"The effect of this Meditation Method probably has only one purpose — increasing affinity!"
"Being close to nature! Being close to all things! To the point where it eventually influences not just intelligent creatures, but even inanimate objects, automatically drawing in illusion-type energy particles from the surrounding air..."
Leylin rapidly deduced the contents of Xiling's Meditation Method.
"Terrifying! At its final stage, this Meditation Method would mean that even without the Wizard actively drawing them in, energy particles from the air would automatically pour into the Wizard's body — and it might even have a slight effect of altering one's soul aptitude..."
Of course, Xiling's Meditation Method was nowhere near reaching that level. Leylin even harbored doubts about whether such a stage existed in the original Meditation Method at all.
But it was clear that her current performance alone wasn't going to fool Leylin.
So Leylin completely disregarded Xiling's beauty, pulled up a rattan chair, and sat down across from her. "I think Miss Xiling is well aware of my intentions..."
This attitude immediately caused Xiling's pretty brows to furrow slightly, but then a meaningful smile appeared on her face. She stretched lazily and rose to her feet.
"Since Mr. Leylin has put it so directly, then I won't beat around the bush!" A bitter smile crossed Xiling's lovely face. "The Frigid Ice Caverns aren't controlled by the Alliance of Nature behind me. The Ice Jade Scorpions are an extremely powerful high-energy biological race — any adult among them possesses strength comparable to a formal Wizard, and their venom carries an extreme yin chill that's a trouble Wizards go out of their way to avoid... What's more, elite Ice Jade Scorpions have the strength of semi-elementalized Wizards. In the rumors, their king — the Ice Jade Scorpion Emperor — is said to be so powerful that even peak first-tier Wizards can't take it down..."
"With so many unfavorable factors, we have to pay an enormous price for every Breath Crystal we obtain. Even more troublesome, this race simply cannot be domesticated — they'll attack every living thing within sight... To be honest with you, sir, that batch of materials sold earlier was the last of my remaining stock..."
Xiling's pleasant voice continued pouring out her grievances. She looked utterly pitiful, like a delicate and helpless young woman — one would hardly associate her with her identity as a Wizard.
But Leylin wasn't going to be easily deceived by her. And even if things really were as difficult as she claimed, he had no intention whatsoever of helping.
"Sorry, I came here today with the sole intention of purchasing large quantities of Ice Jade Scorpion Breath Crystals. Furthermore, if you're having troubles on your end, then perhaps we could arrange a different kind of trade — you provide me with access to the Frigid Ice Caverns along with a detailed map, and I can offer a great deal of Magic Stones, rare resources, and even top-tier research materials..."
Leylin appeared to be flush with wealth.
Of course, to enter the Frigid Ice Caverns, he could have simply sought trade deals with the other factions controlling them or snuck in on his own.
But having this veneer of legitimacy was always preferable. Besides, Leylin had already done some investigating on the other forces that controlled the Frigid Ice Caverns — they were either non-human intelligent races or extremely stubborn, conservative factions. Whether he could actually obtain what he needed from them, Leylin had his doubts.
All things considered, if he wanted to avoid stirring up a massive upheaval, cooperating with the Alliance of Nature was the best approach.
Of course, if all else failed, Leylin wouldn't mind lying low for a while. Once he recovered the strength of a second-tier Warlock, he could force his way in — or even claim the entire Frigid Ice Caverns for himself.
"Access? And a map?" Xiling lowered her head to think for a moment, then shook her head in refusal. "Sorry! Mr. Leylin, you're not a member of the Alliance of Nature. If I were to let you in, it would inevitably draw the displeasure of the other factions..."
"But! If you were to become a member of the Alliance of Nature, then there would be no problem at all!" Xiling said with a smile.
Leylin burst into laughter. "You want me to join your organization just for the sake of a mere access pass? Don't you think you're being a bit too optimistic!"
"Of course it's not just that. If you're willing to join, I, Xiling, would offer you the position of Honorary Professor, with an annual stipend of five hundred thousand Magic Stones in resources, and access to some of the Alliance of Nature's private collections and laboratories! Sir! Can't you help Xiling out just this once?"
Xiling's voice was exceedingly earnest, tinged with a sweet, honeyed nasal tone that was almost intoxicating. From her beautiful eyes shot a gleam that shimmered like rippling water.
"Hmm?" Leylin was momentarily startled, then met Xiling's gaze with an ambiguous half-smile.
Under the Chip's detection, a faint ripple of extremely concealed Spiritual Power was completely exposed before Leylin's eyes, and the direction of its influence was aimed squarely at his brain and Sea of Consciousness.
"She actually dares to use an illusion on me??" Leylin found it both absurd and amusing, thinking this woman truly had a death wish. Never mind the counterattack from his own bloodline—his vast Spiritual Power as a second rank warlock alone could cause Xiling to suffer immediate Spiritual Power backlash, potentially turning her into an idiot!
But since he still had use for her, he naturally wouldn't go that far.
A torrent of crimson light flashed from Leylin's eyes. His blood-red Sea of Consciousness rippled with wave after wave, easily grinding the invading Spiritual Power to dust.
Upon discovering this, Xiling's face turned deathly pale. Because Leylin was accustomed to keeping a low profile, he had always used Spiritual Power compression techniques to mask his energy fluctuations. To the outside world, he appeared to be nothing more than an ordinary first rank Wizard.
It was precisely because of this that Xiling had attempted to use her illusion technique on him.
But now it was evident that this Wizard named Leylin had been hiding the vast majority of his strength, and she had paid a dearly for that miscalculation!
Most illusion techniques, if the target's Spiritual Power proved too high, or if they failed due to some other unexpected interference, would cause equal backlash damage to the Wizard who cast them.