"Based on the energy dissipating from the magical array, there is a probability that some form of consciousness entity is sealed within the array..."
The Chip projected its conclusion before Leilin's eyes.
"Some kind of consciousness entity?!" A glint flashed in Leilin's eyes.
"Can you cross-reference it with the database to identify what kind of consciousness entity it is?"
"Searching... Ding! This entity does not exist in the database. Beginning comparison with stored memory information..."
The Chip processed rapidly.
Seconds later, the latest result was delivered before Leilin's eyes: "The surface of this consciousness entity emits an aura consistent with the Ganges Secret Realm. Judgment: a special creature native to this secret realm! Compatibility with the secret realm entrance's metal gate: 67..."
"The metal gate?!" Leilin's pupils contracted sharply. He suddenly recalled the metal gate that loomed near this headquarters — as though it had existed since ancient times — and the spiritual fluctuations emanating from it, which already possessed an incomplete consciousness!
"So that's how it is. That metal gate has likely evolved its own unique intelligence, but its consciousness was completely stripped away by the wizards of the
Leilin slowly pieced together the cause and effect.
Although he didn't know why the Four Seasons Garden chose to seal the consciousness of the secret realm entrance, it probably came down to a few standard reasons. Leilin didn't feel like dwelling on it right now.
What he cared about was: if this consciousness entity were destroyed, what effect would it have on the secret realm entrance?
Because the red crystal the giant had given him was not some kind of unsealing formula at all! It was a spell to trigger the control array's self-destruction along with the consciousness entity sealed inside!
"Chip! If the consciousness entity of the secret realm entrance were annihilated, simulate what consequences the secret realm entrance would suffer?"
Leilin asked calmly, though his expression had turned darkly terrifying.
"Ding! Task established. Beginning to calibrate advanced model. Data input in progress..." The Chip faithfully responded.
Immediately after, the result was projected before Leilin.
"Based on experimental simulation and relic projection analysis: if the consciousness entity here were to self-destruct, the probability of the metal gate's destruction is 79.8%. In that case, this entrance would be permanently sealed and could never be opened again... There is a 15.2% probability of the exact opposite — the entrance would become a public gateway, accessible to any creature... The remaining 5% probability: other unknown and anomalous events would occur!"
Staring at the conclusion, Leilin suddenly understood everything.
The competition for the Ganges Secret Realm ultimately came down to control of the entrances. Of the seven entrances discovered so far, four were directly under the control of the white wizards.
This control meant not just the wizard armies deployed around the perimeter, but also possession of a certain "key" that could regulate the gate's opening and closing.
Now it was clear — these "keys" were the core consciousness entities of each gate!
"If I blow this place up, the most likely outcome is that the Four Seasons Garden's secret realm entrance will simply vanish! Then the number of entrances controlled by black wizards and white wizards will be equal again... and they'll lose their disadvantage in the competition for the secret realm..."
Leilin immediately grasped the black wizards' plan.
These black wizards wanted to destroy the secret realm entrance here!
Control of an entrance meant not only a vast surrounding territory rich in resources, but also the ability to transport troops — and most critically, the speed of transporting war supplies!
Right now, the white wizards held four entrances. Whether measured by the territory they辐射ed or their war potential, they held an edge over the black wizards. The black wizards naturally needed to find a way to erase that advantage!
Even if they couldn't destroy this entrance, they had to wrest control of it from the white wizards' hands. Better to turn it into neutral territory than to let the white wizards keep it!
"Brilliant plan! Brilliant plan! Truly brilliant!"
Now that he'd sorted out the entire chain of cause and effect, Leilin couldn't help but quietly applaud the mastermind behind it.
But as the most critical chess piece, his own position was rather awkward.
If he destroyed the consciousness entity here, the secret realm gate would probably shut down immediately. Whether it would annihilate entirely or simply lose all its discriminatory functions was anyone's guess.
And while Leilin would have performed a great service for the black wizard alliance by carrying this out, the white wizards would never let him go.
He had to think carefully about whether this bit of merit was worth earning the enmity of the entire white wizard alliance.
"Well... does this even need thinking about?"
A sharp gleam appeared in Leilin's eyes.
"From this trigger crystal to the perfectly timed arrangement — it's as though a hidden hand has been stirring things up from behind the scenes. And this hidden hand must hold a high position within the Four Seasons Garden; otherwise, this level of manipulation would be impossible... I can already roughly guess who it is. Once this is done, they benefit the most. And I might even end up hunted by them, turned into a stepping stone for their advancement..."
A cold smile played at the corner of Leilin's lips.
Throughout history, the position of a mole had always been an awkward one. Even after success, if those in power didn't feel like remembering your contribution, your ending probably wouldn't be pleasant.
Moreover, compared to him — a minor infiltrator — there was someone in the Four Seasons Garden with higher status, deeper cover, and greater loyalty.
If their interests conflicted, who would the Thousand Leaf Hand choose? Was that even a question?
Furthermore, the contract he'd signed with the giant only stipulated that he not help the Four Seasons Garden. His decision to act this way was entirely for his own benefit, and he still harbored thoughts of profiting handsomely from the Four Seasons Garden — so he wouldn't suffer any contractual backlash.
The giant, afraid of arousing Leilin's suspicion, hadn't dared to make the contract too rigid. If it had stipulated that he must destroy such-and-such, Leilin would have investigated first and ultimately refused to sign.
"Shatter!"
Leilin clenched his fist toward the blue ice sphere.
Crack! Crack! Countless fine shards of ice flaked away from the pale blue sphere, and then a web of fractures spread across its entire surface.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
At last, the pale blue ice sphere burst apart entirely, and the blood-red crystal within dissolved into fine powder that scattered in all directions.
The self-destruct control array's formula was destroyed just like that — by Leilin's own hand.
Leilin had thought it through very clearly.
Betraying the Four Seasons Garden was fine. At most, he'd make a mortal enemy of that faction. But destroying the secret realm gate would offend the entire white wizard alliance!!!
The Ganges Secret Realm right now was a colossal piece of fatty meat! Both black and white wizards were itching to sink their teeth in!
This secret realm gate didn't belong to the Four Seasons Garden alone — it belonged to the entire white wizard alliance! The Four Seasons Garden was merely something like a custodian. If Leilin damaged the secret realm entrance here, the entire white wizard faction would lose the initiative in this contest!
Throughout history, cutting off someone's path to wealth was worse than killing their parents. And for wizards, the Ganges Secret Realm — capable of endlessly producing the rarest and most precious resources — was a massive gold mine. If he made such an enemy of the white wizards, he would be hunted across every corner of the world, relentlessly, to the bitter end!
And it wouldn't be just one faction — the entire white wizard establishment would act together, united in hatred!!! The severity of this far exceeded his previous bulk collection of souls and wanton plundering!!!
On the South Coast, the white wizards still held the dominant position. If every white wizard had him in their sights, Leilin might as well give up — he'd have to find some remote corner and go into permanent hiding.
And that would be one thing if he had some powerful backer within the black wizard alliance.
This deed could serve as a tribute, after which he could ride that massive merit to rise through the ranks of the black wizards.
But unfortunately, Leilin had only joined the Thousand Leaf Hand midway and was still considered one of the less trusted members. Otherwise, they wouldn't have tricked him into doing this in the first place.
Moreover, he had no backers in the black wizard alliance whatsoever — in fact, he had some enemies!
After all, the Black Bone Forest Academy was also a member of the black wizard alliance! He had brazenly killed Malb, the Great Elder of the Lilisite family, the Metal Maniac — and that was a blood debt!!!
After careful thought, Leilin realized that blowing up the secret realm gate wouldn't bring him a single benefit. Instead, there was a mountain of blame waiting to land on his shoulders!!!
This kind of self-destructive act that benefited others — Leilin would absolutely not do it!
And so, he cast one final glance at Leonor's office, then turned without the slightest hesitation and walked away!
...
BOOM!!!
The Four Seasons Garden's Ganges Secret Realm headquarters was now saturated with the tremendous energy fluctuations of magical explosions, punctuated intermittently by screams and manic laughter.
The black wizards' assault had been fiercely rapid — they had already fought their way to the heart of the headquarters.
As a result, along the way Leilin found that even formal wizards were scarce, let alone anyone to question him. He walked out without the slightest difficulty.
Numerous black-robed wizards were venting the dark desires in their hearts to their hearts' content. Some had set massive fires directly on the premises.
Towering walls of flame swept through, turning what had once been a thriving trade center into a sea of fire.
The Four Seasons Garden's formal wizards were desperately stalling the black wizards, awaiting the arrival of reinforcements.
Of the neutral wizards who had been stranded here, only a small fraction — those with close ties to the Four Seasons Garden — chose to join the fight. The vast majority chose to stand by and watch.
Wizards were a cold-hearted bunch. When a clash between black and white wizards erupted, the overwhelming majority of those present chose to prioritize their own survival.
As for the apprentices, there was even less to say.
In the midst of formal wizards' combat, they had no room to intervene whatsoever. Often, the mere aftershock of a single formal wizard's spell, rippling outward, would cause a swath of casualties.
"Looks like quite the mess," Leilin remarked with an indifferent smile.
He was still wearing the Four Seasons Garden's attire, but his expression was perfectly composed — cold as ice, as if everything happening to the Four Seasons Garden had absolutely nothing to do with him.
"
At that moment, a figure came hurtling toward Leilin, revealing the form of Doruin.
This deputy head of the security squad looked thoroughly bedraggled, his white robe torn into strips.