Chapter 912: Giant Dragon Express

The Iola Core has been completed!

Lei En sprang to his feet, his face beaming with joy.

I commissioned the teacher to fabricate the Iola Core, paying a fee of five million Gold Shields. The teacher had originally promised to finish it within two years; once work truly began, I also found time to assist and study, which sped up the progress considerably, and now, after just a year and a half, it is finished.

Although a few days ago he already knew it was nearing completion, receiving the teacher's news still made him a bit excited.

Because the Star Destroyer was also completed half a month ago!

The speed was mainly thanks to the materials worth one hundred million Gold Shields that the Mechanical Guild sent. At the same time, over the past year, conquering the plateau, harvesting souls in the shattered Remnant Sun, and hunting the calamity undead, the absorbed and converted energy was mostly used to create Thundercast Celestial Soldiers.

Currently, the number of Thundercast Celestial Soldiers has exceeded eight hundred, and about twenty more are added each month; the plan is to stop production once it reaches a thousand.

With so many Thundercast Celestial Soldiers put to work, the Star Destroyer's construction period was also shortened.

The Titan Furnace has also been fully installed, only lacking the Iola Core to provide power—truly everything is ready except for the final push.

Lei En had no interest in listening to Marious's report.

Marious also received the magical transmission; although he cannot cast spells and his magical knowledge is limited, he has heard of the famed Iola Core, which is the core magical artifact used to construct Fu Kong Cheng, its importance far exceeding that of a tribe on the plateau.

The transmission revealed that Lei En is building his own Fu Kong Cheng!

"Congratulations, sir," Marious said with a smile.

Lei En glanced at him and said meaningfully, "The completion of this Iola Core is not merely a personal matter; it also holds great significance for the Extreme Warrior Corps. With this, the Corps becomes the ultimate complete form, truly able to stand atop the world's summit."

Marious was startled, his curiosity instantly piqued.

He was about to ask when Lei En waved his hand, "Don't be impatient; you'll understand once you and your brothers see it. The plan to attack the Martaki tribe can be discussed after I return."

"Very well, sir," Marious replied calmly.

Heavy footsteps echoed beneath the main keep, and the Extreme Warriors in powered armor gathered; Lei En said, "I'm returning to the Empire."

After speaking, he opened a random door and stepped through.

In the teleportation hall, a squad of Extreme Warriors was ready, silently following Lei En onto the teleportation array; a few seconds later, their figures vanished.

Kalanos's teleportation array linked with the Jin Gang Fort base, and Lei En's party teleported again, arriving at Gramo Morgan Castle.

He teleported alone to Weizelan, entering the alchemy chamber at the base of the high tower.

The spacious, bright alchemy chamber held only Anxiwodasi, who stood before a massive crystal sphere two meters in diameter, admiring his masterpiece.

"Here it comes."

Anxiwodasi said without turning his head.

"Teacher," Lei En also walked to the Iola Core, a hint of excitement on his face as he examined it closely. This Iola Core has not yet been activated, cannot levitate on its own, and is placed on a sturdy metal frame, showing its most primitive state.

The crystal sphere is semi‑transparent, revealing an extremely complex and delicate internal structure.

"This is the most powerful magical artifact I have ever crafted in my life."

Anxiwodasi let out a satisfied exclamation, his complexion a bit weary yet his eyes exceptionally bright, and said with a hint of pride, "Although I have governed Weizelan for over a thousand years, using the Iola Core's energy daily, fabricating it—deconstructing each rune and component, relearning and practicing—has deepened my knowledge of energy application; it has truly been greatly beneficial."

"Congratulations, Teacher, on deepening your magical knowledge," Lei En said with a smile.

Knowledge is power!

The Holy Soul Wizard's magical knowledge increase means an enhancement of casting ability and technique, and his strength rises accordingly.

Anxiwodasi turned around, "I also congratulate you; you'll soon have your own Fu Kong Cheng."

"That's not a Fu Kong Cheng," Lei En hinted.

"Hm?"

Anxiwodasi had taken part in some discussions, but only in the Star Destroyer's partial design; never having seen the whole ship, it was like a blind man feeling an elephant, so he still didn't know what Lei En's Fu Kong Cheng would look like and asked curiously, "What exactly are you building?"

"Hehe…" Lei En teased, "Teacher will see it soon."

He changed the subject, "Teacher, since fabricating the Iola Core is so beneficial, would you be interested in making another?"

"You want to make another?"

Anxiwodasi's eyes widened; the Iola Core is not a casually made magical item—one is already rare, and Lei En still wants to craft a second?

He suddenly got the illusion that the Iola Core had become cheap.

Lei En nodded earnestly, "If you agree, I'll bring the materials for a second Iola Core in a few days. However, I hope you can lower the cost a bit." He rubbed his hands and tentatively asked, "How about three million Gold Shields?"

"Not a single Gold Shield can be omitted, otherwise it's off the table!"

Anxiwodasi waved a large hand, "You're wealthy enough to fabricate Iola Cores at will, and you're still short two million Gold Shields?"

"Fine."

Lei En readily agreed, "Then I'll trouble you, Teacher."

In fact, having followed the teacher, he had fully mastered the method of fabricating the Iola Core, letting the Thundercast Celestial Soldiers handle production; although a single soldier's efficiency is far below the teacher's, dozens together are certainly fast and fine.

The reason he still paid the teacher to outsource was to keep him busy, focusing his energy on making the Iola Core, with no mind for Empire affairs.

Thus, the Empire would be under his own control.

Anxiwodasi's face showed a smile, but beneath it lay a barely perceptible helplessness, "I've now become your employee."

"The capable bear more work," Lei En praised, "If you feel tired, you can rest for a while; I'm not in a hurry for the new Iola Core, taking longer is fine."

"I'm not that weak; I know what to do," Anxiwodasi's gaze returned to the crystal sphere, asking, "It's only one step away from activation; only after activation is it truly complete. Shall I activate it for you now as a test? If any issues arise, they can be fixed immediately."

An Iola Core must be activated by another Iola Core.

Fortunately, Weizelan already has one ready.

"Alright."

Lei En nodded, watching the teacher begin the procedure, then suddenly remembered something and shouted, "Teacher, stop! You must not activate…"

But it was already too late.

A surge of energy conducted up from the core deep within Weizelan's Fu Kong Cheng, coalescing in Anxiwodasi's hand into a ball of silver flame, which he lifted and sent into the crystal sphere before him.

"What's wrong?" Anxiwodasi asked, turning back, a hint of confusion on his face.

Lei En did not reply immediately.

The silver flame has reached the core of the crystal sphere, igniting instantly, swelling into a bright blaze, countless tiny runes flickering; the void opens an invisible valve, massive energy surges out, the internal structure of the crystal sphere radiates light, leaking from the surface and growing ever brighter.

In the blink of an eye, the crystal sphere turned into a dazzling little sun.

Infinite energy is bound within the sphere, and even a one‑in‑hundreds‑of‑millions energy fluctuation emanates, making the nearby Lei En feel suffocated.

Hoo…

The Iola Core has been activated!

But Lei En's face broke into a faint wry smile; Anxiwodasi was initially puzzled, but upon seeing his expression, he immediately understood.

"Now we're in trouble," he said, shaking his head.

Once the Iola Core is activated it cannot be extinguished; essentially it is a precise "valve" embedded in space, drawing energy from the endless void, its principle similar to a portal. A portal can move, but cannot pass through another portal.

In other words, an activated Iola Core cannot pass through any portal.

Unless it transports or jumps on its own, but the Iola Core lacks teleportation ability; it must combine with the Floating City to achieve that.

"Where is your Floating City built?" Anxiwodasi asked.

"Gotham City."

Cough… That's far away. Anxiwodasi scratched his snow‑white beard, a hint of apology on his face, realizing his momentary oversight had led to such a basic mistake.

"It's fine, just a bit of trouble."

Lei En, of course, could not blame his teacher; transporting the Iola Core to Gotham City is indeed far, a delay is no big issue, but the risk on the road worries him. He is already contemplating how to move it quickly and safely.

"Let me go with you," Anxiwodasi offered proactively, "That'll be safer and give me a chance to see your Floating City."

He still felt uneasy and added, "Invite Ouroin; last time he heard you were building a Floating City and has been looking forward to it."

Lei En nodded in agreement.

Ouroin Master is now his and his teacher's most solid ally; their relationship has surpassed mere alliance, and his noble character and great power make him more trustworthy than the Silver Star Duke sisters.

"Teacher, I'll prepare and set out tomorrow."

"Go."

Lei En glanced at the glowing Iola Core, turned and left. He rushed back to Nuosiruier overnight, processed a batch of documents at dawn, convened a cabinet meeting, assigned several matters, then left a stand‑in to cooperate with Chief of Staff Frank, and slipped away from He Palace.

At noon.

"Boss, what's so urgent?" the golden three-headed dragon Bolchi, having taken human form, hovered in the sky, idly gazing at the sea below.

He had just been intimate with Madam Xialanwei, when Lei En suddenly dragged him out of bed.

Over the years, his debts to Madam Xialanwei kept mounting; Lei En had initially transferred some liabilities, then couldn't resist doing business with her, and unsurprisingly suffered losses, ending up owing several million golden shields, principal plus interest snowballing to an amount he could never repay.

So he simply decided not to repay, not only dodging the debt but shamelessly offering to settle with flesh.

To his surprise, Madam Xialanwei agreed.

One mating equals two thousand golden shields.

Bolchi immediately got excited, striving to repay the debt; just as he began warming up to get to the main act, naked, Lei En teleported him to the sea east of Mo Du.

Lei En glanced at the golden three-headed dragon, thinking the fellow was lucky in love but clueless.

Madam Xialanwei was clearly in heat, attracted to his draconic bloodline, so she set a trap that tightly ensnared him, leaving him with massive debt, a free laborer, and free access to his draconic blood.

Bolchi, hidden in the drum, puffed himself up, believing his looks had moved the steel dragon.

He never even looked at his own face—a savage's ugly mug.

Lei En didn't expose Madam Xialanwei's trap, calmly saying, "I brought you here for an urgent matter; why are you still unwilling to work for me?"

"How could I…"

Bolchi tucked his neck in; ever since Lei En's Holy Soul Ascension to Wizard and his rise as Consul, he's grown increasingly fearful of Lei En, long having lost the will to resist the dragon‑riding circle, only desiring to cling tightly to Lei En's thigh.

"If the boss has a use for me, it's my honor," he pounded his chest, then with a mischievous grin asked, "What exactly is the matter?"

"Deliver an item to Gotham City for me," Lei En said.

"Uh, that's it?" Bolchi asked, puzzled, "Why not just teleport it over?"

"If it could be teleported, would I even need you?" Lei En retorted irritably, "Cut the chatter; do what I tell you."

"Yes!" Bolchi dared not ask further.

A moment later, a magical airship flew in from Mo Du's direction, quickly approaching. Bolchi and Lei En descended onto its deck, discovering only three people aboard: a mechanic piloting the airship, who stayed inside the cockpit.

Two more were in the cargo hold.

Bolchi entered the cargo hold and saw two towering figures; their appearances were similar—both old wizards with white hair and beard—one clad in a violet‑red magical robe, the other in white garments, their aura sending chills through him.

Anxiwodasi GrandSpeaker and Ouroin Master!

Bolchi nearly leapt up; both were Holy Soul Wizards, counted among the world's most powerful Holy Soul Wizards.

The two Masters stood beside a completely sealed large box.

Bolchi was extremely curious.

This must be the cargo he's to transport; what could it be that warrants the GrandSpeaker and Ouroin Master's involvement, even drawing Consul Lei En along?

"Teacher, Master," Lei En approached to greet.

"Honored GrandSpeaker, honored Ouroin Master," Bolchi dutifully saluted, obedient as a child.

The two old wizards gave a slight nod.

Lei En activated a telekinetic field, levitating the large box containing the Iola Core out of the airship's cargo hold, then glanced at Bolchi. Bolchi instantly comprehended, reverting to his true dragon form—a forty‑plus‑meter‑long golden three-headed dragon appearing in the sky, its scales glittering in sunlight, the three differently colored heads exuding majesty.

The large box settled on the dragon's back; thanks to a stabilized levitation spell, it added little weight.

Lei En, Anxiwodasi, and Ouroin also descended.

Bolchi sensed a fourth presence; the golden dragon's head turned to look back, finally spotting a figure in a black robe, pale‑faced and gaunt—teacher's pupil Reslin, whose magical aura was no less than that of the three Holy Soul Wizards.

Four Holy Soul Wizards!

Bolchi had never imagined that one day he'd carry four Holy Soul Wizards simultaneously; it was a tremendous honor.

"Stop dazing, move," Lei En ordered.

"Alright!"

The Golden Three-Headed Dragon hurriedly flapped its wings, accelerated at full speed, its massive body turning into a dazzling golden light that streaked across the sky; in an instant it broke through the clouds, racing northward against the howling gale.

(End of chapter)