CHAPTER 480: SHOULD FOLLOW

Wodi followed the Xibe Family’s servants into a large hall, where many people were already seated.

Six Official Wizards, one Late First Ring.

A quick glance over the attendees confirmed Carl’s assessment.

Although this Wizard Family had a history of over two hundred years, the Cultivation levels of its members were generally not very high.

Being known for constructing Wizard Towers rather than focusing on Cultivation, it was understandable that they didn’t compare to other Wizard Families.

Artifact Refining, Cultivation—one could not excel at both.

Of course, it was also possible that other Wizards from the family hadn’t come, but according to his investigation, the situation was much the same.

"Young man," the Clan Leader spoke amicably, "you wish to construct a Second Order Wizard Tower?"

"Indeed," Carl nodded. "I hope Mr. ’Gai’ from the Xibe Family will accompany me, for which I am willing to pay a handsome reward."

"Hmph!" A portly female Wizard in the hall sneered, "You’re just a mere late-stage Wizard Apprentice. What makes you think you can gather the resources needed for a Second Order Wizard Tower? Let alone Second Order, can you even manage a First Order one?"

"That’s not the way to put it." The Clan Leader waved his hand gently, his attitude humble. "Young man, you might be representing someone else, but hiring our family to build a Wizard Tower isn’t a simple matter. You need to provide some proof of your capability."

"Of course." Carl shrugged, unfastening an ornament from his waist and tossing it to the Clan Leader. "This is the deposit. The remainder will be paid upon the completion of the Wizard Tower."

Oh! The Clan Leader raised an eyebrow. After catching the ornament, he probed it with his spiritual power, and a smile immediately spread across his face.

"Not bad!

"Now I believe in your sincerity, but this alone isn’t enough to sway me.

"In the entire Magic Forest, very few factions are capable of constructing a Second Order Wizard Tower. Nearby, only our Xibe Family can do it. Moreover, constructing a Second Order Wizard Tower requires significantly more effort."

He placed the item aside and shook his head lightly. "This is far from enough!"

Carl frowned. He lacked knowledge about the going rate for constructing a Second Order Wizard Tower; in fact, very few people did. Second Order Wizard Towers were too rare, so there was little basis for comparison.

"If the person behind you truly wishes to build a Second Order Wizard Tower, they will need to pay a greater price," the Clan Leader continued, noticing Carl’s changing expression. "But there’s no rush. You can go back and discuss it at your leisure."

"No need!" Carl took a deep breath, shook his head, and took out another spatial item from his person. "Adding these, this should be sufficient, right?"

CRACK!

The Clan Leader took the item. As his spiritual power swept through it, a muscle in his face twitched, and he almost lost control of his expression.

I’ve struck gold!

How can this person possess so many valuable items?

With these resources, our family’s own Second Order Wizard Tower can be completed even faster!

"Excellent!" he exclaimed loudly. "The Xibe Family accepts this commission!"

"Clan Leader!" A man’s expression changed drastically, and he shot to his feet. "Constructing a Second Order Wizard Tower isn’t that easy! Besides, our current project schedule is very tight; we probably can’t free up the time."

"Say no more." The Clan Leader waved his hand and gestured to someone behind him. "Call Paul over."

"Yes, sir."

「Before long」

A young man with a wooden expression was led into the hall.

"Paul is one of the most outstanding members of our family’s younger generation. He has his own unique insights into building Wizard Towers," the Clan Leader introduced with a smile. "He will go back with you to construct the Wizard Tower."

"Clan Leader!" Before Carl could speak, Paul, his face suddenly alight with ecstasy, hurriedly asked, "Can I really build a Wizard Tower for someone?"

"What is the meaning of this?" Carl asked coolly. "Is the Xibe Family trying to fob me off with a junior who has never constructed a Wizard Tower before?"

"Don’t say that," the Clan Leader shook his head. "Paul is highly talented. He has knowledge not only of Wizard Tower construction but also of Barriers and spatial witchcraft. Besides, as long as the Wizard Tower can be built, why bother about age or experience? Young man, you’re not very old yourself, are you not also here negotiating on behalf of the person behind you?"

"Heh..." Carl chuckled softly. "So, the Xibe Family is planning to embezzle my things? Such actions are hardly proper."

The Clan Leader narrowed his eyes.

He had indeed planned to keep the items. This way, he would not only obtain a large quantity of resources but also curry favor with the Six Rings Tower—killing two birds with one stone. However, the other party’s reaction was different from what he had anticipated. There was no impulsiveness, no anger, but rather a hint of ridicule, as if his actions were expected.

Something’s not right!

Why is he so calm?

"So what if we do?" a young man standing below challenged, arching an eyebrow with a disdainful look. "A mere Advanced Wizard Apprentice! If you don’t want to die, then scram! Do you really think people will give you face just because you have a pretty face?"

He seemed to particularly dislike ’Wodi’s’ face.

"Hmm..." Carl turned his head slightly. "When adults are speaking, is it your place to interrupt?"

He raised his hand.

Thousand Buddha Hands—Thunder Seal!

Hundred Hands Realm!

An invisible force erupted, transforming into a blinding flash of lightning that struck fiercely at the young man.

Not good!

"Jeff, be careful!"

The female Wizard who had spoken earlier flashed to the young man’s side, her Magic Wand flaring with light.

BOOM!

The entire hall trembled violently. Two blackened figures slammed heavily to the ground, turning into charred cinders that broke into several pieces.

Dead! An Official Wizard, an Advanced Wizard Apprentice—two individuals highly valued by the family—dead just like that.

"Ah!"

"I’ll kill you!"

"Attack!"

Rage surged in the hearts of everyone present. Various Spirit Lights of witchcraft flickered, and one person even began to activate the nearby Wizard Tower.

The Xibe Family was renowned for constructing Wizard Towers; how could their own estate be without one? Not only did they have them, they had more than one!

"Heh..."

Facing the coordinated assault, Carl merely smiled indifferently, then his body transformed into a streak of lightning and lunged forward.

Self-Destructing Lightning Technique!

This was a Magic Door originating from Void City, allowing one to transform into an anchor to draw down lightning, initiating a suicidal attack. It was also the desperate measure cultivators from Void City resorted to when facing malevolent beings.

BOOM!

A serpentine Thunderclap tore through the void, shattered the roof, and struck ’Wodi’.

The next instant.

The entire hall was engulfed in a blinding light, so intense it not only seared the eyes but also distorted perception.

When everything returned to calm, the vast space had been reduced to utter ruin.

’Wodi’ was naturally obliterated, leaving no trace, and two of the Xibe Family’s Official Wizards had also perished on the spot. Those who survived were all severely injured, including the Clan Leader, who possessed the strength of a Late First Ring.

Conversely, Paul, who looked bewildered, had escaped unharmed due to his position, his eyes vacant and stiff.

"Damn it!" Looking at the devastation in the hall, the Clan Leader clenched his jaw so hard his teeth ground, his body trembling. "This fellow..."

"Clan Leader!"

Just then, a man burst in from outside, shouting, "Someone wants us to build a Wizard Tower! He... he forced his way in!"

Hmm?

Before he could finish, the newcomer was stunned into silence by the scene before him.

"Very well!" The Clan Leader’s body quaked. "Are they treating the Xibe Family as if we’re made of clay? Does everyone think they can just come and bully us? Activate the Wizard Towers! I want to—"

Before he could finish his sentence, an unfamiliar yet familiar voice sounded out, "Gentlemen, we meet again."

The voice was unfamiliar because he had never heard it before, yet familiar because of its underlying tone—that same casual, mocking inflection from just moments ago.

A nondescript middle-aged man walked in. Seemingly oblivious to the devastated scene around him, he said, "I wonder if Mr. ’Gai’ has time now? The Second Order Wizard Tower I need is rather urgent."

"It’s you!" The Clan Leader’s eyes constricted. "Soul Possession Technique?"

"Indeed." Carl raised an eyebrow. "You have some insight, Clan Leader. If you’re interested, I can pay a few more visits like this, until you agree. After all... you have already accepted my deposit."

The Clan Leader’s face turned ashen, as if he had swallowed a fly. His fingers twitched, but ultimately, he chose not to act. Since the other party could control someone else’s body to launch a suicidal attack, he was not afraid of what the Clan Leader might do. And he, the Clan Leader, would never know which future visitor might be the one possessed by this entity. Once they truly offended him, the entire family would be plunged into endless despair and fear.

"What a fine method!" Gritting his teeth, the Clan Leader spoke in a low, strained voice, "Mr. Conni, what a fine method! No wonder you could render the people from the Six Rings Tower helpless. I agree to the construction of the Wizard Tower."

"Good!" Carl nodded with a smile. He wasn’t surprised by this. A Wizard Family is a foundation of strength, but also a vulnerability for some.

"When do we leave?"

"Immediately!" The Clan Leader shot a look at his brother, ’Gai’. "Go quickly and return quickly."

"Clan Leader," Paul, still in the hall, asked dazedly, "then... should I still go?"

"Get out!" The Clan Leader trembled with rage. "You! Get out of here!"