(TL NOTE: Eastern Lands is China… So yeah, I have changed it and will be changing 'Zhang Chengrui' to 'Wong' and 'Zhang Xian' to 'Yao'.)
In the dream, Aiden took several people to observe his experiences. After some trembling, the group woke up.
"I see," Quinn Prewett stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"Then we were the ones who disturbed you," Daren said, leaning against the wall while organising the information he had just received.
"Don't you plan to change the future?" Aiden read their firm thoughts from the sea of consciousness.
"Of course not. If changes in the future cause your disappearance, that would be a huge loss," Fetty narrowed her eyes with determination.
"So you're all mad people," Aiden sighed deeply.
"But it's such a pity that you're not from our era," Alida said, hugging Aiden and nuzzling his dragon horns affectionately.
"In any case, we understand the situation. During this wizarding war, we will remain silent and follow your will as our guide," Quinn made the decision, representing that the Prewetts had placed their bet.
"That's good news," Dumbledore, who had been eavesdropping nearby, extended his hand to Quinn with obvious relief.
Quinn shook it firmly.
The Prewett people came hurriedly and left hurriedly.
At this moment, in the office, Dumbledore and Aiden sat facing each other across the desk.
"Something you need?" Aiden could tell from his expression that he definitely had a favour to ask.
"Grindelwald is plotting for the power of the Deep Realm Kings. I hope you can make a trip to the Eastern Lands," Dumbledore looked at Aiden seriously.
"The Eastern Lands? What do they have to do with it? Grindelwald's ideology shouldn't be able to invoke the descent of life, right?" Aiden raised an eyebrow questioningly.
"However, because the Eastern people have sealed the Deep Realm Kings in the real world, all sorts of strange creatures are always being born on their lands," Dumbledore explained patiently.
He raised his wand and waved it, filling the classroom with a large amount of swirling mist.
A creature with a sheep's head, wolf hooves, a rounded top, and a colourful body, and standing about 4 metres tall, emerged from the magical mist.
"Qilin," Aiden recognised the creature immediately.
"Yes, the Eastern people cleverly merged their wizarding culture with secular culture, forming a unique totem worship system. This resulted in magical creatures born on their lands having the ability to affect everyone's consciousness," Dumbledore explained with obvious admiration.
"Everyone? Even ordinary people would be involved!" Aiden suddenly realised what those people back in the Eastern Lands had accomplished.
"Yes, it sounds strange, but they did achieve it—wizards leading ordinary people forward together. According to legend, in their ancient times, many wizards participated in ordinary people's wars. Wizards left great influence among ordinary people, and their secular regimes were basically established with wizards' help. Under this model, their wizards can be said to have the best integration with ordinary people in the world."
Dumbledore took a long breath, his expression showing clear envy.
"So next we're going to the Eastern Lands?" Aiden tilted his head.
"Not we, just you," Dumbledore looked at him and winked his left eye playfully.
Aiden clenched his fists in frustration.
Helplessly taking the ticket to the Eastern Lands, behind him Dumbledore stood with a black eye on his left side, smiling and waving at him.
Taking the ferry, after drifting on the sea for a full month, Aiden arrived at the land of luxury and decadence—the great port city.
Busy commercial districts and colourful nightlife filled the streets. At this moment, the port city was a place where tradition and modernity intertwined in fascinating ways.
Aiden wore a proper little suit, and people around couldn't help but cast curious glances at him.
His brow furrowed slightly, magic surged, and a Confundus Charm formed above the crowd. Soon all the gazes focused on Aiden disappeared.
"Isn't it a bit rude to use magic carelessly on our territory, foreign practitioner?" a young voice appeared behind Aiden.
"Just a small trick. After all, Eastern people's nature of loving excitement might cause us trouble, right, Master Wong?" Aiden replied fluently in the local tongue.
Aiden turned around to see young Wong standing behind him with his hands folded formally.
The fluent local language made Wong pause for a moment in surprise.
"Foreigners who speak our language so fluently are rare. Are you interested in our country? Why don't you stay? I can recommend you to join our order," Wong became much more enthusiastic, raised his eyebrows, and started recruiting eagerly.
"You people all like to do this," Aiden observed wryly.
Obviously this familiar approach and familiar recruiting talk reminded Aiden of that fellow from the Department of Mysteries.
"No need, Master Wong. I have no plans to become a monk," Aiden smiled politely.
"Our order doesn't forbid marriage, you know?" Wong had an expression like, 'You'd be at a loss if you missed this opportunity.'
"Let's talk about serious matters. Do you know that Grindelwald is coveting the Qilin?" Aiden became serious.
"How do you... oh, you're a Prewett, that's not surprising," Wong first frowned, then relaxed with understanding.
"Come on, follow me back to the temple first. This matter still needs to be reported to my master for him to decide," Wong said, reaching out to teleport with Aiden.
"No need, I'll do it myself," Aiden dodged, then transformed into a guardian spirit and followed beside Wong.
"Hey, you Western things are just flashy," Wong shook his head dismissively.
He took a step forward, and the surrounding space began to rotate like black mist, with everything spiraling to form a magical passage.
When the black mist dispersed and the power of Order reassembled matter, the two had arrived at an ancient temple complex.
"Wait, how do you know our spatial compression technique?" Wong raised an eyebrow suspiciously.
"You taught me," the corner of Aiden's mouth curved up slightly.
"I? What—"
"Smack!" A sharp tap interrupted Wong's words.
"You brat, teaching sect secrets to outsiders," an elder appeared suddenly.
He was the old man who had previously fought against Resentment in the Deep Realm, and also Wong's master—Yao, the current Grand Master of Dragon Tiger Mountain.
"Grand Master," Aiden performed a formal bow respectfully.
"Don't call me Grand Master, call me Master. Come on, let's go to our founder's hall right now to complete the apprenticeship ceremony, then give you a proper name. Tomorrow you can stay at Dragon Tiger Mountain to cultivate," the elder said, grabbing Aiden and preparing to rush to the main hall.
"Wait, Grand Master, this junior really has no intention of entering the monastic life. My worldly ties are not severed, so I cannot cultivate the true way," Aiden's face was almost scrunched up as he waved his hands repeatedly.
"Then you learnt Dragon Tiger Mountain's secret techniques, so you should give an explanation," the elder said, seeing one plan fail and devising another.
"Is it a secret technique? Isn't this something I learnt and improved from the divine beast Zouwu? I remember quite a few people outside know it too," Aiden narrowed his eyes.
"I don't care. You admitted it yourself—you learnt it from my disciple Wang," the elder put his hands on his hips stubbornly.
Then he cast a threatening look at Wang, who shook his head in response.
"Alright, Master, stop fooling around. It's time to talk about serious matters," Wang interjected.
"You, rebellious disciple!" The elder glanced at him angrily and turned to walk toward the main hall with dignified steps.