# Chapter 368: Beginning the Operation
"What?"
I suddenly sprang up from the chair, staring blankly at Old Man Snoopy for a while before sitting down thoughtfully. That's right, buried deep in my memory, a Game Scene from nearly 9 years ago surfaced in my mind again.
In the Game, in the third Act, which is Kurast, there really seemed to be such a Quest. I had long forgotten the specific content, but after Old Man Snoopy's reminder, I vaguely remembered it again. What left a deeper impression on me was the Quest Reward, which was a permanent increase to Life Potion. I couldn't remember the exact Stat Value increased. The reason it left such a deep impression was because when I played back then, I more than once fantasized about repeating this Quest to farm Life.
Thinking of this, I slowly began to calm down. If my guess is correct, Old Man Snoopy should eventually succeed in developing it, then it would be a huge boon for me and for the entire Alliance. To gain valuable Life out of nowhere, who would refuse? The question is whether it can be produced again after the Raw Material stored in the Golden Bird is used. No, that's not the issue I'm concerned about. Let Old Man Snoopy and Akara worry about that. What I most want to know is, how much help can this permanent Life Potion bring me? If it only increases Life by a Single Point, and only the first bottle is effective, then that would be awkward.
Seeing the other party calm down so quickly, Ako also found it a bit incredible. If he were a Commoner, it would be understandable, because the permanent Life Potion is ineffective for Commoners. But he is an Adventurer, it's impossible for him not to know the preciousness of this Potion. If it were other Adventurers, they would probably have already lost their Reason. Vaguely, Ako felt that the other party was not an ordinary Adventurer. This was also because he himself had been searching for the Golden Bird and had been away for more than half a year, so he wasn't clear about what had happened in Kurast recently, nor had he inquired beforehand about what kind of person this Druid named Wu Fan was.
"Tap... tap..."
The huge living room was strangely quiet. Whether it was me or Old Man Snoopy, we were both thinking about things with our own thoughts, only the intermittent sound of fingers tapping echoed in our ears. For a long time.
I finally came back to my senses. The permanent Life Potion is still far from being a reality. In the Game, it could be completed instantly, but this isn't a Game. Even with the Formula and Materials, it would probably take a long time to tinker with. With this time to consider this Matter, I might as well think more about how the upcoming operation to support the Elf Race should proceed.
As I thought about it, I couldn't help but laugh at myself. It seems I've really been overthinking things lately. I should check for white Hair Strands someday. However, some necessary things still need to be understood. After considering for a moment, I slowly spoke.
"S... Ako Grandpa, I wonder how long it will take to develop this permanent Life Potion?"
"Hmm, I'm not very clear about that right now. I'll only know the specifics after seeing the Formula inside. But according to the Notes, it should take at least a month. With the Formula, I don't think there should be a problem with the development. The most crucial thing is still to spend some Effort studying the composition of the Materials. I don't just want to make one or two bottles, hehe..."
While playing with the Golden Bird and flipping through the thick Notes he had taken out, Old Man Snoopy pondered for a while before saying with a chuckle.
"That's excellent. This permanent Life Potion is of great importance to our Adventurer's Guild. I happen to be free these next few days. If there's anything you need my Help with, please don't hesitate to ask."
A month's Time was still unexpectedly short. You know, even with Tal Rasha's Blueprint and the majority of the Mage Guild's Strength, it took Stingy Guy and the others a year to research the Optimization of Remote Teleportation. Of course, the difficulty of these two things is completely not on the same Level.
"Hmm... Okay, no problem."
Ako was stunned for a moment before answering blankly. What kind of person is this Young Person? That faint tone of a Superior is something ordinary Adventurers absolutely cannot possess.
"However, I have a Condition, which can also be considered the Reward for this Golden Bird. That is, after this permanent Life Potion is developed, it must all belong to me."
"This... Okay, I promise you."
After hesitating for a moment, Ako still nodded. This Reward seemed a bit like asking for too much, but since both the Formula and Materials were provided by the other party, taking it all seemed reasonable. According to his own estimation, the amount of Materials inside was only enough to develop at most ten bottles. This didn't even include failed products. And after the composition of the Materials is researched, the permanent Life Potion wouldn't be anything particularly rare anymore. Calculated this way, the other party was just getting it one step ahead of other Adventurers. Given the value of the Golden Bird, this Request was not excessive.
"If there's nothing else, then I'll take my leave first. Next, I still need to go to the Alliance to find the Mages for Help."
Seeing that both parties had obtained satisfactory Results, Old Man Snoopy looked eagerly at the Golden Bird, his Eyes filled with the Fanaticism Gaze of a researcher. He got up and couldn't wait to go back and put his Idea into practice.
"What do you need the Mages for Help with? Does researching this Formula require many Assistants?"
I asked in surprise. If that's the case, it would be easy to handle. Using my Power as an Elder to issue a Command, getting those Mages to Help would absolutely not be a problem.
"No, I need the Mages to break the Protective Magic Array on the Golden Bird. This is not my Domain, so it's more reassuring to let them do it. However, if during the research period, it would be even better if a few Mages could Help. But before that, because the Matter is of great importance, I still need to Report to the Alliance and obtain the Elder's approval. Our Representative does not have the Power to arbitrarily summon Mages. Oh God, just this part will take a lot of Time. It's really a headache."
Snoopy covered his Head, looking distressed, and spoke ramblingly.
"Wait a minute, let me sort this out. You mean to say, because the permanent Life Potion is of great importance, you must first Report to the Alliance, obtain approval for assistance, and then find Mages to break the Magic Array on the Golden Bird before you can start the research, right?" I also got a headache. Can't this Old Man speak properly?
"That's right. That's how it is. Although I don't think the Alliance will Refuse such a huge boon, using Remote Teleportation to Report back and forth will take a day's Time. It will completely waste a whole day's Time. Oh, just thinking about it makes me feel anxious."
It's only a difference of one day's Time, there's no need to be so exaggerated, right? I looked at Old Man Snoopy, who was practically beating his chest and rolling on the ground. I was speechless for a while.
That's right, I suddenly clapped my hands. Aren't I an Elder? Then handling this Matter should be no problem, right? Just as Old Man Snoopy said, Akara and the others would absolutely not ignore such a precious Potion. I'm just letting this impatient Old Man start the research ahead of Time. Thinking of this, I coughed a few times.
"Ako Grandpa. Perhaps I can Help with this."
"You...?"
The dejected Old Man Snoopy looked at me with a Gaze of confusion, as if he couldn't figure out what kind of Help this "can Help" meant. He probably couldn't have imagined that a Young Person like me, an Adventurer, would actually be one of the few Elders of the Adventurer's Guild.
"That's right."
I nodded. As the saying goes, seeing is believing. I didn't wait for him to ask more and took out the Elder Badge that Akara gave me, which was a pure white Scroll. After gently unfolding it, a Golden Magic Badge emerged from the Scroll, slowly rotating and projecting into Mid-air, extremely beautiful.
"That's right, there's no mistake, this is indeed the Elder Badge..."
Old Man Snoopy Dumbfounded looked at the Golden Badge floating in Mid-air, as if he couldn't have imagined seeing it here. Then his expression suddenly trembled. He came back to his senses and slowly bowed to me.
"I didn't expect it was Elder Lord, I was truly disrespectful just now."
"Don't you doubt that a Young Person like me, how could I be an Elder of the Alliance?" I watched Old Man Snoopy's reaction with interest.
"Hehe, Elder Lord is joking. Every Elder Badge is locked. It cannot be opened by anyone other than the owner." Old Man Snoopy explained cheerfully.
So that's how it is. I remember Akara seemed to have told me that. I couldn't tell that this Old Man Snoopy knew quite a lot.
"With my current Status, I should be able to Help, right?"
"Yes, yes, of course you can. Thank you, Elder Lord." Hearing me say this, Old Man Snoopy immediately became excited. This way, he could start the research one day earlier.
"Okay..." I put away the Scroll Badge in my hand, and then suddenly froze, and awkwardly asked Old Man Snoopy.
"So, what should I do now?"
How embarrassing. But you can't blame me, right? After all, this is the first Time I've used a Badge to prove something.
"Hehe, this is very simple. Just write a Permission Scroll, stamp it with the Elder Badge, and give it to me to take to the Mage Guild." When I said this, Old Man Snoopy also froze for a moment, and then revealed a knowing Smile.
So, under Old Man Snoopy's guidance, I took out a Blank Scroll, held the Feather Pen awkwardly, and started writing on it. After much Effort, I finished writing, then signed it, stamped it with the Badge. Okay, the Permission Scroll was complete.
Looking at the Writing on the Notes that looked like Earthworms, I smiled sheepishly. In the past, I considered my own handwriting to be quite neat, but since Transmigration, I hadn't touched a pen again. In this situation, coupled with the material quality issue of the Blank Scroll in my hand, even a master of Calligraphy probably couldn't write well.
But Old Man Snoopy didn't seem to mind. He didn't shake his Head and Sigh at the crooked Writing like those old masters who lament their students' lack of progress. Thinking about it, it's true. In Sanctuary, where people can't even eat their fill, apart from those Scholars, who else would deliberately practice Calligraphy? Being able to write at all is already remarkable.
Holding the Notes I had rolled up, Old Man Snoopy left happily. He also instructed me to definitely come and see him after a month. Watching his hurried, stumbling Figure leave, I smiled and shook my Head. He really is a cute research fanatic Old Man, much more honest than Stingy Guy and Aegis and the like.
Turning around, I found Little Princess silently following behind me, looking well-behaved, her bright yellow Eyes blinking at me. I couldn't help but Smile slightly, stepped forward and put my arm around her slender waist, which seemed too thin to hold, and gently kissed her soft, fragrant lips.
Permanent Life Potion, ah, it really is a good Thing. I really hope it can increase Life by more than a Single Point. This way, I'll be more assured about their Safety.
Three days passed after Old Man Snoopy's visit. The list of Adventure Teams participating in the operation and the grouping situation were finally completed under Thorn and their day and night Effort. When I saw them, each of them had dark circles under their Eyes like national treasures. I, this great idler, naturally received their collective contempt.
In the list, including Class Squads and Mercenary Squads, there was a total of 412 Adventure Teams, with a total of 1994 Adventurers. Thorn and the others divided these 412 Teams into 45 Squads. According to the previous decision, each Squad had 7 Teams, consisting of 5 Class Squads and 2 Mercenary Squads. Each Squad would operate independently. The 45 Squads were then organized into 3 large Teams, each responsible for support in one of three directions. Elite Teams would be evenly distributed among these three large Teams.
Perhaps someone will ask, each Squad has 7 Teams, totaling 45 Squads. Isn't that only 315 Adventure Teams? Where did the other 97 Adventure Teams go?
That's right, that's indeed the case. But there's nothing that can be done about it, because there aren't enough Class-Changed Ones Teams. The remaining 97 Squads are all Mercenary Squads. Without Class-Changed Ones by their side, with their Strength facing Elite Level Blood Flesh Beasts, Casualties are very likely to occur. Neither I nor Thorn and the others are willing to see this Result. After all, this Time we are going to assist the Elf Race, not to train troops. Unnecessary Casualties should be avoided as much as possible.
However, the remaining 97 Mercenary Squads are not idle either. After discussing with Thorn and the others, we decided to have these Mercenaries form an Intelligence Squad, responsible for transmitting Information between the groups. For example, Reporting the situation of each large Team and each Squad to me. For example, if a certain Squad encounters a situation, they can quickly contact nearby Squads for Help, or even act as Scouts, etc. They look like errand runners (and they actually are), but they are very important. Therefore, although they cannot directly participate, after the operation, they will also receive generous Rewards from the Alliance.
So on the morning of the next day, still on the original Central Square, nearly two thousand Adventurers stood below, holding their breath and remaining silent, listening to Old Man Thorn rambling on the stage. Waves of terrifying Battle Intent emanated from their Bodies and then condensed together, enveloping the entire Plaza, as if even the Air had become heavier. Even Thorn, dressed like a Scholar, influenced by this Battle Intent, his Voice unconsciously became much more impassioned. It was clearly visible from the Adventurers' faces below the stage, which were flushed with Excitement, that the moment they had been eagerly anticipating was finally about to begin.
After rambling for about half an hour, Thorn finally stopped, Content, and slowly walked off the stage. After a moment of silence, suddenly a huge white Figure, like an arrow of Light, leaped up from behind the stage with incredible Speed and landed steadily on the stage. When it touched the ground, it only made a soft 'swoosh' sound, extremely bizarre, almost making all the Adventurers think it was their own Illusion. It was clearly such a massive Body, such rapid Speed, why did it only make a soft 'swoosh' sound upon landing? It was as if a sharp Sword was swung down forcefully, but not even a Hair Strands was cut.
"Roar! Roar!"
From the mouth of the white Figure that leaped up, an authoritative and loud Roar filled with the Aura of a King emanated, echoing for a long time. As if turning into tangible airflow, it actually subtly contended with the Presence condensed by the thousands of Adventurers above. The next moment, the faces of all the Adventurers changed drastically. They gasped in cold Air, and collectively, with a 'swish', all retreated a few steps.
Shock, absolute Shock.
Demon King Level Presence. From the white Figure on the stage, a Demon King Level Presence actually emanated, much more powerful than the strongest Enemy they had ever encountered - Demon King Andariel. All the Adventurers couldn't help but ask themselves, facing such a Monster, could their Squad win?
At this moment, the Adventurers finally began to calm down and carefully examined this Powerful "uninvited guest". They were horrified to discover that standing on the stage was actually a Creature that looked like a Ghost Wolf summoned by a Druid. It was just too big. The four Giant Ghost Wolves summoned by that Genius Druid last Time were already large enough. But now, this Creature resembling a Ghost Wolf was actually half again as large as those four Giant Ghost Wolves. It was more than twice the height of an ordinary Ghost Wolf. Its Physique was extremely oppressive. Even the tallest Barbarian would feel a sense of powerlessness and Fear standing In Front of it. Its Body covered in snow-like Hair, its pair of eerie green Eyes showed no trace of a Ghost Wolf's gloom, replaced by the overflowing King's Authority. Its Gaze, sharp and stern like a drawn Sword, swept over them, immediately giving them a chilling sensation of being Prey. At this moment, a thought couldn't help but surface in the minds of all Adventurers: Wolf King, this is a Ghost Wolf King too proud to be tamed.
However, the next moment, they were Shocked again, because they discovered that on the Ghost Wolf King they thought was invincible, there was actually a person sitting. The proud Wolf King was actually willing to act as a Mount. What kind of person has such Ability?
When they saw clearly who it was, there was a wave of exclamations. So it was him, it was actually that Genius Druid again. That makes sense, perhaps only this kind of Genius is most likely to become the Wolf King's Master. At this moment, the Adventurers Realized one after another - no wonder he only summoned four Giant Ghost Wolves during the Arena Battle last Time, so this Demon King Level Giant Wolf King was the hidden trump card! They originally thought that was his true Strength, but unexpectedly, he repeatedly hid such Strength, shocking them again and again. What is the Limit of his Strength?
Among them, the Mood of Lucia's Squad was the most complex, their faces slightly red. It seemed that battle was just the other party going easy on them. If he had summoned this Wolf King from the start, their side might not have been able to last even ten seconds. Ku Te and Di Ka exchanged helpless Smiles from afar. Among everyone, only Phoenix, standing alone in a Corner, had the most normal expression. He had already been Shocked before.
Looking at the Shocked expressions of the Adventurers below the stage, I smiled slightly, Content. The four Ghost Wolves behind me leaped lightly and lined up behind Light Snow , like the most loyal and Powerful Soldiers, emitting a Powerful Aura, steadily Intimidating the thousands of Adventurers below the stage.
"I don't have much to say, only one sentence..." Looking down and glancing around at the Adventurers, I slowly spoke.
"Every one of you is a backbone of the Adventurer's Guild, so I hope you can Protect yourselves well, putting your own Life and your Companion's Life first. Do you hear me?!"
"Oh—"
Accompanied by the Roar of my last sentence, the Adventurers below the stage subconsciously responded loudly.
"Then everyone, I wish you all victory and a fruitful return."
Drawing the Golden and dazzling Crystal Sword, I pointed into the distance. The direction was directly towards the boundless Primeval Forest.
"Oh—!!!!"