During his three years in the Ouroboros Ring, Leilin didn't spend all his time brewing potions and nothing else.
At the very least, through Robin and several senior fellow apprentices, he had gathered a few retainers and some influence.
In the Ouroboros Ring, it was an established convention for warlocks of lower bloodlines to serve under those with superior bloodlines.
And Leilin himself was a pure-blooded Comoran giant serpent warlock with a Morning Star level teacher — his prospects were boundless, so naturally some warlocks wished to pledge themselves to his service.
Of course, given that his current strength was still relatively low and he had no notable exploits, true powerhouses were out of the question. The man before him, Pike, was Leilin's greatest acquisition to date!
This Pike had been introduced through Robin. He was a Horar black serpent warlock, and level three was his absolute limit — that was only to be expected, since ordinary Comoran giant serpent warlocks would never submit to another's banner as vassals.
Furthermore, Pike's strength had barely reached the third level — he hadn't even achieved vaporization. Due to his advanced age and the injuries and toxins accumulated over a lifetime of adventuring, he had already lost any possibility of further progress.
His joining Leilin this time seemed to be for the sake of his family's future.
Regardless, Pike was still a level-three warlock — Leilin's top enforcer! He naturally made every effort to win him over, even taking Pike's own grandson as an apprentice to strengthen their bond.
"The main structure of the Wizard Tower has been completed, exactly as shown in your blueprints. However, the energy circuits and magical arrays must be personally arranged by the master! Your subordinate would not dare make such decisions on his own!"
Pike had extensive life experience and knew precisely what he could and could not do. In just a few brief sentences, he had left Leilin very satisfied.
At that moment, Leilin turned his gaze toward the center of the construction site.
There, a tall black spire had already taken shape, radiating a vast and majestic power, as if announcing its arrival to the entire world.
And Pike's report continued.
"Additionally, we have already stockpiled a great deal of the materials needed for the elemental reaction pool and the magical garden. There is also some news regarding the Vance family..."
"The Vance family?" Leilin frowned. This was the family Frie belonged to. Rumor had it that their bloodline had been declining recently, with no descendants awakening their Comoran giant serpent bloodline for a long time. It was precisely because of this that Frie had been scouting for Comoran giant serpent warlocks with pure bloodlines, and had even once set her sights on Leilin himself.
"What do they want?" Leilin asked, a note of wariness entering his voice.
Of course, with his current strength considerably greater, he no longer needed to fear them — but they were still a nuisance.
"The Vance family has sent people to make contact with us, hoping to sell us a large quantity of Wizard Tower construction materials at a steep discount. I've inspected them personally — they're top-grade materials of excellent quality... They're even willing to provide funds to help the master build the Wizard Tower! And if necessary, they could dispatch a large number of hands..."
As Pike delivered his report, he was secretly studying Leilin's expression.
The earlier rumors had already been making their rounds, and he too wondered whether his master had become involved with Frie.
Upon hearing this, Leilin's face twitched, and he shot Pike a sharp glare that immediately forced the old man to bow his head respectfully.
"We'll purchase the materials at full price — we don't need their discounts. As for sending people to help, refuse all of it!"
Leilin gave the order. Though he knew full well this was an olive branch, the moment he thought of their true intentions, he felt his facial muscles twitch with the urge to roll his eyes.
"As you command, master!" Pike agreed, though inwardly he felt a twinge of regret.
The Vance family was one of the most prestigious among the Comoran warlocks, with over a thousand years of history and accumulated resources — their foundations were unimaginably deep. With their backing, the construction of the Wizard Tower would proceed far more smoothly.
But Leilin would never agree.
Otherwise, the Vance family would inevitably dangle even more bait, luring Leilin step by step into their final trap.
He could certainly play the scoundrel — take every last bit of bait while scoffing at their trap — but that would be far too shameless. Leilin figured that as long as he hadn't fallen so far as to need it, he'd rather not resort to such tactics.
After all, the resources he had plundered from the Dark Polar Region were more than sufficient for his own needs. Even after constructing the Wizard Tower, he still had plenty to spare.
With his own needs fully secured, Leilin had no intention of resorting to such schemes — it was far too disgraceful!
Night fell.
Inside the massive black fortress, candles and oil lamps illuminated every corner, and in some places, even lighting enchantments like Eternal Flame had been deployed, bathing the entire interior in brilliant light.
From a distance, the great black fortress resembled a colossal, dazzling pillar of fire, radiating light and heat in all directions.
After gathering all his subordinates and vassals in the fortress's banquet hall for a lavish dinner, Leilin retired alone to his bedroom.
This was the most heavily guarded area of the entire fortress. Not only were elite mortal soldiers patrolling the outer perimeter, but as one moved deeper inside, specific detection arrays and stationed warlocks could be found.
"It seems Pike and the others have done a fine job!"