Chapter 846

Chapter 846: An Invitation from the Sage Council

After meeting Xingliu, at Palinsa’s suggestion, several people went to Red Jujube Palace for a short visit.

Turning the heavy copper lock, the light golden door creaked open slowly, revealing an elegant courtyard once more.

There were not many buildings within Red Jujube Palace. White stone paths meandered through the lawn, and on the hillside nearby grew several apple trees, surrounded by simple iron railings.

It was mid-May now, and the apple trees bore small, greenish fruits hidden among the lush green leaves, giving a refreshing feeling.

After entering this secluded and quiet courtyard, Palinsa led the three towards a small hill not far away. In the middle of the hill stood a small blue house, mostly concealed by surrounding trees. The tiles shimmered with a faint golden glow under the fragmented sunlight.

Because Palinsa said she needed to clean the house, the three did not enter immediately but instead sat under a large tree beside the hill. There were stone tables and chairs here.

Her hand brushed past the pale gray tabletop, dust and fallen leaves fluttering away in the breeze, then Lolan Hill sat on the slightly chilly stone chair.

“It’s quite peaceful here,” Night Spirit said after sitting on the stone chair, looking around curiously.

“I thought the palace would be very grand, like those filled with carvings and murals, or majestic and colorful buildings.”

“Most are indeed like that, but this place is special,” the young lady recalled other parts of the palace, which was indeed similar to what Night Spirit had said.

“Because the previous owner was a princess who wasn’t in good health.”

Lolan Hill recalled Princess Lanisha’s story, though she was a figure from over a hundred years ago.

“But I really like it here because it’s quiet and there are fewer people, making it relaxing.”

Briefly explaining the origins of Red Jujube Palace, they gradually started talking about Xingliu’s experiences.

“Where did Senior Sister Xingliu go after graduation?”

“At that time, the teacher thought my strength was decent, so he entrusted me with a few missions, helping to deal with some troublesome demonic beasts.”

“And so, for half a year, I traveled back and forth across the Sighing Mountains, occasionally returning to school for rest.”

“Sigh, did Senior Sister Xingliu come back? I didn’t know,” Night Spirit said, speaking about something she was completely unaware of.

“Because I stayed for a short time and was also afraid of trouble, not many people knew about it.” Xingliu shook her head; the trouble she referred to was undoubtedly the group of fervent admirers at the Tower Academy.

“Later, I fought Palinsa several more times. This guy’s strength didn’t fall behind, and the number of wins and losses was roughly even.”

“Then I went south by sea, to the very southern part of the Southern Region where it was still hot when the continent was covered in snow.”

“Continuing further south, the islands became fewer and fewer, and human traces rarer, until we reached the White Ice Sea, where there was a fragmented continent with long and scattered seas, particularly abundant with icebergs.”

“Why did you go there?”

“Because the Sage Council discovered an ancient site there, but the location was too remote, so manpower was needed to excavate it.”

“After arriving there with Palinsa, we six companions of the Dragon Sequence 8 transformed into dragons, burning the icebergs to break their seals and unearth the remnants of the past era.”

Xingliu leaned against the stone chair, supporting her face with her hands, recalling the past.

“At first, I thought it would be a pleasant surprise, but due to changes in the world, we had to relearn, wasting several years. When we finally dug it out, we found it had already been destroyed, as if someone had arrived before us over a hundred years ago.”

“Disappointed, but with no other options, I and some of the team began to return.”

“When I returned to the Western Continent, the war between Clancia and the Empire had already begun.”

“So I joined the war again, battling the great red dragon of the Basca family.”

“Senior Miss Xingliu was quite valiant at that time,” Palinsa said as she walked back.

“Sorry for disturbing, but the house is now cleaned up,” she bowed slightly, then continued recounting Xingliu’s past.

“At that time, the Basca family wanted to send the Red Dragon Legion to launch a preemptive strike on Soland, burning the city to strike at Clancia. And it was then that Senior Miss Xingliu stepped forward, holding off many red dragons and buying enough time for reinforcements to arrive, thus rescuing Soland from crisis.”

“This isn’t much,” Xingliu shook her head, not seeming modest but genuinely thinking it was just a minor matter.

Although she looked like a young maiden, this Black Dragon Miss was undoubtedly a formidable figure, one who had been…

Various powerful existences fought, and getting injured was a common occurrence. Fortunately, the self-healing ability of the Dragon Sequence was strong enough that no scars were left behind.

“Since I am also from this land, I can’t just stand by and watch others cause trouble here,” she said, expressing her simple thoughts.

“This time, seeking out Princess Lolan Hill, one is partly out of curiosity and partly to deliver a message from the sages. The sages invite you to meet at Emanas in August,” he said.

“Sages’ Assembly?” Lolan Hill pondered the meaning behind this name. Although she was known as the sage of Clancia, she was not actually a member of the Sages’ Assembly and knew little about it. She only knew that this organization aimed to unite various races to resist the chaos brought by the calamity.

From this perspective, they seemed to be on the same side. However, the events in Oz Country centuries ago cast a shadow over her heart, making her uncertain.

Should she go or not?

If she didn’t go, she felt like she might miss something important. It would be better to see for herself, or perhaps ask Tides and Chris first; as witches, they would likely know more about the Sages’ Assembly.

“Alright, I understand,” Lolan Hill nodded.

“Then my message has been delivered.” Xingli also nodded, seemingly relieved of some burden.

“Do you remember the treasure I gave you?” Xingli asked, brushing aside a strand of hair beside her ear.

“I do,” Lolan Hill took out the round, fist-sized treasure. Inside the light blue orb lay a cute dragon’s silhouette.

“I didn’t expect you’d still be keeping it,” Xingli said, surprised at seeing the treasure she had given.

“Can I modify it again for a while?” she asked.

“Of course,” Lolan Hill placed the orb back in Xingli’s hand.

After returning to Xingli’s hands, the light blue orb emitted a faint glow, turning into an amber orange color. The small black dragon within woke up and began to fly around inside the orb.

Xingli gazed at the treasure in her hand, her light red eyes shining brightly, radiating changing glows. The small black dragon inside dissipated and gradually reformed.

After a while, the black dragon reappeared inside the orb, this time more solid and real, even allowing one to see its fine scales.

“I made some minor improvements to allow it to hold more magic power and suppress the transformation ability even more. If you practice the Dragon Sequence, this orb will be a great helper in the early stages,” Xingli explained again.

“Well, it’s almost time. I should go now. If you ever need help in the future, you can call me using this orb,” she said, standing up as the decisive black dragon lady.

Seeing this, Lolan Hill nodded, and Xingli waved, disappearing where she stood. A loud roar echoed through the sky.

A graceful and powerful black dragon flew across the blue sky, heading far away.

Xingli remained as efficient and free-spirited as always, or perhaps uniquely independent.

“How quickly she left,” Night Spirit said, somewhat surprised as she watched the flying black dragon. She felt that Xingli’s personality was truly extraordinary. Or perhaps, this was the demeanor of a powerful Dragon Sequence warrior. In contrast, Night Spirit was more akin to the lazy and sleepy nature of dragons.

—

Back at Red Jujube Palace, Lolan Hill rested well for a night and then met with several leaders from Clancia.

Under the strong suggestion of the silver-haired girl, Pullman and others finally abandoned the idea of holding a celebration, deciding instead to honor only some heroes from the war and a few individuals who made significant contributions.

In the morning sun, in a part of the palace:

“This is Albert, who led the Holy White Shield Knight Order in the retreat battle at Tianqi Fortress. Thanks to this brave legion, many civilians and soldiers were able to safely retreat to the rear.”

On the green grassland, Lolan Hill presented medals to a few people, with Parinsha explaining alongside.

“You’ve worked hard,” Lolan Hill picked up the Starfall Medal from the tray and pinned it onto Albert.

Although Albert was the leader of the knight order, he wasn’t particularly old. He could even be considered Lolan Hill’s junior, having graduated from Emanas Temple Academy. This leader had short gray-blue hair, wore a blue-and-white uniform, and had glasses, giving him a scholarly air, which was hard to reconcile with his role as a commanding general.

“Thank you, Your Highness,” he bowed, pressing his hand to his chest, still wearing white gloves.

Following this, under Parinsha’s continued introductions, several other heroes received their medals. Lolan Hill slowly moved towards the end of the line, stopping in front of a familiar figure.

“This is Miss Letis, the Alchemy Master. She greatly improved the design of the magic crystal guns for the military, producing

The cross-temporal rapid-fire weapon, and this ultimately paved the way for the dawn of victory in the war.”

Palintha turned the page in her hand, revealing that cruel weapon encircled by steel pipes, resembling a revolving organ.

Looking at this figure standing motionlessly on the spot, mouth slightly open and stunned, Lolan Hill smiled faintly, then picked up another medal and pinned it around Letis’s neck.

Embracing this roommate after a long separation, Lolan Hill whispered softly into Letis’s ear.

“These years have been tough on you, Letis.” The gentle words were like warm tears falling into the heart, melting away the accumulated grievances, sorrows, and pains of the past.

This beautiful girl’s eyes reddened, she sniffled as she wiped away the tears at the corners of her eyes, then gently bowed down, thanking this wise maiden.

She had once been Lolan Hill’s roommate and best friend. Later, she harbored resentment towards the sage who guided Clancia to defeat the Frost Alliance. She once thought she would inherit the family business and naturally become an alchemist, but after the defeat, she was held accountable and forced to become a common spinner. She once thought she would roll away like dust and disappear in some corner, but during the empire’s invasion, she saw even greater sorrow and suffering, with countless people dying under blades and torture. She had once trudged through the most desperate winter, nearly starving to death in the cold night, but just when she was about to fall, it was Clancia’s official reception and accommodation that saved them.

In the twists and turns of fate, this former young lady gradually grew and matured, until finally, her old friend awakened her, helping her rediscover her own value and purpose.

Although suffering is not something to be grateful for, sometimes one has to admit that it is precisely because of their existence that she can view the world more clearly and comprehensively.

If not for Clancia’s existence, she might have faded away with her family under the empire’s iron hooves after a few years of being a young lady. And destiny is so wonderful; after enduring its trials, Letis finally arrived at her ideal place.

Not only did she become a master alchemist, but she also spread her beloved aesthetic style, which became popular throughout the nation, making her a distinguished master in two fields.

The crowd looked at the weeping Letis, thinking she was moved by the sage’s commendation, and they smiled kindly. Then, amidst the comforting words of the crowd, Letis gradually stopped crying and bowed together with everyone else, concluding this small ceremony.

Afterward, Lolan Hill listened in on several weeks of Clancia’s highest council meetings, adding a few ideas and helping to fill in the gaps.

Once everything settled down, she finally had the time to meet up with her old friends.

At a cold drink shop next to Solande Central Street.

The four sat by the window on the third floor, overlooking the bustling street below. Occasionally, a gentle breeze blew through the sunlight, ruffling their hair and making them feel comfortable and at ease.

“This shop’s juice is really good; it’s definitely worth coming here,” Ye Ling said, sitting at the table and briefly explaining why they chose this place.

During Lolan Hill’s busy period with Clancia’s affairs, she had toured Solande, enjoying many delicious foods and visiting many places.

“It’s indeed very good,” Nia said, looking at the light red bubbling juice in front of her, holding the cold cup, occasionally raising and lowering her fingers.

Today, she wore a fitted blouse paired with a deep red skirt. When she leaned forward, her mature and attractive body curves were revealed. Compared to her younger days, Nia was now a perfect example of a mature older sister, with those curved goat horns adding to her charm, as if tempting the devil.

However, Letis was different. Although they were around the same age, Letis still looked largely unchanged, retaining much of her past appearance. Her golden, smooth hair flowed from her shoulders to her waist, with some of it visible in front, resting on her chest.

Today, she ordered a white dew lemon juice, occasionally sipping it while looking out the window.

“Lolan finally has some free time. I heard from Ye Ling that you’ve been swamped recently,” Nia said, looking at Lolan Hill in front of her, marveling that time hadn’t left any marks on this companion, perhaps this was the magic of a witch.

“Not as bad as Ye Ling said, Nia. It’s just daily work,” the young girl shook her head lightly, taking small sips of her greenberry juice, her body gradually relaxing.

“Actually, Letis has always wanted to see Lolan, but she didn’t want to disturb you,” Nia casually mentioned her friend’s predicament, while Letis, who had been looking at the scenery, suddenly froze.

Why did Nia become so bold? How could she save face?

Although she was already very comfortable with strangers, before Lolan Hill, this familiar yet unfamiliar friend, Letis was still somewhat reserved.

After all, she used to be a proud young lady.

(End of Chapter)