A robe crafted from an ancient artifact, even if it only amplified a single type of wizardry fivefold, would still be a terrifying thing.
Leilin certainly wouldn't push his luck by asking Im to let him study the [Ancient Thunder Robe] for a period of time — that request would absolutely be refused.
So he didn't even entertain the thought. But when it came to studying this kind of magical array, he had far better methods.
"Chip, how's it going?"
Leilin asked silently.
[Ding! The robe's magical array has been recorded. Identified as Ancient Thunder Script. Usability rate: 89.7%!]
The Chip reported back faithfully, projecting a massive Thunder Ring magical array diagram before Leilin's eyes. Over a hundred thousand lightning rune characters were densely packed together, forming a pattern of exquisite beauty.
"This kind of magical array shouldn't just be applicable to the Flash Thunderstrike killing move or even lightning wizardry — it could potentially be extended and applied to other fields as well…"
A sharp light flashed through Leilin's eyes. "Im can't do it. He possesses this magical array but lacks the ability to systematically decompose and deduce its underlying formations. After all, a wizard's brain still can't compare to an optical computer — the computational load required would be enough to overwhelm him. But for me, none of that is a problem!"
Thinking this, a look of excitement immediately appeared on his face.
"Alright! Leilin! Let's head back! To celebrate our alliance, I'm planning to hold a grand banquet within the family!"
A hint of amusement shimmered in Im's eyes, as though he assumed Leilin was equally thrilled by their powerful union.
"What an honor!" Leilin smiled modestly, then floated upward and, side by side with Im, returned to the former stronghold of the Ilias Family — the castle situated within the Metal Mountains.
…
As night fell — though the underground world had no concept of day or night, wizards used magic or sunstones to artificially create work and rest periods to regulate their schedules — one by one the lights were extinguished or dimmed, settling the castle that had just hosted a grand banquet into silence. It seemed to have fallen asleep.
Leilin, warmly received by the Ilias Family, was now alone in a luxurious bedroom.
The furnishings were exquisite. Every surface bore traces of magical preservation, lending the room an air of great value.
After dismissing the beautiful maids, Leilin reclined alone on the sofa, the Chip's glow still flickering in his eyes.
[Ding! Ancient Amplification Thunder Script archived! Beginning analysis…]
Under the Chip's terrifying computational power, the lightning magical array Leilin had scanned earlier was rapidly decomposing. Each rune character, tadpole-like, writhed and twisted as the Chip faithfully recorded and analyzed their specific functions.
Even though the array contained over a hundred thousand rune characters — making it extraordinarily complex and precise — for Leilin, who possessed the Chip, it just meant spending a little extra time.
Temporarily freed from his work, Leilin recalled the scene from the earlier banquet, and a smile crept onto his lips.
The Ilias Family clearly wasn't quite accustomed to this unfamiliar wizard who had been fighting them to the death not long ago, only to return as an honored guest after a brief trip.
The warlock who had been captured by Leilin previously, in particular, looked as though he had seen a ghost upon seeing Leilin again — he nearly fled in panic, making quite a spectacle of himself.
But be that as it may, both wizards and warlocks were old hands who had seen it all. After Im announced the news of the alliance with Leilin and his forces, even if they had been somewhat discomposed at first, they quickly composed themselves.
Even the Morning Star Warlock who had made a fool of himself earlier came over personally to apologize afterward, restoring the unique bearing befitting his rank — earning a quiet nod of approval from Leilin.
Moreover, while Im had kept the news of Leilin's surface-world origins confidential, he had made no secret of his status as a Fifth-rank Warlock.
After all, not just any wizard could form an alliance with the Ilias Family.
Once Leilin's identity as a Fifth-rank Warlock was announced, the other elders of the Ilias Family immediately ceased questioning Grand Elder Im's decision.
A Fifth-rank Warlock! That was a figure seldom seen even in the Arthur Empire!
Even the entire Ilias Family possessed only a single Fifth-rank powerhouse — Grand Elder Im.
And a warlock's strength generally far surpassed that of a wizard of the same rank. This was beyond doubt. Therefore, even Leilin alone qualified as an ally for the Ilias Family, let alone the fact that Grand Elder Im had subtly hinted that this Warlock Leilin also commanded a powerful force behind him.
"But… they really are a bit too enthusiastic…"
Leilin stroked his chin, thinking of the undisguised anticipation in the eyes of those maids just now, and sighed with some helplessness.
He was currently busy analyzing the Ancient Thunder Script — where would he find the time for such things?
Moreover, although Bloodline Warlocks could produce offspring with wizards or even certain humanoid races that carried the power of bloodlines, for some reason, warlocks with different bloodlines had never produced mixed-blood offspring.
In Leilin's estimation, this was because both sides' bloodline powers were too strong to harmonize, making it impossible to produce mixed-blood offspring.
But if they shared the same bloodline origin — if both were Comosin Warlocks, for example — there was no such problem, and they could even ensure the purity and concentration of their offspring's bloodline.
"If Im doesn't object, I could later arrange marriages through ordinary wizards to obtain the Thousand-thorn Thunderbird bloodline from his side… This is the bloodline of an ancient Sixth-rank creature. Even trading our Comosin Giant Serpent bloodline for it would be well worth the exchange…"
Leilin's thoughts drifted to other matters.
Although the Ouroboros Ring was composed entirely of Comosin Warlocks and their blood descendants, there were still some wizards among its peripheral organizations.
On the South Coast, Leilin had only performed a bloodline conversion for Krupp alone. Through his recent efforts, some additional descendants of the original Farell Family had gathered at his side.
Most of them were ordinary people, but they could still serve for marriage alliances.
"But there doesn't seem to be much chance of that, does there? Even a branch family's illegitimate daughter — they'd hardly allow her to be married off outside. When it came to keeping their family's bloodline from leaking outward, many warlocks were incredibly obsessive…"
Having quickly abandoned that train of thought, Leilin felt somewhat relieved.
Fortunately, no one had discovered him extracting the bloodline today. Even that Morning Star Warlock had been unconscious and further deceived by Leilin's Dream Force Field, believing his weakness was merely the result of his severe injuries. Otherwise, if Im found out, there would likely be additional trouble.
"No! It's also possible that he already knows but is simply biding his time. If that's the case, I need to make some preparations as well…"
Leilin stroked his chin, his eyes dark and unfathomable.
Even with the alliance in place, he didn't trust the other party much, and he was sure the feeling was mutual.
In truth, had they not happened to be positioned at opposite ends of the passage, each controlling the other's weak point, this alliance would never have come together so easily.
And necessary precautions, he was certain, were something both sides would take.
…
"Leilin, you're really not going to stay and enjoy yourself a bit longer?"
"No! It's truly been enough!"
Leilin and Im now stood in the Thunderbird Sanctum, outside the hall where the passage existed.
After a brief survey, Leilin had gained some understanding of this region. Using the excuse that the energy maintaining the passage on the other side was nearly depleted, he prepared to return to the surface and was now saying his farewells to Im.
"Trade between the underground and the surface holds enormous profit potential. I believe both our sides can reap immense benefits from this trade, and only through our combined efforts can we maintain this flow of profit!"
Before departing, Leilin looked at Im with sincere eyes. "Of course, Im, you might also come with me to see the surface sometime. Although the surface's wizarding world has been in decline for a long time, it's gradually beginning to recover its ancient glory — with figures no less formidable than King Arthur…"
King Arthur — the legendary founder of the Arthur Empire, who was also at minimum a Sixth-rank
Im's eyes shifted. Upon hearing that the surface possessed wizards comparable to King Arthur, his bright eyes seemed to flicker with an unusual light — a complex blend of wariness, anticipation, and a trace of fear.
"Very well! But it will take some time. The family affairs accumulated during my dormancy period, plus the preparations needed to begin trade between our sides — these are all complicated matters…"
Im thought for a moment before shaking his head.
"Actually, I hope your side up there can also cooperate in breaking through the seal. That would make things much easier on my end, and the passage could be opened sooner, bringing us even greater profits…"
"Of course! I'll begin working on this as soon as I return!"
Leilin nodded and offered a slight bow — the motion fluid and effortless, his etiquette impeccable, like that of a time-honored noble. "Then, Master Im, farewell!"
As he spoke, an archway of light had already materialized behind Leilin.
"I look forward to our next meeting!" Im nodded, his voice expressionless, having returned to his usual aloof demeanor.
Leilin smiled and stepped through the archway.
Snap! The light vanished, restoring the darkness and silence. Im stood there motionless, various colors of light occasionally flickering through his eyes, his thoughts unknowable.