Chapter 1200: Seeking Common Ground While Reserving Differences, Impressions of Kelifu

In fact, Xia Duo did not believe that Telemen's faith in the Lord of Radiance could be very deep, but he did not discuss the matter of faith with him too much.

"Believing in the Lord of Radiance" could be considered Telemen's persona; it was the path he had chosen. As the saying goes, "Those with different Daos do not plan together." The two had vastly different worldviews, and while they were not exactly strangers, there still needed to be a certain distance between them.

Seeking common ground while reserving differences is exactly what this refers to—discussing only topics where both parties have intersections or shared interests.

The chess game continued, and the two remained as they were at the start, chatting while playing; however, after the topic of faith just now, the two tacitly began to probe each other's inclinations and taboos.

Xia Duo was not actually skilled at these things, but he had long since had his own goals, path, ideals, and principles, and he did not mind others knowing about these circumstances of his.

At his current status, there was no longer any need to hide these things; actively expressing his attitude to others and gaining more support was the royal road.

As for more secret matters, those involved personal privacy, such as bloodline status; regarding such information, given Lord Leisen's wisdom and temperament, it was natural to avoid it if possible.

……

Soon, the sky outside gradually darkened. Although bright magic lamps were lit in the Reception Room in time, both players realized that it was getting late and it was time to stop.

Telemen stood up and bowed, saying solemnly: "Lord Xia Duo, let's stop here for today. Thank you for your guidance, Lord Xia Duo!"

"Then let's stop here. If we keep playing, I really worry I'll lose miserably!" Although there was an element of exaggeration in Xia Duo's words, it also showed the speed of Lord Leisen's progress.

Hearing Xia Duo's praise, Telemen laughed immediately. As someone who loved the 【Arcane Maze】, what could be happier than receiving affirmation from the founder of the Arcane Maze!

Just as the two were complimenting each other while heading to the dining room for dinner, Stern returned from outside, looking hurried, as if some incredible event had occurred:

"Lord Xia Duo, Father, Teacher has arrived!"

"What, Teacher has arrived!"

Telemen's expression changed immediately. He grabbed Stern's wrist and asked with a rapid speaking pace: "Where is Teacher? Take me there quickly!"

After saying this, he looked at Xia Duo again, giving an apologetic expression.

At this moment, Xia Duo was also very surprised. He didn't even notice Lord Leisen's little expression, as his mind was full of thoughts—Great Arcanist Kelifu arrived suddenly, could it be because of me?

"Teacher is at the Mage Tower, Father, Lord Xia Duo, please follow me!"

Hearing his own name, Xia Duo realized what was happening. It was too late to leave now; wouldn't leaving at this time be a slap in the other party's face?

Even if Kelifu himself didn't mind, one couldn't stop those who wanted to show off in front of a Great Arcanist from coming to cause trouble.

"We will go immediately!" Xia Duo replied, then signaled for Stern to lead the way.

……

From the Territory manor to the nearby Mage Tower, if Xia Duo weren't there, Stern might have teleported back with his father directly, but with Xia Duo added, the three could only walk back.

Taking advantage of this gap while returning, Stern hurriedly popularized some of Kelifu's temperament and preferences to Xia Duo: "Teacher values etiquette and order very much. Lord Xia Duo, please—be patient for a moment when you see Teacher later."

Xia Duo nodded silently. Come to think of it, he hadn't met Great Arcanist Kelifu yet!

The outside world's evaluation of Kelifu was mostly concentrated on his initial background, that is—he was a Priest by origin, and there was no more information about his personal temperament or preferences.

Xia Duo had previously imagined Kelifu's image; he should be a meticulous old antique, and one with serious dogmatism who would reprimand others at the slightest disagreement.

Now, from Stern's description, it seemed he had guessed correctly!

However, why did Kelifu suddenly come to Leisen Territory this time?

Xia Duo thought and thought, but couldn't come up with a reason, but there was one thing he was somewhat confident about: Kelifu likely had no malicious intent in coming this time.

After all, he was also a student of Iolum now; with no absolutely unbridgeable conflict, who would dare to touch him!

Could it be that Kelifu was worried that his research on Negative Energy had been exposed?

But there was no law in Netheril that said one was not allowed to research Negative Energy; at most, it was forbidden to create Undead on a large scale.

As for the Doctrine of the Lord of Radiance, Xia Duo was relatively familiar with it, and there was no clause in it that explicitly stated that researching Negative Energy was forbidden.

As long as everything was attributed to order and no chaos was caused, then it was basically fine.

If there were truly an opposition of energies, then many Death Priests in the territories could not possibly live in the Temples of the Lord of Radiance; they would have been beaten to death long ago.

……

The road from the Territory manor to the nearby Mage Tower was not very long. Until entering the Mage Tower and arriving outside the Reception Room where Kelifu was, Xia Duo was still guessing Kelifu's intention for this visit.

Just then, the Telemen father and son in front suddenly stopped. Seeing this, Xia Duo also stopped and asked: "What's wrong?"

However, this question seemed somewhat redundant; the Telemen father and son had already demonstrated it with their own actions. Stern summoned a mirror, and then the father and son began to tidy up their appearance in front of the mirror.

Seeing this scene, Xia Duo couldn't help but feel a hint of absurdity, and also a feeling of a primary school student meeting a principal.

Of course, he did the same. Regardless, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do" and "The guest follows the host's convenience" were, after all, excellent traditions from his hometown.

Facing the mirror Stern had summoned, Xia Duo smoothed out his hair, which had grown a bit longer during this time, straightened his Mage Robe, held the 【Pioneer Scepter】 in his hand, and adjusted his breathing and emotions.

Afterwards, he followed the Telemen father and son into the Reception Room.

……

Just after entering the Reception Room, Xia Duo felt his eyes light up—it was truly bright!

Inside the Reception Room sat a hale and hearty old man wearing a bright golden Mage Robe. Besides the robe, which looked like it was woven from gold thread and was very conspicuous under the bright light, the short brown hair on the old man's head also flickered with sparkling, bright light.

Seeing the three enter, the old man's originally tense expression loosened for a moment, but then he straightened his face again.

"Teacher!" *2

"Lord Kelifu!"

Xia Duo and the Telemen father and son bowed in turn, and Kelifu returned the bows in turn, then signaled for the three to sit down. Xia Duo and the others all did so one by one, without any lack of etiquette throughout the process.

"Lord Xia Duo, I heard your name the year before last, but I didn't expect you to grow so rapidly, and that our meeting would be on such an occasion."

Once these words were out, Xia Duo immediately understood that Kelifu had come specifically for him this time. He did not beat around the bush and asked directly:

"Did Lord Kelifu come because I inquired about that experimental accident of Lord Leisen?"