Chapter 796: Demonstrating Power

"Too ugly?"

Anxiwodasi glared, his beard even blew up; in his whole life he had never heard such a ridiculous reason, yet still refused a Floating City.

Even among the Empire's Twelve Holy Soul Wizards, only seven have a Floating City.

The Silver Star Duke struggled for over three hundred years, sparing no shame to exploit his descendants, even digging three feet into his domain; his relationship with his sister was as hostile as water and fire, he even nearly betrayed the Mo Du faction to trade with Hong Shi; everything he did was to obtain his own Floating City.

If she heard Lei En's words, she'd probably go mad on the spot.

Anxiwodasi also thought Lei En was insane.

"Cough… Teacher, I was only joking." Lei En, seeing the teacher's expression was a bit off, hurriedly explained: "The real reason isn't ugliness, but that I want to build my own Floating City. Specifically, I don't intend to follow the conventional design of a Floating City; it also isn't a Floating City…"

"What is that?" Anxiwodasi asked, very curious.

He is the person who knows this student best, always full of odd ideas, having invented many wondrous and powerful things.

Now that Lei En says he wants to build an unconventional Floating City, he has no doubt at all.

The image Lei En saw in the prophecy art flashed in his mind.

Empire‑class Star Destroyer!

If not for the prophecy art, Lei En wouldn't have dared to open such a massive mind‑hole, but after learning that he could eventually succeed in building a Star Destroyer, he hesitated no longer, and could not suppress the thought.

A man's romance is to launch a Star Destroyer!

"At present it's only a concept, not clear enough, so I won't embarrass you now." Lei En's face showed a mysterious smile, "When I obtain the Iola Core, I'll consult you on the knowledge of building a Floating City. Whether this plan can work, I'll also ask you to review."

"Very well." Anxiwodasi replied gladly.

He returned to business, "You will lead this assault on the New Village Floating City; I agree, but the Weizelan Wizards must take part, we must exact revenge ourselves."

"I understand." Lei En nodded, "You and the various chairmen must act, the Weizelan Wizard Corps can also send a contingent of elite Wizards to witness the enemy's downfall firsthand. As for the main combat force, I will organize it."

"How many people will you bring?" Anxiwodasi asked.

"This is a raid; the faster the better, so all participants must be elite, the number should not be too large." Lei En had already decided, replying: "Under my command I will dispatch two companies of Extreme Warriors and one hundred Thundercast Celestial Soldiers, mainly to deal with the massive Undead Army."

"Regarding the Saint Rank strongmen, teacher, you are certainly first, to slay Korstted."

"In addition there are Kestajin, Yizite, Regent Asqiongge, Lifelin and Lady Kuilu, five Saint Rank strongmen; they will split into four forces…"

Lei En was interrupted halfway, Anxiwodasi raised an eyebrow, surprised in his eyes, "Countess Lifelin has been promoted to Saint Rank?"

"Yes, just a little over two months ago." Lei En replied faithfully.

Anxiwodasi immediately linked Lifelin's promotion to Lei En, shook his head, "Now even I can't see through you." Yet he did not press further, "Continue with the plan."

"Alright."

Lei En gave a slight nod; now is not the time to reveal the Holy Blood Amber.

He said: "The four Saint Rank strongmen will each take a team to the four directions of the mid‑level of the Floating City, destroy the key nodes of the rune array, cut off the Iola Core's energy supply, and weaken Korstted's power."

Anxiwodasi had already seen the Floating City's schematics and knew this step was indispensable.

The spellcaster stationed in the Floating City is almost invincible, with boundless mana, omnipresent; the entire Floating City is his magical domain, ruling everything.

If the rune array isn't destroyed and the energy isn't cut, even multiple Saint Rank strongmen joining forces would still be suppressed by Korstted, extremely dangerous, let alone killing it.

"You still haven't said how to enter the Floating City." Anxiwodasi pointed out the crucial issue.

"Reslin will open the portal."

Anxiwodasi sighed lightly, ultimately not saying more.

Lei En knew what the teacher was worried about; if the Floating City's spatial barrier could be penetrated, even if the method didn't spread, no one besides Reslin masters it; once this news spreads, it would cause a massive earthquake in the Empire, even affecting its foundation.

He didn't want to expose it so early, but to breach the Floating City he had no choice.

The teacher could only compromise.

Lei En comforted: "Teacher, I will disguise the method of opening the portal so that those below Saint Rank won't easily see through it. All participants are our own people, so the secret shouldn't leak; I will brief them in advance."

"There is no wall that cannot be heard through; once used, it will eventually be known." Anxiwodasi pressed his forehead, "Kuilu, as Grand Mage, certainly cannot hide from her eyes. She is the sister of Silver Star and Storm, and it will be hard for her to keep this secret."

"So I assigned her a different task, keeping her out of the Floating City; that way she won't encounter the secret." Lei En said with a clever smile.

"Oh?"

Lei En explained: "Lady Kuilu will set up a massive‑range magical interference array, cutting off the Floating City's link with the Death Lord, to prevent the Cataclysmic Legion from coming to aid."

Months ago, in that great battle, Holy Soul Lich Plamon had set up an interference array cutting the link between Santara Residence and Yongge City, and Gotham City also could not receive the Blood Elf's magical transmission; the Cataclysmic Legion took this chance to capture Yongge City.

Using the enemy's own method against them, now it's my turn to employ this trick.

Since Kuilu is absent, the other Saint Rank strongmen are unlikely to see through the portal's truth, greatly reducing the chance of the secret being exposed.

Anxiwodasi nodded approvingly, "That method is good."

"Teacher, you and several chairmen and the Wizard Corps will enter the upper levels of the Floating City, face Korstted directly." Lei En continued, "The Extreme Warrior units—first, second, and twenty Thundercast Celestial Soldiers—will accompany the Wizards, responsible for close protection."

"And you?" Anxiwodasi had already guessed Lei En's action.

Sure enough, Lei En replied: "I will seek Korstted's Soul Box. It must be completely destroyed, erasing the Iola Core's soul imprint, then I can obtain the Iola Core."

That is his whole plan.

Anxiwodasi thought for a moment, then confirmed some detail issues, finally nodded: "Then that's it. When do we act?"

"In ten days."

Lei En took out four dazzling gems, "Teacher, could we ask Master Tim Kainan to store a few Nine Ring Disintegration Techniques?"

These are Kierdalin Gems.

They can store high‑grade Kierdalin Gems from seven to nine rings; one gem is worth over one hundred thousand Gold Shields, possibly even more. But its effect matches its price; simply crushing the gem releases the stored spell instantly, speed comparable to an instant cast.

The rune array inside the Floating City is extremely sturdy and comes with its own protection; even Saint Rank strongmen find it hard to destroy at once.

The Nine Ring Disintegration Technique guarantees a fast and stable breaking of the rune array.

Even if it only slightly improves the destructive effect and speeds up the demolition a bit, Lei En is willing to spend more than four hundred thousand Gold Shields.

Lei En knows only two people have mastered the Nine Ring Disintegration Technique.

One is the inventor Master Tim Kainan, the other is Augulevi Master; the choice of whom to ask for help is obvious.

Anxiwodasi let out a voice of admiration for Lei En's meticulous consideration.

He waved his hand, and a Qierdaling gem flew over and landed in his hand. "I'll go find GreyEagle later; for this bit of face, I'm still willing to give it."

"Now, it's time to convene the Weizelan council."

A resonant horn blast rang across the sky.

The residents, wizards, and pedestrians of Fu Kong Cheng looked up, gazing at the Weizelan tower in the city; atop the lofty spire rose a massive magical sigil, like a purple eye, radiating layer upon layer of vast magical brilliance outward.

This is the signal for summoning the councilors of Weizelan; any wizard bearing a Weizelan badge receives the magical transmission.

People thought it was merely an ordinary council summons.

Soon it was discovered that, besides several councilors, a number of legendary wizards emerged from their towers, and in the sky, some members of the Wizard Corps were also hurrying toward the towers.

"What happened?"

"The GrandSpeaker has summoned all councilors and legendary wizards; the last time was over thirty years ago, so something important must be afoot."

People inside the Weizelan Fu Kong Cheng debated eagerly, speculating on the cause.

But no one knew the truth.

After entering the towers, the wizards quickly returned to their dwellings, their expressions solemn, yet they revealed no information; they gave a few words to their families and students, or handed over ongoing tasks, then hurried away, destination unknown.

A hidden current swirled within Weizelan, spreading rumors, and then a whole week passed without any sign; aside from a small handful of interested parties, most people returned to normal life.

Ten days later.

Gotham City highland fortress.

After more than half a year of construction, the fortress expanded dozens of times beyond its previous size, covering the sole high ground atop the city, capable of housing thousands. In the very center, the foundation had been laid, and a mage tower would soon rise.

But today, the dwarf craftsmen building the mage tower were all on break.

In the spacious, bright hall of the fortress, Lei En leaned against a wall engraved with a relief of the God of Magic, seated on a high‑backed chair representing the ruler of Gotham City, his voice echoing through the hall:

"Each squad will have twenty Thundercast Celestial Soldiers fighting alongside it."

"Destroying the key nodes of the rune array must be swift and synchronized; the error cannot exceed thirty seconds, or it will automatically restore…"

"There may be Saint Rank undead monsters; everyone should be on guard…"

In front of him stood an oval conference table.

The table was already surrounded by a circle of people.

On his left, the first seat was Anxiwodasi; on his right was Kuilu, followed in order by Regent Asqiongge, King of the Hills Kestajin, Yizite, and Lifflyn, all six being Saint Rank powerhouses, whose very aura, even when unintentionally displayed, was terrifying.

A second outer circle could only stand, each positioned behind their respective leader.

Of the six Weizelan councilors, only Councilor Dalandeng remained to guard Fu Kong Cheng; the other five had arrived. Kelaoaosi, Roni, and Kaidejia wore solemn expressions, and alongside them were seven legendary wizards, including Aoxiliya, who had not left her tower for a long time.

Behind Kuilu and Yizite stood Zuoer, few in number, all followers of the Dark Maiden.

Kestajin brought elite members of the Three‑Hammer Legion, five legendary dwarf warriors and a legendary priest, now locked eyes with the blood elves opposite.

Regent Asqiongge's expression was solemn, giving no smile.

Behind him stood ten legendary blood elves—two each of mages, rangers, assassins, spellbreakers, and blood knights—some surveyed the people in the hall, while the rest glared at the dwarves.

Asqiongge's gaze occasionally drifted toward Lifflyn on his left.

When Lifflyn sat down, he finally realized that the countess he had long admired had been promoted to Saint Rank; he still hadn't recovered from the shock, but to preserve the regent's dignity, he forced a calm, aloof demeanor.

Yet Lifflyn gave him no glance, as if unaware.

The number of legendary blood knights behind her was also considerable, double what it had been when she first arrived at Gotham City, and each blood knight's power had surged dramatically.

Asqiongge had many questions in his mind.

He looked to both sides of the hall; exactly one hundred twenty Extreme Warriors in blue armor stood on the left, their tall, sturdy bodies like a metal wall, bearing greatswords, wielding powerful Bolt Guns, each a legend!

On the right side of the hall, another hundred radiant Transcendents, their bodies cloaked in golden‑forged armor, faces masked in gold, each with a Bolt Gun and warhammer at the waist, a silver‑blue cape draped behind, uniquely majestic.

They too were all legends!

These silent legendary Transcendents were all part of Lei En's legion; no one knew how Lei En forged a force composed entirely of legends.

In fact, even Anxiwodasi was shocked.

It wasn't until today that he learned Lei En had so many legends under his command—over two hundred just in this hall—surely more exist, and these are only the tip of the iceberg!

At this moment, the gathering of multiple forces was also because of Lei En.

Lei En himself is not Saint Rank, yet he can summon six Saint Rank powerhouses, not to mention Titan Elder Sorim, the Ancient Red Dragon Yuyan, and Ouroin Master.

Anxiwodasi suddenly snapped back to attention.

Unwittingly, Lei En had already grown to this stage.

Even if Lei En were to break away from Weizelan and go solo, looking across the Prime Material Plane he would still be a force no one dares to underestimate, a sole hegemon.

Others were left numb, stunned by such a massive formation and so many legends.

Especially the three councilors of Weizelan.

They were well acquainted with Lei En, having always regarded him as a junior; Lei En usually behaved exceedingly friendly, and now they realized this gentle youth wielded a force capable of shaking the Empire!

In the hall, only Lei En's voice could be heard.

He spoke to the battle plan spread on the table for over a dozen minutes. The Saint Rank powerhouses already knew the entire plan, while the legends were hearing it for the first time; everyone's gaze fixed on Lei En, listening intently.

"All right."

After Lei En finished, he surveyed the hall and loudly said, "Everyone, you all understand your missions; any questions?"

The crowd all shook their heads.

The battle plan was simple and thorough, leaving little to question.

"What we are about to do is the first ever strike against Fu Kong Cheng in history; success or failure hinges on this moment." Lei En nodded gravely, then raised his arm and shouted, "Depart!"

(End of Chapter)