"Just borrowing a few months, and you want five hundred Magic Stones, your boss sure knows how to make money!" the big guy complained.
"Actually, we normally charge one thousand Magic Stones per Scavenging Wolf. Since you gentlemen took on the mission, we're only charging the basic maintenance fee..." the waiter explained with a smile.
When they reached the counter, the old man simply tossed the Vulture King's head onto it.
"Mission accomplished! Take a look!"
From behind the counter turned a white-bearded old man wearing spectacles and a bartender's outfit. But judging by the fluctuations from his body, he was also a formal Wizard.
The white-bearded old man carefully examined the Vulture King's head for a long while before putting it away with satisfaction.
"It is indeed the head of the Gleye Vulture King. As agreed, each of you will receive..."
The white-bearded man was very quick and immediately handed over bags filled with Magic Stones and some materials, which were apparently prepared in advance.
"Actually, I belong to the great Duolote Family..."
After the transaction was complete, the old man put on a harmless smile and extended an olive branch to Leilin and the others.
For these major families, occasionally absorbing a few outside Wizards was a means to increase their family's strength.
Furthermore, Leilin and the others were quite capable and came from the east of the Great Canyon, making it unlikely they were spies for a rival family.
As long as their past wasn't too serious, the local large Wizard families would likely be very willing to take in such talent.
Leilin noticed the big guy's face clearly showed interest, while the two Wizards who had accompanied them previously seemed hesitant. Lancer and the leader old man, however, refused without hesitation.
As for Leilin himself, he hadn't even considered it.
Wizards joined families to obtain higher-grade Meditation Methods and resources. He already had a Meditation Method. As for resources? He could definitely trade potions for some. Moreover, compared to a relatively closed family, Leilin preferred to join organizations like Academies. Therefore, the olive branches thrown by these families held much less appeal for him.
"Come on! We've acted together after all. How about we go get a drink together?" the leader old man suggested.
"No, I have other matters. Keep in touch in the future..." Lancer left in a hurry, as if something very urgent was pressing.
"I'll pass too. The journey was tiring, and I just want to find a place to sleep right now!" Leilin smiled and refused. He and these people were merely temporary companions gathered to make the journey; there was no deep bond. Besides, the trouble he was in wasn't light. It was best to reach the White Witch Domain as soon as possible.
After Leilin, the big guy and the other two Wizards also rejected the old man's proposal.
The old man spread his hands helplessly and watched Leilin leave the bar.
Outside the bar was a somewhat narrow street paved with hard stone slabs. The surrounding light had dimmed, with only the lamp at the bar entrance still emitting a soft glow.
"It's already night!" Leilin glanced around casually. "Better find a place to rest soon..."
"Warning! Warning! High-energy Field condensation detected ahead! Identified as a First-level offensive Witchcraft!"
The instant he stepped out of the bar, Leilin's scalp suddenly tingled. The bloodline deep within his body also surged and boiled, emitting a warning flavor.
At the same time, the Chip projected numerous red warning texts.
"The attack is aimed at me!!!"
Leilin's thoughts spun wildly as his body dissolved into a phantom and dodged to the side.
BOOM!!!
A powerful Witchcraft energy fluctuation exploded violently in front of where Leilin had been standing just moments before. Dozens of weapons—knives, spears, swords, and halberds—formed from silvery metal created a metal storm that swept fiercely across the area Leilin had just occupied.
Half of the bar was sliced open, and the ceiling collapsed, revealing the stunned Wizards inside and the groaning bystanders who were accidentally hit.
"Found you, brat!"
After the dust and smoke cleared, a dwarf stood amidst the ruins, his eyes fixing on Leilin like knives.
"You're... from the Lilisite Family?!"
Leilin patted the dust off his clothes and calmly met the dwarf's gaze.
Among the people and forces he had offended, only that elder from the Lilisite Family had such deep hatred and ability, and the Witchcraft was somewhat similar to Bosa's.
"You're looking for death!"
Leilin's demeanor clearly enraged the other party. The dwarf waved his hand, causing countless droplets of metal to float and assemble into a long spear and a giant sword in mid-air. They radiated Witchcraft Field fluctuations like Sharpness Enchantment.
"Go!" The dwarf pointed at Leilin, and the metal blades slashed towards him once more.
"Shadow Fireball!"
Leilin quickly chanted the spell, and over a dozen black fireballs emerged from the surrounding shadows. They collided with the metal weapons, triggering violent Witchcraft explosions.
"Detected enemy metal spell attack power: 32 degrees!" The Chip's detection data made Leilin secretly breathe a sigh of relief.
"Some skill. No wonder you could kill my subordinate and grandson!" the dwarf spoke.