The Food World was also an otherworld.
According to ancient legends, even a small stream or a mere rock within it could contain supreme delicacies.
That ultimate culinary enjoyment was something many wizards could not resist.
And as far as Leilin knew, the entire Warlock Alliance had no record of successfully conquering any otherworld, which made these treasures all the more precious.
Watching the delicacies before Leilin continuously vanish, even Paul's mechanical face showed a visible look of heartache. The emotions unconsciously leaking from his soul force only delighted Leilin further, making him eat even faster.
Although his true body wasn't present, the pleasures experienced through his soul force could naturally be shared with it.
Just when Paul was about to reach his limit, Leilin raised his head with a perfectly straight face. "Lord Paul! I believe we can now discuss the matter of exchanging spoils..."
Seeing Paul's aggrieved expression, Leilin laughed inwardly, but his face only grew more solemn, nearly making Paul cough up blood.
...
After leaving Paul's place, a hint of a smile lingered on Leilin's face.
Although he had only taken a cursory glance earlier, the Chip had long since memorized all the prices in the trading market, compiling a price list of Morning Star-tier items for Leilin.
With this price list as his basis, Paul's earlier plan to fleece Leilin while he was still unfamiliar with market prices naturally fell through completely, and Paul ended up losing a large number of Food World treasures in the process.
Just thinking of that look on Paul's face — practically vomiting blood — made Leilin want to laugh.
Of course, the Psionic Circle was an ally of the Ouroboros Ring after all, so Leilin didn't push things too far. At the very least, when he took the meat, he threw a few bones his way.
After Leilin sold some treasures from the Scarlet Arc Moon Ruins to Paul at a slightly discounted price, Paul's near-death expression finally eased somewhat.
Still, Paul would certainly never dare to deceive him again.
Bang!
The yellow earth exploded open as a massive black figure strode forward, each step making the surroundings tremble like an earthquake.
"Indeed! A puppet really is a bit more practical than soul force!"
Leilin controlled the enormous black steel puppet with great satisfaction.
Soul force was merely an incorporeal form — there were many things it couldn't accomplish, and the drain was considerable. Now with a puppet, it was like giving his soul force a physical shell. Not only could he perform many tangible tasks, but even the drain on his energy was greatly reduced.
This puppet was of course not Paul's — Leilin had teleported it over himself.
Just after finalizing the deal, the two had immediately used the Planar Gate for physical transfer, completing the transaction in an instant. Although the teleportation fee was modest, Paul bore all of it, and Leilin had also taken the opportunity to teleport a puppet for himself, earning an eye-roll from Paul.
"Self-made ones are still better. Besides, I wouldn't dare use that big octopus's things — who knows what kind of psychic detection or traps it installed in there..."
Leilin was still somewhat wary of the psychic warlock branch, the most enigmatic among the bloodline warlocks.
"Hmm?!" At that moment, Leilin's gaze sharpened — he had spotted something.
Whoosh! His form instantly transformed into a dark shadow, slamming into a small hill like a primal beast.
Bang! The hill shattered, rocks flying in every direction, and amidst the clouds of dust, a figure shot out.
The figure appeared extremely thin and small, its body semi-transparent — one could faintly see the scenery behind it.
"A wraith carrying the world's malice?" Leilin laughed, forming a giant hand from his soul force and grabbing the figure.
When the wraith was brought before him, Leilin realized it appeared to be only thirteen or fourteen years old — a delicate-looking boy with fear in its eyes.
"The environment here is quite good. The wraiths generated here would be considered top-tier across the entire Central Continent. Should I claim a piece of territory and build a soul experimentation ground or something..."
Leilin stroked his chin, studying the phantom of the boy in his giant hand.
The wraith, meanwhile, was utterly terrified by the horrifying pressure radiating from Leilin, and could only huddle and tremble violently.
"Hmm? This power — is this the world's malice?"