Thorian, his heart still laden with emotion, stepped out from Nox's abode, his tea long finished. The pre-dawn stillness hung in the air as he made his way to the cultivation hall. At this early hour, the rooms lay vacant, their usual occupants not yet stirred. Selecting his familiar room, Thorian prepared for his ritual. He placed his emberstrike cane and robe by the door, then sat crosslegged in the room's heart.
Drawing a deep, steadying breath, Thorian embarked on his cultivation practice. Constrained by his current rank, he couldn't begin to chip away at a new meridian, nor was reaching the next gate in the Vermillion Bird a feasible goal. Thus, he focused on the fundamental task of gathering qi. He diligently filled his dantian with colorless qi, then skillfully channeled a portion into the Ashen Ember Gate. This transformed it into Dark Flame Qi, altering its properties. Thorian was careful, however, to retain a base of colorless Qi at his dantian's core, essential for utilizing basic yin and Yang martial skills.
A realization dawned upon him: I must master these skills using Dark Flame Qi, to avoid this intricate, repetitive process. The challenge lay in adapting martial techniques to accommodate a Qi not inherently aligned with them. Thorian knew this required a deep understanding of how Qi interacted with his muscles, bones, and internal pathways. Only through such insight could he reshape the martial techniques to harmonize with his unique Qi.
As Thorian delved deeper into his practice, time seemed to dissolve around him. He harnessed ether from the air, funneling it into his dantian. The Ether Line Nexus and the enhanced Cultivation Hall amplified the ether's concentration significantly, surpassing what could be achieved outside the village confines. Those two and a half hours of focused cultivation brought forth results that far exceeded ordinary expectations.
As his cultivation session drew to a close, Thorian released a lengthy exhale, a visible manifestation of his inner impurities mingled with potent energy. He methodically dispelled the residual effects of his cultivation, a routine yet crucial part of his practice.
Checking his progress, Thorian commanded, Display Cultivation Realm. The response was prompt:
Cultivation Realm: Qi Gathering Fifth Stage (92.3%)
Thorian contemplated the reading. Progress is slower than before, but that's the nature of cultivation, he thought. It's a gradual, challenging journey. That is precisely why an early start offers such a significant advantage.
With his progress assessed and the room returned to its pristine state, Thorian stretched, his neck cracking softly. The somber mood that had earlier weighed upon him had given way to a stoic calm. In silence, he made his way to the Village Hall.
Upon entering the meeting chamber on the second floor, Thorian found his council of trustees already assembled, save for Forlune. "Greetings, my king," Zogarth, alongside the gathered kobolds and goblins, greeted him respectfully.
"Everyone is present. Let's begin," Thorian stated, taking his place at the head of the table. The empty seat to his right stood as a poignant reminder of Forlune's absence, prompting a brief, reflective sigh from Thorian.
Turning to address the council, he said, "As you may already know, our primary objective today is to clear the fourth layer of the Verdant Labyrinth. We need to mobilize as many parties as possible, but safety is paramount. Our fighters are each as valuable as a hundred normal soldiers. We cannot afford to lose any of them." The weight of leadership and the importance of the task at hand were evident in his voice.
The chamber fell into a contemplative silence following Thorian's directive. It was Zogarth who broke the quiet. "My king, currently, our four parties are likely the only ones capable of reliably clearing the fourth floor without significant casualties. Yet, given time to train in other dungeons and level up, we could form three or four more capable parties."
Thorian pondered this, stroking his chin. "And who would make up these parties?" he inquired.
Zogarth glanced at the goblin elders before responding. "The goblin champions, for one. They've only recently reached the level needed for class advancement but some of them haven't met other criteria for their desired progression. I expect they'll fulfill these requirements today and advance accordingly."
Thorian nodded, indicating for him to continue.
"Additionally," Zogarth said with evident pride, "some high orcs under my command are more than capable for the fourth layer. They just need support from skilled magi and priests to effectively confront the treant. Also, our latest group of dual-element first-advancement magi have amassed enough coins for essential skills. Their only shortfall is in coordinating these skills in combat without endangering their comrades."
Thorian absorbed this information, recognizing the strategic value of such preparations. The formation of these new parties would not only bolster their strength but also ensure a safer, more efficient path through the labyrinthine challenges of the Verdant Labyrinth.
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Thorian distilled the problem to its essence. "Team synergy is the key," he deduced. "We'll reorganize the teams designated for the fourth layer immediately. They should run through the standard dungeons, honing their strongest spells in real battle scenarios. By the time they face the real challenge, they'll have developed a sense of teamwork."
Zogarth acknowledged with a respectful bow. "As always, your wisdom guides us well, my lord. I will implement your directive immediately."
With that matter settled, Thorian shifted focus to his own team. "Now, let's discuss our party's structure. With Harald's evolution, hoarding our strongest magi would be a gross mismanagement of resources."
Aqua, wearing a light smile, concurred. "I had the same thought, my king. Our last mission's quick success made that clear."
A brief smile flickered on Thorian's face, but his demeanor quickly turned serious. "Aqua, Ventus, you will join Forlune's team. Your elemental mastery is more compatible than you realize. Don't let minor squabbles hinder your potential."
Ventus, who had been only half-listening, protested at first. "Stuck with this goody-two-shoes again? Really?" But a stern glance from Thorian was enough to quell his objections. "Okay, okay, no more complaints..." he mumbled, his voice trailing off.
Pushing the topic forward, Thorian continued. “Considering you both are magi, Forlune’s party would be very unbalanced as is. As such, Ifrit will be joining mine.”
Thorian's gaze shifted to Elder Omn. "I trust there are no objections to this arrangement?" he inquired with an air of authority.
"Absolutely none, my lord," Elder Omn replied, shaking his head in a gesture of agreement. "In fact, I am grateful for the thoughtful discretion you have shown towards our team."
"Very well," Thorian said, rising to his feet with a sense of finality. "The rest will be managed in time and with practice. Complete your dungeon runs and reconvene here at noon." His voice carried the weight of command, yet held an undertone of confidence in their abilities.
"Immediately, my lord," came the unified response from Zogarth and the other council members.
Thorian exited the meeting room without delay, his thoughts already on the next task. As he stepped out of the Village Hall, he encountered a familiar, weathered figure entering. It was an aged goblin, his hands telling stories of hard labor and time's passage.
"Hewer?" Thorian called out, recognizing the old goblin. "I didn't expect to see you here."
"My lord, I was actually seeking you out," Hewer replied, scratching his head in a mix of nervousness and respect. "I wanted to update you on the progress of the project you entrusted to me."
Thorian's mind raced to the bathtub project he had assigned to the old woodworker. A flicker of anticipation crossed his heart. At last, a solution to that unbearable stench.
Spotting a nearby table, Thorian pulled out a chair and gestured for Hewer to sit. "Please, let's sit and discuss your work. I understand you've dedicated much effort to this task."
Hewer, taken aback by the unexpected invitation but not wishing to disrespect Thorian, hesitantly took a seat. "Th-thank you, my lord," he stuttered, a mix of gratitude and awe evident in his voice.
As Thorian settled into his seat opposite the aged goblin, he motioned for Hewer to begin. “Tell me about your progress,” he encouraged.
Hewer nodded, clearing his throat before speaking. “We've yet to reach our ultimate goal of crafting a bathtub for each fighter in the village. However, we've successfully completed twenty tubs,” he said, his voice gaining an enthusiastic edge. “Now that the woodworkers have mastered the process, our pace has significantly improved. These initial twenty were the most challenging, but our efficiency will only increase from here.”
“Twenty is a commendable achievement,” Thorian responded with a hearty laugh. “That’s enough to equip almost every room in the Hall twice. As long as each fighter promptly cleans their tub after use and returns it to the Hall, we should effectively resolve the residue issue.”
He then turned to Hewer, smiling broadly. “Please distribute these bathtubs to the two oldest elders in the Cultivation Hall and ensure they understand how to use them. Your hard work will undoubtedly be appreciated.”
Hewer bowed deeply, even while seated. “It’s an honor to serve you, my lord.”
“The honor is mine, Hewer,” Thorian said, placing a reassuring hand on the old goblin's shoulder. “And rest assured, I haven’t forgotten my promise to you. Once this project is complete, I will reward you with a home that is second to none in our village.”
Rising from his seat, Thorian expressed regret for the brevity of their meeting. “I apologize for cutting our conversation short, but numerous responsibilities await me.”
Hewer, understanding, shook his head. “There's no need for apologies, my lord. I fully grasp the magnitude of your duties. I wish you success in all your endeavors.”
With a nod and a smile, Thorian departed. His path led him, as usual, to the Verdant Labyrinth. This time, accompanied only by his partner, he swiftly conquered the three layers. His mastery over the elements, combined with Harald's formidable strength, rendered the labyrinth's monsters trivial. The duo spent more time navigating between areas than engaging in combat.
Their next target was the Thunderous Citadel. Familiar with its first layer, Thorian effortlessly navigated through its monsters, traps, and mazes to confront the Lightning Prince. The guardian battle unfolded like the others; Thorian unleashed a barrage of spells while Harald charged with lightning-fast and devastating attacks. In under a minute, they defeated the guardian, and the dungeon lady announced their victory and rewards.
Exiting the dungeon with their loot, Thorian pondered the feasibility of the Citadel's second layer. He felt confident about clearing it with Harald and the team, yet the hidden boss posed a significant unknown risk. In his previous life, not having been based in Sherwood Forest, he lacked any knowledge about the hidden guardians of the Thunderous Citadel. No rumors or insights had ever reached him.
Thorian brushed aside these thoughts for the moment. His immediate focus was the fourth layer of the Verdant Labyrinth, a challenge that demanded his full attention.