While Leilin was wandering about without purpose, a strange-sounding voice drifted over to him.
"At a time like this, and you're still this relaxed? It seems I really should suggest to Tigette that he give you a different position..."
The voice was bone-chilling, making Leilin feel as though a starving wolf had locked its gaze upon him.
Leilin smiled bitterly to himself, rubbed his nose, and turned to bow. "Lord Xishan!"
Before him stood a wizard in black robes, decorated with several blood-red lines, and a thick, metallic scent of blood clung to the man and would not dissipate.
But what was most unforgettable was the extra eye on this wizard's forehead!
This three-eyed wizard was none other than Xishan of the Hunting Group. He was a staunch believer in the supremacy of birth—one who held that only those born into the right families truly mattered—and ever since Leilin had joined
"Isn't his entire Hunting Group already deployed inside the Ganges Secret Realm? Could something have happened that forced him to rush back and report?"
Leilin speculated inwardly while explaining aloud: "...This subordinate has already completed this month's entire quota, so I simply came out for a bit of fresh air..."
"Oh? Heh heh! You're quite capable. Perhaps you should be stationed in a position more suited to your abilities..."
To Leilin's surprise, Xishan didn't cause trouble for him this time. After delivering that cryptic remark, he simply turned and left.
Leilin was left standing alone on the road, quietly lost in thought.
"What exactly did he mean by that?"
Soon enough, Leilin learned what Xishan had really meant.
That evening, in the banquet hall. The members of the Potion Group had gathered together for a lavish dinner.
Hazel chicken, roast suckling pig, mead—mundane delicacies were everywhere, piled about like refuse.
At the very center of the table, however, were specialties found only in the
Bubble Fish! Thread Serpents! Cream Yaks! And all manner of rare ingredients Leilin couldn't even name, all neatly arranged.
Tempting wines gave off their sweet aromas, constantly beckoning to everyone's appetite.
"Behind all this, there must be quite a few apprentices' blood, I imagine?"
Leilin speared a piece of roasted fish, savoring the novel sensation on his taste buds while letting out a quiet sigh.
Bubble Fish were a high-energy creature of the Wizard World, with strength comparable to a Second-rank or even Third-rank Apprentice.
The wizard kitchen at Four Seasons Garden had specifically issued collection quests to the apprentices for their flesh.
Behind the feast lay countless Wizard Apprentices hacking through thorns and brambles on harrowing, grueling adventures—and their blood-stained harvests, after being traded for a pittance of compensation, had become delicacies on the tables of full-fledged wizards!
"That is precisely why! I want to be one who takes from others—not one who is taken from!"
A flash of determination crossed Leilin's eyes, though his face still wore a kind smile as he helped himself to a roasted pig leg and placed it on his plate.
As the time for his second bloodline leap drew closer, Leilin had noticed his body beginning to exhibit various anomalies.
The most obvious was a marked increase in his appetite. He found himself especially craving the flesh of powerful, high-energy creatures.
After the lavish banquet drew to a close, Tigette tapped the golden goblet on the table.
Clang!!!
The entire hall fell silent at once. Leilin and the other wizards rose to their feet, waiting for the Potion Group leader's task assignments and instructions.
"Everyone! Before we proceed with routine business, I have an announcement to make!"
Tigette surveyed the wizards present and cleared his throat.
"Just today, Xishan of the Hunting Group came to see me, hoping to recruit several Apothecaries! As you all know, inside the Ganges Secret Realm, the frequent fighting has led to a severe shortage of Healing Wizards. And many Apothecaries can use potions to achieve healing effects similar to those of a Healing Wizard..."
Hearing Tigette's words, Leilin's heart sank.
"Now, I will announce the deployment list: Wickson, Saladin... and Leilin!"
Sure enough, at the end of the list, Tigette raised his voice and called out Leilin's name.
In an instant, Leilin felt the gazes of all his colleagues converge upon him.
Among those stares were curiosity, concern—but the overwhelming majority were schadenfreude.
His nominal captain sighed heavily off to the side. After Leilin was gone, with
"Oh! Heavens! Leilin! What are you going to do?!"
Beside him, Ouke stared blankly for a moment, then turned to Leilin with his mouth hanging open.
"It's fine. Even if I'm sent to the battlefield, I'd most likely be in a support role—there's actually not much danger." Seeing that at least one person genuinely cared, a faint smile appeared on Leilin's face.
In truth, where on a battlefield was there ever absolute safety? And especially when falling under the command of Xishan, that three-eyed wizard?
The moment he heard Tigette read out the list, the first thing Leilin had actually thought of was that meaningful smile Xishan had worn earlier!
"The above-named wizards, you have five days to prepare. After that, you must report to the Four Seasons Garden branch in the Ganges Secret Realm. Failure to do so will be treated as desertion!"
Tigette added with a warning tone.
Having already offended both Black Bone Forest and the Lilisite Family—two Dark Wizard factions—Leilin had no desire to make yet another, even more powerful Light Wizard enemy.
If that day truly came, he would have no foothold left anywhere along the entire South Coast.
...
A day later, having packed in a hurry, Leilin set off on the road to the Ganges Plain with two Great Knight attendants.
The sun blazed mercilessly overhead.
Wisps of heat haze rose from the ground, and not far away, the very air had begun to warp and shimmer.
The sweltering heat left the main road completely devoid of travelers.
Clip-clop-clip-clop!!! At that moment, three horses galloped past, shattering the silence of the road.
"Master! There's a patch of shade up ahead—shall we stop and rest?"
No. 2 reined in his horse and called back to Leilin.
"Might as well rest a bit. We can hold out, but the horses won't last much longer!"
Leilin pointed at the horses, which were already foaming at the mouth.
Behind them, several spare horses carried crates and luggage, but they too looked utterly listless, their ears drooping against their heads, their eyes glazed and dull.
Leilin himself could have traveled by Venomous Flying Dragon.
But he now had to bring two Great Knight attendants along with a large quantity of luggage, and the combined load far exceeded what the dragon could carry.
The Sleepless City had no direct airship route to the Ganges Plain either, so Leilin had no choice but to resort to the most primitive method—horseback travel.
As for the Venomous Flying Dragon, Leilin had ordered it to scout from high above, accompanying them along the way.
"Master! Water!"
Leilin found a clean rock and sat down. Behind him, No. 3 had already brought forward a large leather waterskin.
"Mm." Leilin took a sip.
Though with his constitution this level of heat posed no real inconvenience, the cool water sliding down his throat still brought a pleasant sensation.
"Hm?"
Suddenly, a wisp of grey fog descended over the shaded area.
In the dim light, the branches overhead seemed to twist into all manner of grotesque hands, reaching toward Leilin and his companions.
At the same time, a drowsy sensation crept into the minds of all three men.
"Who's there?!" No. 2 and No. 3's muscles swelled, and ripples of energy surged— But they were immediately stilled by Leilin's icy gaze and collapsed stiffly to the ground.
"Heh heh... Blood Hand! You've done a fine job modifying these two Great Knights of yours! They nearly resisted my hypnosis!" A boy's voice rang out.
At the name Blood Hand, Leilin's brow furrowed.
He was still dressed as an ordinary wizard, yet this Dark Wizard from the Thousand Leaf Hand had instantly identified him. It seemed that despite his best efforts to keep a low profile over the past year, he'd been too conspicuous—and his identity had been uncovered.
Most likely, even Four Seasons Garden harbored the same suspicion!
That was precisely why Tigette had been all too willing to let Xishan transfer Leilin away, and even the former leader Leonot hadn't raised any objections.
"Boy. What do you want?"
Since he'd already been exposed, Leilin got straight to the point.
"Heh heh... It's about Old Ghost. She's a senior member of the organization, and her current status is unknown. 'The Master' ordered us to conduct a thorough search. And from what I understand, the last time she was seen, she had invited you and Tonghuan to join an expedition..."
"That's right. But Tonghuan died in there, and Old Ghost can't leave the place for now. As for the location of the secret realm—I'm afraid I can't tell you."
Leilin didn't believe for a moment that they truly cared about this elder's life or death. Coveting what Old Ghost had left behind was almost certainly the real motive.
Sure enough, after hearing Leilin's response, the boy let out a few chuckles. "As expected of Blood Hand! Straightforward and decisive! Old Ghost's matter ends here. Now then, I've brought a task from 'The Master'!"
When mentioning this Master, the boy deliberately emphasized his tone.
"What's going on? Does the Thousand Leaf Hand issue forced missions now?" Leilin's brow furrowed again. It seemed that the powerful Dark Wizard who had been manipulating the Thousand Leaf Hand from the shadows was finally being drawn to the forefront.
"There were none before, of course, but things are different now! I believe that, in order to keep your identity from being exposed, you'll gladly contribute to the organization! Won't you, Leilin? Or should I say... Blood Hand?"
The boy began making threats openly, his tone carrying a note of smugness.