Leilin knew that this matter would be a tremendous test for him.
If his disguise couldn't pass the scrutiny of the Fire Feather Race's Leader, then everything else would be moot—let alone gaining their trust. Every subsequent plan would have to be revised.
Therefore, he had to go through with this trip, but he was not entirely unprepared.
At least, two Dukes of the Komoyin Giant Serpents had already infiltrated in secret, lurking outside the official residence at all times. If any flaw was discovered, Leilin would immediately explode into action, using the Komoyin Snake Transformation to fight his way out. Even three Morning Star Magi bound together should be able to escape from the opponent's grasp.
After all, the previous three Komoyin Elders had a record of jointly fighting a Level Five Radiant Moon
Although the strongest Grand Elder had already fallen, Leilin was confident that he was in no way inferior to them!
Three Komoyin Giant Serpent Magi fighting together—even if they couldn't defeat the opponent—would be more than enough to flee! This was the very premise and guarantee behind their entire plan!
"Chip!" Leilin called in a low voice.
"Ding! Beginning to coordinate concealment fluctuations!" the Chip faithfully responded immediately, making Leilin's aura appear even more vivid, as if he were the most authentic Fire Feather Race member.
The Morning Star singularity's concealment power, plus the secret technique of bloodline masking, and the Chip's assistance—this was the source of Leilin's confidence in deceiving a Level Five being!
Taking a deep breath, Leilin followed Shike into the room and bowed toward the figure at the center.
Inside was a large study filled with ancient armor and paintings that exuded the weight of history. What surprised Leilin even more was that the entire study seemed to possess an atmosphere of a self-contained domain.
This was not the Morning Star domain of a Morning Star Wizard—it was merely a special space that had naturally formed from the opponent spending so much time here!
"Shike! You've arrived!" The Leader'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 mentioned? Not bad!"
As the voice fell, Leilin felt his heart tighten and his entire body tense up. Then he felt a gaze sweep across him like a searing line of fire, making him involuntarily shudder.
As the gaze touched him, the singularity trembled and was about to release spiritual power for defense, but Leilin suppressed it with all his might.
At the same time, 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, resisting the external scrutiny.
"Hmm?" A soft sound came from the Leader opposite. "You are Lei? Raise your head!"
Though the voice was gentle, it carried an unquestionable command. Almost the instant the voice fell, Leilin reflexively raised his head.
Then he saw a handsome young man with red hair and eyebrows, his features somewhat similar to Shike's. He wore a loose white robe, and in his eyes as he looked at Leilin there seemed to be a trace of… appreciation?
"Good cultivation! And very pure fire energy!" The red-haired young man nodded, then turned his gaze to the other person.
Locke's body trembled. But the Leader made no comment—which was understandable. A mere seventh-layer Fire Feather Technique soldier could not attract the Leader's attention.
"Your merits, I have reviewed carefully. I hope you will continue to work hard in the future, protecting our Federation…"
The handsome Leader 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.
*Snap!* The door closed. When only Shike and the Leader remained in the room, the Leader's bearing shifted once more. Looking at Shike, his expression held a hint of agitation: "These years! You've truly worked hard!"
"For 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 use my name to get things done, so let everything follow proper procedures. This merit is enough for your promotion to General. Go prepare yourself—you'll serve in the Transas Defense Corps from now on!"
The Leader's voice was very gentle.
"As you command!" Shike replied coldly. Looking at his expression, the Leader's brow furrowed slightly.
"Also, those two subordinates of yours—Lei and Locke—both have some problems!"
"What problems? Lei's loyalty goes without saying. And Locke—he's a descendant of the Eiffel Family…"
The muscles on Shike's face tightened. He 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 concealing it all along, displaying only eighth-layer strength! It was probably to hide his true capability!"
The red-haired Leader commented: "To reach this level at such an age, his potential is quite impressive. He's worth recruiting—though his thoughts are a bit heavy… Afterwards, reveal the tenth-layer content of the Fire Feather Technique to him, and he'll surely become even more loyal to you…"
"So he's already reached the ninth layer?" Shike lowered his head in some shame. In his view, Leilin must have held back because Shike himself hadn't advanced, not daring to outshine his superior.
And looking up at his father—this greatest genius of the entire Fire Feather Race—he hung his head in dejection. He seemed to have never inherited even a sliver of his father's talent. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't compare to those geniuses. This was precisely why he had grown disheartened and ultimately left Transas City.
"I understand!" Shike exhaled a long breath and nodded.
"As for that Locke—his problem is serious!" One sentence from the Leader immediately made Shike's eyebrows shoot up.
"His appearance is merely a disguise. The real Locke is probably long dead. The one before you is an alien!"
"An alien?" Shike exclaimed.
"Yes! We simply don't know whether they belong to the Three Serpent Cult or the Möbius Ring. They're probably targeting this Sacred Birth Day!" A cold smile appeared at the corner of the red-haired Leader's lips.
"Then I'll go arrest him right away!" Shike surged to his feet, his heart filled with the fury of betrayal.
He never could have imagined that Locke—who had always been diligent and responsible in his work, who suited his temperament perfectly—was actually an enemy spy! The shame of misjudging someone swirled endlessly in his heart.
"No rush! They're just a few insects—what do they matter?"
The red-haired Leader stopped Shike's movement: "What you need to do now is…"
……
After leaving the official residence, Leilin parted ways with Locke and checked into a random inn.
Though the special task force had a base in Transas with plenty of empty rooms and better facilities, Leilin naturally wouldn't choose that place. He might go later, but for now he needed the most inconspicuous location possible.
After sending the serving girl away, Leilin closed the door, and the room's light immediately dimmed.
"How did it go? Did everything go smoothly?"
Two semi-transparent figures emerged from the dark corners of the room—none other than
"Is it safe here? Maintain secrecy!" Leilin frowned.
"Relax—we've already set up concealment arrays and barriers here. Even the inn's staff and guests have been subjected to light hypnosis and mental suggestions…" Emma said.
"My side went relatively smoothly. I not only obtained partial building blueprints but also successfully met with that Leader!"
Leilin didn't press further and began to slowly recount the day's events.
"So the other party didn't suspect you? Tsk tsk! That Leader is quite the handsome man!" Emma giggled.
"Probably not. But he did discover my Fire Feather Technique disguise—that was something I intentionally leaked!" Leilin smiled. He was already accustomed to the way these female Magi jumped between topics.
"What about the other party's strength?" Compared to appearance and such, Gilbert's focus was far more practical.
They had fought this Leader before, and now he wanted to hear Leilin's assessment.
"I can't quite describe it…" Leilin's eyes grew somewhat distant, as if still recalling the scene from moments ago. "But I can confirm that the opponent's soul power is extremely strong—practically at the very top among all the Radiant Moon Wizards I've ever encountered!"
"After all, this is a supreme powerhouse from another world. His Fire Feather Technique has been cultivated to the thirteenth layer, on par with those Radiant Moon Wizards in the Wizard World who have reached the fifth layer of their Meditation Methods. Let alone the fact that he has Fire Source Stones to replenish his soul…"
Gilbert also sighed, seemingly recalling the scene of their previous battle with the opponent, his body trembling involuntarily.
"Anyway, our operation this time still aims to avoid direct contact with him as much as possible. There shouldn't be any problems!"
Leilin's heart sank, but he said so anyway, then asked Emma: "How are your preparations?"
"Everything is going smoothly! Hehe… now you must address us as Viscount Flower and Count Violet…" Emma giggled, looking as though she was doing quite well.
Though Leilin was somewhat speechless—the Atlanta Federation had actually allowed outsiders to obtain a Count's title. He really wondered how Emma had managed to pass the nobility review back then.
"Also! Inside Transas, we've detected traces of several Morning Star Magi from the Thunder of Jupiter!"
Gilbert's other piece of intelligence immediately caught Leilin's attention.
"They're here too? Are they coming for revenge?"
Leilin stroked his chin. After all, Clinks could be considered to have fallen at their hands.
"I think that's probably not the case. Their objective should be the same as ours!" Gilbert shook his head.
"In that case… perhaps our operation will become significantly more difficult. Of course, it's also possible we'll gain greater convenience…" A deep glint flashed through Leilin's eyes.