Chapter 758: Section 546: Practical Assignment
Zong Ge and Zi Di discussed the situation and both felt that they were not suitable to rush back.
The Deep Sea Monster Fish had already been taken away by the young squad leader.
Da Dou had left the Ice Sculpture Kingdom, and if Zong Ge and Zi Di wanted to chase after Big Guy, they would have to board other ships.
These ships were too conspicuous, making every move they made highly visible to others.
The likelihood of catching up to Da Dou was very slim.
Even if they did catch up, dealing with a Gold Level giant would be a troublesome matter.
Zong Ge and Zi Di also had other important matters to attend to, not just executing business plans, but also traveling to the Royal Capital to use the communication device of the Purple Vine Shop to continue contacting the Hundred Needle Family.
Their choice was not an outright abandonment of Big Guy, but rather, they placed their hopes on Shuanglian.
From the letter, they learned Sanda had already gained a promise from Shuanglian, who would help the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps retrieve Big Guy.
Shuanglian was a Gold Level Mage, far more capable than Gold Level Zong Ge. She also had the Mage Tower and the Half-plane, making her currently the most suitable person to rescue Big Guy.
More ingeniously, the importance of Big Guy for Shuanglian was secondary. Shuanglian was more interested in the alchemy knowledge held by the survivors.
"Set off—our destination is Ice Prison City," Zi Di finally decided. "With the help of the Space Shuttle Team, our journey will be very swift."
"The arrangement of the shops everywhere will soon be completed."
"The tasks ahead of us are the most crucial for everyone."
"Committing to our responsibilities—that’s the accountability we must demonstrate!"
Zi Di and Zong Ge responded to the branch with a secret letter.
The secret letter was quickly sent to Snowbird Port.
Without any further delay, Zi Di and Zong Ge, along with their companions, boarded the Space Shuttle, leaving Ice House City.
With the situation developing to this extent, the survivors, wedged between Shuanglian and the Lijian family, were taking on immense risks.
Forced by mysterious powers, they could only go all out, racing towards the future.
Shortly after sending their reply, it reached Sanda’s hands.
Upon reading its contents, Sanda first breathed a sigh of relief, feeling that Zi Di and Zong Ge’s choice was correct.
Then, he immediately set out for Honey Snow Tower.
Bu Quan, upon knowing of Sanda’s arrival, personally welcomed him and led him into Shuanglian’s study.
"Come in," Shuanglian sighed internally as she saw her disciple Bu Quan pushing the door open.
Sanda, being only Black Iron Level, was not qualified to meet with Shuanglian. In fact, even the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps, currently only at Silver Level, could not compare with someone like Shuanglian.
Even the feat of the Dragon-Man youth slaying Teng Donglang only made Shuanglian take a new look at him, but could not consider him truly as an equal.
Shuanglian’s personal reception of Sanda was wholly because of Bu Quan.
Upon meeting, Sanda immediately showed his politeness, expressing his overwhelming honor. Having also been a mercenary squad leader and struggled at the bottom, he naturally understood that the reception he received was exceptional.
Shuanglian, with an indifferent expression, told Sanda, "There’s one more day, and the Tower Spirit will be able to calculate the exact coordinates of Da Dou’s teleportation."
"Not just that, in these two days, the Mage Tower has also observed some unusual activities."
Shuanglian informed Sanda that both the Snowbird Port City Lord and the Sea Bird Sect had deployed ships, leaving the docks. Some of the teams even departed from locations other than the docks.
With a sinking heart, Sanda quickly understood, "During the eating contest, Big Guy demonstrated his capabilities, and most viewers believe he possesses Gold Level power."
"But following that, Da Dou’s action of abducting people sparked even more suspicion and curiosity."
"Da Dou paid a hefty price, sacrificing the National Ceremony of the Ice Sculpture Kingdom for Big Guy. From this action, one can speculate that they hold high expectations for Big Guy’s Bloodline Grade!"
"And I’ve already declared on behalf of the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps that we’ll only cooperate with Shuanglian. Others not having our approval prompted various covert actions."
Regardless of which side secured Big Guy, they wouldn’t report to the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps but would attempt to claim Big Guy for themselves!
Sanda’s worries deepened, "Snowbird Port City Lord has vast resources, commanding strong reconnaissance and intelligence gathering capabilities."
"The Sea Bird Sect should not be underestimated either; they are a bona fide true-body religion. Snowbird Port is their largest parish in the Ice Sculpture Kingdom, and importantly, their Divine Officers possess the ability to fly at low levels, which is very convenient for maritime reconnaissance."
Considering this, Sanda suggested to Shuanglian, "Perhaps, Honorable Shuanglian, you might consider tracking these people."
"The future is unpredictable."
"Who knows, we might find a clue about our giant from these people."
Shuanglian re-evaluated Sanda, inwardly noting: this human dwarf is indeed clever, no wonder he was secretly appointed to manage affiliate matters.
At this moment, Bu Quan caught on, "You mean, this group has set out for our mercenary corps’ giant?"
Shuanglian glanced at Bu Quan, then answered Sanda, "Rest assured, I have already done so. Among those who set out to sea, most have been secretly affected by my spells."
"If they find the target first, I will be able to detect it swiftly!"
Hearing this response, Sanda immediately expressed his gratitude, adding a minor compliment.
Then, Sanda spoke, "Respected Mage Shuanglian, I have another request. I hope that the production of Magic Potions can temporarily be increased tenfold."
Bu Quan, having learned of this strategy adjustment on their way here from Sanda, promptly said, "I can leave the tower to take charge of a small Alchemy Workshop."
Bu Quan eagerly volunteered.
Shuanglian glared at Bu Quan, her voice turning cold, "Bu Quan, have you completed all the homework I assigned to you?"
"You’ve been away from the Mage Tower for so long, many lessons have been neglected."
"The most important thing for you to do now is to keep learning and practicing without wasting time."
Bu Quan said, "Teacher, all the homework has been done, and I have already communicated with the Communication Tower Spirit and submitted all the assignments."
"Thank you for your concern, Teacher, but I think it’s actually okay."
"Although I have left my teacher and come to Snowbird Port, I have never stopped studying. Moreover, I also communicate regularly with you, Teacher, consulting you on many alchemy problems."
Shuanglian’s expression grew colder.
She secretly gathered her spirit and quickly checked Bu Quan’s homework, finding it to be exactly as he had described—all correct!
Even more so, on many questions, Bu Quan had given multiple solutions, showing uniqueness in his approach.
This left Shuanglian with no grounds to be upset.
"Given your talents, you should be subjected to strict requirements," Shuanglian observed Bu Quan, sensing an air of pride like a small tail sticking up behind her beloved student.
Shuanglian’s voice was icy, "Bu Quan, go to the top floor of the Mage Tower; you still have practical assignments to complete."
Bu Quan gasped, looked at his teacher with a disappointed and plaintive glance, and seeing that her expression had not softened in the slightest, resigned himself and left the study with his head bowed.
Sanda, having witnessed this scene, immediately expressed his intention not to delay Shuanglian in teaching her student and excused himself first.
Soon, Sanda exited from the Honey Snow Tower.
He looked back at the towering Mage Tower, which seemed to stand tall against the heavens, shielding the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps from external pressures.
Sanda exhaled a breath of turbid air.
Deepening cooperation with the Lijian family, as well as Shuanglian’s intervention, had significantly reduced his pressure.
"But it was under my watch that Big Guy was lost," Sanda’s expression remained serious, his gaze determined. "This is my responsibility!"
"Now, all we can hope for is the success of Shuanglian’s actions."
"Although Da Dou is of Gold Level, he is not a mage. With Shuanglian’s personal intervention, there shouldn’t be any problem, right?"
"Yes, there’s a very good chance of success!"
If possible, Sanda would very much like to join Shuanglian and the others in their endeavor.
But he knew that it would be too presumptuous to ask to come along.
Moreover, even if he participated, his role in front of a Gold Level giant would be very limited.
Not only that, but he must continue to handle the daily operations at Snowbird Port.
Without him, the department’s daily affairs and operations would suffer greatly.
"After all, I am still just a minor character," Sanda lamented inwardly, feeling helpless and a tinge of melancholy.
He was merely a Black Iron Level fighter and could have very little influence on the current situation.
He could only affiliate himself with some power, yet still felt a sense of being adrift.
Despite his relatively minor personal power, he never gave up or got discouraged, and he continued to devote his best efforts to the whole Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps.
Shuanglian soon arrived at the top floor of the Mage Tower.
The place had a concentration of arrays, along with Crystal Balls and circular metal platforms filled with various Magic Runes.
This was the control room.
One of the most crucial rooms in the Honey Snow Tower.
Here, Shuanglian could not only manage the entire Mage Tower but also remotely control a Half-plane.
Her Half-plane, meticulously modified by her, was in excellent operational condition. Shuanglian had invested heavily in setting up multiple large-scale Magic Arrays within the Half-plane.
These arrays allowed her to leverage greater forces and easily alter the weather of the Half-plane.
Bu Quan was temporarily authorized to first enter the control room.
Her visibility made other apprentices feel envious, secretly discussing, "Look, junior apprentice sister Bu Quan has entered the control room alone."
"She must have been authorized by the teacher, nothing surprising there."
"The teacher really favors her too much, letting her enter such a critical place like the control room alone! You know, even when we clean, there are always others or puppets strictly supervising us."
The murmurs soon ceased.
Because they saw Shuanglian also entering the control room.
Honey Snow Tower.
Inside the control room.
"Come, stand by my side," Shuanglian beckoned Bu Quan.
The master and disciple stood at the center of the circular metal platform.
Shuanglian waved her hand lightly, and the various Magic Runes on the platform lit up simultaneously, emitting lights of various colors.
Shuanglian introduced each rune’s functions and some manipulation techniques to Bu Quan.
When it came to the Half-plane, a Magic Image was projected, allowing Bu Quan to see clearly.
Finally, as Shuanglian’s instruction neared its end, the Magic Image displayed a battlefield.
A blizzard formed into a tornado, trapping Yijiu within.
"Your practical assignment for today is real combat. Manipulate these Magic Runes and try to kill this enemy!"
Shuanglian said, "You’re only qualified to leave the Mage Tower when you’ve killed him."