Translator: AnubisTL
With the sage's assistance, many tasks became remarkably easier.
For instance, the smooth execution of Jieming's group's clandestine operations in the royal capital was partly due to the sage's ability to conceal their activities.
When David confirmed that Jieming's group would launch their Faith Contamination operation that night, creating an opportunity for the high-rank wizards, David and the sage collaborated on a final move to secure additional contribution points.
They secretly gathered the highest-ranking leaders of all races—the mortal rulers who wielded supreme authority, capable of mobilizing armies and organizing resistance.
Then, catching them completely off guard, they activated a magical trap prepared in advance by the sage, instantly annihilating all of them.
This explains why, even amidst the chaos of Jieming's group's successful escape from the royal capital, no one capable of taking charge emerged to organize an effective counterattack.
At that time, all the high-ranking officials had already perished in the silent "decapitation strike."
This was precisely why David ranked second on the contribution leaderboard.
He had essentially participated in Jieming's group of five's Faith Contamination plan while simultaneously making a massive additional contribution by assassinating the mortal chiefs.
Therefore, aside from Jieming, who led the operation, David's contribution points were the highest.
Sensing the information from the Wizard Camp transmitted through the spell artifact, David's lips curled into a confident smile.
He knew he had played this move with impeccable precision.
Meanwhile, the sage, his expression somewhat dazed, involuntarily recalled his first meeting with David.
The young man had articulated the power of the wizard civilization and the ultimate fate of the Elosia Plane with a clarity that transcended this plane's perspective.
With the sage's intelligence, he naturally recognized that David's scheme was a classic case of getting something for nothing.
If David had failed to persuade him, there would have been no basis for claiming any contribution, and thus no sufficient contribution points to protect the living beings of the Elosia Plane.
He had to admit David was right. Having fully grasped the immense power of the wizard civilization, the sage knew the Elosia Plane stood no chance of victory.
Only by submitting could they hope to survive.
Of course, survival wasn't the only option. He could have chosen to resist.
What truly moved him was David's soul-piercing question:
"Sage, are you the sage of this world's nobles, or the sage of all its living beings?"
That was how David had phrased it.
The sage closed his eyes, the question involuntarily conjuring memories of his long-forgotten dreams.
And so, he made his choice.
The wizard civilization's social structure had no place for nobles, and the nobles' resentment would only deepen David's disdain.
Thus, the sage decisively approved David's plan to execute them.
He wasn't acting for the sake of the nobles, but so that the plane could preserve its spark—so that it could continue to exist in another form.
Although the divine beings of the upper Elosia Plane had been completely captured by the high-rank wizards of the wizard civilization, integrating the remaining planes remained a vast and complex undertaking.
This plane cluster comprised numerous sub-planes, each requiring meticulous integration and resource collection.
More importantly, the treatment of various sentient and non-sentient life forms within these planes demanded careful consideration and evaluation to ensure alignment with the Noren Workshop's paramount interests and long-term strategic goals.
Consequently, the wizard apprentices who had come to participate in the trial found themselves unexpectedly idle for the time being.
Fortunately, with the planar barriers now dissolved, they could freely depart the conquered planes and return to the Noren Workshop at any time via the space teleportation devices erected within the Wizard Camp.
Jieming initially felt conflicted.
He was deeply intrigued by the Elosia Plane's mysterious faith network and yearned to remain and delve further into its secrets.
Since the planar chaos had erupted, the Mortal Dust Qi he could collect seemed to have undergone subtle changes, demanding further investigation.
Still, he wanted to return to the Noren Workshop first to inform Mentor Clark and the others. After all, they had shown him considerable attention and had been a source of guidance.
Before he could act on this, Mentor Clark contacted him directly.
Mentor Clark's voice remained as steady as ever, carrying a hint of barely perceptible approval. "Jieming, we've been following your performance in this plane. We're very pleased. Your contributions have exceeded all our expectations."
Warmth filled Jieming's heart. He replied humbly, "This is all thanks to your excellent guidance, Mentor."
"Spare me the flattery," Mentor Clark chuckled, his tone shifting. "Noren Academy No. 13 still has much work for us to do. We'll be departing ahead of you."
Jieming was slightly taken aback.
"You'd better seize this opportunity, lad," Mentor Clark's voice carried a hint of advice. "That faith network there is a treasure trove. I've done some preliminary research myself, but progress was limited due to insufficient materials. With your current resources, you might be able to forge a new path."
"Thank you, Mentor," Jieming said, all his inner turmoil vanishing like smoke.
After bidding farewell to his mentors, Jieming remained at the Wizard Camp.
The tense atmosphere that had once permeated the camp had completely dissipated, replaced by a triumphant relaxation and bustling activity.
Wizards specializing in resource inventory and planar integration had begun arriving in waves, initiating the massive task of compiling statistics.
Jieming didn't participate in these mundane tasks. Instead, he returned to his assigned quarters within the camp.
There, he meticulously organized the rare materials and artifacts he had collected from the Elosia Plane: stones etched with ancient patterns, unique plant specimens, and relics from the temple.
Next, he retrieved his thick notebook and began diligently recording the crucial knowledge and insights he had gained during his time there.
His pen danced across the pages as he wrote down his deeper understanding of collecting and utilizing Mortal Dust Qi.
He had discovered that the more intense and complex a mortal's emotions, the greater the amount of Mortal Dust Qi they produced.
However, this type of Mortal Dust Qi was extremely unstable, making it highly dangerous to use for tempering one's will.
In contrast, the Mortal Dust Qi produced under stable conditions, though less potent and lower in yield, was far safer to use.
Therefore, different methods of utilization were required for different types of Mortal Dust Qi.
He also meticulously recorded his ideas for improving rune-imbued magical artifacts.
The Planar War had allowed him to validate the potential of talisman seals in actual combat, while also revealing areas for further refinement.
He pondered how to better adapt talisman seals to the diverse Energy Systems of different planes and how to extract energy more discreetly.
Of course, the most crucial aspect was his research on the Divine Power Faith Network and his plans for continued study.
He even began conceptualizing how to establish a new faith observation and experimentation system within his own territory.
Just as Jieming was immersed in his thoughts and notes, his spell artifact suddenly vibrated gently.
He opened it to find a communication request from David.
Surprised, Jieming accepted the call.
David's image materialized in the artifact's projection. He no longer resembled the barbarian Jieming had first encountered; instead, he had regained the distinctive aura of a wizard.
"Jieming, congratulations on topping the leaderboard," David said, his voice calm and direct. "I suspect you're already aware of my contributions to this mission."
"You mean those high-ranking plane officials who died in the main hall?" Jieming raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his tone.
The deaths of these officials couldn't be concealed from the wizards, and news of the incident had quickly spread throughout the camp.
David's lips curved slightly. "Precisely. However, there's another matter requiring your assistance."
Jieming gestured for him to continue.
David's expression grew complex as he briefly explained his earlier agreement with the sage. He emphasized that this wasn't merely a transaction but a commitment to leave a "spark of fire" behind in this plane.
"Therefore, my purpose is to propose a trade," David said gravely. "I can offer compensation—my research notes. These notes primarily detail my findings since entering this plane, including in-depth studies on faith power, disguise spells, and the unique characteristics of certain native creatures."
He paused, his voice tinged with pleading. "I hope you can help me take in some of the native intelligent beings from the Elosia Plane and settle them in your future territory. I'll provide a detailed list, ensuring they've all been selected by the sage—groups willing to undergo transformation and harbor goodwill toward the wizard civilization. Rest assured, I'll supply the necessary transformation potions and assist you with their adaptation."
Jieming tapped his fingers lightly on the table, lost in thought.
David's research notes... He knew David was a genius from Noren Academy, and his research, conducted after entering the Elosia Plane, was perfectly suited to Jieming's needs.
More importantly, Jieming suddenly realized that once he established his territory in this plane, he would have even more responsibilities.
He would need people to manage the territory, assistants for his experiments, and even loyal "test subjects" to observe the effects of the transformations.
These native intelligent beings, carefully selected by the sage and willing to integrate into the wizard civilization, were undoubtedly the best choice.
"I agree," Jieming said, lifting his head, his gaze deep and penetrating. "Your research notes are indeed invaluable. As for the intelligent beings, I can settle them in my territory and ensure they are cultivated according to the methods of the wizard civilization."
A subtle hint of relief and gratitude flashed in David's eyes. "Thank you immensely, Jieming. I'll transmit the research notes to you as soon as possible."
The transaction proceeded swiftly and decisively, without even a formal contract.
Yet both parties understood that neither would break their word, as the agreement benefited them equally.
As the communication ended, a faint smile appeared on Jieming's face.
(End of the Chapter)
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