Chapter 149: The Intentions of Norunxi

"Does he seem to want to see me make a fool of myself?" Lin Wei sneered inwardly.

These official wizards had not bothered to explain the procedure to Lin Wei in detail at all. If it had been anyone else, even an official wizard, it would have been extremely difficult to figure out the underlying rules all at once.

"Fortunately, I have the core ball..."

Lin Wei held the orange fruit and the knife in his hands.

The leading wizard glanced at Lin Wei a few more times, his eyes carrying a hint of hostility.

"Why would there be unprovoked hostility in this world? Especially from high and mighty official wizards—how could they hold a grudge against a mere wizard apprentice?" Lin Wei pondered inwardly. "The only reason for this phenomenon is likely related to personal interests... For instance, would igniting the life energy of this human-skinned skeleton yield a substantial reward?"

Lin Wei remained calm and outwardly expressionless.

"Begin."

As time ticked by, the leading wizard suddenly spoke up.

The moment his voice fell, the official wizards who should have been paying close attention to their own tasks all turned their gazes toward Lin Wei in unison. However, intimidated by the presence of the white-haired old man nearby, they withdrew their gazes after just a quick look. Even so, the pace of their work slowed down, and a portion of their attention remained diverted to Lin Wei.

Unfazed, Lin Wei picked up the knife.

"Since there are benefits to be gained... I naturally need to put on a good performance..." Lin Wei had never concealed his extraordinary talent for experimental manipulation.

"Huh?"

The instant Lin Wei's blade descended, a flash of surprise crossed the leading wizard's eyes, and a solemn expression appeared on his face.

Not only him, but the other twelve official wizards also changed their expressions.

Blade falls, juice extracted, ignited, dropped into water.

Done in one smooth, flowing motion!

A success on the very first try?! It was really that simple?!

The leading wizard stood dumbfounded, his hand trembling so violently that the orange-red flame he had just ignited instantly flickered out.

Disbelief filled the eyes of the remaining twelve wizards, and they instinctively exchanged glances with one another.

"This..."

Noritz unconsciously dropped his jaw. "How is this possible?!"

He had personally conducted Lin Wei's assessment and had witnessed Lin Wei's freakish talent back then. Even so, Noritz was still utterly shocked. Everyone present here was an official wizard, and specifically, official wizards specializing in biological mutation! Their experimental techniques looked like mere child's play compared to Lin Wei's.

"What a terrifying talent..."

The white-haired old man muttered to himself, unreadable flickers flashing in his eyes. His initial shock shifted into a stern expression, as if he were weighing something in his mind.

"Noritz, bring him to see me once today's ignition process is over."

The white-haired old man's expression turned somewhat gloomy and cold.

"Yes, my lord."

Seeing the white-haired old man react this way, Noritz hurriedly acknowledged the order.

The white-haired old man nodded, gave Lin Wei one last deep look, and then swiftly turned and left.

Noritz kept his back bowed until the white-haired old man walked out of the room, only then straightening his posture.

Noritz rubbed the back of his hand, a contemplative look on his face.

"Lord Norenxi wants to see Lin Wei?" Noritz was somewhat uncertain. "He shouldn't pay this much attention to a mere sacrificial offering. The only possibility is..."

Noritz's eyes widened abruptly. "Could it be that Lord Norenxi wants to make the elders give up on Lin Wei as a sacrifice?!"

"If that's the case..." Noritz cast his gaze back toward Lin Wei. "Lin Wei might truly be worth recruiting after all..."

"But can Lord Norenxi really persuade the dean and the elder council?" A trace of worry flickered in Noritz's eyes, but it vanished almost immediately. "Never mind. When I take Lin Wei to meet Lord Norenxi later, I'll naturally understand his intentions."

Unaware of the thoughts running through Norenxi and Noritz's minds, Lin Wei continued his work without pausing.

Three blossoms... four blossoms... five blossoms... ten blossoms.

Ten orange-red flames fell into the liquid potion and dissolved.

"I am finished."

Lin Wei handed the orange fruit and the knife back to the official wizard from earlier.

"Good... You... You may step back..."

For a moment, the leading wizard did not know what to say. "Today's process of igniting the flame of life has concluded, and your task is complete. Come back here tomorrow at dusk, and don't be as late as you were today."

"Yes, my lord." Lin Wei nodded in acknowledgment.

"Finished?" Noritz walked over and asked Lin Wei, "Yes, Lord Noritz."

"Very well, follow me." Noritz turned directly and walked toward the door.

"Walk?" Lin Wei looked around and only then noticed that the white-haired old man from earlier had vanished. "Where are we going?"

"To take you to see the Lord Norenxi you just met." Noritz walked at a brisk pace, answering as he moved.

"Lord Norenxi?" Lin Wei murmured softly to himself.

...

The Building of Forest Shadows in the Forest of Shadows.

This was the office building of the dean and elders of the Forest of Shadows Academy. Only the lower floors housed other middle-level managers to handle academy affairs. To enter the upper floors, one either had to be an outstanding official wizard or genius personally appointed by the dean and elders, or hold an accompanying written mandate.

On the top floor of the Building of Forest Shadows, inside the dean's office.

Dean Jartins sat in his chair, while opposite him, Norenxi leaned back casually in his seat.

"You actually came to the Building of Forest Shadows to work today?" Jartins rubbed his bald head, looking at Norenxi with an expression of utter surprise.

"Just hurried over from the 'Tower'." Norenxi completely ignored Jartins' remark.

Hearing this, Jartins slapped his own forehead. "Ah, right! How is that old fellow doing? Can the flame of life keep burning?"

"Current methods can keep him alive for a bit longer," Norenxi replied indifferently.

Jartins did not mind Norenxi's attitude in the slightest. "Is there any way to completely cure him?"

"The methods are easy to talk about; the hard part is finding a genius who can perform the operation..." Norenxi narrowed his eyes slightly.

"You can't even find a single genius?" Jartins heaved a deep sigh, then looked at Norenxi.

Norenxi pondered for a brief moment. "There is one."

"There is one?!" Jartins had only asked casually, never expecting to actually find such a talent, and quickly said, "In that case, what are we waiting for? Bring him over and put the plan into action!"

"The plan can only be decided after that genius advances to an official wizard."

Norenxi led Jartins step by step into his own line of logic.

"He can be regarded as a genius by you even before advancing to an official wizard?" Jartins suddenly smiled. "No worries, we have time. We'll give that little fellow sufficient resources to let him quickly enter the realm of an official wizard. That old man is quite lucky to still have a chance at living..."

"I estimate he won't have the chance to advance to an official wizard," Norenxi said suddenly.

Jartins paused. "Why?"

Norenxi stood up, his face straightening as he spoke word by word: "Because... he is this year's sacrificial offering."