Arthur spoke with a bitter smile, a hint of fear creeping into his voice.
"Even reaching the 50% threshold of Rule Comprehension, I probably still wouldn't dare attempt the Slumbering Transformation — such a huge gamble!"
"Why? Because of the failure rate?"
Leilin Farell suddenly understood.
"Yes! My Lord!"
Arthur's eyes were filled with unmistakable dread. "Those Wizards who enter the Slumbering Transformation period — if they can't fully comprehend the power of Rules, they'll gradually die in their slumber… And ever since the end of the Ancient War, every single one who has attempted this process — I've never heard of a single success…"
"In other words, no new Seventh-Rank Rule
Leilin Farell stroked his chin, suddenly feeling a flicker of relief. Although his advancement process had been different from ordinary Wizards, and had taken place in another world, it seemed to have sidestepped certain troubles.
"That's correct!" Arthur nodded gravely.
"As far as I know, the only Rule-level existences are the Earth Core Mother, the Necromancer Sovereign, and others who have existed since ancient times. They've always remained below the seventh layer of the Underground World and rarely appear…"
"Sure enough — the Wizard World isn't without powerful guardians, they've just been staying in the Underground World all along!"
Leilin Farell nodded, a sharp gleam flickering in his eyes.
He had long harbored suspicions about this. Given the Wizard World's former standing, even after the Ancient War, there should have been some Eighth-Rank existences that survived.
Otherwise, a single slumbering World
"So what you're saying is… in the eyes of those Rule-level existences, the underground of the Wizard World holds more value than the surface? To them, the Central Continent must look the way the Central Continent now views the South Coast — not worth a second glance…"
Leilin Farell suddenly grasped the thinking of those Rule-level existences.
That was the only explanation that made sense. Otherwise, with their power, the entire Central Continent would have no choice but to prostrate and tremble at their feet.
"Are the resources of the Underground World really that abundant?"
Leilin Farell looked at Arthur.
The question clearly caught Arthur off guard. From the recent Star Plane laboratory, he could obviously tell that this Lord Leilin Farell hailed from the surface — was he now coveting the Underground World as well?
Though bitterness lingered in his heart, Arthur didn't dare conceal anything. "The developed seventh layer of the Underground World is indeed far richer in elemental concentration and Wizard resources compared to the Central Continent. Especially with each additional layer downward, that ratio only increases. There are even treasures that would drive numerous Dawn Wizards mad. As for what lies beneath the seventh layer — I'm not entirely clear, but rumors say that world is far more bizarre and wondrous, and offers tremendous benefits to Rule-level existences…"
"Tremendous benefits?" Leilin Farell stroked his chin. "For Rule-level existences, surface-world resources are already negligible. All they need is comprehension of Rules, and guidance for the path ahead…"
"Could it be… that in the Underground World, there are places more conducive to comprehending Rules?"
At this thought, Leilin Farell's eyes lit up.
"Perhaps… I should find an opportunity to explore the deeper depths of the Underground. After all, I'm now considered part of the Wizard World's upper echelon of strength. Exchanging knowledge with other existences would make it easier to make progress…"
Leilin Farell formed some plans in his mind, though he had no intention of voicing them aloud.
"Arthur, did you come here this time for them?" Leilin Farell pointed toward
"Yes!" Only then did Arthur glance at Belinda and her companions, but without any trace of concern. "Protecting this jurisdiction was my responsibility to begin with, but with Lord Leilin Farell here, there's naturally nothing more I need to do…"
It had to be said — Arthur was very perceptive about the situation.
Then again, perhaps witnessing Leilin Farell's power had completely extinguished any thought of resistance.
"You've done well! As it happens, I'm going to visit an old friend — you can come along!"
Leilin Farell nodded and strode ahead toward the Lias family estate, while Arthur followed with a bitter smile, head lowered like a servant.
…
This was the territory of the Lias family. Numerous steep hills with a metallic sheen stood in clusters, and at their very center lay the Lias family manor.
Massive Thunder Blue Birds occasionally descended, accompanied by the rumble of lightning.
What outsiders would consider a death trap was, to Leilin Farell and his group, utterly devoid of danger.
"Im! Your old friend has arrived!"
Materialized spiritual force swept outward, and Leilin Farell instantly broke through the Lias family's layered defenses, locating Iam Lias in a secret chamber.
"That voice? And that kind of…" Iam Lias, who had been conducting an experiment, flinched — a test tube shattered completely in his hand.
But he paid it no mind, his entire body transforming into a massive Thunder Blue Bird that shot into the sky.
"It really is you! Leilin Farell! My friend!"
The enormous Thunder Blue Bird, colossal as a mountain, instantly shrank down into a blue-haired Warlock with silver eyes fixed on Leilin Farell.
"I've made preparations on my end, but these past few years you've made me wait painfully long. And why were several of our communications cut off?"
Clearly, the contract Leilin Farell had signed to appease the Lias family hadn't been taken seriously by him, nor had he much genuine intention of honoring it.
After all, back then he had been entangled by the Ten Thousand Serpent Curse Seal — how could he have devoted significant energy to something like this?
Still, it had only been a few years, which was practically nothing for high-ranking Wizards. So while Iam Lias was somewhat displeased, he hadn't made any especially aggressive moves. Otherwise, upon seeing Leilin Farell today, he might well have attacked on the spot.
"Apologies! Certain matters delayed me, but I've come this time to restart the plan and the agreement. Of course… some terms will need to be modified!"
The Iam Lias across from him was a Fifth-Rank Warlock who had inherited ancient bloodlines, but in Leilin Farell's eyes, he was no longer worth much concern. If not for the fact that his family still had some utility, Leilin Farell could swallow everything here with a single thought.
"Restart? Modify? And… your aura…"
Suspicion filled Iam Lias's face as he scrutinized Leilin Farell carefully. He suddenly sensed that the other's aura felt different from before.
But he couldn't pinpoint exactly what had changed, and the frustration nearly made him cough up blood — at Leilin Farell's current level of power, concealing his energy fluctuations was effortless, though he rarely bothered. Even these subtle outward changes, along with his every movement carrying the weight of Rules, left Iam Lias feeling like he was peering at flowers through fog.
"Also, I've found a new partner for this trade arrangement! Arthur, you can take over negotiations with him from here!"
Leilin Farell waved his hand.
At this point, the profits from trade between the Central Continent and the first Underground layer were barely worth his attention — almost negligible.
However, this business was still a substantial supplement to the Ouroboros Ring as a whole.
Moreover, underground, Leilin Farell had already found a true supervisor and collaborator.
Both Belinda and Agnes had experience managing major factions, and their personal strength was considerable. With a brief period of familiarization, they would be able to handle everything.
And the profits generated from management alone would be more than enough for them to live quite comfortably in the Wizard World without relying on Leilin Farell.
"It's been too long, Your Majesty Arthur!"
After being singled out by Leilin Farell, Arthur rubbed his nose with a bitter smile and stepped forward.
"You are… King Arthur!!!"
Only at this moment did Iam Lias notice the figure of Arthur standing behind Leilin Farell. Although Leilin Farell hadn't released much of his aura, the inherent properties of his Rule-level body carried an overwhelming pull of attraction, causing Iam Lias to completely overlook everyone else standing nearby.
"Your Majesty! What brings you here?"
Iam Lias's jaw dropped. As the founder of the entire Arthur Empire, King Arthur's reputation throughout the first Underground layer was nothing short of thunderous. A peak Sixth-Rank Dawn Wizard of extraordinary combat power, he had swept aside all peers to establish his empire.
King Arthur's fame had not been bestowed by others — it had been forged by Arthur himself in blood and fire. The high-ranking Wizards who had fallen to his blades could have painted the entire palace red with their blood.
And as the patriarch of the Lias family, Iam Lias was technically still Arthur's vassal. The Lias family's territory lay within the Arthur Empire's borders, and for the sake of preserving his family, Iam Lias had no choice but to lower his proud head.
"I have come here at Lord Leilin Farell's instruction, to serve as an assistant and witness!"
Arthur kept his posture exceedingly humble — he had long since concluded that Leilin Farell was a Seventh-Rank Rule-level existence. Such a being could annihilate him with a mere thought, and he naturally wouldn't dare show the slightest negligence.
Upon hearing these words, nothing remained in Iam Lias's eyes but horror.
"Lord… Leilin Farell?!!"
"Someone who can make King Arthur, at the peak of Dawn Wizard rank, address him as 'My Lord'!"
Iam Lias's expression went blank, but a premonition had already taken root deep within him — this Leilin Farell before him was likely worlds apart in strength from the one he had met years ago. Perhaps the other had been concealing his true power all along?
At the same time, with the entire Arthur Empire as backing and King Arthur as overseer, the commencement of trade between both sides was now an inevitability, with absolutely no hidden risks.
It was just that the Lias family might well be reduced to a subordinate position under his dominance.
A bitter smile tugged at the corner of Iam Lias's mouth as he knelt before Leilin Farell. "Iam Lias pays his respects to Lord Leilin Farell!"