Chapter 356
Among them, the three tallest towers only recruit one hundred people each year.
This results in a total number of students of less than 100,000, regardless of graduation year. It is unrealistic for the more than 3,000 [Witch] candidates to all come in unless they replace all the freshmen of the current year.
Chu Yuanqing began to pray for her Little Cotton-padded Jacket, hoping that the child wouldn't be assigned to some remote corner of the Fanor Continent. Just imagining that scene made her a little worried.
You should know that Xiao Shu always travels with me when she goes on long trips.
Thinking about it carefully, this child has absolutely no experience going out alone, and his magic skills are only half-baked. He's nowhere near the point where he could wander around another world by himself!
Even if you don't die, what if you're bullied, frightened, starved, cold, or wronged?
The Pure White Witch frowned, her worries growing with each passing thought.
No, we need to find out immediately if our daughter is at the academy. If she's not, we'll use the Tiffany Family's influence to find her as soon as possible.
At the same time.
Fanor Continent, Kingdom of Fes, Flower Domain.
This is a country bordering the empire. In the context of human unification and the formation of centralized systems, such acts of "division" can be considered a rebellious act that violates the laws of the empire.
But decades ago, the empire and the capital had tacitly accepted its existence.
The reason is that the power holders entrenched here are the Fes Family, representing one of the central powers of the empire, inheriting the magic of flowers, and having signed an alliance with the Liuli Holy Light Dragon.
A century ago, the prosperous and shining Fes Family, like the other two major Oath Family, occupied the capital city, the heart of the empire. However, in an accident, the previous Grand Duke and the Liuli Holy Light Dragon died tragically.
Ultimately, after a struggle over power, the remaining family members adopted a suicidal stance and the entire clan left the capital.
Normally speaking, if someone loses a power struggle like this, they will definitely be forced to withdraw from the historical stage; to think they can escape unscathed is simply wishful thinking.
However, the Imperial Council has six seats, and in order to control some of the authority of the Divine Sentient Body and maintain the operation of this behemoth, the Three Tower Masters and the Three Covenant Families are indispensable.
Therefore, after a long period of exchanging interests, the situation arose where the Fes Family established a country on the border of the empire, far from the center of power, enjoying wealth and honor, and then each generation sent a direct descendant to inherit the position of Grand Duke and come to the capital to act as a "puppet".
At this moment, this bustling art capital is filled with the joyful laughter of its people. The radiance of the Golden Sea shines upon the earth and illuminates the porcelain-white royal city, while countless flowers fall freely from the flying dragons that twirl in the air.
At the center of the floral banquet that stretches throughout the city stands a kind and handsome noble old man, behind whom is a majestic dragon, pure and beautiful, its downy feathers resembling Liuli or jade, symbolizing its noble status.
The Grand Duke looked at his heir before him, smiled sincerely, and offered his blessings:
"The legacy of flowers will never fade."
"Aisha, from this day forth, the glory of the oath shines upon you, and in the name of Orga Fies, the throne of Grand Duke is passed down to you. May... the gaze of the Divine Emperor be upon you."
Tang Liuli raised her innocent and bewildered emerald green eyes blankly. She looked at the unfamiliar old man and the surreal dragon, her head buzzing from the deafening cheers and praises.
Sigh, who am I? Where am I? What am I supposed to do? What's going on here?
The sheer volume of information, coupled with the surreal scenes and the overwhelming stares that were terrifying for someone with social anxiety, caused my mind to go blank, and my legs, hidden under my skirt, started trembling.
So soon, the Grand Duke who had inherited the oath of honor, before even accepting the flowers and ring offered by the other party, crouched down weakly and helplessly, looking like a pitiful kitten.
Even because the environment was too unfamiliar, the socially anxious Liuli Cat Cat didn't dare to act crazy. Instead, she could only play dead, turning into a gray statue inch by inch.
Orga, the former Grand Duke, was initially taken aback by this reaction, then showed an expression of amazement. His wise eyes seemed to say, "This child is teachable," and he thought with satisfaction:
"Aisha, you truly are my precious granddaughter. You've been laying the groundwork since your ascension to the throne? Our Fes Family needs someone like you, a person of true wisdom who knows how to bide your time."
"Only in this way can the family secretly accumulate strength and have a chance to regain its former status."
Orga found the boy increasingly pleasing to the eye, but given the high probability of spies around, he frowned and pretended to be heartbroken and dismayed that there was no one to carry on the family line, and reprimanded him in public for a long time.
Throughout this process, the Social Anxiety Cat remained motionless, only occasionally trembling to let everyone know that it was still alive, which pleased the old man.
It wasn't until this person continued to pretend for a while that Tang Liuli was able to process the memories bestowed upon her by the Historical Echo and sort out the current situation.
The girl mustered her courage, tears welling in her eyes, and accepted the flowers and ring. Under the loving gaze of her adoptive grandfather, she ran back to the royal city, locked herself in her room, and threw herself onto the bed, rolling around in shame.
This is a recurring part of the process where socially anxious people, when alone, can't help but start reminiscing and engaging in frantic self-torture.
Tang Liuli felt incredibly embarrassed just now. She had been completely bewildered and showed none of the cool, elegant, and composed demeanor she had been expected to display.
Damn it, I have to get rid of that old man's Black History on me!
Although Dream Weaver Rabbit applied a cognitive impairment buff to all the Little Idol participating in the training camp to prevent internal spies, the magic was very weak and wouldn't work on acquaintances in order to avoid attracting the attention of the alien natives.
Therefore, Xiao Shu absolutely cannot see this, otherwise she will lose all face and have no dignity as a senior!
Tang Liuli flipped through the settings of Historical Echo, and after confirming that Aisha Fies and her grandfather had a good relationship, she took out the Alchemy Crystal decorated with a flower border, went directly to her contacts, hesitated for a long time, and then edited a text message.
Grandpa, what happened just now was an accident. We absolutely mustn't let it make the Kingdom Times!
At that very moment, the old man who was secretly sending someone to contact the Imperial Times saw this news, and was somewhat speechless, revealing a wistful smile.
Aisha has grown up and now she knows how to remind him what to do.
But how could he not have thought of this? The Fes Family has always been known for its wisdom!
Don't worry, everything is under control.
On the same day, in the border city of Reza.
This is a lawless zone where all sorts of people mingle and sins thrive. Slavery, drug trafficking, imperial armaments, and forbidden alchemy and magic—these dark aspects that have no place in the empire—all converge here.
Although the empire, which encompasses hundreds of billions of people thanks to the alchemy left by the Emperor and the management of the Divine Sentient Body, has almost no room for darkness and is filled with strict order, it is still largely free of darkness.
Even if the system is perfect, as long as those in power have selfish motives, they can always find loopholes to exploit. The simplest and safest way is to flee outside the empire's territory.
Especially after the Divine Sentient Body fell into hibernation, the interest groups that had developed over hundreds of years and were already becoming bloated increasingly wanted to break free from the reins of imperial law.
And Reza is the sinful city built on the border of this continent.
At this moment, in a manor located here, the interior is magnificent and resplendent, filled with an atmosphere of extravagance and debauchery. The guests coming and going all wear masks, displaying the elegant demeanor of the nobility.
But the transparent Magic Energy Barrier, stained with blood and bits of flesh, resembling a gladiatorial arena, completely exposed the chilling truth.
This place was nothing short of a bloody arena where slaves slaughtered each other for amusement.
The host, with a smile on his face, addressed the audience:
"I'm sure you're all tired of seeing Alchemical Puppet and death row inmates fighting each other."
"But it doesn't matter. In the next match, we will send out a terrifying beast that has torn apart mages to fight a contestant from Alien Race. It will definitely be a feast for the eyes of the audience."
As soon as he finished speaking, the guests became quite interested and all looked toward the stage.
Since the end of the Second Divine Age, the territory of the human empire has continued to expand. The once incredibly prosperous Alien Race have either been annexed or live in remote corners of the continent, becoming far rarer than humans.
The host didn't keep them in suspense. He clapped his hands, and an alchemical cage wrapped with magical chains was pushed out, revealing a precious High-level Beastman inside.
A cross-shaped mark flickered in the girl's dark pupils. Her cold and indifferent beautiful face exuded domineering arrogance. Her platinum blonde hair fell messily over her shoulders, and her ears, the same color, twitched, giving her a wolfhound-like appearance. They were fluffy and had a kind of cute contrast.
The most bizarre thing is,
This woman was spotless, her figure so voluptuous it should have been a selling point, draped in a jet-black lace wedding dress, and then covered by pure black spiked armor, completely obscuring her skin and creating a dangerous and terrifying atmosphere.
Xie Qingxuan lowered her eyes to look at the audience, her expression innocent. She even made a small gesture with her hand and asked straightforwardly:
"Have you ever seen a girl cuter than me, with white hair and blonde eyes?"
Volume 1: 330. The Golden-Maned Royal Family, the Last Princess, the Judge. (5K)
The audience initially found it strange, but then immediately relaxed and burst into laughter.
The guests mocked the organizers' perverse tastes, staring at the person in the cage with eyes full of malice and desire, as if trying to tear off the armor that concealed her beauty and curves to glimpse her true form and beauty.
"It's actually Golden Mane Wolf Tribe? Judging from its fur and appearance, is it Pureblood Royal?"
"She's stunningly beautiful. Even the noblewoman you bought the other day, Los, wasn't this gorgeous! She's a rare find indeed."
Those who knew their stuff scoffed:
"A bunch of lust-driven bastards. If they are truly pure-blooded Golden Mane Wolf Tribe, they could be extremely excellent guards if trained properly. If paired with alchemical magical tools, mages below the Nine Rings would be no match for them."
Xie Qingxuan's question was completely ignored, and everyone discussed the value of this "commodity" without a care in the world.
The host on stage should have immediately hyped up the atmosphere and continued to engage the guests, but when he looked at the person in the cage and the black wedding dress that covered her bare feet and extended to the edge of the cage, his heart fluttered.
Anastasia Hattie.
This was achieved by the Merchant Guild, relying on its backing from the Empire, dispatching a slave-hunting team that included mages, Alchemical Puppet, and Platinum-level Adventurer. They suffered a 60% casualty rate in the process, only to breach the base of a small Golden Mane Wolf Tribe and capture the Pureblood Royal.
It is said that his bloodline can be traced back to the First Divine Age, and he was one of the most powerful warriors among the orcs.
Such a precious trophy is not intended to be auctioned off. Keeping it as a landmark of the arena to attract more guests to buy tickets is a more sustainable way to generate revenue.
Not to mention, during this process, one can give the other party false hope, gradually tame them, and bring them under one's own control, without the need to exhaust the resources for personal gain.
Even so, the organizers couldn't possibly treat them well; they'd be lucky to be left with a few tattered rags to cover their shame.
This visual stimulation serves to highlight the powerful, beautiful, resilient, and proud Golden Wolf Princess's depravity into such a lowly and pitiful state, maximizing the stimulation of sadistic desires and satisfying the darker side of the guests.
So... where did this outfit and armor come from?!
The host felt a chill run down his spine, sensing that something might have gone wrong. But when he caught a glimpse of the slave collar around the other person's neck and the magic-suppressing shackles on their hands and feet, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Anastasia Hatti was of considerable value, and the alchemical tools used to enslave her were naturally also extremely precious.
This is a contraband item taken from the Imperial Armory, specifically designed to deal with innately powerful alien races. The alchemical techniques within it are extremely sophisticated, capable of reading and even linking to the opponent's spirit.
Any rebellious or murderous thoughts, or actions that damage the collar, will trigger the spell, resulting in mental shock, weakness, paralysis, poison, and a series of countermeasures.
If the Magic Energy Restriction are completely lifted, it may even trigger a Nine Rings magic spell.
Therefore, you have no worries about safety.
The host regained his composed and elegant demeanor. He glanced coldly at Xie Qingxuan, smiled and clapped at the audience, and vividly recounted the past of the Golden Wolf Princess, making the atmosphere even more lively.
The atmosphere reached another peak only after the gates next to the arena were opened.
A ferocious-looking monster, dragging heavy iron chains, entered the arena with a clanging sound and a strong wind blowing.
This is a mutated Incinerating Nightmare Wolf. Its body is enormous, standing three meters tall. Its fur is jet black and stained with blood, covered with hideous wounds and cuts, and flames burn within its scarlet pupils.
If it weren't for the Mithril Alloy chains embedded in its flesh, almost piercing through its magical organs and forcibly sealing off its magical and bloodline power, the flames in its eyes would have been enough to burn the entire area.
"Did you all know that the royal lineage of the Golden Mane Wolf selects its mounts from its subordinate wolf packs from a young age, regarding them as its companions, even family members?"
"And this Incinerating Nightmare Wolf that tore Platinum-level Adventurer in two was none other than Anastasia Hati's mount."
"How ridiculous! Although it's a magical beast, it is indeed intelligent and loyal. It was only through our Merchant Guild's use of Magic Energy Potion and Mental Magic that we brainwashed it into a bloodthirsty, manic monster devoid of reason."
"But all the expenses incurred in preparing this opening ceremony for you all are worthwhile. Now, let us enjoy this heart-wrenching battle between master and servant."
The words had barely left his mouth.
The host walked outside the magical barrier and stood on a high place.
The chains binding the Incinerating Nightmare Wolf loosened, and the cage imprisoning the Golden Wolf Princess opened on its own, the shackles binding her hands and feet snapping open with a click.
The guests in the audience praised the organizer's creativity, but they had no empathy whatsoever. It was as if they were watching crickets fighting in a bowl, standing on a safe vantage point, and laughing maliciously and expectantly.
What an interesting show! Those in high positions have nothing, reduced to puppets on stage, forced to either crush their beloved possessions or be crushed by them.
I'm really looking forward to it. Will she be sad? Will she wail? Will she cry? Will she be consumed by hatred and fly into a frenzy? Or will she simply break down and give up all resistance?
"Does the fact that no one answered me mean they don't know?"
Xie Qingxuan walked out of the cage with an indifferent expression. Her platinum blonde hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall, and the purity in her eyes was submerged by the dark color. A huge surge of Heart Tide stirred up the energy that shook the Magic Energy Barrier.
The next moment, [the Titan's Authority].
This golden wolf princess, in everyone's eyes, seemed to have stolen a second of the world's time, vanishing in an instant. She casually tore apart the collars strong enough to bind mammoths and giants, calmly surveying her surroundings, and whispered:
"If you don't know, you're useless."
As soon as he finished speaking, his vanished presence began to increase exponentially by hundreds or thousands of times. Whether it was the majesty of the Golden Mane King's blood or the unforgettable tyranny in his soul, it all transformed into a substantial spiritual deterrent, roaring all around.
In an instant, the laughing guests were plunged into an ice cellar. They felt as if they had been choked, their minds went blank, and they were so terrified that they forgot to turn and run away, or they simply fainted.
At that moment, only the nearby mage responsible for guarding the area and the host on stage had time to make the right reaction.
--Run away!
Half of the losses suffered by that slave-owning group were caused by this Golden Wolf Princess. Anastasia Hatti, with her collar removed, was a hunter so terrifying that she could make people tremble.
Although I don't know how she was able to remove the collar, staying in the same spot would be suicide!
Fortunately, Anastasia would not abandon her companion. As long as she Incinerating Nightmare Wolf for a while, the troops stationed nearby could come to her aid.