Free Web NovelChapter 788: Chapter 381: Star Soul Incubation
Long ago, there was a powerful empire that emerged in the Ignis Sky Realm—the Speriel Empire, and its numerous historical sites and culture are still reflected in the daily lives of the people of the Ignis Sky Realm today.
Many years ago, a concept of the "Speriel Nation" was being constructed, not only in the streets and alleys but also within the deep palace mansions. It was not limited to a specific race but embraced all who were influenced by it.
Whether in tracing the bloodline of the nobility or validating the legitimacy of rule, whether identifying the source of the common people’s suffering or their oppressors, this concept could provide an explanation.
It was the glory of Speriel that made nobles noble, and the loss of Speriel that caused the people to suffer.
Under such proclamations, many people gathered together; they were likely the earliest supporters of the "Holy Speriel Empire."
The empire had secretly conspired for many years, and around a year ago, even clerks working like Dorothy in social situations could hear about the Founding Emperor "Kekrus" of the Holy Speriel Empire.
"Something’s not right."
Dorothy said, "The Holy Speriel was established eight hundred years ago. Li Ang and I discovered evidence on Spark Island’s underground that the Feinat Clan, which followed Kekrus to conquer here, had once wiped out the previous ruler, the Linden Clan. But where did these people come from to promote it now?"
She emphasized "Li Ang and I" for the young girl beside her to hear.
"Yes, so the guild here speculates that some faction rose in the empire’s name. It’s a great reason to gather troops; do you see these nobles with ulterior motives showing up?" Lanslow said.
That could explain it, but Li Ang still felt something peculiar.
"Have you investigated Olin Island? And have you seen the so-called ’Emperor’s Tour’?"
"Hey, the Emperor’s Tour, this thing annoyed many colleagues, we’ve never caught them."
"They must be using the Annihilation Star Soul Power that I mentioned to teleport between islands, which is why you missed them," Li Ang said.
"Yes, every time we get the news and reach there, they’re gone, just like finding their real palace is elusive."
"So you’ve never seen that emperor either?"
"No."
Finding Zoe’s father would be even more challenging.
"However, the Olin Island you mentioned, we did find it."
Lanslow said that the guild’s historians can naturally find the rise point of the empire eight hundred years ago, especially after thoroughly investigating the Makena Island Country. They also know about the fallout between Emperor Jelus Kekrus and his brother Karios Kekrus, so they went to Olin Island.
But there are only a few villages left, and ancient fortresses and palaces have long become ruins buried in wild grass, while the villagers have either volunteered or been forced to join the army.
"What about the Mage Tower?"
"Didn’t see the Mage Tower."
The Mage Tower should exist; the Yijie Association found it, but it seems in some hidden state.
"If it’s so hard to find, I guess their true base isn’t built in the Material Dimension."
Li Ang and Lanslow talked about the situation of the Eye of Gods fighting in the Dimensional Rift, and as an Order Knight, he was aware of the existence of other dimensions in the world. It’s just that they hadn’t considered that the foundation of this suddenly rising power might be so profound.
"Anyway, having lost the Annihilation Star Soul, they should be more subdued for now."
Regarding the Flame Teleportation Gate used by Dorothy’s brother, they searched the City of Trade to find suitable flints, indicating such a gate is not easily opened.
Li Ang also guessed that what they used might be a high-tier Fire Array Stone.
After their communication and exchange of information, Li Ang didn’t linger too long with Lanslow, as the latter had official business to attend to. The Star Flower Brigade bid farewell to him and headed towards the depths of the Ignis Sky Realm.
The sky of the Fire Realm is entirely different from the Flower Realm. In the distance, the skies seem ablaze, bordered by endless black mist and firelight.
In fact, except for the Flos Sky Realm, where it’s all clear skies, the other three major realms each have their unique scenery. The end of the Gorasis Sky Realm was seen as the Frost Cold Mountains shattered in the sky when at Frost Heaven Island, and the end of the Sable Sky Realm is the super large island continent, Whispering Sand Sea, possibly the ancient homeland of the Yunxiang Race.
Skipping the formalities of landing at Spark Port, Dorothy breathed a sigh of relief.
"An, come take a look at the route," Li Ang called to the helmsman Andasu.
The beast-eared maiden gently leaned beside Li Ang and peered at the aerial map.
The aerial map given to the Star Flower Brigade by Lanslow marked the current frontline and divided it into three color-coded zones: green for safe zones, yellow for danger zones, and red for war zones.
The Makena Island Country and the City of Crafts are entirely in the war zone, while hidden secret realms like the Sanctuary of All Spirits, though not marked on the map, are located in the green aerial realm, as there is nothing there of contention between both sides.
"What’s this?"
Zoe’s small hand pointed here and there, and Li Ang explained the various markings to her while briefing the entire crew on the route.
Due to the war, the Eternal Summer couldn’t directly reach the Sanctuary of All Spirits. Of course, even without battles, they need to resupply and take a slightly roundabout path.
"We haven’t gone too far off route, just a larger arc."
Benefiting from the remoteness of the Land of Ten Thousand Spirits, the route isn’t blocked by war zones either.
While looking at the aerial map, Alulu suddenly noticed an island, and her baby-like delicate fingertip pointed at that location.
"Is there a Star Soul here?"
Above her clove-colored nails, the map displayed a name—Lupus Ancient Country.
"Yes."
Li Ang hadn’t looked closely earlier, but now he noticed that one of the three relatively calm Star Soul islands given by Eden was right in the middle of their route.
"Do you want to take a look?" Dorothy asked softly.
She leaned over to look at Li Ang’s left hand, signaling for him to decide based on the situation with the Demon Curse.
Li Ang rubbed his temples. He remembered there was another matter there, a task entrusted by Mort to persuade his relative to leave the island. The Beast Eared Swordsman entrusted this task because "you are good at fooling girls."
What kind of task is that?!
"The Lupus Ancient Country has been extinct for a long time, and there aren’t many demons on that island. It’s not a good place for adventure or hunting, so there’s little information about it."
Li Ang pondered, "Since we’re going to fly over it, it would be unwise to not even take a glance. Here’s what we’ll do: when we fly over it, we’ll circle the island for a look. If it’s obviously dangerous, we won’t explore. If Zoe can sense a Star Soul there, we can approach it to see and decide based on the situation then."
In any case, we can’t deliberately bypass the island.
Having understood the next part of the route, Andasu set the helm so that the Eternal Summer could sail straight for a while.
The arrival of the Fire Dragon’s embodiment and passing through the Aerial Realm channel took the whole morning. Alulu prepared lunch, and afterward, Li Ang let everyone attend to their own tasks.
He had earlier agreed with Andasu to forge cultivation tools to assist her cultivation, but before that, Li Ang went to the Monster Breeding Ground.
Dorothy followed him without leaving.
"What are you doing?"
"Working."
"Stop fooling around, there’s work to be done."
"It won’t interfere. I’m just like an accessory; you do your thing, I do mine."
"Alright, so you can’t be satisfied anymore, huh?"
Although he had anticipated how this problem would be with the Elf, Li Ang still felt somewhat helpless when she actually started.
"Haven’t you noticed, after you snatched the deputy leader title, there’s a lot of pent-up anger?"
Li Ang paused and pointed behind him for the red-haired young girl. Aside from Meimei, who was mumbling absentmindedly, and Farina, who had already left, Zoe, Alulu, and Andasu were still lingering and had not gone far.
Seeing the Half Elf following Li Ang, they already had an air of charging forward, their expressions like those of ravenous evil beasts.
"Tch, you’re the one everyone is concerned about, yet you don’t think of easing my suffering."
The blush on the Golden Canary’s delicate face was hard to fade, but she didn’t dare to follow any further.
Li Ang stuffed Orichalcum into her arms: "Since all aspects have improved, you can go ahead and extract energy from it directly. The last Flower of Light hasn’t matured, right?"
Outside of the Star Crystal Branch, Dragon Branch, Branch of Prosperity, and Divine Branch, the fifth Flower Vine had only grown halfway, merely absorbing Light Element to bloom a flower seemingly made of pure light.
Li Ang instructed her, "Remember, first Light Element, then Nature, Ether, Arcane, and only then you can absorb Dark Element."
"Got it, got it."
After sending the Golden Canary away, Li Ang entered the Monster Breeding Ground, somewhat attentive to what Agni had mentioned.
The Creation Formula is a simulation of the Great Spirit’s cyclic system, which seemed similar to the "Forest System" and "Volcanic System" he sensed in the breeding ground.
Upon arriving in this new space, Sruder and the three Salamanders came from various directions to his side.
Stroking them, Li Ang took out a Rune Stone.
He hadn’t absorbed the Creation Formula from the Rune Stone within the Dark Night Ancient City Secret Box, precisely because he wanted to reserve it for necessary occasions.
[Notification: The function of the Creation Formula has expanded. It can be integrated into the Monster Breeding Ground to enhance System Power of the environment.]
Got it.
The system indeed provided a notification for this.
Li Ang allowed the power of the Rune Stone to be absorbed by the Forest Area of the Monster Breeding Ground. He suddenly felt a pang of melancholy, and shortly after, he realized this wasn’t due to emotions, but rather a feeling of release bursting within his heart, similar to when one stands amidst vast woodlands and nature.
This sensation was a powerful feedback from nature, clearly indicating that the Forest System indeed existed and contained mystical power.
Amidst a rolling roar, the Forest Area began to expand, and on the forest area panel, an additional nurturing slot was added.
Simultaneously, another notification sounded in his ear.
[Notification: The Star Soul cultivation panel has been activated. It allows for the cultivation of Star Soul embryos or the fortification of existing Star Souls.]
