CHAPTER 338: CHAPTER 183: STELLAR IGNITION (DOUBLE-LENGTH)

Lost Island, Elven Royal Court.

"Have you heard? It seems Elder Hathaway has returned."

"Yes, not only that, she seems to have mobilized a large amount of resources exclusive to the Council Elders for some grand scheme."

"I heard she’s named this plan—’Fireseed’, and has recruited a lot of tribesmen to assist her."

"But even though she is an elder of the Golden Elf Tribe, spending so many resources on that unexplained plan seems rather wasteful."

"Indeed, always talking about the future of the Elf Clan, but in reality, just wasting resources impractically. In my view, the goals set by the previous generation of Council Elders should have long been halted."

"By the way, have you heard about that rumor?"

"What rumor?"

"It’s said that Elder Hathaway brought back someone from outside the Lost Island... an outsider."

"Whether it’s the Arcane Arts and magic she’s promoting in the Royal Court since her return, or that ’Fireseed Project’."

"They say it’s all due to the manipulation of that outsider..."

"Ridiculous! So, as an elder of the Golden Elf Tribe, she just lets that outsider manipulate her and waste the Royal Court’s painstakingly gathered extraordinary resources? The other Council Elders didn’t intervene either?"

"It won’t be long before the day of the Council meeting is upon us."

"I think by then, there will definitely be other elders stepping forward to impeach Elder Hathaway."

...

Shiayar sat in the house arranged for him by Hathaway, feeling the subtle and complex stirrings transmitted from all directions, reaching his ears.

On the Lost Island, his spiritual power release was indeed limited.

However, the physical enhancement originating from the Soul Pact was not diminished in the slightest, and those subtle discussions were detected by him in detail.

"Awoo~ (Shiayar, you’re clearly helping them, so why are they talking about you like this?)"

The small Black Dragon lay on Shiayar’s head, flapping its pitch-black dragon wings, uttering in confusion.

Due to the Curtain of Eternal Night and suppression on the Lost Island, Shiayar’s other pet beasts weren’t keen on showing up here.

Not only was their power suppressed by those exclusionary rules, but the place itself was dark, unappealing, and they’d rather sleep in the Soul Pact Space.

So, Ye was the only pet beast left accompanying Shiayar.

Although the exclusionary rules against non-elf races also applied to Ye, its race rank was high. Being a genuine Fabled Species, it was less affected.

As for the Eternal Night the other pet beasts disliked, it was quite comfortable for Ye, the Dragon of the Night, who is naturally at ease with shadows.

Of course, the main reason Ye chose to stay out was because of Shiayar.

There were no other pet beasts to vie for Shiayar’s top position with it.

Ye alone enjoyed the top of Shiayar’s head, shoulder spots, and cuddle place, choosing wherever to stay every day, comfortably.

And as the Dragon of the Night, even if not yet mature, Ye’s physical form was top-tier, naturally hearing the voices of the discussions.

This was something Ye found utterly incomprehensible.

As a contractor intimately connected with Shiayar, Ye knew very well that both the Golden Elf and Shiayar came to the Darkness of the Lost Island with goodwill.

Yet, in those elves’ mouths, Shiayar became a damn evil, manipulating the Council Elders from abroad.

A bringer of disaster and suffering to this world.

"It’s quite normal, isn’t it?"

Shiayar rubbed Ye’s head.

"Hathaway’s predecessors irresponsibly dumped the mission and responsibility of being the savior of the elves onto her."

"And my novice Master simply accepted it all without question."

"She self-identifies as a hero, even a savior of the entire Elf Clan, shoulder the future and destiny of an entire race on her tender shoulders."

"But, she overlooked one point."

"Eyes accustomed to darkness can no longer bear the dazzling sunlight."

"And the so-called hero is not always understood by people."

"No matter if what you do is good or bad."

Shiayar’s words paused slightly.

Of course, if there was no interference from external forces—

Then certainly the residents of the Lost Island would instinctively fear the light due to their habituation to darkness, resist and oppose.

But after spending a long time slowly guiding them, most could eventually adapt to the light again.

However—

If, on top of that, with the interference of those with ulterior motives.

Under the guidance of those with ulterior motives, in specific situations, the evil lurking in the people’s hearts will completely lose control.

Then, it transforms into overwhelming, surging malice, engulfing people entirely.

Shiayar’s gaze fell on the mechanical construct before him.

It was an enormous stone furnace.

Inside were countless power storage arrays and conversion arrays inscribed.

Able to convert all energy from substantial extraordinary ores into pure mana crystals.

And these high-purity extracts refined from minerals would pass through intricate conduits, directly linking to the highest point of the Lost Island—on the mountain bearing the World Tree branch.

According to the division of labor between Shiayar and Hathaway, Shiayar was responsible for building the ore furnace supplying energy within the Royal Court.

And Hathaway would be setting up, at the high mountain of the Lost Island, a large sun furnace, hundreds of times larger than the previous scale, based on the principles of Shiayar’s previous Sun Furnace to illuminate the entire Lost Island.

This is the truth of the ’Fireseed Project’ mentioned by the people.

When the monumental sun furnace atop the mountain is ignited, it will become a new sun for this Lost Island—

’Artificial Star’

After months of effort and preparation.

The ’Fireseed’ Project has finally advanced to the final stage, nearing completion.

Shiayar looked at the giant stone furnace before him.

His lips curved slightly into a smile.

"Then, let’s begin."

The next moment.

A faint glimmer flashed in Shiayar’s eyes.

Along with a minor fluctuation of spiritual power.

First, a tiny mana factor—then it acted upon the entire furnace.

"Star, ignition."