Everyone Is A Lord: My Talent Is A Little Too Strong Chapter 2589: 1427: After the Advancement and Mutation

While uncertainty lingered, Leo Ray regained his focus and immediately reached out to Ariel Watson using Mind Talk.

“Lord, was your advancement a success?!”

Ariel’s response was instantaneous; her voice, filled with a mix of shock and lingering concern, rang clearly in Leo Ray’s mind.

“It has finally concluded safely.”

A vibrant smile spread across Leo Ray’s face, which was now radiating with health. He replied, “However, this was merely the Physical Energy Vortex. I am still only halfway to total success.”

“That is truly wonderful! I have been restless throughout the entire day! Lord, even if it is only the Energy Vortex that has advanced, you have officially stepped into the realm of a Tier 6 expert!”

Ariel’s tone became increasingly fervent as she exclaimed, “I never imagined that My Lord would ascend to the Tier 6 expert level between morning and midnight! Such a feat is beyond the wildest dreams of other experts! I have heard that some cultivators in the Outer Region require several months to achieve this!”

“So, I managed to successfully evolve the Physical Energy Vortex in less than twenty-four hours?”

Leo Ray let out a long breath and gave a thoughtful nod.

His transition to Tier 5 had already been remarkable, bolstered by the Power of Divine Grace and various Buff enhancements. Completing this stage in under a day was not entirely unexpected given those factors.

Reflecting on this, Leo Ray quickly questioned, “Has anything significant occurred while I was occupied?”

“My Lord, as per your commands, our defenses against ‘Corrosion’ and our diplomatic efforts with the various clans of the Outer Region are moving forward smoothly. No unforeseen disasters have occurred,” Ariel reported.

She then added, “Nevertheless, messages have arrived from Flower Fairy Queen Fanny, Minotaur General Bruno, Troll Clan Chief Hanel Shuert, and Dragonborn Queen Dana. In the northern reaches of the Outer Region where our borders meet other powers, two separate alliances are visibly bolstering their troop counts near our frontier strongholds. Their motives remain a mystery.”

“Oh?”

Upon hearing Ariel’s report, Leo Ray thoughtfully stroked his chin.

The Dragonborn, Flower Fairy, Troll, and Minotaur—these four allied forces under his command spanned nearly the entire territory, and indeed, they all shared borders with more distant Outer Region powers.

According to the intelligence he had gathered earlier, these rival forces did not operate in isolation; they were organized into massive alliances. Individually, each of these powers possessed strength that eclipsed his own current forces.

“Previously, while I knew of spies crossing our borders, there were no reports of massive troop movements. These alliances usually keep each other in check while watching out for even stronger second-tier powers, maintaining a delicate balance of power.”

“Because of these mutual constraints, they shouldn't be recklessly moving armies toward us, especially since they only just sent scouts. They couldn't have gathered enough intel on us this quickly; this was the consensus between myself and the leaders like Fanny and the other Outer Region chiefs.”

“The current state of affairs seems much more tangled than we anticipated. What is the reason for this military buildup at our gates? Could they be gearing up for open war?”

“While that is a possibility, they face threats from more formidable second-tier entities and each other. Engaging us in a full-scale conflict would surely invite a stab in the back from their other rivals.”

“In such a scenario, their logical move should be seeking an alliance with us to stabilize the region, rather than preparing for battle without any prior dialogue.”

Feeling the weight of the puzzle, Leo Ray organized his thoughts and asked, “Ariel, what is the current status of Fanny and the others?”

Prior to his cultivation breakthrough, Leo Ray had already established a protocol for his absence.

He had instructed Ariel, the Seven Kings of the Human Clan, the Grey Elder, and other core Human Clan leaders to join Broy, Shuert, Crisis, Fanny, Dana, Hanel Tree, Bruno, and the various Outer Region chieftains in a supreme decision-making council. This committee was designed to deliberate on countermeasures and exchange the latest intelligence instantly.

Because of this, Ariel was fully informed about the actions of Fanny and the other leaders.

“My Lord, the leadership of the Dragonborn, Flower Fairy, Troll, and Minotaur forces, along with our own core units, have moved to the border fortresses. They have also begun a cautious increase in our own troop presence,” Ariel answered promptly.

“In the meantime, the Dwarf, Elf, and other support forces from the Outer Region and the Human Clan are staying on high alert to handle any emergencies, though they have not yet been sent to the front lines.”

“A wise move. Now is not the time for a total mobilization. Thanks to the teleportation capabilities of Ice Stone City, we can shift our forces to any sector of the border in an instant.”

Leo Ray nodded in approval, replying, “Instruct everyone to do their best to uncover the motive behind this troop surge. Tell them to wait until I have finished my full advancement before we commit to a final strategy.”

“Understood, My Lord. Please, proceed with the utmost caution!”

Ariel’s voice carried a palpable sense of anxiety as she spoke.

Ariel had originally intended to remain by Leo Ray's side throughout the process, but he had declined her offer.

His reasoning was twofold: first, he required Ariel to serve as his representative to maintain stability within the alliance; second, the process of advancement demanded absolute mental focus, and her presence might have caused him to lose concentration.

“Have no fear, the most perilous hurdle is behind me. Now that I have the support of a Tier 6 Physical Energy Vortex, the task of advancing the Magic Energy Vortex will be significantly easier.”