The reason the Alliance of Nature had been able to thoroughly consolidate its position as a mid-tier academy in just three short years, digest all the legacies of the Misty Forest, and even push its way to the peak of mid-tier status — Leilin's contributions to all of this were, naturally, impossible to deny or erase.
Even if he did nothing, his mere presence and strength alone could spare the Alliance of Nature a great deal of trouble.
Not to mention that many of the Wizards within the Alliance of Nature had been brought in by him, and were also under his control.
As a result, his prestige within the Alliance of Nature had been growing by the day, becoming something akin to a spiritual faith.
Furthermore, because he had mixed a great deal of his own people into the Alliance of Nature, the faction that once belonged to Xiling — while still holding some residual status — could no longer exert any real influence.
It could be said that if Leilin wanted to depose Xiling from her nominal position as faction leader now, it would take nothing more than a single word.
Passing through layer upon layer of shimmering magical formations, Leilin arrived directly at a purple villa.
"My Lord!"
Xiling and Yilun bowed respectfully.
"Mm." Leilin nodded and asked directly, "Anything going on recently?"
"The Alliance of Nature's development has been proceeding smoothly. Our influence has currently extended to the vicinity of the Ural Mountains, where two small local academies have already hinted at their willingness to pledge allegiance to us..."
Yilun was the first to step forward and bow in report.
As a peak First-level Wizard and the strongest combatant in the Alliance of Nature after Leilin, he held a very high position within the organization and was specifically responsible for external expansion.
"And the Dark Beast tide and the Dark Elf Empire?" Leilin asked.
"Currently, several border cities have already issued alerts detecting abnormal Dark Beast activity. As for the Dark Elf Empire, a coup recently took place — the war faction completely swept away the peace faction's forces and completed their war mobilization..."
Yilun's voice carried a certain gravity.
Although battles in the underground were constant, the simultaneous eruption of both the Dark Beasts and the Dark Elf Empire was exceedingly rare.
In fact, in all his years, he had witnessed it only once.
And after that time, numerous Wizards had fallen, and even large-scale academies had been destroyed — it could be called a great reshuffling of the Wizard world.
If it was like this for Wizards, then for ordinary mortals, it went without saying.
"It seems the great battle is approaching." Leilin sighed softly.
A war between two intelligent races naturally would not be launched so easily — it would necessarily go through a series of preparations and deployments, with very few instances of surprise attacks.
The enemy's movements had already been known to their side's senior Wizards three years ago, which meant they had long been prepared.
But the more prepared both sides were, the more brutal the war tended to become, because schemes and stratagems mattered little — what remained was simply a contest of attrition and reserves.
"Are we making any moves?" Leilin looked at Xiling.
This woman had become even more beautiful recently, as if nourished by power, appearing more radiant and vivacious than ever.
Power was the finest tonic for men, but in truth, the same applied to women. The pity was that women produced by such power, while alluring, carried poisonous thorns — very few could hope to tame or toy with them.
In his previous life, Leilin would never have found himself in such a position, but the Wizard world was different. His power and status stemmed from himself alone, so he had no fear of Xiling ever turning the world upside down.
"Setting aside the mortals' war preparations for now, the Joint Council has announced the formation of a War Committee composed of nine Executive Committee members. They have formally sent us a letter, hoping that you can provide support!"
Xiling pushed back a strand of hair, revealing a delicate ear translucent as jade, upon which a tiny ruby gleamed with an enchanting luster.
This was part of the agreement Leilin had struck with the previous Guardian of the Eastern Domain, Logan.
He would lend his strength during the great battle in exchange for the other party's tacit acceptance of the Alliance of Nature's recent expansion.
"Where do they want me to go?" Leilin sat down on a recliner with interest, raising a crystal wine glass in which the bright red wine was as thick and viscous as blood.
"Duolun City! That's where a large number of Wizards answering the conscription call have gathered! Of course, along with the noble army led by Duke Vantix!"
"Duolun City!" Leilin raised his glass, and a map of the Dark Poles Eastern Domain instantly surfaced in his mind.
"That's quite a significant retreat — they've practically abandoned vast stretches of border territory..."
"We've already organized the mortals to pull back as far as possible!" Xiling said with a bitter smile at the corners of her mouth. "But there are some places where we truly can't do anything..."
As a Wizard, Xiling naturally still tended to think from her own perspective, but now that it didn't directly concern her, she would occasionally show a woman's compassion.
That compassion quickly turned grave.
"The War Committee's intention is to use Duolun, Vax, and Sador — three fortified cities — to form a triangular defensive line, relying on the terrain for defense. When that time comes, my Lord, you will inevitably face a massive force from the Dark Elf Empire, and perhaps even their Matriarch-class existences..."