A golden path now lay directly before Leilin.
As long as he could obtain enough Fire Source Stones, his soul power could be dramatically strengthened — potentially rivaling the centuries or even millennium-long accumulations of Dawn Stars who possessed top-tier Meditation Methods!
"If the Dawn Stars of the
Leilin stroked his chin, then frowned in puzzlement. "Such a precious resource, one that's virtually fatal in its attraction to Dawn Stars — so why did Jupiter's Thunder use this world to imprison three Dukes, even at the cost of revealing its coordinates? That doesn't make sense..."
In an instant, the events from before seemed shrouded in fog, leaving Leilin with a hazy feeling.
"Perhaps they were confident they could eliminate the Dukes quickly, but didn't expect them to escape — leaving them caught off guard! Or maybe they never discovered the Fire Source Stones at all? After all, without a Chip, they'd have no way of recognizing the heaven-defying effect Fire Source Stones have on enhancing soul power without on-site testing..."
Leilin mused over the possibilities.
"Whatever the case, the reason the Three Serpent Cult is so desperate to seize the Fire Source Stones is almost certainly because the Dawn Star behind them discovered their soul-enhancing properties... I need to stockpile a massive quantity of Fire Source Stones myself!"
The fourth-layer Kemoyin Eye Meditation Method had become nearly useless for Leilin at this point. Although he had advanced to Dawn Star rank some time ago, his soul remained stuck at its previous level, showing not the slightest hint of improvement.
In truth, this was a common predicament among many Dawn Star wizards. Advancing in soul power was simply too difficult — even possessing a top-tier Meditation Method was no guarantee of progress.
"This Lava World — coming here was absolutely the right call!"
Leilin clenched his fists, his eyes immediately blazing with excitement.
...
The capital of the Atlas Federation — a vast and prosperous metropolis.
Far, far beneath the surface, in a space carved out at unfathomable depths, an enormous flame burned like a suspended sun at the center. Within it, the faint silhouette of a phoenix could be discerned.
A soaring phoenix cry constantly emanated from the miniature sun. The entire mass of flame rose and fell with breath-like rhythm, as if it possessed a life of its own.
On the ground below lay a massive pentagram array, and from its center, threads of crimson light were continuously drawn out, absorbed into the sun above.
The phoenix within was visibly elated, as if it had received an enormous boon.
Stray wisps of crimson light scattered to the corners of the array, gradually solidifying — and transforming unmistakably into Fire Source Stones!
After a long while, the phoenix within the sun finally retracted its flames. Amid a cascade of golden radiance, the phoenix gradually assumed a human form.
It was an exceptionally handsome man with crimson-red hair — even his eyebrows were the same color — and his entire body radiated a sense of surging power.
The void itself seemed to ripple faintly around him. A terrifying aura of peak fifth-level power, reaching the Radiant Moon standard of the Wizard World, coiled about his body.
The red-haired man wore a resplendent crimson robe over formal attire. He descended into another underground chamber, this one stark and empty save for the countless binding runes flickering across every surface. At the far end stood a towering full-length mirror.
"...We meet again, Your Excellency the Head of the Atlas Federation! Lord Dru!"
A spectral figure clad in black Moon Wizard robes, bearing a crescent moon rune upon its forehead, materialized within the mirror's surface. Eerie dark energy seeped outward, its presence rivalling Dru's own aura in a tense standoff.
The wizard manifesting in the mirror was none other than the leader of Jupiter's Thunder — a fellow fifth-level Radiant Moon Grand Wizard!
"Greetings, guest from another world!" Dru offered a thin smile, the crimson feathers across his body blooming with brilliant luster.
"It appears you've taken my advice from last time? How did it work out?"
The wizard in the mirror fell silent for a moment, seemingly sensing something. After a long pause, he opened his eyes and asked with a smile.
"Quite well, my friend! Though there are still some areas that need refinement..." Dru nodded.
"That would require more time and effort on my part. Most importantly, I'm unable to obtain sufficient physical samples. Unless you permit me to come over in person..."
The Radiant Moon wizard in the mirror shook his head.
"Absolutely not, my friend. You and I are both powers beyond the stars, and this world only needs one guardian!"
Dru refused immediately. Allowing a strong being from another world to cross over would be inviting trouble upon himself. Ever since establishing contact with this wizard, Dru had at most entertained the idea of using him — while maintaining his guard at all times.
"Very well! Let's proceed with the terms of our trade then!"
The leader of Jupiter's Thunder in the mirror sounded somewhat resigned.
Whereas a Dawn Star wizard was like a pebble on a beach — easy to overlook without careful examination — a Radiant Moon wizard was an elephant! The moment he attempted to cross over, he would be met with Dru's merciless attack.
On this matter, Dru could draw upon the entire world's will to empower himself, rendering his strength far beyond that of an ordinary fifth-level Radiant Moon wizard.
And so, despite being of the same rank, the wizard on the other side had no intention of coming over to be humiliated. He could only secretly dispatch a few subordinates to carry out tasks on his behalf.
"That's more like it, my friend. So long as you honor our agreement, the Fire Feather Clan remains most hospitable!" Dru smiled.
The wizard on the other end rolled his eyes. "Since you were quite satisfied with the Energy Extraction Array from last time, I have several other designs for you to try. And in return, I require five hundred grams of Star Gold, Arcane Gemstones, Heavenly Feathers, Fire Source Stones..."
He rattled off an extensive list of resources, and Dru — ever wealthy and magnanimous — agreed without hesitation. "No problem. So long as your arrays meet the standard, I'll transmit the materials immediately..."
...
After Dru left the secret chamber, a cold smile slowly crept across his face. "You think hiding Fire Source Stones among a mountain of other resources means I won't figure out what you really want? Naive!"
But when he reached his study and reviewed several documents, his expression turned to one of barely contained fury. "The Three Serpent Cult! And the Mobius Ring! These foreign interlopers are growing bolder by the day! They need to be taught a lesson — shown a warning!"
He snatched up a device resembling a microphone from the desk, and several lines of text materialized above his fingertips before sinking into the apparatus.
"Deploy the special task force. Destroy every Three Serpent Cult and Mobius Ring stronghold within the Federation — all of them!"
After setting down the microphone, Dru seemed to recall something else and immediately issued another order: "For this operation, the eastern region will be under Shike's command!"
"That young man... after he distinguishes himself in this, it'll be time for him to come back."
A rare trace of warmth crossed Dru's face.
...
"The feeling of enhanced soul power... truly wondrous..."
Far away in another city, Leilin had no idea that the entire Atlas Federation was now caught in churning undercurrents. At this moment, he was still reveling in the thrill of his strengthened soul.
The sensation of using Fire Source Stones was extraordinary — the whole body felt hazy and drunk, as if intoxicated. But once the effects wore off, his body snapped into crystal-clear alertness, his soul power brimming with vibrant energy.
Leilin immediately checked his data: "Leilin Farell — Warlock, Fourth-level Bloodline: Kemoyin Giant Snake (Mature Form). Strength: 50. Agility: 45. Constitution: 65. Spirit: 539.7. Mana: 539 (Mana determined by Spiritual Power in tandem). Soul Power: ???"
"Soul power isn't quantified on the display, but my Spiritual Power jumped by over thirty points — that must be the side effect of the enhanced soul force!"
Leilin's face was filled with delight. This boost to his soul power was equivalent to what Dawn Stars with top-tier Meditation Methods might achieve in ten or even several decades.
He could only imagine that with a sufficient supply of Fire Source Stones, his future soul power growth would maintain this terrifying pace!
"What's the connection between these Fire Source Stones and the Fire Feather Art? Where exactly do they come from?"
Leilin's eyes shone with intense curiosity. He even pushed the rescue mission slightly further down his priority list — searching for and stockpiling enough Fire Source Stones had become his new primary objective.
"Boss! Boss!"
At that moment, Misi's voice rang out from beyond the door, making Leilin frown slightly.
"What is it? Didn't I say not to disturb me unless it was important?"
Leilin pulled open the door, his expression openly displeased.
"It's not me who needs you, Boss — it's Instructor Shike. We've got a major operation!" Misi's cheeks were flushed with excitement, and he was clearly out of breath.
"A major operation?" Leilin maintained a calm, effortless smile on the surface. "Look at you — all that training lately was wasted, wasn't it..."
But deep inside, a strange premonition was quietly forming.
Could it be an operation targeting the Three Serpent Cult?
He still had little certainty regarding that organization. While it was highly likely founded by the three Elders, the involvement of Fire Source Stones introduced entirely new variables.
After all, the Dawn Star wizards of Jupiter's Thunder could have also discovered the secret of Fire Source Stones and established a covert network to collect them.
"Oh, and — Instructor Shike orders you to report to his office immediately!"
Misi finally caught his breath enough to deliver the second half of his message.
"Got it. Wait here." Leilin shut the door with a casual flourish, leaving Misi standing outside, dazed and slack-jawed.
Fortunately, Leilin didn't keep Misi waiting long. A few minutes later, Leilin — now back in military uniform — appeared in Shike's office.
"Leilin! I'm assigning your squad to sweep and eliminate these strongholds!"
Shike signed several documents with a stern expression, then handed them over to Leilin.