Above the mage

Chapter 280 The Inquisitor of Ryan

Unfortunately, the Ice Jade Fruit can only increase the liquid mana of ice-attribute cultivation techniques.

Clearly, Gao De's "Green Wood Longevity Scripture" has nothing to do with ice-based cultivation methods.

Therefore, even if the Ice Jade Fruit matures in thirty years, it will be of no use to him.

However, by the time he reaches the third or fourth ring level or even higher in thirty years, the increase in magical power from the Ice Jade Fruit won't make much difference.

"Is there a way to ripen the Ice Jade Fruit?" Looking at the three flower buds that had just bloomed, Gao De suddenly thought of this and turned to Flora to humbly ask.

Compared to the powerful effects of the Ice Jade Fruit, the fact that it ripens only once every thirty years is not a particularly demanding condition. Without the unique advantage of a fourth-tier spiritual land, it would take Gao De more than a year to condense a single drop of liquid mana, given his own talent as a mage.

It would take more than thirty years to condense thirty drops of liquid magic power, even longer than the time it takes for the Ice Jade Fruit to mature.

But even so, for Gaode, which hasn't lived for more than thirty years, this time still seems too long.

So his first thought was whether he could shorten the growth and ripening time of the Ice Jade Fruit.

And coincidentally, Flora's abilities were able to support his idea.

"Lady Flora, please ask her." Upon hearing this, Flora immediately flapped her little wings and approached the Ice Jade Wutong Tree that had just successfully advanced.

She gently stroked the tree trunk, and after a brief communication, she received a response from the Ice Jade Wutong Tree.

"Master, we can accelerate its ripening, and it will also benefit it. It's very willing," Flora gave an affirmative answer.

"What do I need to do?" Gao De was delighted, thinking to himself that this was exactly what he was looking for.

"Grind the magical materials containing fire elements into powder, mix it with water, and spray it on its flower stamens to accelerate the growth of its fruit." Flora had already learned the specific method during her communication with Ice Jade Wutong.

Gaode seemed to accept this relatively well, but the others present were all shocked upon hearing it.

Flora can not only directly observe and understand the condition of magical plants, but also learn about their corresponding habits and suitable cultivation methods.

This ability is too exaggerated.

However, when I thought about the "natural spirits accompanying me" mentioned in the guide, I gradually calmed down and felt that it might not be so unacceptable.

This is a "spirit of nature"!

"However, it has only just grown up and is still adapting to its new body, so we need to wait a while," Flora added.

She seemed stumped, and after calculating carefully on her fingers for a long time, she finally gave an answer.

"We need fifty of these," Flora gestured with her right palm, then held up a finger. "And one more of these, and it will be able to adapt to its current body."

"Then we can use artificial ripening agents."

That's two hundred and fifty-one days. Gao De nodded slightly, but other thoughts were on his mind:

"Yes, we can't neglect any subject. We need to start holistic education from a young age. It's not just about magic; we also need to teach Flora some math."

Ok?

Flora glanced warily at Gao De, who had snapped out of his reverie and was now looking perfectly normal.

She frowned slightly in surprise.

Flora's keen intuition told her that she seemed to have sensed some kind of "dangerous" aura from God.

But the "dangerous" aura vanished in an instant, making Flora wonder if she was hallucinating.

"Holy Maiden, how much longer will we be kept under house arrest like this?"

Inside the room, Luo Yiqi, who had been under house arrest by the Zhenbing tribe for five days and unable to do anything, was somewhat irritable and couldn't help but ask.

Even if he knew that Catherine couldn't give him a definite answer.

Catherine did not reply.

Her mind was now filled with what Elder Grant had said five days ago: "Our King is prepared to settle all conflicts with your sect."

Catherine has confirmed that the "King" Elder Grant refers to is God.

What she's unsure of now is how Gaode plans to settle the conflict with the Snowfield Guardians.

In the name of the Zhenbing Tribe, question the sect?

Or are they being used as bargaining chips to threaten the sect?

No matter how much she thought about it, she still couldn't be sure what Gao De was thinking.

It was only now that Catherine realized that although she had been in contact with Gaode for some time, she actually didn't know much about it.

They didn't know the other person's background, how they suddenly became the king of the Zhenbing tribe, or their personality and way of doing things.

Just as various thoughts were flashing through Catherine's mind, there was a knock on the door.

Then, the door was pushed open.

Catherine had been pondering the main character, Goddard, who pushed open the door and entered. Beside him, walking in step with him, was Sunefa, carrying the [Blizzard] on her back.

"It's been a long time." Gao De's gaze swept over the two of them as he slowly spoke.

Who could have imagined the wonders of this world?

A month ago, he was searching for a tree-planting spot alone on the snowfield when he was tracked down by two people who forcibly injected him with forbidden ice needles and took him to Phoenix under house arrest.

Now, Catherine and Loych are being held captive here by the Zhenbing tribe because of him.

It's truly a case of what goes around comes around.

Because Catherine was wearing a mask, her expression was not visible, making it impossible for people to discern her inner emotional fluctuations.

However, the expression on Loich's face was completely transparent.

It was a complex mix of emotions: confusion, doubt, worry, and awe and trepidation about Gaode's current status.

"God." Loich opened his mouth, his voice a little dry, but then he suddenly remembered God's current status, and his expression changed slightly. He added, "My lord."

Gao De waved his hand and got straight to the point: "I've come here today mainly to tell you two things."

"First, the Zhenbing tribe has already taken down your cult's mole in Phoenix who was in contact with Donald. After interrogation, we have identified the mastermind behind all of this."

"Who is it?!" Catherine's eyes widened, and she couldn't help but ask, her tone tinged with urgency.

Gao De didn't keep them in suspense and gave the answer directly: "It's the Inquisitor Ryan that Elder Grant previously speculated about."

"It really is him!!" Loich and Catherine exchanged a glance, both seeing disbelief and disbelief in each other's eyes.

Gao De didn't give them much time to be shocked, and continued, "I was once assassinated by a third-circle mage in Phoenix, and this was orchestrated by your Inquisitor Ryan. That's one point."

"In addition, the hunter team from the Zhenbing tribe that captured the Dragonblood Frost Lizard but was attacked and killed on their way back was also the work of Judge Ryan."

"For me, and for the Zhenbing tribe, this is an intolerable and indelible blood feud."

"Therefore, tomorrow the Zhenbing tribe will march on your sect's Icefield Temple." Gao De's words were like a bolt from the blue, leaving the two of them momentarily at a loss.

Ignoring the unease and shock in their hearts, Gao De turned his gaze to Loych and continued, "I will let you go first."

"After you return to the Icefield Temple, please pass on a message for us: either your sect should hand over Judge Ryan and all his accomplices, and we will withdraw our troops immediately upon receiving them; or you should wait for the Zhenbing Tribe's army to arrive, and we will come to take them ourselves."

Gao De grinned, revealing his white teeth. "This is called diplomacy before force. I hope your sect can make the right choice."

The next day, the sun had not yet fully risen.

Gao De had already gotten up, and not only him, but most of the people in the Zhenbing tribe had already woken up at this time.

The air was filled with a tense and solemn atmosphere in the cold morning.

Because today is the day we set off.

Elder Grant was already waiting at the door.

Because Gao De was most familiar with Elder Grant in the Zhenbing tribe, many things these days were communicated and conveyed directly between Gao De and Elder Grant.

"My king, your clothes are ready."

Elder Grant brought Gao De the attire that the Zhenbing tribe had prepared for him.

Five days ago, someone had already taken Gao De's measurements to determine his body size.

Even with the craftsmanship of the Zhenbing tribe, and with the women who are the best at tailoring in the tribe working overtime, they were only able to finish making Gaode's outfit today.

The Zhenbing tribe reveres the colors blue, white, and black.

The deep blue represents the northern ocean and the vast sky, and is also a symbol of the element of ice.

The pure white color is the embodiment of snow and ice.

Solemn black represents nobility and fearlessness.

Naturally, as the most honored person in the Zhenbing tribe, the clothes prepared for Gaode by the Zhenbing tribe were also made up of these three colors.

Despite the limited conditions in the North, the Zhenbing tribe's creations for the "King's" attire were not far behind those of the outside world, and were quite extraordinary.

Her upper body was clad in an exquisite short robe, predominantly dark blue, with fine silver threads inlaid along the edges. The silver threads shimmered with a cold light in the dim light, like the brightest star in the night sky.

The front of the short robe was embroidered with intricate totem symbols using elaborate silver thread.

The lower body consists of tight-fitting trousers, mainly in black.

The color gradually transitions to dark blue below the knee, with silver trim along the hem, ensuring both flexibility and a dignified style.

The shoes were a pair of specially made black leather boots.

In addition, there is a cape that reaches to the ankles and is mainly pure white.

But on the center of the back, the emblem of the Zhenbing tribe—an ice crystal phoenix spreading its wings and soaring high—is embroidered in black silk thread, so lifelike that it seems as if such a creature truly exists in the world.

The edges of the cape were also woven with intricate patterns of dark blue and silver threads.

Whenever the wind rises, the cloak flutters in the wind, and the ice crystal phoenix seems ready to take flight at any moment.

It's often said that clothes make the man, and that's certainly true.

After changing into this outfit, Gao De's entire demeanor instantly became much more dignified, and he also exuded a glamorous aura.

Elder Grant's eyes lit up.

"My king, this outfit suits you very well."

Gao De smiled slightly.

After five days, he had developed enough immunity to the "praise" from others.

Flora's intense gaze, however, made Gao De somewhat uneasy.

He knew that Flora definitely wanted new clothes too.

"Let's go." Having finished his preparations, Gao De walked out of the room and headed towards the plaza where the Ice Sword Challenge had once been held.

Elder Grant quickly followed.

At this moment, in the square.

Five thousand powerful Iceborn mages, dressed in their usual hunting attire, stood in neat rows, quietly awaiting the arrival of God and Sunefah.

There were a total of five thousand Iceborn mages, among whom the lowest level was the first ring.

At least in the North, only the True Ice Clan, the Frostwolf Clan, and the Winterhammer Clan possess such power.

As everyone waited, Gao De and Sunafa appeared together at the other end of the square.

The two walked side by side, their steps in sync.

At this moment, Gao De no longer resembled the disheveled outsider he had been when he first arrived in Phoenix. His magnificent attire, which no more than five people in the entire North would wear, gave him a completely new look.

Of course, that's secondary.

Most importantly, there's the Absolute Ice Sword he wields: [North Wind].

He and Sunefa, one carrying the Ice Bow and the other wielding the True Ice Sword, walked onto the high platform under the watchful eyes of everyone.

The atmosphere at the scene was solemn and respectful.

Upon reaching the high platform, Sunefa remained silent, simply taking out the [Blizzard] from her back and raising it high.

Gaode also raised the "North Wind" symbol with his right hand.

After a few seconds of silence, the scene was instantly detonated.

"War Mother—My King—"

"War Mother—My King—"

"War Mother—My King—"

The sounds of mountains collapsing and tsunamis merged into one.

Behind them, the Zhenbing tribe's flag instantly soared into the sky and fluttered high!

Half an hour later, the Zhenbing tribe's 5,000-strong Iceborn mage force set off, sweeping towards the Icefield Temple with unparalleled momentum.

They didn't hide their actions; such a commotion couldn't be concealed.

As they watched the Zhenbing tribe's army depart, the foreigners in Phoenix who had received the news were all dumbfounded.

What are they trying to do?

In the North, they hadn't seen such a large-scale expedition in a long time.

The news that the Zhenbing tribe has a new king has already spread in the past few days at Sunefa's behest.

At least in Phoenix, everyone knows that the person who would bring hope of revival, as prophesied by Oretia, the war mother of the True Ice Tribe, has appeared and ascended the throne of the True Ice Tribe.

However, they never expected that the first thing this prophesied person would do after becoming the new queen of the Zhenbing tribe was to lead troops into battle.

Is this a hope for recovery, or a scourge to the North?

After leaving Phoenix, the Iceborn army of the Zhenbing tribe headed towards the Icefield Temple.

Because the Iceborn in the tribe spend most of their time hunting in the snow, they are very familiar with marching in the snow and have mastered spells similar to "walking on ice" to travel.

So even though the team was so large and relied entirely on their own two feet to travel, they still covered more than 70 kilometers in a single day.

However, compared to the fact that Gaode let Loychi go last night, this is nothing.

The moment he gained his freedom, he didn't dare to delay for a moment. He left Phoenix overnight and rushed back to the Icefield Temple without stopping, not daring to rest for too long.

Although the Snowfield Guardians are the oldest and most powerful sect in the North, they are no match for the True Ice Tribe.

To avoid this inevitable defeat, Loich knew he had to get back to headquarters as quickly as possible.

In this way, after the specific situation is clearly reported and Gao De's ideas are properly conveyed, there will be enough time for the sect to make a decision.

He was definitely inclined to eliminate the entire faction and hand over the Ruian Imperial Judge.

But Loich also knew that things would not be that simple.

Because the Holy Inquisitor Ryan's status and position were so high, he was one of the three giants of the sect.

On the other hand, Quentin's CEO is often away from headquarters.

This means that within the headquarters, only Archbishop Rune holds a position equal to that of the Holy Inquisitor Ryan.

In a one-on-one situation, it is impossible to know what might happen.

If they were to fight amongst themselves first, Archbishop Ryan, being a hunter by trade and having mastered powerful forbidden necromancy, would be no match for him.

The thought of this made Loich feel dizzy and utterly hopeless.

But no matter what, we have to get back first.

Under no circumstances should the sect and the Zhenbing tribe be allowed to fight.

Otherwise, the Snowfield Guardians might be wiped out in this battle, and their long history would become a thing of the past.

(End of this chapter)