Su Li took it and looked it over.
The sketch's lines were fine, with several areas revised again and again, yet the position of every node was precise.
"The dispersal route in the second phase can still be optimized." He pointed to a corner on the diagram. "The angle here is off by three degrees. Correcting it will let it absorb another ten percent of the impact."
Elonore swiftly pulled out a charcoal pencil and made a correction on the paper.
Su Li rose and returned the paper to her.
"Three years, in three steps. In the first year, stabilize the fourth tier and perfect the greatsword's aether-bearing limit. In the second year, begin simulating the compression route for the fifth tier. In the third year, formally make the breakthrough."
He looked around at the three of them.
"For these three years, it won't matter who urges me."
Elena spun her charcoal pencil once between her fingers, then snapped her ledger shut.
"I'll write the letter tonight. I'll make things clear to my father—the Royal Capital's plans will be pushed back, until Su Li breaks through to the fifth tier."
She wrote quickly. Her wording was brief and direct, with only one core message: Su Li had a chance of reaching the fifth tier, and all plans would revolve around that.
The envelope was sealed with wax and stamped.
Elena handed the letter to the messenger waiting at the mouth of the alley.
Royal Capital, Red Leaf Manor's study.
The letter arrived one afternoon.
Old Ford opened it and read it through, then tapped his fingers on the desk for a full quarter of an hour.
Fifth tier.
He had lived for more than sixty years and seen no more than three fifth-tier individuals. One of them was about