Chapter 018: New Energy

“Father, as I analyzed just now, the forces in the north are extremely chaotic. In such a chaotic situation, those who are enemies today might become friends tomorrow. It seems that as long as we start fighting against the Frozen Alliance in the north, all other forces will turn into our enemies. But once actual fighting begins, the situation can change in an instant, and no one can predict its outcome. So, many forces that seem like enemies could also become allies. Therefore, Father, you needn’t worry about the situation in the north,” Du Fan said with a smile.
“How can I not worry? The barbarians in the north have always been our sworn enemies. Ever since they were defeated by me last time, they’ve been constantly plotting revenge. The remnants of the Bauhinia faction hidden in the northern lands also seek to take advantage of the chaos to establish their own power. As for the empire’s forces in the north, as long as they don’t hold me back, I’d consider it fortunate if war breaks out,” Duke Green said, his mood growing darker as he thought of these major forces.
“Father, your concerns are valid. How about this: let me help you subdue the barbarians first?” Du Fan suggested with a smile.
“What? Du Fan, can you really subdue the barbarians? That’s impossible, right? Those barbarians are all fearless warriors. Even if you manage to capture them all, they’re unlikely to submit to you!” Duke Green exclaimed in surprise upon hearing Du Fan’s words.
“Father, don’t worry. When I was captured by the barbarians, I realized that their true leader is actually their high priest. Once we can turn their high priest to our side, subduing the entire barbarian tribe won’t be difficult,” Du Fan said casually.
“It won’t be easy, son. Not to mention how difficult it is to enter their territory, their high priest is said to have reached an incredible level of power. Even if you get in, you might not have any advantage,” Duke Green said.

“The barbarian high priest? I know—he’s just a domain expert. I’m also a domain expert myself, haha. Father, don’t worry. I’m well aware of that barbarian high priest’s skills. Since I said I’d help you subdue the barbarians, I definitely can do it. Even if I can’t mobilize the northern barbarians to assist you, at least I won’t let them strike you from behind while you’re fighting against the Frozen Alliance,” Du Fan said with a smile.

“Good child. Of course, I believe what you say. But, child, do you really need my help with these matters?” Duke Green sighed in relief upon hearing Du Fan’s words.

“No need, Father. These days, you should stay at home and think about how to deploy your troops. Also, before I deal with the northern barbarians, please don’t send troops out first,” Du Fan said with a smile.

“Alright! I’ll wait for you to return before sending troops out,” Duke Green agreed immediately.

“Oh, Father. I forgot to tell you one thing. When I returned from the elf territories and the Dusk Mountains, I accidentally brought along 5,000 dwarf Black Panther Knights and 3,000 elf archers. If you need anything later, feel free to let me know,” Du Fan said seriously.

“Black Panther Knights! Are you referring to those dwarf knights who all ride the magical beasts Black Panthers?” Duke Green’s eyes lit up upon hearing this.

“Yes, Father. You know about them too?” Du Fan said with a smile, seeing Duke Green’s glowing eyes.

“The Black Panther Knight Order! It’s regarded as the symbol of the dwarves’ greatest military strength and is even ranked as the best knight order on the continent! Even the Holy Knights of the Holy Church are far behind! With magical beasts as mounts, aside from the union of the dwarf king and the beast commander, who else could afford such extravagance? How could I not know about such an army? It’s said that none of the knights in the Black Panther Knight Order are below level six in skill!” Duke Green murmured. Such an army must be the dream of every general at the command level! To be able to lead such an army—what an exhilarating experience as a commander!

“Du Fan, wait—there are only 10,000 members in the Black Panther Knight Order. How could the dwarf king possibly give you 5,000 spots?” Duke Green suddenly thought of a question and asked right away.

“Father, regarding this issue, it’s like this: after hundreds of years of development, the number of Black Panther Riders raised among the dwarves has increased significantly. So, for future considerations, His Majesty the Dwarf King has formed a reserve force of 15,000 Black Panther Riders. The strength of this reserve force is somewhat inferior to that of the regular Black Panther Rider Corps, with the lowest rank being level 5. However, within my 5,000 Black Panther Riders, there are 1,000 from the regular corps!” Du Fan said.

“That’s enough! As long as it’s the Black Panther Rider Corps, it’s more than sufficient.” Upon hearing Du Fan’s words, Duke Green immediately understood.

“A regular force of 10,000 Black Panther Riders and a reserve force of 15,000—if such a cavalry force were under my command, I would be confident in sweeping across the entire continent! The dwarves are still too poor at military command.” With that, Duke Green sighed.

“Hehe, Father, rest assured. The tactical skills of this Black Panther Rider Corps will surely surprise you,” Du Fan said with a smile. After the internal strife among the dwarves, the Black Panther Riders fully demonstrated their advanced tactical skills under Du Fan’s leadership. Over the centuries, the Black Panther Rider Corps had been trained by the Dwarf King in accordance with the highest standards of human knights. Their tactical skills were by no means inferior to those of any army on the continent!

Of course, Duke Green was right in one regard: the Black Panther Rider Corps lacked a genius commander! That’s why such a formidable cavalry force had remained confined to the Twilight Mountains.

“Haha, I never thought I’d have the chance to command an army like the Black Panther Rider Corps! I must make you shine under my leadership and truly elevate you to the rank of the best cavalry force in the continent!” Duke Green declared passionately.

“Father, my other unit of elven archers is also quite strong, you know,” Du Fan said with a smile, seeing his father’s eager expression.

“Oh? What’s the situation with those archers?” Duke Green asked immediately upon hearing Du Fan’s words.

“There are 2,000 archers at level 7 and 1,800 at level 8. Their long-range attack range exceeds 2,000 meters. Moreover, among these elven archers, many have also practiced magic related to the Natural element. In other words, many of them are level 7 or 8 mages of the Natural element,” Du Fan said seriously.

Hearing Du Fan’s words, Duke Green’s eyes widened, and he was speechless for a while. Seeing his father’s reaction, Du Fan felt a sense of pleasure. After a while, Duke Green finally spoke up, “My son, no wonder you asked me to agree to attacking the Frozen Alliance. With such two armies at my side, even facing the Frozen Alliance, I dare to fight!” At level eight, mages in the Magic Guild were already master-level mages. Archers at level eight should be just as skilled as those mages! An army composed entirely of such master-level experts would surely be a nightmare for enemies on the battlefield! “Haha, Father, I forgot to tell you—along with the elf archers, there’s also an elf domain warrior, a domain nature mage, and three holy-grade mages from the dark and nature schools!” Seeing his father’s expression, Du Fan laughed even harder. “You brat, are you deliberately teasing your father?” Duke Green pretended to be angry, raising a hand as if to hit Du Fan. “Haha, Father, if you dare hit me, my elite troops won’t come to help you.” Seeing Duke Green’s reaction, Du Fan didn’t flinch but continued to sit calmly, smiling. “You little scoundrel! If you don’t come to help me, I’ll have your mother peel your skin off!” Duke Green snapped, slapping Du Fan on the forehead. “Ow!” Du Fan gritted his teeth in pain. “Ringtone, pack your things and get ready to return to the tribe to deal with that Gannon,” Du Fan said immediately after returning to the duke’s mansion. “So soon?” Hearing this, Ringtone’s hand trembled, and the cup she was holding for an experiment shattered. “Yes! The emperor forced my father to attack the Frozen Alliance, so we must stabilize your tribe first. I not only need to get rid of that old Gannon but also make you the high priest!” Du Fan said firmly. Hearing this, Ringtone lowered her head and shook her fingers. “Du Fan, if I become the high priest, won’t I have few chances to see you?” Ringtone raised her head, her eyes instantly filling with tears as she spoke to Du Fan. “Silly, once you become the high priest, just find any excuse to say you’re in seclusion for cultivation and hand over all responsibilities to your father. Then you can come with us, right?” Du Fan said with a smile.

Speaking of Ringo’s father, Du Fan suddenly remembered something. “Ringo, let’s go early. The Water of Life in my hands should be able to heal your father’s injuries,” Du Fan said hurriedly, thinking of Magnus’s injuries.
“Oh, okay. I’ll get ready right away.” Hearing Du Fan mention this, Ringo became eager immediately. Knowing that her father’s injuries could be cured, she grew very anxious.
After taking care of Ringo, Du Fan went to find Rob. Although he and Naixiu could handle that archangel serving the demon god named Toronus by themselves, who knew what tricks such an archangel, with tens of thousands of years of life and having always served by the demon god’s side, might have? Having Rob with them would definitely add more security. As a god-tier magical beast, he could easily suppress and defeat those powerful beings in their own domains.
“Du Fan, you’re here!” Seeing Du Fan arrive, Rob, who was sitting in the courtyard, quickly put away the white object in his hands, stood up, and walked toward Du Fan. Lilith, who was sitting opposite Du Fan, also smiled upon seeing him and stood up to join Rob in approaching Du Fan.
Soon, Du Fan noticed something strange—Lilith was emitting faint energy fluctuations. Ignoring Rob, Du Fan said in surprise, “Lilith, have you started practicing too?”
“Yes, Brother Du Fan. Rob somehow came up with some kind of thing that allows even me to learn magic,” Lilith replied with a smile when asked by Du Fan.
“Oh, Rob, what have you come up with?” Hearing Lilith’s words, Du Fan turned to Rob.
“Haha, it’s nothing special,” Rob said. Then he stretched out his hand, and a white sphere the size of a pigeon egg appeared in his hand.
“Du Fan, didn’t you say that if I combined all the energies of the elements, there would be a strange transformation? Look, I’ve combined earth, water, fire, and wind, and this new energy has appeared,” Rob said, looking at the white sphere in his hand.