 'Tula Mo' will hold an auction in a week, offering a batch of high‑quality magic souls, among which is a 'Tara Do Giant Thunder Elephant' magic soul. They claim publicly that this magic soul is Legendary High‑rank and comes with a thunder form."

Lei En's eyes brightened; a Legendary High‑rank magic soul with a thunder form was perfect for him.

Although he already possessed six thunder forms, Elemental abilities can operate simultaneously, and more is never too many.

Advancing an ultra Element to a Legendary Element usually requires three to four.

With six thunder forms during the next Soul Transformation, the upgrade is almost certain, though there remains a tiny chance of failure; having another would be safer.

What he needed most now was a magic soul, to fuse and upgrade early, and strike against the Holy Soul Wizard.

Moreover, the Tara Do Giant Thunder Elephant does not have just one thunder form. The 'Book of a Thousand Souls' records that the thunder elephant is a rare magical beast, massive in size, with formidable strength and defense, naturally mastering thunder power.

In the Prime Material Plane, only ordinary thunder elephants exist, which rarely reach Legendary status.

The Tara Do Giant Thunder Elephants are even rarer; they were first discovered on the 'Tara Do Plateau' of the Storm Plane, hence the name.

A Tara Do Giant Thunder Elephant that reaches Legendary High‑rank possesses at least twelve levels of Legendary power and likely some rare abilities.

This magic soul is certainly not perfect, but he no longer wanted to wait.

"Is the information accurate?" Lei En asked.

"Tula Mo magic soul company has always had an excellent reputation in the Empire; they cooperate with several large magic soul farms and command multiple powerful soul‑hunting squads, and it's said their backers are very strong," Fabian clearly knew something about the market but dared not draw conclusions, "Master, in recent years you've been signaling a desire to purchase magic souls, so people in the Imperial Capital should be aware."

Lei En nodded; his need for magic souls was no secret.

Nuosiruier's waters are deep; if this thunder elephant magic soul were a bait set by enemies, that was also possible.

"I'll go to the Imperial Capital."

Lei En set off immediately, teleporting to Nuosiruier's Marlinge Manor, his and Viola's home, where they occasionally spent the night.

For Viola's safety, he dispatched a squad of Extreme Warriors to guard the manor, rotating regularly.

"The boss is here."

The Extreme Warriors looked from all directions toward the original body's location.

Stepping out of the teleport chamber, the manor's servants and maids saw Lei En, quickly bowed respectfully, and soon alerted the lady steward Abigail. She rushed forward at top speed, "Count, the one under the crown hasn't returned yet; she asked me to tell you to wait at the manor."

"Alright," Lei En said, sitting down relaxed.

Obviously, Viola had gone to gather information on his behalf.

She had occupied the papal throne of the Beauty and Goodness Church for over half a year, fully controlling the church's power. Moreover, in Nuosiruier, everyone knew Viola was his partner; with the papal status and his backing, few dared to slight her, instead vying to flatter and ingratiate themselves.

The Weizelan faction's political connections, the Beauty and Goodness Church's followers, and the Extreme Warriors accompanying her on outings made Viola's influence in the Imperial Capital among the very top few.

Even Consul Gneus had to treat her courteously.

In the evening, the sound of a car and the footsteps of Extreme Warriors came from outside the manor. Soon, a beautiful Half‑elf entered, saw Lei En half‑reclining on the sofa, and her stunningly gorgeous face broke into a happy smile.

"Lei En!"

Viola quickened her steps slightly and moved forward.

Lei En rose, naturally pulling her into his arms, giving a gentle hug, then nodded to the Extreme Warrior captain who followed, "Banite, you and your brothers go rest, you've worked hard."

"Yes, boss."

Banite responded loudly, then led the five Extreme Warriors who had traveled today out of the living room.

Lei En lowered his head, looking at the beauty in his arms, and said gently, "You too have worked hard."

"Your affairs are most important; I only gathered some information," Viola thought sweetly, but seeing servants and maids present, she naturally slipped out of Lei En's embrace. As a papal figure now, she must maintain her dignified bearing, especially when outsiders are present.

Abigail, being considerate, led the servants away.

"How is it?" Lei En asked.

"I'm not familiar with the people at Tula Mo magic soul company, so I asked someone to introduce me, and I met their boss, Viscount Dante." Viola said seriously, "The Tara Do Giant Thunder Elephant magic soul is real; Viscount Dante showed it to me, and it indeed has a thunder form."

"If it has a thunder‑electric form, then I'll take it." Lei En nodded.

"I thought the same, so I asked Viscount Dante to purchase a Magic Soul, willing to pay a premium, but he said he couldn't decide because the Magic Soul was someone else's commission; without the principal's consent, even at ten times the price he couldn't sell it." Viola's expression was a bit odd.

"Who is the principal?"

Lei En's eyes flashed; given Viola's current standing, anyone who can make her feel wary cannot be simple.

Viola whispered back, "Lady Luoxita."

"It's her!"

Lei En was slightly surprised; no wonder Viola was so cautious, because Lady Luoxita is an Earth Holy Lady.

As one of the Empire's three great churches, the Earth Church ranks second overall, a bit stronger than the Justice Church.

There are multiple reasons for this.

First, within the Empire, followers of the Earth Mother outnumber those of the God of Justice by many times; abroad the gap is even larger. Second, the Earth Church has more Saint Rank elites, and it alone possesses the church professions of "Priest" and "Earth Nun".

A Priest's promotion to Saint Rank makes them a Life Divine Envoy.

An Earth Nun's promotion to Saint Rank is conferred by the Patriarch of the Earth Church, granting her the title Earth Holy Lady.

According to Lei En, the Earth Church within the Empire has three Life Divine Envoys and three Earth Holy Ladies, totaling six Saint Rank elites, exactly half the number of the Supreme Council.

Luoxita is one of them.

Moreover, Luoxita is the leader of the "Earth Ring", commanding all the Earth Nuns; her position in the church is only below Patriarch Laodiya. Hundreds of years ago she already reached th Level, was extremely powerful, and remains the second‑most influential figure in the Earth Church.

For such a high‑profile commission, Tula Mo Magic Soul Company certainly wouldn't dare act on its own.

Lei En let out a sigh.

As expected, the Thunder Elephant Magic Soul was bait to lure him.

He has little contact with the Earth Church; this Earth Holy Lady went to great lengths, and he doesn't know her purpose.

"Did you see Lady Luoxita?"

"Yes." Viola's expression gave nothing away, "I had just arrived at Tula Mo Company when Lady Luoxita appeared. She said, to avoid suspicion, she couldn't meet you publicly, and asked me to convey her request: she hopes to build a Mother‑God temple in Gotham City. If you agree, the Talado Giant Thunder Elephant Magic Soul will be given to you for free, and there are additional benefits."

Lei En shook his head outright upon hearing that.

The request was not surprising at all; it could even be said to have been expected.

Ever since he founded a city on Shield Island, the news quickly reached the Empire. Many mocked his overreach, deeming it merely a repeat of a past failure.

However, not long ago Gotham City repelled the Catastrophe Legion, and outside Yongge City annihilated countless Undead Armies, driving away the Naxas Floating City; the situation instantly reversed.

People saw an opportunity.

A perfect chance to start from Gotham City and explore the New Continent.

Within half a day of the news reaching the Empire, some rushed to Graham Morgan Castle to visit; behind them were various factions—nobles, super‑human elites, magnates, and so on. Lei En could infer their motives without meeting them and rejected them all.

He was clear in his mind about Gotham's plan; the time was not yet right for full opening to the outside.

Yet they didn't give up and shifted their scheme onto Viola.

These days, visitors to Marlinge Manor came in a steady stream; Viola's popularity in the Imperial Capital rose another notch, and invitations and letters fluttered in like snowflakes.

Without Lei En's permission, Viola naturally couldn't agree to anything.

This couldn't stop the enthusiasm of the various factions.

Now Gotham City sees many super‑humans—some private militias, some mercenaries, some soul‑hunting squads. In fact, before the Catastrophe Legion's assault, a group of super‑humans entered Gotham, curious about the city; Lei En didn't drive them away, and after they watched the city's defense in its entirety, most chose to stay.

The later arrivals gathered information from the first batch, sent it back to the Empire, and the whole realm instantly boiled over.

No matter which city in the Empire, wherever you go, you can hear people fervently discussing Gotham City.

Even in the Supreme Council, a Holy Soul Wizard asked the master about it.

Unexpectedly, the Earth Church also prepared to get involved.

The Earth Church's purpose is clear: they wish to spread doctrine in Gotham City and grow followers. This also shows that the Earth Church is very optimistic about Gotham's future.

Conflicts over faith have always been the most sensitive matters.

Lei En has already mentioned this in prayer to the God of Magic; in his plan, the God of Magic will become the primary faith of Gotham's people.

Other deities may have some followers, but they cannot surpass the God of Magic.

The goddess is very pleased with this.

All deities permitted to preach in Gotham—such as the Goddess of Vengeance, the Dark Maiden, and the Dwarf Warrior God—have followers mainly among elves and dwarves, and their divine power is far inferior to the God of Magic.

But the Earth Mother is different.

This powerful and ancient deity is by no means inferior to the God of Magic, and perhaps even slightly stronger.

Although the Earth Mother and the God of Magic are steadfast allies, both among the Empire's three gods, this agreement is limited to within the Empire. Lei En doubts the God of Magic would permit the Earth Mother to preach in Gotham, siphoning off followers originally belonging to her. Some dwarves, originally followers of the Earth Mother—including dwarf priests—have proposed building a Mother‑God temple but were rejected, which already conveys their and the goddess's stance.

Luoxita expended great effort to contact him, yet dared not discuss matters face‑to‑face.

Clearly, this wasn't solely her idea but a plan from the upper echelons of the Earth Church, proceeding cautiously in secret for fear of angering the God of Magic.

The Earth Church's scheme is likely to fall through.

Lei En pondered for a moment, shook his head, and said, "This is not something I can decide. They want to preach in Gotham; unless they obtain the goddess's permission, asking me is useless."

"I understand," Viola said with some regret, "You rejected them, and the Thunder Elephant Magic Soul is gone."

"That's not certain," Lei En smiled, and amid the Half‑elf's puzzled stare, produced Shaqiu's Magic Soul, "Give this Magic Soul to Lady Luoxita and tell her I'm willing to trade it for the Thunder Elephant Magic Soul; she won't refuse."

Viola glanced at the Soul Stone, surprised, "What a powerful Magic Soul—what is this?"

"Shaqiu."

Lei En enumerated the Element attached to Shaqiu's Magic Soul; upon hearing the Earth's pulse, Viola instantly understood.

"Wait for my good news," she said, fastening the Soul Stone and hurrying away.

Half an hour later, Viola returned.

Without waiting for Lei En to ask, she produced a Soul Stone containing a giant elephant‑shaped Magic Soul, seemingly formed of thunder and lightning, flickering inside the gem.

Continue writing Chapter Two.

(End of chapter)