Above The Sky
Chapter 991 - 991 98 Elan's Savage Growth_2

991: Chapter 98: Elan’s Savage Growth_2 991: Chapter 98: Elan’s Savage Growth_2 After all, as an alchemist whose skills are close to master level (at least in the eyes of ordinary people regarding Ian’s alchemy proficiency), the willingness to accept the Viscount’s unborn son as his disciple is, by itself, enough to make Viscount Grant beam with joy, regardless of Xiawei Territory’s so-called “exploitation” of Harrison Port.

After all, ordinary talents don’t lack opportunities, thanks to the conditions offered by Harrison Port.

But a genius like Ian, devoid of sentimentality, would never casually accept a student.

Given the relationship between Viscount Grant and Ian, their ongoing cooperation guarantees that the Viscount’s child would be Ian’s direct disciple.

In this sense, even if Harrison Port suffers a slight disadvantage, so what?

Moreover, they’re fundamentally not at a disadvantage at all.

What then, is Xiawei Territory losing out?

Certainly not.

Harrison Port holds the commercial hubs that Xiawei Territory currently needs most, along with the “mid-to-low-level technical personnel” that Xiawei Territory currently lacks.

With the Redwood Natives pacified, Harrison Port no longer requires such a massive standing army, meaning they don’t even need as many experienced mercenaries and adventurers anymore.

These individuals can be drawn to Xiawei Territory, becoming the much-needed manpower there.

Furthermore, while some aspects are hard to gauge, as a port city with scarce farmland, Harrison Port indeed has a significant need for agricultural building designs.

They will undoubtedly promote this technology as much as possible while serving as a test site for Xiawei Territory, summarizing their technical experience.

One side needs technology; the other side needs raw materials and population.

One side requires forward direction for progress; the other side needs trial grounds and population data…

——Truly a match made in heaven!

These were the thoughts occupying both Ian and Viscount Grant after their discussions in the Viscount’s Mansion of Harrison Port.

“That’s all for today, Ian.”

Rising to his feet, the Viscount smiled and said, “Your younger brother and Elder Pude are waiting outside for you.

I won’t take up any more of your family time.”

For this series of collaborations, he was undoubtedly the most satisfied party involved.

Yes, in the short term, Harrison Port is unquestionably at a disadvantage: the benefits Ian can offer are almost entirely things that will only bear fruit years down the line.

Particularly those production rights require upfront investment and only generate results later.

Are these things good?

Absolutely.

But not only do they lack the long-term verification of effectiveness, they produce no immediate income and might even lose money initially.

For many Lords, this alone is enough to make them cautious or hesitant.

Only someone like Viscount Grant, who isn’t concerned about short-term gains and is willing to invest in the future for Ian and his child’s sake, could readily accept such a proposal.

As for the short-term population loss, it’s hardly worth mentioning.

Viscount Grant, who understands the situation even with his eyes closed, knows full well that a significant wave of capable White Folks will eventually migrate en masse to Xiawei Territory.

Indeed, many of his alchemy craftsmen are White Folks.

But the grand vision Ian painted for him was far too tempting…

“Such a pleasant morning.”

Ian was undoubtedly satisfied too, as Harrison Port was his hometown, and in the future, a substantial portion of the White Folks would likely remain in Harrison Port rather than migrate to Xiawei Territory.

After decades, this place too had become a bastion for White Folks.

As the current head of the Silver Peak Family, Ian would certainly not make the foolish mistake of completely abandoning Harrison Port, putting all his eggs in one basket.

Developing Harrison Port may please Viscount Grant, but Ian wouldn’t suffer losses either… After all, the employees of those workshops and the craftsmen participating in exchange training would naturally prioritize the White Folks.

The two Lords, one big and one small, glance upward and exchange smiles, both in high spirits.

The door to the study opens.

Viscount Grant gestures for Ian to walk ahead.

As the young man steps out the door, from the distant seating room, a white silhouette clops crisply toward him, and with a thud, launches itself into Ian’s arms!

“Ouch—what’s with the Shasha-like behavior here…”

Ian scoops up the white figure that has run into his arms, spins around with it, and then carefully places it back on the ground: “You’ve gotten stronger!”

He lowers his gaze and smiles warmly at his younger brother: “And taller too!”

“Mm!”

Elan, who had leapt into Ian’s embrace, raises his head, his bright purple eyes quietly staring at Ian before flashing an enormous grin: “I’ve grown taller, brother!”

“Good!”

Ian’s eyes light up.

He laughs heartily and pinches Elan’s cheek: “And… your speech is smoother too!”

“I’ve practiced a lot…”

Though his speech has improved, Elan’s words retain a slight pause imperceptible to most: “Bishop White Mist said my mind has already grown accustomed to such thinking patterns.

This is a good thing because I’m not used to speaking, so I’ve become highly skilled at meditation!”

“Brother, my meditation has reached the ‘Tranquility’ stage!

Although it doesn’t last very long… Bishop says I’m excellent!”

Tranquility is the third stage of meditation in the Huai Guang Church’s teachings.

The first two stages, “Sitting Still” and “Without Ripples,” represent the abilities to sit calmly for long periods without agitation and to observe one’s physical ailments and emotional anxieties with composure, devoid of inner turmoil.

Tranquility, however, represents a state of minimal distractions in the heart, a prolonged serenity and peace of mind.

At this stage, even arduous ascetic practices become gentle, as the meditator perceives all physical sensations with an externalized perspective.

Even for monks, achieving “Tranquility” requires considerable years of disciplined training.

Beyond Tranquility lies “Awaiting,” where meditation has nothing further to cultivate actively — holding onto that state of pure serenity is sufficient.

The Huai Guang Church’s meditation technique clearly evolved from spiritual disciplines of the pre-epoch civilizations.

Unlike Ian’s meditation technique, it emphasizes not direct intervention in one’s soul but gradually reshaping one’s soul from the ground up by modifying mental habits.

Overall, this approach over-relies on innate talent.

It works well for prodigies but is far less effective for the average individual than Ian’s step-by-step soul-restructuring method.

Even so, for Elan to have reached near the ‘Tranquility’ stage so quickly proves his considerable talent in this field.

It’s unsurprising then that in the Dao Path of the Swarm, Elan advanced in merely six years from a casual disciple of Bishop White Mist to an eligible candidate for direct inheritance from the Holy Mountain.

It might not sound like much at first, but consider this — even a Second Energy Level Minos Bloodhound like Redemption Light isn’t technically a formal member of the Huai Guang Church.

At best, they count as contract workers — whereas Elan, upon hitting puberty, received magic potion allocations and a direct appointment!

As everyone knows, in the end, the universe revolves around formal positions, and Elan has directly reached the pinnacle.

While Ian’s legacy undoubtedly contributed, Elan’s own efforts and innate talent shouldn’t be underestimated.

Just like what Ian sees now.

The young man’s silver-green eyes reveal detailed information about Elan.

[Elan]

[Terra Star’s bilateral symmetrical humanoid carbon-based ascended being (Chalk People variant)]

[First Energy Level·Juvenile Form·Excellent·Innate Intelligent Organism·Key Intelligent Species in Starfield·Spirit Energy Potential Awakening]

[Through sufficient time of cultivation, this human individual is gradually excavating their latent spirit energy talents, with these gifts now beginning to awaken and showing some of their power]

[This human individual has received proper and effective guidance; despite no direct rise in strength, their future potential is undergoing significant transformation]

[Body composition… Carbon-based lifeform… Crystallization Potential]

[Strength Level: Ordinary]

[Contained Primordial Essence: 21.5593 base units]

[Notice: This biological entity exhibits a unique connection to a powerful Crystallized Lifeform descendant, indirectly influencing their spirit energy development]

[Warning: Spirit Energy development is challenging to control and irreversible.

As the legal guardian, you hold responsibility for correctly guiding the juvenile intelligent being instead of allowing uncontrollable growth!]

[…]

“Huh?”

Ian blinked in mild surprise.

Originally expecting only insights into his younger brother’s spirit energy progression, Ian found himself startled at the information revealed.

——A unique connection to a Crystallized Lifeform?

Wait a second… Could it be…

The Swarm Crystal Dragon within the Dao Path of the Swarm?!

Elan, it turns out, is growing — but isn’t his growth just a bit *too* wild?!