Chapter 318

Leaving the Hall of Falling Stars, Luo En could still feel the faint resonance of those "Time Crystals" echoing in his mind.

The night was deep, and the tower complex of the Central Land was like a sleeping giant beast under the moonlight.

Magic light bands flowed between the buildings, occasionally emitting eerie pulses, as if the city itself was the vascular system of some huge creature.

He walked quickly through several familiar streets, noticing the "activated" street lamps on the roadside, which were cleaning the dust on the lampshades with tentacle-like branches.

This scene, which would be regarded as a miracle elsewhere, had become so commonplace in the Central Land that it was numbing.

Ailan was organizing some experimental records in the living room, and the emerald branches swayed gently under the magic crystal lamp.

"Master, you look a bit tired." The tree spirit keenly sensed the subtle change in his mood.

"Prepare some calming tea, and then help me set up a soundproof barrier."

Luo En ordered briefly: "I need to conduct an important communication."

Ailan nodded without asking more.

As his assistant, she had long been accustomed to the master's occasional mysterious behavior.

Ten minutes later, Luo En sealed the "Eye of Time".

Then he sat alone in the study protected by the soundproof barrier, holding the familiar ternary connection crystal in his hand.

After a moment of waiting, Lady Ailan's face appeared in the projection.

But this time, her expression shocked Luo En.

It was not the calm composure of the past, but a deep exhaustion and a complex emotion close to relief.

There were new wrinkles at the corners of the old woman's eyes, as if she had aged several years in just a few hours.

"It seems my student has encountered some... complex situations."

Lady Ailan's tone was abnormally calm, but Luo En could read deep worry from her eyes:

"Cassandra's actions are much faster than I expected. Let me guess, did she give you some kind of extremely high honor in public today?"

"You knew?" Luo En raised his eyebrows, a bit surprised.

"My information channels are more extensive than you think."

Lady Ailan shook her head with a bitter smile, the smile carrying self-mockery:

"I know Cassandra's style too well. She has always liked to use this seemingly generous way to... collect valuable talents."

Her tone became serious: "Tell me the specific situation, don't miss a single detail."

Luo En narrated everything that happened today in detail, from the conquest declaration to personal appointment, from public commendation to private dinner invitation.

Lady Ailan listened quietly, nodding occasionally, but the expression on her face became increasingly heavy.

"Temporary second-in-command of the 'Nova Project'..."

She repeated the position name:

"What you need to worry about most now is not the position itself, but why she chose you."

"I thought it was because of my talent and ability..."

"Talent?" Lady Ailan shook her head:

"Luo En, in this world, talent has never been the only factor determining fate.

Cassandra chose you because you met her three key needs."

She held up three fingers:

"First, you are a Primordial Wizard, which means your favor purity is extremely high and can provide unique value for her research."

"Second, you have no deep family background, which makes you easier to control and shape."

"Third, and most importantly..."

Speaking of this, Lady Ailan paused for a long time, so long that Luo En thought the communication equipment had failed:

"You and her meditation method are of the same origin."

The air seemed to freeze.

Luo En could hear his own heartbeat, that rhythmic beating appearing particularly abrupt in the silence.

Lady Ailan seemed to use all her strength before continuing to speak:

"Luo En, I am now going to tell you a truth about 'The Babble of the Star Eater', a secret that most formal wizards do not know."

The magic lamp in the room began to flicker, and even the soundproof barrier emitted a faint buzzing sound under invisible pressure.

"Do you know why this set of patterns is called the 'True Path'? Not because it allows practitioners to maintain their original heart, but because..."

Lady Ailan's voice lowered to a degree that was almost inaudible:

"It will eventually make the practitioner the true incarnation of the 'Contemplated Existence'."

Luo En's expression remained calm.

This calmness was not faked, but came from reason's suppression of emotion.

Maintaining objective analysis when obtaining important information was his habit: "You mean..."

"'The Babble of the Star Eater' is particularly special in it, it is like a trap."

Deep fear appeared in Lady Ailan's eyes:

"Every wizard who practices this method to the peak will eventually be replaced by the true will of the 'Devourer'.

Their bodies are still there, their memories are still there, and even their personalities have not changed much, but the core of their soul... is no longer themselves."

"There have been a total of seventeen wizards in history who achieved formal wizard status through this meditation method."

Her voice began to tremble:

"Most of them disappeared mysteriously shortly after reaching the peak, and the only few exceptions included the 'Eye of Observation', but that was because it was an exotic existence itself."

Luo En felt a surge in his stomach: "Then Tower Master Cassandra..."

"Cassandra has not reached that critical point yet, but she is already very close."

Lady Ailan's voice began to tremble.

That trembling was not because of fear, but because the secret that had been suppressed for too long could finally be poured out:

"Mentor Youteer should have told you that she is already undergoing subtle changes.

Her thinking pattern is getting closer and closer to the essence of the 'Devourer'—endless greed and desire for conquest."

She looked at Luo En deeply:

"The Cassandra you saw today, although still maintaining rationality and humanity, have you felt any strange aura on her?"

Luo En recalled today's contact and indeed felt the disturbing energy fluctuation on Cassandra.

That was not ordinary coercion, but a deeper alien aura.

"But..."

"Ancient documents record some successful examples. If there are two wizards practicing 'The Babble of the Star Eater' at the same time, some resonance between them might produce a check-and-balance effect."

Luo En understood instantly: "So you chose to teach me this meditation method back then..."

"Yes." Lady Ailan admitted without concealment:

"I hope you can become an insurance policy against Cassandra's possible loss of control.

Of course, this is also a kind of protection for you.

If only she practices this method, the 'Devourer's' attention will be completely focused on her, but if there are two practitioners..."

"The risk will be dispersed." Luo En finished this sentence calmly, but complex emotions surged in his heart.

So, he was treated as a pawn from the beginning.

"I know this is very unfair to you." Lady Ailan's voice was full of guilt:

"A young man should not bear such a heavy burden, but I had no other choice at that time. And, from a certain perspective, this also gave you unprecedented opportunities."

"What opportunity?"

"If the theory is correct, the check-and-balance relationship between the two of you will make it easier for both sides to maintain rationality."

She explained:

"At the same time, you may also share certain powers and insights of each other. Once this relationship is established, it will be incomparably powerful."

Luo En quickly analyzed the meaning of this information in his heart.

If what Lady Ailan said was true, then Cassandra's attention to him was completely understandable.

"There is one detail you must understand. In the wizard's world, the knowledge inheritance relationship is not just the transfer of knowledge, but a deeper soul connection."

"This connection is called the 'Shackle of Favor', which is a bond stronger than any contract."

Her tone became a bit nostalgic:

"Do you know, when I chose to retire back then, Cassandra was the only high-level official who supported my decision."

This information surprised Luo En.

"Others thought my departure was a loss to the school, only she understood my choice."

"Cassandra even took the initiative to propose increasing my retirement benefits, ensuring that I could continue to conduct some research I was interested in in a comfortable environment. That mobile herb shop was given to me privately by her."

"Cassandra is the smartest person I have ever met, none other."

The old woman's voice carried undisguised admiration:

"She never does meaningless things, every action serves a larger goal.

For those she considers valuable, she will be extremely generous;

For those who hinder her, she will be merciless."

Luo En began to understand the logic behind it: "You mean..." "I mean, her current way of dealing with you is well thought out."

Lady Ailan continued:

"On one hand, she is indeed building influence over you through various favors;

But on the other hand, she is also testing whether you have the ability to break free from this bond."

"If you can only become her vassal in the end, it means your value is just that."

"But if you can maintain independence while accepting her favors, or even eventually exceed her expectations..."

A bit of cunning appeared in Lady Ailan's eyes:

"Then she will truly value you, and may even change her attitude toward you. After all, true geniuses are worth being treated equally."

This subtle balance gave Luo En a headache: "So what should I do now..."

"You should be yourself." Lady Ailan's answer was unexpectedly simple:

"Accept her favors, but don't be kidnapped by favors; learn her knowledge, but maintain your own judgment; show your value, but don't expose all your hole cards."

She paused:

"The mentor-student relationship is indeed a shackle, but it is also a kind of protection."

"Cassandra cannot cause you fatal damage, because that would destroy the subtle balance between you.

But correspondingly, you will also find it increasingly difficult to refuse her influence."

"This is an endurance race.

If her influence accumulates faster than your strength grows, you will be completely assimilated.

Conversely, if you can achieve a breakthrough at a critical moment..."

Lady Ailan didn't finish, but the meaning was already obvious.

"So, your goal should be to grow to a level she cannot digest before she completely digests you."

"Mentor Youteer's existence actually bought you a lot of time. His mentor-student relationship with Cassandra allows him to firmly hold back her excessive actions."

She admitted:

"But there is only a buffer period of thirty or forty years. You must reach at least the peak of the Dim Sun level within this period and condense the prototype of the virtual skeleton."

"Only when you reach that level can you be qualified to maintain basic equality with a Grand Wizard."

Luo En quickly calculated the time in his heart. At the current development speed, this was almost an impossible task.

"Of course, you have some advantages that ordinary wizards don't have."

Lady Ailan seemed to see his worry:

"The status of a Primordial Wizard, extremely high learning ability, and those... special talents of yours. Make full use of these advantages, time is not insufficient."

"And, I have a suggestion." She lowered her voice:

"In the next few years, you must try to avoid accepting Cassandra's direct teaching."

"You can accept the resources and technical data she provides, but absolutely do not let her personally teach you knowledge. Every direct knowledge transfer will deepen the bond of the Shackle of Favor."

Luo En nodded to show understanding: "Then tonight's dinner..."

"Go." Lady Ailan's tone became soft:

"Refusal will be more dangerous. But remember, maintain a sense of distance, don't appear too enthusiastic or grateful."

"Cassandra is a smart person, she will understand your caution. In fact, moderate vigilance will make her appreciate you more."

As the communication was about to end, Lady Ailan showed an expression completely different from the past.

The relief after the secret that had been suppressed for a long time was finally poured out, mixed with the stubbornness and pride in her bones.

"Luo En, I know this information may be too heavy for you."

She gave her advice as a forerunner:

"But you must understand that in this world, knowledge and power have never been free."

"Every favor has a price, every choice has consequences, you must learn to survive and develop in this complex relationship network."

Luo En looked at this guide quietly, seeing her true heart clearly for the first time.

No longer the authority who always gave standard answers, she was also an ordinary old person struggling to survive in a cruel world.

"I will, Madam."

He responded simply, without blame or gratitude in his tone, only a calm acceptance: "Thank you for your frankness."

"Wait." Lady Ailan suddenly called out to Luo En, who was preparing to end the communication:

"There is not enough time tonight, some deeper information cannot be expanded in detail."

A determined light flashed in her eyes:

"After you return from the banquet, if possible, I want to contact you again.

By then, I will formally apologize to you and tell you some... more secret information about the rules of favor."

This sentence surprised Luo En.

The rules of favor have always been considered one of the basic laws of the wizard world. If even this has room for operation...

"I understand." He nodded: "I will contact you after the banquet."

Lady Ailan looked at him deeply one last time:

"Remember, no matter what happens, maintain your rationality and judgment. This is your greatest weapon in this crazy world."

After the communication ended, Luo En sat alone in the study and pondered for a long time.

The magic lamp in the room stabilized again, but a heavy atmosphere still permeated the air.

"Sure enough, every gift is marked with a price..."

He whispered to himself, but there was no anger or despair in his tone, only a state of near-transcendent thinking.

Perhaps, when Lady Ailan taught him 'The Babble of the Star Eater' back then, she had already obtained something from Cassandra in advance...

At 7:30 PM, a gorgeous floating carriage landed slowly in front of Luo En's residence.

The design of this carriage was extremely exquisite.

The body was made of some kind of living metal that could change color autonomously, and trickling streams like aurora flowed on the surface.

The coachman was a middle-aged man in a formal uniform, his left eye replaced by some kind of glowing crystal, and his right hand was completely mechanized.

When he saw Luo En, he bowed respectfully.

"Wizard Ralph, the Tower Master is waiting for your arrival at the Starlight Courtyard."

Luo En nodded and stepped onto this transportation tool that was clearly extraordinary.

The space inside the carriage was much more spacious than it looked from the outside, clearly using space expansion technology.

The seats were made of some kind of living material that adjusted automatically, and the touch was exceptionally comfortable.

The carriage flew steadily through the night sky of the Central Land, and the city below shone like diamonds embedded in black velvet.

Half an hour later, they arrived at the "Starlight Courtyard" located at the highest point of the Sky City.

The entire courtyard seemed to be a piece of heaven cut from the starry sky, and countless tiny light spots rotated slowly in the air, forming a three-dimensional star map.

The courtyard was planted with strange plants from different planes, some emitting pleasant musical rhythms, and some changing colors according to the viewer's mood.

"Welcome to the Starlight Courtyard."

A gentle voice sounded behind Luo En, and he turned to see an old man in a butler uniform.

This butler looked about sixty years old, his hands were semi-transparent, and complex energy circuits could be seen inside.

"I am the butler here, Sebastian. The Tower Master is waiting in the dining room, please follow me."

The butler led Luo En through a corridor covered with glowing carpets.

Arriving at the dining room, only four chairs were placed around the dining table, clearly this was a carefully arranged small gathering.

When Luo En entered the dining room, Cassandra was already waiting.

Compared to her formal image during the day, she showed a completely different side at this moment.

She was wearing a pale purple silk long dress, the material as thin as night mist.

Her body curves were looming under the loose long dress, exuding the unique charm of a mature woman.

Her long black hair was scattered casually on her shoulders, without the majestic bun of the day.

The most impressive thing was her eyes.

Those purple eyes were now gentle and intimate, completely unable to see the coldness of the conqueror during the day.

"Luo En, welcome to my home."

Cassandra stood up to welcome him:

"Please sit down, tonight is a private gathering, no need for those formal etiquette."

Yi Fu was already sitting on one side of the dining table, she was wearing a pale blue dress, looking more dull than usual.

When she saw Luo En come in, she nodded with relief.

The phantom projection of Youteer also landed on the fourth chair after Luo En appeared.

"It seems our guests have all arrived." Cassandra's voice carried a gentle smile:

"Then, let's start this pleasant dinner."

(End of chapter)