Chapter 228


    "It is done!" vin nodded, equally thrilled. After three days and nights of relentless effort, without


    rest, vin had tapped into his extraordinary capacity for understanding, mastering the third form of


    the Grand Arcanum of the de and the first two segments of True Thunder. However, it was the


    insights from Shadowbringer that brought him immense joy. He now felt a power within him like a


    surging river.


    From Novice Mage to Advanced Mage, it was aplete transformation!


    Balder gave a hearty thumbs up—what a prodigy!


    "vin, what''s done?" Dainis still radiated her soft, delicateposure, her demeanor elegant and


    calm.


    "Good news," vin smiled.


    "Still a secret from me, is it?"


    At that moment, Felir approached quickly, his expression grave. "Trouble hase."


    "What''s amiss?"


    "A host of a thousand stands at the city gates, iming to be the Mollen family''s troops; they


    demand entry."


    "The Mollen family? What''s that?"


    "The greatest merchant guild of the Nortnds, The Thousand Treasures Commerce!"


    "How did they get here?" Dainis eximed in surprise. The Mollen family was somewhat unfamiliar,


    but the Thousand Treasures Commerce was as well-known. In thends of the Nortnds, aside


    from the Eight Orders and Five Lords, there were many important entities, such as the Warriors''


    Vale''s family of Doramon, the Thousand Treasures Commerce, and the Amber Valley known for its


    assassination contracts, and even the Iron family, rumored to be transcendent of all factions!


    The branches of the Thousand Treasures Commerce spread throughout the Nortnds and even


    had close ties with organizations in other regions, including Cobalt Strike. It was said that even the


    Cobalt Strike Commander showed great courtesy to the chieftain of the Mollen family.


    "The specifics are unclear, but father has already rushed to the city gates to negotiate."


    "Let''s go see what''s happening." Dainis was puzzled. Could it be that the Mollen family had spotted


    a business opportunity in Stormcast''s rebuilding? If they got involved, Golden Scorch would have a


    hard time refusing. After all, their status and power were on apletely different level.


    vin and Balder exchanged nces and smiled subtly, following suit. As they left the city hall,


    when they were alone, vin whispered, "It might be the Rocke family who ruined my family."


    Balder''s eyes narrowed slightly, but his smile remained as he cheerfully followed vin out of the


    city hall.


    Outside the city gates, a caravan of over three hundred wagons and a thousand people stretched


    out like a dragon across the wilderness. The gs of the Thousand Treasures Commerce and the


    Mollen family were held high at the front of the procession. They didn''t have much of an escort, nor


    did they need one. The mere sight of the two gs was enough to deter many ill-intentioned


    brigands.


    A man, three meters tall, stood at the very front of the group. Covered in ck fur, with muscles


    coiling around his body like small serpents, he was a magnificent and exaggerated sight,


    resembling a fiery ape. His face was hideous and fierce, and he carried a shining golden cudgel that


    exuded an impressive aura of intimidation.


    He was Daman, one of the three personal guards of the chieftain of the Mollen family. Known for his


    exaggerated size, fiery temper, and status within the Mollen family, he had a certain reputation in


    the Nortnds.


    Lawren stood on the battlements, his brow furrowed. Why had the Mollen family''s caravane


    here? Were they eyeing the opportunity for development in Stormcast? But why send Daman?


    "Lord Lawren, open the gates! Why are they still closed?" Lucan approached briskly.


    "Let''s first find out what they want."


    "They''re a caravan. They''re obviously here to set up shop."


    Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g


    Lawren shook his head. "You''re oversimplifying it. Although the Mollen family is a merchant guild,


    over the years, they''ve cultivated many Mages and are no longer satisfied with justmercial


    development."


    "You think they''vee to take over Stormcast?"


    "Quite possible."


    Lucan asked deliberately, "How will you refuse them? Just keep them waiting outside the city


    without dealing with them? Aren''t you afraid of angering them?"


    Lawren thought for a moment. "In any case, we can''t let them in."


    Lucan sneered inwardly, "Lord vin has good rtions with the Mollen family. Why not let him talk


    to them?"


    Lawren nced at him skeptically. Boasting, are you? “I''ll go down and talk with them myself, see


    what the situation is."