"——That's about it."

Andrew explained the efficacy of the stone arch but remained reserved about the magic name of "Enlightenment."

Barbara didn't ask much, just gave Andrew a deep look and earnestly asked, "Can this technique be used elsewhere?"

As the third Miss of the Warm Fire Commerce Association, she had been educated and trained since childhood not only in magic cultivation but also in many aspects of commerce.

If this gate, as Andrew described, could raise the Professional Awakening Probability of a place to seventy percent—

Then Barbara immediately thought of whether this magic technology could be used in Warm Fire City?

Could it be applied to all those small and large towns across the eastern region of the Flame Realm controlled by the Warm Fire Commerce Association?

"It might be possible, but... the increase in Professional Awakening Probability outside the Wildfire Territory might not be as significant."

Andrew thought for a moment and gave his response.

This was something he couldn't perceive before as a traditional Water Mage: the reason Enlightenment Magic could have such great power was partly due to the advantages of the magic itself and partly related to that Lake of the Ocean beneath the Wildfire Territory.

When "Enlightenment" is activated, the "Lake of the Ocean" seems to produce some kind of resonance—this was something Andrew dimly perceived only after becoming a Water Magic Lord and breaking through to Tier Three.

In other words, if "Enlightenment" is cast in other parts of the Inner Sea Desert, the enhancement effect is not as good as in the Wildfire Territory.

And casting Enlightenment outside the desert would further reduce the effect.

"Although it's a bit regrettable, it actually makes sense. Otherwise, if this seventy percent Professional Awakening Probability could be easily spread across the entire Flame Realm, it would be too much of a bug," Andrew thought.

He only heard Barbara say, "So, it's still useful elsewhere, just not as significant as here in the Wildfire Territory, right?"

"It should be."

"Well then... have you considered setting up something like a 'Professional Awakening Academy' here in the Wildfire Territory, recruiting from all over every year? Our Warm Fire Commerce Association could collaborate with you on this project!"

In Barbara's eyes, there emerged a kind of shrewd gleam that Andrew saw in her eyes for the first time, akin to a "little fox."

While she was not as skilled in territory management as An Ya, with her business acumen as the third Miss of the Commerce Association, how could she be lacking?

Her suggestion left Andrew momentarily stunned.

Ivan, who was polishing the stone gate behind them, also paused, showing a contemplative expression.

"This... seems... actually feasible!" This time it was Andrew's turn to take a deep look at Barbara and say, "Then let's wait for a reply from the association. Once we officially establish contact with your Warm Fire Commerce Association, we can discuss further."

Barbara's eyes curved into delightful crescents as she proactively hooked her pinky finger with Andrew's: "So that's settled then!"

"Mm, alright."

Their fingers touched briefly, both feeling a slight jolt.

Barbara blushed slightly, nonchalantly retracting her hand, saying, "Well, you guys continue with your work. I'll go attend to my matters."

Andrew nodded, watching Barbara's back as she returned to the Magic Laboratory, and for the first time seriously considered: "Once we're in contact with the Warm Fire Commerce Association and the Double Fire War is over, perhaps it really would be possible to have a good collaboration with the Warm Fire Commerce Association?"

Previously, Andrew only had a general idea of wanting to ally with the Warm Fire Commerce Association.

But he never thought deeply about what they would do after the alliance.

Or in what way they would ally.

Barbara's suggestion earlier gave Andrew a faint idea: the Flame Realm has too many problems caused by an excess of flames, aren't these all "market demands"? The essence of demand is dissatisfaction, isn't it just a bunch of "problems that need solving"!?

His Water Magic could undoubtedly "satisfy" these demands.

The Warm Fire Commerce Association could perfectly provide business channels for him.

How many "Fire Extinguishing Values" from all over the Flame Realm could be accounted for then...

"Hey, don't drool!" Ivan suddenly shouted, "How can you be so disgusting! Are you a little puppy?"

"What? Oh, this... sorry, sorry."

Andrew wiped the corner of his mouth, not embarrassed at all; instead, he was somewhat undisguisedly excited and enthusiastic, "After breaking through to Tier Three, the speed of further cultivation has slowed significantly. The Fire Extinguishing Value needed for further upgrades is growing exponentially. I was still thinking about how to solve this problem, but now it seems a solution has presented itself..."

But, these are all matters for later.

Everything has to be discussed after establishing contact with the Warm Fire Commerce Association.

"Mm, for now, let's not have too many distractions and focus on fully satisfying the three major problems of the Inner Sea Desert—or the 'market demands' of the Inner Sea Desert—first!"

Thinking of this, Andrew called Ivan, "Let's go, install the gate!"

Ivan sighed, hefting the stone gate, thinking about how he became a worker.

And so, half an hour later, the Wildfire Territory had its first grand gate.

The gate faced the east, which is the direction of the vast region controlled by the Warm Fire Commerce Association.

The arch reads the same: Welcome to the Wildfire Territory!

Another week passed, and all eight of the Wildfire Territory's gates were erected and stood steadily.

These eight gates are not just portals but also serve as a boundary demarcation.

"After all, territory expansion shouldn't be chaotic or endless, should it?"

After installing the final gate, Andrew patted the stone gate and smiled.

"Do you even have the face to say that? This... isn't this already large enough?"

Beside him, Ivan was too exhausted to argue.

Because the area defined by the eight gates was already quite large!

The Wildfire Territory's predecessor was Wildfire Town, and alongside nearby Baal Town, it was like a pair of "twin stars" in the depths of the Inner Sea Desert.

But now?

Now, with the expansion, Baal Town had become akin to a "satellite" or "defensive city" near this newly enlarged Wildfire Territory.

Of course, due to the matter involving Zi, Baal Town had indeed become the defensive city of Wildfire Territory. The first batch of those who came mainly were the residents of Baal Town.

Baal Town also had its own Chief Mage, a Tier One Warm Fire Mage.

The towns in the Inner Sea Desert each had their own Chief Mage, most belonging to the Warm Fire Faction, with a few from the Earth-Fire Faction.

And with Barbara, the third Miss of the Warm Fire Commerce Association, present in Wildfire Territory, the Warm Fire Chief in Baal Town naturally had no complaints about his guarded town becoming a defensive city of Wildfire Territory; in fact, he was very pleased and willing.

At that moment, standing by the stone gate, looking beyond the eight gates—

The Inner Sea Desert appeared as always, dry, scorching, and harsh.

So Andrew turned his gaze back within the eight gates—

After more than a month of expansion, the Wildfire Territory had begun to take shape. Although there were many expansion projects still under construction, this burgeoning and thriving new spectacle itself was the most beautiful scenery for Andrew.

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