In the past few years, most of the rune stones Connie had collected for Joelson had been devoured by Lightning, so much so that its strength had even surpassed Du Lu's.
He was the most cunning one. He first devoured a large number of low-level rune stones and, when he was strong enough, he would roam the wilderness to hunt for higher-level rune stones.
It was unknown when it had become the most powerful dragon under Joelson's command.
Lightning's huge head came in front of Joelson. It opened its mouth wide and rune stones of various elements poured down like rain.
Most of them were stone runes. There were also quite a number of gold-level runes. The number was more than what Connie had collected. This was what it had left for Joelson.
"At least you still have some conscience."
Joelson smiled as he stroked Lightning's head. The latter narrowed his eyes and acted coquettishly like a big dog.
Western City was several times bigger than Stormwind City. Compared to small cities like Meteor City, it was more than ten times bigger than the latter.
As the highest ruler to the west of the land of runes, Archduke Isaac's residence occupied more than 30% of Western City's area.
It was much more luxurious than the Imperial Palace of the Inmotadic Empire in the central continent.
In the extremely luxurious hall, a burly man sat at the very top.
He was wearing an extremely luxurious robe.
The robe was inlaid with countless runestones that were wrapped in purple lightning. Every one of them was carefully polished with stone runes.
The crown he wore on his head was also inlaid with three sets of golden runestones that were like gems.
However, this set of attire was enough to drive countless rune warriors crazy.
There were dozens of rune warriors standing in the hall. The runes on each of their foreheads were glowing with a golden luster.
There was no one at the front with a crystal inlaid on their foreheads, which was shining brilliantly.
There were dozens of gold-rank rune warriors and five crystal-rank rune experts.
In addition to the Archduke Isaac, whose aura was steadily suppressing everyone in the hall, the runes on his forehead were constantly emitting a diamond-like glow.
This was a power that could make the entire rune land tremble.
"The Lord of Storm City has agreed to attend the banquet. If nothing goes wrong."
Duke Isaac played with the ring on his finger and slowly said, "This will be the opportunity for me to completely break through to the crystal level and advance to the diamond level. It will also be the beginning for me to reclaim the entire rune land."
Everyone in the great hall had respectful and fanatical expressions on their faces.
"The giant beast that the windstorm city lord is relying on should be a runic beast. Its strength should be at least at the crystal level. If I can hunt it down and devour its strength, my physical body and runes will be able to reach a higher level, completely advancing to the diamond level that I have never seen before!"
"I heard that she is also collecting a large number of electric-type runic stones to feed that runic beast. Hehe, by neglecting the main point, I'm afraid that she has already been treated as a puppet by the Runic Beast."
A crystal-level runic warrior said hesitantly, "A few years ago, there were traces of runic beasts in flame city and meteorite city. At that time, there were also people collecting a large number of low-level runestones. I don't know if it's the same person."
Archduke Isaac casually replied, "High-level runestones will develop self-awareness over a long period of time. Some cunning people will think of this method. There are even people who will transform into human form and enter the runic land. It's not surprising."
"Transform into human form? !"
Everyone in the hall was suddenly shocked.
Archduke Isaac narrowed his eyes and said with a smile, "Do you really think that the four archdukes of the runic land are all human?"
Everyone was stunned.
This news was too shocking. From the meaning revealed by Archduke Isaac's words, it seemed that the four archdukes of the runic land still needed the existence of runic beasts.
Thinking about the runic stones that he controlled, one day, they would climb onto his head and use humans as tools to collect runic stones and devour them all.
It was truly shocking.
"Roar!"
A low dragon's roar came from outside the hall.
Duke Isaac slowly stood up. His eyes flickered as he slowly said, "They're here."
..
With the speed of Lightning, it took less than two days for Joelson and his group to reach Western City.
If they hadn't encountered a high-quality water-type runestone along the way, the process of collecting it would have taken a lot of time, and the time would have been shortened.
Lightning stopped in the sky above Western City. The shadow cast by its huge body caused the entire city to fall into a momentary panic.
Connie glanced at Joelson. She wanted to get off the back of the Lightning and go to the residence of Archduke Isaac to have a feast and find out what he meant.
Just like in Meteor City, she used a magic crystal to send a message.
However, Joelson shook his head and said calmly, "It's not that troublesome."
He patted the Lightning's head lightly and the Lightning instantly understood.
It opened its mouth slightly and dazzling lightning gathered in its mouth and finally spat out.
A streak of blazing lightning streaked across the sky, lighting up the entire area, accompanied by a clap of loud thunder.
A large area of Archduke Isaac's mansion collapsed and shattered.
Exclamations rang out continuously from the weighing system.
Everyone looked at the shadow in the sky in shock.
They could not believe that there was still someone who rushed over to the territory personally overseen by Archduke Isaac to behave atrociously?
Dozens of figures flew out from the collapsed house. The person leading them was none other than Archduke Isaac, who was dressed in luxurious clothes.
There was a hint of surprise in his eyes but a cold smile hung on his face.
His gaze fell on Lightning, and he said gloomily, "You're really smart."
"Roar!"
Lightning couldn't be bothered to talk to this bug. It opened its mouth and unleashed a large amount of blazing lightning.
Archduke Isaac's expression changed slightly and a powerful lightning power erupted from his body as well. His eyes lit up and he laughed loudly as he said, "That's right. It's at least a crystal-grade rune stone, and it's an electric-type rune stone!"
"That's the best."
His gaze coldly swept past Joelson, Connie, and the others on the back of the Lightning, treating them as puppets under the control of the Lightning. He said coldly, "I've sent them here to deal with a runic beast. Find an opportunity to kill them, and then capture the beast alive together."
Isaac's expression became excited. His eyes stared fixedly at the violent Lightning, and he said in a low voice, "What a powerful and wonderful power. Diamond-grade, I'm going to reach it very soon."
Five crystal-rank runic warriors led dozens of gold-rank runic warriors as they quietly approached. Their gazes were directed at Joelson and the others.
However, Joelson's gaze had been fixed on the battle between the Lightning and Isaac.
As expected, Isaac's potential was powerful. He was the strongest person he had encountered in the runic lands.
He was roughly between the peak of the saint-rank and the divine realm. His strength was on par with Holy Zither's, who had just comprehended the embryonic form of a domain.
Back then, when he had just comprehended platinum power, he had already been able to defeat Holy Zither, not to mention now.
This bit of strength from Archduke Isaac did not interest Joelson in the slightest.