Leilin surveyed the small gathering of wizards from the Earthfire Society.
Only a handful of wizards sat here—three in total. Even with Leilin and Siegfried added, that made just five.
Whether on the South Coast or in the Dark Polar Domain, becoming a formal wizard was never easy. But once one advanced, both status and standing underwent a dramatic transformation.
"I've been practicing the Power of the Earth lately, and I keep finding it so difficult to attract earth-type energy particles—especially when it comes to gathering the ambient aura of the earth…"
At that moment, a red-haired wizard had already launched eagerly into his discussion.
"For that problem, I think an energy particle pool could help you…" Siegfried couldn't help but interject.
"That's unrealistic! Far too resource-intensive! I'd recommend using Type-3 Meditation Auxiliary Runes, combined with Breath Water, but then you'd have the issue of spiritual power impurities afterwards…"
Leilin noticed that the Earthfire Society wizards talked most about the cultivation content related to their advanced Meditation Method—the Power of the Earth.
Some of these questions were already quite deep, offering even a sliver of inspiration for Leilin's own refinement and improvement of the Eye of Komoin and the Sacred Light Candleflame.
This was simply the culture of the Dark Polar Domain—sharing experiences in Meditation Methods in the hope that everyone could advance together.
Of course, expecting to fully reconstruct the Power of the Earth advanced Meditation Method from these scattered snippets was nothing short of a fantasy, so the wizards had no real fear of their Meditation Method secrets leaking out.
When it was Leilin's turn, he shared some of his own experiences regarding breaking through minor bottlenecks in his Meditation Methods, prompting deep thought among the wizards.
Although he had advanced for only a short time, he had already elevated the Eye of Komoin to the second stage—a remarkably high level—and had additionally obtained another advanced Meditation Method, the Sacred Light Candleflame. With the Chip's continuous extrapolation, his understanding of Meditation Methods had actually surpassed that of these old timers who had spent centuries immersed in their own advanced practices.
"It seems I can't just bury my head in solitary cultivation from now on. I'll need to exchange ideas with peers of equal standing more often."
This single discussion had already given Leilin fresh perspectives on certain confusions and dead ends in his original cultivation. And this was all based on the fact that he wasn't even cultivating the Power of the Earth.
Moreover, the information collected by the Chip this time allowed it to push its analysis of both Meditation Methods one level deeper.
Of course, the wizards still adhered to the most ancient principle of equivalent exchange.
Leilin noticed that what these wizards shared publicly was only the general framework and directional guidance.
The truly specific information was typically exchanged between two wizards only after a private trade, following strict confidentiality protocols.
Just moments ago, Siegfried had sold a set of notes regarding energy particle pool precautions and received a handsome payment.
After the open discussion phase ended, the salon moved into the exchange phase.
Any formal wizard could display items they wished to sell on their own table, letting buyers browse at their leisure.
The atmosphere here was far more refined than that of common peddlers and market stalls.
The wizards were in no rush to sell; instead, they seemed to be exhibiting and fondly handling their collections. Occasionally, one could see buyers and sellers chatting amiably over drinks, even raising a toast to seal a deal.
Unfortunately, while these underground resources were indeed precious, most of them no longer caught Leilin's eye.
Through ancient data collected by the Chip, he could easily identify the names and origins of these materials. But sadly, these resources were mostly useful only to first-rank wizards, and Leilin had already advanced to the second rank.
Yet the underground world was fundamentally different from the South Coast. Among these wizards' displays, a small number of items made Leilin's eyes light up—strange objects he couldn't even name, which sparked his interest.
"What is this?"
Leilin walked up to a display table and picked up an object resting on a white tablecloth.
It was a bone flute of peculiar design, with several irregularly shaped circular holes along one side.
"The Sakkel Flute—relic of the Ligutan Duchy from the Maceis Era. They say its sound is extraordinarily beautiful, surpassing even a mermaid's song, which is why it was also used as a tool for luring mermaids. But sadly, ever since the fall of the Ligutan Duchy, no one knows how to play this instrument anymore…"
The seller was a middle-aged gentleman dressed impeccably, a tall-stemmed glass of deep red wine still in his hand.
"I've always been fascinated by ancient instruments—I've already collected three thousand nine hundred and twelve different instruments from various eras in my collection room. But keeping this piece in my possession would only diminish it. I'd like to find a more worthy owner!"
A look of wistful regret crossed the gentleman's face, as though he were gazing at a departing lover.
"As long as you can play the Ancient Requiem on her, this piece is yours!" He raised his glass toward Leilin in acknowledgment.