145 Chapter 143
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Following Robin, Leylin passed by various bizarre buildings with strange styles. There were all types out there, and before Leylin had the time to identify them, he was led by Robin into another building.
After passing around a corner, there came across another Warlock in black gilded clothing.
There were also rings of mysterious black patterns on his face.
"Johnny!" Kubler, who had been following behind Leylin immediately clenched his fists, seemingly terrified as he hid in Leylin's shadow. All of Leylin subordinates also sensed the tension and become alerted. Leylin waved his hand and they respectfully stepped back.
"Greetings to Marquis Robin!" Johnny came before Robin, and then greeted him using the etiquette of nobility.
"It's Count Johnny! Here, let me introduce to you Leylin here! He's a rank 3 Warlock about to join our clan!" Robin smiled slightly.
"So it's Lord Leylin!" Johnny bowed, "Though it's the first time we're meeting, I have a request. I wonder if you could agree to it."
Leylin looked at with with an interesting and a little bit mocking gaze but didn't respond.
"I guess not!" Johnny answered indifferently, not looking the least bit exasperated, causing Leylin to smile inwardly thinking about his backing.
"What if I say I'm the one asking?" At this moment, another voice interrupted.
"Marquis Wood!" Besides Leylin and Robin, the other Warlocks immediately bowed.
Leylin kept his small smile and glanced at him. It was a blonde middle-aged man, brightness and resolution in his expression that also held an imposing aura. There was also the Giant Kemoyin Serpent bloodline on his body, and it even overshadowed Robin.
"Kubler is a criminal who stole a precious treasure from me. I hope you can hand him over to me." Wood's eyes were fixed on Leylin, a pressure being emanated from him.
Kubler was ashen, and after seeing Johnny's look of satisfaction, he immediately understood that after seeing he had a new master, Johnny immediately asked someone else for help.
"So are you handing him over?"
On the surface, Wood was truly a Giant Kemoyin Serpent Warlock, as compared to Johnny with Black Horall Snake bloodline, his bloodline was more noble. In addition, he had entered the rank 3, and from the perspective of one looking at merely profits, it was better to give Kubler up.
Exchanging a rank 1 Mankestre Warlock who had no hopes of advancing for a favourable impression from a rank 3 Giant Kemoyin Serpent Warlock, there was little to consider in this trade.
Johnny, who understood this, immediately looked smug, while Kubler looked defeated.
"Nope." Leylin's voice sounded, allowing Kubler to recover from his despair.
"Master!" Kubler let out a long breath, looking touched.
"Hm?" Wood's gaze that was sharp like a sword pierced towards Leylin, "Have you thought this through clearly?"
"Your interruption is making the Lord wait so, buzz off!" Leylin did not hesitate and met his gaze. Leylin didn't released his power on him because he couldn't be bothered, this is just a small fry and one that he could swat with a single slap.
Leylin doesn't need to think much, Kubler has followed him and brought him to the Ouroboros Clan. In exchange, Leylin will ensure his safety. All this complies with the principle of an equal exchange. If Leylin abandon him now, not only will his reputation be damaged, but more importantly it would give a bad impression to the Rank 4 Warlock Gilbert.
Along with the rational thinking of a Magi there is another reason why Leylin won't yield and that is because if he were to compromise and cower before a person weaker than him, then his principles and pride would also be affected.
Leylin is definitely being watched over by many lords. If Leylin appear to be too cold-blooded, they will definitely be disappointed. This will cause an eventual loss in the future, which is even worse than offending Wood.
Though Magi were generally cold and rational, the leaders always had to advocate for hope, hot-bloodedness and sacrifice. If the lower ranks of the organisation did not strive to better themselves, and they weren't hot-blooded enough to sacrifice themselves, what benefits would they gain in the end?
The essence of any group was the unequal responsibilities of the higher and lower levels.
Honestly speaking, Wood was merely a rank 3 Warlock. The moment Leylin entered, he would have a higher status than him. At most, there would be a slight difference in their strength. Would Wood actually dare do anything? Not that Leylin would care about it either.
So far, Leylin hasn't exhibit his true strength to anyone here but both Wood and Robin could perceive that he wasn't a simple character. His eyes, his body language, his confidence and an air of character this is something that a average person can't have. There is also the faint unwittingly released pressure they could feel on their bloodline because of being in his company.
"Good, very good! I hope you won't regret this in the future!"
Two streams of white air were expunged from Wood's nostrils as he glared at Leylin. With a fling of his robes, he exited from the side, with Johnny following closely behind.
"Don't worry! The moment you enter our Ouroboros Clan, you'll be given the position of a Marquis. Wood wouldn't dare do anything to you out in the open." Robin believed Leylin was worried about Wood taking revenge and immediately consoled him.
Leylin didn't care, but he could tell that he was being invited to their organisation. He immediately nodded, "Hmm"
"Haha…" Robin burst out in laughter and patted Leylin on the shoulder, "In the entire central continent, the Ouroboros Clan is the best place for Giant Kemoyin Serpent Warlocks to join. You made the right choice!"
"Please lead the way!" Leylin reminded him. If not for the fact that there were rank 4 Warlocks mediation techniques in the organisation, he would not have agreed so readily.
"Oh, right! Yes, come with me!" Remembering there was work at hand, Robin immediately led the way.
The two chatted as they walked, and after passing through a few obstructions, they finally arrived in front of a small villa.
"My mentor, Gilbert, is a very amiable person. There isn't any etiquette required, so just relax."
Robin smiled towards Leylin and then opened the door to the villa, bringing Leylin inside.
The furniture on this level was all ordinary but placed very cleverly, giving a very warm atmosphere. Robin left the rest of the people outside and brought Leylin straight to a study room on the second level.
"Mentor, I've brought Leylin here!"
Robin spoke lightly to the wooden door, which then automatically opened with a creak.
"Greetings to Duke Gilbert!" The moment Leylin went in, he saluted him. This is his first time being in the presence of someone at Rank 4 Morning Star Magus. Leylin knew that unlike others Gilbert would definitely be able to read his power level and also find some superficial difference in his bloodline. Leylin has a favourable impression of Duke Gilbert because he is a smart and dependable, that is at least compared to other Magus.
"Good child! Raise your head and let me look at you properly." Upon hearing this, Leylin looked up, his eyes flitting across.
This place was filled with bookshelves. The smell of black truffles emanated, and behind the red desk was a bald old man wearing a nightgown. He was clean-shaven, with layers of fine wrinkles on his body.
Though Leylin's senses were very powerful and simply unmatched as a rank 3 Warlock, he had not sensed this person in front of him. In his spiritual senses, there was nobody behind the desk, but what was in front of his eyes proved that he was truly there. The disparity of this left Leylin feeling giddy as well as a strange excitement to reach that level himself. He thought that maybe he would be able to touch that boundary but he is still a bit away from it. The more gap he saw, the more vigorously his desires flared like embers.
A glint of wisdom flashed in Gilbert's eyes. He scanned Leylin for an instant and then concluded, "You're very young! You're not even a hundred and have even advanced to be a Crystal Phase rank 3 Warlock. Though there was support from the Giant Kemoyin Serpent bloodline, your talent and efforts are commendable. But, I could also feel that your bloodline is a bit contaminated, probably because of a crooked path used by you to reach the peak, but that's not an unsolvable problem, it would probably take a lot of efforts to strengthen bloodline maturation and it would solve this." A look of regret and wastefulness appeared on Gilbert face as if it was a pity. Robin was shocked listening to Leylin strength evaluation but the last part also filled him with regret but still like Gilbert said Leylin had a lot of time and opportunity, in his view probably his inheritance was incomplete which lead to a deviation but it could still be resolved with time.
What they pitted was not his situation but the waste it was, just thinking about a less than 100 year old Crystal phase Rank 3 warlock is amazing and mind blowing but alas it come at a price which was instability of bloodline. It would take a lot of effort and time to solve this but looking at Leylin talent it is maybe possible, even still it's a very difficult thing to accomplish.
But more importantly his chances to reach Morning Star Magus rank is rather slim in their opinion.
Leylin looked at their evaluation with a straight face, although he could have used some extreme method of disguise to hide from Gilbert evaluation of his strength but he didn't, because firstly all of those method involved weakening his soul and secondly it doesn't matter.
Even if they know his strength as warlock they would only focus on purity of bloodline which will drop their guard, as for benefit like becoming his student or getting the fourth level of Kemoyin Pupils they aren't much of a issue, since he could live without the extra benefit and just purchase the technique through the contribution points later on.
"Hm… Are you willing to be my student?" Gilbert asked after staying silent for a moment.
"Of course. Greetings to Mentor!" Leylin immediately bowed, he was a bit surprised as Gilbert actually took him in, even Robin was a bit startled but he understood regardless of Leylin's situation he is a Crystal phase Rank 3 Warlock which is a rarity even in their organization and more importantly he is too young. Maybe he could be worth investing him even if he doesn't acquire the standard of Core family seeds he would be a good addition to their overall strength.
And since Leylin had already agreed to join their organisation, there was no disadvantage to having another person to rely on.
"Haha… good! Very good! I was already planning to give up on disciples, but I've been sent a genius…" Gilbert chuckled, the wrinkles on his face unfolding.
"Congratulations Leylin! From hereon, you're my junior!" Robin congratulated him, although there was a bit of pity in his eyes.
"En! This is your senior, Robin. There are a few others who aren't here. I'll introduce you to them in the future." Gilbert was evidently elated.
"Also, your title and territory will be given to you soon. Robin will bring you to take care of all these matters. You're from another continent, yes? Robin! Bring him to my storeroom and show him Crystal 1 and let him have a better understanding of our Magi in the central continent.
Gilbert saw through a great many things with a single glance, not allowing Leylin to refute anything.
"Understood, mentor!" Robin and Leylin could only bow before leaving the room.
To officially join us, there's obviously more to do. However, with Leylin new mentor–student relationship, things will be different and far easy.
All official Warlocks who join our Ouroboros Clan will obtain a title and a set territory. The hierarchy within the Ouroboros Clan was implemented similarly to that of the feudal nobility.
There were five rankings, from the highest to lowest, as a Duke, then a Marquis, Count, Viscount, and then Baron. Rank 1 Warlocks were Barons, rank 2 were Viscounts, rank 3 were Earls. Then came the surprise- if Giant Kemoyin Serpent Warlocks reached rank 3, they would immediately gain the title of Marquis! Rank 4 Warlocks would then be Dukes.
The position and treatment he would get were correlated to the title.
There a total of three Dukes in the Ouroboros Clan. They had formed an Elders Association, and were called the great elder, second and third elder, and they held the most authority in the Ouroboros Clan.
There were, even more, differences as well. If Warlocks who had Giant Kemoyin Serpent or Black Horrall Snake bloodlines would have their title evaluation and territory given very quickly. However, if it was a bloodline like Mankestre, things would be slightly more difficult. Take Krubler, for instance. Though he could be given the title of a baron, but until now, all the processes had not gone through. Territories and the like? There was no word about it.
But Leylin was different, for he was a Giant Kemoyin Serpent bloodline Warlock although he had some problem with his bloodline but Leylin is too young and also already at the peak of Rank 3 so he has time to return back to his real path. Leylin is also the student of the third elder, Duke Gilbert. He had a great background, and he was prioritised. Titles and territories would be presented to him quickly, and also be given the best treatment.
Robin did not bring Leylin out right away, but instead went towards the basement. This was as per Duke Gilbert's instructions, where Robin brought Leylin to see something.
The spells of Morning Star Magi!
Morning Star Magi could shift mountains and fill seas with just a wave of their arms, displaying terrifying power able to destroy the heavens and wreck the earth. At this thought, Leylin's heart began to burn with passion. Although he knows about their power but knowing it is a completely different experience than viewing it in person, he was very excited to see it.
*Clang!* After opening a metal door, a large complicated maze appeared before Leylin's eyes.
Robin lead him to the Disorientating Maze, a spell pattern that us central continent Magi prefer to use. It is primarily used as sentry and defensive force.
Robin guided Leylin for about five minutes, and then opened a door before entering.
The moment he entered, he saw an engraving on a door that said 'Image Resource Room'.
In this storeroom, it was exceptionally dim. Crystals flickering with different colours were giving out magnificent rays of their own.
Robin picked up a red crystal on a wooden shelf the size of a fist, and placed it on a pedestal with a depression on it, at the centre of the room.
*Buzz Buzz!* After the spell formation was activated, the light in the room dimmed, almost becoming pitch-black.
The red crystal on the pedestal suddenly brightened.
A dazzling light shone down!
Magi of the Thorned Hammer corps fought against one lonely figure.
Morning Star Magus, Flame Manipulator, Lord Kason!
Leylin saw with full focus as all his attention was on Flame Manipulator Kason as he finally moved. Rings of spell rays brightened on his body.
...
First was a red spell, the energy undulations indicating rank 1. Following it was a rank 2 spell…
A total of four rings of light brightened on his body, and at the last spell, it emanated tremendous waves that even surpassed a rank 3 spell.
Leylin remember the names of spell reverberating in his hear as he heard—
"Rank 1 innate spell—Burning Zone!" As soon as this spell was launched from Kason's body, it covered the entire region.
"Rank 2 innate spell—Blazing Attachment!" Little sparks were created in the skies.
"Rank 3 innate spell—Lava Region!" Great amounts of flames scorched the surface of the ground, forming a lava-infused land.
"Rank 4 innate spell—Meteor Descent!" With Kason's yell, meteors appeared in the sky, one after the other.
"Complement: Ancient Morning Star Magus Final Technique—Fire Rain Annihilation"
After the four innate spells were combined, the fusion generated a change that made Leylin's blood run cold.
The scene just now had truly astounded him.
The combination final technique of a Morning Star Magus. The taboo of ancient times! It cannot be compared with little combination spells Doubling the individual strength of the spells is the apex of a combination spell's achievement! The amplification of the final technique of a Morning Star Magus is more than ten times that!
Only by combining innate spells that consume little energy but have great effects can the Morning Star final technique be formed. The ancient high-grade meditation techniques are the culmination of many experiments by ancient Magi, designing innate spells that are the most suitable for combination. It is also a process that can be solidified in the sea of consciousness!
There have to be four levels in a high-grade meditation technique. This is the reason! Only Magi who form their innate spells by following high-grade meditation techniques are able to combine them when they are at rank 4, forming the Morning Star final technique. That's why the fourth level in any high-grade meditation technique is the most precious part!
The combination of a Morning Star final technique is the culmination of precious experience gained by generations of experiments. The Magi who used random ways to solidify their innate spells like the ones in South Coast would be extremely lucky if they were not consumed by it. To create a combination final technique? Dream on! It wouldn't be surprising if they got themselves into an explosion!
Each final technique from high-grade meditation techniques is fixed. Since innate spells are formed from high-grade meditation techniques, they cannot be changed. From the final technique, one can tell the high-grade meditation technique a Morning Star Magus trains in.
As for the Morning Star final technique of the Giant Kemoyin Serpent Warlocks, it is the Flawless Morphing Technique.
Almost all Warlocks develop Morning Star final techniques that are rather similar after reaching rank 4. It is similar to an flawless morphing effect.
Advancement for Warlocks comes from constantly purifying the bloodline and altering the body, drawing close to the source of the bloodline. That is why after reaching the rank 4 realm, one can even use the Morphing Technique and simulate the form of a real ancient creature, as well as display all its strength!
Leylin and Robin spoke continuously, although Leylin knew about a lot of things and he knew even more than Robin. He couldn't help but marvel at the genius of Ancient Magus.
The solidified spells of high-grade meditation techniques cannot be modified. Each level is fixed, as this is the optimum combination created by ancient Magi. With no internal friction and with the force of point mass that Morning Star Magi have condensed to the utmost, this will create a terrifying qualitative result.
After reaching rank 3, the crystal had formed a complicated three-layered tessellated structure. The crystal of the third level had become even more intricate, the runes even more complicated and forming his innate spell Intimidating Gaze.
When the runes for Intimidating Gaze combined with the ones from before, the new rune had been a strange crimson. All that was lacking was something in the center, which could then help it fully display formidable strength.
"Alright, let's go out! The introduction to Morning Star Magi shall end here." Suddenly, Robin turned around for a moment. "Also, all this information may not be that confidential, but it's only circulated amongst the higher-ups in a few organisations."
Leylin nodded in understanding.
"Come, then. I'll show you your manor and some important places like the trading hall! Giant Kemoyin Serpent Warlocks are our most valuable members. You will enjoy the best we have to offer…"
The Ouroboros Clan held quite a bit of fame in the central continent. There was no doubt that they controlled a huge region teeming with mortals and acolytes. Parts of this land would often be granted to the higher-ups within the clan.
Some of the Warlocks in the clan built giant castles in their territory. They preferred to stay there, and seldom visited the headquarters. Slowly, they would expand their families.
On the other hand, most Warlocks who held a high hope for further advancement were the exact opposite, choosing to stay behind at the headquarters, leaving the territory to someone else to manage.
Given that Leylin was a Marquis, his territory would undoubtedly be quite large. The production of magic crystals as well as other resources from it would far exceed the poor south coast and Twilight Zone.
Additionally, he would be given an isolated manor in the headquarters as his personal residence.
