With the aid of the sage, a figure of immense authority, many tasks became significantly easier.
For instance, the subtle maneuvers Jie Ming and the others executed in the capital were partly successful because the sage used his influence to cover their tracks.
When David confirmed that Jie Ming’s group would act that night, launching their faith contamination to create an opportunity for the high-tier wizards, he and the sage made their final move.
They secretly gathered the leaders of all races—those mortals wielding the highest authority, capable of mobilizing armies and organizing resistance.
Then, catching them off guard, they triggered a magical trap prepared by the sage, instantly slaughtering them all.
This was why, when Jie Ming’s group escaped the capital, the city, though chaotic, lacked any authoritative figure to take charge and mount an effective counterattack.
At that moment, all the leaders had already perished in this silent “decapitation operation.”
This was also the key reason David secured second place on the contribution leaderboard.
In addition to participating in Jie Ming’s faith contamination plan, he earned substantial contributions for eliminating the mortal leaders.
Thus, aside from Jie Ming, the mastermind, David’s contributions were the highest.Sensing the message from the wizard camp through his artifact, David’s lips curved into a confident smile.
He knew he had played this move flawlessly.
Meanwhile, the sage, his expression somewhat vacant, couldn’t help but recall his first meeting with David.
The young man had, with a perspective alien to this plane, clearly outlined the wizard civilization’s might and Elosia’s inevitable fate.
With the sage’s wisdom, he could see that David’s approach was essentially a gamble with no upfront cost.
If David failed to convince him, there would be no contributions to speak of, and thus no leverage to protect Elosia’s beings.
Yet, the sage also acknowledged David’s truth: after recognizing the wizard civilization’s overwhelming power, he knew Elosia had no chance of victory.
Only submission offered hope for survival.
Of course, defiance was an option.
What truly swayed him was David’s soul-piercing question: “Lord Sage, are you a sage for this world’s nobles, or for its beings?”
That was how David had asked him.
The sage closed his eyes, the question stirring memories of long-forgotten dreams.
Thus, he made his choice.
In the wizard civilization’s social structure, there was no place for nobles, and their anger only fueled David’s disdain.
So the sage decisively agreed to David’s decapitation plan.
Not for the nobles, but to leave a spark for this plane, to let it persist in another form.
…
…
Though the deities of Elosia’s upper echelons had been entirely captured by the wizard civilization’s high-tier beings, integrating the remaining plane was still a vast and complex task.
This plane cluster encompassed numerous sub-planes, each requiring meticulous consolidation and resource collection.
More crucially, handling the plane’s intelligent and non-intelligent beings demanded careful deliberation to align with Noren Workshop’s highest interests and long-term plans.
Thus, for the time being, the wizard apprentices who participated in the trial found themselves with idle time.
Fortunately, the plane’s barrier had vanished, allowing them to return to Noren Workshop at any time via the camp’s spatial teleportation devices.
Jie Ming initially hesitated.
His fascination with Elosia’s mysterious faith network made him eager to stay and continue his research.
Since the plane’s upheaval, the mortal dust aura he collected seemed to have undergone subtle changes, begging further exploration.
Still, he wanted to return to Noren Workshop first to inform Mentor Clark, who had shown him considerable care and favor.
Unexpectedly, before he could act, Mentor Clark contacted him directly.
Clark’s voice was as steady as ever, with a hint of subtle approval. “Jie Ming, we’ve heard about your performance in this plane. We’re very pleased. Your contributions exceeded all our expectations.”
Jie Ming’s heart warmed, and he replied humbly, “It’s all thanks to your guidance, Mentor.”
“Enough flattery,” Clark chuckled, his tone shifting. “There’s much to do at Noren Academy No. 13. We’ll be leaving first.”
Jie Ming was slightly taken aback.
“You, seize this opportunity,” Clark said pointedly. “That faith network is a treasure. I’ve studied it before but lacked sufficient materials, so progress was limited. You’re in a good position now—perhaps you can forge a path.”
“Thank you, Mentor.” Jie Ming’s doubts vanished.
After bidding farewell to his mentors, Jie Ming stayed at the wizard camp.
The former tense atmosphere had dissipated, replaced by a triumphant ease and bustling activity.
Wizards tasked with resource inventory and plane integration had begun arriving, undertaking the massive task of cataloging.
Jie Ming didn’t involve himself in these mundane affairs. He returned to his assigned private chamber in the camp.
He organized the rare materials and items he’d collected in Elosia—stones with ancient patterns, unique plant samples, and relics from the temples.
Then, he pulled out his thick notebook and began diligently recording key insights and knowledge from this period.
His pen danced across the pages, detailing deeper reflections on collecting and utilizing mortal dust aura.
He noted that the more intense and chaotic mortal emotions were, the greater the yield of mortal dust aura.
However, such aura was highly unstable and dangerous for tempering one’s will.
In contrast, aura produced in stable conditions, though less abundant and potent, was far safer.
Thus, different types of mortal dust aura required distinct applications.
He also meticulously recorded ideas for improving rune artifacts.
This plane war had validated the potential of runes in practice while revealing room for enhancement.
He brainstormed ways to make runes better adapt to different planes’ energy systems and draw energy more discreetly.
Most importantly, he documented his findings on the divine faith network and plans for further research.
He even began envisioning how to establish a new faith observation and experimentation system within his future domain.
As Jie Ming immersed himself in thought and writing, his wizard artifact suddenly vibrated lightly.
Checking it, he saw a communication request from David.
Surprised but intrigued, Jie Ming accepted.
David’s figure appeared in the artifact’s projection, no longer the barbarian from their first encounter but exuding a wizard’s distinct aura.
“Jie Ming, congratulations on taking first place,” David said bluntly, his voice calm and direct. “I assume you’ve heard about some of my contributions in this mission.”
“You mean the plane leaders who died in the hall?” Jie Ming raised an eyebrow, his tone playful.
The deaths of those leaders couldn’t be hidden from the wizards, and news had quickly spread through the camp.
David’s lips curved slightly. “Exactly. But I have something else I need your help with.”
Jie Ming gestured for him to continue.
David’s gaze grew complex as he briefly explained his agreement with the sage.
He emphasized it wasn’t just a transaction but a promise to preserve a “spark” for this plane.
“So, my goal is to propose a trade,” David said solemnly. “I can offer a price—my research notes. These contain my findings since entering this plane, covering faith energy, disguise wizardry, and in-depth studies of native species’ traits.”
He paused, his tone carrying a hint of earnestness. “I hope you’ll take in some of Elosia’s native intelligent beings and settle them in your future domain. I’ll provide a detailed list, ensuring they’re chosen by the sage, willing to undergo transformation, and friendly toward the wizard civilization. Rest assured, I’ll supply the transformation potions and assist with their modification.”
Jie Ming tapped the table, deep in thought.
David’s research notes… He knew David was a genius of Noren Academy, and his research from Elosia was perfectly suited to Jie Ming’s interests.
More importantly, Jie Ming realized that once he had a domain in this plane, he’d have much to do.
He’d need people to manage the domain, assist in experiments, and even loyal “subjects” to observe the effects of transformations.
These carefully selected, willing native intelligent beings were ideal.
“I agree,” Jie Ming said, lifting his gaze with a deep look. “Your research notes are indeed valuable. As for the beings, I’ll settle them in my domain and ensure they’re nurtured per the wizard civilization’s methods.”
Relief and gratitude flickered in David’s eyes. “Thank you, Jie Ming. I’ll send the notes over soon.”
The deal was struck swiftly, without even a formal contract.
Both knew the other wouldn’t break their word, as it benefited them both.
As the communication ended, a smile spread across Jie Ming’s face.