Chapter 752 Torch Tree

Here is the refined translation incorporating the expert suggestions:

The chapter title is "Chapter 0749: Ash's Rope Craft (Fifth Update, Alliance Leader Supplement 1/56)." Due to an operational error, the title is currently being revised. The content naturally follows the previous chapter, so feel free to continue reading.

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The Magic Guild had already been established, originally intended to receive pilgrim mages from various regions, so adding one more Kenli Truth wasn’t an issue.

Regardless of her background, once she arrived in the Flame Territory, she would be treated like any other worker.

After seeing off the envoy delegation and the Crown Prince’s party, only four days remained until the New Year Festival. The territory’s atmosphere remained unchanged, with operations continuing as usual across all industries—no holidays granted.

The castle, however, was bustling. Marquis Merlin, Lady Penelope, Meopo and his wife, Lvera, and even Lytton—who had been forcibly detained by Lady Mary—were all staying there.

No matter how much they disliked each other, they were still half-siblings.

Thus, Liszt arranged for Lytton to train at the Knight Academy under Sky Knight Fox’s guidance.

During these four days, Liszt successfully created the second move of the *Fire Dragon Knight - Dragon Aura Manual*—*Skyburn*. The technique was exquisitely refined, capable of unleashing tremendous offensive power when practiced with Leo. Its principle essentially involved utilizing the Fire Dragon’s rolling motion to sweep the dragon lance outward.

The first move, *Dragon Slash*, focused on a downward cleave—like the legendary splitting of Mount Hua.

The second move, *Skyburn*, emphasized a sweeping motion—a wide, arcing strike with the lance.

While this strength improvement was commendable, the Lightgreen Gem Dragon remained in a coma-like sleep, troubling Liszt. He had sacrificed one or two Milon Mind Fruits to save this dragon, yet it still hadn’t awakened. When he mounted the Dragon Tooth Platform, he could sense their psychic link, but the dragon gave no response.

It was unclear whether the injuries were too severe or if something had malfunctioned during their mental battle, delaying its awakening.

Fortunately, the Lightgreen Gem Dragon’s vital signs remained stable, showing no deterioration.

Heavy snow blanketed Dodo Island, leaving only a ring of black rock exposed around the volcanic crater—everything else lay buried under ice. Upon arriving, Leo immediately plunged into the magma to absorb the super-magic condensed within. This crater’s magma proved immensely beneficial for his growth.

Yet standing at the crater’s edge, breathing acrid sulfur fumes, Liszt felt uneasy.

He noticed the magma area had visibly shrunk, and temperatures were significantly lower than before. This wasn’t due to winter—the entire volcano showed signs of going dormant.

"Acheronides, how long do you think Dodo Island’s volcano will last?" he asked the young mage beside him.

Snowflakes dusted her azure hair, enhancing her ethereal charm. After assessing the crater’s magic distribution, she shook her head. "Brother, there’s insufficient data. I cannot determine."

"Very well. My instinct suggests Dodo Island’s volcano may die out within half a year... I hope I’m mistaken."

He truly dreaded the volcano’s extinction.

Otherwise, the potion demands for sustaining Leo’s super-magic refinement might bankrupt him. Though with the Fire Dragon’s magic powering glass, porcelain, brick, and charcoal production, expanding operations could potentially fuel Leo’s needs.

Descending the mountain, Acheronides produced a broom to clear snow from the Lightgreen Gem Dragon while Liszt retrieved tarpaulin covers from his spatial ring. He draped them over the cleaned scales and even erected a wooden hut over the dragon’s head for shelter.

These measures were superfluous for a dragon’s hardy constitution.

But Liszt sought to convey his care—riding a dragon didn’t confer mastery. Only continuous bonding could forge the unbreakable psychic bond between them, etching the First Dragon Knight’s legacy.

Assuming, of course, they avoided encountering those with fate-altering powers.

By dusk, when the work concluded, Liszt mused aloud: "I wonder how far the Kingdom of Eagle’s Dragon Knight candidate plan has progressed. Maintaining the charade without a Lightgreen Gem Dragon must be giving them trouble—likely for months."

Daily reports detailed mainland affairs.

The Dragon-Slaying War’s aftermath proved surprisingly calm. The weakened Kingdom of Eagle had retreated from border regions, achieving equilibrium with Blastfurnace Kingdom as they jointly resisted Steel Ridge Kingdom—mirroring the Wu-Shu alliance against Wei in *Romance of the Three Kingdoms*.

"However, the Kingdom of the Eagle must be quite anxious. More and more of their ships are harassing the Sapphire trade fleets at sea, and the scope of harassment is expanding... For now, things are still manageable. My businesses haven't fully expanded yet, and trade is mainly conducted within Sapphire, so the impact hasn't been too severe."

The current situation.

Steady development was most suitable.

Liszt remained quite satisfied.

...

Returning to Black Horse Island, good news arrived promptly.

Two new varieties of thorn plants had been transported back from the outer islands. Liszt immediately summoned Jie La, who had been irritable lately due to the arrival of the Pea Grand Sprite Ash.

"Wah!"

"Stop being so grumpy. Come, gather the pheromones. The sooner you evolve, the sooner you can stand up to Ash. Otherwise, you'll have to stay quiet and not disturb her... I can't always protect you when she comes after you." Liszt fought back a chuckle as he spoke.

Ash appeared meek and mild-mannered, without much personality.

But after Jie La repeatedly provoked her, Ash suddenly took action. She fetched a carefully woven bundle of hemp rope vine from the castle's storage, bound Jie La hand and foot, and hung her in the corridor of the spirit bug chamber—since then, Jie La never dared to yell at Ash again.

It must be said.

Every Grand Sprite was a handful.

When Liszt saw Jie La tied up like that, he immediately understood—this Pea Grand Sprite was undoubtedly a refined spirit adept at ropework.

"Wah!" Jie La complained that Liszt wasn't taking her side.

Liszt shook his head. "You provoked Ash first, and she fought back. There's no reason to side with you. Enough grumbling—hurry up and collect the pheromones."

"Wah..." Jie La reluctantly collected from the two new thorn plants.

When finished, she slunk back to her spirit bug chamber, perhaps to sulk. But when Liszt summoned the Misty Mission, he realized—Jie La wasn't sulking. As a constantly striving spirit bug, her very nature didn't allow for negativity.

"Mission complete. Reward: one Thorn Grand Sprite."

"It's a done deal!"

Liszt clenched his fist in excitement. Since the Misty Mission had granted the reward, Jie La's evolution was guaranteed—failure was theoretically impossible.

This thorn spirit, raised from the ground up, once again showcased her unwavering determination.

Truly unique among spirit bugs.

"But we're not done yet. We need more new thorn varieties to make Jie La's path to evolution steadier. That way, after Giant Kelp Grand Sprite Parker and Pea Grand Sprite Ash, I'll have my third—Thorn Grand Sprite Jie La!"

Drawing a deep breath.

He checked the new Misty Mission.

"Mission: Another year-end approaches. Having succeeded in dragon riding, you're nearing the pinnacle of your life. Yet the world remains vast, with many wonders awaiting your exploration—whether at sea or on land. Please wait quietly for the year-end festivities. Reward: mystery reward."

As usual, year-end missions came with mystery rewards. All that remained was to bide his time.