Leilin knew clearly that this matter would be an enormous test for him.
If his disguise couldn't pass muster with the Fire Feather leader, then everything else was moot — let alone gaining the other party's trust. All subsequent plans would need to be revised.
Therefore, he had to make this trip. But he wasn't entirely unprepared.
At minimum, two Comoin Giant Serpent Grand Dukes had already infiltrated in secret, standing watch outside the official residence at all times. If the other party discovered any flaws, Leilin would immediately explode into action, using the Comoin Serpent Transformation to fight his way out. Three Morning Star Practitioners bound together should be roughly enough to escape from the Premier's grasp.
After all, the previous three Comoin elders had a record of joining forces to fight a fifth-rank Radiant Moon Wizard to a standstill.
Though the strongest Grand Elder had already fallen, Leilin was confident he was in no way inferior to any of them!
Three Comoin Giant Serpent Practitioners fighting together — even if they couldn't win, it would be enough to flee for their lives! This was the premise and reliance that gave them the audacity to formulate this plan!
"Chip!" Leilin called out in a low voice.
"Ding! Beginning synchronized concealment fluctuation!" Chip immediately reported back loyally, making the aura on Leilin's body更加 vivid, as if he were the most pure-blooded Fire Feather.
The Morning Star's singularity concealment power, plus the secret technique of bloodline masking, and Chip's assistance — this was where Leilin's confidence in hiding right under the nose of a fifth-rank came from!
Taking a deep breath, Leilin followed Shike into the room and bowed to the figure at the center.
Inside was an enormous study. Antique armor and oil paintings filled the space with a sense of historical gravitas. What surprised Leilin even more was that the entire study gave off a faint sense of a self-contained domain.
This wasn't a Morning Star Wizard's Morning Star Domain — it was simply that the other had stayed here so long a special space had formed unconsciously.
"Shike! You've come!" The Premier's voice was soft, watching Shike and the others enter.
"Father!" Shike's expression shifted several times before he finally called out in a low voice.
"You've worked hard, rise! Are these the two subordinates you spoke of? Quite impressive!"
When the voice fell, Leilin's heart tightened and his entire body tensed. Then he felt a gaze like a scorching thread of fire sweep over his entire body, making him involuntarily shudder.
When the gaze touched his body, his singularity trembled, nearly releasing soul power to defend — but Leilin forcefully restrained it.
Meanwhile, the Fire Feather Technique, which had reached the peak of the ninth layer, began forming a massive energy tide that enveloped the singularity within it. The terrifying fire energy even began circulating on its own, blocking the external scrutiny.
"Hmm?" A soft note of curiosity came from the Premier across from him. "You're Lei, aren't you? Raise your head!"
Though the voice was soft, it carried an unquestionable command. Virtually the instant the voice fell, Leilin raised his head reflexively.
Then he saw a handsome young man with red hair and eyebrows whose features bore a slight resemblance to Shike's, wearing a loose white robe. The eyes looking at him seemed to carry a trace of... appreciation?
"Not bad cultivation! And pure fire energy!" The red-haired youth nodded, then looked at the other person.
Locke's body trembled, but the Premier showed no reaction. This was hardly surprising — a mere soldier at the seventh layer of the Fire Feather Technique couldn't capture the Premier's attention.
"I've reviewed your merits carefully. I hope you'll continue to work hard and protect our Federation..."
The handsome Premier offered a few casual words of encouragement and waved his hand.
Leilin and Locke immediately backed out of the room, their expressions filled with awe.
Click! The door closed. Once only Shike and the Premier remained in the room, the Premier's aura shifted once more. The look he gave Shike held a hint of excitement. "All these years! You've truly suffered!"
"Service to the Federation!" Shike's expression was taut, but his clenched fists betrayed the turmoil in his heart.
"Enough! I know you don't care to act in my name, so let everything proceed according to procedure. These merits are enough for your promotion to General. Make your preparations — from now on, serve in the Transas Defense Legion!" The leader's voice was very gentle.
"As you command!" Shike replied coldly. Looking at his expression, the Premier's eyebrows furrowed slightly.
"Also, those two subordinates of yours — Lei and Locke — both have some issues!"
"What issues? Lei's loyalty goes without saying. As for Locke, he's a descendant of the Eiffel Family—" The muscles in Shike's face tensed. He still cared deeply about these two subordinates.
"Lei's issue isn't major. He broke through to the ninth layer of the Fire Feather Technique long ago but has been hiding it, showing only eighth-layer strength! Likely to avoid drawing attention!" The red-haired Premier remarked. "Reaching this level at such an age — his potential is quite impressive, worth winning over. He's just a bit too calculating... After this, reveal the contents of the tenth layer of the Fire Feather Technique to him. That should make him even more loyal to you..."
"So, he's already advanced to the ninth layer?" Shike lowered his head in some shame. In his view, Leilin must have held back because Shike himself hadn't advanced yet — not daring to outshine his superior — which was why he deliberately concealed his strength.