Teaching the fourth-tier advanced Meditation Method — this was absolutely a sign of being truly admitted into the inner circle.
Although this Meditation Method required a warlock bloodline and was completely useless to outsiders, it was still an item of considerable value.
Seeing how sincerely the other party had accepted him, Leilin felt a stirring in his heart and spoke his own oath as well.
At his level, even words spoken casually carried extraordinary weight.
Gilbert gave Leilin a deep look. "Very good! I hope you will forever remember the words you have spoken today!"
"In the time ahead, I will do my best to pass on what I know to you. As for how much you can learn, that will depend on your diligence and fortune..."
Gilbert said.
"Thank you, Teacher!" Leilin bowed his head deeply in respect. He knew full well that as a Morning Star Wizard and the controller of the Ouroboros Ring, Duke Gilbert had countless matters to attend to every day. The fact that he could set aside a dedicated period specifically to teach him was no small thing.
It also signified that Gilbert had high expectations for his future. And regardless, this period of instruction would not last long!
That was precisely why this opportunity had to be treasured all the more!
After that, Leilin came to Gilbert every day to receive instruction in various foundational academic disciplines. Although he had already studied most of them, the body of knowledge on the South Coast and in the Dark Polar Region differed ever so slightly from the understanding held on the Central Continent, and what Gilbert needed to do first was correct those discrepancies.
Even when reviewing basic knowledge, the way Gilbert re-articulated it gave the content an entirely different dimension, allowing Leilin to learn a great deal more.
Furthermore, Gilbert opened up a portion of his personal library for Leilin to browse freely. Many of the texts on history and miscellaneous lore pertaining to Wizards were material that simply had to be committed to memory.
"An Introduction to Extraplanar Studies!"
"Knowledge of Spatial Connections!"
"Research on the Astral Gates!"
Under the illumination of the Everburning Flames in the library, Leilin's expression was one of reverence and focus — the expression that a true scholar ought to wear.
"What's this? You're interested in extraplanar travel?"
"Yes! Teacher!" Leilin nodded in confirmation. The reason the ancient Wizards had been so powerful was that they had plundered the accumulated knowledge of countless worlds, continuously enriching their own research. Leilin naturally wanted to follow in their footsteps.
"Extraplanar travel is extremely dangerous, but also tremendously tempting. Once you succeed, the reward is the wealth of an entire world!"
Gilbert sighed and pulled open a long chair to sit down. "As it happens! Today I'll tell you about the Central Continent's research in this area!"
So it seemed the Central Continent had long since begun similar research? Leilin's mind stirred, and he quickly pricked up his ears, adopting an attentive posture.
"First, you need to understand the concepts of planes and worlds!" Gilbert thought for a moment, as though considering where to begin.
"The multiverse is vast beyond measure. Even the Wizard World at the peak of its power never explored its farthest reaches. And surrounding the Wizard World, countless other worlds exist. Planes are smaller worlds in their own right — if the Wizard World is the sun, then planes are tiny stars! But no matter how small a plane may be, its area far exceeds anything you can imagine..."
"And across those different worlds and planes live all manner of extraordinary beings. Some have histories far more ancient than the existence of Wizards, and some have even created several brilliant civilizations. Other worlds are mere clusters of concepts and wills — devoid of flesh-and-blood creatures, populated only by terrifying entities of chaotic thought…"
"The ancient Wizards, through conquering these worlds, studying their systems of power, and plundering their resources, created the most resplendent Wizard civilization…"
"The foundation of planar travel is the Astral Gate! In Wizard theory, the Astral Plane represents the highest point of the multiverse we inhabit, and the core of all dimensions, time, and space! Through the Astral Plane, the Wizard World can connect to any world whatsoever!"
"So that's it! The so-called Astral Plane is essentially a transit hub connecting all the different worlds and planes!" Lei Lin thought for a moment and said.
"If you want to understand it that way, I suppose you may! But the mysteries of the Astral Plane are far beyond anything we can fully explore. When dealing with it, one must always maintain reverence!" Gilbert smiled, then added in a more cautionary tone.
"Yes! I understand, Master!" Lei Lin nodded firmly to show he would remember.
"Yet even the exploration of opening the Astral Gate is fraught with danger. Some Wizards, by rashly intruding into unknown worlds, have been surrounded and killed by countless perilous creatures. Even more terrifying is the curse of another world that follows them back — one that can spread and infect the entire Wizard World…"