049 An Unfathomable Request

"Mom," Huan Luo spoke slowly, "I heard there's a way to destroy the Dragon Fang. Is it true?"

Xia Kui looked at her daughter, who had once insisted on keeping the Dragon Fang. Huan Luo's determined expression was identical to the one she had worn when she refused to let go of it before. Xia Kui lowered her head, gazing at the increasingly dim light on the Dragon Fang's scabbard, and could only sigh silently.

The servant Xia Kui sent to find a certain someone discovered her in the midst of so-called "training."

She sat cross-legged, breathing evenly, guiding the magical energy within her body to blend with the magical elements in the air, absorbing them, circulating, precipitating, and then reusing them. If one ignored her upper body, she truly appeared to be working hard at her cultivation. The servant entered her room with a speechless look, dumbfounded by a scene that shattered all her views and values. Weren't sorcerers supposed to cultivate in secrecy and solemnity, requiring silence and concentration?

Who could explain why this young lady was able to gather magical elements while snacking and reading comic books at the same time?

Sensing movement, the girl tore herself away from her comic, smiling at the servant whose mouth twitched with disbelief, "What's the matter? Is it time to eat?"

"No," the servant replied stiffly, "Madam has asked me to invite you over."

She paused her absorption of magical elements, rubbed her stiff legs, stretched lazily, then quickly climbed off the bed. "Let's go."

She left immediately, but after walking for a while, realized the servant hadn't followed. Turning back, she saw the usually composed and professional servant pounce at her like a starving husky spotting meat. "Do you always cultivate like this?!"

She looked up, pondering. In this world, the principles behind a sorcerer's cultivation were as follows: first, gather magical elements from the air that resonate with one’s own magical energy, then cycle them through the body in a monotonous process, nourishing the magical energy with these elements. The more energy one cultivates, the purer it becomes, so after increasing the quantity, purifying the energy through various means—such as combat or practicing spells—is essential.

Simply put, it’s much like extracting essential oils.

But because she was a four-element sorcerer, the magical elements she needed for cultivation far exceeded that of ordinary sorcerers. She accepted almost every element in the air, like an omnivore at the top of the food chain, so as long as she maintained the dispersal of her magical energy, she could absorb endlessly. In contrast, Liang Yin and Lance required focus and quiet to ensure no impurities entered their magical elements.

These two, having witnessed her carefree approach to cultivation, initially harbored fierce resentment, but after discovering her high consumption and minimal progress—except for that first time when Liang Yin pointed out the issue, leading to a surge in energy—they eventually felt a sense of balance.

Thus, she nodded at the servant, confirming that this was indeed her usual method of cultivation.

The servant immediately hugged her leg with flattery. "Do sorcerers accept new apprentices? Are there any restrictions on age, nationality, or residency?"

"Uh?"

…

After locking the servant outside, who was singing melodramatically and biting her handkerchief, she entered Huan Luo’s room. Liang Yin and Lance were already seated on small stools, drinking tea. The moment she walked in, every gaze in the room snapped to her.

"Um, is there something on my face?" she asked, touching it.

"There is—eyes, nose, mouth," Lance joked.

"No, they're beautiful eyes, nose, and mouth," Liang Yin quickly added.

"Indeed, only up close can you fully appreciate how wonderful she is," even Xia Kui chimed in, somewhat out of character.

"Mm…" The injured one sitting on the bed had no idea what to say.

She looked around in confusion, then caught sight of the dim, dejected Dragon Fang at the bedside. She understood immediately, "Are you changing your minds and planning to deal with the Dragon Fang?"

The four in the room shook their heads vigorously, like rattles amusing a child.

What? Not for that reason? Did I pick up the wrong script? She was utterly bewildered.

"Well, here's what happened…" Xia Kui explained helplessly, "We’ve just received intelligence—the Monster Forest is gathering forces again. A major battle is likely imminent."

Gathering forces? A quick calculation in her mind: gathering forces = forest emptied = a chance to cross the forest.

"You’re not expecting me to fetch reinforcements from White Border City, are you? I can't guarantee I won't be chased out…" she laughed dryly.

"No, quite the opposite. We hope you can go to the royal capital of White Tower Nation to ask for help," Xia Kui spoke, each word more shocking than the last.

She was so surprised her mouth hung open.

Liang Yin walked over and gently closed her mouth. "Don’t be so shocked. Lance will go with you."

She was even more startled. Why not you? Are you sure this is good news?

Liang Yin caught her questioning gaze, patted her back and whispered, "Don’t forget I have a criminal record—how could I go to the royal capital?"

She looked back with teary eyes. I have a record too!

Liang Yin shot her a glare. Please, your wanted poster only shows a silhouette—who are you fooling?

She choked up. "Do I have any right to refuse?"

The four shook their heads in unison, decisively eliminating all possibility.

Xia Kui looked at her, eyes full of helplessness. "This is the last resort. Bud has sent no news from the capital for weeks now. The people in the capital have probably already guessed he’s been killed. All our soldiers and generals from Akasia are registered in the capital; if any of them go, it’s certain death." She glanced at the severely injured Huan Luo. "Huan Luo and Andy are both incapacitated, Akasia still needs to defend the city, and there really is no better way."

"But even if I go to the capital, there’s no guarantee I’ll get reinforcements…" she muttered in grievance.

"As long as you can meet either Huan Luo’s father or the king, there will be a way," Xia Kui saw that she was wavering and pressed her advantage, "I am certain of this."

She turned to look at Lance, who, as always, shrugged indifferently, leaving the decision entirely to her.