Leilin sheathed the Devil's Blood Dagger, sensing a massive surge of Life Energy being drawn into him, then converted through transformation into Spiritual Power.
His Spiritual Power, already at its peak, immediately began to break through with the aid of this influx of energy.
[Ding! The host has undergone a bloody battle. Energy conversion by the Devil's Blood Dagger is complete!]
The Chip's notification sounded as well.
[The host's Spiritual Power has reached 8.
[The host has advanced to Eighth-level Wizard! Third-level Spell Slots +1, Second-level Spell Slots +1!]
Several notification boxes popped up in quick succession, the smile at the corner of Leilin's lips growing wider and wider.
Although converting the flesh and blood energy of roughly half the Mermaid pirate crew had only increased his Spiritual Power by a mere 0.1 in the end, it had been enough to push him directly past the threshold of an Eighth-level Wizard — something that countless low-level wizards on the continent would have given anything to achieve.
"Still, this rather uncanny method of advancement is best kept from others' knowledge. Otherwise, I'd certainly become a target on everyone's list…"
Leilin stood to the side with his hands behind his back, watching the guards mopping up the remaining crew aboard the pirate vessel.
In truth, once the enemy captain had fallen, the outcome of the battle could be considered a foregone conclusion. Many fish-man pirates whose morale had already collapsed either jumped overboard to flee or dropped their weapons and fell to their knees in surrender.
Leilin did not strike again. He merely watched with cold detachment as
"This time we take no prisoners. Archers, prepare — shoot dead every pirate who jumps into the sea!"
Accompanied by that ruthless command, the fighting aboard the pirate ship grew even more intense.
But Leilin no longer paid the slightest attention. He gazed at his data panel, where yet another change had appeared.
The Chip had already displayed the freshly collected data.
[Leilin Farell. Race: Human. Eighth-level Wizard. Strength: 3.5. Agility: 3. Constitution: 4.5. Spirit: 8. Status: Healthy. Talents: Strong, Versatile Scholar. Spell Slots: Third-level Slots (2), Second-level Slots (4), First-level Slots (???), Zero-level Slots (???)]
An Eighth-level Wizard still did not possess the ability to interface with the deeper layers of the
But what Leilin valued far more was the deeper communion and elevated access to the Weave that came with leveling up. This would undoubtedly prove of immense help to the Chip's ongoing task of decrypting the Weave.
It could be said that with Leilin's continuous advancement, the speed at which the Chip conquered the Weave would also constantly accelerate.
"If we compare based on the standards of the Wizard World, the first to fifth-level professions here are only equivalent to the level of a Wizard Apprentice. Those from six to ten are similar to the combat power of a First-level Wizard. Eleven to fifteen are Second-level Wizards, fifteen to twenty are equivalent to the strength of a Third-level Wizard. And beyond twenty, the Legendary ones are in a realm similar to a Morning Star Wizard..."
After being in the
"And a twenty-fifth-level High Legendary is equivalent to a Fifth-level Radiant Moon Wizard! By analogy, those with divinity, Chosen, and Saint Spirits are equivalent to a Sixth-level Solar Throne. A Demigod is a half-seventh-level Wizard, on par with my main body's realm..."
"A god of the Weak Divine Rank is a seventh-level Rule Wizard. A god of the Intermediate Divine Rank is comparable to an ordinary eighth-level Wizard. While a god of the Strong Divine Rank is equivalent to those at the pinnacle of the eighth-level among Wizards—those who have refined rules and found their own path, like the Earth Mother..."
At this point, the complete hierarchy of strength in the World of Gods fully revealed itself before Leilin.
Although some points might not perfectly align, Leilin generally believed his deductions and the Chip's simulations contained no errors or omissions.
"Even though the locals advance very quickly, in reality, my current strength is only equivalent to a First-level Wizard in the Wizard World..."
This comparison left Leilin quite speechless.
From the looks of it, his path to becoming a powerhouse in the World of Gods was going to be a long and arduous one.
"Boss! We've completely cleared out this ship! Victory is ours!"
At that moment, a visibly excited
"Is it over already? Do we have the casualty count yet?"
Leilin's expression was very calm. After he had already annihilated the enemy's high-level combat power and eliminated half of their ordinary crew, if these sailors still couldn't secure victory, he would have to reconsider the feasibility of his plans.
"With the weapons you bestowed, many of our brothers only suffered minor injuries. Three died, five were severely wounded, and they've already been sent on their way to spare them further suffering..."
A hint of helplessness entered Robin Hood's voice.
In this era, a severe injury on the high seas was almost equivalent to death, unless one was fortunate enough to have a priest or precious healing spells and potions.
"Mm! Record it. Compile the statistics after the battle and prepare the rewards..."
Leilin paused here, then abruptly slapped his forehead. "Right! After we capture Mermaid Island this time, you'll make another trip. Secretly bring the families of those pirates who have already defected to us over to Faolan Island. Those who fell in battle should also receive pensions..."
This was essentially cutting off the pirates' retreat, taking their families into their own hands. The possibility of betrayal would then be very small.
"Yes, boss!" Robin Han had clearly seen Leilin's intention as well. He nodded vigorously, not daring to voice any objection.
"We'll also need a high-ranking priest afterward. When it comes to boosting morale and healing wounds, they really are indispensable..."
Leilin watched the pirates perform a sea burial for their fallen comrades and couldn't help but make a comment.
"If you don't have requirements regarding their rank, I actually know a few..."
At this moment, Isabelle walked over to Leilin's side, looking at him with a very strange expression.
Leilin rubbed his nose, of course knowing what this was about.
His previous actions easily led people to certain suspicions, which was precisely why he had ordered no prisoners this time, to completely wipe out the merfolk pirates.
As for his subordinates, they had been on another ship before, separated by the sea, and couldn't possibly have seen everything clearly.
Even traces like dried corpses, spells like [Energy Drain], [Vampire's Touch], or [Life Drain] could produce the same effect, so it didn't prove anything.
But even if these things could be hidden from Robin Han and the others, they could absolutely not be hidden from Isabelle. After all, she was also a follower of the demon.
And judging by her expression, she had clearly discovered something.
However, the two of them were now in the same boat, and Leilin believed Isabelle would absolutely not betray him, because the temple would never accept her.
"Split off a portion of the men, take command of this warship, and we will go together to the Half-Mermaid Island!"
Under Leilin's orders, after hastily clearing the traces of battle, the two massive warships set sail together towards the Half-Mermaid Island.
The pirates' eyes now burned with fanaticism and red veins.
After all, they knew very well that with the entire pirate fleet destroyed, the remaining Half-Mermaid Island was like a defenseless maiden, completely unable to resist their force.
And the wealth accumulated from the Merfolk Pirate
Before landing, Leilin gathered all his subordinates.
"I'm repeating myself!" Leilin's gaze swept over the group of pirates. Through his recent displays of authority, they no longer dared to disobey even the slightest of Leilin's commands, and their loyalty had even increased significantly.
"Right now, we need their wealth. We need their slaves to work for us! We even need them to join us, to become new blood! Therefore, anyone who dares to resist during this operation will be killed on the spot! But I need prisoners! Understood?"
In Leilin's view, even if the remaining pirate families were extremely defiant, they would still make excellent slaves. If nothing else, they could be sold for a tidy profit—so why bother killing them outright?
Out in the open seas, human labor was an incredibly precious resource. Even the indigenous peoples required specialized slave-hunting expeditions to brave disease and magical beasts, venturing deep into the rainforests and haggling bitterly with various tribes, just to bring back a handful.
"Don't worry, boss! We know what to do!"
Robin cackled, his laughter harsh and grating like that of a night owl.
Leilin nodded, well aware of what his pack of brutes would do once they captured the merfolk island. They might not torture and kill the prisoners, but the island's inhabitants were in for a thorough ordeal.
When it came to matters like these, Leilin chose to turn a blind eye. After all, a certain amount of intimidation was necessary, and it might even help consolidate his rule.
After all, the women of pirates had no concept of chastity—it was in their nature to follow the strong.
[Hawk Eye]!
As the spell took effect, the entirety of the merfolk island materialized before Leilin's eyes.
"Hmm! It's already taken on the shape of a small town! Not bad, not bad!"
In his field of vision, not far away there was a small harbor, and beside it someone had even cleared a patch of wheat fields. Clearly, the merfolk pirate captain who had died at Leilin's hands had possessed some talent for administration—collecting population and reclaiming wasteland—and had actually achieved something tangible.
A pity, because all of these accomplishments would now fall into Leilin's lap.
When the merfolk warship returned, bringing another pirate vessel along with it, the harbor erupted in uproar. Some even believed it was the merfolk pirate crew returning victorious from their expedition, and began gathering at the harbor to welcome them.
It was only when the ships drew closer and they spotted the signs of fierce combat on the decks—especially when they noticed the flag representing the merfolk pirate crew had changed hands—that they screamed in terror and scattered in every direction, like a nest of wild ducks flushed from their hiding place.
"Brothers!
Robin's vigorous voice rang out, met with a burst of excited shouts...