Chapter 562: Generous Rewards

As the dark dragon fell, joyful words once again appeared before Lorne’s eyes:

["Slaughter King" achievement attained: +60,000 attribute points, +120,000 energy essences]

By slaying Yanwing, Lorne had fulfilled the "Slaughter King" requirement of killing a legendary-tier supernatural being. The destruction of Phoenix’s avatar completed the sage-tier condition.

He hadn’t had time earlier to examine the achievement details—now he realized just how lavish the rewards were!

Sixty thousand attribute points. One hundred and twenty thousand energy essences. Unprecedented heights.

He truly ought to thank Yanwing for bringing Phoenix’s avatar here, allowing his strength to leap forward once more.

“Though these sixty thousand attribute points still aren’t enough to push me into the realm of Grand Sage, the accumulated one hundred and eighty thousand energy essences could allow me to forge an entire legendary dragon—or elevate Ridal’s innate talent so he becomes a Sage.”

Both paths were viable.

A legendary dragon possessed unique abilities, its might no weaker than that of a Sage.

Yet if Lorne elevated Ridal to Sagehood, the latter would gain new powers—abilities Lorne himself could learn and master, further enhancing his own combat prowess.

Lorne glanced at his attribute panel.

Becoming king would grant him another sixty thousand energy essences. With Ubei City’s population nearing five hundred thousand, another ten thousand essences would follow.

“Perhaps I can promote both Carlo and Ridal at once.”

The final tiers of achievements offered staggering rewards—especially the last tier of "Slaughter King." Slaying a Grand Sage would grant him a full two hundred thousand attribute points!

With such power, four hundred thousand energy essences could elevate both McKen and Elron to Sage status.

But there were no such enemies left on Orlandt Continent.

To complete the final tier, Lorne would inevitably have to journey to Crescent Continent.

Even then, Grand Sages were exceedingly rare.

According to Sophia, among hostile forces, only Phoenix himself seemed to possess Grand Sage-level strength.

It seemed inevitable—Lorne was destined to face Phoenix’s true form in battle.

“Lorne, are you alright?”

Sophia and the others approached.

The battle had reduced the vast royal palace to ruins. Though the fighting had ceased, the lingering chaos of elemental forces still sent tremors through their hearts.

Lorne, his spiritual energy enveloping his body, manipulated dust and debris to lift away from him, shedding the disheveled appearance left by repeated crashes into the ground.

“Don’t worry. I’m fine.”

Though the initial clash had left his internal organs throbbing with dull pain, he could suppress it—and recovery was swift.

“Lorne, congratulations! You’ve actually become a Sage!”

Sophia’s eyes sparkled with admiration. “You’re the strongest—and youngest—Sage I’ve ever seen!”

Lorne laughed heartily. “And you’re no slouch yourself—a Grand Archmage at thirty.”

Indeed, Sophia was extraordinary. Yet compared to Lorne, those two realms of difference might take her thirty years—or longer—to bridge.

“How did the frontlines fare?” Lorne asked.

Elron replied, “Hardly any pressure at all. When we left, McKen and Lord Rulans were already mopping things up.”

“Excellent.”

Lorne turned, gazing down upon the ruined palace beneath his feet. “After this battle, the Trisia Kingdom has been utterly eradicated. The divine demon organization Sacred Tempest from Crescent Continent may have stragglers, but without Yanwing, they won’t expand.”

As he spoke, the Flame Crest buried beneath rubble flew into his hand under his control.

Now cracked and broken, the crest was clearly useless.

He clenched it tightly—reducing it to powder.

“Hammon, you know the names of the fugitives. This task falls to you and McKen.”

Hammon bowed immediately. “Leave it to me!”

Ridal stepped forward. “My lord, as per our agreement, now that we’ve conquered Dragonspire City, you may ascend the throne as king.”

A ripple passed through the group. Expectation gleamed in their eyes.

For Lorne, even without a crown, his power made him an undeniable monarch of this continent.

Yet coronation had long been one of their goals—achieving it would be deeply satisfying.

More importantly, they believed that under Lorne’s rule, this land would awaken to a new dawn.

A faint smile tugged at Lorne’s lips.

“Elron, notify Randall and the others. Begin the coronation process as planned.”

Elron nodded—but then frowned. “My lord, we intended to hold the ceremony in Dragonspire’s royal palace. But now the kingdom lies in ruins. Where shall your royal court be established?”

He paused, then suggested, “What about Golden Feather Palace?”

Ubei City had built a castle, but its splendor didn’t even match Wushan Fortress—hardly fit for a royal seat.

As for Golden Feather Palace…

Lorne shook his head. “Golden Feather Palace belongs to the Odwin royal family. I haven’t yet decided to inherit Odwin’s territory. Coronating there would be inappropriate.”

After a moment’s thought, he said, “Set it at Mistfort. That’s where I became a duke. It’s fitting for a coronation.”

Mistfort had once belonged to Count Ural. Its grandeur rivaled Moonlight Keep—more than suitable for a royal ceremony.

Moreover, Mistfort lay nearly at the center of Orlandt Continent. Establishing his court there would make communication between north and south far easier.

Lorne turned to Ridal. “Though the main war is over, many noble estates of Trisia remain unclaimed. You must lead the army to continue advancing.”

Whether these nobles surrendered or resisted, they would ultimately lose their power and status.

Those who submitted would be given a chance to start anew.

Those unwilling to serve him could live as common free citizens.

The great matter was settled; Lorne saw no need for senseless slaughter.

As Ridal and the others departed one by one, only Lorne, Sophia, and Carlo remained in the air.

“Lorne, when do you plan to go to Crescent Continent?”

Sophia asked. “With a Sage on our side, the balance of victory has already tipped toward us!”

Lorne hesitated slightly. He would go to Crescent Continent—yes—but not yet.

“When I ascended to Sage, I crossed the Storm Sea. Its peculiar environment affected me little. If you and Hammon wish to return to Dawnspire sooner, I can send you there.”

He paused, then added, “But as for myself, I’ll remain here for quite some time. As you can see, much remains unfinished. My reform plans still require execution.”

Sophia nodded slowly. She understood perfectly.

“In that case, we won’t return early. We’ll stay and help you settle matters here.”

She made her decision. “If we don’t merely have one Sage, but also a powerful army and navy, our influence on Crescent Continent’s landscape will be far greater!”

Lorne extended his hand solemnly. “Then from here on, magic development rests in your hands. Continue training more talents, crafting more mana-mechanical constructs.”

Sophia grasped his hand, blinking playfully.

“It would be my honor, Your Majesty the King—and Great Sage.”

Luo Ning couldn't help but laugh. (End of chapter)