The Prosperous Ridge Peak City

After ten long years, seeing that familiar face again stirred all manner of complicated emotions in Flamme's heart.

She was already past thirty now. Having experienced countless brushes with life and death, neither her appearance nor her temperament was anything like it had been back then.

But what about Lin Yu? Setting aside the pointed elf ears he used as a disguise, his face was still exactly as it had been ten years ago, no different from the Handsome Youth in Flamme's memories...

This was what it meant to be an immortal god!

Flamme sighed inwardly, though she still smiled faintly. "Yes, it has been a long time!"

At the same time, Old Wall froze for a moment before realizing that this was what Lord had looked like before.

Sure enough, the changes in Lord's appearance had merely been a disguise.

From the very beginning, he had been someone untouched by age!

Understanding dawned on Old Wall. He hurriedly bowed, then swiftly turned around, put on a stern expression, and ordered the guards who had failed to recognize Lin Yu to patrol elsewhere.

Only after the guards accepted the order and left did Old Wall let out a breath of relief.

He knew that Lin Yu disliked fanfare, and disliked even more being surrounded by a crowd kneeling in worship. That was why he had handled things this way, rather than dropping to one knee as he did in private to show his loyalty.

Seeing that his arrival had caused no disturbance, Lin Yu gave Old Wall an approving glance before saying with a light chuckle,

"You can say such flattering things in front of others, but Flamme lived in the Castle for quite a while back then. When it comes to understanding me, even you probably can't compare to her!"

Old Wall did not argue. He merely smiled and said, "Lord, that is not flattery. Without your protection, no matter how hardworking the people of Spine Peak Territory were, it would all have been in vain..."

Lin Yu laughed helplessly and waved a hand. "All right, get back to work!"

"Yes!"

Old Wall bowed respectfully, then left with a cheerful smile.

"I knew it!" Flamme walked up to Lin Yu with a grin. "Knowing you, you might secretly look after them, but you would never personally involve yourself in building the town!"

"That's right."

Lin Yu turned to look over the surrounding town and said softly, "Ridge Peak City has become what it is today not only because of my protection, but also because Old Wall led the residents in working hard for it..."

"I understand!" Flamme chuckled. "The people determine the course of history. I haven't forgotten!"

After saying that, the two exchanged smiles, as if they had rediscovered the feeling of friendship they had shared ten years ago.

Lin Yu turned his gaze toward the silent elf girl beside her.

"She's your disciple?"

"That's right."

Flamme smiled and patted the elf girl on the shoulder.

The elf girl remained calm and gave Lin Yu a standard Imperial salute.

"Elf Mage Frieren greets Lord!"

Lin Yu smiled. "No need for such formalities. Just call me Lin!"

Flamme pushed Frieren forward, smiling mischievously. "Lin, don't underestimate her. She is the disciple of Great Mage Flamme, and a hero destined to defeat the Demon King!"

Perhaps Flamme's tone was too certain, because Frieren looked a little embarrassed.

She shifted her shoulders awkwardly and sighed. "Could you use a different line next time? It's embarrassing..."

Lin Yu smiled at that and looked at the two women. "Shall we take a walk first?"

"Sure!"

Flamme readily agreed, dragging the unwilling Frieren along behind Lin Yu.

As they walked along the broad central avenue, Lin Yu led the way while enthusiastically introducing Ridge Peak City to them.

Although he rarely showed himself in public, every blade of grass, every brick, and every tile in the town had been imprinted in his mind through his powerful spiritual perception.

Flamme listened beside him with a smile, feeling quite pleased by Lin Yu's changes.

Letting Old Wall and the others settle here back then really had been the right decision!

Otherwise, this otherworldly god who had lived alone for ten years might not have become as human as he was now...

Frieren, naturally, did not have so many thoughts running through her mind.

Still, seeing the scene before her, she could not help voicing her admiration.

"I have to say, this town really is remarkable!"

Lin Yu loved hearing that sort of thing and immediately asked with a smile, "What makes it so remarkable?"

Frieren glanced at him, then pointed toward the blacksmith shop in the distance. "If I'm not mistaken, the metal he is hammering should be Magic Steel Ingots, which only began appearing on the market three years ago!"

So that's what you were impressed by...

Lin Yu was somewhat disappointed and sighed. "That's right."

Frieren calmly watched the young blacksmith. "Magic Steel Ingots are said to be no less hard than dragon scales and possess excellent Magic Power conductivity. Armor and weapons forged from them would be among the finest goods even in the Imperial capital."

"As far as I know, even the Unified Empire's best blacksmiths still need several people working together to forge equipment from them."

"Yet this young blacksmith can hammer Magic Steel Ingots as though they were ordinary metal. While strength is certainly a factor, the main reason is the hammer in his hand and the anvil beneath it."

At that point, Frieren's delicate brows furrowed as she stroked her chin in thought. "I have never seen the materials used to make this hammer and anvil, but since they can hammer Magic Steel Ingots, their hardness must be slightly greater!"

"..."

Flamme stared at the hammer in the young blacksmith's hand and vaguely sensed a familiar aura.

After thinking for a moment, she quietly blocked out the sound around them and lowered her voice with a strange expression. "Lin, why can I sense Rolycoly's aura? Could this hammer and anvil be..."

Lin Yu gave her a glance and lowered his voice as well. "That's right. You know Rolycoly used to like eating metal. Three years ago, its digestive ability evolved again, and the feces it excreted..."

"Stop!" Flamme sighed. "You don't need to say any more. I understand."

After hesitating briefly, Lin Yu lowered his voice again. "Actually, Magic Steel Ingots are made the same way. The diet is just a little different, with Magic Crystals and Magic Power gems added in."

"What?!"

Flamme's eyes widened before she said dejectedly, "Why didn't you tell me sooner..."

A smile appeared on Lin Yu's face as he asked quietly, "Have you worn armor made from Magic Steel Ingots?"

Flamme fell silent, then nodded with a melancholy expression.

Lin Yu could not help laughing.

Their conversation was concealed by Flamme's barrier.

Frieren noticed nothing and continued her analysis in an even tone. "Not only that, the bellows and forge are no ordinary items either. Judging from the Magic Power fluctuations, they should be powered by pure Magic Crystals..."

"And the carpenter over there, the axe and chisel in his hands are also made from Magic Steel Ingots..."

"The clothing in that garment shop carries lingering Magic Power fluctuations. It should have been made using Weaving Magic..."

As Frieren analyzed everything, she carefully examined the town before her.

She had not realized it at first, but once she looked closely, she was startled!

Frieren was shocked to discover that everything in the town, including the building materials of the houses, the roof tiles, the stone bricks paving the roads, and even the clothes worn by every resident, contained dense Magic Power.

Tools made from Magic Steel Ingots were owned by nearly every resident.

Rare timber seldom seen in the outside world was used here for nothing more than building houses.

The guards wore the finest equipment, while the shops sold rare goods that were difficult to find outside...

Frieren continued looking ahead and found that every shop hung expensive, luxurious Magic Chandeliers. Even the door of the tavern in the distance was made from the same material as her staff and possessed powerful defenses against advanced magic.

Compared to this place, the Elf Village where she had once lived was practically a primitive tribe!

...What kind of town was this?!

Frieren stared blankly at everything before her, as though her entire worldview had been shaken.