https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-81-The-Grief-Stricken-Langli-BaiTiao/13676222/
Chapter 82: Arcane Hermitage (I)
"The Player community is really starting to expand beyond the known borders now," Kai Xiusu murmured, scrolling through the Player Forum and watching the flickering image in Lanpu’s Magic Mirror. "Not only in Dragon Vale and Northwind Keep, but even in southern cities like Cathis and Kri堡—Players have been spotted there too. Remarkable..."
Indeed, aside from Langli BaiTiao, a few Players had already ventured out from Bathor City into uncharted territories. That wasn’t easy. They had to break through the dense layers of monsters guarding the Storm Ridge perimeter. Beyond Ashen Hollow, there were Frost Giants, Hill Giants, and scattered tribes of orcs—though pushed to the fringes of the high slopes, they still retained considerable strength.
And more importantly, these explorers couldn’t afford to die. One misstep, one fatal mistake, and all progress vanished—back to square one in Bathor City.
"Hmm? What was that sound?"
Kai Xiusu’s frilled, vibrant dragon ears twitched and swiveled toward the source, their acute senses filtering through the ambient noise with precision. Red Dragon hearing was far sharper than human—it could isolate meaningful sounds from background static and lock onto the critical ones.
Ping—
A faint chime echoed from the corner of the cave.
There, the Arcane Monastery Insignia glowed with a shimmering arcane aura, and a translucent magical image materialized in midair.
> Anzeta Chapter extends its formal invitation to you!
> Gathering Time: In three days
> Location: Stravburg
> Teleportation Coordinates: 1345.8375.527
The Arcane Hermitage—a legendary mage society famed throughout history, founded by the legendary Archmage Tralfranlo. Members gathered regularly to share arcane knowledge, exchange research findings, and occasionally lend aid in rooting out evil. This would be the first official gathering of the Anzeta Chapter.
"Many prominent figures from Anzeta will be attending," Kai Xiusu mused. "Well, then... I should go see what’s happening."
He called out to his Magic Mirror.
"Lanpu. Come here—now."
The image rippled, revealing Lanpu’s grotesque, wrinkled face. But he wasn’t paying attention. He was utterly absorbed in counting his gold coins, a habit that had taken root deep within him thanks to the lingering greed of his Red Dragon bloodline.
"One hundred one... one hundred two... one hundred three..."
Each coin tumbled from his palm, clinking softly against the stone floor.
Only after Kai Xiusu’s second, impatient call did he snap back to reality.
"Ah! Sorry, Master! I’m coming right away!"
A moment later, Lanpu tumbled from the sky in a thunderous descent, landing with a heavy thud before Kai Xiusu.
The Cannibal Magician grumbled under his breath: "Master, these Stellarfallen you brought in are so easy to fool. I mark my Magic Scrolls at three or four times market value, and they still rush to buy them! Only problem? They’re so poor—empty pockets, barely a coin between them. If everyone were this gullible, I wouldn’t even need to rob Adventure seekers anymore."
"Master, should I raise the prices even higher? To squeeze more gold from them?"
Kai Xiusu exhaled a thin plume of white smoke through his nostrils. "Lanpu, you must learn the principle of long-term experience point exploitation strategy. Don’t over-exploit."
"Our prices should rise gradually, in line with their growing purchasing power. Have your agents monitor their wealth regularly. Always set prices just high enough to leave them broke—but not so high they starve. That’s the sweet spot."
Lanpu paused, then slapped his thigh in delight. "Master, your wisdom is beyond compare! I’ll have my people prepare at once!"
Kai Xiusu nodded in satisfaction. The more adept Lanpu grew at extracting value from Players, the better. A promising development indeed.
"But I didn’t summon you for Stellarfallen business," Kai Xiusu said, gesturing toward the cave corner.
Lanpu turned, eyes locking onto the shimmering, semi-transparent magical projection.
"The Arcane Hermitage?"
"Yes," Kai Xiusu smiled. "Want to go see it for yourself?"
A flicker of longing and relief crossed Lanpu’s hideous, twisted face.
"Of course, Master..."
Once, he had been a mindless, ignorant brute—unaware of anything beyond hunger and instinct, only vaguely realizing he’d suddenly become clever. But now, as Head Steward of Ashen Hollow, a scholar of spells, and the proud owner of his own Wizard Tower, he understood everything. He had even begun refining the Ring of Intellectual Research—a relic that had once transformed him.
It all felt like fate’s deliberate design.
Had that arrogant young Wizard Apprentice not left the city? Had Kai Xiusu not knocked him unconscious and consumed him? Then Lanpu would still be nothing more than a dull, aimless Ogre—forever trapped in the cycle of eating, sleeping, and mindless existence. A creature unworthy to be part of the Red Dragon’s grand design.
But this moment—this transformation—had changed his very magical life.
"Polymorph!"
The massive Red Dragon shrank and reshaped, its form melting into that of a tall, black-haired, golden-eyed nobleman—elegant, regal, and entirely human. Yet this time, no trace of draconic features remained.
"Still feels a bit constricted," Kai Xiusu muttered, flexing his fingers. The immense strength bound within a mortal frame felt stifling.
He glanced at Lanpu’s hulking form, frowning slightly. "The Arcane Hermitage is a lawful-aligned gathering. Your current shape... might raise some eyebrows."
"Yes, Master," Lanpu quickly raised his staff, weaving arcane threads through the Weave of Magic to craft a new Spellcraft Model.
"Polymorph!"
The result? A towering human—over two meters tall, obese and bloated, with sagging flesh and a swollen, grotesque face. It was unmistakably a man-shaped Ogre. A mockery of humanity.
"Master... is this acceptable?"
Kai Xiusu stared, utterly speechless.
"Can you please fix that? This isn’t even close to human."
"Even an Ogre would be more believable."
But Kai Xiusu forgot—Ogres weren’t spontaneous, instinct-driven Sorcerers. They were Mages, requiring meticulous spellcraft and precise construction.
Lanpu scratched his head sheepishly. "Sorry, Master. My Spellcraft Model parameters weren’t calibrated right. It’ll take... maybe seven or eight days to perfect."
"Eight days?" Kai Xiusu sighed. "The gathering will be over by then."
He thought for a moment.
"Here’s an idea—transform into a Steel Construct. At least that way, you’ll look plausibly normal. A noble spellcaster traveling with a mechanical guardian? That’s perfectly acceptable."
"Yes, Master!"
This time, the transformation worked flawlessly. Lanpu reshaped into a towering, three-meter-tall figure of polished steel—imposing, but undeniably intentional. Though still grotesque by human standards, no one would mistake him for a chaotic evil creature.
"Give me a cloak," Kai Xiusu said.
Lanpu rummaged through his Treasure Collection and produced a long, elegant Cloak imbued with Invisibility to Scrying. He draped it over Kai Xiusu’s shoulders.
Kai Xiusu idly twirled the Mithril Necklace in his hand, tracing the smooth, door-shaped pendant.
"Dimensional Gate."
With the coordinates confirmed, space itself began to warp. A rift tore open before him—dark, shimmering, and pulsing with arcane energy.
(End of Chapter)
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