Translator: AnubisTL
Mentor Clark keenly sensed the shift in Jieming's mood.
He observed the relieved expression on Jieming's face, as if he had narrowly escaped death, and a mischievous glint flickered in his eyes—a sight Jieming had never witnessed before.
"What's wrong?" Mentor Clark leaned forward slightly, indulging in a rare moment of humor. "You didn't actually think we went through all this trouble to bring you here, mobilizing so many resources and personnel, just for that little bit of knowledge about new materials in your head, did you?"
Jieming awkwardly lowered his head and scratched his head, trying to conceal the lingering hope in his eyes. "Uh... I was a bit worried at first... that I'd be interrogated."
Mentor Clark didn't comment on Jieming's "worries." Instead, he resumed his usual calm, narrative tone.
"You may not realize it, but the academy mobilized far more resources than you can imagine to ascertain your 'purity' and potential. The examination of your soul, interpersonal connections, and causal threads involved at least five fourth-tier wizards, including experts in rare magical disciplines."
"Checking the Planetary Origin Data requires the dean's authorization. The magic and manpower this consumes are considerable, even for Noren Academy."
"We're not doing this because your materials are particularly valuable. Fifth-Tier Materials are decent, but not irreplaceable for us. The real reason is to eliminate any potential threats to the academy's security and to determine whether your potential value justifies further investment."
Mentor Clark paused, his gaze seeming to pierce through the walls of the secret chamber and drift into the distant void.
"And... we also harbored a sliver of unrealistic hope."
His tone suddenly turned complex, tinged with disappointment and regret for the seeker of knowledge.
"To be honest, many of us secretly hoped you might have some connection to those foreign, unknown entities—beings revered as spirits in certain planes."
"Uh..."
Jieming felt awkward, unsure how to respond. Fortunately, Mentor Clark hadn't expected him to reply.
"Wizards pursue knowledge," Mentor Clark continued. "But our knowledge isn't rigid dogma; it's like life itself, constantly absorbing, digesting, and transforming, ultimately becoming our own power and understanding. That's why even knowledge considered corrupting in many destinies can be swiftly utilized and transformed by wizards."
"Long ago, shortly after the wizard civilization first ventured beyond the Primordial Plane, they encountered a peculiar cluster of planes inhabited by spirits possessing the attribute of being 'unspeakable.' These beings lacked fixed forms and clear hierarchical positions, preferring to forcibly drag mortals into their own distorted understanding of 'truth' or 'knowledge.' The mortals, unable to withstand the overwhelming influx of information and concepts, would either go mad or die."
Jieming swallowed nervously, feeling a strange sense of familiarity... these spirits sounded eerily familiar.
"They were... dangerous yet knowledge-rich spirits," Mentor Clark said, a hint of indescribable fervor creeping into his voice. "Eventually, the wizards of that era destroyed the entire plane cluster and 'devoured' these spirits."
"We analyzed their existence using wizardry methods, absorbed their power and knowledge, and completely integrated them into the wizard civilization's system."
"Through these spirits' legacies, the wizard civilization ultimately gave birth to a new ninth-tier wizard."
A ninth-tier wizard!
Even in this situation, Jieming couldn't help but feel a surge of longing.
"So, if you truly have a connection to some foreign spirits capable of bringing unknown knowledge and concepts..." Mentor Clark's tone carried a hint of regret.
"Even just reporting this matter would secure our school's resources for a very long time. If the enemy is strong enough, it might even lead to the birth of another ninth-tier wizard, potentially expanding the wizard civilization's borders once again."
He looked at Jieming and calmly summarized, "So when we discovered you were 'clean'—merely a native apprentice with exceptional innate talent and good luck... to be honest, many of us wizards, including myself, were quite disappointed."
As Jieming listened to Mentor Clark's "disappointment," he felt the back of his shirt completely soaked with cold sweat!
He resolved to keep the Great Dao Library Pavilion hidden deep within his mind, no matter the cost.
Absolutely no one must ever discover its existence!
After all, even Jieming himself couldn't be certain whether the wizards would interpret its exposure as his own accumulated knowledge or as a hidden maneuver by some unknown divine entity.
Yet, after the initial shock, Jieming regained his composure.
According to Mentor Clark, he had already undergone a thorough assessment without his knowledge, which led to his eligibility for the second-tier cultivation protocol.
This protocol was initiated by the Star Ring Alliance.
If the Noren Workshop was the governing body of Noren Academy, then the Star Ring Alliance was the governing body of the Noren Workshop.
The Star Ring Alliance was a coalition of powerful wizard factions united by shared beliefs, forming one of the four major factions within the wizard civilization.
For Jieming, the greatest benefit of this cultivation protocol wasn't the expanded access it granted, but the complete validation of his identity!
Furthermore, the Star Orbit Tribunal's conventions provided additional protection.
Under the condition that he was neither a spy nor a traitor, no wizard could forcibly strip him of his knowledge.
This meant that as long as he remained cautious and kept the Great Dao Library Pavilion—his greatest secret—hidden, he could gradually reveal more of his abilities under the guise of being a "genius."
By systematically disguising knowledge and materials from the Immortal Cultivation World as originating from the Wizard World, he could secure even greater benefits and resources for himself!
This was an unparalleled opportunity!
Jieming took a deep breath, calming his racing heart.
"Thank you, Mentor!" he said sincerely, bowing to Mentor Clark. "I will not disappoint the Star Ring Alliance's investment in me!"
"This has nothing to do with me; it's all your own talent," Mentor Clark replied with a nod, reverting to his usual expressionless demeanor.
"The second-tier cultivation protocol will officially take effect within a week. The corresponding permissions will be granted to your personal account. Remember, the opportunity has been provided. How far you go depends entirely on your own abilities."
With that, Mentor Clark stood up, said nothing more, and turned to leave the secret chamber.
The heavy metal door slowly closed again, restoring the chamber to silence.
Jieming remained seated, feeling a sense of unprecedented relief.
(End of the Chapter)
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