Age of Adepts c1-1513

by Zhen De Lao Lang, 真的老狼

  Greem looked at everyone present and mulled it over for a while.

  "White Tower. We shall just call it White Tower!"

  …………

  Lance. The thunder dragon's territory.

  A lavish and luxurious palace sat atop the mountainous hills.

  Most of the buildings in the palace were constructed to be extraordinarily large and grandiose. The furnishings inside the rooms were also well beyond the extravagance of a human emperor's palace.

  At this moment, on a platform to the east of the palace, Thunder Dragon Arms had once again transformed into his human form and was lying against a soft bed while draped in smooth silk robes. He was enjoying the diligent service of four or five elven beauties while appreciating the performance of the dancers below.

  Of the five elven beauties, two were massaging his legs while one was peeling away grape skins and feeding him with a smile on her face. Meanwhile, one of the other two was holding amber-colored wine in her hands and bringing it forward for him to drink at his instructions. The last one was holding a jade platter for him to spit out the grape seeds.

  Though these forest elves captured from Faen appeared to be happy and joyful, the corners of their eyes betrayed their resentment and suffering.

  Just as Arms eyes started to glaze over and he prepared to embrace the elven beauties and bring them into his room for a round of pleasantries, a dragon's roar rang out from the distant horizon.

  Wild winds blew across the skies as a massive dragon with shining emerald scales descended upon the platform.

  As the emerald dragon beat her wings, a small storm formed on the platform beneath her. The soft beds, silk curtains, wine jugs, incense pots, fans, coffee tables, the fruits; everything, even those elven girls in skimpy clothing, were blown about and unable to stand still.

  After letting out her fury, the emerald dragon was finally shrouded in a surge of blue mist, transforming into a pretty girl in emerald armor.

  "Look at what you've done, Arms! Hmph!"

  It was the beauty of the emerald dragons that Arms had tricked into coming to Lance– Iritina!

  Chapter 739 Various Affairs

  Seeing that it was Iritina that had arrived, the handsome, noble face of Arms first betrayed a trace of awkwardness. He then got up and put on a forced smile, "My Iri Baby, didn't you go look for a shelter you'd like? How did it go? Did you find anything?"

  "Hmph! To think of how great you talked about Lance. I only just realized that this place is already stuffed full with dragons," Iritina's face was full of resentment, "I've flown for over five thousand kilometers, and I did find one or two places I'm happy with. However, those places already have owners. I can't even find a single piece of land without an owner!"

  Arms quickly went forth and embraced his sweetheart's slender waist when he saw how angry she was.

  "Didn't I already tell you? It doesn't matter if there's an owner already. Just come back and tell me if you have a place you like. As long as it isn't a direct subordinate of one of those Fourth Grade big bosses, this lord will help you take their land!"

  "You mean it?" It was only upon hearing this that Iritina's cold face finally showed a trace of joy.

  "Of course!" Arms couldn't help but pat his chest and start boasting again, "You've been in Lance for a while already. You should have witnessed this lord's might and influence here. As long as I've given my word, there will be no problems."

  "You better be telling the truth, otherwise…" Iritina looked around at the skimpily-dressed elven girls on the platform. A slender hand silently pinched the fat on Arms' waist, "I'll have a good settling of this deal with you."

  Arms might have excellent Physique, but even he can't deal with such a penetrative 'close-ranged attack.' He could only put on a smile and fawn, "Of course, of course. As long as it's something my baby says she wants, I will definitely get it for her!"

  "Good! The place I want is called the Forest of Ancient Trees. There's a Second Grade wood dragon staying there. Hurry up and chase him away for me."

  "The Forest of Ancient Trees? Wood dragon?" Arms brooded silently as a trace of unease gradually rose in his heart, "Is there a huge lake near that place?"

  "Yeah! I also think that the lake is simply too beautiful. It's so suitable for me to play and bathe in." The jade green eyes of the emerald dragon beauty Iritina immediately glazed over in admiration when she talked about the lake.

  "…"

  Arms expression instantly fell apart as he awkwardly said, "Dear, you see, wouldn't it be better…if you chose another place again…"

  "Why should I change my decision? What's wrong with that place?"

  "There…there…that Second Grade wood dragon might not amount to much, but there's a Third Grade gem dragon backing him! It's not going to be easy provoking a dragon like that!"

  "What are you scared of? His master is a Third Grade, and you are also a Third Grade. Can we not beat them once you add me to the equation?" For some reason, perhaps due to the boredom in Faen, Iritina had become a lot more ferocious and battle-hungry since leaving her clan.

  Arms face was filled with hesitation and reluctance when he thought of fighting against a gem dragon.

  It couldn't be helped. Though they were both Third Grades, there was a massive difference between their strength.

  Those gem dragons might not be exceptional when it came to other things, but in terms of magical defense, they were the undisputed powerhouses. The Gem Armor on their bodies was like the ultimate counter to magic. No elementium magic, regardless of attribute, could easily penetrate the layer of armor to harm their bodies.

  Moreover, the Prismatic Spray that the gem dragons were skilled in covered almost the entirety of the elementium attributes. As such, without the all-encompassing magic armor of the gem dragons, the other dragons could only endure their magical attacks.

  That was why long-ranged Dragontongue magic and mid-ranged dragon's breath were no use against gem dragons. Only melee claw and fang strikes could deal a certain amount of damage to them. However, Arms would have to endure the gem dragon's Prismatic Spray if he wanted to engage the enemy in a melee forcefully.

  Such a pestering way of fighting would hurt him too much. Even if he were to emerge victorious, he would suffer significant damage!

  However, women that had fallen into the quagmires of stubbornness were not that easily persuaded. It was the same for female dragons.

  After a series of discussions that consisted mostly of roaring, Arms finally and helplessly agreed to Iritina's request. A short moment later, several thunderous roars rang out as two dragons took to the skies from the platform, beating their wings and hurrying into the distance in a particular direction.

  Soon, the two massive bodies had turned into two insignificant black dots on the horizon.

  …………

  Northern Lands. Icewind, White Tower.

  There was a small platform located at the waist of the tower.

  Icelady Snowlotus leaned against the stone fence and gazed into the far off Black Forest. The light in her eyes flickered, but who knew what she was thinking.

  This place was a frosty highland. The climate was arid and cold. Chilling cold air whistled past the tower, blowing the microscopic ice particles the tower had gathered into the air and making them dance. They were like pretty ribbons knitted with snow and frost as they swayed in the wind.

  It was sixty or seventy meters above the ground, and the temperature was so cold that a dripping bead of water would turn into ice before it hit the ground.

  Yet, Snowlotus was only wearing a thin silk dress, seemingly unaffected by the cold. Instead, it was the opposite. The cold air here made her feel even more liberated and energized.

  Her natural Physique was of the ice attribute and especially compatible one with the environment here. Standing here and gazing into the distance had become her greatest interest and hobby ever since the White Tower was constructed.

  Unfortunate
ly, as one of the most important figures of the White Tower, she couldn't find time for herself even if she wanted to!

  Footsteps rang out lightly from the tower behind her. A slender and pretty elven maid walked out, bowed, and said, "Lady Snowlotus; Lady Meryl has invited you to her place!"

  Perhaps it was because the temperature here was far too low. The elven girl's body couldn't help but start shivering.

  In truth, she shouldn't have feared such a little chill with her powers as a First Grade combat profession holder. However, ever since the adepts restrained her with their wicked abilities, her powers had left her, leaving her with this pale and beautiful body.

  Fortunately, the witch that asked for her to be her maid wasn't a deviant or a pervert. Otherwise, this once beautiful dancer of the night would have had no other option but to commit suicide.

  However, now that she had fallen into the hands of the adepts, her fate was no longer in her control. Even death was far too extravagant for them.

  Here, death wasn't the end, but the start of a different kind of torture!

  "Faelin, are you doing well here?"

  Snowlotus wasn't in a hurry to leave. Instead, she extended a white yet chilling right hand and caressed the elf lightly with her palm.

  "Thanks to my lady, Faelin is doing very well!"

  "That's good," A somewhat meaningful smile surfaced on Snowlotus' face: "Don't try and save those companions of yours again. Otherwise, even I won't be able to save you when you break the rules of the tower!"

  Faelin's already freezing body trembled once again.

  Here in this evil tower where adepts reigned supreme, the forest elves were no more than maids and toys that served and attended to them. Any forest elf that dared to rebel would not meet a good end. Punishment from the adepts would be getting off lightly. Severe offenses would be met with execution. That was before the body and soul of the offender was transformed into some sort of corpse princess that resembled undead creatures.

  Ever since she became Lady Snowlotus' maid, Faelin had already witnessed three of her companions punished at the hands of the adepts and turned into cold and undead corpse princesses that could only obey orders. Even more tragic was seeing the souls of her three companions trapped within their original bodies through magic, forced to live a life of suffering every single day.

  "My Lady, as long as you can help liberate my three companions from their suffering, I…I will forever obey you!" Faelin bit her frozen lips so forcefully that a streak of blood slowly dripped down her chin. However, Faelin seemed unaware of her wound and continued to prostrate herself before Snowlotus, even as she shivered.

  "You still haven't understood yet!" Snowlotus shook her head as she spoke, her cold eyes without a trace of sympathy, "You are my property in the first place. What use is it to ask a wish of me? Moreover, those corpse princesses are the properties of other adepts. They are not things I can simply take away from them!"

  "My Lady…"

  "Enough!" Snowlotus rejected decisively, but her tone immediately softened, "However, recently I do have a magical experiment I need to do. I still lack a willing experimental subject. If you can suggest a qualified subject to me, I might be able to help you purchase them."

  "I'm willing…I'm willing." Faelin abruptly lifted her lowered head, "My Lady, use me for the experiment, please! As long as you can liberate their souls, I am willing to become your experimental subject!"

  "This experiment will hurt a great deal."

  "I am not afraid!" Faelin's face was filled with determination and grit.

  "Very well!" Snowlotus sighed, "Since you are so determined, I will give you a try! Your three companions will most definitely be liberated once the experiment is finished."

  Having said that, Snowlotus walked into the tower without expression on her face.

  Behind her, a single teardrop flowed down Faelin's determined eyes.

  Sadly, the teardrop froze into a bead of ice before it even left her face, smashing against the cold floor of the balcony and shattering into a million pieces.

  Eighth Floor of the White Tower. Magical Hall.

  Meryl, who was surrounded by a large group of elven servants and magical golems, suddenly lifted her head and looked at Snowlotus, who had walked into the room. She couldn't help but laugh softly, "Lady Snowlotus, you've finally come! I was just thinking of discussing the matter of moving citizens into our lands with you."

  Meanwhile, Old Fox Vanlier was also in a noble's butler attire. He was busy dealing with documents and messages. Seeing that the two witch ladies had something to talk about, he waved his hand, and the elven maids in the room promptly exited without a sound.

  Chapter 740 Clan Planning

  Having a territory, but no citizens within its bounds, was like eating meat without salt– bland and flavorless!

  Those barefoot farmers and citizens were of practically no help to the Crimson Clan. They even wasted much of the clan's time and effort to help them develop a living. However, out of consideration for the long term, this was one step across the iron threshold that had to be taken!

  Where did adepts come from?

  They could be recruited or hired, but such adepts would always be outsiders. It was difficult to cultivate such adepts and turn them into loyal clan adepts of the Crimson Clans. They needed to recruit a suitable number of artisans and civilians, establishing an orderly rule and selecting apprentice adepts with exceptional talents.

  It was the only way to produce individuals that could be trusted. There was no need to doubt apprentices that came from the clan's territories, for all they owned and all they were would be bound to the Crimson Clan's prosperity. That was the only way to cultivate clan adepts that were truly loyal to Greem.

  There were tens of thousands of outside adepts. They chased the benefits and, naturally, would leave for benefits. If the clan were to ever run into a crisis that demanded overcoming a sacrifice, the only ones that could step forth would be those clan adepts.

  That was why the Crimson Clan had no choice but to establish the clan's system for new blood, one step at a time, even if the price for cultivating clan adepts was immense!

  Now the clan already had a territory of its own, with no opportunistic enemies around them. It was the best time to recruit en masse and establish their banner. Meryl couldn't wait to start discussing the matters of the population with Snowlotus immediately after taking control of White Tower.

  It was actually a problematic issue!

  Icewind was already a bitter wasteland of snow and frost. To make things worse, it was right next to the Black Forest and did not have the protection of an adept's tower. That was why the total population within several hundreds of kilometer did not exceed a hundred.

  Trying to establish the foundations of the Icewind clan territory with so few people was practically impossible.

  To sum it all up, Icewind lacked population. Severely so!

  There were plenty of legendary stories of Northern Witches of the past who cut through the thorns and led their population to establish new witch territories in the Black Forest. However, the legendary witches in those stories weren't setting up shop from scratch like the Crimson Clan was doing.

  They either had the support of clan forces or witch branches. They had the workforce when they needed the workforce and the military force when they needed the military force. Even so, it took them hundreds of years and many conflicts that went back and forth to even have a chance at seizing a piece of land from the powerful magical creatures to establish a stable and peaceful territory where they could flourish.

  Moreover, the number of civilians that died during the process to harsh environments, plagues, poison mists, wild beasts, and magical creatures was uncountable. It was only through the accumulation of human lives and the determination of the witches that they had obtained success in the end.

  In contrast, the Crimson Clan had a tower and had the adepts. They only lacked large numbers of people tha
t could inject life into the region.

  "Lady Snowlotus, could I inquire what plans the Northern Witches in the past used when they wanted to recruit civilians?" Meryl waited until only Snowlotus and the diligently working Vanlier were left before unhurriedly asking the question.

  "Civilians are the most valuable resource of every witch branch; they will not easily be given up for sale. If Lady Meryl desperately requires some civilians, I can return to the few inherited territories of the Fate Witches and forcefully conscript some for you. However…"

  Snowlotus couldn't help but pause for a moment when she reached this part.

  "The environment here is too harsh, and there are no daily resources as well. Even if I were to conscript some civilians, they would probably have a hard time surviving here. We can't possibly let those farmers and merchants live in the adept's tower as well, after all!"

  Even Meryl, the manager, couldn't help but be troubled after listening to Snowlotus' complaints.

  It was true! Even if they conscripted the civilians, how they would manage to survive in such a land of snow and ice was a severe problem! Were they supposed to get a bunch of civilians and just let them idle about with nothing to do? Was the Crimson Clan supposed to pay for their living expenses instead?

  "What about we find a way to move some goblins over from the Goblin Plane to work as temporary civilians? They have the smarts, the techniques, and can help the tower with some maintenance and management work." Meryl suggested doubtfully.

  "Meryl, there's something I need to remind you of. If there are too many members of other races in a territory, it will make it even more difficult to recruit wandering travelers and free men looking for a place to settle." Snowlotus kindly reminded.

  Meryl couldn't help but be dejected.

  She could easily imagine such a scenario.

  If there were too many non-humans in a territory, it would affect the perception and sense of safety of the human civilians. If they were to hesitate because of such concerns, the population of Icewind would stagnate and never increase. If these human civilians were all scared away, what were they supposed to do? Recruit goblin apprentices, ogre apprentices, and dwarf apprentices instead?