Chapter 258: Grand Mage of Northern Wubei Territory

A tree towering above the forest invites the wind’s destruction.

But if a tree grows too towering, even the wind cannot topple it.

For Luo Ning now, as long as he can survive, there was no need to reveal his true strength.

Yet when the moment came to seize advantage, even if he chose not to unveil his power, he at least needed to let his subordinates show their mettle.

Excessive concealment of one’s ability, allowing opportunity to slip away, was equally unwise.

Summoning the familiar attribute panel, Luo Ning spent every last point. His Silver Knight progression was now complete; his Mage progression had reached (76/2000).

Beyond that, years of accumulated effort had granted him 1,999 Essence Cores.

“I haven’t strengthened you all in a long time,”

Luo Ning said, gazing at the three figures standing before him.

During this time, each had advanced through their own cultivation.

Macken: Silver Knight (31/1500);

Elron: Chief Mage (380/2000);

Ridal: Silver Knight (649/1500).

Though all trained independently, Ridal had surged ahead—his progression fastest of the three, a natural consequence of his Sunlight Affinity.

Macken, by contrast, bore Golden Affinity, yet his advancement lagged far behind.

Hearing their lord intended to elevate their strength, the three exchanged glances, smiles blooming on their faces.

They were all transcendent beings; the pursuit of greater power was their shared creed.

“You’ve likely heard of my grandfather, Rulans. Only an eighth-rank Light Archmage can save him. Thus, in the coming period, I shall prioritize strengthening Elron.”

Elron bowed deeply. “My lord, I will not betray your trust.”

Ridal and Macken both wore envious expressions. It was only natural—the lord sought to save his grandfather, and Elron’s advancement came first.

“But that does not mean I shall elevate only Elron.”

Luo Ning smiled. “The current state of the Northern District still demands martial strength. Ridal, Macken—you must grow stronger as well. Yet given Ridal’s superior combat prowess and affinity, I shall invest more in him.”

Ridal thumped his chest firmly. “Ridal will not fail you, my lord!”

Macken felt a pang of melancholy, yet he accepted it. What could he say? His affinity was the weakest. The lord had made the wisest choice.

“Macken, you were the first to follow me. I hold great faith in your steadiness, your patience.”

Luo Ning encouraged him. “Though Elron and Ridal take precedence now, our journey is long. Do not rush. Train diligently, as you always have.”

It was no lie. There was indeed much time ahead.

Macken knelt on one knee, voice trembling with emotion. “To be trusted by my lord is my greatest honor. I swear—I shall preserve my strengths and never disappoint you!”

Luo Ning raised a hand, signaling him to rise, then distributed the Essence Cores as planned:

Macken—28; Ridal—351; Elron—1,620.

Macken’s strength saw only slight growth.

Ridal’s progress surged to (1000/1500)—by his own words, he was now strong enough to duel a Golden Knight alone.

But the true transformation belonged to Elron.

He stood with eyes closed, absorbing the surge of ascension. Long moments passed before he opened them—his gaze shimmering with radiant light, his very presence radiating a calm, soothing aura.

“Congratulations, Elron. You are now an Archmage.”

The leap from Mage to Archmage was immense.

First, his mana reservoir had liquefied—granting him a staggering increase in storage capacity.

Where once Elron could cast Aurora Shadow once, now he could cast it ten times over.

And more profoundly—Archmages could amplify the potency of ordinary spells.

His healing spells now healed far more effectively; likewise, his punitive and holy judgment spells now carried devastating force.

“This is all your grace, my lord!”

Elron bowed, voice reverent. “May the Light walk ever beside you!”

“You’ve grown even more priestly than before.”

“Priestly?” Elron frowned, puzzled.

Luo Ning chuckled, shifting the subject. “Tell me—what new abilities did you gain?”

Elron closed his eyes, sifting through his memories.

“My lord, my recollections of my past life were few—mostly fragments of tending to the sick. But one image… it resembled those strange beings we encountered in the Mysterious Valley.”

Luo Ning’s brow lifted. “You mean those undead creatures—Natalia’s kind?”

Elron nodded. “Yes. There was a vision: they could not be killed—unless you pierced their bodies and flooded them with your transcendent power. Then… they turned to ash.”

Ridal and Macken exchanged startled glances.

If Elron had experienced this, then they must have, too.

But since they hadn’t leveled up, no new memories surfaced.

“Could those creatures in the cave… be ancient beings who’ve lived since our past lives?”

Considering Carloss’s age, did that mean Elron and the others had lived a thousand years ago?

He did not press further. When their levels rose again, more truths would surely emerge.

“And what of magic?”

“Yes. I can now cast ‘Enhanced Healing.’ And I’ve awakened knowledge of crafting ‘Burst Potions.’”

Luo Ning’s eyes lit up.

Enhanced Healing—a sustained healing spell. Costly, yes, but capable of saving even those with severed limbs.

He himself possessed a scroll of it—Vigins had survived the loss of his leg thanks to that very scroll.

“I know this spell. Its effect is extraordinary.”

Luo Ning marveled, then asked, “What is this Burst Potion?”

“It grants a knight an additional fifty percent power for one minute—but leaves them weakened for a full day.”

The other three, all professional knights, understood the terror of such a boost.

“This potion is astonishing!”

Ridal calculated his own strength. “With this, even now, I could duel a mid-tier Golden Knight.”

“Fifty percent extra power… truly terrifying.”

Macken sighed. “Even if it lasts only a minute, even if it leaves you drained for a day—in the critical moment, it could turn the tide of battle.”

“Can we make it now?”

Luo Ning asked urgently. If they could, it would drastically reduce the uncertainty of this war.

Elron sighed helplessly. “My lord, the ingredients are numerous—one of them requires at least a cup of fresh blood from a level-six beast—bear, tiger, lion, or ape—creatures of immense explosive power and violent temper.”

A cup of blood—that’s roughly five hundred milliliters. Not much, perhaps, but drawn from a level-six beast, it was no easy thing to obtain.

A sudden spark lit in Ronin’s mind—he thought of Karlos. Wasn’t the fellow himself a level-six beast?

“Would dragon’s blood work?”

Elron immediately recalled the great dragon bound to Ronin’s side—but to use a dragon’s blood for a magical potion?

He dared not even entertain the thought.

“This… I’m not certain. My memories don’t mention whether dragon’s blood is suitable.”

Elron hesitated deeply. If Karlos ever learned he’d considered such a thing, would it not provoke the dragon’s wrath?

“My lord, experimenting with dragon’s blood seems… wasteful, doesn’t it?”

“There’s no alternative. We have no other level-six beasts at hand.”

Ronin shrugged helplessly. “I’ll speak with Karlos. Given his gentle nature, he shouldn’t be so stingy. If we secure the blood, what of the other ingredients?”

“That depends on whether they’re sold in Stonekeep City.”

Stonekeep City, though technically a baronial domain, bore the heavy burden of defending against enemies and received ample support from Mount Wu Fortress—its prosperity far surpassed that of any ordinary barony.

“There ought to be shops here—magic energy traders, perhaps others. Go inspect them tomorrow.”

Ronin said, “If we can’t gather all the materials, forget it. But if we can, see if we might brew one or two vials before the war begins.”

“I understand, my lord.” (End of chapter)