"That's the crest of the Nuonuolifa family!"
Gubler took one glance and said with absolute certainty.
He knew his master hadn't originated from the Central Continent and had no understanding of such matters, so he went on to explain: "The Nuonuolifa family is a fairly well-known wizard family in the Black River region. Rumor has it they have a Third-rank
"A Third-rank Wizard? What stage?" Leilin continued to ask.
The Third-rank realm was a long and difficult crossing point before the Fourth-rank Morning Star, and it was further divided into several sub-stages. The gap in strength between wizards at each stage was enormous.
For instance, a Third-rank Crystallized Wizard could absolutely crush several wizards who hadn't even reached the Vaporous stage.
"The family's top combat strength information is classified! I truly don't know." A trace of shame surfaced on Gubler's face. "But that Nuonuolifa Wizard once defeated a Vaporous-stage challenger — his strength is not to be underestimated!"
"Is that so? Noted!"
Leilin appeared rather nonchalant. As long as the other party wasn't at Liquid-stage or above, he still felt fairly confident.
"Now it's up to you lot. I hope they don't keep provoking me, because if they do…"
Leilin lowered his eyelids, and a dark, gloomy glint flickered through his gaze.
First-class cabins not only came with private rooms, but passengers could also visit the dining hall to enjoy lavish food and wine — all included in the ticket price.
After all, given the immense purchasing power of Magic Stones, food and wine that ordinary people could produce were incredibly cheap.
Only dishes crafted from high-energy creatures or rare materials — ones that could actually produce effects for wizards — commanded exorbitant prices.
"Gubler, sit!"
Leilin took a seat directly at a round table covered with a white tablecloth, then gestured for Gubler to sit as well.
Gubler first offered a respectful bow, then sat down with only half his weight on the chair, not daring to settle in fully.
His current status was that of Leilin's retainer — essentially a high-ranking attendant — and he naturally had to display proper deference. Otherwise, he would face punishment from his master.
Leilin observed this and sighed inwardly.
From Gubler's manner of conduct alone, one could tell just how rigidly hierarchical the Ouroboros Ring truly was!
Fortunately, not only was he a pure-blooded Comoin Giant Serpent Warlock, but his own rank had already reached the Third level. Once he entered the Ring, he would be considered near the upper echelons — he wouldn't have to suffer through such indignities.
"The fourth layer of the Comoin Eye Meditation Method, plus information on the Bloodline Shackles! I have to obtain both inside the Ouroboros Ring!"
Leilin silently calculated.
Although he had successfully derived the fourth-layer Morning Star portion of the Comoin Eye through the Chip and the numerous meditation method records from the Dark Realm, he still lacked sufficient confidence, which was why he harbored such a strong desire for the original version.
Advanced meditation methods often involved not just physical cultivation but also aspects of soul reconstruction, and the Chip couldn't fully analyze them.
Just like with the Holy Light Candle Meditation Method last time — the Chip had produced improvements, but during the final physical experimentation phase, problems still arose. Leilin had no intention of repeating that mistake. After all, this time it wouldn't be on test subjects; he would be cultivating it himself!
"Sir! May I take your order?"
At that moment, a waitress wearing a black low-cut maid's outfit with white stockings over her legs approached Leilin's table and asked respectfully.
"Bring me a small steak and apple cider. As for Gubler, you can ask him yourself!"
Leilin opened the menu and browsed through it. There was a wide variety of dishes — quite a lavish selection.
The atmosphere in the dining hall was also pleasant. Crystal chandeliers cast a clear, gentle glow, and fresh flowers arranged on the tables exuded waves of fragrance.
In one corner of the dining hall, even a dedicated bard was performing.
Even Leilin felt the Magic Stones spent on this trip were well worth it!
"Mr. Leilin!"
After the fresh small steak was served, Leilin donned his napkin, picked up a knife in one hand and a fork in the other, and cut into a piece of the still-steaming steak. The quality of the steak here was clearly excellent, and the chef had put considerable effort into it. The moment the knife and fork made contact, hot savory juices seeped out from within.
Just as Leilin raised his wine glass, ready to enjoy his meal, a voice like a lark's rang out beside him.
He looked to the side. Jessila — whom he had met once before — was waving vigorously, and beside her, the Nuonuolifa young man's face had already turned so dark it could have dripped ink.
"Oh!" Leilin gave a casual greeting, then turned his attention back to his meal.
But Jessila clearly had no intention of letting him off that easily. She gathered her skirt and trotted over, settling right down next to Leilin.
"Mr. Leilin! Do you like apple cider? Jessila's family actually has a wonderful vintage in their cellar…"
"Even if she needs a shield, am I really the only option?"
Leilin looked up in mild exasperation and scanned the room.
To his surprise, it turned out he genuinely was her only viable choice.
Only after a wizard formally reached the First Rank could they utilize energy particle radiation to alter their physical appearance and maintain a youthful, attractive exterior.
But geniuses like Leilin and Jessila, who could advance to formal wizard rank before the age of twenty, were still a rare minority.
Many wizards didn't reach First Rank until after the age of fifty. Female wizards naturally restored their youngest and most beautiful appearance, but many male wizards chose to solidify their appearance as it was at the time.
Therefore, in the wizard world, male First-rank Wizards could appear either young or old, but female wizards invariably looked to be in their twenties or thirties. It was rare for a female wizard to appear as an aged woman.
In the dining hall where Leilin currently sat, there were indeed First-rank Wizards present, but most of them looked like middle-aged men or elderly individuals.
As for the young apprentices and such, they wouldn't dare approach a First-rank Wizard, let alone compete for attention.
After thinking it through, Jessila really did seem to have only Leilin to choose from.
First, although she couldn't see through Leilin's strength, he was definitely a formal wizard — that was the most important thing. Second, Leilin's appearance was young and handsome enough to make other men jealous.
However, whether this was a stroke of fortune or a catastrophe that had fallen into his lap, Leilin merely rolled his eyes inwardly.
"May I sit here?"
At that moment, the young man who had been wearing a sullen expression all this time also arrived.
Leilin nodded and watched as he took a seat beside Jessila, while Jessila's face clouded over with a hint of displeasure.
"Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Nuen! Nuen Nuonuolifa! This is my fiancée, Miss Jessila!"
Nuen smiled faintly, placing particular emphasis on the words "Nuonuolifa" and "fiancée."
"Hmm. All things considered, these two do make quite a matching pair. Both young, both brimming with talent!" Leilin nodded.
From their bearing, manner of speech, the unconscious waves they emitted, and even their eyes during conversation, he could deduce their approximate ages.
By all rights, this should have been a perfect couple. But unfortunately, the woman seemed thoroughly dissatisfied with the arrangement.
Despite these two uninvited disruptions, Leilin still enjoyed his meal heartily, completely ignoring Jessila's fawning attentions on one side and the nearly exploding Nuen on the other.
At the moment of parting, the fellow named Nuen secretly transmitted a voice message to Leilin: "Stay away from my fiancée, or you will definitely regret it!"
"My lord?" Gubler looked at Leilin's expressionless face and asked cautiously.
One word from Leilin, and he would immediately go kill that fool Nuen who had dared to offend his master. Although they were both First-rank Wizards, these two were obviously freshly advanced newcomers — they stood no chance of surviving against Gubler, a seasoned warlock.
"No rush." Leilin waved his hand. He actually still harbored some puzzlement. Wizards were rational people. That Jessila's behavior might have irked Nuen a bit, but once the latter calmed down and thought it through, he would realize there was no reason to make an enemy of another wizard over such a trivial matter. After all, Leilin and Jessila had only exchanged a few words.
Moreover, Leilin wouldn't kill them over something so petty — it didn't serve his interests.
"Right now, it looks like that female wizard Jessila probably has some follow-up moves in mind." Leilin stroked his chin, rather enjoying the sense of watching a show unfold.
"Yes, Master!" Upon hearing Leilin's instruction, Gubler still felt a twinge of reluctance but dared not raise the matter again.
Two days passed quickly, and the airship docked at a station outside a mid-sized city in the Black River region.
Leilin descended the staircase at a leisurely pace, holding a walking cane, wearing a top hat and a suit-like outfit. His bearing surpassed that of any young noble — it carried the commanding dignity of a ruler.
Behind him, Gubler followed like a loyal butler, step for step, carrying something in his hands.
"Mr. Leilin!" Jessila's voice rang out once more — it turned out she was also disembarking at this stop.
Leilin smiled and walked over.
Nuen was also standing nearby, but this time his face was full of smiles, as if he had already thought things through.
"Lord Leilin! My apologies — I was discourteous earlier!"
Having recovered, Nuen had completely shed his earlier impetuousness and now appeared refined and gracious.
He had realized his earlier mistake and had come to apologize.
"It's nothing! If I had such a beautiful fiancée, I'd probably be suspicious all day long too!" Leilin teased.
Jessila shot Leilin a white-eyed look, then asked, "Where are you heading, Mr. Leilin?"
This was far from the first time she had asked such a question, and Leilin had refused to answer every time before.
"Me?" Leilin caught a flicker of tension in Nuen's eyes and couldn't help but shake his head with a chuckle.
No matter how poised and composed one's outward demeanor might be, the eyes could never lie.