Chapter 847: Banbei City

Lei En personally saw off several Holy Soul Wizards and the most distinguished guests.

With so many returning to the Empire, he naturally wouldn't let outsiders transfer through Sword Bay Town, carelessly exposing his teleport array.

Over a year ago, Gotham City joined the inter‑continent teleport network; Lei En built a teleport array on a small island off the Shield Island Bay exit, linking it to the city of Kestro in the southeast of the New Continent, making it the network's final hub.

From Gotham City to Kestro, then to the Wind‑Thunder Archipelago, Labaaz City, Albert Bay… after nine jumps, one can quickly reach the Empire.

Of course, the teleport fees are exorbitant, unaffordable for ordinary people.

Lei En reimbursed every guest who traveled from the Empire for their teleport costs.

Some guests, rare to have a chance to visit the New Continent, chose to stay in Gotham City for a few days; Lei En arranged the finest lodging and meals, with all expenses covered by Gotham's city hall. Though the sum was modest, it earned Lei En a reputation for warm hospitality.

At night, Lei En returned to the highland fortress.

Upon entering the hall, he saw Duke Silverstar seated, making idle small talk with Kuilu; the two sisters are Holy Soul Wizards and a Grand Mage, while the host, Franjasca, whose rank is insufficient, could only stand respectfully at the side.

"Lei En, you finally returned."

Duke Silverstar's eyes lit up at the sight of Lei En, and he rose immediately.

Beside him, Kuilu gave a concealed glance; Lei En caught the dark beauty's cue, instantly understood, walked over and said, "Apologies for keeping the lady waiting."

Before Duke Silverstar could speak, he jumped in, "The lady hasn't returned to Longshande, waiting here just for me—are you preparing to fulfill a promise?"

"Um…"

Duke Silverstar's expression froze.

Lei En didn't specify the promise; others couldn't grasp it, but she knew he referred to the Fu Kong Cheng deal, where she had pledged to deliver an ancient dragon demon's soul within three years—two years have passed without fulfillment.

She glanced around, feeling a bit embarrassed, yet outwardly composed, said lightly, "My promises always count; there's still a year left—why the hurry?"

"I'm eager to ascend."

Lei En's single sentence blocked Duke Silverstar.

Ascending to a higher rank is the utmost priority for a transcendent, and moreover, Lei En's next step is Holy Soul Ascension.

If it were anyone else, they'd be burning with impatience, yet Lei En could speak calmly, showing great patience.

"You're already preparing to strike the Holy Soul?" Duke Silverstar asked in surprise.

"Yes." Lei En nodded.

Duke Silverstar was silent for a few seconds, then clenched his teeth and said, "Rest assured, within six months I'll deliver the ancient dragon demon's soul into your hands."

Lei En smiled, "Then I'll await the lady's good news."

He turned to glance at Franjasca; his chief maid's eyes couldn't hide her shock, clearly taken aback by his conversation with Duke Silverstar.

Kuilu had known all along but pretended it was the first time she heard, exclaiming, "Sister, you actually are willing to give an ancient dragon demon's soul to Lei En?"

"It's not a gift; he blackmailed me!"

Duke Silverstar glared, "Don't think I don't know you climbed onto Lei En's bed long ago, your heart set on him—stop pretending."

The affair's exposure didn't make Kuilu blush at all.

She lifted her head, boldly looping her arm around Lei En, smiling proudly, "I learned this from you, sister."

"You little slut."

Duke Silverstar let out a helpless laugh and curse, somehow feeling a bit of envy.

The seven sisters aren't all, like herself and Storm Queen, experienced countless men.

Laila used to be very playful, but after marrying Hestav she became restrained; Isha's personality is colder, aloof and proud, disdainful of men;

The eldest sister is already dead, a wandering spirit, unable to indulge; the youngest, Kuilu, is a double divine selection born in the Dark Realm, her usual demeanor appears licentious, attire revealing, yet for centuries she has strictly followed the teachings of the dark maiden Ilyas, preserving chastity, and unexpectedly she finally found the most formidable man, fully realizing her body's value.

Lei En didn't want to be a bragging tool among the sisters, withdrew his arm from Kuilu's embrace, sat down, and asked seriously, "Lady, why have you been waiting for me?"

"Is it still that matter? How have you considered it?"

Duke Silverstar asked ambiguously.

Lei En nodded, his face showing contemplation.

The "matter" Duke Silverstar referred to is her plan to raid Shabukongtina on the subcontinent's Banbei City.

She has been scheming this for a year and a half, ostensibly to avenge the Shadow King's attack during the Fu Kong Cheng trade and to strike Loxhi's follower forces. In reality, after looting Mazotz City years ago and tasting success, she aims for a bigger score.

Duke Silverstar is now severely short of funds.

Buying Fu Kong Cheng nearly emptied her assets; after acquiring it, she needed to repair and remodel, forcing her to bend to Storm Queen, borrowing a huge sum at steep interest.

In the past two years, Storm Queen, as creditor, has often left Duke Silverstar gasping, lacking the confidence to argue.

So Duke Silverstar is eager to loot another city to repay debts.

This time she set her sights on Banbei City!

Banbei City's area and population are several times larger than Mazotz's; it is the capital of the Gupita Kingdom, one of the three great kingdoms of the subcontinent, its amassed wealth far surpasses Mazotz, making it the richest city on the subcontinent, its status comparable to the Empire's Mo Du.

The richer it is, the more formidable, and its defenses are stronger.

As the nation's capital, Banbei City is heavily guarded; under the Gupita royal house commands a 30,000‑strong transcendent legion, and it has also established a court Wizard Corps; the city's internal factions are complex, far from Mazotz's easy‑to‑conquer nature.

Most importantly, there is no concrete evidence that the rulers of Gupita are worshippers of an evil god.

Indeed, Banbei City hosts many Loxhi followers, even preaching openly, but it's not just Loxhi; almost all evil deities of the Ai Lun E Si world have adherents there, and some even boldly erected temples.

Where evil gods exist, so do righteous deities.

The Empire's three gods, Storm Lord, War God, Dark Moon Goddess, Wealth God, Mercenary God, Vengeance Goddess, Ranger God, Dragon God, Fortune Goddess, Trade God, and many others preach in Banbei, each with a sizable following.

In short, this is a wildly chaotic and massive city.

Storming Banbei City and looting it completely may not only fail to strike Loxhi's followers, but also offend numerous deities, making one a target of all.

Therefore, Lei En does not support attacking Banbei City.

He suggested Duke Silverstar choose another city, or produce solid evidence proving Banbei City is already under Loxhi's control.

But Duke Silverstar can neither produce evidence nor agree to change the target.

She is determined to loot Banbei City.

Lei En thinks the Silver Star Duke, because of chronic money shortage, has had her mindset explode, and after acquiring the Floating City she became swollen, already affecting her thinking ability; not wanting to be dragged down, he decisively refused. But the Silver Star Duke is not giving up, and more than a year later keeps coming to Lei En, hoping he will join.

Without Lei En's Supernatural Legion joining, just she and the Storm Queen, they cannot take Banbei City.

But Lei En rejected everything.

This time is no exception; he only pretended to consider for a moment, then shook his head: "Madam, I still mean the same, the risk of attacking Banbei City is too great, I don't want to gamble. Either you produce proof, or we pick another target."

The Silver Star Duke, very disappointed, yet firmly said: "I will attack Banbei City."

Lei En was unimpressed.

This woman is bankrupt‑crazy, has already lost normal judgment.

"Do you think I don't know Banbei City is dangerous and hard to capture?"

The Silver Star Duke hummed, "No need for you to say, I'm clearer than you. However, compared to Banbei City's wealth, this difficulty and risk are negligible. After this, other cities on the subcontinent have defenses, those evil gods won't stand by, we will hardly have another chance, so we must choose the most valuable target; none is more suitable than Banbei City."

"Moreover, you just built a goddess statue, spent so much on Truth Island, even used up the Iola Core, you're almost out of money, right?"

The Silver Star Duke seemed to know Lei En's financial situation.

She smiled slightly, continued persuading: "You're already preparing to strike the Holy Soul Wizard, don't you also want to build your own Floating City?"

"To have a Floating City, you must have an Iola Core."

"One Iola Core costs fifty million Gold Shields to produce; can you still afford it now?"

Lei En calmly shook his head.

Not to mention fifty million Gold Shields, he doesn't even have ten million left.

In the past two years he spent money like water, earned a lot, spent more, built Gotham City, Truth Island, manufactured Power Armor, Sky‑raising Colossus, cultivated the Supernatural Legion, etc., altogether at least a hundred million Gold Shields poured in.

And the spending shows no sign of stopping; more money will be poured in later!

Most crucially, the Star Destroyer has already broken ground; that's the biggest money sink, a bottomless pit, total budget exceeds one hundred million!

Seeing Lei En show some interest, the Silver Star Duke pressed on: "Two years ago I sent people to infiltrate Banbei City, constantly investigating in secret. Banbei City concentrates more than half of the Guptha Kingdom's wealth; if we can capture it, our profit will be at least eighty million to one hundred million Gold Shields!"

"The three of us—Lei En, you, and Ai Lasi Lan—will split it evenly, each getting around thirty million Gold Shields."

"If the operation goes smoothly, the loot could double, making it not impossible; with that money, making an Iola Core won't be hard."

If doubled, each could get over fifty million Gold Shields.

That is indeed enough to make an Iola Core.

Yet Lei En still did not agree. The Silver Star Duke stood up, "You wanted evidence, I can't provide it, but I can tell you the latest news. The king of Guptha, Vikramatia II, is very likely a follower of the Black Emperor."

Lei En showed a surprised look, "Is the information reliable?"

The current king of Guptha is one of the few heroic figures on the subcontinent, highly renowned, personally powerful, a Saint Rank strongman, and has reigned for three hundred years.

Lei En's refusal of the Silver Star Duke's plan is also because he fears this king.

To sit on the throne for three hundred years in a subcontinent plagued by endless wars, disputes and chaos, Vikramatia II is not to be trifled with.

"More than ninety percent," the Silver Star Duke said confidently.

"He worships Luoxi?"

"Uncertain." The Silver Star Duke hesitated, "Based on my speculation, Vikramatia II is more likely to have pledged allegiance to Ban Erkou."

Black Emperor Ban Erkou, god of tyranny and fear!

Lei En's eyelids twitched.

He had once personally encountered the Black Emperor; the evil god's unfathomable divine might left an unforgettable impression, and the Nebula Ring still holds the Iron Crown the Emperor gave him.

Ban Erkou possesses the divine offices of "Conquest," "Tyranny," and "Fear," calling himself "King of Tyrants." Most of his followers are powerful figures and ambitious individuals, including many kings, lords, and sovereigns, who, to maintain power or expand ambitions, bow to the Black Emperor.

Vikramatia II becoming a follower of the Black Emperor is indeed somewhat possible.

In the past decade, the Guptha Kingdom's momentum has surged; without a massive rise in national strength, it suddenly succeeded in conquering dozens of city‑states, expanding its territory by about one third, now eyeing two other kingdoms to unify the entire subcontinent.

Any monarch who pledges to the Black Emperor receives blessings in conquest wars, boosting legion morale, crushing opponent morale, and so on.

Thus, the Silver Star Duke's information appears fairly reliable.

The Black Emperor is also one of the God of Magic's mortal enemies, second only to the deceiver Luoxi; striking at the Black Emperor's followers will also gain the God of Magic's support, making the plan well‑justified.

Yet Lei En still did not rashly agree.

War is no child's play.

It concerns the lives of tens of thousands; even if Vikramatia II truly is a Black Emperor follower, the people of Banbei City are innocent, some worship good gods and should not be implicated by the king's fall.

He wants to see Vikramatia II in person, confirm with his Soul Eye, then decide.

"Madam, please allow me more time to consider."

Lei En stood up, earnestly saying, "I will personally send people to investigate Banbei City; if the information is correct, we will discuss your plan again."

"Fine."

The Silver Star Duke saw that Lei En was not merely placating her, and instantly rejoiced.

As long as Lei En joins, everything stabilizes.

After sending her away, Lei En returned to find Kuilu also missing. He went up to the study, sat down, thought for a while, three Thundercast Celestial Soldiers set out from Mo Du, teleported to the Empire's southern Thus: Thus: Shengangcheng, preparing to board a passenger ship to Banbei City.

Then, he took out a Soul Stone.

The high‑grade Soul Stone contains a wildly ferocious demon soul; even though it has been dead for ages, only the demon soul remains, and its terrifying aura can make legendary supernaturals shiver.

This is a Saint Rank demon soul!

It was given to him by the Ouroin Master, and is a "Amanthok Giant Bear"!

(End of chapter)