Chapter 435: Eyes Like a Torch

Po Laru Si knelt on one knee before Ao Xi Li Ya, performing the master‑apprentice ceremony.

Besides the legend on stage, the Wizards in the Grand Hall all sighed inwardly at the sight, feeling that Po Laru Si was undervalued; with her talent, she deserved a better teacher.

Moreover, Lady Ao Xi Li Ya's expression remained cold as ever, showing no hint of pleasure at taking a good student.

Po Laru Si's admirers were even more indignant, speculating in their hearts: "Why is this happening? Could it be that Lady Ao Xi Li Ya cannot tolerate another equally beautiful Lady Polaris, so she suppresses her? How could GrandSpeaker allow such a thing?"

Even though no one understood, no one dared to speak out against it.

Ao Xi Li Ya placed a gentle hand on Po Laru Si's crown and solemnly said, "May you never cease on the path of seeking truth. May the God of Magic protect you, and truth endure!"

"Remember the teacher's teachings."

Po Laru Si responded loudly, then rose and stood behind Ao Xi Li Ya's chair.

The master‑apprentice process was only halfway through; later they would perform a grand prayer to the God of Magic, affirming their faith and asking the goddess to bear witness.

Just when everyone expected Ao Xi Li Ya to announce a second student's name, she sat back down and fell silent.

The Wizards below were astonished; with thirty slots, each legend could take two to three students—did Lady Ao Xi Li Ya take only one?

Some Wizards who knew a bit of Ao Xi Li Ya's temperament guessed her reasoning.

Weizelan's rule is that only legendary Wizards may take students; it is both a right and a duty, and a legend must cultivate at least one pupil within ten years—this is the minimum. Ao Xi Li Ya's acceptance of Po Laru Si was likely just to satisfy the Floating City's regulations.

Suddenly, people felt even more sympathy for Po Laru Si.

A wildly brilliant talent with a perfect Soul Transformation had run into such an irresponsible teacher.

Yet Po Laru Si herself seemed unbothered.

She stood behind Lady Ao Xi Li Ya, smiling, as if she cared not at all about her own prospects.

Setting aside those worries, the two women side by side were a bright sight.

Both possessed extraordinarily rare beauty: one was pure and ethereal, elegant and pristine, like a lotus blooming on a snow‑capped mountain—only to be admired from afar; the other was naturally stunning, with a charming, captivating demeanor, standing like the brightest Polaris in the night sky, dazzling enough to make onlookers feel ashamed.

Whether standing or seated, the two women's looks were almost indistinguishable.

Darama, a high‑elf seated in the front row, eyes filled with admiration and surprise; even among elves, few could match these ladies!

For a moment, the Wizards in the Grand Hall averted their gazes.

Lei En also wore a smile, his gaze sweeping over Po Laru Si.

The young witch, quick‑witted, had noticed the deliberate flaw left by herself and Ao Xi Li Ya, and decisively stepped forward to take the master, seizing the opportunity.

With such keen perception and wisdom, her future was hardly lacking.

Lei En stood up.

His action immediately drew the attention of the Wizards below; most faces tightened, casting hopeful gazes.

As the most popular Speaker in Weizelan's Floating City, no one was more favored than Lei En.

If Wizards could freely choose a teacher, more would pick Lei En than GrandSpeaker! GrandSpeaker is a Holy Soul Wizard, whose standards for students are sky‑high and unattainable; even he cannot meet them, so following Speaker Lei En is better.

Speaker Lei En is not only wealthy but close in age, and is said to have an easygoing personality, making him pleasant to get along with.

Most importantly, everyone knows Speaker Lei En is exceedingly generous.

If one becomes his student, they'll be set for success!

The Wizards grew excited.

Amid their expectant gazes, Lei En lifted his eyes slightly toward the high seats at the back of the Grand Hall and said, "Reslin, come up."

Whoa…

The Wizards erupted in a sudden stir; most were bewildered, wondering who Reslin was, and quickly turned to the back, seeing a young Wizard in a black magical robe stand up.

He is Reslin?

The Wizards were unfamiliar with the name; upon close inspection, they noted his unremarkable looks, about eighteen years old, slender, and his steps were light as if a breeze could whisk him away.

"His body is far too weak," the Wizards thought, puzzled.

Anyone could see that the lucky one named Reslin had extremely poor physical constitution.

A Wizard's physique is indeed weaker than other super‑beings, especially those of the Law Seal school, yet still stronger than ordinary people; Reslin, however, seemed weaker than a commoner, raising doubts whether he could even wield a staff.

What exceptional quality does he possess to catch Speaker Lei En's eye?

Some Wizards couldn't help but secretly cast detection spells or activate their secret eyes to investigate, but all the probing magic vanished like a cow in mud, yielding no information.

This instead surprised the Wizards.

The inability to detect anything itself demonstrates strength.

Under the Wizards' gaze, Reslin kept his usual indifferent expression, walking onto the platform without averting his eyes. He sensed their probes but paid them no mind, untroubled by any revelation.

Being a twelfth‑level legendary mage, only a handful in the Grand Hall could see through him.

Moreover, Willpower itself offers some protective detection, and he wore an exquisite "Disguise Talisman," purchased by Lei En at great cost from Mo Du's auction house, bearing seven rings of "Protective Detection" and five rings of "Disguise Technique," cloaking him as a first‑rank Wizard— even a Legendary High‑rank could not see through it.

Willpower combined with the shielding talisman was enough to fool the overwhelming majority.

Only a Holy Soul‑level teacher could discern any clues.

However, Lei En had already spoken with the teacher, knowing Reslin was his avatar and willing to cover for him, never exposing Reslin's disguise.

Upon stepping onto the platform, Reslin immediately sensed several legends casting curious glances.

Sure enough, they noticed nothing amiss.

The legends harbored no doubt; who could imagine someone daring to falsify things before GrandSpeaker, the Holy Soul Wizard?

Reslin approached Lei En, half‑kneeling, and in a slightly hoarse, deep voice saluted, "Respectfully, Teacher."

Lei En nodded in satisfaction.

He placed his hand on Reslin's head, performing the full ritual, and said, "May you never cease on the path of seeking truth. May the God of Magic protect you, and truth endure!"

Reslin rose and stood behind.

The whole process was uneventful, no different from a normal apprenticeship.

Anxiwodasi and Ao Xi Li Ya, who knew the inside story, both felt a strange sensation watching this; only someone like Lei En could make himself both teacher and student.

However, after this apprenticeship ceremony, Reslin now has an official status; as long as this secret stays hidden, no one could guess that he is actually Lei En. With Reslin's talent, it won't be long before Weizelan gains another top‑level wizard, which is more benefit than harm to Weizelan.

Anxiwodasi also considered this and agreed to cover for Lei En.

Lei En looked at the wizards below the stage, his gaze sweeping over the tense yet hopeful faces, finally settling on the high elf in the front row, and said, "Dalama, do you wish to become my student?"

Dalama was momentarily stunned.

He had never expected Lei En to call his name.

Having refused apprenticeship twice before, he left a bad impression on Weizelan's legends; he thought, like the last ceremony, no one would choose him, and he had already decided that if GrandSpeaker and Chairman Kelaoaosi did not accept him, he would leave Weizelan for another Floating City.

Lei En… seemed also a good choice, though he is very young…

Moreover, Lei En is a student of the GrandSpeaker; being under his tutelage, his status would not differ much from the GrandSpeaker's own students, and he could still enter Weizelan's upper echelons in the future.

He could not miss the opportunity again!

Dalama took a deep breath, rose and stepped onto the stage to bow.

He did not kneel halfway; his back was straight, he only slightly lowered his proud head, placed his hands in an elegant solemn posture, and in the ancient obscure high‑elf tongue said, "Greetings, master."

"Divine protection, eternal truth!" Lei En also replied in high‑elf tongue.

A flash of surprise crossed Dalama's eyes; this teacher was far more erudite than he had imagined, standing beside Reslin.

Lei En had already seen Dalama's thoughts clearly.

He is an ambitious elf, unlike those long‑lived elves who act leisurely; his scheming is deep, he harbors strong emotions, craves power, more human than elf, and such a radical temperament easily leads to a wrong path, even into the Abyss.

Weizelan once sent people to the Demith continent to inquire what crime Dalama had committed to be expelled from the elf realm.

A few days ago, at the six‑member council, the various chairmen reminded everyone of this matter.

The GrandSpeaker and Chairman Kelaoaosi saw Dalama's flaws and, out of caution, did not take him as a student.

But Lei En is willing to give Dalama a chance.

Dalama's talent is no less than Peralysis's; letting him go would be a waste. Lei En possesses the Soul Eye, can see through hearts, and can constantly supervise and detect any irregularities in Dalama.

Lei En recruited two students, yet did not stop there.

He called out a third name, "Jenna Pumoer, do you wish to become my student?" A jubilant female voice rang from the audience, "I do! I do, master!"

Immediately, a young witch hurried forward, fearing Lei En might change his mind, and excitedly shouted, "Greetings, master."

She had platinum‑blond long hair, delicate and beautiful features, a slender figure; although not at the level of Aoxiliya or Peralysis, she was still a rare beauty, her youthful face bearing a hint of innocent romance, and her luxurious magical gear indicated a distinguished family background.

Lei En had reviewed Jenna's application; she is the youngest daughter of Countess Pumoer, one of the great nobles of Mo Du.

But he accepted Jenna as a student not for her status, but for her talent.

The noble lady's talent is extremely high; she recently passed the Soul Transformation ceremony, yet instead of becoming a Storm Priest as family tradition dictated, she practiced meditation and became a water Elementalist.

She is currently a Level One Wizard, ranking third in soul strength among this year's new wizards.

First place naturally belongs to Peralysis.

And second place…

After accepting Jenna, Lei En continued, "Spairorok, do you wish to become my student?"

The wizards turned to look at a green‑eyed youth.

He is the youngest wizard in the Grand Hall, only fifteen, named Spairorok.

He is not an Aurian of the Empire, but a Moro, from the southeastern overseas Heron Trace Archipelago of the Empire; short‑statured, formerly a shepherd on a small island, he had no formal name, and by chance entered the Empire and joined the Weizelan Academy, passing the Soul Transformation ceremony within half a year.

Spairorok was suddenly called by name by Lei En, and was at a loss.

Only after his friends urged him did he quickly stand, hurriedly run onto the platform, his excited hands trembling, not knowing where to place them.

Lei En smiled gently.

Such a shy youth, yet with such high talent and pure heart; his application noted that his alchemy talent is even stronger.

He noticed the teacher's angry gesture of blowing his beard, clearly indicating that Spairorok had also been noticed by the teacher, but was snatched away.

Lei En felt pleased and asked again.

Spairorok stammered his bow, "Greetings, master."

The wizards' eyes were full of envy.

In fact, any wizard who enters the Weizelan Tower Division possesses high talent; during the Soul Transformation ceremony they each inject at least twenty gigaliters of soul‑devouring elixir, making every one outside the Floating City a genius; apart from Dalama and Peralysis, everyone's chance of selection is about equal.

In the past, legends chose students based on their eye, combining the wizards' regular performance to assess potential.

But misjudgments happened often.

Lei En's method is far more blunt: once the Soul Eye opens, he sees clearly who is the genius among geniuses and whose mind or character is flawed.

Anyway, whether one or two students are taken or four or five, it's better to seize this rare chance and capture all the most promising genius wizards in one net!

Lei En called out a fifth name: "Jialu, do you wish to become my student?"

The wizards below let out a gasp of surprise.

A strong, towering figure rose abruptly; his appearance differed greatly from ordinary humans, standing over two meters tall, with rugged features, pale‑blue skin under bulging muscles, stout limbs, wearing enchanted leather armor, bearing a long‑handled battle axe—looking more like a beast‑warrior than a wizard.

In fact, he is a half‑orc wizard.

Orcish spellcasting talent is not prominent, mainly shamanic; after a mixed‑blood became afflicted with the Blood Soul Curse, becoming a caster is rare, let alone a wizard.

And Jialu is such an anomaly.

He has been in the Weizelan Floating City for many years, showing intelligence far beyond other half‑orcs, smoothly passed the Soul Transformation ceremony, arduously mastered the Soul Gathering Tower meditation, ignited the tower's soul spark, and became a Ten Thousand Spirits Wizard of the Soul‑Controlling School.

This is a miracle among miracles, yet it stops there; no one expects Jialu's future.

Jialu has entered the apprenticeship ceremony every year, never selected, because of his origin he faces discrimination throughout the Floating City, but he did not leave, continuing cultivation and waiting for opportunity.

Lei En saw through Jialu's secret at a glance.

The half‑orc possesses the hidden talent "Beast King," an ultra‑rare Element, granting him affinity with all beasts and magical beasts, making fusion with beast souls easy, granting bonuses when beast souls possess him, and granting far greater power; the number of magical souls he commands also far exceeds that of ordinary Ten Thousand Spirits Wizards!

Jialu clearly knows his strengths.

He is now a Level Two Wizard; the Soul Gathering Tower holds only beast souls, totaling six, twice the amount of other Ten Thousand Spirits Wizards.

Moreover, Jia Lu's melee ability is also formidable, not inferior to that of an Orc warrior.

He may train a bit more slowly, but in terms of strength he could be stronger than Dala Ma, definitely a promising prospect of a legendary wizard!

The others lack Lei En's insight and don't understand why Lei En chose Jia Lu.

In their eyes, Jia Lu is merely a fringe figure in Fu Kong Cheng, an outsider with no distinctive qualities, so why did Chairman Lei En favor him?

Even the legendary wizards on the stage were puzzled.

Anxiwodasi also frowned slightly.

Under the wizards' uncertain gazes, Jia Lu did not appear overly excited, as if it were natural; after standing, he walked onto the platform at a measured pace.

He knelt on one knee before Lei En and said in a deep voice, "I have seen you, teacher."

Although Jia Lu appeared calm and steady, Lei En's Soul Eye still detected the turmoil within him; extending a hand, he pressed the tall man's head and solemnly said, "May the goddess protect, truth endures!"

At this point, Lei En took in five students in one breath, then sat down.

The wizards in the audience, not selected, were each deeply disappointed, gazing at the five people behind Lei En with an indescribable mix of envy and loss.

Next, it was the turn of the other legendary wizards to recruit students.

The order and quotas had already been determined by lottery at the previous six‑person council. Not every legend selects disciples; some legendary wizards already have enough students. Among the dozen‑plus legendary wizards, only Lei En took the most—five—while the others recruited only one or two each.

Anxiwodasi also chose a student; the young wizard, upon hearing his name, was so excited he nearly fainted.

Just from that reaction, Lei En was not very optimistic about his prospects.

After all thirty slots were filled, everyone in the Great Hall prayed to the God of Magic, drawing the deity's attention; the torch in the statue's hand ignited Silver Fire, and a vast divine aura emanated. Under His witness, the thirty students successfully completed the apprenticeship ceremony.

When the ceremony ended, Lei En opened a portal and stepped through; the five students hurriedly followed their teacher.

The five students and Po La Rui Si each have a prototype; can anyone guess them all?

(End of chapter)