Chapter 140: External Expansion and New Member Candidates

The task Sunan mentioned for Xieman and Cole was, of course, the establishment of new magical plantations.

After advancing to second-level wizard apprentices, they had begun to master the technique of manipulating energy particles and could learn to set up formations.

Once they mastered the relevant skills, they could establish magical plantations.

With two new helpers, Sunan no longer needed to rush around and could refocus on training and research.

Starlight Calendar 1257, Winter Harp Moon (January).

Spell Training Room.

With a casual wave of his hand, Sunan sent nine magic missiles flying simultaneously, shattering a humanoid target a hundred meters away.

In the next instant, a crimson ray shot like an arrow, striking another target and melting it into molten iron.

Seeing the debris and molten iron on the ground, Sunan's face broke into a satisfied smile.

[Spell Quickening]!

After a year and ten months, he finally mastered this metamagic technique!

The ability to cast spells without incantations significantly enhanced his combat capabilities.

While other wizard apprentices took time to cast one spell, he could already unleash two or three.

From today, he was truly a human artillery.

After a moment of joy, Sunan returned to his thoughts, a contemplative look in his eyes.

"Which metamagic technique should I train next?"

Besides Spell Quickening and Silent Spellcasting, metamagic techniques included Spell Extension for extending spell effects, Spell Expansion for increasing spell range, and Compound Spellcasting for simultaneous multi-spell casting.

There was also Spell Construction to maximize spell effectiveness.

Sunan currently had five metamagic techniques to choose from.

After careful consideration, Sunan decided on Compound Spellcasting.

For him, spells served more as support in battle, such as his frequently used Levitation, Mirror Image, and Agility spells.

For offense and defense, he relied more on magical items, high-grade runestones, and the Magic Rune Core.

Compared to these, second-circle spells were slightly lacking in power.

Thus, instead of choosing techniques that enhanced spell effects, he opted for Compound Spellcasting, allowing for more diverse spell combinations in combat and enhancing tactical flexibility.

With his decision made, Sunan immediately set to practice.

[Completed a Compound Spellcasting practice, 'Compound Spellcasting' training progress +0.01%]

Compound Spellcasting and Spell Quickening were among the most challenging metamagic techniques.

Sunan estimated it would take at least one to two years to master this skill.

"At this rate, I might master all metamagic techniques before advancing to a wizard."

If that were the case, Sunan reckoned he would be the first wizard apprentice in Starlight Continent's history to master all metamagic techniques.

With seven metamagic techniques in hand, no other wizard apprentice could match him in pure spell combat.

After briefly imagining the future, Sunan calmed his excited mind and left the spell training area.

He had just returned to the study when there was a knock on the door.

"Enter."

The door opened, and Karolaina and the Red Widow walked in.

"Master!"

The two women bowed in greeting.

Sunan glanced at them.

Since the Red Widow joined his ranks, she and Karolaina seemed to spark some chemistry, frequently competing in private.

Sunan noticed but overlooked it, as their rivalry didn't hinder development and, in fact, improved efficiency.

Under their joint management, Lake U City, Matu, and Osen were now on a stable development track.

Osen's garrison issue was also resolved.

Following this, Sunan adjusted the base's task system, reducing rewards for golem crafting tasks and increasing those for magical adamantite production, encouraging apprentices to take on the latter more frequently.

It wouldn't be long before he gathered enough materials to craft an adamantite golem.

"Master, this is this month's financial report," Karolaina respectfully handed over a stack of papers.

Sunan took it, skimming through quickly, his eyes flickering.

"Why is it down by 20% from last month?"

Karolaina quickly replied, "Master, we currently have four mines nearing depletion, with production significantly reduced. They'll likely cease operations in two months. The remaining three mines also show reduced output, with only the six newly developed mines maintaining stable production."

Sunan frowned slightly but said nothing.

The initial seven mines had provided such rich profits largely due to the clay golems' incredible mining efficiency.

But this also led to a rapid depletion of the mines' reserves.

The first batch of mines lasting this long was already quite impressive.

"How's the mine exploration going?" Sunan looked at the Red Widow.

After stabilizing Matu and Osen, he had tasked the Red Widow with exploring the surrounding areas for new mines.

"Master, we've discovered two new mines within a hundred miles. Preliminary exploration indicates one is a small iron mine, and the other a small copper mine."

The Red Widow bowed slightly, revealing a fair expanse of skin under the magical lamplight.

Karolaina glanced disdainfully.

Foolish temptress, she thought. If the master were swayed by such tricks, you'd be out of your league.

As expected, Sunan paid no attention to the Red Widow's antics, instead falling into thought.

"Two small metal mines, better than nothing."

"Too bad they're not silver mines."

Sunan felt a bit regretful.

One of the nearly depleted mines was a silver mine.

This meant that until a new silver mine was found, the accumulation of mithril would slow significantly.

"Will the other silver mine's output be enough to craft the simulacrum once it's exhausted?"

"It's best to find new mines."

With this in mind, Sunan instructed the two women:

"Deploy more personnel and expand the search area. We must find more mines."

Karolaina and the Red Widow were taken aback.

The underground world was fraught with danger, and no one knew what threats lurked in the darkness. A powerful creature or tribe could be entrenched in any cave.

Lake U City, Matu, and Osen had previously attempted territorial expansion but suffered heavy losses, abandoning the idea.

Expanding the search meant facing similar challenges.

Despite this, Karolaina and the Red Widow agreed without hesitation.

They dared not defy Sunan's orders, and they had confidence in the golem army.

Sunan's forces now far exceeded those of Lake U City, Matu, or Osen individually, and even combined, making them eligible for expansion.

In fact, even if Sunan hadn't proposed it, the Red Widow and Karolaina would have suggested it in a few years. 

"Rest assured, Master, I'll handle it impeccably!" Karolaina said with determination.

The Red Widow, a step behind, hurriedly pledged her loyalty as well.

"I won't disappoint you, Master!"

Late at night, moonlight streamed through the window, draping the room in a thin white veil.

Sunan opened his eyes, scanning the long table and noticing only six people present tonight.

Besides himself, there were the regulars: Night Owl, Red Heart, Rose, Scepter, and Remains.

Black Forest didn't attend this gathering.

Traveler was, as always, absent.

Looking at Traveler's empty seat, Sunan felt a twinge of regret.

Truthfully, he was eager to meet Traveler, hoping to trade for some underground world information.

After brief pleasantries, the meeting moved into the transaction phase.

Due to resource scarcity, not every meeting saw high-value items from everyone; most times, it was ordinary materials.

Only Sunan was an exception.

In recent transactions, he began offering first-tier potions and alchemical-grade magical items, not just magic stones, for others' goods.

After all, only using magic stones gave off a monopolistic vibe, potentially breeding resentment.

A few first-tier potions and alchemical-grade items were no issue for him.

The Base 1 warehouse still held a large stockpile.

After several trades, Sunan's offerings became the most sought-after at the gatherings.

In this transaction, Sunan focused on wizard tomes, rare materials, and soul crystals.

However, his collection of wizard tomes had surpassed 1,300 volumes, and the Forest Cabin members had little left that he didn't already possess.

Recent gains in this area had dwindled sharply.

By the end of the trade, Sunan acquired few rare materials but obtained ten micro soul crystals from Remains, the most valuable acquisition.

Sunan had previously probed Remains about purchasing soul crystal crafting techniques.

But Remains refused outright.

He understood the difference between a one-time feast and consistent sustenance.

Remains' competitive edge in Forest Cabin trades was soul crystals. If he sold the technique to Sunan, given Sunan's resources and strength, he might flood the market with soul crystals at the next gathering.

Then he'd lose Sunan as a valuable trading partner and his trade advantage.

Anyone with sense knew what to do.

Sunan wasn't disappointed, having expected this.

He wouldn't trade critical techniques either.

After the trade, Night Owl gestured for everyone to wait.

"I have something to discuss."

"I've found a third-level wizard apprentice who, after preliminary investigation, seems to align with Forest Cabin's principles. I wish to invite him to join. I'd like to hear your thoughts."

The group was slightly surprised.

Scepter chuckled, "How odd, usually it takes seven or eight years, sometimes over a decade, to find a new member candidate. How come it's so frequent lately?"

He glanced at Sunan.

Sunan had joined Forest Cabin only about four years ago, so finding another candidate so soon was indeed surprising.

After all, third-level wizard apprentices weren't as common as cabbages on the roadside.

They typically stayed hidden behind major factions, making them hard to reach.

Night Owl shrugged, "It's just luck. I stumbled upon him while investigating someone else."

Red Heart asked, "What's his situation?"

Night Owl replied slowly, "As usual, I can't disclose specifics, only general information."

"In terms of strength, he recently escaped from Saulo, which should speak volumes."

This revelation drew varied reactions from the group.

"Escaping from Saulo means the new candidate has formidable strength," Scepter mused.

The others nodded in agreement.

Sunan raised an eyebrow, using message transmission to ask Rose, "Who's Saulo? Judging by the others, he's strong?"

Rose glanced at Sunan, replying via message, "Saulo is the founder of the Immortal Society. I've never met him, but he's reputedly formidable, having once slain a fourth-circle legendary beast alone."

A fourth-circle legendary beast!

Sunan's gaze sharpened.

That was indeed formidable!

Among third-level wizard apprentices, he'd be among the elite.

The Immortal Society must have some clout to thrive on the Starlight Continent despite its aggressive actions.

"To escape from Saulo, that person must have at least third-circle legendary strength," Red Heart pondered.

"No issue with strength," Rose nodded.

Forest Cabin only invited third-level wizard apprentices who met certain strength criteria.

Had Sunan not slain Heb, displaying great power, Night Owl wouldn't have invited him to Forest Cabin.

Seeing no objections, Night Owl continued, "Resource-wise, he's from a royal family, so he has plenty of valuable items—no worries about trade contributions."

"As for conduct, I needn't elaborate. You all understand."

Typically, wizard apprentices from royal or noble backgrounds adhered to more rules, avoiding causing disasters or mass casualties.

They had their concerns.

Such individuals fit Forest Cabin's style.

"Let's vote," Night Owl surveyed the group. "According to the rules, a two-thirds majority passes the motion."

Scepter immediately responded, "No objections."

"Agreed," Red Heart added.

Rose and Remains quickly voiced no objections.

Sunan naturally had no reason to oppose.

More trading partners were a boon.

"Good, six votes in favor, motion passed."

Night Owl concluded.

Though Black Forest and Traveler were absent, six votes exceeded the two-thirds requirement, so their opinions weren't needed.

"I'll reach out to him and extend the invitation. Look forward to good news," Night Owl said.

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