Rashly devouring divine power was an extraordinarily dangerous affair.
Even powerhouses in the [Legendary] realm could not resist the divine consciousness contained within divine power—even a fragmented one!
If some reckless fool attempted to absorb power that still contained a deity's will, they would either be driven mad by the vast consciousness lurking within, or be completely consumed by the divine power in return, transformed into an avatar of the god.
But
"Hiss hiss…"
A terrifying phantom of a world-encompassing winged serpent emerged from the depths of Leylin's soul, its enormous vertical pupils fixed upon the remnant spirit of the monkey before him.
"Squeak squeak…" Even as nothing more than a fragment of will, it radiated a wave of panic upon laying eyes on the phantom serpent.
BOOM! The Targaryen Winged Serpent's phantom narrowed its vertical pupils with undisguised disdain, then opened its maw and swallowed the remnant will whole.
Leylin's entire body shuddered violently, and the Chip's notification sounded directly in his mind.
[Ding! The host has absorbed an unknown energy! Identified as a divine power essence! Effect similar to a high-tier divine grace! Spiritual Power is increasing…]
[Ding! The host has absorbed divine power! Spiritual Power +1!]
After fully devouring and digesting
His spirit soared to unfathomable heights, touching upon a far more vast
The Chip's notifications continued without pause.
[The host's Spiritual Power has surpassed 13! Advancement to Thirteenth-level
[The host has gained one Sixth-level Spell Slot, one Fifth-level Spell Slot, and one Fourth-level Spell Slot!]
"So I've finally broken through?"
Leylin examined his status panel, which now read: [Leylin Farrowon. Age: Twenty. Race: Human. Thirteenth-level Wizard. Strength: 10. Agility: 10. Constitution: 10. Spirit: 13. Condition: Healthy. Innate Talents: Robust, Encyclopedic, Elementary Perfect Body. Spell Slots: Sixth-level (2), Fifth-level (4), Fourth-level (6), Third-level (???), Second-level (???), First-level (???), Zero-level (???).]
[Weave Analysis Progress: Zero-level Weave 100%! First-level Weave 100%! Second-level Weave 100%! Third-level Weave 100%! Fourth-level Weave 56.77%! Fifth-level Weave 12.15%! Sixth-level Weave 0.01%!]
"A twenty-year-old thirteenth-level Wizard — there probably aren't many even in Silvermoon City. This is practically on the level of a deity's chosen one, even if I did achieve it through divine grace…"
At this point, Mara's divine power had been completely digested by Leylin. Even the deity itself only knew it had lost that portion of divine power, but had no idea why.
"Still, this means I've effectively declared eternal enmity against the Church of the Hunting God, haven't I?"
Even without the act of devouring divine power, he had annihilated their followers today and slaughtered so many Beastkin. The two sides were already irreconcilable.
"Besides… I'll have to face a god sooner or later. The Hunting God, hm? Your divine domain is one I find quite appealing…"
A sinister smile tugged at the corner of Leylin's lips.
"My lord!"
Tifa, who had been waiting outside the altar, clearly sensed the change in Leylin but said nothing about it.
"We've followed your orders and kept a batch of prisoners — all locked up… Also, inside the detention chamber at the heart of the camp, I found something…"
"Oh? Take me to see!"
Leylin's interest was piqued. He followed Tifa to a cell sealed layer upon layer.
"Only I have been inside! I felt the fewer people who knew about this, the better!" Tifa bowed, then took up a position by the door like a loyal guard.
"Could it be…" Leylin had a suspicion forming, but he pushed the door open without hesitation.
Clang! The heavy iron door let out a dull, resounding noise.
The room inside was dimly lit, and the walls were covered in the unique runes of the Beastkin — savage, primitive symbols that, judging by their effect, formed a high-level anti-magic array designed to sever the connection between elemental energy and the Weave.
This was clearly a prison cell, and the figure within stirred before abruptly raising its head.
"You… are not a Beastkin!"
It spoke in a low, hoarse voice, barely audible.
Clink, clink — the prisoner's movements set the iron chains rattling. Only then did Leylin notice a peculiar set of shackles on its wrists.
"[Anti-Magic Shackles]? Looks like they're quite wary of you..."
Leylin carefully examined the prisoner before him. The figure had a human-like appearance, but with the distinct features of a half-elf hybrid. Beneath pale green hair lay skin as white as jade, and eyes like two flawless black gems. Even prolonged imprisonment had failed to wear away the unique aura that clung to the captive.
A faint ripple of energy emanated from the prisoner's body, only to be clearly suppressed by the Anti-Magic Shackles — proof of the captive's identity as a Wizard.
"A female half-elf Wizard?! Tell me — why did the half-orcs lock you up?"
Leylin asked in a flat tone.
"I heard battle cries just now. Have you wiped them all out, the half-orcs?" The female Wizard raised her head, her watery eyes sweeping over Leylin.
"Wiped them out... something like that." Leylin nodded.
"Then why won't you release me?" The female Wizard jangled the iron chains in her hands.
"Can't do that. By regulation, you are now my prisoner — unless you can offer something of sufficient value to buy your freedom." Leylin shook his head. "Besides... a female half-elf Wizard. You surely know the price that commands..."
Though this was standard practice across the Continent of
"Buy my freedom? Heh... I imagine you were drawn here by 'that' as well? Ignorant fool. You have no idea the suffering it will bring you..."
The female Wizard laughed, a complex mix of emotions flickering through her eyes — satisfaction tangled with... regret?
"You mean the Archmage inheritance near the Nacer Mountain Range, where the Red Dragon lairs?"
Leylin couldn't be bothered to dance around the topic and brought it up directly.
Sure enough, the moment the words "Nacer Mountain Range," "Archmage," and "Red Dragon" left his lips, the woman's expression changed violently. "So you really do know..."
"Actually... I know more than you can imagine..."
Leylin studied her finely crafted robes, so different from those of ordinary Wizards, and snapped his fingers.
A searing beam of light struck dead center between the female Wizard's hands, melting the Anti-Magic Shackles into slag.
Molten iron dripped to the ground with a hiss, trailing plumes of white smoke, but the female Wizard paid it no heed. She stared fixedly at Leylin, disbelief blazing in her eyes. "Spontaneous casting?! No — this kind of resonance... You're an Archmage."
"An Archmage? I'm not one yet. I just happened to acquire a few incomplete Arcane templates... much like you!"
Leylin watched the female Wizard before him with a faint smile.
The casting of Arcane spells was naturally different from ordinary magic. The greatest distinction was that it didn't require passing through the Weave, instead directly channeling the 'Arcane energy' present in the air!
Leylin had long entertained this notion. Although most of the Chip's processing power was dedicated to the Weave, in his spare time he had nonetheless managed to deduce several low-level Arcane templates.
The Scorching Ray he had cast earlier was one such example.
With Leylin's knowledge and insight, if given sufficient time, there was no reason he couldn't perfectly replicate the [
After all, just the template for converting Wizardry into Arcane magic would keep Leylin occupied for quite a while.
But why go through the trouble of deducing it himself when such things already existed? What Leylin truly coveted were the direct research findings of those Arcanists, and even more so, the legacies of the ancient Rule Wizards!
In the Final War, more than one Rule Wizard had descended, and pinnacle Level 8 beings comparable to the Heart of the Planet were not uncommon!
The comprehension of such paths and rules would be of immense benefit to the current Leylin.
And as localized Wizards, the [Arcanists] must have received personal instruction from those ancient Wizards. The likelihood of them possessing this portion of documentation was very high.
"Observing the rule paths of different beings is of obvious benefit to me. Though every Wizard's ultimate path is undoubtedly unique, at least it can provide me with a general direction..."
A multitude of thoughts flowed through his mind as Leylin quietly observed the female Wizard before him.
After witnessing Leylin's earlier casting, the wariness on her face had completely vanished, replaced by a different expression: relaxation, pity, and a hint of reliance, as if she had found a kindred spirit.
*Whoosh!* A ball of ink-green energy particle flames blazed fiercely on the female Wizard's fingertip. At this moment, the female Wizard's hands formed a strange gesture, her expression full of solemnity.
"By the witness of the Arcane Flame! I shall tread the path of Truth! Abandoning confusion, cowardice, pain... inheriting the way of Arcane... the light of
"I am
After completing a series of archaic rituals, Helen looked at Leylin, a trace of anticipation on her face.
"The ancient greeting ritual between [Arcanists]? My apologies! I truly don't know that one..."
Leylin spread his hands, a wry and helpless smile on his face.
"Actually, I'm just an ordinary wizard who happened to acquire a few scraps of Arcanist heritage..."
After a rambling explanation—where he even produced the Archanist's notes he had previously obtained as proof—Leylin was finally able to verify his identity.
And the background of this young woman named Helen was gradually laid bare before Leylin's eyes.