Rescue Plan and Healing

The situation of the Oma Empire is not really related to Black Dragon City. On the contrary, the more chaotic Omar is, the more beneficial it is to the development of Black Dragon City.

After all, an unstable regime leads to public discontent and accelerated population loss.

As for what Metternich is up to, it has nothing to do with Black Dragon City. No matter how you look at it now, that guy isn't their enemy.

Then, Canossa mentioned a few more things that were related to them.

Kipling Winstead has advanced to the Grand Magus, and his power has increased dramatically!

When Rein heard this, he was deeply moved.

Because Winster got to where he is today by using all the hunters in the entire "Plague Base" as scapegoats before teleporting away.

The reason Kipling was able to advance to the Grand Magus was entirely due to the [Fire Totem].

There's another piece of bad news.

The Wood Totem has fallen into the hands of Dia Banella, one of the "Ten Great Legends" and the "Black Witch"!

The fact that the Divine Power Totem has fallen into the hands of others means that Ghost Mushroom Elder "Dahle is likely to be in grave danger.

It's unlikely that an elder-level expert would die in a horde of zombies, especially Elder Dahle, who possessed extremely high Transcendent abilities. The fact that he has been murdered means he was definitely killed.

Meanwhile, Kolman's First Warrior who possesses the [Strength Totem], has also become a war slave and has appeared in the catalog of the City of Radiance Auction House.

The three Divine Power Totem seem to have all fallen into the hands of the enemy.

"The invitation to this auction was sent out by City of Radiance a month ago, and many nobles from both empires were invited."

As she spoke, Canossa handed out an auction invitation to everyone.

When the auction invitation was handed to everyone, everyone's face was gloomy.

This was clearly not a simple auction, but a conspiracy.

Canossa was the first to express her opinion on the auction, analyzing the intentions of those people from City of Radiance, saying, "Back then, those guys inside that Giant Flower's belly failed to kill us, so they must have realized they left behind a huge threat. Now that they've become kings, they're riding high, but they also have to worry about being retaliated against by three legendary powerhouses. So, I think they're deliberately trying to lure us out of here with this auction, especially targeting the Great Shaman Mafat."

The Great Shaman Mafat remained calm upon hearing the news.

Knowing that there were surviving members of their tribe outside, they were determined to save them. Without a second thought, their expression remained unchanged.

After a pause, Canossa continued, "That's why those guys deliberately didn't choose to hold this auction in one of the five main cities of City of Radiance. Instead, they found a remote hunting base, 'Black Wind Valley Base.' This is clearly because they're afraid the main cities' defenses are too strong, and they won't be able to catch big fish like us."

These three legendary figures Transcendent combat prowess, which no one dares to underestimate.

Although outnumbered, they couldn't conquer the city, but the members of the Five Great Families all knew that if such a "legendary" Transcendent were to stoop to intercepting and killing the people of their City of Radiance, no one could stop them.

In particular, those people had already witnessed Mafat's fighting prowess.

Even Kipling Winster, who had just advanced to the Grand Magus, had no confidence whatsoever that he could gain any advantage against such a top-tier expert on his own.

Could it be that they've stopped leaving the city? Or perhaps, every time they leave the city, they gather a large group of experts together?

King Kipling might be able to, but what about the others?

Instead of living in constant fear, it's better to take the initiative and eliminate this hidden danger.

However, if the auction were held in one of the five main cities, those guys in City of Radiance would certainly know that even legendary Transcendent wouldn't choose to force their way in. Everyone knows that the five main cities of City of Radiance have been managed by the Five Great Families for decades, with Magic Tower standing tall and various magical restrictions everywhere.

To be honest, even if Mafat tried to force his way in, he would never return.

But now, the Five Great Families have chosen a hunting base far away from the five main cities. This is clearly giving people hope and luring them into a trap.

Although one can guess that there must be an ambush, one still has no choice but to fall for it; this is an open conspiracy.

The reason those people in City of Radiance dared to openly set up this trap was twofold: firstly, they had no choice but to do so, and secondly, they underestimated the strength of Rein's side.

They thought their opponents were the three legends, and at most a few Kolman Warrior.

Because of the current Black Tide outbreak, only City of Radiance in the entire Alkolon Mountain Range has Mechanical City. The more people there are, the more zombies they attract. Without the protection of a large Mechanical City, it's impossible for any large human settlement to escape the endless siege of zombies.

Therefore, they also anticipated that the Kolman people could not possibly survive many of them.

Moreover, it's foreseeable that among those lying in ambush, at least the two "Ten Great Legends" from last time—[The Black Witch] Dia Banella and [The Frost Moon Sword Master] Carlo Gracie—will definitely be there. Kipling of the Winst Family will also be there.

Having stolen the Divine Power Totem of the Kolman Tribe, they must be constantly on guard against being intercepted and killed by Mafat unless they never leave their homes for the rest of their lives.

This lineup, combined with the strength of City of Radiance, is more than enough to kill three legends.

The Kolman Tribe are now part of Black Dragon City, and Habu and the captured warriors must be rescued.

If this had happened before, it would have been a rescue operation involving only the Great Shaman Mafat and the two hundred surviving Kolman Warrior, a desperate attempt with no chance of survival.

But now...

Leaving aside the other forces in Black Dragon City, Kolman's two thousand dragon riders in rattan armor alone would be enough to make those fishing guys knock their teeth out.

Therefore, when Canossa mentioned this auction, no one present thought it was a difficult matter; they only had coldness towards their enemies.

"As long as we don't catch a 'big fish,' the captured soldiers will be out of danger, and we'll have plenty of time to prepare."

As the Prime Minister of the territory, Ymir immediately put the rescue plan on the agenda at the meeting, saying, "Now, let's begin discussing the rescue plan. I think since they want to lure us in at the auction, let's play along. This time, we must make the enemy pay a heavy price!"

Rein: "Agreed."

Everyone: "Agreed."

This battle was not only a rescue, but also the first time that the fighting power of "Black Dragon City" was revealed to the world. It was bound to deter the villains and prevent any Tom, Dick, or Harry from trying to take advantage of them in the future!

Canossa brought a large caravan of tens of thousands of people to Black Dragon City, transporting vast quantities of supplies. Sugar, salt, beer, grain, spices, seeds, textiles—virtually everything necessities for daily life—as well as large quantities of rare materials needed to build the Mechanical City.

Most importantly, it also brought various craftsmen that were in dire need of the territory's development.

The city suddenly became lively.

Although everyone is full of expectations for the future, abundant material security will significantly enhance residents' sense of happiness and belonging.

The artisans brought by Ymir were already familiar with everything in the territory. They enthusiastically introduced the benefits of being a "permanent resident" of Black Dragon City to the new artisans: as long as you work hard, you can earn money and enjoy medical care and education that ordinary people in other territories would never dare to dream of. Everyone has the opportunity to advance to the Transcendent level.

Because the destination of the first trade route was top secret, the newly arrived artisans had no idea where they were going before they arrived. Having trekked through mountains and rivers to reach this remote and impoverished region, they were initially filled with trepidation, thinking they had stumbled upon some den of thieves and swindlers. Instead, they found themselves in a place that felt like a dream. With a mixture of disbelief and skepticism, the new artisans gradually began to integrate into Black Dragon Territory.

The managers of various merchant guilds under the "Black Gold Merchant Guild" who accompanied them also officially participated in the commercial operations of Black Dragon City. Approximately two months after the auction, the territory would be opened to the world. At that time, the city would undoubtedly attract countless hunters, injecting new vitality into the city.

Rein originally planned to travel to the Xid Empire to see the martial spirit of the three southern provinces.

However, because of the auction, he changed his plans and decided to go to the "Black Wind Valley Scavenger Base" first to see what the traps set by the hunters for hunting looked like.

He first strolled around the city, then returned to his room. As he was checking his belongings for the training trip, he heard a knock on the door.

Thump, thump, thump

The door opened, and there stood a smiling Canossa.

The lady was quite informal and came straight into the house.

She looked at Rein, her eyebrows curving upwards, "Oh dear, all the houses around here look exactly the same. I almost knocked on the wrong door just now."

The architecture of the Kolman Tribe is similar for all the elders and priests, except for the house of the Great Shaman Mafat, which is slightly larger because it is used to worship the gods.

"Yes, they were all built in the same style."

Rein invited the lady inside and casually asked with a smile, "Mrs. Canossa, what brings you here?"

Canossa laughed and said, "What, you're not welcome?"

She paused, and before Rein could answer, she said softly, "I would have come even if I wasn't welcome. Elder Wudo invited me. She said she would treat me to barbecue to thank me for bringing them such important news."

"Of course you're welcome, please come in."

Rein listened with a look of realization.

It's only natural that the Kolman people repay kindness with gratitude.

Canossa looked around the room and said with considerable emotion, "You guys are really amazing. In such a short time, you've already tamed so many dragons. And those rattan armor pieces from the Kolman Warrior —can the artisans in your territory mass-produce armor of that level?"

Before coming here, she was actually a little worried that revealing the news of the auction might put Black Dragon City in a dilemma.

The Kolman Tribe, after all, part of Black Dragon City, and those prisoners of war must be rescued.

But the Mechanical City in the territory is still under construction and can't fly yet. If we want to rescue people, we can't rely on technology; we can only rely on manpower.

Kolman Warrior, who is the main fighting force, is so tall that it would be impossible for him to infiltrate the Wilderness Base.

If we try to steal it by force, people will notice even from a great distance.

Fighting a well-prepared Mechanical City with flesh and blood is bound to be a fierce battle.

But now, the Wyvern Knight, a high-altitude force, will definitely catch those guys off guard.

Rein replied, "That's the [Vine Talisman Armor], a legendary piece of armor. Legend has it that it was left behind by the Black Emperor's invincible army. It just so happens that those skeletons were released during this Black Tide, which benefited us."

He gave a brief explanation of the origins of the rattan armor, and Canossa listened with amazement. Now that the dragon was being shown off by Kolman, who was equipped with the [Vine Talisman Armor], she couldn't imagine that those "underestimating" guys from City of Radiance had any chance of winning.

At this moment, Canossa remembered something and asked, "By the way, has Ymir advanced to Legendary rank? I noticed that her aura is more restrained, and she seems stronger than before."

"Didn't she tell you?"

Rein asked casually, assuming the two hadn't had a chance to talk much, and then added, "Yes. Just when we found those [Vine Talisman Armor], we encountered a legendary skeleton that happened to be carrying a 'Divine Power Crystal'."

"Legendary Skeleton?"

Canossa listened with interest.

After hearing Rein's detailed explanation of the great battle in which Bazel and his companions almost suffered heavy losses at the hands of the legendary skeleton, she felt even more that she had missed something and kept asking for details about the battle.

For someone who dreams of pursuing the highest realm of Transcendent, there is nothing more exciting than seeing an even higher level of Transcendent.

"A single sword strike caused a spatial rift? High-level Ice Law damage that even a fifth-tier Transcendent battle qi armor couldn't withstand?"

Canossa listened intently, her eyes sparkling. She had no idea that so much had happened while she was gone.

The two started chatting, one bite at a time.

But as they were talking, Canossa's expression suddenly changed, and she couldn't help but quickly cover her mouth with a gauze, spitting out a mouthful of scarlet blood.

Rein looked on in surprise, then realized what was happening and asked, "Are you injured?"

Canossa nodded, her tone relaxed. "On the way here, we encountered a 'Lord-tier' Tier 5 dragon, the [Vajra Dragon Ape]. That thing almost ruined this caravan's journey. But it's a good thing; now that we've driven it away, this trade route is completely clear."

This route from the Sid Basin originally involved traversing a highly dangerous foggy area, so encountering monster attacks wouldn't be surprising.

But we were lucky to have the legendary Canossa in our team.

Moreover, after the "Lord-tier" monsters are driven away, there will likely be no high-level monsters on this route for a long time, which can be considered as solving a huge hidden danger.

As she spoke, she pouted and said, "I wonder how many magical beasts that black dragon has harmed; it even managed to wreak havoc on the [King Kong Ape]."

Based on Canossa's description, Rein thought it was a "golden ape" with dragon scales and bone spurs.

He had assumed that the black dragon's descendants were all dinosaurs, but it turned out there were other species as well.

Canossa's ordeal was certainly far more perilous than it is said.

"Lord-tier" magical beasts are already kings of their rank, and being a dragon species, they are half a rank stronger than other magical beasts of the same rank. No wonder even a legend like Canossa would get injured.

"Mrs. Canossa, may I take a look at your injuries?"

Seeing her cough up blood, Rein asked. He clearly guessed that her injury was serious; otherwise, a legendary expert's self-healing ability would have quickly resolved a normal injury.

"OK."

Canossa readily agreed, though she was somewhat displeased with her doctor's lack of skill. "My accompanying physician said that my lungs and internal organs have been damaged, and I need to rest for a few months."

As she spoke, she unbuttoned the two buttons on the left shoulder of her cheongsam, revealing her upper body wrapped in gauze. She then looked at Rein with a smile and said, "I originally planned to come to the territory to ask you to treat me. I can't wait several months to recover."

"."

Rein frowned as he looked at the injury, which was far more serious than it appeared. "Madam, please lie down and let me examine your wound carefully."

"Oh."

Canossa made no attempt to hide anything, immediately unbuttoning all the buttons down to her waist before lying flat on the bed.

Anyway, this scene was quite familiar, and neither of them felt awkward at all.

Rein didn't try to hide it. He lifted the cheongsam draped over his chest, then took out a sharp knife and cut away part of the gauze, revealing a wound on his right lower rib. The wound was a patch of black flesh, emitting a faint black aura.

He frowned and asked, "Is the [Vajra Dragon Ape] a dark-attribute magical beast?"

Canossa's expression remained unchanged, as if she herself were not injured, and her tone was relaxed, "Yes, otherwise the Chamber of Commerce's doctors wouldn't have found it so troublesome."

"It is indeed a bit tricky."

Rein touched the skin near the wound with his hand, then used his Gang Line to infuse the fluid that had seeped into her skin. Upon examination, he indeed found many tiny, cracked fissures in her lungs.

These small lacerations on internal organs cannot be treated with ordinary surgery; they are usually healed with medicine or magic. However, the negative status of "darkness" will significantly reduce the effectiveness of almost any healing spell. Unless it is violently removed by a high-level law like that of Mafat, low-level doctors are simply helpless.

Therefore, the most common solution is for the Transcendent to support themselves, and the Chamber of Commerce's doctors handle the situation well.

After examining the wound, Rein had a better understanding of the situation and said, "This wound is a bit troublesome; it may take a lot of time to treat."

He didn't need to expel all the dark energy, nor could he. He only needed to remove the wound bit by bit. His precise Gang Line could heal most injuries. Once the wound healed and Canossa's meridian energy returned to normal, she would soon be able to heal herself.

But that process takes a lot of time.

"Oh, then you do it."

Canossa lay there timidly, her face saying, "You figure it out, don't ask me."

Upon hearing this, Rein began the surgery.

However, Canossa was a guest invited by Wudo to dinner.

The surgery lasted for two or three hours and was still not finished.

Then, focused on the surgery, Rein completely forgot about the passage of time, and suddenly heard footsteps outside the door.

"Someone's here?"

Rein frowned, wanting to stop.

"It's Ymir and Elder Wudo."

Canossa, however, seemed to sense something, her expression remaining calm. But the suturing was nearing its final stage, and she showed no intention of getting up. Instead, she jokingly said, "It's okay, just keep going. You're a doctor, what are you nervous about?"

"."

Rein rolled his eyes in annoyance.

But after thinking about it, he still picked up a piece of gauze and covered up a patch of overly exposed skin.

Canossa, seeing his blatant attempt to cover up his mishap, smirked with schadenfreude.

A few breaths later, the door opened, and sure enough, it was Ymir and Wudo.

The two women were stunned for a moment when they saw the scene inside the room.

But when Ymir saw Canossa's dark wound, she realized something and asked with concern, "Miss Canossa, are you injured?"

For some reason, Rein felt that addressing Ymir was a bit too polite. Shouldn't best friends call each other by their first names?

"Um."

Kanosa's tone remained unchanged, but the allure was gone. She replied, "For more complicated injuries that the Chamber of Commerce's doctors can't handle, only Dr. Marfareen can."

Wudo also walked over curiously, examined the wound, and said, "It's 'Dark Corrosion,' oh. That's a very troublesome injury. Only the elders in the tribe can treat it."

"Yes. We encountered a [Vajra Dragon Ape] on the way here."

Canossa then recounted her previous experiences in general terms.

Ymir frowned slightly as she listened and said, "It seems we'll have to send people to clean up the High-tier Demonic Beast on the trade routes regularly from now on."

Then, the two women did not disturb Rein during his surgery.

As the hostess, Wudo was to begin preparing the food. Ymir, who had recently been learning to cook, was happy to help Wudo.

The room wasn't big, so the three women chatted casually.

The conversation started with the development of the territory and then moved on to gossip about daily life.

"Miss Canossa, I was really surprised when I heard them say you were a Transcendent. I didn't realize it at all."

"Oh dear, I had no choice but to do it to protect myself. Hey, Your Ymir, could you tell me in detail how you met Rein? I asked him, but he wouldn't say."

"Oh, it's nothing. It was just that time at Storm Lake."

"."

Rein was focused on the surgery and couldn't or intended to intervene.

Then, as I listened, I suddenly felt something was very strange.

Ymir and Canossa talked more and more, he realized for the first time that the two of them had never known each other before!

Then he noticed that Canossa was occasionally casting mocking glances at him.

Finally, Rein understood.