Leilin recalled for a moment.
Right now, within the entire Ganges Secret Realm, Four Seasons Garden's forces could be considered to have suffered a devastating blow.
Aside from Leonot, the Supreme Elder, being killed, the heads of both the Battle Group and the Defense Group had died in combat directly. The person in charge of the Merit Trading Post had been killed by Leilin, and even Ward, the envoy from headquarters, was missing — his fate unknown.
Leilin realized with some surprise that right now, the entire Four Seasons Garden headquarters in the Ganges Secret Realm might only have two First-rank peak Wizards remaining: himself and Xishan.
Under these circumstances, seizing control of the entire headquarters would be an extremely simple matter.
Although Four Seasons Garden's headquarters in the outside world would certainly react quickly, dispatching large numbers of Wizards and even Second-rank powerhouses to investigate and take up position here, that would take time!
And Xishan and Leilin could use that time to hollow out Four Seasons Garden's forces and create convenient conditions for the Dark Wizards.
By the time the other side realized what had happened, the defensive formations and even the base would already be under Dark Wizard control. At that point, the outcome would be essentially decided.
Even if another great battle broke out, the Dark Wizards would hold four entrances while the White Wizards only had three — they would actually hold the advantage.
It was precisely by dangling this enormous, tempting bait that Leilin had managed to lure the Dark Wizards into the trap!
"It's Lord Xishan! And Inspector Leilin!"
As they approached the Four Seasons Garden headquarters, Leilin and Xishan's figures were immediately spotted by large numbers of White Wizards. The surviving Four Seasons Garden Wizards hurried forward to pay their respects.
Leilin scanned them briefly. Most of these Wizards had tattered robes, their faces covered in dust and dried blood. The moment they saw Xishan and Leilin, they looked as though they had found their backbone.
"It seems like Four Seasons Garden's losses among their upper ranks this time are even more severe than I imagined!"
Leilin considered that ever since he had taken up this Inspector position, he hadn't done much good — if anything, he had extorted quite a bit from various departments. Yet now these Wizards, upon seeing Leilin, crowded around him to offer greetings, their enthusiasm so great that even he found it surprising.
Presumably, Four Seasons Garden no longer had a single First-rank peak Wizard here. That was why Xishan and Leilin, as the only two First-rank peak Wizards, were receiving such a warm welcome and high expectations.
"If they knew that Xishan and I were actually the masterminds behind this attack, I wonder what expressions they would have on their faces…"
Leilin thought to himself with a hint of speechlessness, though his face wore a suitably grave expression.
"May I ask who holds the highest rank among Four Seasons Garden here?"
At that moment, a Wizard wearing a silver-white robe adorned with lightning patterns pushed through the crowd of Wizards and walked in.
"I am Xishan! Head of the Hunt Group! This is Wizard Leilin, the newly appointed headquarters Inspector…"
Xishan's face appeared devoid of color as he spoke haltingly.
"We are the Lightning Legion, under the White Wizard Alliance. Our Legion Commander wishes to see you!"
This Wizard wore a cold expression, as though he had been born with only that one look. He disregarded Xishan's clearly injured state and simply turned to lead the way.
The surrounding Four Seasons Garden Wizards shrank back, not daring to approach.
Compared to the colossal entity that was the White Wizard Alliance, Four Seasons Garden was merely one of its affiliated members. Moreover, any single soldier in this Lightning Legion possessed at least semi-elementalized strength, equivalent to the elite members of Four Seasons Garden's seasonal groups. Their numbers were even greater, and by convention, the Legion Commander was always a Second-rank Wizard. They were simply no match.
Leilin shrugged and exchanged a helpless glance with Xishan before following along.
The headquarters was naturally very familiar territory. After passing through a large stretch of crumbling ruins, Leilin and Xishan met the Lightning Legion's Commander in a hastily tidied reception room.
"You're Xishan, aren't you? Nineteen years ago, at Leonot's banquet — we met!"
Surprisingly, this Wizard seemed to know Xishan.
Xishan quickly bowed: "So it's Lord Ressman!"
Leilin lowered his head in a bow to one side, taking the opportunity to steal a glance at this Second-rank Wizard.
Ressman was extremely broad and muscular, draped in a blue robe with his chest half-bare. His muscles bulged in distinct masses, and beneath his golden fringe of hair sat a blue lightning-shaped mark.
What caught Leilin's attention most were Ressman's eyes. Each time they opened and closed, faint sparks of electricity flashed between them — an extremely peculiar sight.
"Where did you two go?" the Second-rank Wizard asked immediately.
"My lord! I was previously leading the Hunt Group in battle against the Dark Wizards. We suffered heavy casualties throughout, and in the end even I was wounded. It was only thanks to Wizard Leilin arriving in time that I was saved…"
Xishan began reciting a story that had been prepared in advance.
The gist of it was that he had fought bravely but been defeated, and just as he was about to fall, Leilin had arrived to rescue him.
This was the version of events he and Leilin had agreed upon beforehand, with all casualties properly documented.