The addition of a large number of magic-patterned knights significantly accelerated the Star Alliance's external expansion. Almost every month, the areas marked on the military map in Sunan's study would expand.
Indigenous tribes discovered during exploration either succumbed to the Star Alliance's might or surrendered to become slaves. However, Sunan offered these tribes a glimmer of hope. Those who contributed significantly to the Star Alliance could rise from slavery to citizenship, gaining equal status and rights as the sphinxes and vampires.
While the Star Alliance's exploration strategy was in full swing, Sunan spent his days in the laboratory, focused on improving the secret puppet. With Dragon Forest managed by Steward No. 1 and the Star Alliance overseen by Karolaina, the Red Widow, and Xieman among other apprentices, Sunan only needed to steer the overall direction, leaving the details to be executed by his subordinates.
Apart from occasionally crafting magical items that only he could make, he was essentially a hands-off leader. This was how a mature power should develop. The day he could disappear for decades and the Star Alliance would still run smoothly would mark its true maturity.
Late at night, the silver moon hung high in the sky. Moonlight streamed through a small window, illuminating everything inside. Sunan sat at one corner of the long table, quietly waiting for the other members to arrive.
Since joining the Forest Cabin, he hadn't missed a single gathering. Even if he didn't buy anything, he attended every time. After all, no one knew what treasures might appear at the gatherings. Missing out on something valuable, like the Traveler and Black Forest had, could lead to deep regret.
Perhaps due to the lessons learned by the Traveler and Black Forest, subsequent gatherings saw full attendance from everyone except the Hunter. Even the previously elusive Traveler and Black Forest had become more frequent attendees.
This gathering was no exception; all eight members were present except the Hunter. Just as Night Owl announced the start of trading, a figure suddenly appeared in a seat.
It was the presumed absent Hunter.
"Everyone, I need your help!"
As soon as he appeared, the Hunter spoke, his tone unusually grave.
The others exchanged glances.
Finally, Night Owl broke the silence with a light cough, "Hunter, what's going on?"
"I've been targeted by the Immortals!" The Hunter's voice was heavy. "Those lunatics have set their sights on my Starlight Tower key, relentlessly hunting me down. I've tried numerous ways to shake them off, but to no avail. I need your help!"
"You want us to help you fend off the Immortals?" Red Heart asked in a muffled voice.
"No." The Hunter shook his head. "Those guys are relentless. Even if we drive them back once, they'll just keep coming. I hope you all can help me eliminate them once and for all."
The room fell silent.
No one spoke.
If it were just about repelling the Immortals, they might consider it for the right price.
But killing the Immortals' wizard apprentices? Sorry, that's impossible!
Anyone with common sense knew the risks involved in battling fellow wizard apprentices, especially those from the Immortals. They weren't willing to risk their lives for mere profit.
—Unless the Hunter could offer a reward too tempting to resist!
The Hunter understood this. Seeing everyone silent, he gritted his teeth and said, "If you help me, I'll give each participant a Starlight Tower key!"
At this, everyone's eyes lit up.
Sunan raised an eyebrow, realizing his earlier suspicions were correct: the Hunter was indeed connected with Evans. Only Evans would possess so many Starlight Tower keys.
"Deal!" Remains immediately agreed.
Ordinary benefits weren't worth risking his life, but the Starlight Tower key was different. It represented hope for advancing to a wizard. Even with the risk to life, it was worth the gamble!
The others had similar thoughts.
After a brief hesitation, Night Owl, Red Heart, Traveler, Black Forest, and Rose all agreed.
Only the Staff and Sunan remained.
The Hunter looked at them with a complex expression.
The Staff already had a Starlight Tower key, so the offer wasn't particularly enticing. The Player was in a similar position. Based on gathered intel, the Hunter suspected the Player's true identity. Evans had mentioned that Sunan already possessed a Starlight Tower key, so the offer likely held little allure for him as well.
In fact, neither had shown any intention of participating, likely waiting for him to offer something more appealing.
After a moment's hesitation, the Hunter placed his hand on the table, and two potions appeared out of thin air.
Under the moonlight, the liquid inside the bottles transitioned from deep blue to light blue, emitting a beautiful, dreamy glow.
"These are Dawn Potions."
The Hunter's gaze swept over Sunan, addressing the others.
Among those present, only Sunan might have heard of Dawn Potions from Evans.
"Consuming one can extend a person's lifespan by about a third, but each person can only take one; any more would be ineffective. Additionally, it's less effective for wizard apprentices, only adding five to ten years of life."
The others were visibly moved.
A potion that extended lifespan was rare indeed!
Even if it only added five to ten years, that was significant.
Third-level wizard apprentices, after bloodline fusion or physical modification, lived just over two hundred years.
The Staff was tempted, hesitating before saying, "One Dawn Potion isn't enough. Add 20,000 gold worth of gems!"
"Deal!"
The Hunter agreed without hesitation. After all, the gold wasn't coming from him; the wealthy Holy Fist would cover it.
He then turned to Sunan, "Player, what do you say?"
Sunan paused, then slowly said, "Two Dawn Potions, plus a Starlight Tower key."
Everyone was momentarily stunned, the same thought crossing their minds.
Quite the demand!
To everyone's surprise, the Hunter only hesitated briefly before nodding firmly:
"Alright, it's a deal!"
"Wait!" Remains protested. "Why should the Player get so much more for the same effort?"
While the others didn't voice it, their eyes showed dissatisfaction or confusion.
Only the Traveler remained composed.
The Hunter explained calmly, "Because the Player is stronger than any of you."
The others didn't know, but through the Holy Fist's channels, the Hunter was aware of some of Sunan's feats underground, understanding that Sunan possessed strength far surpassing anyone in the Forest Cabin.
Even Night Owl couldn't compare to Sunan.
Seeing that Remains still wasn't satisfied, the Hunter glanced at Sunan.
Sunan shrugged, his mental command summoning an adamantine golem to appear beside him.
The sudden presence of the golem startled everyone, curious about where Sunan had conjured such a massive entity from.
Their attention quickly shifted to the sheen of the golem's body.
"Is that... adamantine?"
Having seen an adamantine golem before, Rose immediately recognized the type, her eyes widening in disbelief.
"An adamantine golem!"
The others paused, then quickly confirmed Rose's statement.
"It really is an adamantine golem!"
"How is this possible?!"
Expressions of disbelief spread among them.
How did the Player have an adamantine golem?
Did he obtain it from a wizard's legacy?
No, impossible.
Even if a wizard's legacy contained a complete adamantine golem, outsiders couldn't gain control over it.
It wasn't a magic item where removing the mental imprint allowed use.
Each golem's soul core contained a mental sigil left by its creator, which couldn't be removed by outsiders unless done by the creator.
Even destroying the soul core wouldn't work.
The golem's body and soul core were integral; destroying the core meant destroying the entire golem.
If it wasn't from a wizard's legacy, could the Player have crafted it himself?
That seemed unlikely too.
Setting aside how the Player obtained the design and enough adamantine for crafting, the skill required for golem crafting was enough to stump most people.
The Player was indeed skilled at crafting golems, but had his skills reached such a level?
For a moment, everyone was uncertain.
Even the Traveler and Hunter, who were aware of Sunan's strength, were astounded.
Regardless, it was clear that with an adamantine golem, Sunan's contribution to dealing with the Immortals would far exceed anyone else's.
Even Remains, who was most dissatisfied, fell silent.
Seeing no further objections, the Hunter said gravely, "Then it's settled."
"For safety, let's sign a soul contract."
Everyone agreed, as it protected both parties.
The rewards were clear, but there was disagreement over dealing with the Immortals.
Night Owl and the others opposed the Hunter's request to wipe out the Immortals.
That was unrealistic!
Most third-level wizard apprentices had their own means of survival.
Especially the Immortals, who were notorious and widely hunted.
For them to survive until now, they must have some trump cards.
Repelling third-level wizard apprentices was easy, but killing them was difficult unless one had overwhelming strength.
After some negotiation, they agreed to eliminate three members of the Immortals.
"From what I know, the Immortals' Black Hand and Bloodmouth are dead. Besides Saulo, only Ember, Ira, and Stone Scorpion remain."
"Among these four, as long as you help me take down any three, the deal is fulfilled, and I'll pay accordingly."
As the Hunter finished speaking, Night Owl immediately asked:
"Do you have a specific plan?"
The Hunter seemed prepared, responding without hesitation: "The Immortals are searching for me everywhere. If I reveal myself slightly, they'll all come running. We can set up an ambush and capture them all!"
The others exchanged glances, nodding in agreement.
Though simple, the plan was practical.
"I'll choose the location and inform you in three days."
The Hunter turned to Night Owl.
"I'll need you to open the Forest Cabin again then."
"No problem," Night Owl agreed.
At this point, Sunan suddenly spoke, "Surviving the Immortals' pursuit alone is difficult. Do you have other allies?"
Hearing this, the others realized and fixed their eyes on the Hunter.
The Hunter sighed, "Alright, I didn't intend to hide it. I do have allies."
"Who?" Rose asked curiously.
"The Holy Fist."
"So it's them," the Staff realized.
"Don't speak in riddles," Black Forest pressed, "Who are the Holy Fist?"
The Staff chuckled and explained: "The Holy Fist isn't a single person but a secret organization of legendary knights, established over three hundred years ago. Its members are primarily legendary knights from various southeastern countries of the Starlight Continent, reportedly boasting double-digit second and third-circle legendary knights, not to be underestimated."
"That was in the past," the Hunter said bitterly. "In recent battles with the Immortals, the Holy Fist lost over twenty legendary knights, including their leader Clarence, the only third-circle legendary knight."
The Staff shook his head slightly, saying nothing.
An organization of legendary knights might seem formidable to ordinary people.
But compared to the fully third-level wizard apprentice Immortals, it was lacking.
The Holy Fist's defeat was expected.
The fact that they dared to fight the Immortals was surprising.
The Starlight Tower wasn't just an allure for wizard apprentices; it was a huge temptation for legendary knights as well.
"When the operation begins, the Holy Fist will assist."
"However, with their heavy losses, few legendary knights remain. Don't expect too much."
The Hunter sighed.
The Staff shrugged, "No worries, any extra help against the Immortals is welcome."
Others nodded in agreement.
After all, the enemy was the infamous Immortals. Even as third-level wizard apprentices, they felt apprehensive.
At this point, even a few additional first-circle legendary knights would be beneficial, serving as potential cannon fodder if nothing else.
Among them, only Sunan remained calm and composed throughout.
A few months ago, he might have had reservations about the operation.
But now, the secret puppet in his possession gave him confidence and assurance.
Even if facing the Immortals alone, Sunan felt he could handle them.
"That's it for now."
"I'll inform you as soon as the ambush location is selected."
The Hunter's gaze was serious as he surveyed the room, speaking sincerely:
"I entrust this to all of you!"
-Support me in Patreon for more chapters 35+ chapters in there
patreon.com/LegendaryTL
Thanks!