Furthermore, given the territory size of the Star Empire, the growth rate of apprentices will not be too slow. It is estimated that in seven or eight years at most, the total number of apprentices should exceed one thousand.

By then, the number of Level 2 Wizard Apprentices should also reach three figures.

"It’s a pity that the number of Level 3 Wizard Apprentices is still too few; otherwise, many things would be much more convenient."

Whether it’s academy instructors or refining resources, a considerable number of Level 3 Wizard Apprentices are required.

However, Sunan also understands that this matter cannot be rushed.

Even with abundant resource support, Sherman and others will still need at least twenty to thirty more years to grow into Level 3 Wizard Apprentices.

After all, not everyone has a synthesis cube like he does.

Putting aside the academy report, Sunan picked up another document.

On it was written in large characters.

"Dragon Forest Zone 2 Renovation and Sub-dragon Bloodline Enhancement Plan"

This is a new plan Sunan has been contemplating recently.

The operation of Dragon Forest is now gradually stabilizing, and energy overflow has persisted for a long time.

About one-third of the energy cycles have remained idle.

For this reason, Sunan has been pondering how to utilize this portion of energy cycles.

Currently, the only energy consumption in Zone 2 comes from the large Magic Plant Garden.

Yet, despite its ’large’ label, the Magic Plant Garden actually occupies only a small portion of the area, leaving most of Zone 2 still vacant.

Therefore, after much consideration, Sunan decided to reactivate Zone 2.

Of course, it is not for breeding giant dragons.

Let’s not mention that it’s currently impossible to find real giant dragons; even if there were, he wouldn’t be confident in suppressing numerous giant dragons, let alone breeding them.

He plans to migrate all sub-dragon species groups in Zone 1 with bloodline concentrations above 70% to Zone 2, turning Zone 2 into a large-scale breeding ground for high-tier sub-dragon species.

On this basis, he will gradually enhance the bloodline concentrations of these high-tier sub-dragon species groups by increasing the concentration of Hidden Dragon bloodlines.

Since real giant dragons can’t be found, he will create them himself.

Gradually increasing the bloodline concentration of sub-dragon species groups and then fixing the bloodline concentration through breeding.

Through quantitative change, achieving qualitative change—it is only a matter of time before real giant dragons can be cultivated.

However, this is a very lengthy process.

It may take hundreds of years to see significant results.

But Sunan can afford to wait.

After all, the next seven hundred years will be a developmental period, so this one doesn’t make much difference.

And by then, he should have sufficient strength to breed giant dragons.

"Nearly a thousand sub-dragon species need to undergo bloodline refinement surgery; it’s a massive project."

Sunan certainly cannot complete this plan alone.

He divided the entire plan into several steps.

The task of collecting sub-dragon blood is naturally assigned to Level 2 Wizard Apprentices at Starlight Academy in the form of a mission.

He only handles the synthesis of sub-dragon blood.

As for the bloodline refinement surgery, it is also assigned as a task to Rose, the Scepter, and the Traveler.

"With only the three of them, the initial progress of the plan should not be very fast."

Sunan thought for a moment and added new implementers to the plan.

Level 2 Wizard Apprentices proficient in Biological Transformation can also take on tasks.

After making the amendments, Sunan closed the plan book, set it aside, and prepared to start the preliminary work the next day.

Then, he summoned a panel.

[Sunan Yanest, Human Male]

[Gasification: 1.64%]

[Skills]

Star Ring Meditation Method Lv19 (MAX)

Potion Making Lv5 (35/20000)

Biological Transformation Lv4 (924/10000)

Puppet Refining Lv5 (10356/20000)

Magic Item Manufacturing Lv4 (7294/10000)

Looking at the data on the panel, Sunan shook his head slightly.

Over the past year, spiritual power refinement has advanced by less than 0.3%.

In the depths of the Sea of Consciousness, the gasified spiritual power surrounding the talent crystal showed hardly any changes.

"Progress is still too slow."

"Hopefully, the frontlines can bring some surprises." 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

The only gratifying thing is that [Potion Making] has finally broken through to Level 5.

[Puppet Refining] has also increased significantly in proficiency due to the recent mass production of high-tier golems, with the progress bar already over halfway.

[Magic Item Manufacturing] has also increased in proficiency due to the creation of Witchcraft Artifacts.

Only the progress bar for [Biological Transformation] has hardly moved.

After all, besides enhancing the bloodline concentration for Hidden Dragons, he rarely uses this skill now.

...

In the dark subterranean passage, the silence was deathly, with only faint footsteps echoing, barely audible.

Walking alone in the passage, Tajana’s beautiful face remained calm and composed. With each step, her figure always stayed within the shadow’s coverage, like an elf melding into the darkness.

Passing through several crossroads without pausing, Tajana suddenly stopped.

At the same time, a voice full of vigilance came from the darkness ahead.

"Who?"

"Offering blood, death, and souls to the Goddess Queen, the pit’s web will eventually cover the world."

As Tajana uttered the code phrase, the faint murderous intent enveloping her instantly dissipated.

Footsteps echoed from the darkness ahead.

Viniya emerged, followed by two male Dark Elves.

Unlike Viniya and Tajana, who wore fine chain mail, adorned with cloaks, and had two well-crafted curved blades at their waists, the two male Dark Elves wore only leather armor and, apart from that, had no more gear, with only one curved blade as their weapon.

They trailed a few steps behind Viniya, eyes lowered, not daring to look at her.

In Magic Spider City, female Dark Elf warriors have the power to punish lower-ranked male Dark Elves who dare offend them.

The reasons for offense are manifold, and watching a female Dark Elf for too long counts as one of them.

In fact, if a female Dark Elf is in a bad mood, she can always find an adequate reason.

"What’s the situation?" Viniya impatiently asked.

Tajana shook her head before responding: "Tarren City has already been captured by the Star Alliance, and I saw golems standing on the city walls."

"Damn it!" Viniya couldn’t help but curse, "How is the Star Alliance moving so fast? We have already been marching swiftly overnight!"

Tajana pursed her lips and remained silent.

The core force of the Star Alliance’s army is the tireless Golem Legion, and competing for marching speed with them is fundamentally flawed.

Moreover, their army has a demoralized slave division dragging them down.

"What do we do now?" Tajana asked.

Viniya thought for a while and said, "We need to report this news to the Matron. Tarren City is an essential route through this area; the Matron will surely order an attack on Tarren City!"

Tajana hesitated.

Seeing her expression, Viniya frowned, gesturing for the two male Dark Elves to step back before approaching and lowering her voice:

"Are you thinking about previous matters again?"

Tajana sighed, saying, "I just feel that waging war with the Star Alliance is too risky. After all, they are a massive force that has conquered more than half of the southeastern region, and they have Wizards holding the fort—I really don’t think much of this war."

Viniya scoffed, "You’re worrying too much. Don’t forget we have Spider-Elves blessed by the Goddess Queen!"

Mentioning the Spider-Elves brought a trace of excitement to Viniya’s face.

"You have seen the previous battles; our enemies couldn’t stand against the Spider-Elves at all, being easily overwhelmed. The same will surely happen with the Star Alliance!"

"No matter how powerful a Wizard is, can they be stronger than Spider-Elves?"

Watching the confident Viniya, Tajana’s lips moved, but she ultimately said nothing.

Unlike her other fanatical kin, she always held a thread of unease toward the Goddess Queen.

Viniya glanced at her and cautioned in a low voice: "It’s fine to express such discouraging words to me, but you better not let others hear them, or else if it reaches the Matron and the Weapon Master’s ears, you’ll suffer!"

Tajana’s expression stiffened, and she nodded heavily: "I know my limits."

The Dark Elves’ methods of torment are infamous throughout the subterranean world, applied not only to enemies but also without mercy to errant tribesmen, often with enjoyment.

Tajana had no desire to experience that.

The two stopped chatting, turning to head back to the camp.

Soon, the previously quiet camp became a frenzy, with large slave troops driven out, marching toward Tarren City.