"Wait!"
Just as the Executive Commissioner was about to announce the start of the battle, Leilin suddenly spoke up, cutting him off.
"What? Do you want to concede now, Xiling?"
Shigeli certainly wouldn't dare to openly direct his anger at Leilin. In truth, neither Leilin nor Xis was someone he could afford to offend, so he could only aim his mockery at Xiling instead.
"Nonsense!" Xiling retorted furiously, though her worried gaze remained fixed on Leilin.
"Leilin… he… he wouldn't give up just because he can't gauge the opponent's strength, would he?"
Xiling's palms were clenched tight, and she was actually breaking into a cold sweat.
To be honest, she had great confidence in her physical talent, especially combined with the boost from her Meditation Method. She was certain she could handle any
But that confidence had utterly vanished after meeting Leilin.
Only now did Xiling realize she didn't understand him at all.
"Wizard Leilin! Is there something you need?"
The Executive Commissioner holding the book asked.
"As I recall, in the assessment, besides this method of combat, there are other options as well, aren't there?"
Leilin surveyed the room, taking in Shigeli's bluster, Xiling's nervousness, and Xis's killing intent, then simply smiled faintly and posed the question.
The moment these words left his mouth, the Wizards in the venue froze.
"There is indeed such a rule! You may also earn exemption by contributing research materials!" The Executive Commissioners reacted quickly, answering expressionlessly.
"However, your research must be made public and verified by us! Since the Alliance of Nature is a small faction, the materials you provide must meet the standard of five stars or above…"
A five-star standard, in the underground, was equivalent to top-tier research materials from a peak First-level Wizard. Naturally, it was no easy feat.
In truth, Xiling had considered this idea before. But unfortunately, the Executive Commissioners' evaluations were extremely strict. The nine major factions were the most elite research bases in the entire Eastern Domain, and very little could catch their eyes.
Moreover, the time and effort required to produce such research materials were no less than those needed to invite a semi-elementalized Wizard to serve as an honorary professor. So after searching for a while, Xiling had abandoned the notion.
"If your research materials don't meet the five-star standard, you'll have essentially given away your proprietary research for nothing. We hope you'll think it over carefully!"
"Rest assured! I have confidence in my research! Besides, Wizards have always been sages who pursue truth. On this path, I don't mind sharing some of the results I've obtained with fellow travelers…"
Leilin's words immediately resonated with many of the Wizards present.
In the underground, some of the customs from ancient times were still very much preserved. When high-ranking Wizards with close friendships gathered, they would often exchange their experiences to advance together.
"In you, we seem to see the glory of the ancients!"
The nine Executive Commissioners nodded. "Please submit the materials you wish to present!"
"I protest!" Shigeli immediately shouted, pointing at Leilin in agitation, even the eight spider legs on his lower body trembling slightly. "We were the ones who issued the challenge first! Even if materials are to be contributed, it should wait until after the challenge!"
"Protest denied! Everything Wizard Leilin has done is in full accordance with ancient regulations!"
Several Executive Commissioners immediately suppressed Shigeli's objection. As for Wizard Xis, he merely watched coldly, his thoughts unknown.
Seeing this, Leilin sneered inwardly.
Fighting to the death under the watchful eyes of so many Wizards, performing like trained monkeys for their certification — was that really enjoyable?
Although driven by profit, plenty of Wizards were still willing to do exactly that. But Leilin was not among them!
Moreover, facing nine peak First-level Wizards plus the Magical Array set up in the venue, he couldn't go for the kill. Otherwise, before his injuries healed, he wouldn't be able to withstand a combined assault from nine peak Wizards, and he had no intention of making enemies of the nine major Wizard
After all, major Wizard Academies would certainly have Second-level or higher Wizards stationed. Leilin had no desire to invite that kind of trouble.
So he couldn't kill, and he'd only be putting on a show for others — was there any point in that?
Leilin naturally chose the easier path.
He smiled lightly, every gesture refined as if trained by ancient nobility, radiating composure and poise. Combined with his unique Warlock charm, he captivated many of the Wizards watching.
The Lady Sachie he had encountered before had her eyes blazing even brighter, like two flames.
Then, Leilin submitted the academic materials he had prepared well in advance.
These were incomplete fragments he had come across within the Alliance of Nature, already extrapolated to the final step. Unfortunately, they were missing the most critical piece, so they had never formed a systematic body of knowledge.
But Leilin was different. He was already a Second-level Warlock, backed by the entire South Coast's knowledge reserves — a vantage point few could match. Combined with the Chip's terrifying computational power, a little refinement yielded a wealth of high-end materials.
These things were readily available to him and not worth much personally, but out in the world, they represented cutting-edge disciplines and top-tier techniques — at least five-star level, on par with a peak Wizard's research! More than enough to spark fierce competition among numerous Wizards!
Sure enough, after receiving the crystal ball filled with research formulas and illustrated data, the expressions of the Executive Commissioners turned grave in an instant.
They became extremely solemn, passing the crystal ball among themselves while continuously tracing out several symbols for analysis.
In the end, they even huddled in a circle, debating heatedly, occasionally breaking into heated arguments.
Shigeli's unease grew stronger by the moment, while a hint of a smile appeared on Xiling's face. Outside, the Wizards craned their necks in anticipation, eager to see Leilin's materials.
Leilin paid all of this no mind, standing calmly.
This bearing alone — his composure in the face of crisis — was enough to earn the quiet admiration of many Wizards.
"Phew!"
Finally, the Executive Commissioners returned to their seats. The one in the center removed his reading glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose.
Clack! He brought a small gavel down sharply, signaling the beginning of the official judgment.
"The research materials provided by Wizard Leilin concerning the physiological composition and bloodline origins of Dark Elves have been unanimously evaluated by our Executive Commissioners as six-star research materials!"
A wave of commotion swept through the venue. That Leilin's materials would pass was within many Wizards' expectations — after all, they weren't fools. Anyone who presented something clearly had confidence in it.
But they hadn't expected that what Leilin had provided was actually a six-star material!
This level of research was approaching that of a Second-level Wizard, wasn't it?
"These materials will be incorporated into our combined archive. All Wizards present will be able to redeem them using contribution points in the future…"
After making this announcement, the Executive Commissioner's face broke into a warm smile. "Wizard Leilin's magnanimity and spirit of inquiry are truly admirable. I wonder if there might be an opportunity in the future to invite Wizard Leilin to visit our Academy?"
"I would be honored!" Leilin gave a slight bow.
Beside him, Xiling, who had been standing still this whole time, still wore a somewhat dazed expression.
"Faction Leader! We did it!" Only when Ilya's cheer reached her ears did she snap back to awareness, her eyes glistening, on the verge of tears.
In that moment, all the previous hardships and endured humiliations surfaced in her mind: "Mentor, did you see…"
"Hmph!"
Shigeli's face was livid. He glared viciously at Xiling. "You were lucky this time. I hope your luck holds!"
With that, he turned and left the venue without looking back, Xis following unhurriedly behind him.
This time, the Eight-Legged Spider's schemes had all fallen through, and it might even draw the wrath of the Misty Forest. Shigeli didn't want to stay here a moment longer.
"Leilin! Thank you!"
After Leilin returned to his seat, Xiling grasped his hand, her face full of sincere smiles.
"It was nothing!" Leilin replied lightly.
In truth, he knew very well that this matter was far from over.
After their overt methods failed, the other side would have no choice but to resort to some dirty work in the shadows.
"But shadows? That's exactly where I thrive!"
The corner of Leilin's mouth curled into a cold smile. The one being restrained here wasn't just the other party — it was himself as well. After all, he was a genuine Dark Warlock by origin, and bloodshed and slaughter were already everyday occurrences.
When the time came, he only hoped the other side wouldn't come to deeply regret it.
Thanks to Leilin's contribution, the Alliance of Nature was exempted from this assessment — a narrow escape.
After the assessment concluded, there was nothing else of note.
Only some inter-faction exchanges remained, which were mostly handled by Apprentices and carried a friendly nature. This was why Xiling had brought along Aobo and Ilya.
As for Leilin, he had accomplished his mission and withdrawn, watching Xiling chat amiably with the other Wizards.
"Leilin! I never expected to run into you here!"
At that moment, a Wizard with a mechanical metal right arm walked over, a smile on his face.
"I certainly didn't expect that you'd quietly join the Alliance of Nature!"
"Hello, Siegfried!"
Leilin greeted him with a light smile. "I had no choice — they had something quite enticing to offer. Besides, this is only an honorary professorship, so I can still maintain my own faction."
"Oh, I see!"
A knowing smile spread across Siegfried's face, clearly misled by Leilin's suggestive words.
"Come! Let me introduce you to some of the higher-ups in our Earth Fire Society!"
Compared to last time, Siegfried was even more enthusiastic.
After all, Leilin's true strength was already beyond Siegfried's ability to fathom, and the high-level research proficiency he had just demonstrated alone made him well worth courting. What's more, Executive Commissioners from several major factions had shown goodwill toward him, making him an even more valuable connection.