Celine sounded extremely sincere as she spoke in an endearing manner which could enchant people. Ripples seemed to emanate from her big, shiny eyes.
“En?” Leylin was shocked for a while before he smiled and met Celine’s eyes with his.
Under the detection of the A.I. Chip, an extremely indiscernible spiritual force was revealed to him. Moreover, the direction that it headed towards was Leylin’s brain and his sea of consciousness.
“She actually dared to cast an illusion on me?” Leylin did not know whether to laugh or cry. This woman was acting somewhat recklessly. Not to mention the automatic counterattack from his bloodline, as a rank 2 Warlock, his massive spiritual force was enough to cause Celine a backlash which could turn her into an idiot!
However, he still had uses for her, so naturally, he would not be this vicious.
From Leylin’s eyes, a large crimson coloured light surged forward and crumbled the incoming spiritual force into pieces.
After realising this had happened, Celine’s face turned pale. Leylin, who had adopted a low profile, had always been suppressing his spiritual force and energy waves that he radiated. On the surface, he was just another ordinary rank 1 Magus.
For this very reason, Celine was willing to cast an illusion on him.
However, from the looks of it, this Magus by the name of Leylin was concealing most of his strength, which had caused her to be on the losing end.
In many cases, magic could turn around and backfire on the person who had cast the spell and cause him or her damage.
Celine struggled, wanting to shift her eyes away.
However, her neck seemed to be stuck in a certain position, unable to move even an inch.
Shocked, Celine could only gaze pitifully at Leylin, hoping to gain his understanding.
After playing around with her for a while, Leylin gave a faint smile and curbed the crimson rays coming from his eyes. Meanwhile, Celine trembled violently, two red lines flowed from her beautiful nose and created a flaw on her attractive face.
“A peak rank 1 Magus! You’re a peak rank 1 Magus!” Celine did not even bother sorting out her appearance and exclaimed.
Through this spiritual force encounter, Celine could tell that he had a spiritual force that was as deep and profound as an ocean. The icy and terrifying aura it had caused her much fear.
She was extremely confident in her abilities in casting illusions. Based on records on meditation techniques, only someone who had the strength of at least a rank 1 peak Magus would be able to forcefully break her illusions.
At this point, Magi like them had basically completely converted their elemental essence, and their whole body had undergone a slight change. Ordinary illusions were basically useless.
And Leylin right here was a peak rank 1 Magus!
“My apologies! Celine did have the slightest clue that Mister Leylin had already been promoted to the peak of rank 1. Please forgive me for that sudden probing just now. Thank you so much for letting me off.”
Celine looked grim, got up, and bowed towards Leylin with an expression of reverence.
In this situation where guilds were usually managed by official Magi, a peak rank 1 Magus was enough to destroy several small guilds. Celine was extremely familiar with the destructive power of a peak rank 1 Magus.
Magi at this level were enough to be the trump cards of medium-scaled guilds. Why would they appear here?
While Celine was bowing, she secretly raised her head and took the measure of this young man who was preposterously good looking. All sorts of thoughts emerged in her mind.
“It’s nothing much! How is it going regarding the trade?” Leylin shook his head slightly.
Just showing a bit of strength was enough for this little vixen to see the disparity between them. When the difference in power was like that between heaven and earth, any scheming would be useless!
“The trade isn’t very urgent. Please wait for a while longer!”
Celine’s attitude had now undergone an 180-degree change. She bowed slightly, and then flitted away into the darkness like a butterfly.
She did not make him wait long, appearing in front of him again within a few minutes.
However, she now wore a purplish-gold gown and had dressed herself up, and did not look as pitiful as she had been. She was also holding onto a round disk.
“This is the collection at our office. There aren’t many produced every year, and we only use it to entertain important guests!”
Celine smiled daintily, placing the item on the round dish on the table.
It was a seed that was in the shape of an olive. There were also patterns that were similar to that on walnuts and was probably the seed of some plant.
Celine’s pale jade-like hands brushed at the seed!
*Weng!* Along with a circle of green rays, the entire seed began to tremble.
*Pak!* A white feeler burst out of the seed, extended itself, and then increased in number.
After the feelers were brown branches, followed by green leaves and pink flowers.
Under the green rays, this seed rapidly went through its entire brief life, and when all the flower petals fell away, a red fruit that was like an apple appeared on a branch.
“This is a special local product of ours, the Sicily Fruit! As it stays ripe for just a short period of time, it needs to be eaten right after being picked to be able to enjoy its pure, unadulterated taste.”
Celine explained to Leylin while giving a gentle smile.
“The miracles in life are truly splendid and numerous!” Leylin praised. Such a miracle was only possible by using magic.
He picked the fruit off the plant, and the plant, which had lost its fruit, quickly wilted, and in seconds, turned into a puddle of grey liquid.
A Pact
*Munch!*
Leylin took a bite of the fruit that had been created by using magic to accelerate its growth.
As for any poisons, after having awakened the toxic innate talent of the Giant Kemoyin Serpent, he was basically immune to most poisons in the world. Perhaps only the terrifying toxins that originated from ancient times might be able to affect him.
As the fruit entered his mouth, a fragrant and sweet juice flowed between his teeth.
“It tastes pretty good, and it also seems to be beneficial towards one’s spiritual force! It is still rather effective for official Magi who are gathering spiritual force.”
Leylin gave a slightly surprised glance towards Celine.
“The Sicily fruit is only effective for official Magi who are eating it for the first time. If a Magus’ rank is too high, or if it is eaten multiple times, it is probably only useful for satisfying one’s taste buds and stomach.” Celine could only force a wry smile, pointing out the flaws in the fruit.
“Even so, it is still remarkable!” Leylin shook his head. The effects of this fruit were akin to those of a potion for spiritual force. If this was on the south coast, countless official Magi would be looting this everywhere. Here, however, any small power was able to bring it out, and Leylin once again learned more about the abundance of resources in the subterranean world.
After displaying his strength, Leylin was extremely calm and composed, enjoying the top-grade delicacies, wine, and other great things that Celine brought out, while occasionally speaking to her.
After that, Celine took the initiative and brought up the trade that Leylin had been talking about.
“Is my lord really not going to even consider Celine’s suggestion?” Celine stared at Leylin with puppy-dog eyes.
“I don’t have any plans to join any powers and be tied down.” Leylin rejected her straight out.
“Please don’t worry about that at all. Nature’s Alliance is very small and I, Celine, am the only official Magus. My lord, you wouldn’t have to do much!” Celine guaranteed.
“Also, the moment you enter, we will release to you all of Nature’s Alliance’s high-grade meditation techniques and information rega
rding the secret spells that have been passed down.
After all, it was very rare for a peak rank 1 Magus to be seen traveling alone in the Twilight Zone. One could go so far as to say that they could be seen once in a hundred years.
If one wanted to walk far on the path of Magi, it was essential that they possess large amounts of resources and knowledge, and these were things that only large powers possessed.
Hence, those wandering Magi were usually not that powerful. Anyone who was a semi-converted Magus was considered rather powerful, and as for being a peak rank 1 Magus, that was virtually impossible.
Even if there were one or two who were extremely lucky, they would immediately be roped in by large Magi organisations, and would definitely not continue to wander.
Now, however, Celine knew there was a tremendous opportunity in front of her!
The moment she recruited Leylin, Nature’s Alliance would automatically become a medium-ranked guild that would not lose out to top powers!
Hence, whilst knowing that she did not have much hope in this endeavour, Celine still wanted to give it a try! Though she had previously used her own beauty to seduce a few Magi, most of them were nothing special, and all they wanted was to gain possession of her. It was extremely disgusting, but she had to endure the disgust that rose within her and continue to have dealings with them for her guild to continue to exist.
If her guild had a peak rank 1 Magus taking charge, things would definitely be different!
“My apologies but…” Leylin spoke, causing Celine’s expression to pale.
“But it’s not as if there isn’t a roundabout way of doing this.” However, Leylin’s next words caused Celine’s eyes to shine.
“I can go through the motions of entering the Nature’s Alliance guild to obtain the entry permit to enter the icy cave. Also, I want everything that you promised me, and in return, I can even personally help you to expand the guild to some extent! After this, you and your Nature’s Alliance are not allowed to reject any of my requests. Remember, I mean any at all!”
Leylin altered the conditions a little, leaving Celine to sink deeply into thought.
“Fine!” After muttering to herself for some time, this clever woman quickly nodded and accepted Leylin’s terms.
There were few chances to recruit a peak rank 1 Magus. In addition, though Leylin would only enter the guild in name, as long as she did her utmost if Nature’s Alliance were to get into trouble, wouldn’t he help out?”
“I can.. Even…” Celine raised her head and looked at Leylin’s handsome features, flushed red, and then ducked her head.
However, considering her experience, she knew to reign in her emotions.
“I’ll pass you the high-grade meditation techniques and information regarding spells as soon as possible. May I know when you are planning to enter the icy cave? I can arrange…”
Celine’s head automatically lowered.
Such an attitude surprised Leylin. “Don’t I have to sign some contract? I recall that when most guilds recruit new blood, some even get them to leave behind a portion of their soul.”
“I trust Lord Leylin!” Celine resolutely stated, which left Leylin somewhat stupefied.
Of course, he would not leave any traces of his spirit to be bound by a contract. However, he was prepared to use the Trial’s Eye to reassure her. After all, he still had many items that could be used to concoct the solution of the Nefarious Filthbird’s feathers.
However, it seemed like Celine was slyer than he thought, and was also willing to take risks!
Perhaps, in the future, Nature’s Alliance would be able to shine through her leadership and walk the path to glory!
Leylin looked at Celine, who seemed like a maidservant now, as he smiled in a toying manner…
……
A few days later, on a tall, fertile land, in front of a mighty construction.
Celine wore purple robes, seemingly with a bewitching intent. This caused the two acolytes behind her to gulp down their saliva.
Between the two acolytes, one of them was female. She herself was intoxicated by Celine’s beauty, and her gaze held a trace of adoration.
“Lord Celine, are we really waiting for a peak rank 1 Magus here?”
As for the other male acolyte, he was somewhat in disbelief. It was a peak rank 1 Magus after all! Such strength was enough to be granted the position of an elder in large guilds. Why would such a Magus lower his status and enter a small guild?
Or perhaps, maybe it was for Lord Celine! The male acolyte racked his brains to derive a plausible explanation while tightly clenching his fist.
As for the female acolyte, she gritted her teeth.
As for what she thought, that peak rank 1 Magus must have used some methods to cause Lord Celine to succumb to him, and intentionally joined the guild to use it to his advantage for a long time.
“Obo, Ilya, although this Lord Leylin has a relatively good-natured disposition, you cannot be disrespectful. You are the hope of my Nature’s Alliance. If you have the chance to be favoured by Lord Leylin and become his disciple, the chances of advancing to a rank 1 Magus in the future will be extremely high…”
As for Celine, she did not consider the complicated feelings of her acolytes and even tried to instruct them at this moment.
The reason for her bringing the two acolytes who had the highest chances of advancing into an official Magus with her was twofold. First, she wanted everyone in the guild to know that she had recruited a peak rank 1 Magus, and on the other hand, she had hoped for Leylin to take them as his disciples, to further strengthen the ties they had.
“Jejeje! Isn’t that the guild leader of Nature’s Alliance? Who might be this important for the ravishing beauty Miss Celine to personally welcome him?”
At this moment, a group of Magi walked out as the large gates of the construction creaked open.
The one walking at the forefront was middle-aged, with a half-naked torso and eight long legs that propped up his body. At his buttocks was a sack of silk.
It seemed to be a half-man half-spider creature. Moreover, a genital tube hung from his lower abdomen in the open. Looking at it, Obo felt it repulsive, and as for Ilya, she lowered her head.
However, they could not express their disgust, as this creature had the might of a semi-converted rank 1 Magus, which made it stronger than Celine.
Through the sensing of the spiritual force, they could see that the halo of energy particles surrounding the creature’s body was mightier than that of their guild leader.
“It’s been a really long time, Magus Skrill!” Celine smiled jubilantly and went forward to greet the creature.
The Magus Skrill looked at Obo and Ilya in disdain, before looking at Celine. “Miss Celine, why do you have to safeguard the Nature’s Alliance? There are so few acolytes, and much less potential. This will only end with you squandering your youth and your precious life span. Why don’t you join us at the Eight-Claw Spider Guild? I can give you a position which is just beneath mine…”
Skrill licked his lips as he lustfully looked at Celine.
“My apologies, Sir Skrill, I…” Celine smiled with some difficulty, and as Skrill edged closer, she caught of whiff of his repulsive odour, which left her rather pale.
On the other side, Obo and Ilya’s eyes had already turned red; if not for Skrill being an official Magus with a might that surpassed Celine, they would have already dashed forward.
Skrill was a leader of one of the small-scale guilds that had banded together with Nature’s Alliance to guard the icy cave.
Very long ago, when Nature’s Alliance was at its peak, Skrill’s guild was still a pathetic, tail-wagging, pity-votes-garnering, tagalong of a guild.
However, after Celine took over the leadership position, Nature’s Alliance’s power started to wane. Only then did Skrill begin to mercilessly reap the benefits that originally belonged to Nature’s Alliance, and even express his interests in Celine.
Crystal Mask
Celine herself had only just advanced to become an official Magus.
Compared to Skrill, she was obviously lacking. In addition, all the Magi that were on good terms with Nature’s Alliance were not willing to offend a semi-converted Magus just for this small matter, as with their responsibilities in their respective guilds, they had to consider many more things than most other Magi.
Even if Celine were to win over a few Magi by using her body, those she could win over would at most be regular official Magi that would be much weaker than Skrill.
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