Chapter 334: Chapter 307: The Steel Mane Tribe Is Still Not Enough

When Anton returned to the Celestial Essence Hall, Eleanor was already waiting for him inside.

She sat behind the desk, a stack of freshly approved documents spread out beside her. The ink had not yet dried, glistening wetly in the light.

"Clan Leader, I was just wondering when you’d be back."

Eleanor set down her pen, stood up, and a genuine smile touched her face.

After Anton sat down across from her, she picked up the teapot and personally poured him a cup of flower tea.

The pale golden liquid sloshed gently in the white porcelain cup, releasing a wisp of sweet-smelling steam.

"I didn’t expect you to personally get involved with the Slave Hunting Team and the Half-Elves." She pushed the cup toward Anton, her tone tinged with curiosity.

"I happened to run into them, so I took care of it." Anton picked up the teacup and took a sip before changing the subject. "How has the Clan’s recruitment of Half-Elves been progressing these past few years?"

At the mention of this, Eleanor’s smile deepened slightly.

"Very smoothly."

"As of now, we’ve recruited a total of over 5,300 Half-Elves, and all of them have been properly settled in the Taichu Spirit Realm."

"And the number is still growing rapidly. Based on the current trend, we estimate that the figure will likely surpass twenty thousand in three to five years at most."

Anton nodded slightly.

On the Dawn Continent, the Half-Elves’ population had always remained low, unable to grow due to their perilous living conditions and constant pursuit by Slave Hunting Teams.

But "low" was only relative to the populations of other races.

After all, their numbers were at least in the millions.

It was just that they were scattered across the remote corners of the continent, and only a small fraction had been able to find their way to the Taichu Spirit Realm so far.

As news continued to spread, more would arrive in the future.

"Additionally, as you instructed, we conducted preliminary aptitude tests on the Half-Elves," Eleanor added. "The results showed that the proportion of them possessing Spirit Roots is more than three times that of other Vassal Races."

"Although it can’t compare to our own clan, it’s still quite impressive."

Anton nodded, unsurprised.

The discrimination Half-Elves faced on the Dawn Continent stemmed from ideological issues surrounding their impure bloodlines, not from any inherent flaws.

In fact, their half-Elf bloodline granted them an affinity for Magic Power and physical constitutions far exceeding the human average.

It was only due to a long-term lack of a stable cultivation environment and resource supply that their people’s overall strength was weak, making them targets for bullying.

The aptitude test results confirmed this point.

"Observe them for a while. If their loyalty proves to be sound, we can consider granting them a higher status than ordinary Vassal Races," Anton said calmly.

"I understand." Eleanor nodded knowingly.

She understood the meaning behind Anton’s words.

He intended to position the Half-Elves as the clan’s closest allies.

For any other Elf Clan, achieving this would not be easy.

After all, the deep-seated beliefs that Elves had formed over generations were difficult to reverse in a short time.

But the Silver Moon Race was different. The series of measures Anton had implemented over the years had already given the clan a tolerance for outside bloodlines far exceeding that of other Elf Clans, embodying a spirit of ’education for all, irrespective of background’.

With a little guidance, it shouldn’t be too difficult for the clan members to accept the Half-Elves.

As for the Half-Elves’ loyalty... Eleanor wasn’t worried about that at all.

In the entire Dawn Continent, only the Silver Moon Race would offer them a true sanctuary.

They would surely cling to this lifeline and think of nothing else.

"Also," Anton’s tone shifted, "among the slaves we rescued this time, there’s a Half-Elf maiden named Ivy. I want you to pay special attention to her."

"After she’s had some time to reunite with her people, bring her back to Taichu City and run an aptitude test."

Eleanor was slightly taken aback and asked curiously, "Is that Half-Elf maiden’s aptitude very good?"

In her opinion, for Anton to specifically ask her to look after someone, their aptitude must be outstanding.

At least a three-element Spirit Root.

"We’ll have to wait for the test to know for sure." Anton lifted his teacup for a sip, a faint smile playing on his lips. "But nine times out of ten, she should have a Spirit Body, no doubt."

Eleanor was startled.

’No wonder. So she has a Spirit Body.’

But then, a flicker of doubt crossed her mind. "Clan Leader, if she has a Spirit Body, why not bring her to Taichu City right now?"

"Her parents were killed by the Slave Hunting Team. She’s just had her revenge, and her emotions haven’t settled yet." Anton shook his head. "Let her stay with her people for a while. Once her state of mind has stabilized, it won’t be too late to take her in as a disciple."

Understanding dawned on Eleanor, and she nodded. "I see. I’ll personally keep an eye on this matter."

After a pause, she brought up another matter. "About the Steel Mane Tribe..."

"We’ll deal with them after we’ve resolved the matter with the Red Blood Fertile Soil."

Anton’s tone was nonchalant, as if he were talking about a trivial matter.

But Eleanor found it perfectly natural.

For the current Silver Moon Race, only first-rate powers were worthy of their serious attention.

The Steel Mane Tribe didn’t even come close.

"I heard the Red Blood Fertile Soil sent troops to attack the Nine Nether City Domain? What’s the situation?"

Eleanor replied seriously, "We’re mainly on the defensive for now. With the Yellow Turban Warriors Legion as the main force holding the front line, our casualties have been negligible. So far, the Red Blood Alliance hasn’t been able to take a single step into the Nine Nether City Domain."

Anton nodded in satisfaction, then asked, "And the Shadow Soldier Legion?"

The smile on Eleanor’s face deepened again. "It has taken initial shape. The current total number of Shadow Soldiers is just over five thousand."

Anton nodded to himself.

Five thousand Shadow Soldiers might not be much on an open plain, but in the narrow, intersecting, rock-obstructed terrain of the Dark Nether Realm, it was enough to give most enemies a headache.

They are immune to blades, pass through earth and stone, and can traverse rock walls as if they were flat ground. Their natural advantage in the Dark Nether Realm far surpasses any physical army.

"Five thousand Shadow Soldiers should be enough."

Anton pondered for a moment, then made his decision.

"Prepare for war. Those city-state powers have been arrogant for far too long. It’s time to teach them a lesson."

Eleanor’s spirits lifted, and she agreed solemnly.

She had already prepared several simulated battle plans, just waiting for Anton’s final approval.

’After being on the defensive for so long, we can finally strike back.’

...

After leaving the Celestial Essence Hall, Anton went straight to the Artifact Refining chamber.

With a thought, a thick, one-hundred-meter-long totem materialized out of thin air, lying flat on the ground and stretching across most of the chamber.

Without delay, Anton immediately released his Divine Sense, enveloping the entire totem. He then delved deep inside it, passing through layers of wooden grain until he quickly reached the pale golden halo curled up in its core.

The Spirit Soul seemed to sense the external probe. It trembled slightly but did not struggle; instead, it actively floated outward, following his Divine Sense.

The moment the pale golden ball of light left the totem, the carvings on its surface abruptly dimmed, as if they had lost a kind of spiritual charm.

The reliefs, which had originally appeared vivid and full of an ancient charm, now looked plain and unremarkable.

The pale golden ball of light drifted down to hover motionlessly above Anton’s palm. It was shaped like a miniature version of the totem and exuded a gentle and serene aura.

Looking at the Spirit Soul in his hand, Anton’s lips curved up slightly, but he soon fell into deep thought.

’Should I give this Spirit Soul to the Heaven-Overturning Seal, or the Nine Dragon Divine Fire Shield?’

Anton had poured no small amount of effort into these two Magical Treasures in recent years.

Most of the high-quality materials seized from the Dragon Race had been used by him to refine these two Magical Treasures.

Thanks to such a no-expenses-spared investment, both Magical Treasures had long since been strengthened to the level of Top-grade Profound Artifacts.

Now, they were only one step away from integrating a Spirit Seed. With enough time to nurture them afterward, they could cross that threshold.

Anton closed his eyes and mentally compared the properties of the two Magical Treasures.

The Nine Dragon Divine Fire Shield specialized in trapping and killing; its nine Fire Dragons would ignite upon encountering an enemy. Its power was tyrannical. If it were to advance to a Spiritual Artifact, its Fire Element power would take a qualitative leap.

However, its nature was already fiery and intense. While the gentle and enduring Spirit Soul wouldn’t necessarily conflict with it, its full potential couldn’t be realized.

The Heaven-Overturning Seal was different.

Its foundation was its weight and solidity. The tranquility and gentleness of the Spirit Soul were a perfect match for the seal’s nature.

There would be no rejection during the fusion; instead, they would nourish each other.

"I’ll give it to the Heaven-Overturning Seal."

Anton opened his eyes, no longer hesitating. With a flip of his wrist, the Heaven-Overturning Seal appeared in his other palm.

He pushed the Spirit Soul toward the seal. The Spirit Soul did not resist; it even actively moved closer, like a fish returning to water, and silently submerged into the center of the seal’s body.

A phantom image of the pale golden totem instantly unfurled and spread within the seal’s body, like a drop of ink blooming in water—slowly and irreversibly—merging with the Heaven-Overturning Seal’s original Profound Light.

Anton closed his fingers, gripping the Heaven-Overturning Seal in his palm. He shut his eyes, and a tide of Magical Power surged into it as he began the refinement process.

Three days passed quietly in meditation.

When Anton opened his eyes again, the flames of Profound Light on the surface of the Heaven-Overturning Seal had mostly receded, and the winding patterns of a Law could be faintly seen emerging on the seal’s body.

He probed it with his Divine Sense and could clearly feel that the wisp of spirituality within the seal was several times more solid than before. Although it didn’t provide feedback with the same clear and lively intent as the Sword Pill, it already offered a vague response.

"All that’s left is to nurture it."

Anton let out a long sigh of relief.

A Top-grade Profound Artifact with a Spirit Seed would become a Spiritual Artifact sooner or later.

It was just that the process was quite long.

It could take anywhere from a few hundred years to over a thousand.

Of course, if he could find a suitable Spiritual Land and use an Array to draw upon the spiritual workings of heaven and earth to constantly wash over it, the Spirit Soul could merge with the Profound Artifact much faster, shortening the time needed for advancement.

’The Heaven-Overturning Seal belongs to the Earth Element, so the best place to nurture it would be a location rich in the Law of Earth Element.’

The first place Anton thought of was the Dark Nether Realm.

The depths of the earth were a natural domain for Earth Element power. The rock strata were thick, and the earth veins ran deep. Compared to the impure and scattered Earth Attribute Spiritual Qi on the surface, the Earth Element power underground was purer and more condensed.

An Earth Vein Node like Nine Nether City was formed from the long-term accumulation of Earth Element energy during tectonic movements. Compared to the Spirit Vein in Taichu City, which was more balanced across the Five Elements, the Earth Element essence here was undoubtedly much richer.

It was the perfect place to nurture the Heaven-Overturning Seal.

Moreover, he could also open a rift connecting to the Elemental Origin Plane of Earth and use the overflowing Elemental Power of earth to further increase the nurturing efficiency.

Anton quickly made up his mind.

’After I settle the nurturing matter, I should focus on Fetal Breathing.’

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