A large number of energy waves could be felt fluctuating from the pool.
“Yes, I have built here an earth element energy particle pond. This task consumed all of the resources that I have accumulated for nearly a hundred years!”
Siegfried’s face appeared to experience a muscle spasm, but the next moment, it was replaced with an expression of pride.
“After building this energy particle pond, the concentration of earth element particles in this place has increased to 55% and the results of my cultivation have been more remarkable when compared to using just meditation techniques.”
The element particle pond’s ability was not restricted to the one mentioned prior. Magi could use the energy within this pond to replenish themselves in a crucial moment, and the element particles within could be used to attack enemies.
Thus, a Magus having such a pond would be stronger within his own territory when compared with his peers.
With his strength as a semi-converted elemental Magus, within this white tower, Siegfried’s attack power would be roughly equal to that of a 70-80% converted elemental Magus.
“Oh, that’s right, I haven’t properly introduced myself. I am a reputed instructor at the Earth Fire Association, and I cultivated using their high level meditation technique, the Gaia’s Might! It is divided into three layers: earth, magma, and organisms. I am currently still in the stage of earth. A high level mediatation technique’s progress is too slow…”
Having said this, he looked at Leylin with curiosity, very much interested in the background of this Magus.
“It seems that sharing one’s experiences with a high-level meditation technique is a tradition amongst the Magi of the Twilight Zone…” As this information flashed through Leylin’s mind, he smiled very modestly, “I come from a very small institute known as Goodlaw! This institute specializes in researching in ancient reptilian creatures. It is very focused in that field. I cultivate with a damaged high level meditation technique called the Sacred Flame! Currently, I am stagnated in the first level of that meditation technique…”
After that, he explained, in simple terms, the first level of the Sacred Flame and its difficulties. As expected, he concealed that mystical ability to predict forthcoming events.
“Hu… Leylin! This meditation technique of yours is quite badly damaged.” Stroking his beard, Siegfried’s eyes shone as he looked at Leylin. “How about you join our Earth Fire Association? Our high-level meditation techniques are more whole as compared to your Sacred Flame, and moreover, we could continue to share our experiences…”
“No thank you!” Leylin shook his head, “Changing meditation techniques is too dangerous. I advanced to a level 1 Magus by depending on my Sacred Flame technique. I can’t get rid of the impact it has on my spiritual force in such a short time. Moreover, I also want to pass on my Goodlaw School’s inheritance, as it was my teacher’s dying wish that I do so.”
Leylin’s tone remained firm and unwavering; it spoke of his resolve.
He knew that this invitation of Siegfried’s was only small talk, and that it was not actually sincere. Moreover, in a situation where he did not know about the Fire Earth Association, he did not want to rashly become one of its members.
“En! That’s right, acolytes can switch meditation techniques, but for a level 1 Magus, after his sea of consciousness is stabilized, it would be extremely troublesome if he decided to switch out his meditation technique.”
Siegfried also solemnly agreed; it seemed that a while ago, he had spoken out without thinking.
As for Leylin’s background, he did not have a speck of doubt regarding that.
After a memory search on Aaron, and having spent two years in Potter Town, Leylin had already grasped the customs, traditions, and manners of speech of humans of the underworld. He gave no indications that he was not from their world.
In addition, there were countless acolytes in the subterranean world, and schools that had only one or two Magi to pass on the inheritance were similarly too many to count. And perhaps one day when these Magi could not find the right apprentices to inherit meditation techniques, that school would naturally cease existing.
As for other lucky magicians who had obtained high-level meditation techniques, they would be considered the pillars of support for passing down inheritances in their small academies.
Thus, even if he hadn’t heard of any Goodlaw, Siegfried believed Leylin to be only a disciple of some small-scale academy—perhaps even a bright shining disciple who was his school’s sole Magus. Siegfried even felt some sympathy towards Leylin.
“Not only are high grade meditation techniques easy at first and difficult later, the further one advances the more difficult it becomes to keep advancing. For a Magus to train in them, they must meet some very lofty requirements in regards to their physique and spirit. It would be no easy task for an acolyte to find a complete meditation technique that is suited to him.”
Leylin nodded in agreement with what Siegfried said.
With a high-grade meditation technique, a magician at the acolyte or level 1 Magus stage could easily advance, but then onwards, it would become harder. In addition, finding a complete meditation technique that would suit one’s own physique depended upon one’s character and luck.
Even Leylin was initially unsuitable to practise the Kemoyin’s Pupil technique. Only after transplanting the bloodline did he have the qualifications to study that high-level meditation technique.
No matter how difficult it was to advance using a high-level meditation technique, Magi who used such techniques were much better off when compared to those Magi of the south coast who advanced by depending on resources.
Siegfried’s magician tower was divided into 5 floors. The lowest floor was where the refined metal puppets stood guard. On the second floor, there were rooms that stored treasures and junk.
The third floor consisted of a magician’s garden, a room for cultivation, and a room for training. The fourth floor had the lab and the elemental pool. The fifth and final floor contained his bedroom, a room where he received visitors, and other rooms for similar domestic purposes.
After Leylin had taken a look around the tower, he was invited by Siegfried to go to the fifth floor.
“Now, can you tell me the purpose of your visit, Leylin?”
The two of them had enjoyed their afternoon tea along with some light refreshments before they each took a seat on the sofa. The old man, with a wise expression in his eyes, laughed and then asked Leylin that question.
“Well, the fact is….” Leylin paid attention to how he phrased his next words.
“I have been wandering around in the Woody Wastelands, and do not understand much about the current situation of Magus powers in the capital. After hearing Jenny say that her family had an existence such as yourself, I decided to pay a visit!”
“Another reason is that she and her father had spent a lot of effort in inviting me over.”
“Hehe. You are very frank!” Siegfried wore a happy smile. “Regarding these descendants of mine, I have no interest in their matters. In my opinion, they are all a pack of feral wolves, and only an alpha wolf chosen after a bitter competition will have the qualifications to lead the Argus Family.”
He let his descendants cruelly fight it out amongst themselves, and from amongst them, he would choose the one who was capable of wielding power within the family.
This kind of speech that was dripping with blood showed the cold and detached outlook of a Magus who had lived a long time.
Leylin could also understand some of Siegfried’s thoughts. It seemed that he had already cut off any feelings he had for his close relatives; these blood-related descendants of his were no better than strangers to him.
Because it was like this, Siegfried would be so cold and detached, and consider them as mere beasts or even commodities to be traded.
“Recently, Lucas had contributed an item that was of some use to me, and because of that, I
have started favouring him.”
Siegfried indifferently talked about the internal disputes in his family, “Of course, if Leylin is taking Jenny’s side, then I shall immediately put an end to Lucas’ dreams.”
As far as Siegfried was concerned, Lucas was but one amongst the younger generation, while Leylin’s status was on the same level as his own.
Thus, to strengthen their relationship, no hesitation was needed if sacrificing a small benefit of Lucas was needed.
Secret Knight Technique
“Oh! No no no! I think you’ve misunderstood me!” Leylin hurriedly shook his head.
“While I am acquainted to Jenny, I also have no intentions whatsoever to partake in the Argus Family’s internal strife!”
Leylin made his stand.
With just one sentence, the calamity that was befalling Jenny and her father would be resolved. Even Lucas would not hold any objections anymore. However, what has all this got to do with Leylin?
Not only that, but after influencing Siegfried’s decision Leylin would owe him a favour! Favours are oftentimes the most difficult of things to repay!
Moreover, directly interfering with another Magus’ family matters could be seen as being disrespectful.
Whether or not Siegfried chose to mask his emotions, he would definitely be displeased about it.
Leylin did not concern himself with these issues. On one hand, Jenny’s father had some worldly factions supporting him while on the other hand, Lucas had the backing of Siegfried. There was simply no hesitation when weighing the benefits.
After all, with his years of experience, he was already used to making decisions by weighing benefits. This was also the principle that Magi practiced.
As expected, after hearing Leylin’s words, Siegfried smiled even more broadly. “Leylin, I think you are still unfamiliar with the Magi factions in the capital right? Don’t worry, you can pay me a visit to learn more about it whenever you like. I’ll also bring you to some Magi organisational places for networking and to make some new friends!”
“That’ll be fantastic!” After achieving the goal he came for, Leylin revealed his joy.
Leylin and Siegfried then exchanged some information that they knew about high-grade meditation techniques. Although Siegfried had amassed a bountiful amount of information for 250 years, he was still somewhat amazed by some of the theoretical practices simulated by the A.I. Chip. So much so that he almost wanted to immediately have them undergo practical tests. This was a form of acknowledgement of Leylin’s scholarly knowledge. As for Leylin, he respected the time that Siegfried had placed into his experiments.
After their sharing of information, both parties felt that the time spent was extremely short. Hence, only after setting a date for their next meeting did Siegfried reluctantly send Leylin off.
……
Now that Leylin had neglected to help Jenny’s father, the series of events that happened could only be expected.
During the Argus Family’s council, Lucas had amassed enough backing to take on the role of the next family head and to obtain the status of a Marquis!
During that very same night, the original Marquis died a painful death from a poison attack!
As for Jenny, she was accused of putting poison inside the Dragon-Blooded Flower Bud, thereby murdering her father.
Anyone with a discerning eye could tell that this was the lowest kind of set-up with a childish ploy. However, Lucas wanted to use this very method to know who stood on his side within the family and at the same time establish his dominance!
This deliberate misrepresentation of making a deer out to be a horse was done to punish Jenny, and to set an example for others.
After using a few lightning quick moves to rid himself of the opposing factions within the family, Lucas had a firm grip on the powers within the Argus Family. The entire family implicitly allowed this to carry on, and even corroborated the story of Jenny poisoning her own father!
Power struggles were often this harsh. Win, and become king. Lose, and become a dog. This was but another example of the bloody battles in this dog eat dog world.
“Hu..Huu…”
Jenny dashed rapidly through a dark forest.
This girl of noble birth had now lost her elegant and haughty appearance. Her skirt had already been torn apart by the shrubberies. Blood streaked her face and she had an extremely miserable appearance; worse than a beggar’s.
“Dearest father!” Tears streaked down her face as she continued running.
The events had transpired so quickly that they left Jenny thinking that the whole thing was all but a dream.
Her backing, which was her very own father, had died just like that through a conspiracy. Worse yet, she was labelled as the murderer!
Dear heavens! Jenny did not know how perverted one had to be to brandish her as the murderer!
However, what followed next left her speechless. Under the immense political power, such absurdity was validated by the others, and even labelled her as a wanted criminal.
In fact, if not for the few loyal servants and kin who had tipped her off and protected her along the way, she would definitely not be able to escape with just her strength as a level 1 acolyte.
Of course, after helping her, those close ones encountered terrible fates.
*Plop!* Jenny stumbled on a tree root as she ran. Mud was splashed in the area as this young lady sobbed spasmodically as she knelt on the ground.
Even if she managed to escape this time, what good would there be ahead of her? Be it other nobles or even the common folk, she would be seen as a murderer. Her eventual outcome would either to be caught and be sentenced to execution, or to hide her name and honour in dirt, never revealing her identity. Just from thinking about this fact, Jenny adopted a bleak outlook for her future.
“Wuu…Why…Why did things turn out this way?” Jenny cried.
“Jejeje! Look at the pathetic state you’re in!”
At this moment, a familiar voice sounded behind her back, leaving shudders throughout her body.
She turned around and saw a tall Knight in armour, who had a malevolent scar across his face.
“‘Dagger’ Todd, one of my father’s personal bodyguards, even you dare to betray me?”
This man had the terrifying strength of a Grand Knight, and was even one of her father’s own bodyguards, and as such commanded quite a lot of trust.
Todd only sniggered towards the lamentations of the young lady. However, his smile made his scarred face look even more horrifying.
“In fact, I’ve always been on Lucas’ side. So there is no betrayal per se!”
Jenny’s pupils dilated as she suddenly got a bad premonition.
“And as the reward of being an undercover operative, Lord Lucas has allowed me to seek pleasure with you before killing you!” Todd licked his lips and revealed a wanton grin.
“Five years! A full five years of listening to you call me Uncle Todd! In reality, during my duties I have thought frequently of possessing you, feasting on you, ripping you!”
“You! You sick pervert!” After listening to the man admitting to the desires of wanting her even since she was a ten year old girl, Jenny’s hair stood on ends.
“Yes! I’m a pervert, but what can you do about it? Missy of the Argus Family!”
Todd advanced as he peeled off his gloves, “Relax, I will give you a great time…”
Jenny scuttled backwards, as if Todd was some kind of terrifying beast.
However, Todd was, in this moment, worse than a monster!
“Save me! Help, someone please save me!”
The girl wailed helplessly as tears streamed down her face.
“Stop!”
“At this moment, a extremely youthful voice sounded. What followed soon after was the wind caused from a blade being swung!
“Eh?” Todd jumped back and looked at the lad who had emerged from nowhere.
“Baelin!” Jenny snuggled into Baelin’s arms as
she sobbed quietly.
“You bastard, I’m going to kill you!” Baelin stared coldly at the large Knight in front of him. He seethed in fury, for had he arrived a moment later, something bad would have happened to Jenny.
It was the first time in his life that Baelin wanted to kill someone so badly!
“Kill me? Are you able to?” Todd unsheathed the sword hung at his waist. “You must be this missy’s lover! I’ve decided that I will first chop off your four limbs, then take her right in front of you! At the time, your expression will definitely be extremely fascinating to watch. Perhaps, you can even join us…”
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