Even in Leilin's previous life, organ transplants required careful attention to issues like antibody rejection.
Transplants between humans were already so complicated — so one could only imagine what it was like to forcefully cram the heart of an incredibly powerful ancient creature into an ordinary
As a result, even with the assistance of magic, Leilin now had to spend a vast amount of time allowing his body and the heart to gradually adapt to each other through a process of mutual adjustment.
The progress of the heart transformation had been grinding along at a sluggish pace ever since.
But now, Thousand-Eye Starfish meat turned out to possess the additional effect of suppressing his own antibodies and accelerating organ compatibility — how could Leilin not be ecstatic?
After learning the specific uses and methods of applying the Thousand-Eye Starfish meat fossil in his possession, Leilin left the Array Spirit machine room in a fine mood. Shortly after, he received a piece of news.
"What? Someone wants to see me? And they're carrying a First-Grade Contribution Token of the
The one who came to deliver the message was a young female Wizard. Her gaze toward Leilin was brimming with undisguised adoration. It had to be said — after the bloodline transformation, Leilin's appearance was now top-tier handsome by any standard, and coupled with his astonishing strength, having already reached the peak of the First Grade at such a young age, this had stirred up quite a buzz within the garden and won him the admiration of numerous female Wizards.
"She's an old woman. Her temperament is extremely... arrogant!"
The female Wizard lowered her head and thought for a moment before settling on that word.
"An arrogant old lady?" Leilin was briefly taken aback, but then a faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips — he had already guessed who it was. "Escort her to Reception Room Three. I'll receive her there!"
The female Wizard bowed and quickly withdrew.
Leilin, meanwhile, wore a contemplative expression. Through the curses he had planted on Manla and Jena, he could sense certain things in their vicinity to a limited degree.
Some time ago, when he had sensed the compound curse he placed on Manla erupting, Leilin had a premonition that the family behind Jena might be willing to come to terms with him. Now it seemed that was exactly the case.
Calculating the time, the full eruption of the curse was drawing very near. They must have exhausted every remedy at their disposal. It was only after being driven into a corner that they had chosen to compromise with Leilin.
"So, what should I demand this time?" Leilin stroked his chin. He harbored absolutely no goodwill toward this self-important family and intended to make them bleed heavily — to let them savor the sensation of plummeting from heaven to hell.
"Though, daring to maintain that kind of attitude on my territory..." A cold glint flickered through Leilin's eyes.
Three hours later, from inside Reception Room Three, a shrill, furious old woman's voice erupted: "I don't care what he's doing — I've been waiting here for over three hours now! I don't care what methods you use, but I want to see him! Immediately! Right now! Or else I'll use my Contribution Token to have you dismissed! I swear it!"
Crash! The sound of a teacup shattering against the floor followed close behind.
The female Wizard who had made the earlier announcement rushed out. Her expression wasn't pleasant either: "Damn that old hag. Just because she has a Contribution Token, she thinks she can order everyone around? One day..."
The Wizard muttered curses under her breath. Suddenly, the light in front of her dimmed as a figure appeared before her.
"Lord... Lord Leilin! The guest insists on seeing you!" She was startled, then immediately bowed, two faint red blushes floating across her cheeks.
"I know," Leilin said, suppressing a smile. He walked past the slightly dazed Wizard and into the reception room.
He had deliberately waited a while before coming over this time, intending to temper the guest's temper a bit. But it seemed now that their neurotic tendencies had seeped into every aspect of their souls. Probably, no matter what, it couldn't be changed.
"I already said... have Leilin come..."
Reception Room Three was quite spacious, furnished with several long leather sofas and several tables in the middle, allowing guests to sit comfortably and chat while enjoying drinks.
But now, one of the tables in the center of the room was overturned, and several cup and saucer shards lay on the floor. An old woman, dressed in noblewoman's attire, her face veiled, wearing black silk gloves, and clutching a small handbag, was roaring in the middle of the room.
Upon seeing Leilin, she froze for a moment, then her eyes shot out beams of hatred.
The old woman's chest heaved continuously, as if she was forcefully suppressing the anger in her heart. Then, she spoke in an arrogant tone: "You're Leilin, I presume? You dare to offend our noble Portley family! This is truly an unpardonable crime! But the great Mother of Peace is always merciful and compassionate. Now, confess your faults to me, cure Jenna, and I might consider reducing your sentence..."
As she spoke, the old woman glanced at Leilin with a condescending look, as if allowing him to atone was some great mercy.
"Wait!" That condescending look annoyed Leilin, so he directly interrupted the old woman's words.
"What? Ready to confess?" The old woman held her head high.
"No! I'm asking, are you crazy?" Leilin said bluntly.
"What did you say?" The old woman's face was filled with shock; she simply couldn't believe anyone would dare speak to her like that.
"If you didn't hear clearly! I'll say it again!" Leilin's voice rose sharply. "Are! You! Crazy!" He enunciated each word deliberately, ensuring the old woman heard every syllable clearly.
"You... You actually dare..." The old woman pointed at Leilin, her knuckles whitening and trembling slightly with rage.
"You dare to speak to me! The current head of the Portley family! Like this! And you dare to slander our family's honor! To the Nine Hells with you! I was actually merciful enough to hope to pardon you earlier... Great Mother of Peace, please forgive my stupidity..."
"Enough!" Leilin really didn't want to keep talking with this old woman. He finally understood; this Jenna's family, called Portley, must have hereditary madness!
"I'll only say this! Only I can lift the curse on Jenna! And she is very important to you! After trying every method you have, you have no choice but to come beg me! And if you're going to beg someone, you need to have the right attitude first!"
Leilin raised a single finger. "Otherwise! You'll have to watch Jenna die right before your eyes!"
These blunt words seemed to pierce through the old woman's veil of shame and honor. The flush on her face vanished with startling speed, replaced by a pallid, blue-white hue.
"I knew it! Talking about redemption with sinners like you is useless—you'll only try to extort me. The only thing fitting for you is eternal death..."
The old woman muttered to herself.
"You..." The fire of anger in Leilin's heart burned ever brighter.
But then, his expression shifted slightly, and he calmed down entirely.
Before him, the old woman had taken a palm-sized golden token from her handbag and was waving it in front of him, laughing smugly. "Do you see? This is a first-grade contribution token my ancestor obtained from the Four Seasons Garden! It represents a noble standing among your people. As long as I choose to spend it, the Four Seasons Garden must grant me one request! Tell me, what would happen if I asked them to expel you?"
"So! Your high-and-mighty attitude from the start was because you had this, and felt completely secure!"
Leilin suddenly wanted to laugh. Setting aside that he was already preparing to leave the Four Seasons Garden, even during the time he had been there, he hadn't held it in particularly high regard. But clearly, this old woman intended to seize on this point to blackmail him mercilessly.
"Think whatever you like! Now you have two choices! One: obediently admit your fault, come back with me, and cure Jenna. Two: be expelled and hunted down by the Four Seasons Garden!"
A victorious smile appeared on the old woman's face.
"..." Leilin looked at the old woman with a speechless expression, suddenly finding her rather pitiful.
The Four Seasons Garden did have such a regulation, and the first-grade contribution token in her hand was genuine. Unfortunately, she was a few days too late!
If she had arrived a few days earlier, she might truly have been able to use the token's authority to pressure Leilin in conjunction with the Four Seasons Garden.
But now? Leilin glanced at the token in the old woman's hand.
"Right! On her way here, she didn't know about the attack on us, Leono's death, and the fact that I've taken control..."
The recent attack by dark wizards had been classified as top secret; even the gateway to the secret realm had been closed for a time because of it. Ordinary wizards had no way of knowing the news.
Coupled with the time difference and other factors, this old woman hadn't even realized that the Four Seasons Garden's branch here had changed hands, and had simply barged in without a care.
"What's wrong? Still can't make up your mind? Perhaps I should give you a little help?"
Leilin's prolonged silence, in the old woman's eyes, came across as cowardice. Therefore, her expression grew even more arrogant, and she shouted loudly, "Guards! Guards!"
"What's the matter?"
A few minutes later, several Guardian Wizards in white robes rushed in.
"I demand, in the name of the Four Seasons Garden, that you seize Leilin!" The old woman raised the golden token in her hand. It shimmered with a faint light in mid-air, vaguely coalescing into a four-colored ring, emitting an energy fluctuation at a frequency that was very easy to recognize.
"It's a First-Grade Contribution Token! There's no mistake!" The Guardian Wizards exchanged glances, then bowed to the old woman.
The old woman nodded, the characteristic arrogance reappearing on her face.
"Seize him for me!" She pointed at Leilin.
"Him?" The Guardian Wizards looked at the old woman, then at Leilin, their expressions showing clear hesitation.
"What's wrong?" The old woman's voice suddenly turned shrill, almost making one want to cover their ears. "Do you wish to violate the long-standing agreement?"