Above The Sky
Chapter 771 - 771 23 The Advantage is Mine!

771: Chapter 23: The Advantage is Mine!

771: Chapter 23: The Advantage is Mine!

In a world graced with superhuman abilities, the most direct approach to defeat an enemy is actually to enhance one’s own power.

For instance, if Ian wished to crush the Mountain People and venture to their Holy Ground to acquire data on the Skyfall Spaceship, he only needed to advance to the Third Energy Level, which would easily allow him to overwhelm all of the Rebel Highlanders—though he might not defeat the Ironwing Dragon Flock, the Dragon Worship Cult and the King of the Mountain would help him fend them off.

But the reason it’s the most direct rather than the simplest method is that advancing is just too hard.

Even Ian, a prodigy with exceptional talent, was rapidly approaching the ‘Third Energy Level’ evaluation standard set by the civilization from the previous era in terms of Spirit Energy.

But to possess true battle strength on par with the Third Energy Level without revealing the Deceased Monarch’s Inheritance, he would have to gather all the Magic Potion materials from either the Fae or The Unyielding Fortress’s Third Energy Level ‘Lord of Stone’.

Materials for the Third Energy Level were not easy to come by.

The materials for the First Energy Level were priced roughly around one hundred to three hundred Talle per batch; expensive indeed, but not hard to collect—what was truly costly were the auxiliary services surrounding the Magic Potion, such as the service fees for Alchemists, the nutrients required for training, the guidance and shaping of the Primordial Seed, and so on…

Not to mention formulas, which are strategic information that no one would reveal casually.

As for the Second Energy Level, the price of materials generally fluctuated around one to two thousand, with the cheapest costing over seven hundred Talle…

It doesn’t sound like much, but that’s just for one batch.

And the final cost all added up would be stupendously expensive…

Don’t be fooled by Ian seeming to have fifteen thousand Talle in research funds from the Firestone Group; it wouldn’t even cover two complete sets of Second Energy Level Magic Potion.

As for the Third Energy Level…

Just one batch of materials would need to be calculated using the base unit of ‘ten thousand Talle’.

In reality, materials for this level’s advancement were almost impossible to buy.

Most of the materials for the Third Energy Level were either found in the Labyrinth or waited for allocation from The Empire, strategic material exchanges…

It should be noted that many nobles, whose ancestors once shined brightly, are now mostly at the Second Energy Level.

Add to that the limitations of the Heart Light Body in terms of self-awareness; money alone isn’t enough to advance.

The Fae aspect was somewhat easier to address, Ian could go and ask Hua’an and his mentor Gansong for some hints and assistance, in light of his role in saving a fragment of the Fae’s soul.

The ‘Lord of Stone’, however, could prove to be a bit more troublesome.

“I hope the Dragon Worship Cult has some channels; Elder Mantle wants to advance to the Third Energy Level, which proves he should also be able to acquire the corresponding materials,”

After concluding his reflections on advancing to higher energy levels in the future, Ian continued to focus on the upcoming defense of Leyan City.

With a territory where Sombre Crystal Engines lay buried, the value alone probably rivaled that of Fifth Energy Level materials, if not more.

Protecting this place was of the utmost importance.

The Mountaineers Vanguard had already reached the edge of Leyan Territory, nearby Solitary Flame Peak, a development that, while predictable to the inhabitants of Leyan City, still caused some panic when it actually happened.

It was clear from every angle that Ian was preparing for battle with all his might.

Whether it was the steadily produced new Armored Clothing or the strangely shaped defense towers that could command the power of thunder, everyone witnessed them—Ian, the new Lord, had invested at least three thousand Talle before receiving any payback from Leyan City, proving his unwavering intention to defend it.

It was precisely because of this visibly firm resolve that some people were willing to join Leyan City’s militia.

Upon announcing the imminent attack by the ‘Rebel Highlanders’, Ian started directing the guards and militiamen to evacuate the residents from the northwestern part of the main battle area of the city.

There, the militia was constructing various fortifications and small fortresses, establishing a defensive line.

Though theoretically unnecessary, being prepared was never a mistake.

In a matter of days, the entire western part of the city was transformed into a fortress wrought from steel and concrete.

But this was only the most apparent preparation.

Within Leyan City, Alchemy Workshops were not only working diligently to produce energy sources for the Magnetic Storm Armor and Magnetic Storm Coil but also rushing to make various ‘catalysts’.

Whether it was silver iodide, calcium chloride, dry ice, also known as solid CO2— or even urea, these ‘Alchemy products’ were being manufactured.

The majority had no clue why the Lord would want to produce such things that appeared to have little use…

But obviously, they would not question Ian’s wisdom and strength.

Nonetheless, Ian was resolved to set up a knowledge academy in the future—you can’t expect everyone to be like the Green Tide, utterly clueless about what he was doing, right?

Meanwhile, Ian also received an unexpected message from Nauman City.

— Nauman City sent detailed intelligence on the Rebel Highlanders’ exact time of attack, battle plans, and troop placement…

more comprehensive than what Ian had scouted himself, even revealing the Highlanders’ future attack routes to Ian!

According to Colonel Mayowa, these were provided by ‘passionate and loyal citizens of The Empire’ at great risk, and they took the intelligence very seriously, informing Ian immediately.

An Iron Traitor.

Ian was certain that the bulk of the Rebel Highlanders’ operations were within Marquis Barton’s expectations; of course, some things were beyond his full control, like the unpredicted emergence of the Fiery Flame Land and the Ironwing Dragon Flock, hence the current chaotic situation in South Ridge.