Wizard starting from shoeing donkeys

"Jennifer, why not... stay in the Imperial City, and let someone else take care of Minster."

The beautiful woman smiled slightly and said, "Darling, I know you're concerned about my safety. However... despite the turbulent situation in Minster, business is actually better than ever."

"And as long as I don't leave Minster City, you had arranged the Ice Claw Bear Mercenary Group for me, so there's no safety issue in the short term."

"Besides, what would I do if I stayed here in the Imperial City?"

Raine pondered for a moment and nodded.

Indeed.

What would Jennifer do staying in the Imperial City?

His business empire hasn't yet expanded to the Imperial City, maybe after this Secret Realm mission, he could team up with Luther, Halowin, and the others to start something.

If necessary, he could also contact Alyosha from the Steward family.

...

After Jennifer went back to her room to rest, Raine thought for a moment and picked up the wooden box again.

Raine opened the wooden box and grasped all twelve Soul Energy Crystals.

[Ding! Soul Energy Crystals detected that can enhance spiritual power crystalization level, accelerate absorption? (Note: System absorption removes impurities and can be absorbed completely at once.)]

"Yes!"

In an instant, Raine felt the number of small crystals in the silver liquid in his mental sea start to increase rapidly.

The liquid began to have a texture somewhat like that of liquid honey with tiny crystals in it.

However, this process lasted only for two or three seconds before ending.

Raine felt somewhat unsatisfied.

Though the number of small crystals visibly increased, the increase was far less than after using the Ancient Dragon Soul Potion.

Raine looked at the system attribute panel:

Spirit: 132 (Crystalization 17%)

"After taking the Dragon Soul Potion before, the crystalization progress was 13%. Now, after consuming twelve Soul Energy Crystals, it has only increased by 4%?" Raine muttered to himself, noting the change in values.

"Calculating this way, three Soul Energy Crystals only increase by 1%."

"And this is in the early stage of crystalization, if it's mid to late stage...." Thinking of this, Raine frowned slightly.

No wonder so many genius Wizards with extraordinary talents are stuck at the crystalization level.

If he didn't have the system and various rare potions to consume, it would take at least decades, if not hundreds of years, to push the crystalization progress to over 90%.

...

Meanwhile.

Imperial City Tamriel.

In the guest room of a luxurious residence in the Third Ring.

Three members of the Dragon Scale Brotherhood who had participated in the Dragon Knight initial trial along with Raine were sitting at one side of a long table, discussing something with the person opposite.

If Raine were there, he would find that the person across is an old acquaintance—Buchanan.

"How about it? Did you observe the initial trial? Feeling confident?" Buchanan smiled.

"Uh... Lord Buchanan, to be honest, if I encounter that Raine alone, I'm afraid I wouldn't have time to even run." Reagan was the first to speak.

"I'm about the same, Lord Buchanan, the opponent's strength is even greater than what your intelligence indicated last time!" Bronson's expression also turned serious.

Listening to their answers, Buchanan didn't show any disappointment or frustration, instead, he glanced at Barnes, who was sitting between the two.

He knew that the strongest among the three was still this one.

"And you, Lord Barnes?" Buchanan asked.

"Hard to say, it's fifty-fifty! In the initial trial, the opponent showed too little. Unless..." Barnes paused and said.

"Unless what?" Buchanan pressed.

"Unless... when the time comes, the three of us can be together, then the success rate should be over 90%." Barnes thought for a moment and said.

Barnes's statement was backed by evidence.

The three of them, having similar temperaments and ages and all being part of the Dragon Scale Brotherhood, often trained together in battle cooperation.

Although Reagan and Bronson's strength is slightly weaker, their collaboration is perfect, and the three fighting as a unit could match at least two individuals.

Upon hearing this, Buchanan immediately laughed and said, "Lord Barnes, I'm here to solve this problem."

"It's well known that after teleportation into the Secret Realm, everyone's positions are random. However, His Highness already thought of a solution. These are three positioning crystals that His Highness expedited for production."

As Buchanan spoke, he placed a brown wooden box on the table.

He opened it and faced it towards the three.

"These three positioning crystals are specially processed so that even in the unique environment of the Secret Realm, they can be used for mutual positioning."

"With this, after entering the Secret Realm, you three can quickly gather. I believe with the combined strength of the three of you, dealing with this Raine shouldn't be a problem?" Buchanan smiled.

Upon seeing the sparkling prismatic crystals in the box, the three exchanged a look, especially Reagan and Bronson, who immediately smiled and expressed:

"Lord Buchanan, please convey our thanks to His Highness for us."

"Rest assured, Your Highness and Lord Buchanan, with this, we are certain to complete the mission."

Even Barnes, usually reserved, nodded with a smile and said, "Lord Buchanan, wait for our good news."

"Good, oh, and this is the Blood Essence Extractor." Buchanan pointed to another square box he brought along and smiled.

"Have a good rest, gentlemen, contact me if you need anything."

...

Meanwhile, in the Inner Ring of the Imperial City, at the Drum Manor, a similar scene was unfolding.