Even Morning Star wizards dared not face the fury of a fifth-rank Radiant Moon Wizard.
Outside the elegant palace, several Morning Star wizards exchanged glances and retreated to a safe distance, while some lower-ranked servants could only cower nearby, trembling with their heads clutched in their hands.
Wild fluctuations of energy swept through unchecked, and soon, not a single living thing remained within the throne room's vicinity.
"Rage is a wizard's greatest enemy! Have you inherited the bloodline of a warlock?"
A light laugh, reminiscent of a clear spring, suddenly echoed from the void, tinged with mockery toward Jethiah.
To everyone's astonishment, upon hearing that voice, Jethiah calmed down. Aside from his slightly heavier breathing, there was no longer any noticeable difference from before.
"You're right! But those damn Komoyin warlocks — sooner or later, I'll exterminate their entire bloodline!"
Jethiah sat back upon his throne, the moon sigil on his forehead radiating a brilliant, clear light that filled the entire palace.
"With your current strength, even after using vast quantities of Fire Source Stones to amplify your soul, you're still no match for Red Pupil! Unless you can lure him out of the Magma World, or find a way to counteract the World's Will..."
The woman's voice said coldly.
"Are you still pressuring me to use that?" Jethiah replied coldly.
"Yes! I have the most extensive experience with the Dimensional Clone experiment. I can reduce the error rate to less than one in ten thousand. It's also the best means for you to enter the Magma World..."
The female voice seemed to be analyzing the situation with perfect calm, yet carried an almost hypnotic quality that tugged at one's heart.
"To unleash fifth-rank power within the Magma World, this is the only method. Moreover, a clone that has been cleansed by the dimensional consciousness will no longer be treated as an enemy by the foreign world..."
At that last sentence, Jethiah visibly fell silent.
The World's Will of a foreign plane was a wizard's greatest enemy. Once it merged with the native powerhouses of that world, the terrifying amplification it produced was something even a fifth-rank Radiant Moon Wizard dared not face head-on.
Perhaps only those Solar-ranked beings seated upon their thrones possessed the power to annihilate a World's Will in a single blow.
Jethiah's expression shifted several times before finally turning dark. "Issue my command! Recall all Morning Star wizards from Jupiter's Thunder. Prepare for interplanar teleportation... Activate all previous plans and contingencies. Let's send Red Pupil a grand gift for his Holy Dawn!"
Jethiah's voice gradually sank lower, growing more sinister with each word...
Meanwhile, completely unaware of the developments on that front, Leilin was following along with Locke and Shike, arriving once again at the President's official residence.
"You two are in luck! I've been transferred to the Central Defense Force. Since you were both special task force members, I recommended you for the President's Military Attaché Office!"
Shike, dressed in the uniform of a Fire Feather Clan general, led Leilin and the others to the entrance of the Military Attaché Office.
"We're truly, immensely grateful for your recommendation, sir!" Leilin and Locke both wore expressions of heartfelt gratitude.
Being stationed here meant accumulating impressive credentials. Any future external posting would come with several rank promotions, not to mention the benefits of being close to the President.
Moreover, both Leilin and Locke harbored secrets they could never reveal. Their approach to Shike had been largely calculated — using him as a stepping stone toward the President. Now that their wish had come true, their faces were alight with barely concealed elation.
"Good! I'm glad you understand my efforts!" Shike patted Leilin on the shoulder. He had no desire to spare even a glance at Locke beside them, but remembering his father's plans, he forced a smile in Locke's direction.
"This place is different from the special task force. You need to be on your best behavior. If you break the law or regulations, even I won't be able to save you..."
Shike earnestly admonished them as he guided Leilin and Locke into a small office. "From now on, he'll be your superior — Burns!"
"Haha! Shike! It's been ages since you last visited. Are these the two young ones? Don't worry, I'll take good care of them!"
Inside the office sat a middle-aged man with golden-blond hair, his face beaming with a warm smile. Upon seeing Shike, he rose to greet them, appearing very approachable.
But Leilin and Locke dared not dismiss him. This Burns was not only their future superior — his aura bore a striking resemblance to that of the Northern Duke they had encountered before!
Their new superior, assigned to Leilin's group, was in fact a powerhouse who had cultivated the Fire Feather Art to the tenth layer and stepped into the Star Rank!
"This aura! He's one of the Star Rank experts in the Military Attaché Office that I sensed last time!" Leilin bowed respectfully on the surface while secretly sizing the man up, his eyes flicking briefly to the Chip's display.
The red progress bar had already reached the halfway mark, indicating that he had begun successfully integrating the core essence of the tenth-layer Fire Feather Art into his Morning Star essence point, augmenting his own power.
"I wonder how the tenth-layer Fire Feather Art, as modified by the Chip, will fare against these genuine Fire Feather Clan Star Rank experts? I'm looking forward to finding out..."
The corners of Leilin's mouth curved upward ever so slightly, revealing a hint of eager anticipation.
Burns naturally had no idea that this subordinate was planning to master the Fire Feather Art and then punch him into the ground someday. Instead, he found Leilin to be quite mild and amiable, and couldn't help feeling a bit of goodwill toward him.