Chapter 235: No Effect
Diane's enthusiasm didn't just last through the short meeting. She also prepared various fruits and snacks for Roning. She even asked him what he liked to eat for lunch and made it specially for him.
In a daze, it seemed as though she had transformed from a stepmother to a biological mother.
No, she was probably even more caring than a biological mother would be. Even if Bretton returned from his travels, Diane might not have shown this much enthusiasm.
She was more demanding and encouraging with Bretton, urging him to dedicate all his time to training, to improve his strength as much as possible, and to become a powerful knight who could stand on his own as soon as possible.
But the more enthusiastic she became, the more cautious Roning grew.
Regardless of the other party's intentions, it was always better to be careful.
After eating some fruit and ordering a few dishes, Roning finally managed to escape Diane's enthusiasm and walked to the back garden alone.
"Master Luo Ning, you are finally here!"
Upon hearing the report from the guards, Butler Most informed Rulans of Roning's arrival, and the Marquis displayed a rare look of joy.
"Long time no see, Moster. How is my grandfather?" Roning asked.
"He's doing well, everything is fine!" Most answered, though his expression suggested uncertainty. "The master was very happy after receiving your letter and learning that you would return to celebrate your birthday. He has been thinking about you constantly!"
His description reminded Luo Ning of an elderly widower waiting in his hometown for his children to return, though Lu Lans was not the type to behave in such a way.
Although this was where the Marquis resided, the facilities and scenery had seemingly remained unchanged.
Led by Moster, Roning quickly arrived at Lulans' study, where the elderly man sat on the sofa, resting.
The old man was dressed formally and appeared to be in good spirits. However, when Roning saw Lu Lans, he was shocked.
Lu Lans was much thinner than before, almost skin and bones. His hair had turned completely gray, and his eye sockets were sunken.
"Grandpa, how are you?" Roning asked with concern. "Why have you become so thin?"
Lu Lans raised his hand, and Most understood. He immediately bowed and left the study, closing the door behind him.
"The side effects of Soul Devouring Surge are like this," Lu Lans explained. "After a severe use, the backlash becomes stronger and stronger until a balance is restored."
Lu Lans smiled and added, "Don't worry, I'm just a little thinner."
He then looked Roning up and down and nodded slightly. "You've grown taller and more mature. How is the construction of Wubei Territory progressing?"
Roning pulled out a purification spell scroll from his coat. "Grandpa, I obtained a few light magic purification spell scrolls. Let's see if they work."
"Purification spell scrolls are rare," Lu Lans said, taking the scroll. "It seems you've spent a lot of money on these."
He opened the scroll, glanced at it, then put it away. "It's a pity that you spent so much, but unfortunately, it won't work on the Soul Devouring Surge."
"Not at all?" Roning asked instinctively, but from Lu Lans' expression, he had already guessed that the old man might have already tried purification treatment.
Lu Lans' next words confirmed his suspicions.
"I've heard of the fourth-level light magic purification technique when I was younger. Although light magicians are rare, there are still a few on the entire Orlant continent. Back then, I used my connections to find a great light magician. He performed the purification technique for me, but it had no effect on the Soul Devouring Surge, except for making my body feel a little better."
That's right. In order to cure the illness in his body, Lulans had to spend a great deal of money and use many of his connections. He must have heard of the magic of purification and certainly tried it.
"There's something very special about this magic," Lu Lans said. "When other magic is injected into my body for healing, not only is it ineffective, but it can also trigger the backlash of the Soul Devouring Surge. However, light-attributed healing spells, purification spells, and some other magic don't have this risk."
"This is also the main reason why Miroslav and Silva insisted that light magic could heal the injuries in my body."
Roning had no choice but to put away the purification spell scroll and said, "Okay, I'll find some magic to heal you."
If he possessed the sixth-level Warcraft, Carlos, he would have no trouble protecting himself.
Ridal was also improving his level by relying on his own training talent. Roning planned to give his next energy essence to Elrond, so he could become an eighth-level magician as soon as possible.
Just looking at Lu Lans' current condition, Roning wasn't sure if the old man could hold on for seven or eight more years as he had claimed before.
If time was too short, Roning might be too late.
After all, there were only a handful of eighth-level magicians on the continent. Cultivating subordinates of that level would be incredibly difficult, even with the energy essence he gained monthly from signing in.
He still needed to work harder, focusing on achievements to accumulate more energy essence.
"The development of Wubei Territory is on the right track," Roning said, trying to shift focus from the illness.
"However, the biggest problem right now is the shortage of population."
"I've had people gather more free citizens to join Wubei Territory to alleviate the population shortage, but the process is still quite slow."
"The development of a territory isn't something that can be accomplished overnight. You need to make a good plan, proceed step by step, and be patient," Lu Lans reminded him.
"The average population of a Viscount's territory is around 50,000 to 60,000. Even the prosperous Trojan City has over 100,000 people. This is the result of many years of development."
"As long as you develop the economy of the territory, establish its own unique characteristics, and improve your reputation, many freemen and knights will naturally join your cause."
"Even if the population grows naturally, in ten or twenty years, as long as the territory's resources are developed, the population will naturally increase."
This was a general approach. If Roning wanted to see faster results, he would need to find ways to achieve population growth in the short term.
Let's not talk about whether Luo Yuanyuan would be willing to wait for more than ten or twenty years. As for Lu Lans, he definitely wouldn't have the chance to wait that long.
Still, Roning listened attentively to Lulans' advice.
"Grandpa, you mentioned characteristics earlier. This time, I brought some characteristics from Wubei Territory."
"Oh?" Lu Lans smiled. "Is it silk clothes again?"
He had really liked the scarf he bought last time.
"No, it's not that. Wubei Territory has a few more characteristics than you might know."
As he spoke, Roning took a wooden box from the guard beside him, placed it on the table, and slowly opened it.
The wooden box was packed with grass leaves to act as cushioning, and in the center was a white porcelain bowl.
"This is?" Lu Lans picked up the white porcelain bowl from the box, looking at it in amazement. "How can it be so exquisite? Is it pottery?"
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